1/4th Bn Northumberland Fusiliers

[philg]

Just wondering if by chance, anyone out there has the Battalion Diary for this period?? Specifically 24th March to 2nd April.

cheers

Phil

[sandyford]

Hi Phil

I have not got the War Diary of the 4th N.F. but they were of course with the 50th Division , 149th Brigade.

The 6th Batt. N. F. War diary is complete for March and the account of the days from the 21st onwards, occupies about 5 pages of War Diary. However, unusually there is no individually named casualty list.

The 6th Batt. has no War Diary at all for April 1918 and that is the only month of the war with no diary. Which reflects the dramatic and hazardous situation.

The 50th Div. History (Everard Wyrell) describes the actions and movements of individual battalions as they were trying to defend and hold a line which was being forced back under a tremendous onslaught by the German forces. There are accounts of the Northumberlands covering troops who were moving back to a new line of defence etc.

I have not quoted from the History in case you already have it, but let me know if you would like me to seach out the mentions of the 4th N.F.

Kate

[philg]

Hi Kate,

I'd be very interested to see the 6th NF diary from the 25th to the end of March and I haven't got the History of the 50th so thanks for the kind offer.

best regards

Phil

[sandyford]

OK Phil

Here we go.

50th Divisional map March 1918 Everard Wyrall

Showing the day to day line positions.

Kate

[sandyford]

6th Battalion War Diary

21st March 1918

Billets at MEZIERS.

At 6.00a.m. the Battalion was placed under orders. Intense bombardment continued. Battn. marched to GUILLACOURT stn. and entrained for BRIE.

News given out that the enemy had broken into our positions for a considerable depth on ST. QUENTIN front.

Fatalities CWGC - 3

2 Pozieres Memorial

1 Roisel Communal Cem. Ext.

22nd March 1918

POEUILLY

First Day of the Battle.

The Bttn. detrained at BRIE station at 2.00 a.m. and marched for 4 hours to the GREEN LINE at POEUILLY.

This line the Second Defensive Zone of the ST. QUENTIN front was wired but not dug except in a few places.

The 4 companies covered a frontage of more than 2,000 yds. Immediately on arrival on the line, commenced to dig.

The 4th Bttn N.F. covered CAULAINCOURT on our right.

On our left were the 150th & 151 Brigades.

The 5th Battn. N.F. were in support to the 149th Brigade frontage.

Information from the 16th Div. holding the line was extremely vague, but at 11.a.m. it was intimated that the troops in the Front LIne would pass through the GREEN LINE.

This retirement took place between 12. o'clock & 1 o'clock in fairly good prder, but the enemy quickly occupied VERMAND & SOYECOURT and between 2 & 2p.m. pushed a vigorous attack on the 4th N.F. front and secured the high ground overlooking the village of POEUILLY.

A counter-attack was delivered on the spot, which drove thew enemy back but the line was later pushed back to the high ground making a dangerous situation.

One Coy of the 5th N.F. had been placed at the disposal of Col. Robinson and measures were taken to strengthen the exposed flank.

Lt. A. W. Leech was placed in charge of these operations and every man from the supports and reserve behind PEUILLY were sent to the right flank to fill the gap made by the retirement on the right.

The key to the position was No. 2 wood (Q34d) and this was held with a refused flank bending back in a N.W. direction from the village of CAULAINCOURT.

The extreme danger of the situation made it necessary to draw in the line on the Southern defences of POEUILLY but the northern part of the line towards FLECHIN stood fast.

The enemy had used very large forces for attacking on the right and he was also seen to be massing at SOYECOURT at night.

Strong patrols were pushed forward by the enmy along the valley S. of POEUILLY and also towards the refused flank.

Captures of prisoners were made in these neighbourhoods.

Some of these prisoners readily surrendered and appeared relieved to be out of the war.

Although the front was not attacked in force after dark, numerous small encounters took place and there was unceasing MG activity along the whole front.

The defences of POEUILLY were clearly open to dangerous enfilade fire.

At midnight operation orders were received from the 149th Brigade for the Battn. to carry out a retirement from the GREEN LINE commencing at 2.a.m. to a position on a line between TERTRY & VRAIGNES, east of ESTREES-ENCHAUSEE.

Fatalities CWGC - 2

2 Pozieres Memorial

88 YRS AGO TODAY

[sandyford]

50th Div. History - Everard Wyrall.

