100 Days.
Jenlain. 1/4 Bn King’s Shropshire Light Infantry. 3 November 1918.
The advance of the last 100 Days had by now reached to near Valenciennes which was taken on 2 November 1918. The enemy though was still not beaten and their rearguard was holding a line between the village of Jenlain and Wargnies le Grand. Once this line had been overcome the advance would move on to the River Sambre. At the end of October 1918 the 1/4 Bn KSLI was in billets at Cagnoncles. Over the 1-2 November they had moved cross country, overnighted at Vendegies, and arrived at Maresches and took up a position north east of the village. On the 3 November, during the late afternoon the battalion moved up to the high ground south west of Jenlain. The battalion came under heavy shell fire and had to advance under constant machine gun fire. The next day the battalion advanced on Jenlain. As they approached the village they came under heavy fire causing many casualties – the War Dairy records a total of 110. By the evening they had consolidated a line north of Wargnies le Grand. On 5 November the advance continued, the KSLI taking over in the lead towards La Flamengrie which was taken with slight casualties. By evening they had reached the high ground east of the village. On 6 November, the day was spent reconnoitring ahead until relieved during the night.
GOOGLE MAPS Satellite view centres on Jenlain.
1/4 Bn King’s Shropshire Light Infantry. Jenlain. 3 November 1918. (National Archives)
References and Sources War Diary 1/4Bn KSLI. Regimental History KSLI.
B&O 1918. 100 Days. Jenlain. 1/4 Bn King’s Shropshire Light Infantry. 3 November 1918.
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