Battleground: Europe [00] Arras: Oppy Wood by David Bilton

Author:David Bilton [Bilton, David]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Arras, Battles, World War I, Guidebooks
ISBN: 9781844152483
Amazon: 1844152480
Goodreads: 1200375
Publisher: Pen & Sword
Published: 2005-09-02T08:00:00+00:00

Second Lieutenant F Walker of 11 East Yorkshire won the Military Cross during an attack on Fresnoy later in the year.

The Commanding Officer of 1 Berkshires compiled a report on his battalion’s part in the attack two days later.

At about 1am 3rd May companies got into line along road… At 2am companies went out to the taped line, the first wave going about 100 yards in front. This was done to avoid the worst of the hostile barrage which came on. The barrage consisted of heavies on the road…and lighter guns on the ground nearer the German line. Barrage seemed to be controlled from OPPY village & wood. Our troops must have been seen moving into position, as the night was bright – moon behind them.

Our two companies, Royal Berks, were in position lying down in two waves of four platoons each with two special parties for strong points behind… troops on the right and left did not seem to be quite ready at 3.45am when our barrage commenced but then they all moved forward together. There was a tendency to converge from both sides as the advance was made. Direction was difficult to keep.

The hostile barrage commenced at once and is believed to have caused a considerable number of casualties to the left company and two (at least) Lewis Guns were damaged. There was no rifle or machine gun fire. The wire was well cut and the enemy offered little resistance, though the trench was fairly strongly held. Some made off across the open and through communication trenches. A good many were shot.

For about an hour the captured trench was consolidated but no block was made, the companies having joined hands with units to right and left. Bombs were called for and passed to the left where the bombing died down. To the right a severe bombing fight arose and bombs were called for. These were sent along together with what German bombs had been collected.

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