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[Page 41]
[27.3.18]
5 pm. Conference held in Brick Kiln 300 yds west of Heilly.
Location of H.Q. at nightfall.- Brick Kiln west of HEILLY
10.15pm. 33rd and 34th Bns relieved by 10th A.I.Bde and moved to the right flank of the Div. 9th A.I.Bde ordered to join up with mixed troops of 1st Cavalry Div. and Carey's Force on the right and the 3rd Aust. Div. on the left. Line to be held from the VAUX to AUBIGNY on the right, to prevent enemy turning flank and crossing SOMME from south. 35th Bn ordered to take up line from VAUX inclusive to main road in CORBIE, 0.5 Central. 33rd Bn to take up line from 0.5 Central exclusive to AUBIGNY inclusive. 34th Bn to move into BONNAY. These Units were in position by daylight.
28.3.18
8am. Remainder of Bde concentrated at Bonnay.
10am. B.H.Q. at Bonnay. G.O.C. Bde reconnoitring with 1st Cavalry Div.
Noon. Lt-Col. W.G. Alcock informed the Bde that 2- 18 pounder batteries and 1- 4.5 How. Battery of 8th A.F.A. Bde were in position covering us.
5pm. Locations of Units were as follows:- 1st Cav. Div. and 16th Div. at FOUILLOY, 3rd Aust. Div. and 9th Field Amb. FRANVILLERS. 10th and 11th A.I.Bdes at HEILLY, H.Q. 9th A.I.Bde, 34th Bn, 36th Bn, 9th A.M.G.Coy, 35th Bn less 3 Coys, 9th T.M.Bty, 10th Field Amb. at BONNAY. 33rd Bn at LA NEUVILLE, 9th Field Co A. E., 9th Bde Transport LA HOUSSOY. 869th Co. A.S.C. BERTENCOURT.
Location of H.Q. at nightfall.- BONNAY
10.45pm. 8th A.F.A.Bde moved into position in the apex of the ANCRE and the SOMME River covering our front with a switch.
11pm. A stragglers post established in CORBIE for 5th Army wanderers.
29.3.18
Cav. dispositions as under:- 1 Bde in each of HAMEL, BOIS DE VAIRE and BOIS DE TAILLOUX.
6.30pm. Bde ordered to move via CORBIE, FOUILLOY to CACHY. Order of march, 33, 34th, 35th, 36th Bns 9th M.G.Coy 9th A.L.T.M.Bty, 9th Field Amb. Div. Train. Bde staff proceeded to GENTELLES on receipt of orders from 19th Corps.
9.30pm. 21st Div. ordered to hold line we vacated till 30th, when troops of 15th A.I.Bde still on road would take over.
30.3.18
1am. Bde group arrived at CACHY. All Units with the exception of B.H.Q. and A.S.C. billeted in the village of CACHY. B.H.Q. and A.S.C., at GENTELLES.
7am. Conference of C.O.'s at church CACHY. Units ordered into the BOIS L'ABBE.
8.30am. Enemy shelled CACHY and GENTELLES.
11am. Orders received from the 19th Corps through Carey's Force for Bde to line the road VILLERS-BRETONNEUX-DOMART and to resist the supposed advance of the enemy from the direction of IGNACOURT. This order not complied as the role of Bde was to be one of counter-attack only, should the enemy succeed in penetrating our line which was of a very weak nature, owing to low morale of troops which had been caused by continued exposure and stress of operations since the 21st March.
1.30pm. Orders received to carry out an attack against the line MARCELCAVE-AUBERCOURT to clear up the situation.