Chapter XVI: Appendix: I

OPERATION ORDERS

_Secret._ 0.0./2.

A

1ST BUCKS BATTALION

TOMBOIS FARM

_April 1917_

1. _48th Division_ will continue its advance to-night. Bucks Battalion will capture Tombois Farm, with a second objective the ridge due E. of the farm. 4th R. Berks Regiment will capture Gillemont Farm. 143rd Infantry Brigade will capture Catalet Copse and Le Petit Priel Farm.

2. _Zero hour_—11.30 p.m.

Zero hour for 143rd Infantry Brigade will be—10 p.m.

3. Bucks Battalion will attack with three Companies,—C Company right, B Company left, D Company will be in echelon behind C Company, and will go through to second objective.

A Company will take over outpost line as early as possible after dusk. One Company 1/5th Gloucester Regiment, with half-section machine-gun company, will be in support about F.16.b.1.9.

4. _Formation._—Attacking companies will be deployed (by zero—30 minutes) on a two-platoon frontage of 150 yards, each platoon in two lines, 25 yards’ distance between lines.

Each of the attacking companies will have one Bombing Section equipped as such.

5. _Forming-up positions:_

Right Company W. of Sart Farm.
Left Company About F.10.d.5.7.
Third Company About F.16.b.7.6.

6. _Objectives:_

(_a_) _Right Company_ will direct its attack S. and E. of Tombois Farm.

(_b_) _Left Company_ on W. and N. of Tombois Farm.

Each of the above companies will arrange to leave one section at point where its outer flank crosses enemy trench, to protect its flank against possible counter-attack up trench.

(_c_) _Third Company_ will follow Right Company, and occupy enemy trench F.11.b.3.1. to F.11.d.5.9., and remain on line until satisfied that leading companies have attained their objectives, retaining its formation (i.e. rear lines not closing up), when it will go through and occupy ridge E. of Tombois Farm, approximately E. of road running N. and S. through F.12.a.

7. _Consolidation:_

(_a_) _Right Company_, on attaining its objective, will establish itself from road F.11.b.3.5. (exclusive) to F.12.c., with support about trench F.11.c.0.5.

(_b_) _Left Company_ will establish itself from road F.11.b.3.5. (inclusive) to F.3.c., gaining touch with 143rd Brigade (1/5th R. Warwick Regiment), with support about F.10.b.

(_c_) _Third Company_ will establish itself on ridge, extending S. to gain touch with 1/4th R. Berks Regiment, in F.12.c., with support dug in on our side of slope.

8. _Artillery Barrage_ as communicated to companies this afternoon.

9. Attacking companies will carry S.O.S. signal lights, Very lights and pistols, aeroplane flares. Every man will carry one extra bandolier S.A.A. All available wire-cutters will also be taken forward.

10. _Dump for S.A.A._ will be formed about road junction in F.15.b., under Regimental Sergeant-Major.

11. _Dump of Tools_ will be formed at road junction F.16.a.9.7. Support Company will be prepared to take these forward without delay.

12. _Dividing Line_ between the Battalion and 1/4th R. Berks Regiment, during attack and after capture of objectives, will be line F.17.c.0.0.—A.7.b.0.0.

13. _Covering Parties_ will be pushed forward during the work of consolidation.

14. _Countersign_ to be made known to all concerned. This has been communicated to 143rd Infantry Brigade.

15. One section Royal Engineers and one platoon R. Sussex Regiment will be available to help with work of consolidation.

16. _Contact Aeroplane_ will fly over at about 6.30 a.m., or, if misty, one hour after mist lifts. Advanced troops will be careful to answer the call for flares.

17. _Battalion Headquarters_—F.15.d.9.7. (present C Company Headquarters).

18. _Report Centre_—F.16.a.9.8.

19. _Dressing Station_—F.15.b.4.0.

(_Sd._) P. L. WRIGHT,
_Captain and Adjutant, 1st Bucks Battalion_.

16.4.17.

