Diary Henry Arthur Goddard 1918 - Part 17
N. VILLERS BRETTONNEUX.
JUIN
10 LUNDI.
At about 3.15 a.m. enemy shelled our quarters
I thought of poor Leo. His first night under
fire.
I went along in the morning and saw where a
shell had hit right outside his little possie, but
was relieved to find him alright.
Col Blacklow called
9.45 The 2nd Div attacked S.W. Morlancourt
They were very successful making aa
good the line S of the piece we took
when there. The capture over 200
prisoners 20 odd guns 1. Minenwerfer
& two or three officers.
The barrage was continued right along
our line and was pretty solid.
Leo came over during afternoon.
In last night's operation line was advanced
750 yds on a front of 3500 yds. 5 officers and
298 O.R, 21 M.Guns & 1.T. m taken.
Casualties
33 killed 1.O.R. wounded 5.O.R.
34 " 2 "
35 " 4 "
N. VILLERS BRETTONNEUX.
JUIN
11 MARDI.
Up Gen Gelibrand called 11 a.m.
Told me that we might be asked to raid in
conjunction with French operation.
At 1 p.m. I went up the line with Souter
Saw Grant, & White Discussed raid and
other matters with them. Called on 35 on way
back. Returned about 5.30 p.m.
At 10.15 Gen McNicol called into tell
me Div wanted my plans for raid forthwith
by Major Pain per car which was
waiting. It was a bit sudden as Gen
Gelibrand gave me no idea that this thing
was immediate.
Artillery quieter. Scattered over usual
areas.
Casualties
34 Bn 1 O/R wounded
N. VILLERS BRETTONNEUX.
JUIN
12 MERCREDI.
Quiet day. Heavy paper day.
Leo came up in evening, He was in
the front line today. Poor kid I could
spare him little time as I had much to
wade through but he sat in the dugout
while I worked.
Lieut Col. Churingforth of 130 Brigades US Army.
reported attacked at 11. p.m.
Fine day.
Leo came up in evening.
Casualties
33 Killed. O.R. wounded 1.O.R.
34 1 " 1 "
9 T.M. 2
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1 5
N. VILLERS BRETTONNEUX.
JUIN
13 JEUDI.
At 10. a.m. held conference Col. St John
Light Artillery. Group Capt. Mackay M.Guns
Col. White 33 Bn & B.M. on proposed raid
Col. U.S. Army & an American M. Guns
Major were also present.
Felt very ill all day with the old Gallipoli
trouble
Col Jess called 8.30 p.m.
Casualties
34 Bn. 1.O.R. wounded
35 " 2 " " x1 officer accdlly injured
x Lieut G.J.P. Finlayson
N. VILLERS BRETTONNEUX.
JUIN
14 VENDREDI.
General Gelibrand called in morning Conferred
on situation, probability of attack. procuring
of identification &c.
Col. J.V. Clennin Regtl Commdr U.S. Army
with us during day. He went through our
orders &c.
Leo came up in afternoon.
From 5 to 6.30 we straffed the Hun
front line with heavies
Casualties
34 Bn 1 OR. killed 1. O.R wounded
35 4
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1 5
N. VILLERS BRETTONNEUX.
JUIN
15 SAMEDI.
At 1 a.m. this morning we raided the German
trench Party consisted of Sergt Mudford
1 Corpl & 10 men of 34 Bn covered by Stoke
Mortars under Lieut Snick They brought
back two prisoners & killed the sentry.
Our Corpl was killed by a bomb.
Col. Jess was up in afternoon - discussed
operation by 4th Bde on our left at 11.30
tonight. Also Col Jackson was up.
Arranged to cooperate with left Brigade
as far as artillery goes. Jess suggested
another raid by us but I do not agree
there is nothing to be gained
Leo up at 4. p.m.
Colonel Morshead reported back 9. p.m.
Capt Coghill reported back 9 to-day
he was up with Connell this morning.
Casualties
33. Killed 1 O.R. wounded
34 2.O.R. 3 " "
1 " "
_______________
2 5
N. VILLERS BRETTONNEUX.
JUIN
16 DIMANCHE.
Up A quiet day. Shelling above normal.
Leo called about 5 p.m.
Lt Col. Eddy 131 Infantry U.S. Army
attached. Also Capt. J. U Richmond.
Casualties
34 Bn 3 O.R. wounded
2 " missing
N. VILLERS BRETTONNEUX.
JUIN
17 LUNDI.
With Col. Eddy forward.
Visited 33, 34 & 35 Bns. Hun was
shelling as we went up and burnt
a lot of big stuff behind us as
we came back. Got back about 2.30
Gen. Gelibrand came up about
3 p.m. Discussed relief . and
condition of men. Told him
they were fairly dirty and lousy
but that we could hold on for a
bit.
Casualties
33 Bn 1 O.R. Killed
35 1 " wounded.
N. VILLERS BRETTONNEUX.
JUIN
18 MARDI.
Battalions changed over following now
are dispositions A. 33° B. 35 C. 34.
