The First World War
War Diary of The Royal Canadian Regiment

Transcription by Captain Michael O'Leary, The RCR.

AUGUST 1918

APPENDIX 8

THE ROYAL CANADIAN REGIMENT.

NARRATIVE OF OPERATIONS.
14/15th August 1918.

Battalion in support. "C" Co. in support to P.P.C.L.I.

12.15 a.m. - Orders received from 7th Canadian Infantry Brigade to take over trenches in Old BRITISH FRONT LINE previously occupied by P.P.C.L.I., who had moved out to attack PARVILLERS from SOUTH.

12.30 a.m. - Battalion moved forward and occupied line which had just been vacated by P.P.C.L.I.

RIGHT to LEFT. "D", "A", "B" Cos. with "C" Co. in support.

3.30 a.m. - Move complete. Reported to Brigade.

6.00 a.m. - Several Parties searched "No Man's Land" for 52ND Division wounded under medical Officer. Several found.

9.00 a.m. - Supplied Water carrying Party to P.P.C.

5.30 p.m. - Telephone instructions received by Commanding Officer from Brigade to attack and capture PARVILLERS by day-break.

6.00 p.m. - Commanding Officer proceeded forward with Company Commanders to P.P.C.L.I. Headquarters in Old GERMAN Front Line, made his plan of attack, gave Companies their boundaries and full instructions.

ORDER OF ATTACK

Companies ordered to move to Assembly Position independently and jump off at 11.00 p.m.

Commanding Officer then visited 116TH Cdn. Inf. Bn., notified them of our operations and arranged for their LEFT COMPANY to come into line with our RIGHT when PARVILLERS was captured.

9.15 p.m. - Companies commenced to move to Jumping Off Trench. Enemy put down heavy Gas bombardment making movement difficult.

11.00 p.m. - "D" Co. jumped off on time.

11.27 p.m. - "B" Co., delayed by Gas shelling, jumped off.

15th August

1.10 a.m. - Message from "D" Co. stated Company had reached Objective and was consolidating.

1.15 a.m. - Lieut H.C. BARKER sent forward to make reconnaissance of new line.

3.20 a.m. - Lieut BARKER returned with RIGHT Co's dispositions, and reported "B" Co. still moving forward but had not arrived at FINAL OBJECTIVE when he left to return. Reported "D" Co's RIGHT flank in air. Two platoons of "A" Co. sent to protect flank. 116TH Cdn. Inf. Bn. advised that battalion was at Objective and requested to move LEFT Company up. This they did.

3.40 a.m. - Report from "B" Company that Objective reached. RIGHT Flank connected with "D" Co. and LEFT Flank with 42ND Cdn. Inf. Bn.

4.00 a.m. - Report wired to Brigade that PARVILLERS captured. Opposition slight.

5.00 a.m. - 1 Platoon "A" Company sent to do thorough "Mopping Up" of Village by day-light. Casualties Four wounded, six Gassed.

9.20 a.m. - Enemy Snipers and Machine Guns active.

11.00 a.m. - Advance parties 16TH Battalion visited Line.

12.00 noon. - Line visited by Commanding Officer and Adjutant.

2.00 p.m. - 6.00 p.m. - Heavy bombardment of Village by Enemy.

6.20 p.m. - Orders re relief by 16TH Cdn. Inf. Bn. received from 7TH Canadian Infantry Brigade.

Relieved by two Companies 16TH Cdn. Inf. Battalion.

16th August

12.20 a.m. - Relief Complete

Battalion proceeded to LE QUESNEL WOOD.

In the Field.

18-8-1918.

(signed (illegible))
Captain
Commanding The Royal Canadian Regiment.