Page 112 - The Royal Lancers Chapka 2017
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 110 REGIMENTAL JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL LANCERS (QUEEN ELIZABETHS’ OWN)
 The Victoria Cross action at Bourlon Wood 28-29th November 1917
The Battle of Cambrai commenced at 0600 hours, 20th No- vember with a barrage of over 1000 guns. On the first day, 350 Mark IV Tanks were involved, during the battle a total of 476 were used. Some 14 squadrons of the Royal Flying Corps were also involved. The initial progress was good and a great victo- ry was expected. In certain areas, the Hindenburg Line had been penetrated to a depth of some five miles. On the left front, the 62nd Division had swept all before them. Battling through Havrincourt and Graincourt and were in reach of the Woods on Bourlon Ridge. 180 Tanks were now out of action, 71 suffering mechanical failure, 65 destroyed! The others ditched!
On Saturday, 24th November 1918, the Commanding Officers of the regiments of the 3rd Cavalry Brigade were summoned to a conference at brigade headquarters. Each regiment, the 4H, 5L and 16L were ordered to form a dismounted company. Each company consisting of an Officer Commanding, four pla- toon leaders and 200 Other Ranks. The 5L company was com- manded by Captain JA Batten-Pooll, MC with Second Lieuten- ants AW Carr, JN Bailey, WH Thackray and LI Firth. The 3rd Dismounted Battalion was commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Darley of the 4H, who furnished battalion headquarters. There was also a requirement for a well mounted squadron to be held in readiness for a special mission. The honour of this task was given to Captain Wall and his squadron, 5Ls.
At 1800hrs Tuesday 27th, the unit moved to Bourlon Wood to take over the line held by the 2/7th West Yorkshires, moving to the left of Graincourt les Havrincourt and Anneux. The bat- talion headquarters was now established at the Hunting Lodge, from there the 5L received orders to relieve ‘D’ Company, 2/7
West Yorkshire Regiment, of the 62nd Infantry Division, who were at that time some 150 yards from the edge of Bourlon Wood. During the move up, they passed through a heavy artil- lery barrage. The takeover was accomplished by 0315. 2/7 West Yorkshire Regiment formed part of 168th Brigade, commanded by Brigadier Powell. The brigade had actually been on the edge of the village and had been withdrawn up the slope on the south- ern side of the village.
The situation was extremely confused, units being spread all over the wood, German snipers and gas shells adding to the confusion. The following morning enemy spotter aircraft flew at very low altitudes over the area, and were targeted by both machine gun and Hotchkiss gun from all around the wood. The 5L spent most of their time ‘digging in’, much improving their trenches, which often were linked shell holes.
At 1600 hours, Wednesday 28th they relieved the Oxfordshire Yeomanry who were holding the company frontage directly to the west of the trenches then held by the 3rd Dismounted Bat- talion. They were in position by 1900hours, with no casualties. To their immediate front, two ‘listening posts’ had been estab- lished. These had been set up to warn of any enemy concen- trations that were building up, prior to an attack. During the night the force defending the ‘listening post’ on the left hand side of the line, were all wounded. Lance Corporal Glascoe, be- ing most seriously wounded, needed urgent treatment. Private Billy Clare dressed all of the wounded and ensured that they returned for treatment. Having manned the ‘listening post’ sin- gle handed until a relief came forward. He then carried Lance Corporal Glascoe some 100 yards, under extreme heavy machine



























































































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