Copies to:
1–4 Companies.
5 Support Company.
6–7 Battalion Headquarters.
8 1/5th Gloucester Regiment.
9 File.
10–11 War diary.

_Secret._ 0.0.25., _Copy_ 6.

B

1ST BUCKS BATTALION

STEENBEEK AND ST. JULIEN

_August 1917_

1. Fifth Army will attack on “Z” day.

2. The Battalion will capture two objectives and push out an outpost line in front of second objective.

3. Objectives and boundaries as in plan issued herewith.

4. 1/5th Gloucesters will attack on right, and 1/4th Oxfords on left of this Battalion. 1/4th R. Berks are in Brigade Reserve.

5. The Battalion will attack on a two-company frontage and in four waves. Each company on a two-platoon front. A Company on left and B Company on right, will form the first and second waves. C Company on left and D Company on right, will form third and fourth waves.

6. Deployment will be covered by troops of 143rd Infantry Brigade, located 150 yards E. of Steenbeek.

(_This did not take place, as Warwicks were unable to get their outposts across the stream, the enemy being too close._)

7. The two leading companies will deploy E. of the Steenbeek, with 15 yards between lines and 30 yards between waves. The two rear companies will be in Artillery formation between the Steenbeek and a line 350 yards W. of it, and will advance in this formation to deploy 350 yards behind the Green Line, unless rifle or machine-gun fire is encountered, when they will deploy any time after crossing Steenbeek.

7_a_. The initial deployment is close to avoid enemy barrage. When advance begins, waves will open out to obtain a distance of 350 yards.

8. First wave will halt on and consolidate a line running through Hillock Farm and the line of gunpits to its right. Each platoon will be followed by a mopping-up party of one bombing section, which will deal with the enemy strong point in its line of advance, and will hold this until further orders are received.

9. Second wave at zero + 35 minutes will capture, mop up and consolidate the Green Line (Spot Farm—Springfield—Langemarck Road). Each platoon will be followed by a mopping-up party of one bombing section, which will deal with any enemy strong points or trenches which may be met with after passing through first wave.

10. Third wave will be ready to cross Green Line at zero + 55 minutes, and follow barrage.

Right Company third wave, at zero + 1.30, will capture, mop up and consolidate the Red Line from Bend to South. Consolidation will be carried out W. of old enemy wire. This company will immediately put out a temporary outpost line from D.7.b.0.8., where it will link up with Gloucesters, through the houses at D.7.a.3.9. to I.9.

Left Company third wave, at same hour, will double-block the Red Line at the Bend, and put out a temporary outpost line from this point to our junction with the Oxfords, on the Green Line facing N.

At zero + 3 hours, this third wave will capture, mop up and consolidate the remainder of the Red Line, having swung to the right with the barrage from zero + 2.35.

11. Fourth wave at zero + 3 hours will capture and consolidate the Blue Line.

Right Company: Stroppe Farm, and link up with Left Company.

Left Company: Genoa and Hubner Farm.

Posts will be thrown out in front of these points to cover consolidation.

12. Gloucesters will capture their portion of Red and Blue Lines at zero + 1.30.

Oxfords will capture their Red and Blue Lines at zero + three hours.

13. In each case, before advance of barrage begins, it will quicken up for the preceding five minutes.

14. Machine-gun barrages will conform to Artillery.

15. During pause on Green Line there will be a smoke barrage.

(_Sd._) L. L. C. REYNOLDS,
_Lieutenant-Colonel,
Comdg. 1st Bucks Battalion_.

12.8.17.

Copies to:
1–4—Companies.
5—Headquarters.
6—File.
7–8—War Diary.

_Secret._ _Copy No. 6_

1ST BUCKS BATTALION

_Amendment No._ 1 _to_ 1_st Bucks Battalion_ 0.0.25.

1. Paragraph 11, delete lines 1 and 2, and substitute:

“Fourth wave at zero + 3 hours will pass through third wave, after the latter has assaulted and captured the remainder of the Red Line, and will follow the barrage to assault, capture and consolidate their objectives on the Blue Line.”

