Military History

River Ecallion near Haspres - Oct 24 1918: Battn relieved one Coy of R B [Rifle Brigade] in front line leaving Haspres at 11.45pm on 23^rd. Battn were formed up in assembly positions by 2.00am. Bttn carried out attack on R Ecaillon. C & Light Coys were in front. A & B Coys 300 yards behind them. C & A Coys being left Coys. Zero was at 4am. No opposition was encountered until river was reached. The left bridge was thrown across without much difficulty, but considerable trouble was encountered in getting the other three across and considerable delay was caused. During this time there was considerable fire from the sloped across the river.

The bridges were eventually got across by men wading out into the middle of the stream. Good covering fire was brought to bear while the bridges were being put in place.

From the river the advance continued rapidly to the Blue Line. The Herman Stellung line in front of the 1^st objective was wired and consisted of a series of isolated posts and short lengths of trenches. It was strongly held by M Guns. The leading Ciys by free use of rifles and Lewis Guns and by working round the flanks, quickly overcame the enemy resistance and the German, who at first showed fight, suffered heavy casualties and the remainder soon surrendered. This line being captured the leading Coys pushed on to the Blue Line which they assaulted and took with the bayonet. The support Coys now pushed forward and passed through the leading Coys towards the Yellow Line. Various M.G. posts were encountered and dealt with as before by outflanking movements. A considerable number of enemy were surprised and captured in the Sunken Road about P.5.b.8.3.

On reaching the Yellow Line the support Coys at once consolidated in touch with the Hampshires on the left and the 10^th Bde on our right. From here onwards our advance to the Green Line was considerably impeded by heavy M G and rifle fire from the right and movement over the open was almost impossible. Eventually about 70 - 80 men reached the German wire on the Green Line which was very strong. From here they could proceed no further. They therefore dug in about 40 yards from the German Wire, approximately from J.30.d.8.1 to K.31.a.05.50 with their right completed in the air.

At dusk a Coy of the Rifle Bde was sent up to form a defensive flank by establishing a line of posts between the right of the advanced troops on the Green Line and the 10^th Bde.

Early in the evening a bombing attack was attempted by the enemy down a C.T. [connecting trench] on our left was repulsed by Lewis Gun fire. Previous to the relief during the night by the Essex Regt the advanced troops fell back and took up a position 300 yards from, and parallel to the Green Line. During the night the Battn was relieved by the 2^nd Essex Regt and returned to the billets in Haspres.