1990s Research by Mike McKeon (part 7)

1990s Research by Mike McKeon (part 7)

30th November 1995 I checked the war diary of 1/3rd South Midland Field Ambulance as this is where Jack was initially treated when injured on 16/8/17. The reference WO 95 2752. The diary confirms that is was attached to XVIII Corps of which 48th Division was a part. The map reference for its location is A 2 3 C. 2. 9. The maps used are : - Hazebrouck 1 - 100,000 and Belgium Sheet 28 1 - 40,000. 16/8 The infantry came up against strong machine gun positions. The number of sitting and lying cases passing through the Corps Main Dressing (CMD) Station was 500 in 24 hours, from the two divisional fronts of the Corps. 17/8 Cases from yesterday’s fighting continued to pass through the CMD Station. Included in this class was the War Diary of 1/2nd South Midland Field Ambulance. Jack was treated here for Influenza on 12/11/15. It is a very basic diary which numbers admitted and discharged. Jack was one of 36 other ranks admitted on 12/11/15. He was one of 11 other ranks transferred to C.C.S. on 20/11/15. Winter 1995 - Slough Public Library After finding the casualty record, I was now positive that Jack was injured during the attack on the 16th August 1917. The following is an account of the Bucks’ Battalion’s involvement in the Battle of St Julian. The Battalion formed up for the attack west of the Steenbeek on a front of 500 yards, immediately north of the St Julian bridge. The formation adopted was two companies, in front “A” on the left and “B” on the right, each in two waves of two platoons, with “C” and “D” companies in Artillery formations behind the right and left respectively. Zero hour was at 4.45 am. Seven minutes beforehand the two leading companies moved forward to cross the Steenbeek. At Zero, the Artillery put down a barrage 300 yard east of the stream to creep forward at a rate of 100 yards every five minutes. The advance of the Infantry was slow due to the water filled shell holes and the poor light. The barrage lifted off the forward positions of the enemy before the leading wave had reached it. Enemy machine gun fire from the shell holes almost annihilated the leading wave of “B” company. The second wave closed up, engaging the enemy with fire while parties worked around the flanks. The enemy kept up a strong resistance until the leading platoons of “D” company closed up and charged with the bayonet. This was followed by hand to hand fighting around the blockhouses on the Hillock Farm - St Julian road, until the garrison of one blockhouse put up their hands and the rest followed suit. This was around 6 am. “B” and “D” companies were then quickly reformed and pushed on in an attempt to catch up to their barrage which was well ahead of them. They reached the trench railway 300 yards northeast of the outskirts of St. Julian but were confronted by a large sheet of water with a blockhouse and two gun pits held by machine guns and riflemen. No further advance could be made. “A” company met with less resistance at first, but on getting over the slight ridge above the Steenbeek they came under heavy cross fire from Hillock Farm and two gun pits to the west of it. The leading wave reached the gunpits with only sixteen men left. The second wave closed up but its left platoon was stopped by fire as well from Maison Du Hibou and Triangle Farm. The right platoon rushed the right gunpit and continued on with the remains of the leading wave. They reached their objective Springfield (Green Line) at 6.45 am. Casualties were very heavy and few actually reached it. At 9 am, the enemy rushed the house and four Bucks men were seen being led away. At 7 am, Battalion headquarters were established in a blockhouse on the west of St Julian, Poelcappelle Road, 450 yards from the Steenbeek by road. Around 8 am, the enemy were seen coming over the ridge north of Springfield in considerable numbers and collecting in a trench below it. They had no communication with the Artillery so no action was possible. The companies were hastily reorganised, three Vickers guns were put into suitable positions and a platoon of 1/4th Royal Berks were placed to protect the left flank. At 10 am a heavy counter attack came from Triangle Farm but was stopped by Buck’s fire. Sniping and machine gun fire were brisk throughout the day. There were several casualties especially around Hillock Farm where there was little cover. At 9.30 pm, an enemy attack drove back the posts around Hillock Farm. The state of the ground precluded any attempt at digging in, it was decided to withdraw the posts on the west of the road to the south of the stream, the road itself being held up to the Hillock Farm. Patrols, during the night, reported the enemy holding the line of Springfield Road. Owing to enemy sniping, it was quite impossible during the day to collect the wounded and a great amount of searching and clearing had to be done that night.

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  • Profile picture for Henry J Shanks

    Born 1896

    Died 1917

    British Army 2613 Private Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry

    British Army 265855 Private Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry