Objectives and Plans
OBJECTIVES.
The objective allotted to the battalion what's the green line from the Somme in K.33.d to just east of the junction of the wood and track in K.27.d.7.4. Two companies were to take this line by making for the north end of Malard Wood and then swinging down southward under the cover of the barrage, seize that line. A third [Company] was to work around the south of Malard Wood join up with the northern companies and watch the right flank. The 4th Company and one Company of 8th Bn. London Regiment, were to consolidate on the west side of Malard Wood and thus form a second line.
TAPE LINE ASSEMBLY
The battalion was to assemble on a taped line in K.25.a&c in the following order from left to right: A Coy – D Coy of the 8th Bn London Regiment, C Coy with B Coy behind them, two companies 7th Bn London Regiment supported by one company 7th Bn London Regiment. The L.T.M’s and M.G’s behind the units to which they are allotted. Troops were to be on the taped line two hours before Zero.
BARRAGE
The barrage line ran from NE to SW and was to cover the advance to beyond the Green Line where it was to halt for one hour to cover the consolidation and give the 173rd Brigade time to close with it preparatory to starting for their objectives.
TANKS
Tanks were allotted to proceed with the Infantry. Of these the following were to directly help this battalion viz:-
4 to proceed round N of Malard Wood and operated in K27d and K35b.
1 to K27c
1 to accompany infantry S of Malard Wood
1 to go through Sailly-Laurette and along the road from this village to Chipilly.
TERRAIN
The ground to be crossed has its features running NE to SW. All roads, valleys and woods had this trend. This together with the barrage line which coincided with these features, tending to draw advancing troops southwards.
The Attack of the 8th August
NARRATIVE OF EVENTS
The battalion moves off for its assembly position at 10:20 PM on 7th instant. It was estimated that four hours would be required to get the battalion on the tape line. This proved to be correct. Two companies who had been cut in half by elements of 173rd Brigade arrived late and only got on the tape shortly before Zero.
It was a clear morning until shortly before 4:00 AM when a heavy mist fell. At zero hour the Battalion was on the tape with Bn HQ at 23d.8.4 connected to Brigade HQ by telephone. The brigade command post was at J.19c.4.0. A few casualties from shellfire and machine guns occurred on the tape line but generally the troops formed up practically unmolested.
The barrage came down at 4:20am and the line advanced in good order into the thick mist, through which one could not see more than 20 yards. The Tanks were not with the infantry at this time. The barraged appeared to be very good, and the troops losing sense of direction owing to the mist followed it. The enemy put up a resistance in their frontline, but this was soon overcome and prisoners immediately started coming in in considerable numbers.
Before going any great distance companies and battalions became mixed except on the extreme right flank and the general direction of the attack was SE. There was little resistance except on the right flank where they had to fight their way forward practically from the Quarry in K.3.d.7.8 to the high ground in K.33.b. The right flank was greatly assisted by a tank coming from the direction of Sailly-Laurette.
On the mist beginning to lift a composite company formed from stragglers and prisoners guards was sent forward under the intelligence officer to support the right flank.
The position at 10am appeared to be as follows:
7th Bn. London Regt partly at their objective
A party of the 6th Bn London Regt at Quarry E of Malard Wood
W edge of Malard Wood held by elements of 6th, 7th & 8th London Regt and 173rd Brigade
Machine guns in position W of Malard Wood
No touch established between 6th and 7th Bns London Regt on E side of Wood
Although the wood seemed to be practically free of the enemy it did not appear to be occupied by our troops. The following dispositions were therefore made:
1) A party of about 3 officers and 60 O.R. of thr 8th Bn London Regt were dispatched to reinforce the 7tn Bn on the left flank.
2) A company of the 6th Bn that had just been reorganised was dispatched to secure and hold the high ground S of Malard Wood and connect northwards along E side of the Wood with 7th Bn London Regt.
3) The composite company under the Intelligence Officer to hold the high ground in K.32b and cover the company advancing to the high ground S of Malard Wood.
4) A request of O.C. 2/2nd London Regt to push two companies straight through Malard Wood from W to E and make it secure. (Note the O.C. 2/2nd states that he had already despatched two companies for this purpose)
The wood was secured without difficulty but units of the 74th and 173rd Brigades were considerably mixed and the line was reorganised as follows:
1) Men of the 7th Bn London Regt were despatched to rejoin their own unit.
2) Men of the 18th Division were despatched to Battalion HQ
3) Men of the 8th Bn London Regt retained
4) A Company Commander of 2nd/3rd London Regt instructed to take over posts on E side of Malard Wood from 6th Bn London Regt with men of his own battalion
5) 6th Bn London Regt to hold support lines on W side of Malard Wood.
Before this reorganisation was completed the 173rd Brigade attacked. As no notification of this attack had been received no steps were taken to relieve elements of 173rd Brigade on E side of Wood. The consequence was that a gap was created between the un-relieved posts of the 6th Bn and K33 central and 7th Bn. The gap was filled those of 173rd Brigade who failed to get forward but principally by 9th Bn London Regt. Malard Wood was thus more than sufficiently held for night of 8/9th August.
Headquarters of Battalions of 174th Brigade were at this time as follows:
6th Battalion K.3.b.3.7
7th Battalion K.25.d.9.8
8th Battalion K.26.c.3.5
