War Diary April 15th 1918

At 9am the C.C. was summoned to a Conference at the Bde HQ and thence to Div HQ where orders were issued that the Bn in co-operation with the 2/Duke of Wellington’s Regt would attack and capture the whole of Pacaut Wood and the outlying buildings north of it. The objectives allotted to the Bn were firstly the road running through the wood from La Pannerie (W.4.a.9.7) to the west edge of the wood (at Q.33.a.5.4) and secondly the road from Q.33.d.9.4 to Q.27.d.2.2 together with the buildings along the N.E line of the road.

By the time this scheme had been talked over and the CO was able to get back to the Bn having drawn some necessary flares on route it was 3:00 PM. Coys were to be in position at 5:45 PM. The artillery barrage what's the commands at 5:15 PM. The two right Coys where to cross the canal by the Pont de Hinges, The two left Coys by a pontoon at Q.33.c.8.1.

By 5:15 PM the two left Coys what assembled on the South side of the canal ready to cross to pontoon. The two right Coys hide not to cross the Pont de Hinges till 5:45 PM. Bn HQ Was established at the pontoon. At 5:15 PM the artillery barrage commenced but was short and fell behind the two left Coys. The enemy artillery at once opened up, our barrage crept up from behind soon falling on Bn HQ and the two left Coys assembled ready to cross the pontoon. Heavy casualties were caused but the men remained steady. The pontoon received a shell from our own barrage and also one from the enemy rendering it impossible. Good work was done by R.E. who without hesitation set about its repair on the heavy shell and M.G fire. Our own barrage having by that time crept ahead. Casualties were numerous but the two left Coys started off to attack.  

The front edge of the wood and buildings in it were full of M.G’s and thick with enemy, including Cavalry. As the enemy were apparently caught in the act of forming up to attack upon us but were forestalled. The attack on their left flank succeeded in reaching the wood and in places in puncturing it for short distances. But the enemy M.G fire was too heavy to live in and after repeated attempts which were made till dusk these 2 Coys dug in on the edge of the wood.

Meanwhile the two right Coys crossed the Pont du Hinges at 5:45 PM under heavy shell and machine gun fire and advanced to the attack which was over open ground and commanded by machine guns placed in buildings. Owing to the inability of the left attack to make headway the right attack was also enfiladed from the wood and suffered many casualties. On the heavy machine gun fire from the buildings in front and the wood on this left flank these two Coys swung to the left and endeavoured to gain a footing in the wood.

The advance being further impeded by wire the platoon succeeded in getting to their first objective led by Lieut Bowden but he and all the platoon but five were killed. Other parties also carried a footing in the wood but were obliged to withdraw owing to casualties and the impossibility of getting any reinforcements to them. Lieuts Bourke and Trerise were killed in attempting the capture of a building containing several machine guns together with every man in the party. Lieuts Murch, King and Fisher were wounded.

When dark fell the undertaking was abandoned and these two companies dug themselves in on the Pannerie Road an from there to the southeast corner of the wood. Many acts of great gallantry were performed by officers and other ranks and the Battalion received the congratulations of the Divisional Commander on the spirit they had shown and repeatedly attempting to gain their objectives in face of overwhelming odds.

Casualties: Killed 3 Officers and 28 Other Ranks & Wounded 3 Officers and 180 Other Ranks. Missing 13 Other Ranks.