10th Black Watch Salonika

[johnsammc]

Hi All

Im looking for any info on this battalions movements on the 8th May '17.I have them as part of 77th Brig,26th Div and thats about it.Theres doesnt seem to but much info available out there or maybe im just looking in the wrong place.

Any help appreciated

John

[River97]

John,

Have you had a look at Naval and Military Press to see if they have anything?

There is This. Don't know how much info there will be though.

Cheers Andy.

[apwright]

They were heavily engaged in the second phase of the first battle of Doiran on the night of 8/9 May.

77th Brigade held the eastern end of the line by the lake, 11/Cameronians attacking O.1 from Swindon Hill. To their left, 12/A&SH attacked O.2 and 10/Black Watch moved 2 companies from Silbury Hill up Wylye Ravine to attack O.3 on Petit Couronne, with a 3rd company in support at the Sunken Road. 8/RSF were in reserve.

Uncut wire in the ravine held them up and only a handful made it to O.3, and they were soon driven back. Renewed attempts were made during the night, but with the same results.

More details in the Official History (Cyril Falls: Military Operations Macedonia, Vol. 1, pp 321-6).

Adrian

Edited to add: There's no mention of casualties in the Official History, but there are 7 burials at Doiran Cemetery and about 55 names on Doiran Memorial of men of 10/Black Watch who died on 8/9 May 1917.

[johnsammc]

Thanks so much for the link Andy

Adrian,thank you for the information.Just what im looking for.Much appreciated

John

[dundeesown]

Hi John.

Touch between companies was lost at the start.The reserve platoons of A company,with which were Captain Nicol and Com.H.Q,lost touch with B company on the left,who then inclined to the left,compelling A company to throw its second wave into the first line in an endeavour to keep connection with B company. A company kept up with the barrage and reached the enemy wire,but found it strong.Lieut.J.Grey with about 30 men and a Lewis gun got through and into the enemy line.At this moment the enemy barrage fell.and many high explosive shells landed along the line of wire with two belts of shrapnel,one about thirty and the other about eighty yards in front of the wire,while machine gun fire swept the line from the rear of 02 and Petit Couronne,which,according to plan,had not yet been attacked.The enemy kept up a steady rifle fire.The men of Lieut. Greys party were now almost the sole survivors of A company in the trench,and were only able to hold about seventy yards of it just west of Wylye Ravine,While the Argylls on the right had in some places penetrated to the second line. From History of B/W.(Wauchope)

if you pm me I will send you a scan of pages.

8/5/17--6 casualties + 4 Officers.

9/5/17--51 casualties.

All the best Gary