Col. Eddy U.S. Army went up to 33 Bn
this afternoon to go over front system
and to return tomorrow
Artillery about normal.
Casualties
33. Bn. 1. O.R. wounded
N. VILLERS. BRETTONX.
JUIN
19 MERCREDI.
Wet. A fairly quiet day rather
less artillery.
Leo round at 4 pm.
Col Eddy U.S.A. reported back from 33.
at 10 p.m.
Uneventful night
Capt. Light injured.
B.M. reconnoitred old trench of Collins St
for position for Gas projector found
it full of dead Germans about 20.
Casualties
33 Bn 1 O.R. killed
34
35 2 O.R. wounded
1 officer 1 O.R. Injured
N. VILLERS BRETTONEUX
JUIN
20 JEUDI.
Col. Eddy & Capt Richmond U.S. Army left.
Leo called 4 p.m.
Col Jess called. Discussed gas stunt with him
Wet dull day
A good piece of work was done by a daylight
patrol of 33 Bn Lieut A.M. Widdy M.M. Corporal A.M. Brecht
and men went forward through crops to examine
No mans land & trenches by daylight Lieut
leaving his party under cover went right forward
to enemy's trench. He saw two Boche sitting on
fire step. He beconed up his party and sending
all back again excepting the Corpl. The Corpl and
he hopped into the trench and attacked the
Boche. Others of the enemy rushed out of a
dugout & in the fight that ensued Lieut &
Copl,. Killed 4 and wounded one of
the enemy. Enemy then opened fire on patrol
who came back to our lines: only casualty Lieut
had his finger shot off.
Casualties
22 Bn 1 O.R. Killed 2 O.R wounded
9.T.M. 1
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1 3
N. VILLERS BRETTONEUX.
JUIN
21 VENDREDI.
Dull day.
Leo came over in afternoon
Gen. Grimwade called
" Gellibrand called.
11 Brigade raided Hangar in enemys line
at 2.a.m - night 21-22. They killed 10
and took seven prisoners (one wounded)
including crew of light Machine gun and
their weapon. Our casualties only one.
The names of the men who took part in
yesterdays daylight raid are
Lieut. A. M. Widdy M.M. & No. 1661 Corpl K Horne
No. 775 Sergt I. A. Harris
1620 Corpl A.W. Bricht
1235. " R. L. Swalding M.M.
Casualties
33. Wounded 1 officer 1 O.R.
35 1
2
N. VILLERS BRETTONNEUX.
JUIN
22 SAMEDI.
Started out attended by Capt. Sutor at 5.a.m
for tour round line worked right round
whole front via Kent Street and Pill Street
called at centre and left Coy Hqrs - then
to 33 & 35 Bn Hqrs. Saw Col Morshead
(in bed) & Major White & Cornell. Then to
34 Bn Hqrs saw Col Grant. Back
noon. Strong westerly wind blowing
dull with light showers. The rain
has made going in the trenches rather
heavy and muddy.
Leo in afternoon.
B. M. went to demonstration. Smoke by
T. Ms.. Message rockets and conveyance
of ammunition by aircraft. Latter did
not come off owing to high wind.
Casualities
33 Bn. 4 O.R. wounded
34 1
N. VILLERS BRETTONNEUX.
JUIN
23 DIMANCHE.
In morning went round the lines with
Gen Gelibrand and his A.D.C. It was a
very quiet morning. Started out at nine
returned at 3.15.
MESSAGES AND SIGNALS.
Prefix SM Code KGAM Words 29
Received.
From WIB
By W Sathe
Handed in at WIB
To {ALL UNITS
Sender’s Number Day of Month
H4/31 25
Australian Corps informs us
that 13th & 15th Brigades have
done good work AAA
Our line now runs east of
VILLERS BRETTENEUX
9th Inf Brigade
Rouen
19. G.O.C. Div at Bde Hqrs discussed
relief arrangements and difficulties
owing to numerate weakness
of Bde. agreed that best for our
Bde remain in the line rather
than incur the necessary re-adjustments.
20. Col. Jess at Bde Hqrs. discussed
proposed Gas Projector operation.
21. Gen. Gellibrand, B.G. Grimwade
22. Visited all Bns and trenches.
attended by S. Capt
23. Units G.O.C Division toured
front line & C.T. trenches.
24. Interviewed Col Ballengale
Left Ground Arty Comdr. arranged
artillery co-operation Gas projection
operation to-night
25. Held enquiry ^ at Bde Hqrs note Gas casualties
arising from bursting of gas drums
last night.
at 7.30.p.m. Col Jess rang up with
instructions to cancel. T. Mortar Gas
shoot by Special Engineer Coy on account of
relief of Brigade on our left
27. G .O.C. division at Bde Hqrs discussed
T.M. Gas shoot by Special Coy to-night
arranged. to leave it and carry out raid.
At 7.30 p.m Col Jess rang up to
say the Gas G.O C Divisn instructed
him to say the shoot would have to
take place as Corps were subsidiary
the Special Coy and sh ammunition
must be fired.
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