ypres1418 Posted 19 May , 2005 Share Posted 19 May , 2005 Hi, I have just downloaded the 1st Bn. Royal Fusiliers for late October 1917. 19/10/17. In reserve at Vadencourt. 23/10/17. Relieved the 8th Bn. Buffs. 31/10/17. Relieved by 8th Bn. Buffs. While they were in the line they were sending recies out to 'Big Bill' and 'Little Bill' around Ascension Valley & Ascension Wood. Can anyone help me as to the location of these places please. Waiting in anticipation for loads of answers (as seems per usual for the forum pals)! Mandy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ypres1418 Posted 19 May , 2005 Author Share Posted 19 May , 2005 Bringing it back to the top in case you missed it first time. Mandy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ypres1418 Posted 19 May , 2005 Author Share Posted 19 May , 2005 I was sure someone would know of this location, com on boys and gals where is it? Mandy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mat McLachlan Posted 20 May , 2005 Share Posted 20 May , 2005 Hi Mandy, From the Australian Official History (18 Sept 1918): "Next on the south, the whole 14th Battalion had advanced through the 13th and 15th into the wide Ascension valley immediately the protective barrage ceased at 10.8. Its two front line companies had not gone ten yards when machine-guns from the Hindenburg Outpost-Line on the opposite crest opened...German machine-guns were by then firing at them from heights ahead of the 10th, from Ascension Wood in the valley, and from two copses, Big and Little Bill, on the opposite slope..." This places Ascension Valley north-east of the town of Le Verguier. Here's a map, but it's not too sharp. Zooming in, showing Big & Little Bill. And a photo (which you may recognise from my avatar): Hope this helps. Cheers, Mat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ypres1418 Posted 20 May , 2005 Author Share Posted 20 May , 2005 Matt, Thank you so much, I knew I had heard it and we did the part of the Hindenburgh line two years ago! Still had a sleep since then, Yours a dumb brunette! Thanks again, Mandy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Reed Posted 20 May , 2005 Share Posted 20 May , 2005 Sorry Mandy (thanks for your email) - Matt beat me to it. All I can add is the ground in this area is pretty much unchanged, having walked it a few times over the years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ypres1418 Posted 20 May , 2005 Author Share Posted 20 May , 2005 Paul, thanks, as you said matt beat you to it but I knew you would be able to if he had not. thanks again. Mandy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoslerAus Posted 28 March , 2022 Share Posted 28 March , 2022 On 20/05/2005 at 02:51, Mat McLachlan said: Hi Mandy, From the Australian Official History (18 Sept 1918): "Next on the south, the whole 14th Battalion had advanced through the 13th and 15th into the wide Ascension valley immediately the protective barrage ceased at 10.8. Its two front line companies had not gone ten yards when machine-guns from the Hindenburg Outpost-Line on the opposite crest opened...German machine-guns were by then firing at them from heights ahead of the 10th, from Ascension Wood in the valley, and from two copses, Big and Little Bill, on the opposite slope..." This places Ascension Valley north-east of the town of Le Verguier. Here's a map, but it's not too sharp. http://home.iprimus.com.au/leo2095/ascension2.jpg Zooming in, showing Big & Little Bill. http://home.iprimus.com.au/leo2095/ascension.jpg And a photo (which you may recognise from my avatar): http://home.iprimus.com.au/leo2095/ascensionphoto.jpg Hope this helps. Cheers, Mat Great info here. Upon finding some information on a relative who played a small part in this, this Military Medal recommendation may be of interest. https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/awm-media/collection/RCDIG1068006/document/5488501.PDF Regards, Brett Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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