2. Each wave, having captured its objective, will at once reorganise, and be prepared to assist the next wave in the capture of its objective if required.

(_Sd._) L. L. C. REYNOLDS,
_Lieutenant-Colonel,
Comdg. 1st Bucks Battalion._

13.8.17.

_Copies to all recipients of 0.0.25._

_Secret._ _Copy No. 6_

1ST BUCKS BATTALION

_Amendment No. 2 to 1st Bucks Battalion 0.0.25_

Reference paragraph 7, the two leading companies will deploy W. of Steenbeek, and will start to cross it at zero − 7 minutes, reforming on E. side before advancing.

(_Sd._) L. L. C. REYNOLDS,
_Lieutenant-Colonel,
Comdg. 1st Bucks Battalion._

14.8.17.

_Copies to all recipients of 0.0.25._

_Secret._ _0.0.26., Copy 6_

_1st Bucks Battalion_

_Reference 0.0.25._

_ARTILLERY BARRAGES._

1. The Artillery Barrage will commence at zero, 300 yards E. of Steenbeek, and creep forward at the rate of 100 yards every five minutes, to lift off the Green Line at zero + 35 minutes, i.e. second wave has 35 minutes to go 900 yards—nearly four minutes for every 100 yards.

2. Barrage halts 200 yards in front of Green Line, from zero + 50 to zero + 1.10. It will slow down, but will quicken up at zero + 1.5, i.e. five minutes before again moving forward; this will be the signal for the next (third) wave to get up to it.

3. At zero + 1.10, barrage will again move forward, at same rate on the right flank but slower on the left, to lift off the Red Line from the Bend to the S. at zero + 1.20.

4. Barrage halts 150 yards in front of Dotted Green and Blue Lines, from zero + 1.40 to zero + 2.35. It will slow down to quicken up again five minutes before moving on.

5. At zero + 2.35, that part of the barrage W. of Red Line will roll back to lift off remainder of Red Line, i.e. that part N. of the Bend, at zero + 3.0.

6. The barrage will continue to roll back from zero + 3.0 to zero + 3.35, when it will be about 200 yards E. of the Blue Line, and will continue here until zero + 5.35, when it will cease.

(_Sd._) L. L. C. REYNOLDS,
_Lieutenant-Colonel,
Comdg. 1st Bucks Battalion_.

12.8.17.

Copies to:
1–4—Companies.
5—Headquarters.
6—File.
7–8—War Diary.

_Secret._ _Copy No. 6_

1ST BUCKS BATTALION

_Instructions Reference 1st Bucks Battalion_ 0.0.25.

1. _Battalion Headquarters_ at zero will be at C.12.c.0.3.—House. It will probably move forward after capture of Green Line to about C.12.c.5.9.

2. _Brigade Headquarters_ will be at Cheddar Villa. Brigade Forward Station from zero −2 hours will be at C.12.a.0.7. After zero it will move forward to Hillock Farm, C.12.a.5.5., as soon as situation permits.

3. _Dressing Station_ will be at Battalion Headquarters at C.12.c.0.3.

4. Reports of completion of assembly will be sent to Battalion Headquarters.

5. Each post will have a plan of action ready to meet a counter-attack. This must be explained to all.

6. Troops will keep close to barrage and conform with it.

7. The word “Retire” will not be used. Any one heard to say it will be shot immediately.

8. Compass-bearings will be required to march on. Compasses will be carried by all officers and sergeants.

9. German counter-attacks are now often led by lowflying aeroplanes. These will be fired on by Lewis guns and rifles. Care will be taken to aim well in front of the aeroplanes. Look-out will be kept to avoid shooting any of our own machines which may dive on the enemy planes.

10. All troops will be warned not to bunch behind tanks, as these draw enemy fire.

11. _Tanks._ All ranks will be warned to look out for tank signals. Officers and as many N.C.O.’s as possible will carry “Tank Coloured Disc and Light Code.”

