| Regiment | 2nd Wiltshire |
|---|---|
| Location | Roeux, France |
| Entry | 0005: Shelling decreases. Reported to Bde that line is held as far as it is known by Bn HQ 0017: Message to A Coy ordering to report situation. Slight LMG fire from Left flank 0135: Message to C Coy ordering to report situation 0140: 2/Lt Clarke returns from recce of A & B Coy areas 0200: Orderly sent to A Coy with message 0205: Patrol sent out from Battle Pl under 2/Lt Clarke to quarry area 0210: Capt Read reports movement in A Coy area 0220: Shelling increased to Bn HQs 0257: Orderly A Coy reports that coy is still in posn 0300: 2/Lt Clarke returns and reports on absence of enemy in quarry area. C Coy seen in posn. Shelling continues 0320: Capt Lord Arundell reports that C Coy is still in posn, and Coy 2/Cams is not needed 0335: Coloured balls of light seen over the river at ROEUX. Sound of APU and movement reported in enemy area 0400: Message from A Coy that line is still intact 0600: Enemy planes over and active 0630: Enemy shelling ROEUX Stn 0747: Bn reverting to orignal dispositions. Coy 2/Cams reverts to Bn. Enemy reported collecting in front of C Coy 0810: Coy 2/ Cameronians withdrawn 0900: B Coy reports that enemy is making bridging prepartions opposite coy 0955: B Coy reports that enemy have crossed the river on their right, ferrying small AFUS across, Capt Read corroborates this message. 1005: This message passed on to 13 Inf Bde, All Coys and A TK Coy. 1025: Coy Comdr 2/Innisks reports his posn in person, on left behind C Coy 1055: Lt-Col Moore R/T to Brig Dempsey on plans for getting fire to bear on bridge being built by enemy 1035: Bn only 3" mortar comes into action by Bn HQs, bridge as target 1115: One Tp A TK Coy placed under comd 1145: 91 Fd Regt put down concentration 5 r.p.g on site of enemy bridge 1209: Lt-Col Moore spoke to Brig Dempsey on shelling of enemy bridge 1244: Wounded to date 3 Killed 19 wounded - all evacuated. Shelling increasing in intensity of fwd areas 1255: Message to D Coy on situation of their right flank 1410: Capt Comerford Green RIO returned from Bde Comdr, having given him the situation 1530: Agent de Liaison Montague and 2 Fr. Stragglers and cooks sent back 1530: A Coy reports on front 1630: One Pl 2/ Cameronians sent on left flank 'A' Coy and 8 Pl 9 Manch R took up fire position from Bn HQ area, and opens fire 1700 hrs 1722: Situation unchanged and reported to Bde 1730: Large formation of enemy bombers over flying S.E. Very little firing or bombing 1827: Message to A Coy about position of Pl 2/ Cameronians 1830: Shelling increased again, ranging about Bn HQs, also stray enemy MG fire. Situation reported 1920: Enemy planes over. Various Administrations Instructions received 2000: Message from B Coy on 6 dud shells which landed 2050: Message from Brig Dempsey that the French have retaken CAMBRAI and that the situation is considerably improved 2100: Shelling practically ceased 2230: Distant but short bombardment on Bn HQ and 3" mortar posn on Rt 2218: Message received to dig in and improve defences 2300: Rations and water trucks up Reference to Appendices: App 'AA' 'BB' and 'CC' |
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