mebu Posted 7 October , 2012 Share Posted 7 October , 2012 Would anyone know which units of 57 div held southern part of Plug wood on 6/7 June '17 as defensive flank for Messines? I believe 2 battalions (?) (plus probably mg/re/medics etc)? Thanks, Mebu Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken Lees Posted 7 October , 2012 Share Posted 7 October , 2012 57th Division were in the Bois Grenier sector at that time, south of Armentieres. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mebu Posted 7 October , 2012 Author Share Posted 7 October , 2012 Ken yes the division was south of Armentieres....but they also covered up to Ploegsteert, Australian records refer to "2 battalions of 57th Division" - unfortunately not named - taking over south side of wood. Also, 3rd Australian ADMS records on 2nd June Westminster Avenue (middle of the wood) down to Brewery Corner handed over to medical personnel of 57th Division. Hence my question.....does anyone know which units covered the northern part of 57 div front (it says somewhere this was 8,000 yards...a longer than normal front) which formed the defensive flank of Messines attack? Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken Lees Posted 7 October , 2012 Share Posted 7 October , 2012 Peter, I will check my notes and see if I can see anything relevant to your query. The War Diary of the 2/9th King's Liverpool Regt states: 7th The Battalion relieved the 2/10th Bn "The King's" (L'pool) Regt, relief being completed at 11.30 p.m. During the period of rest there were no unusual occurrences. The area occupied was not shelled. So, you can discount the 2/9th and 2/10th King's. There are two men of the 2/5th Loyal North Lancs buried in The Strand Cemetery, close to Plugstreet Wood, both died on 7th June, so that seems to identify one of the two battalions. Still looking for the other battalion Ken Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mebu Posted 7 October , 2012 Author Share Posted 7 October , 2012 Ken, thanks for that, 2/5 LNL seems a good starting point, also noticed a few RE and RA men so will check their units. Regards Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjustice Posted 14 October , 2012 Share Posted 14 October , 2012 On balance, If those two King's battalions are ruled out then that removes 172nd Brigade per se. If 2/5 LNL are likely then that rules 170th Brigade in, so most likely are 2/4 and 4/5 LNL, and 2/5 King's Own (170th Infantry Brigade). My money would be on the former as they were mainly joined at the hip with 2/5. I'll have a look next time in Kew if no-one does it first. Cheers, Simon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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