WAR DIARY
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Army Form C.2118
17th Bn Welsh Regt
MAY 1917

May1917
Diary Pages:
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May17_DP10

Ref. Map 57 c S.E. 1/10,000

GOUZEAUCOURT   22/5 ctd
shewed no signs of lifting as arranged so the party waited until 2.10am when the H.E. seemed to cease. The whole party then advanced. On reaching the parapet of the enemy trench Sergt OWEN at once commenced sending his bombers to each flank but was wounded immediately, together with six other "moppers-up" (including nos 1 & 2 of the Lewis Gun team). The remainder of the party bombed the enemy who were seen to leave the trench & retire in direction of SONNET FARM. Heavy machine gun and rifle fire was then opened on the raiding party, wounding several more. Owing to the intense darkness and driving rain it was extremely difficult to reorganise as 1/3 of the assaulting troops were already out of action - four of them being stretcher cases, and in view of the necessity of evacuating all casualties before it got light, it was not considered advisable to push forward & thus risk being cut off.

The party accordingly withdrew bringing back all casualties safely - a most diofficult operation owing to wire and intense darknessm, and finally reached our lines at 3.15 am.

Casualties 10 O.R. wounded

The left company also sent out a strong officer's patrol to cover the left flank of the the raiding party and remained in position about R. 21 b. 3.3 until the raiding party had safely withdrawn.

The Battalion was relieved at night by the 19th R.W.F. and on completion of the relief moved into Brigade Reserve at DESSART WOOD

HPA Bailey

MBG[?]