12. A derelict tank may be used to form a strong point.

13. Mopping up will be done carefully, as enemy may hide in cellars or ditches, etc., some distance from his fighting positions. Search will be thorough.

14. All ranks will be warned that prisoners are only required to give name and regiment, and that any further information given to the enemy means loss of their comrades’ lives.

15. _Contact Aeroplanes_:

(_a_) Markings—Two black rectangular flags, 2′ × 1′ 3″, attached to and projecting from lower plane on either side of fuselage.

(_b_) Contact aeroplanes will be flying at approximately:

Zero + 1 hour.
Zero + 1 hour 45 minutes.
Zero + 3 hours 15 minutes.
Zero + 4 hours 15 minutes.

At these hours Infantry will be particularly on the look-out for a call to light flares, although calls may come at other times as well.

(_c_) Leading line _only_ to show flares, which will be lighted in groups of three when actually called for.

(_d_) A protection aeroplane will work all day “Z” day to warn Artillery of any enemy counter-attacks.

16. Use of dummy trenches to distract enemy’s fire should be remembered.

17. The greatest care will be taken over synchronisation of watches.

18. No barrage maps, orders or notes of operations will be carried into action.

19. The following maps only will be taken:

Poelcappelle, 1/10,000, Edn. 1 (Paper Map), and the Message Maps
issued.

20. _Distinguishing Marks._ Third and fourth waves will wear white patch on back. The same will be worn by the leading Battalion of 143rd and 144th Infantry Brigades. Arm-bands, as issued, will be worn by signallers, runners, etc.

21. C Company’s left platoon on the Red Line will dig a strong point about C.6.d.7.8., which will be named Bucks Fort.

22. Visual Signalling stations will be established at Mouse Trap Farm, Cheddar Villa and Hillock Farm.

23. _Prisoners of War._ Companies will escort prisoners back as far as the Steenbeek, where they will be taken over by escort detailed by 143rd Infantry Brigade at St. Julien Road Bridge, and by 144th Infantry Brigade at C.11.b.6.4., just N.E. Hugel Hollow. All documents and other belongings of prisoners will be sent with the prisoners as far as Divisional Headquarters. This is most important, and must be made known to all ranks.

(_Sd._) P. L. WRIGHT,
_Lieutenant and Adjutant, 1st Bucks Battalion._

14.8.17.

_Copies to all recipients of 0.0.25._

_Secret._ _Copy No. 9_

C

BUCKS BATTALION ORDER NO. 232

RAID ON AUSTRIAN TRENCHES

_Reference Map_: _Camporovere_ 1/10,000

1. The Bucks Battalion (on right) and 1/4th Battalion R. Berks Regiment (on left) will raid area of Austrian trenches shown on attached tracing, on “X” day, at a time to be notified later, and capture or kill the garrison.

2. The Battalion will mop up the whole of the area shown from Centre Road (inclusive) to the right.

Objectives as given on map issued to companies yesterday.

3. The Battalion will be formed up ready to attack by zero −15 minutes, according to plan issued to companies yesterday.

4. The forming-up positions will be 50 yards S. of track Ave—Midway House, and immediately to west of latter point.

5. Two platoons of B Company will cover the front and right flank of Battalion while forming up. Should any enemy be in a position to interfere with the forming-up, they will be rushed silently with the bayonet.

As soon as the forming up is complete, these platoons will withdraw silently to their allotted position on the right flank, and be responsible for that flank until the time arrives for them to proceed to their own objective.

6. Point of entry into enemy lines, except for two flank platoons of B Company, will be from _E_ in S_E_C on right to Battalion left boundary. The two flank platoons of B Company will move at zero to a position south of Sec, and will rush their objective from there as barrage lifts at zero + 22 minutes.

7. _The Attack._ All platoons, except two platoons of B Company mentioned above, will advance to the attack in the order of forming-up:

A Company will move direct to its objective;

D Company will pass through A Company direct to its objectives, as artillery barrage permits;

C Company and leading two platoons of B Company will take disused trench running north from _E_ in S_E_C as a guide. They will move up close to west side of this trench until opposite their objectives, when they will turn to the right.

