| Regiment | 2nd Wiltshire |
|---|---|
| Location | Boisemont, Belgium |
| Entry | 1000: Bombing and aircraft heard at intervals during the night C.O (Lt-Col Moore) and Adjt (Capt Woolnough) met Brig Dempsey at a sanatorium, and with A & B Coy Comds, 9/Manch (MG) and Major Morrish 215 A Tk Btty, reconnoitred a 3½ mile bridgehead on the EAST of GRAMMONT 1220: Message from 13 Inf Bde ordering a move at 1400 hrs. C.O to Bde HQs immediately. 5 Div Intell Sumry No.1 received 1300: AA Gun fire about 26.00 ft a few miles to North 1340: Lt-Col Moore, Capt Hoare and Capt Comerford Green dep on recce 1450: Head of Bn. column formed up in village, and dep in Bde Column ROUTE - MORBECK - GAMMERAGES - MIDDELLERS - VASTRE KESTERGAT - PEPINGHEM - BRABES - HONDZECHT Distance - 20 miles Considerable enemy air activity from 1400 hrs till end of day. One enemy bomber brought down by French fighter at 1400 hrs 1513: Dive bombing attack on column 7 miles ahead. Groups of 5 - 8 German bombers attacked convoy from medium height 1600: Enemy bomber 'hedge-hopping' at 100 ft on rt of convoy 1630: Met by Major Bearne and coy guides: Bn ahead changed and column led to HONDZECHT HONDZECHT 1600: [Time lined through in diary, but with ?] Arr HONDZECHT : Bn and MT went into concealment in wood while billets were reconnoitred 1830: Onwards : Coy with A Ech marched into billets 1800: 'I' Tanks of 4 & 7 Bns RTR passing through HONDZECHT SOUTH from HAL in steady stream from 1800 - midnight. Also much refugee traffic, and vehicles of 2nd Div, all passing S.W from HAL. Enemy air activity during evening 1820: All Coy Comds to Bn HQs to receive orders. Bn is in res to the Bde, which is defending CHARLEROI Canal from INCL LEMBECQ to incl HAL 2200: 'B' Ech under QM withdrawn to BELLINGMEN Lt-Col Moore unable to report to Bde HQs owing to both roads being blocked by civn lorries and refugees. Line is also cut 2330: Capt Woolnough reported to Bde at BRAGES via HAL for instructions. Desultory Air bombing throughout the night, some fairly near Reference to Appendices: App 'T' |
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