Wednesday 24th
October 1917
Today has
been one of reliefs, with five divisions moving out of the line and five in.
Amongst the newcomers are the Canadians for the first time in this battle, 3rd
Canadian Division replacing the New Zealand Division. 63rd (Royal Naval)
Division have also taken over from 9th (Scottish) Division, though the 4th
Bedfords are not yet in the front line.
The 2nd
Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, are back in familiar territory near
Hollebeke. About midnight last night the Germans raided their trenches without
benefit of artillery in what is known as a “silent raid”. The raiding party
were observed moving immediately to the Right of one of the advanced posts. They
were fired at by the Lewis gun at this post, after firing one drum a German
threw a bomb which fell on the Lewis gunners’ shelter blowing it in, the Lewis
gunner continued firing however and killed the thrower. The remainder of the Germans
made off towards another of the Bedfords’ posts, which fired on them and
wounded one man who was captured. It is thought that at least two other of the enemy
were killed by the Battalion’s Lewis gun fire. The hostile raiding party
numbered about fifteen and was completely repulsed - a bloody nose for the
enemy unit taking part.
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