22nd March 1918

On the 22nd the enemy began to advance at about 6a.m. and the 250th Brigade opened fire on the S.O.S. lines, but no other observation was possible owing to the fog. The 251st Brigade similarly fired bursts on the S.O.S. lines from 9a.m. onwards, but the batteries were blinded by fog.

The action of the 3 infantry brigades on the 22nd March is described from right to left. 1.e. 149th, 150th & 151st.

The 4th N.F. were on the extreme right flank of the 50th Div., having the 24th Div. on their right.

The Northumberlands stated that it was 4p.m. when the enemy attacked. He came on in eight waves, providing splended targets for rifle and MG.

South of the Omignon brook he broke through the left of the 24th Div, and later (the 149th Brigade Diary puts it at 5p.m.) broke also the left of the 4th Northumberland Fusiliers.

Thus, with both flanks, turned the Northumberlands were forced back to CAULAINCOURT.

On the left of the 4th, the 6th Northumberland Fusiliers held up the enemy, broke up his attack, and even took a number of prisoners, some of whose pockets were full of packets of ENGLISH cigarettes - so rapid had been his advance.

As night fell, the enemy's attack became more determined, but the 6th held their ground though, as the night wore on it became clear that something had gone wrong on the right of the Battalion.

At midnight orders were received that, as the enemy was half a amile past the right of the Battalion, the latter was to retire at 2.a.m. (23rd) to a new line about 2 miles in rear.

Covered by Lewis guns, this retirement was carried out successfully.

The 5th N.F., in reserve, received orders at 12.45p.m. to send forward 2 companies to report to front line batteries. The companies despatched were 'C' & 'D'.

The 5th N.F. apparently counter=attacked the enemy, but the only account of this attack is contained in the diary of the 149th Brigade.

'5.15p.m. 5th N.F. counter-attacked from St. MARTIN and drove the enemy over the CAILAINCOURT-POEUILLY road (the 6th N.F. co-operating) and retook the greater part of CAILAINCOURT.

5.30 p.m. Enemy again drove us out of CAILAINCOURT but a second attack by one company of the 5th N.F. partially restored the situation'

Kate

[sandyford]

6th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers War Diary

23rd March 1918

Second Day of the Battle

ESTREES

The retirement from GREEN LINE was carried out in perfect order along the whol;e battalion front. At 4.30a.m. the troops arrived on the new ground and after being supplied with hot tea and rum from the battalion cookers, commenced digging in a line of posts running S. from the MONS-VERMAND Rd.

In a couple of hours our troops had dug in sufficiemtly to secure the line and dispositions were made to hold it.

At 8.30a.m. however, operation orders were received to commence a retirement at 9a.m. to which the whole line would conform.

By the time these orders could be repeated to Coys, the front line had become involved in close contact with the enemy who advanced in large numbers and in mass formations.

The 150th Bde. on the left, counter-attacked along their front, but on the battalion front A & C coys were too involved with the enemy to get clear and 3 platoons of 'A' coy and part of 'C' coy were unable to free themselves and were afterwards missing.

Lt. Balden was last seen with part of 'A' coy fighting in hand-to-hand encounter with the enemy.

Lt. Oswald & hamilton were both seen wounded and were afterwards missing.

In the meantime 'B' coy covered the retreat of the rest of the Battalion and fought a brilliant rear-guard action as far as MONS where it was relieved by another coy.

The whole retirement was again carried out in perfect order although the enemy pressed forward with artillery and aeroplanes and kept up gruelling fire with all weapons.

In this retirement Lt. S. J. B. Stanton was wounded but was able to continue with the retiring forces.

2nd Lt. Milligan was also wounded and was carried down with the retirement.

The line of retirement was due West.

It was a brilliant summer-like morning with hot sun and the Battle went on hour after hour unceasingly, with the enemy becoming more pressing.

The fatigue of the marching and fighting was more and more felt.

At 12.30 BRIE was reached, the troops being in good order and passing through a covering force of the 8th Div.

In and around BRIE enormous fires were burning and ammunition dumps which could not be removed were blown up.

Hut camps, aerodromes etc. on the East side of the Soome Canal were also burning during the retirement.

From the GREEN LINE the Battn. fought and retired a distance of 10 and a half miles in eight hours, the greater part of the distance being covered in extended order over open country and with rear guard actions taking place from time to time in order to relieve enemy pressure.

BRIE

The Battn. less 'D' coy which occupied trenches on the W. bank of the SOMME CANAL rested in trenches East of VILLERS-CARBONNEL and at night supported 'D' coy. (Capt. Drummond)

Fatalities CWGC 19

18 Pozieres Memorial

1 Roisel Communal Cem. Ext.

[sandyford]

As the first map is not very clear, here is a better version showing the position as they moved the line back.

