Part 9 (1/2)

22. Artillery co-operation in 14th Divisional attack.

July 6. Artillery co-operation in 4th Divisional attack near Pilkem.

30. Attack on 14th Division at Hooge. Drove them back to Sanctuary and Zouave Woods. Counter-attack unsuccessful.

31. 16th Infantry Brigade moved up. Decided to relieve 6th Division and give it task of retaking Hooge.

Aug. 2-3. Relieved.

6. Took over new front and commenced bombardment.

9. Attack on Hooge by 16th and 18th Infantry Brigades--infantry moved close up under barrage, which remained on support trench five minutes longer--attack successful, but right suffered very heavily from sh.e.l.ling from south and fire from east.

Oct. 14. 17th Infantry Brigade left for 24th Division, and 71st arrived.

Nov. 19-20. Division relieved--to Houtkerque and Poperinghe, but had to find working parties for divisions in line.

Dec. 14. Into line again--Routers Railway to Wieltje.

19. Gas attack by enemy.

1916.

Jan. 24. 11th Ess.e.x patrol raid (3 officers and 10 other ranks) on mound on Verlorenhoek Road--killed six Germans.

Feb. 14-15. Two enemy raids near Wieltje and Trenches B9 and 10 repulsed.

Mar. 9-10. 1st The Buffs bombing raid (1 officer and 19 other ranks) on crater at I 12.

15-16. 2nd D.L.I. (3 officers and 44 other ranks) successful raid, capturing a prisoner--Bangalore torpedo laid by Lieut. Smith, R.N.V.R.

15-18. Relieved from line--to Houtkerque, Wormhoudt, Calais.

April 15-18. Back into line 5,500 yards front, with left on ca.n.a.l next to 58th French Division and right next Guards Division.

19-20. Enemy occupied trenches out of which he had sh.e.l.led a company of the 8th Bedfords in Morteldje Salient--counter-attack unsuccessful.

21. Trenches retaken by two companies K.S.L.I., in spite of very heavy going.

May 14-15. Enemy attacked four bombing posts of 1st The Buffs--beaten off three times, but captured them at fourth attempt--all garrison casualties.

June 3. Five officers and 200 other ranks 1st West Yorks drove enemy out of posts on frontage 450 yards and re-occupied it.

10. ”Admiral” reported missing from patrol of 9th Norfolks.

17-18. Relieved--to Bollezeele, Houtkerque, Wormhoudt.

July 15-17. Into line north-west of Hooge to north of Wieltje.

July 29 to Aug. 1. Relieved preparatory to entraining.