Tannay - Front Lines - 28th [Map Ref: 36A.K.15.a.95.55]:
13th Infantry Brigade in conjunction with other operations are attacking and capturing enemy positions west of Slate Becque River from the River Bourre on the right to point south of L’Epinette in K.11.a on the left. The attack for 13th Infantry Brigade was carried out by 15/R War R on the right, 1 /R W Kent Regt in the centre, 2/KOSB on the left with 14/R War R in reserve.
15/ R War R attack and capture enemy position from the River Bourre on the right to the road running from K.16.a.4.7 to footbridge at K.16.d.2.80 inclusive to 15/R War R. The attack was carried out by A Company on the right and D Coy on the left. B Coy were in support. C Coy in reserve.
12.30am. All Companies were set and assaulting Companies back in assembly area. At Zero assaulting Coys A on the right and D of the left got out of their assembly trenches and closed up under the barrage. On the first lift D Coy on the left quickly penetrated that portion of the trenches from which the barrage lifted. Little opposition was offered and the Garrison was bayonetted or otherwise dealt with and a few prisoners were sent back to Battalion HQ by 6.55am.
The barrage was closely followed and each objective reached according to plan. A Bombing party was found by A Coy to bomb the enemy trench to River Bourre which was cleaned of the enemy and this line was held. Considerable harassing fire causing some casualties came from enemy M.G. south of the River Bourre.
D Coy on the left pressed right forward placing the 4 Lewis Guns as arranged on the Road about K.16.a.4.7 which brought effective fire to bear on the enemy trenches and positions on their left whilst the Bombing Party detailed for the purpose cleared the buildings on the northern side of the road.
By 7am A&D Coys were well beyond their objectives having established touch with one another and D Coy having established touch with 1st Royal West Kent Regt on their left and having also demolished the wooden bridge over the River Becque on their left. A patrol of D Coy pushed out to the River accounted for at least 10 Germans killed retreating the other side of the River. During these operations very many Germans were killed and accounted for in the trenches and shelters and hidden positions. About 12 or 15 prisoners were sent down. 8 Machine Guns including a heavy M.G. were captured and got away.
By 8.15am tools and a fresh supply of S.A.A. munitions and stores had been taken up by C Coy to each assaulting company. Digging in, in the daylight, was carried on consolidating the newly captured position. Crops? were cut with the bayonet for field of fire and view. Some trouble from sniping and M.G. fire from the enemy side of the River Bourre and the Plats Becque continued.
A patrol established touch with the 1st Cheshire Regt on the right south of the River Bourre where they had advanced to a point on the south of the river about 100 yards to 15/R War R right rear.
By night wire had been got up and put out by C Coy. Wiring was difficult owing to the incessant hostile M.G. and Rifle fire and to our Protective Barrage and the consequent retaliation but five posts were wired with double apron fence wire.
Rations, water, hot tea and a hot meal and rum issue were carried to the troops.
10.45pm: B Coy in support moved up to the German front line. The whole of the front of the newly captured position was patrolled throughout the hours of darkness and the River Bourre and the Plats Becque were watched. Work of consolidation continued.
Casualties Killed Wounded Missing
Officers 2 5 -
O.R. 20 78 6
NB: Captain Coldicott was one of the two officers reported killed and it was only later learned that he had been wounded and taken prisoner.