Kate

[sandyford]

50th Div. History - Everard Wyrall

23rd March 1918

'The 149th Brigade reached the line at Athies road junction west of Brusle only after fighting all the way.

But only one diary (that of the 6th Northumberland Fusiliers) gives anything like a detailed account of that desperate rear-guard action.'

The Divisional History then quotes the whole of the 6th War Diary which has been reproduced above.

'Presumably the 5th N.F. also fought a rear-guard action, though only a brief reference in the War Diary leads to that supposition "11.30 a.m. Battalion outflanked and retirement to the SOMME commenced"

From Monchy-Lagache the 4th N.F. at 9.a.m. moved back to DEVISE, where they supported the 6th Batt. Capt. T.A.L. Thompson temporarily commanded the battalion, Lieut. Col. Robb having been wounded the previous day.

The 4th N.F. also crossed the SOMME CANAL at ST. CHRIST and took up a position commanding the bridgehead, 'C' coy. holding the bridgehead until relieved by troops of the 8th Div.'-------

'------- The battle of St. Quentin officially ended on 23rd March, and it will be seen from the records that although incidents of the fighting are almost completely missing, the 50th Div. carried out its orders with fine devotion to duty.

The continued retirements were not to the liking of officers or men, who could have taken far greater toll of the enemy than was done, though very considerable casualties were inflicted upon him. Orders however have to be obeyed.'

[philg]

I'm still here. Thanks Kate.

Phil

[Greenwoodman]

4th NF 1st & 2nd April 1918

VIRONCHAUX

1918

April 1st

The 149 infantry Brigade detrained at RUE station and received orders to march to billets in VIRONCHAUX which were reached about 4pm. The billets were good but the accommodation was very limited

2nd

The time was spent in commencing the reorganisation of the Battn. & re-equipping as far as possible. Baths were made by the Battn. & Companies were all bathed that day.

[sandyford]

50th Div. History - Everard Wyrall

During the night of 23rd - 24th March, some small parties of the enemy crossed the Canal over broken down girders & debris, which allowed men in single file to reach the western bank.

But these troops were, for the most part, quickly shot down, or otherwise disposed of.'

[sandyford]

6th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers War Diary

24th March 1918

FOUCAUCOURT

Third day of Battle

At 6a.m. the battalion moved from the Canal bank back to the trenches E. of VILLERS-CARBONNEL and at 9a.m. orders were received to proceed to FOUCAUCOURT which was reached at noon.

(In the retirement from trenches E of VILLERS-CARBONNEL to FOUCAUCOURT, Capt. Drummond was severely wounded by a shell bursting) - Capt. Drummond Died of Wounds 24/03/1918 and is buried at Rosieres Br. Cemetery. K

The Bttn slept until 6p.m. and then was ordered into a defensive zone at ASSEVILLERS.

This zone was occupied just before midnight.

Fatalities CWGC - 2

1 Pozieres Memorial

1 Roisel Communal Cem. Ect.

[sandyford]

50th Div. History - Everard Wyrall

24th March 1918

'Accordingly at 7a.m. on the 24th March the command of the CANAL LINE passed to the 8th Div..

At 10a.m. the 50th Div. was disposed as follows:

Divisional H.Q. at FOUCAUCOURT:

149th Brigade (having moved from MISERY) were at FOUCAUCOURT

150th Brigade at BELLOY-en-SANTERRE at the disposal of the 8th Div.:

151st Brigade (less 5th D.L.I., who had been placed under the orders of the 66th Div.) were at FOUCAUCOURT.

Divisional Royal Eng. were at FOUCAUCOURT.

Pioneers (7th D.L.I.) were under orders to proceed to ETERPIGNY and occupy a portion of the line under the G.O.C. 8th Div. - - - -

- - - - - -The 50th Div. having been relieved by the 8th Div, saw little fighting on the 24th March.- - - -

- - - -The 149th Brigade had a peaceful day

; at 5a.m. falling back to FOUCAUCOURT and at 5p.m. taking up a line 1,000 yds in length, N. & S. of ASSEVILLERS, the 5th N.F. being on the right; and the 6th on the left and the 4th in reserve.

Brigade H.Q. moved to ESTREES.'

[sandyford]

Phil

I have decided to continue posting the events as described by the 6th N.F. & the 50th Div. history for the end of March 1918, because each day we are recording what happened 88 years ago today.

