Page 37 - The Wish Stream Year of 2020 Crest

mined route to the proposed Forming Up Point (FUP), the primary aim was to confirm that the predetermined route was satisfactory to move a company through the following morning. The return of the section – soaked from the chest down – made it apparent that this predetermined route was unusable. On the debrief, it turns out the recce section was close to
all three platoons within the company, the reor- ganisation was conducted following the casu- alty evacuation and the triumphant company marched back to the harbour area to conduct post battle admin.
Following the successful attack the previous day, it was OCdt Montagu’s turn
as Platoon Commander to lead 5 Platoon in a company deliberate attack. A successful set of orders left the Platoon confident and pre- pared for the attack ahead with each section knowing exactly what their role was. Leaving the harbour area at 0330hrs for a lengthy tab,
OCdt Hart of 4 Platoon led the platoon to the line of departure and spirits were high. Despite the well-executed orders, the plan took a turn for the worst almost immediately as OCdt Montagu was shot as he led the fire support section into place. Taking several casualties along with OCdt Mon- tagu, the platoon was temporarily thrown into disarray as the initial plan was wiped out – no plan survives contact with the enemy. With only 2 Section left intact, it became apparent that they were now the assaulting section. Some quick thinking by section commander OCdt Geary led to organic fire support provided by his Delta fire
swimming in flooded bogs created
by the recent heavy downpours.
With a new route proposed, the
company left the following morn-
ing to conduct the attack. Moving
slower than expected, and with
H-Hour rapidly approaching, the
company FUP was conducted in
double time to ensure that they were ready to step off for H-hour – to coincide with the pre- planned mortar fires. Following the launch of the mortars, the company (consisting of a left and right cut off group, sweep and assault group) marched in formation – “Battle of the Somme style” towards the enemy location. The next two hours were frantic but thoroughly enjoyable as OCdt Pilkington wrestled to keep the eager sec- tion commanders in formation and under control whilst maintaining the speed and momentum to assault and take the enemy positions. With the three known enemy positions taken, using
With only 2 Section left intact, it became apparent that
they were now the assaulting section
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