22 Mar

Ellis Redoubt - Mar 22: The morning was very misty. At 10.30am the enemy put down a heavy barrage which was followed by infantry attacks in great force. B & C Companies moved up to a position between Ellis Redoubt and Villecholes. These positions were held and very heavy casualties inflicted on the enemy, until the order was received to withdraw to the line in front of Beauvois at 12.30pm. This manoeuvre was carried out in good order and without loss.

During the fighting Capt E. Knott was killed, Capt G. Hinchcliffe & 2/Lieuts G.W. de St. Legier M.C and J Lawrence were missing and Lieuts H.F.F Coggin & K.P. Smith & 2/Lieuts W.A. Cozens & J. Tullet wounded. END

23 Mar

Beauvois - Mar 23:

The Battalion reorganised on the Corps Line in front of Beauvois and were distributed in depth. About 5.50pm the enemy made a determined onslaught with overwhelming forces, the greater weight of the attack being delivered on the right. Our right flank being in the air, we were compelled to withdraw 600 yards.

The trenches were only 18 inches deep and at 6.30pm a terrific barrage was put down on this line, lasting 10 minutes.

About 7pm Battalion reorganised and held out until 12 midnight when order was received from 183 Brigade to march to Voyennes, from whence march was continued to La Languevoisin when battalion rested for the night.

Mar 24-27

Languevoisin - Mar 24: At 11am battalion moved out to take up a defensive position at the Bridgehead where the Voxennes Road crosses the Canal, and eventually formed a line on the Railway and dug in. There was intense M.G. and rifle fire at 11pm, but no infantry attack ensued.

Languevoisin - Mar 25: The morning passed without incident. I was snipers found plenty of targets a number of the enemy were hit. The enemy worked round our flanks, and the position becoming untenable, a withdrawal was ordered at 6pm. Adelaine action was fought and the battalion withdrew with slight losses to the quarry behind Breuil, Really digging in on a line between Cressy and Bethancourt. During this days fighting Capt G.L. Worlock M.C and 2/Lieut J.W. Barber were wounded.

Cressy/Bethancourt - Mar 26: At 1am orders were received to withdraw to Roye which was reached without loss about 5am, where rations were issued and units reorganised.

About 7.30am the Battalion resumed the march with other elements of the division reaching Fresnoy about midday, where dinners were served, after which March was continued to Mezieres and work at once started on the defense of the Village.

Le Quesnil - Mar 27: At 1am orders were received to push forward to Le Quesnil where battalion found billets and officers reconnoitered the defensive positions, which were occupied at midday and improved. END

Mar 28

Marcelcave - Mar 28: About 2am Battalion embussed, debussing at Marcelcave about 3.30am. At midday orders were received for the battalion to participate in a counter attack upon Lamotte-En-Santerre. The 183 Brigade work to take the village, The 184 Brigade passing through them and clearing two woods N.W. of the village and the 182 Brigde pressing on further and consolidating on the high ground.

Glosters were on the right, Oxfords in the centre and R. Berks on the left. There was no artillery barrage, very little cover and the ground was swept with M.G. fire. Consequently progress could not be made beyond a certain point, and the withdrawal was ordered about 5pm.

Meanwhile 2/Lieut A. Whitfield M.C. with 20 men and a party of 1/9^th Royal Scots reached the S.W. fringe of the village, and being entirely isolated, hung on till dusk when they effected a withdrawal.

The Battalion reformed and took up a defensive position in front of Marcelcave with the Right on the railway and the Left linking up with a composite Battalion. Extent of frontage was about 300 yards.

In this days fighting Capt G.O.W. Willink, MC and Capt & Adjutent J.S. Darby were killed and Lieuts A. Carter and J.A. Brain & 2/Lieuts R.W. Biddiscombe and Hudson were wounded. The losses in the ranks were heavy, but a high proportion wounded. END

Mar 29-31

Marcelcave - Mar 29: 2/Lieut A. Whitfield M.C. assumed command. The postion was heavily bombarded in the morning and afternoon, but the casualties were light. The enemy were apparently using their new light low mounted field gun, most of the shells from this gun being blind add ricocheting. Enemy patrols and posts were driven out by our fire and action, as our snipers was very busy. Corpl. Povey fired 150 rounds with his rifle, obtaining many hits, before he was killed by a hostile sniper. The night was fairly quiet with the exception of M.G. fire.

Marcelcave - Mar 30: The enemy fire was normal and in comparison the day was uneventful, with the usual M.G. fire. The troops on our right retired but were rallied and eventually re occupied approximately their original line. The conduct of our men during the whole of this trying. Was exemplary; they held their ground and maintained high spirits on the very trying conditions, and annoyed the enemy to the fullest possible extent. Sergts Slark & Richmond and Corpl Clayton especially distinguished themselves.

Gentelles - Mar 31: At 5am the Battalion was relieved by a Battalion of Australian infantry, and marched to Cachy Wood where Hotmail was served. The march was resumed to Gentelles, where the Battalion was billeted. END

Apr 1-3

Gentelles - Apr 1: During the day work was carried out on the Scheme for the defense of the Village, and an Outpost Picquted finished. The village was shelled intermittently, the Battalion sustaining lossed 1 killed & 5 wounded.

Gentelles - Apr 2: At 2.50am the Battalion marched out to embus at 4am but the lorries did not arrive until 9am. Debussing point was Briquesmesnil, where breakfasts were served, march being resumed to Mericourt.

Reorganisation was at once commenced on the basis of 4 Companies, 16 Platoons and 64 Sections.

Mericourt - Apr 3: Reorganisation, cleanging and the question of deficiencies occupied the greater part of the day. END