The story of the 6th Battalion, the Durham Light Infantry : $b France, April 1915-November 1918 — John Shaqi
The story of the 6th Battalion, the Durham Light Infantry : $b France, April 1915-November 1918
History
The story of the 6th Battalion, the Durham Light Infantry : $b France, April 1915-November 1918
Great Britain. Army. Durham Light Infantry; World War, 1914-1918 -- Regimental histories -- Great Britain
Early on the following morning, the 24th March, orders were received to
withdraw the Battalion to Foucaucourt. The Companies were therefore
assembled on the road and marched back by the main Amiens-Peronne road to
an old prisoners of war camp near Foucaucourt village. Further orders
awaited them there to be ready to move up again, and in about two hours
they were again marching eastwards. About 8 p.m. they were again in
position, in reserve, in a line north-east of Estrees.
The next morning the Battalion was hurriedly assembled and moved to
Genermont, south of the main road, coming under the orders of the General
Commanding the 8th Division. The situation here appeared to be very
serious, as the enemy was advancing rapidly. Without any very definite
orders the Battalion moved in artillery formation towards Marchelepot,
but before reaching it the 8th Division, who were holding the line, had
retired to the railway behind the village. Gaps along the line of the
railway were accordingly filled by W and Z Companies, but it soon became
necessary to put in Y Company also. No further developments occurred till
about 5 p.m., when Y Company on the right found that the 24th Division on
their right was withdrawing to Chaulnes ridge. A defensive flank was
formed, and X Company moved to the north-east of Hyencourt to deliver a
counter-attack if necessary. For a couple of hours the prospect looked
very black, but the enemy did not press his advantage, and about 7 p.m.
orders were received to withdraw the Battalion to a line of old trenches
south-east of Pressoire. Here a quiet night was spent, with only a few
casualties from shell fire.
About 9 a.m. the next day the enemy renewed his attacks and a hurried
withdrawal of the whole of the 8th Division was ordered. The instructions
which reached the Battalion were somewhat confused, but along with the
Battalions of the 24th Infantry Brigade they moved from the trenches in
artillery formation, and passing through the ruins of Lihons--which was
under observation, and consequently was heavily shelled as the men passed
through it--continued the withdrawal almost to Rosieres. About a mile
south-east of that village a line was formed, but no further attack took
place. In this position the Battalion had the 2nd Northants on its left
and a Labour Battalion on its right.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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