The right platoons will gain a position to rush their objectives in Sunken Road, when artillery barrage lifts at zero + 14 minutes.

The left platoons will pass through the right platoons, and rush their objectives on enemy front line facing S.E., when Royal Artillery barrage lifts at zero + 22 minutes. At this same time the two flank platoons of B Company will rush their objective in enemy front line, and will be prepared to help their platoon in Sunken Road if necessary.

8. Platoons will be prepared to remain in their objectives until zero + 90 minutes.

9. _Withdrawal._ The withdrawal will not commence until the party of the R. Berks at the farthest objective have completed their task. A liaison-post with the R. Berks will be established at H.728.559. D Company will detail a section under a sergeant for this duty, who will receive special instructions.

The signal for withdrawing will be Gas Rattles.

When withdrawal commences it will be from the farthest objectives first. Platoons will remain in their objectives until those in front of them are reported all clear, A and B Companies’ platoons in the front line being the last to withdraw.

10. The Artillery action will consist of five phases. 18-pounder barrages, as shown on attached tracing.

6-inch howitzers, 4·5 howitzers and French Artillery will engage special targets.

11. The Battalion will move to forming-up position by San Sisto—Ave road, and thence through gap which will be made in piquet-line wire about H.725.483. Road allotted to this Battalion from 9.30 p.m. to 10 p.m., by which time it will be clear for the R. Berks.

12. The withdrawal will be by the same route.

13. A “Checking-in” Post will be established at the gap in piquet-line wire, to which all parties will report on withdrawal.

14. On morning of zero day the Battalion will move into support position in Right Brigade Sector, and will be relieved there on zero + one day.

15. “Special Instructions” are issued separately.

16. Battalion Command Post will be at western end of Gun-pit Post, H.730.485.

17. Aid Post position will be notified later.

(_Sd._) L. L. C. REYNOLDS,
_Lieutenant-Colonel,
Comdg. Bucks Battalion_.

23.8.18.

Copies to:
1–4—Companies.
5—1/4th Battalion R. Berks Regiment.
6—145th Infantry Brigade.
7—File.
8–9—War Diary.

_Secret._

_Amendment No. 1 to Bucks Battalion Order No. 232_

1. Paragraph 16 cancelled, substitute: Battalion Command Post until zero will be Midway House; after zero it will move forward to Lone Tree House, H.726.548.

2. Reference tracing of R. Artillery barrages, the barrage at zero will come down 100 yards in front of enemy front line. At zero + 1 it will lift to front line, where it will remain until zero + 5, as before arranged.

3. Reference paragraph 17.

R.A.P. will be off S. Sisto road at H.718.423, a dugout usually used by machine-gun Battalion. There will be a guide on road to show any wounded the place.

(_Sd._) L. L. C. REYNOLDS,
_Lieutenant-Colonel,
Comdg. Bucks Battalion_.

25.8.18.

_Secret._

_Special Instructions for Raid on “X” Day, to accompany Bucks Battalion
Order No. 232_

1. All officers will wear camouflage dress and carry rifles. Sticks are forbidden.

2. Other ranks will wear drill order.

3. All will wear a white band, 6 inches wide, on each upper arm.

4. Distinctive marks for parties detailed for separate objectives will not be worn.

5. All will blacken their faces.

6. An inspection will be held to ensure that no papers, maps or identity discs, or other marks, are carried.

7. Rifle grenades will be taken.

8. Each man will carry two bombs in bandoliers or special bags. Adjutant will arrange.

9. P. bombs (forty per Battalion) will be taken.

10. S.A.A. only 50 rounds per man. Reserve will be obtained from Piquet Line if required.

11. Wire-cutters (thirty-two per Battalion) will be taken.

12. Torches (fifty per Battalion) will be taken.

13. One T.M. will be attached to each battalion. Thirty rounds per gun will be carried. Reserve of twenty per gun will be placed in Piquet Line. Pack transport will be used.

