The history of the Twentieth (Light) DivisionInglefield, Valentine Erskine
History
The history of the Twentieth (Light) Division
Inglefield, Valentine Erskine
Great Britain. Army. Division, 20th (Light); World War, 1914-1918 -- Regimental histories -- Great Britain
Brig.-General Duncan then asked the cavalry for assistance. Realising
that the real danger lay on his right flank, as soon as he saw the
cavalry advancing from the direction of Domart, he ordered what was
left of the 6th K.S.L.I. (about 120 men) and the remnants of the D.L.I.
to support the attack. Details of various units were collected and
placed south-east of Domart. The action of the cavalry succeeded in
securing the right flank, and at 8 P.M. Brig.-General Duncan
offered the 6th K.S.L.I. and the 11th D.L.I. to the cavalry commander,
Brig.-General Bell-Smythe, under whose orders these two battalions
served until the Division was relieved. These operations were seen from
Divisional Headquarters, established on the high ground just north-west
of Domart, and the artillery support was forthcoming before infantry
brigades had time to ask for it. The 92nd Field Artillery Brigade
inflicted great loss on the Germans as they advanced in the open just
north of Cavalry Wood.
“By the supreme efforts of all concerned, and as the result of counter
attacks by elements of the 20th, 8th, and Cavalry Divisions,”[17] the
following line was gained and held by 7.30 P.M. The cavalry
occupied a position running from the north-west corner of Cavalry Wood
north for about half a mile. From this point the 60th Brigade held a
line facing south and south-east about half-way between Cavalry Wood
and the Luce. The 61st Brigade, covering the Luce almost as far as
Demuin, occupied a pronounced salient, as the troops on the north of
the river were some way further back. The 59th Brigade withdrew to the
bridge-head at Domart. That evening the following wire was received
from the G.O.C. XIXth Corps: “Please accept and convey to all ranks
my thanks for the splendid work which you have done since joining the
XIXth Corps. The fighting spirit and power of endurance displayed by
all ranks under very trying conditions have been wonderful.”
On the morning of the 1st of April the 2nd Cavalry Division delivered
a successful counter attack, supported by 100 men of the 59th Brigade,
and occupied positions south-west of Demuin. The 92nd Field Artillery
Brigade did valuable work in covering this attack. No further action
developed on this front, and at night the 20th Division, less the
artillery, was at last withdrawn to rest.
The headquarters of the Divisional Artillery and the 92nd Field
Artillery Brigade remained in the line and were attached to the French
2nd Dismounted Cavalry Division, which held the front from Moreuil to
the north-east corner of Cavalry Wood. The 92nd Brigade covered the
northern half of the east edge of the wood.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account