I know it is not helping with information about individuals, which is probably what you want to know, but it is giving quite precise account of movements to follow on the map. It is also helping my own understanding of these events.

Kate

[philg]

Thanks Kate, it's proving very useful.

regards

Phil

[sandyford]

6th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers War Diary

25th March 1918

At 8 a.m. the battn. was ordered forward to high ground on a line BARLEUX-FLAUCOURT, which the enemy who had vrossed the SOMME CANAL at ETERPIGNY, was trying to occupy.

BARLEUX-FLAUCOURT

Fourth day of the Battle

The battn. being in support to the 66 Div. was ordered at 5p.m. to take up position to cover the retirement of that Div. at 9 p.m.

This retirement was covered from high ground N. of BARLEUX with the enemy advancing in strength from a south easterly direction.

At night the battn, acting as rear guard, fell back on the defensive zone of ASSEVILLERS.

Fatalities CWGC - 7

7 Pozieres Memorial

[sandyford]

50th Div. History - Everard Wyrall

25th March 1918

"If the infantry of the 50th Div. on the 24th, had a comparatively uneventful day, the 25th was to tell a different story although narratives are all too brief.

At 10.30a.m. on the 25th the 5th N.F. were ordered South of BARLEUX and the 6th N.F. to North of that village, where both battns. were to be under the orders of the 66th Div.

The 5th Northumberlands (less one company) were, however, taken by the 8th Div. (on the right) without reference to 50th or 66th Divisional H.Q.

Unfortunately the records of the 149th Brigade on the 25th March are all too brief.

The 5th Northumberlands record that at 10.30a.m. they moved from ASSEVILLERS to VILLERS-CARBONNEL line.

The enemy attacked the 66th Div.

Battn counter-attacked and occupied trenches south of BARLEUX.

They held the trenches until 9p.m. when ordered to withdraw to the ASSEVILLERS LINE.

Battn. concentrated in Sugar Factory and trenches in the immediate vicinity. battn. in Brigade reserve.

---6th Battn. N.F. Quote from the War Diary as in previous post.

The 4th Battn merely states that at 10a.m. they moved into trenches in front of ASSEVILLERS.

The 149th Brigade H.Q. diary records that at 9p.m. the "149th Brigade Force withdrew fighting."- - -

- - - - Darkness fell on the 25th March with the enemy everywhere across the SOMME CANAL. That part of the line which concerns the 50th Div. ran from just E. of CHAULNES, northwards east of ABLINCOURT, ESTREES, ASSEVILLERS and through HERBECOURT to CURLU on the SOMME RIVER."

[sandyford]

6th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers War Diary

26th March 1918

VAUVILLERS

5th day of the Battle

At 9a.m. the enmy was in touch with our outpost line and a further withdrawal was ordered to line ROSIERS-en-SANTERRE - VAUVILLERS, which was being dug.

This retirement was carried out i good order and the new line was reached at 3 p.m., the units rendezvouing in LONG TRENCH south of VAUVILLERS.

At 10 p.m. the Battn. was ordered to take over the front line posts for a distance of 1,700 yds East of the VAUVILLERS-ROSIERS road. This entailed the use of all available men, and a composite Company of Officers, N.C.O.s and men from details was also put in to hold the line.

Companies were reinforced with officers as far as possible from details.

The front line had been held by parties of Durhams, E. Yorks, Entrenching battn. etc., which after relief went into support of the 6th N.F.

[sandyford]

50th Div. History - Everard Wyrall

26th March 1918

'On the morning of the 26th the enemy recommenced his attack in strength, SW and W from Nesle, no doubt with the intention of separating the French & British Armies and interfering with the detraining arrangements of the former by the capture of Montdidier.

The 66th Div. on the left of the 149th Brigade was strongly attacked and fell back under pressure.

Whereupon, the 5th N.F. were ordered to counter-attack and restore the situation.

The Battn. according to the 149th Brigade H.Q. attacked with 2 companies and retored the left flank of the Brigade, but the 66th continued to retire.

Under the circumstances, with his northern flank uncovered the Brigadier of the 149th Brigade ordered the retirement to the ROSIERES-VAUVILLERS line. - -

'- - - - The 4th Northumberland Fusiliers had occupied posts around VAUVILLERS by 2 p.m..

At 4 p. m. however (details do not exist), the Battalion counter-attacked at Framerville and drove the enemy out of the Western part of the village.

At midnight the 4th withdrew again to the posts at VAUVILLERS.

