War Diary
Becourt - 27th July 1916: Still in Becourt Wood, received orders to move into front line system of trenches through Contalmaison.
Contalmaison - 28th July: Arrived in front line system of trenches as ordered. We sustained some casualties
Contalmaison - 29th July: The enemy was shelling the main road through village and was very near to doing some serious damage [as will be seen by the enclosed copy of operations marked D. The Battn was soon again in action. We sustained somewhere severe casualties which read as under:
Killed: 2 officers 31 OR
Wounded: 4 officers 124 OR
Missing: 1 officer 30 OR
Shell shocked: ~ 13 OR
I also attach a further list of Officers, N.C.O's and men who distinguished themselves marked E and a copy of a message received from Lieut E.K. McCulloch of 17th Bn, 5th Inf Bde A.I.F.
Report on Operations
REPORT ON OPERATIONS CARRIED OUT BY
10TH BATTALION, DUKE OF WELLINGTON’S REGIMENT
ON NIGHT OF 28/29TH JULY 1916
Orders having been received to bomb up Munster Alley as far as possible and consolidate on the night of 28/ 29th, I issued orders to D Company to carry out this operation. No 13 platoon under Lieut F Hird formed the attacking party, No 14 platoon followed to carry out the work of consolidating the position, the operation covered by two Lewis guns.
An advance was made about 12:45 AM preceded by a bombing party of eight men with Lieut Hird in rear, followed at a distance of 20 yards by the remainder of No 13 platoon. Little opposition was met with for about 60 yards at which point the enemy vigorously attacked with bombs with men concealed in shell holes on the other side of the trench and a party in the trench. Six of the bombing party were wounded and Lieut Hird killed at this point and the reminder of 13 platoon were driven back to their original barricade, some 20 yards in rear of Point 41. The enemy here launched A vigorous bombing attack which lasted for half an hour but were driven back from our barricade.
About 2am 2/Lieut H.H.) Stafford with a bombing party endeavoured to again advance, but were forced to submit after having advanced about 20 yards owing to the enemies bombs. A barricade was then erected our bombers continuing to bomb the enemy during his construction. This compelled the enemy to abandon his original barricade and put up another some yards further back from which position he opposed our further advance vigorously for about one hour.
There is little doubt he wished to drive us out of monster alley as his bombers came into the broken ground in front of his barricade and continued until it was quite light to throw bombs with great determination. Fortunately supplies of bombs, S.A.A and filled sandbags was sent up with great regularity and in this we received great assistance from the 17th Battalion Australian Contingent who prolonged our chain of supplies and did his great service in this respect.
In connection with this operation I beg to draw attention to the fact that prior to this attack we were not in possession of Point 41 but a point 20 yards in rear behind O.G.2. which was thought to be Point 41, the mistake occurring on account of O.G.2 at and near Point 41 having been obliterated by shell fire.
