Cheshire Regiment

[Jesse]

Looking for data on the July 7th, 1916 Ovillers attack.

[John_Hartley]

Some info on my website

clickety click

John

[nthornton1979]

From Crookenden's History :

The 13th Battalion, commanded by Colonel L.H.K Finch, was employed, on the 7th July, under the 12th Division against Ovillers. Jumping off trenches had been contrived from the newly-won German trenches in La Boisselle. These trenches formed a salient in the German line ans our attack ran parrall to the British and German fronts, the Germans still holding trenches flanking the line of advance from La Boisselle to Ollivers. The village was below the crest from the front, but was in view from our starting line.

It had been arranged that the attack should be protected by smoke and by an intense barrage. But there was no smoke and our men thought the barrage articularly feeble. It is probable that, as the wind dropped, the smoke rose at once. Our advance, being thus unscreened, drew heavy artillery fire. This fire, together with machine gun fire from front and flanks, stopped the attack about half way to Ovillers. The Loyal North Lancashires on our right lost heavily, the loss in Officers being particularly severe. The 13th Battalionlost eight Officers killed, Major J.C Metcalfe, Captain and Adjutant W.E Davy, Captain F.G Hall, Lieutenants Fitzroy Somerset, H.F Stevenson, D.A Stewart, 2nd Lieutenants A.E Cotton and C.M Bellis. Colonel Finch and eleven other Officers were wounded. 243 NCO's and men were killed or wounded.

Neil

[Jesse]

Thanks much, John and Neil. Very helpful indeed!

Looking for data on the July 7th, 1916 Ovillers attack.