| Regiment | 2nd Wiltshire |
|---|---|
| Location | Tournai, France |
| Entry | 0350: Dawn. column moving slightly faster 0600: 9 Enemy bombers over TOURNAI, bombed the town. AA fire no effect. Column stopped 0610: Parts of Bn column overtook and went on ahead 0630: Head Bn Column passed through TOURNAI, no damage done to roads or bridges 0730: Hd Coln crossed French frontier Weather - cloudless sky, very warm 0850: Arr. SECLIN. Informed by Lt-Col DENT, Comd 5 Div that Bde area had changed, and Bn re-directed EAST from SECLIN PERONNE 0925: Arr. PERONNE via AVELIN and FRETIN. Remainder of Bn already present and billeting being arranged by Major Bearne. Bn in billets on N.W corner of village. HQs near church 0940: Carrier Pl arrive. Few men still missing, one motor truck and many bicycles had to be left on enemy lands 1100: Air Raid over RONCHIN aerodrome by enemy bombers. Fighter action involving about 10 planes. Some AA LMG fire brought to bear. 1215: Air Raid by 7 enemy bombers. Heavy AA fire 1416: Air Raid by unknown no. enemy, short duration 1430: Bn HQs removed to house. Refugees from village and neighbourhood increase during day, all passing WEST Intermittent gunfire to EAST, some distance off 1600: Enemy aircraft over at great height. No Alarm Refugee traffic thickening 1900: Maj-Gen Franklyn and Brig Dempsey to Bn HQs. Bn at 6 hrs notice till 0400 hrs 20 May. Gunfire increasing in intensity |
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