Saturday 14th October 1916 From our Correspondent in the Field
Last night
the 2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment were relieved in the front line by
18th Battalion, King’s (Liverpool) Regiment and withdrew to reserve trenches
west of the village of Flers. Just before this, about 8.10 pm in Gird Trench Sergeant
F Brown successfully bombed a party of the enemy, capturing one, who was a
Saxon. This proved important, as it showed that a relief had taken place, as
Bavarians had occupied the trench during the attack on October 12th. Total
casuatlies for the attack on 12th are now reckoned to be 10 officers and 242
other ranks killed and wounded.
It appears
that another hard-fighting battalion of the regiment is preparing for a third
attack in this battle. 7th Battalion have today received orders to the effect
that the 18th Division had opened advance Divisional Headquarters at Albert:
the 53rd Brigade have moved up in readiness for an attack on Regina Trench and
the 54th Brigade will move to Beauville. All necessary arrangements are being
made for the Battalion to move tomorrow morning. Advance billeting parties were
detailed to proceed ahead at 2 pm today - but, this was cancelled just before
time to march off.
This
afternoon 25th Division made a successful attack on an area known as The Mound, west of the River Ancre and Saint-Pierre-Divion. Seizing this objective gives them observation of
the village.
Perhaps the
most momentous news of the day is the capture of the last parts of the Schwaben
Redoubt. This was achieved by the 39th Division, specifically the 4th/5th
Battalion, Black Watch, the 17th Battalion, King’s Royal Rifle Corps and our
close neighbours from 1st Battalion, Cambridgeshire Regiment. About 150
prisoners were taken. So the position first attacked by 7th Bedfords and others
on 28th September has finally fallen.
About half an
hour ago we were told that 2nd Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders of 4th Division
have assaulted Rainy Trench and gun pits south of Dewdrop Trench east of
Lesboeufs. 2nd Royal Dublin Fusiliers have also attacked gun pits in front of
Hazy Trench.
Source: X550/3/wd; X550/8/1
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