1/6 Manchesters

[KIRKY]

Hi

anyone tell me location/background for the above unit when in France particulary around March 1918 as I have info on an MM awarded to an F Dugdale in or around Bihucourt or Bucquoy?

Ta

Tony

[John_Hartley]

Tony

I've only got 42nd Division History which devotes about 12 pages to the period from 21 March to the end of the month. As you might expect, it doesnt give much detail about individual battalions. They were, as you say, in the vicinity of Bucquoy and, particularly, Bihucourt, on 25 March.

Their positions were attacked about 9am. A One coy. of 6/Manc, under capt Bridgford was sent towards the eastern side of Bihucourt and arrived at the same time as the enemy. "Fighting desperately, the company was forced out of the village step by step, but in a brilliant counterattack the ground was regained by sheer grit, backed superiority with the bayonet. Again overwhleming numbers prevailed and the survivors of the company were once more driven out. With the handful that remained Bridgford made another gallant attempt but he was severely wounded and died in the enemy's hands. The prompt and determined action of the company gained time for troops to be moved to supprt and prevented the enemy debouching from Bihucourt. OC 6th manchesters was ordered to denyAchiet-le-Gand to the enemy at all costs....accomplished their task though heavily engaged by artillery fire."

During the night of 27 march "a patrol of 6/Manc entered Ablainzeville, killed several germans and brought back two machine guns, the officer in command being severely wounded just before regaining his own lines. The initiative shown in this little affair gained the Divisional Commander's congratulations for the battalion."

At 8.15 am on 28 march, there was another enemy attack on the positions then being held (near Ablainville) which was driven off. A second attack at 10.15 was also driven off. An hour later a stonger assault gained a footing in the British lines. This was imediately counter attacked by 6 & 8th Manc "with the bayonet and all germans who had enetered our lines were killed our captured. At 1.30pm a bombing attack was made against the left of the 127th Brigade. The 6th Manchesters again counterattacked and captured two machine guns and an officer."

Hope this helps

John

[KIRKY]

Thanks John that is great.

Tony