War Diary - October 1918

Total Number of Prisoners captured during operations .....298

Wounded & Sick Prisoners in Hospitals ..............................239

.......................................Grand Total ................... 537

Total of Field Guns captured.................................................42
..."....."..Machine.."............"...................................................53
..."....."..Trench Mortars...."...................................................44...
...".....". .Rifles................. .".................. ............................3000...

Total number of casualties;-
.........................Killed...........................................................8
.........................Wounded...................................................33

During this month, the health of the Battalion was good, prevailing deseases being;- I.C.T.

(Signed) S D Rumbold
Lieutenant-Colonel
Commanding 9th Battalion York & Lancaster Regiment

31st At 10.00 hours the Battalion advanced towards SACILE By 12.30 hours we had established a line along the western bank of the LIVENZA but were unable to cross to the eastern side as the bridge had been destroyed and enemy machine-guns in the church steeple , also snipers in houses, kept up incessant fire. After a bombardment of houses etc. by 6" Newton Mortars, Stokes Mortars and Machine Guns, the section of 18 pounders obtained three hits on the church steeple, and no further trouble was caused by hostile machine guns. The pioneers then prepared a bridge over which Companies crossed the LIVENZA - almost in darkness, and by 19.00 hours our objective had been gained: an outpost line was immediately established on the whole front, touch being obtained on either front.
30th The objective for the Battalion was SACILE. On reaching the ORSAGO - SACILE road at point 47, information was received from the cavalry who were then in SACILE that the enemy had counter- attacked and were advancing towards ORSAGO. This Battalion held the Western bank of the river MESCHIO astride the main road, and the bridge-head at point K65. As the enemy counter- attack did not develop, the Battalion took up a defensive position for the night, manning the western side of the river on the southern side of the ORSAGO - SACILE road. Patrols were sent out towards SACILE during the night. 7 prisoners, 2 small field guns and 8 machine guns were captured. There were no casualties in the Battalion during the day.
29th The Battalion crossed the PIAVE at 0900 hours and commenced the advance towards VASSOLA . On reaching the MONTICANO the Battalion moved forwards to support the 8th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment who were held up by hostile shelling & M G fire. Later in the day the Battalion captured the village of CIMETTA and established a line of posts forward of the CAMPO - CEVARO - BGO di SOPRA road.
About 150 prisoners, 10 machine guns and 2 small field guns were captured. Our casualties numbered only 31.
27th,28th Battalion remained at C. BARCHESSE near CATENA under orders to move at half - an - hours notice.
26th The Battalion marched from S. GIUSEPPE to billets near CATENA.
25th The Battalion returned to Billets at S. GIUSEPPE.
24th The Battalion marched from S. GIUSEPPE to billets at CARITA.
23rd Route march during the morning. At night the Battalion supplied a working party of 400 men to unload shells under orders of C.A.R.O. TREVISO.
22nd The Battalion moved by march route to billets at S. GIUSEPPE near TREVISO.
21st Company Training in Arms Drill, Musketry, Physical Drill and Ceremonial Drill during the morning. Officers reconnoitred the line in the vicinity of PALAZZON.
20th Church Services were held during the day.
19th Owing to exceptionally wet weather, men were confined to billets for the day.
18th The Battalion route marched 15 Kilometres: Men carried full marching order.
Note the distances in Kilometres. Harry would be carrying in excess of 30 Kg. This is the day after his letter reported that the marching "as just about knocked me out," Tough times. BL
17th The Battalion rested during the day. Billets & environs were cleaned.
16th The Battalion marched from TREVISO to C HOGARIN near TREVIGNANO.
15th The Battalion entrained at THIENE and detrained at TREVISO occupying billets in the latter town for the night.
14th The Battalion marched from CORNEDO to THIENE.
13th Church Services were held during the day.
12th Battalion Tactical Scheme with sections of 18pds Battery, M.G. Battalion and L.T.M Battery attached.
11th Owing to very wet weather, indoor training was carried out.
10th Platoon and Company training during the morning. Specialist classes were held in the afternoon.
9th Lt Col. S D Rumbold D.S.O. M.C. returned from Brigade and resumed command of the Battalion.
8th The Brigade Rifle Range at MADONETTE was allotted to the Battalion. When not firing practices, companies carried out musketry training in the vicinity of the range.
7th Battalion parade for inspection by the Commanding Officer. Billets and environs were cleaned. Specialist classes were held in the afternoon.
6th The Battalion moved by march route to CORNEDA.
5th The Battalion moved by march route to BEREGENA camp near THIGNE.
3rd, 4th Owing to very wet weather, indoor training was carried out and lectures delivered by O.C's Coys and Detachments.
2nd Platoon and Section training was carried out.
1st The Battalion occupied billets in ST BARTHOLOMEO near VICENZA. Battalion ceremonial Drill, Platoon and Section training was carried out.