14. Battalion Command Post will have two separate telephones, placed so that one shell will not destroy both. Wires also will be well separated.

15. Sufficient runners and visual signalling will be arranged.

16. Each battalion provides a Liaison Officer with two runners for the other, and the two battalion command posts will be connected by a special wire and telephones.

17. The Second-in-Command will be responsible for all assembly arrangements, including forming up tapes, tapes from Front Line through Piquet Line, wire to Deployment positions, and a supply of tapes to take forward to enemy front line.

18. 144th Infantry Brigade will arrange to:

(1) Take over all prisoners at Piquet Line.

Escorts from Front, on handing over, will form a Battalion
Reserve.

(2) Provide extra stretcher-bearers.

(3) Cover the flanks if required.

(4) Keep all routes clear.

19. One R.A. officer will be at Brigade Command Post, and one at each Battalion Command Post, with separate telephone and wire.

20. Red flares will be the signal for the protective barrage to re-open for ten minutes on each call.

21. All ranks will be shown all available photos and plans.

22. Every officer and sergeant will read S.S. 602 on X − 1 day.

23. All will be warned that if wounded (unless seriously) it is their duty to fight on, unless permission to fall out is obtained from a senior officer.

24. Wounded will, if at all capable, bring back their arms and equipment.

25. Moppers-up will be detailed fully.

26. Each Battalion will establish one block on the outer flank.

27. Every dugout will be bombed.

28. All will be cautioned to shoot at once anyone saying “Retire.”

29. Every man cutting wire will be covered by a comrade.

30. Countersign will be notified later.

31. Watches will be checked at Battalion Command Post at an hour to be notified.

32. Battalions will be reported ready in position by code word LION.

33. Signal for retire will be Gas Rattles.

34. Instructions, reference routes, etc., for move to front and withdrawal through Front Line will be issued later.

35. (_a_) A Company’s right platoon in enemy front line will detail a Lewis gun and bombers to stop in trench between _E_ in S_E_C and house until B Company’s platoon join them.

(_b_) C Company’s northern platoon in enemy front line will detail a similar party to block trench where it crosses road and stop any attempt of enemy to counter-attack from N. and N.E.

(_c_) C Company’s platoons in Sunken Road, and D Company’s platoons at S. M. Maddalena, will each post two Lewis guns to stop any enemy interference from N.

(_Sd._) L. L. C. REYNOLDS,
_Lieutenant-Colonel,
Comdg. Bucks Battalion_.

24.8.18.

_Secret._

_Special Instructions No. 2 for Raid on “X” Day, to accompany Bucks
Battalion Order No. 232_

In order to mystify and mislead the enemy, the following arrangements will be made:

I. (1) Each platoon detailed to occupy the front line will tell off a selected lance/corporal and two men, whose duty will be to fire Very lights from the Austrian front line _towards the British line_.

(2) Each party will take a Very pistol and such ammunition as can be arranged—Austrian, if available—and if not, twelve rounds British.

(3) They will be instructed to fire only from parts of the trench where enemy posts are found, or show signs of such occupation.

(4) They will also be provided with torches and will search for stores of white Austrian Very lights. Only white ones must be fired.

(5) Care will be taken that no coloured lights are fired by these parties.

II. (1) Each Battalion Headquarters will be provided with red and green Very lights.

(2) These will be used by order of the C.O. only.

(3) Special and reliable men will be told off for these and provided with Very pistols.

(4) Close observation will be made, and if it is seen that red lights bring down the Austrian barrage, green will be fired.

(5) If green lights bring down the enemy’s barrage, then red will be fired.

(_Sd._) L. L. C. REYNOLDS,
_Lieutenant-Colonel,
Comdg. Bucks Battalion_.

25.8.18.

Prisoners will be taken over by the 144th Infantry Brigade at Yellow House.