Fatalities CWGC - 5

4 Pozieres Memorial

1 Roisel Communal Cem. Ext.

In the above counter-attack, the 7th D. L. I. (pioneers) also took part.

7th Durham Light Infantry (Pioneers) War Diary.

26th March 1918

"'A' & 'B' coys "forced their way through the village twice but, owing to the commanding position held by the enemy with machine guns, it was impossible to remain, and they were compelled to with draw to a line about 500 yds immediately South of the village."

At dusk, all the troops under the 149th brigade were withdrawn, and occupied posts immediately on the Southern side of the main railway.'

[sandyford]

50th Div. History - Everard Wyrall - Quote from un-named, personal, post war, account of a member of the 6th N.F.

26th March 1918

"At 7.30a.m. (26th March) the enemy attacked again.

A storm of machine gun bullets swept the 6th N.F. and the 66th Div. and once again hordes of German soldiers flung themselves upon the thin lines of British soldiers.

The 6th Bttn. stood fast, but alas! the 66th Div. was compelled to fall back.

In fairness to the Lancashire men it must be said that their retirement was not due to any lack of courage.

They had fought desperately through the whole attack since the 21st and were reduced to a merer remnant.

They had lost almost all of their officers and their companies were about the stregth of ordinary platoons.

But the SOMME river, which runs here from E to W. parallel with and about 4 miles N. of the AMIENS-VERMAND road, was between the 66th Div. and the troops on their left.

There seems little doubt that a sudden advance along the SOMME VALLEY, due to a British retirement N. of the Somme, was the cause of the 66th Div. falling back.

To hold ASSEVILLERS was now hopeless.

At 9 a.m. orders came to withdraw to a line between Rosieres and Vauvillers, and the battalion accordingly retired.

A pause was made at FOUCAUCOURT after the first stage of the retirement, which took place over rough country, much broken by wire and old trenches.

Rolls were called and stragglers rejoined their sections, and in perfect order, although much reduced by casualties, the Battn took up its new position.

"As the Battn. passed through Foucaucourt, huts ab=nd stores were blazing. If the place could not be held, at any rate, nothing was to be permitted to fall into the hands of the enemy.

At FOUCAUCOURT cross-roads, two runners had been left with a message for all officers who had not yet passed through.

Later in the day, the writer learned that these runners had waited at the cross roads with the military policeman on duty until the Germans were entering the village a ouple of yards away.

The policeman then ordered the runners to leave.

When they came away the policeman remained.

He was standing at his post as cool and calm as the policeman who stands at the foot of Northumberland Street.

Shells were bursting around him.

Apparently he had no orders to quit his post and he stood fast.

"In the new position between Rosieres and Vauvillers all was quiet on the immediate front of the 6th Battn. - - darkness came on, and the 6th took over the advanced posts with the other troops of the 50th Div. on the right and left.

"The night passed quietly."

[sandyford]

6th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers War Diary

27th March 1918

Sixth Day of the Battle

Enemy did not get into touch with our outpost line till 8 a.m., when he was seen moving across our front in the direction of ROSIERES which was being heavily shelled and the 8th Div. front attacked.

This attack was beaten off.

Large numbers of the enemy were seen massing on our front and Lt. Brownrigg & a party of N.C.O.s and men attacked and capyured a party of 16 Germans who had forced their way between the Bttn, left and the right of the 5th Northumberland Fusiliers.

Enemy directed main attack on the 66th Div. front N. of VAUVILLERS.

At 12 o'clock a telephone instruction was recd. to carry out a retirement in conjunction with the 5th N.F. on the left.

This withdrawal was arranged with the O.C. 5th N.F. and at 1 o'clock orders were issued to companies to commence retirement.

A few minutes later a telephone message was recd. cancelling retirement and ordering a counter-attack.

The troops were already moving along the whole front and had reached the line of the ROSIERES-PROYART light railway with the enemy attacking in force and bringing up machine guns.

The 8th Div. on our right stood fast.

Col. Anstey (50th Div.) rode onto the ground ordering troops back to to fight.

At the call of their officers, Battn. H.Q., Composite Company & 'C' Company (Capt. Davies) of the 6th N.F., parties of the 4th E. Yorks. and Entrenching Battn. formed up on the line of the ROSIERES-PROYART light Rly. under the command of Lt. Col. F. Robinson.

The counter-attack was launched with the greatest courage and determination and the enemy were driven from the ridge, Col. Robinson leading the attack, in which he was shot down badly wounded.

