| Regiment | 2nd Wiltshire |
|---|---|
| Location | Mericourt, France |
| Entry | 0056: Lt-Col Moore returned from Bde with orders which were issued to coys at conference, for move to FAMPOUX and ROEUX on the Scarpe to take over bridge guards from a Fr. L.M.D. 0120: Bn Dep MERICOURT by march route, with Pl trucks and MO vehicles only. Carriers in front followed by A Tk Bty. Route - LA GUEULEL - WILLERUAC - BAILLEUL - FAMPEUX. Distance - 8 miles. One halt at WILLERVAL. Road deteriates towards end, and marching became difficult and weary. Large fire seen in direction of DOUAI, (probably not town) also a shorter glare in the direction of ARRAS BAILLEUL 0350: Passed many Fr. tanks in village ROEX 0615: Bn HQs arr at ROEUX, proceeded to relieve 6 Green Howards, who were holding bridges with the Fr. DLM. Lt-Col Moore and Coy Comdrs out on reliefs. 0700: 6 Green Howards dep by march route for THELUS. Bn HQs in house in ROEUX at 556003. Four coys eventually took up posns along the SCARPE Canal on a two mile front. Carriers, who took on first relief, withdrawn when relieved by coys 0710: Liaison Officers, 9th and 91st Fd Regts AA (Div Art) arr to arrange Ops and communication 0715: CSM of a DLI Bn arr from extreme left flank by quarry, asked to be relieved 0730:; Very occasional gunfire 1015: Cooks lorries up from 'B' Ech at MERICOURT 1125: Bde OO No.11 received 1220: 10 enemy bombers over, PAD precautions taken Weather - warm sultry day, cloudy Lt-Col Moore round front. Several enemy planes over locality during morning and afternoon 1350: Message from Bde for Lt-Col Moore to go to Conference at 1200 hrs 1455: Capt Rock arrived. Pontoons proceeded past bn to Canal 1515: Bde OO No.12 received, for attack by Army TK Bde and 50 Div on front between our rt and ARRAS 1530: Attack progressed on rt of Bn. Reports received from three coys of attack by enemy AFUS. These treated with reserve, owing to the allied attack, but it was possible that enemy AFUS might have got into the sector. No identifications or details of enemy AFUS received and it is thought that Allied ones were mistaken for enemy. Several aircraft attacks on adv tps during the afternoon including two low MG attacks. enemy AFUS reported near Billets 1645: Heavy enemy aircraft attack, and enemy planes flew over at great height. Bde OO No.12 received 1700: Capt Peers and Rev Chadwick up from 'B' Ech, for half an hour. Allied attack proceeded over the skyline. 1800: 2 Cameronians and Carriers passed back through village. The Allied attack having only been partially successful 2130: Heavy Bombardment commenced on Bn front, Behind FDLs, around Bn HQs and on the Rly Stn. Sound of L.A fire from fwd coys 2140: Lt-Col Moore dep on visit to fwd coys. Message to Bde HQs announcing commencement of bombardment 2147: Enemy have broken through W B - message received verbally 2150: Heavy shelling commenced of Bn HQ area 2155: Message to Bde giving information of shelling, and of rifle and L.A fire along the FDL. Art putting down D.F fire, though SOS only seen from right 2215: Verbal message from WB that enemy have crossed the river. Written " from WC that 14 PN has suffered casualties and has to withdraw 2300: Bde informed of change in situation 2310: Art putting down D.2 again on left by quarry bridge. No further reports of crossing received, and no details of enemy strengths or situations. Only communication with fwd coys is by runner, as no line is out, and the situation of all coys is sketchy and innacurate 2315: Coy 2 Cameronians placed to support 2 Wilts, and 2 Cams brought down to line the rly embankment from FAMPOUX to ROEUX 2345: Capt Read O.C 'B' Coy arr Bn HQs, and reported on his coy front, which is stabilized, and as far as he knows, NO enemy have crossed. Some concern felt about situation on left by quarry, on C Coy front. Reference to Appendices: App 'Z' and 'AA' |
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