12th Agylls at Dorian 8-9 May 17

[ianmccallum]

Hi Guys

On the scrounge again. Hoping for locations and doings of 12th Argylls between March - 9 May 1917. The man I am researching was KIA 9 May along side 52 others at Doiran. Any info greatly appreciated.

Ian

[akduerden]

Can advise following based on 26th Division CRA War Diary

07/03/1917 - 77th Brigade occupied without incident new front line WHALE BACK - BOWLS BARROW - HILL 6

24-25/04/1917 - 78th Brigade involved in large attack on Bulgar front line which also required 79th Brigade to counter-attack in support. THis seems to have been a divisional attack so 77th probably involved.

28/04/1917 - 9.19 AM 77th Brigade requested supporting artillery fire to cease as stretcher parties out in WYLYE VALLEY

02/05/1917 - Bulgars carried out light bombardment of WYLYE VALLEY including cutting wire with howitzers

07+08/05/1917 - 26th Division RA carried out operational order No.22, calling for bombardment of bulgar front. Enemy artillery reply was light but became heavy evening 8th including Gas.

08/05/1917 - Rifle fire and bombing very heavy around OP O1 most of the evening.

08/05/1917 10:50PM Argyll's in OP O2. Black Watch being counter-attacked - verbal message from Col. Gordon.

08/05/1917 10:57PM Rifle fire at OP O1 slackening and enemy barrage reduced

08/05/1917 11:00PM Verbal message from Col. Gordon - Black Watch asked for cloase barrage to be kept up and barrage put on DEEP RAVINE

08/05/1917 11:09PM Col. Elliot asked for more fire in region of DEEP RAVINE

08/05/1917 11:36PM Reports enemy batteries putting shrapnel barrage on OP's O1,O2,O3

08/05/1917 11:46PM Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders reported to be safely in - reported by FOO

08/05/1917 11:56PM Artillery have been instructed to turn fire on to front trenches at OP O3 as Black Watch have been turned out by counter attack (turned out of Z19-Z20).

09/05/1917 12:19AM 78th Brigade are in position having crossed JUMEAUX RAVINE

09/05/1917 12:35AM Oxford & Bucks sent back lamp message for reserves company and all MG's and reported all officers of B Company wounded.

09/05/1917 12:40AM Oxford & Bucks in enemy's trenches

09/05/1917 12:59AM Oxford & Bucks being heavily shelled by enemy batteries

09/05/1917 01:06AM Argyll's holding OP O2

09/05/1917 01:16AM Reported by Col. Adams that he has no information of the two companies assaulting OP O1. Sent out officer to get information but lost touch with officer.

09/05/1917 01:17AM Berks assulating OP Z34. One more company moving up

09/05/1917 01:48AM 240 Argyll's reformed in our trenches. Nothing known of right battalion. Of left battalion 46 of one company and 50 of another and reserve company are in some spot unknown

09/05/1917 02:06AM Telephone rumour reports heavy fighting in OP O1 and that Sco. Rifles are being pressed.

09/05/1917 02:15AM Situation on Left - Battalion of O & B are up and Berks. coming up in support but can't do any good unless trench mortar silenced.

09/05/1917 02:20AM 240 Argyll's reported to be reforming in our trenches appear to be reserves company preparing to go out. Argyl's have lodgement in OP O2

09/05/1917 02:22AM We have lodgement in OP O2

09/05/1917 02:44AM Trench mortar ceased firing

09/05/1917 02:47AM Infantry all out of OP's O1,O2,O3. RA bombard enemy front line and support trenches.

09/05/1917 02:53AM We hold OP O4.

09/05/1917 03:07AM Bucks have been strengthed by two companies. Berks are holding on.

09/05/1917 03:30AM Attacking again at 3.30AM

Sorry that is all I have... not yet transcribed the images to Word but can send war diary for 8th/9th via email as it is made up of a number of images.

Andrew

[ianmccallum]

Hi Andrew

Thank you for getting back to me. The info is a great help, so far the battle is going well for the Argylls not quite what I expected. Please send what you have by email. I will help out with the transcribing and will return the info.

Ian