Col. Robinson gave instructions for Capt. Armstrong adjutant, to take command.

Capt. Armstrong unfortunately, was immediately shot down, badly wounded and Lt. A. W. Leech took command.

The counter-attack had succeeded brilliantly and a further attack on LONG TRENCH and enemy machine guns which were playing havoc with our front lines was ordered.

Part of LONG TRENCH and 2 enemy M.G.s were catured together with parties of the enemy.

The 8th Div. also supported this further advance and secured a batch of prisoners from LONG TRENCH.

Lack of ammunition had considerably hampered the efforts of our men and by order of the G.O.C. 8th Div., 500 rounds of S. S. S. were handed over to the 50th Div. troops.

Five minutes after this ammunition had been distributed the T. O. of the 150th Brigade arrived with the ammunition carried on pack mules which was dumped behind our front line.

The enemy at this time appeared to be in retreat and as far as could be seen the line was firmly established and in touch with the 8th Div. troops who were lending support.

An enemy attack developed from the direction of VAUVILLERS on the left flank however, and the left was driven in in the direction of GILLAUCOURT-ROSIERES Rly.

Thereupon, orders were given for the troops holding LONG TRENCH and forward positions to form a defensive flank to the 8th Div. and this was done the whole line being subsequently filled in and held.

The enemy did not further press his attacks and practically all the ground won during the counter-attack was successfully held.

All wounded officers and men were evacuated.

During this counter-attack large numbers of the enemy were killed and 2 machine guns captured.

Lt. Col. Robinson and Cat. & Adjutant H. Armstrong displayed great courage in leadership before they were shot down.

Lt. H. S. S. Allen, Signalling Officer was killed & Capt. H. D. K. Davies, 2nd Lt. A. V. Davies & 2nd Lt. Brownrigg were wounded.

Casualties to N.C.O.s & men were unfortunately extremely heavy in Killed.

R. S. M. Finch although wounded in the hand displayed great courage and coolness.

The 6th N. F. were most ably supported in this counter-attack by a small party of 4th E. Yorks. under Lts Brown & Elvin.

Lt. Brown was killed.

Arrangements were made for 8th Div. to take over the line and at night the Battns which had become a good deal scattered during the afternoon operations rendezvoued S. of HARBONNIERES under the command of Capt. Leathart, being joined later by Lt. A. W. Leech and what remained of the counter-attacking force - some 20 O. R. in all.

Fatalities CWGC - 8

7 Pozieres Memorial

1 Crucifix Corner Cem.

[sandyford]

50th Div. History - Everard Wyrall

27th March 1918

- - - -This counter-attack by the 5th Durhams was necessitated by one of those mistakes which sometimes occur in great actions or retreats, i.e. the wrong reading of orders.

The 5th N. F. on the left of the 5th Durhams, who had received provisional orders for a further withdrawal, misread them as "definite orders and fell back accordingly.

Part of the 6th N. F. also acted on the supposed orders and Battalion H. Q., 5th D.L.I. being close to those of the 5th N.F. passed on what they believde to be the right orders, i.e. to withdraw.

Before long a considerable section of the line was falling back to HARBONNIERES.

The 4th Northumberland Fusiliers, at VAUVILLERS stood fast but the 5th, some of the 6th and the 5th D. L. I. (as already stated were on the move back.

The retiring troops were stopped and posted along the light railway at HARBONNIERES.

Meanwhile, the enemy seeing the retirement, attacked vigorously, took VAUVILLERS and forced the 6th N. F., near ROSIERES back to the light railway.

The situation was dangerous. - - - -

- - - -The 50th Div. History quotes the full 6th Battn. War diary as posted above

- - - -The 5th N. F. report that the enemy made a heavy attack and that the Battalion counter-atacked ;

the final line held at night was in front of GUILLAUCIURT with the Battn. partly concentrated on the HARBONNIERES-WIENCOURT road. - - -

- - -The 4th Northumberland Fusiliers state that they held their positions at VAUVILLERS until noon, when they withdrew owing to other troops on either flank having done so.

But they state also that Brigadier-General Riddell personnally commanded the attack during the afternoon, and that the Battn. then occupied positions east of HARBONNIERES.

[sandyford]

Phil

If you're still there.

The accounts from different sources above certainly show the amount of confusion, mixed up communication etc. which was occuring in this withdrawal.

kate

[philg]

Hi Kate,

yes, it is fascinating to read the differing accounts and you can see how the confusion occurs. I'm looking forward to the next one....

Phil