10th Batallion, Rifle Brigade

[CROONAERT]

Can anyone tell me exactly where the 10/Rifle Brigade were located on 30th November 1917, and what they were doing?

I know that, as part of the 20th Division, they were involved in the Battle of Cambrai, but in exactly what capacity and where?

Thanks,

Dave.

[Glosters]

From 'Official History of the War. 1917 (volume III)

10 Battalion, The Rifle Brigade, 59th Brigade, 20th Division. The Brigade had been part of the attack on Bonavis Ridge during the Battle of Cambrai:

30th November 1917

"In the right sector, held by the 59th Brigade, the 10/KRRC immediately north of Lateau Wood had one company in the outpost line. This company saw nothing of the attack until the Germans appeared in its right rear. The enemy came on so fast from, it seemed, all directions.... four officers and 16 men of the battalion survived at the end of the day. Of the two outpost companies of the 11/KRRC next on the left the one holding the cemetery strongpoint was cut off and no more was heard of it. The other tried to fall back but could not get clear. Thus 11/KRRC shared the fate of its sister battalion. Nor did the disasters of the brigade end there. Five hundred yard further back the 10/Rifle Brigade, in support, was taken by surprise in the mist, being enveloped before the companies could counter-attack or even take up defensive positions. The CO, Lt-Col. L.H.W. Troughton was captured at his telephone; those officers and men who managed to fight their way out joined the 7/DCLI, the support battalion of the 61st Brigade, farther to the left. In reserve the 11/Rifle Brigade occupied in front of the Hindenburg support system a position through which, from 9 am onwards, stragglers and gunners made their way. During the morning the Germans made four attacks upon this line, but all were repulsed..."

Steve

[CROONAERT]

Thanks Steve.

Just what I was looking for.

Dave.

[paul_adam]

From 'Official History of the War. 1917 (volume III)

10 Battalion, The Rifle Brigade, 59th Brigade, 20th Division. The Brigade had been part of the attack on Bonavis Ridge during the Battle of Cambrai:

30th November 1917

"In the right sector, held by the 59th Brigade, the 10/KRRC immediately north of Lateau Wood had one company in the outpost line. This company saw nothing of the attack until the Germans appeared in its right rear. The enemy came on so fast from, it seemed, all directions.... four officers and 16 men of the battalion survived at the end of the day. Of the two outpost companies of the 11/KRRC next on the left the one holding the cemetery strongpoint was cut off and no more was heard of it. The other tried to fall back but could not get clear. Thus 11/KRRC shared the fate of its sister battalion. Nor did the disasters of the brigade end there. Five hundred yard further back the 10/Rifle Brigade, in support, was taken by surprise in the mist, being enveloped before the companies could counter-attack or even take up defensive positions. The CO, Lt-Col. L.H.W. Troughton was captured at his telephone; those officers and men who managed to fight their way out joined the 7/DCLI, the support battalion of the 61st Brigade, farther to the left. In reserve the 11/Rifle Brigade occupied in front of the Hindenburg support system a position through which, from 9 am onwards, stragglers and gunners made their way. During the morning the Germans made four attacks upon this line, but all were repulsed..."

Steve

Bit of an old topic this one, but I am looking into Troughton's service and wondered if there was any further record of him having escaped or been held prisoner after these events? I couldn't find any record of his being POW.

Paul