5th Army in March 1918

[Pete Smith]

A rare book I believe. There is a copy in a library in Oxford but as I'm in Sydney its difficult to read. If anybody has a copy I'd be interested in obtaining extracts regarding the movements and actions of the 11th (Service) Batt Kings Liverpool between the 18th and 23rd of March especially any maps. The 11th were originally Divisional Troops (Pioneers) attached to the 14th Div. When the offensive commenced they were "spread about abit" working on redoubts etc in the area of Essigny, Benay and/or Lambey Wood - and were assigned to the 42nd Brigade for defensive actions. They carried out a fighting withdrawal accross the Crozat canal at Jussey where, after consolidation at Petit Detroit, counterattacked at Flavey Le Martel on the 23rd. They lost nearly 50% of their complement - one of which was my great uncle Fred. I have the Batt Diary for the 11th having been to the NA last year - should have got the 42nd Bgde's too but ran out of time.

Cheers

Pete