Wednesday 12th
July 1916 From our Correspondent in the
Field
The 2nd
Battalion’s ordeal in Trônes Wood has continued today. About 10 pm last night
the enemy surrounded the force formerly led by Captain Tyler, bombing it from
three sides. In the circumstances Lieutenant L H Walker ordered the men to fall
back to the old brickworks on the other side of Bernafay Wood where they joined
the Battalion’s headquarters. C and D Companies, entrenched in the south-west
of the wood managed to retain their toe-hold all night despite frequent
attacks.
Lieutenant Walker
This morning
Lieutenant W White and Second Lieutenant L A L Fink were sent from the reserve
of officers at the Battalion’s transport lines to replace those officers who
were lost yesterday. Lieutenant White took over command of A Company from the
unfortunate Captain Tyler who is either dead or a prisoner.
Lieutenant White
Just after
midnight two companies of 17th Battalion King’s (Liverpool) Regiment occupied
the southern edge of the wood and linked up with C and D Companies of the
Bedfords. Through the day this line has been held despite many determined
attacks with bombs by the enemy. Second Lieutenant H J Bricknell was wounded
during the day.
Second Lieutenant Bricknell
We understand
that 55th Brigade of 18th Division (7th Bedfords are in 54th Brigade of that
division) has been temporarily attached to 30th Division because, although the
division now holds the southern part of the wood, it has suffered many
casualties over the last four days and is exhausted. I can vouch that the lined
faces of the officers and men I have seen today attest to their expenditure of
strength and courage over the last day or more.
Source: X550/3/wd
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