_Secret._

_Special Instructions No. 3. for Raid on “X” Day, to accompany Bucks
Battalion Order No. 232_

1. “Checking-in” Post will be established at gap in piquet-line wire immediately W. of Gun-pit Post, consisting of:

R.S.M.,
Provost Sergeant,
Police,
Pioneers.

2. Prisoners will be sent to “Checking-in” Post, where they will be taken over by Provost Sergeant, who will send them back to junction of S. Sisto Road with Front Line, where they will be handed over to 144th Brigade and a receipt obtained.

Escorts from front will return to their platoons after handing over to Provost Sergeant.

Previous order concerning prisoners is cancelled.

3. Only officers will carry Gas Rattles.

4. Platoons of B and C Companies in enemy front line will watch right flank, especially during the withdrawal, in case enemy should attempt to counter-attack from direction of Clama.

5. All Lewis guns will be taken into action.

6. All ranks will be cautioned of the importance of silence while advancing to forming-up position and while forming up, to move quietly and prevent arms rattling.

7. Leading platoons in the advance must be prepared to cut rapidly any wire which causes obstruction.

8. Platoons will be warned of the importance of keeping locked up close during the advance to forming-up position. The Platoon Commander will lead his platoon, and the next senior will march in rear to see that those in front are closed up.

9. Advance guard platoons of B Company will report to Major Hall, at junction of S. Sisto Road and Front Line, at 9 p.m.

10. Companies will move up in the following order, passing point on road opposite present Battalion Headquarters at times stated, maintaining 100 yards between platoons; formation—file:

Battalion Headquarters 9.00 p.m.
A Company 9.02 p.m.
C „ 9.06 p.m.
B „ (less two platoons) 9.10 p.m.
D „ 9.12 p.m.

On reaching gap in front-line wire single file will be formed and maintained until Assembly position is reached, when units will reform file.

The leading platoon, after passing front line, will move at a very slow pace to enable platoons in rear to close up to twenty paces’ interval, which will be strictly maintained.

11. Watches will be synchronised at Battalion Headquarters at 5 p.m.

One officer per company, with two reliable watches, will report at that time.

(_Sd._) L. L. C. REYNOLDS,
_Lieutenant-Colonel,
Comdg. Bucks Battalion_.

26.8.18.

D
ATTACK OF NOVEMBER 1, 1918

[COPY OF WIRE]
────────────────────┬─────────────────────────────────────────┬────────
Words, 160. │ Received. │
│ From: H.R.Q. │
│ By: L/Cpl. Witney. │
────────────────────┴─────────────────────────────────────────┼────────
SERVICE INSTRUCTIONS: H.R.Q. Urgent Priority. │
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┴────────
────────────────────┬──────────────────────────────────────────────────
TO │ Rush.
────────────────────┼─────────────────┬───────────────────────┬────────
Sender’s Number │ Day of Month │ In reply to Number │ AAA
BM 157 │ 1 │ — │
────────────────────┴─────────────────┴───────────────────────┴────────

Divn. will capture line Croce San Antonio—Mosciagh to-day aaa French are attacking M. Longara aaa Right bdy. west edge of Gallio Wood along C. Giardini—S. Antonio road inclusive aaa Left boundary of Bde. Capitello Mulche—Bosco—C. Sichestal Mosciagh road inclusive aaa Interbattn. boundary L of RENDE_L_A—first E of _E_BENE—300 yards E. of Z in M. CATZ to grid line at 70 and north to 71 aaa Arty. bombardment commencing 0500 hours on back area aaa Barrage on Winter Stellung 0545 to 0550 aaa M. Catz and grid line 69.79.89 0550 to 0635 aaa Grid line 60.70.80 0635 to 0735 aaa Grid line 61.71.81 0735 to 0935 aaa Objectives to be captured at last-named hours in each case aaa Rush right Roar left Run reserve aaa Rapid will not move aaa Other arrangements as fixed by telephone aaa ref. map C. Dodici and Asiago 1/25000.

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