HLI Chronicle 1915 - The Royal Highland Fusiliers

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HIGHLAND LIGHT INFANTRY OHRONICLE. 49 TH,URSDAY, 17th.-In our dug-outs until 6 p.m., when the Woreesters relieve us, and we fall back on the village. Dreadfully wet all day. and miserable. For the last four days under perpetual shell-fire. Also more casualties. Still without cover (ground-sheets) at night. FRIDAY, 18th.-Took up position shortly after dawn in so-called shelters-a trench beside a wood, covered by a few boards (some, of course, better than others)-on the road north (left) of the village (Verneuil). The whole Battalion were along this bank, and a very exciting day We had. We were told we might light fires and cook, but the cooking was done at a great deal of risk, water being procured from a stream w4ich was about 150 yards distant and parallel to our front, in the open, and always under shell-fire. The fires were about twelve yards in front of thE' shelters, and it was very amusing to see men running to their canteens and pots to hurriedly stir the contents and a!' suddenly rushing back to cover as the shell came overhead. To-day-as usual, I believe-the enemy gave some attention to the village also, and round about the house used by us as a hospital, removing a few roofs, and displa.cing pictures on the walls. Some casualties, the 2nd machine-gun Sergt. (Sergt. Leggate) being holed through the thigh with a fragment of shrapnel. At about 6 p.m. up the hill again to our trenches across the fields (as the only road is full of mud almost to the knees), going further in advance this time, near the first caves on the plateau, and facing halfright, relieving the W orcesters, who took back with them the German maxim (our capture of Monday'S date). We immediately commenced digging on the inner face of the hollow in which we were two sides of a square at right angles, to be prepared for a sudden rush from either flank, as we were in advance. The right-half Platoon had hard work owing to the stone. About eight p.m. it commenced to rain, and continued without cessation all night. We had no covering, owing to rocky ground, and it was terribly cold. Miserable, and wet through. About midnight firing commenced from our right front, accompanied by an occasional light field-gun, so We stood to arms, there being an attack on some part of the outpost position. After about one and a half hours we went into our holes, only to turn out again till about three a.m., when we again lay down till daybreak, after which we went into a cave for cover. SATURDAY, 19th.-At daybreak to-d9.Y we vacated our trenches and went forward, slightly northward, to a cave with entrance facing east .. These caves are natural, but some have been improved upon by the people of the district. The one we now oocupy is on the top of the pIatea u on the left of the road or cart track that leads up from the village of Verneuil, and is crowned by thick trees. The cave comfortably holds a Company. There is a huge hole through the roof, making a ring through the centre of the trees above, and under this hole we are allowed to light fires and cook, the smoke dispelling itself in the trees above. In the trees above also we have look-out 'men, who can see well to the front, and there is no danger of a sudden rush by day. This, by the way, is the cave that was occupied by the enemy on the morning of Monday the 14th when Lieut. Sir A. Gibson-Craig and Lieut. Powell lost their lives in charging this position. It was while here that I was sent to bury Lieut. Powell, whom I found between 100 and 150 yards east of the cave's mouth. I buried' him almost where he fell, on the crest on the eastern slope. As soon as we entered the cave Fritz promptly placed one of his huge 80-pounders outside the cave entrance and continued to blaze away all day at intervals, but with no result. At about 7 p.m. we were relieved by the Connaught Ra.ngers, and retired just off the crest on the roa.d to our dug-outs, the officer and ea.ch N.C.O. of No. 2 Platoon doing one hour's "sentry go" all through the night. . SUNDAY, 20th.-At 4 a.m. turned out hallfrozen, and "fell in'" at 4-30 a.m. As we were attacked, and advanced up the road on the crest, where we occupied the two trenches on the right of the road, the fire was very heavy, and the Conlll1.ughts were forced to retire from their trenches on the left of the road and almost in line with us. They, however, returned, and We ourselves retired, leaving our machine-gun behind {Sergeant Cramond} with the Conna ughts. Owing to the Connaughts having lost theirs, ot owing to its being out of action, our gun has to do a double spell of duty in the trenches. At about 6 a.m. we retired to the base of the hill about 200 yards farther down than where we had spent the . previous night. At the base we turned to our right (west), and at the foot of the hill or wooded slope, and in front of a howitzer battery that wa.s out of action, we found a series of trenches, ID which the
HIGHLAND LIGHT INFANTRY CHRONICLE. Battalion took cover. The enemy's gun-fire was terrific. While waiting there it was decided to bring up rations, the mess orderlies having to go almost a mile (south) and across the open to the village (Verneuil) where . our transport, etc., took cover. This duty was carried out successfully, although at great risk, as the enemy's shells going over our heads scatter in the fields between us and the village. Before the rations could be correctly issued we were ordered to move up the hill again (leaving the most of our rations in the trenches). This time we moved up round the left of the wood and advanced, " B " Company at this time being somew.here to our front. Still keeping the cover of the wood, we came on to the crest, and immediately we were ordered to take up some trenches to our left. This we did, running as hard as we could. No. 1 and 2 Platoons in the front trench. The weather this morning had been very wet at intervals, and, having on our greatcoats, and the ground being heavy,' our movement was much impeded .. Whilst rushing for these trenches we were subjected to a very hot fire---shell and rifle fire of every variety-and several men were struck. The trenches, again, were very shallow, and we had to dig continuously lying down, which was particularly uncomfortable, owing to the amount of mud which accumulated. We remained there till about twelve noon (firing terrific), when the order was passed down the line that we were to retire and take the nearest way back to the wood (now on our right rear) and re-form at the base of the hill, the spot from whence we had commenced to advance. This we flid, but several ml'n were struck getting away into COYl.'r. Up till to-day we have had a number of casualties, amongst them being Lieut. Fer/?uson, Lieut. M'Kenzie, Lieut. Keith M'Donald, and Lieut. O'Connell (R.A.M.C.), these bl.'ing among the killed. During this week our Brigade has sufiered a great deal in ofiicers and men, the Brigadier, General Raking, and the Provost-Marshal being among those wounded, and the Brigade Major -:- Captain Gilkison - being killed on the 20th . .r. R. (Sergeant, i'A " Coy., 2nd H.L.I.).
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HLI Chronicle 1915 - The Royal Highland Fusiliers

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