Raid Report on German Raid 27.6.16 Reported by Capt. W.D. Lowe Adjt. 18 DLI. 1.8.16
Approximate disposition of Coys.
A Co. S 5/2, S 5/4, B Co. S 5/5, S 5/6, C Co. M 35/1, M 35/2, D Co. On support lines.
18th West Yorks on right flank, 2/5th Gloucesters on left.
Bombardment began 9.30pm. Communication between HQ & forward line broke down at one. All reports came through D Co. The bombardment appeared chiefly to be on the front of B Co. & the support line in rear of B. Field Guns & Mortars chiefly used on front line & 5.9 on support line.
2225. Enemy was reported in front line at M.35/1, 2 which was being raided. They were ejected in 5 minutes.
At 2245. 18th West Yorks reported enemy in his line Hun St, Oxford St,that he was counter attacking at 11.15pm, I undertook to cooperate with my right Co.
2300. Battalion Bomb store was on fire at ---- Hall, this was put out, re-fired & again extinguished.
28th Jun 0130. Report from B Co. 18th DLI stating Germans had entered his left but were immediately ejected & that C Co. trenches had also been entered. He thought no prisoners had been taken. A dugout between B & C Coys was ---- & prevented B Co. after charging its trenches from coming to assistance of C Co. All communication trenches badly blown in & that right & left flanks of support line are badly damaged.
0400. C Co. reported bays blown in & number of men buried, that the enemy came over fifty strong but owing to action of Lewis Guns only about 6 entered & were quickly ejected, number of wounded cannot be estimated, they were considerable.
A Co. heavily shelled, parapet seriously damaged, on barrage lifting parapet was manned & Lewis Gun fire opened, enemy did not enter trenches.
Action taken.
C Co. was reinforced by 1 platoon from Support Co. leaving 3 platoons in support lines.
A prisoner, apparently on telephone work was captured by D Co. in front of Church Redoubt.
Very few casualties in Support Line Redoubt, right & right centre of front line, heavy on left centre, & very heavy on left of front line.
The National Archives 18DLi War Diary WO95/2361/1