4 DIVISION 12 INFANTRY BRIGADE Diary - need help deciphering the last few written words!

[tashhh]

Hello! I have downloaded the 12th Infantry Brigade diary from TNA, and due to the handwriting, have struggled to write a transcript for the date I want (3rd May 1917). Here is what I think is correct so far, with question marks signifying words I cannot decipher. Can anyone help me finish this off?

__

 

From 4 DIVSION 12 INFANTRY BRIGADE DIARY:

 

03/05/17:

 

Brigade moved into position for the assault by midnight 2nd/3rd May. The 2^nd Lancashire Fusiliers were astride the railway and the 2^nd Essex Regiment on their left. The 2^nd West Riding Regiment were in rear of the 2^nd Lancashire Fusiliers south of the railway embankment and the 1^st King’s Own north of it. (Strength of brigade – 144 officers, 344 OR’s [other ranks]).

 

At 3.45am, the Brigade advanced to the assault behind a ? barrage . South of the railway the 2^nd Lancashire Fusiliers passed through the village and the 2^nd West Riding Regiment followed on behind them. These troops pushed on to the BLACK & BLUE Lines but were all surrounded and only a few men got back.

On the immediate right of the 2^nd Lancashire Fusiliers the CHATEAU was not captured by the next Brigade and this made movement after daylight impossible.

 

? of the railway the 2^nd Lancashire fusiliers, King’s Own, and the last of the 2^nd Essex Regiment were held up about almost at once by M.G. fire from the ? That had not been dealt with by the Heavy Artillery, especially those at the ? I12aq.3, and suffered heavy losses.

 

On the night the 2^nd Essex Regiment captured CROOK and CROW and pushed further forward. On this night, however, the next Brigade was held up, and they were thus left ? ? their flanks in the air and the majority of the ? Casualties were captured.

 

By 11am the situation appeared to be that we held the ? By south of the railway except for the CHATEAU and ? One or two ? East of the ROEUX-GAURELLE ROAD, and ? We had established ? In the ? ? ? of SALABAR.  Got to page 9.

 

The 1^st R. B. and 2 Coy of the 1^st Harts. R. were sent up to trenches E. of FAMPOUX as reinforcements.

 

At 2pm the enemy ? Attached heavy ? 2 Bns from HAUSA WOOD but were ? Off by artillery. Orders were received in the afternoon to ? Of the situation south of railway and the 1^st R. B. were ? To take over the trenches gained on the wrestern edge of the buildings in I13 from the ? Units of the Brigade, attack CHATEAU, and clean up the situation. The attack was ordered for 11pm at CORONA (12 Inf. Bde Order No 39).

 

The 1^st R. B. took over the trenches as ordered but did not attack ‘til 3am. They failed to make any progress and withdrew to CEYLON.

 

The brigade captured about 70 prisoners.

 

Casualties were [note to read entry for the 9^th of May – Officers: killed 6, wounded: 13, missing: 28. Other ranks – killed: 68, wounded: 402, missing: 621]

[Michelle Young]

Creeping barrage

North of the railway 

thus  left with their flanks in the air

the majority of them became casualties or were captured 

possibly one or two houses E of the Roeux-Gavrelle Rd 

beaten off by artillery 

[Michelle Young]

Sorry if these aren’t in the right order, I’d typed a reply but it disappeared into the ether. 

It’s Calabar I think 

[tashhh]

Thank you, Michelle! I just could not for the life of me read that handwriting!! Much appreciated

[Michelle Young]

 At 2 pm the enemy counter attacked heavily 

to clean up the situation 

RB were ordered to take over the trenches 

from the mixed units of the brigade

 

That’s the best I can do!