| Regiment | 1st Royal Berkshire |
|---|---|
| Location | France, LE PREOL - GIVENCHY |
| Entry | The Btn left LE PREOL by companies starting at 4.30am, and took up its allotted positions as per 6th Infantry Brigade order No 10. (see also sketch attached). The remainder of the Brigade took up the positions as in Brigade order No 10. Operations were continued as in Brigade order No 11. At 8.10am the Infantry delivered the assault. On the Right. The S Staffordshire Regiment reached the German trenches but were unable to establish themselves owing to downhill machine gun fire and enfilade fire. Centre. The 1st Btn KINGS Rgt were unable to gain the German trenches owing to the stray wire entanglements and hostile machine gun fire. On the Left. The 1st Btn KINGS ROYAL RIFLE Corps reached the German trenches with their first party, but the supporting parties were unable to get up owing to hostile machine gun fire from the flanks, and the stray wire entanglements. All these Regiments went to the assault in the most gallant manner. History cannot afford a finer example of self sacrifice and devotion to duty that the way in which these regiments executed the mission entrusted to them. Their losses were heavy and they were forced to recoil. At 8.35am Capt C G Hill DSO Commanding the Battn received the following message. "Send head of leading company to GIVENCHY DUG OUTS, and be ready to advance." A Company immediately took up this position, and an order was given to Lieut G H Woods verbally to proceed at once via MAIRIE [sic] REDOUBT to support S Staffordshire Regiment and to report to their O.C. On arrival there, Major HAIG DSO, 2nd in Command S Staffordshire Regiment kept "A" Company in support. Meanwhile the assaulting columns had been forced back and it was decided not to launch another attack until the artillery had again bombarded the enemy's trenches. "A" Company remained, therefore, in the communications trenches leading to the MAIRE REDOUBT, and half of "B" Company occupied the GIVENCHY DUGOUTS. The remainder of the Battn were in reserve in their original positions. Brigadier General R Fanshawe then gave the order for a fresh artillery bombardment. This bombardment started at 2.15pm and the infantry were to assault at 2.45pm providing the wire in front of the German trenches was cut by our guns. The Battn was ordered to deliver the assault from that position of the line known as the LORGIES road barrier. "B" Company was ordered to deliver the assault, and "D" Company was brought up into the communicating trench with its head resting on LOOKOUT in immediate support. (See accompanying sketch) Capt C G Hill, DSO, Commanding the Battn, himself went to the barrier from where "B" Company was to assault, and during the whole of the bombardment watched the effect of our artillery on the enemy's wire. At 2.35pm the Commanding Officer sent two men of "B" Company over the parapet to ascertain better what damage had been done to the German trenches and wire in front of them. One of these men [Note in margin] (No 11850 Pte Wood F. "B" Coy, since died of wounds), went right up to the enemy trenches, the other remained half way. Pte Wood, although badly wounded managed to get back to his comrade and gave him the following message: "Wire not cut, enemy are holding their trenches in large numbers." Capt C G HILL DSO, Commanding the Battn decided not to assault, and the Regiments on our left did not assault either [Margin Note: 2/S.Staffordshire, 1/KINGS (Liverpool)]. The Battn was then withdrawn to the original positions occupied in the morning, and remained as Brigade Reserve. Orders were given to hold the Battn in readiness to deliver a night attack, but these were finally cancelled. The following message was received late in the evening and much appreciated by all ranks in the Brigade: "I feel confident that the bravery and steadfastness of the 6th Brigade was today what it always has been ever since I have known them." From Gen Sir Charles MUNRO Commanding 1st Corps. The GOC 2nd Division, Major Gen H.S. Horne, CB, added "When the 6th Brigade do not succeed no other troops can - they have made a great effort. |
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