Givenchy. 1/5 Bn South Lancashire Regiment (Prince of Wales Volunteers). March 1918.
The Division had moved to the sectors around Bethune in mid of February 1918, after the 1/5 Bn South Lancs. had gone into the Divisional reserve, and then moved up to the support line at the end of the month. On the 4 March 1918 the 1/5 Bn South Lancs. moved again, this time from the support into the front line which in this sector was a breastwork rather than trench. They dispersed by company along the front – D Coy at Princess Island, B Coy at Barnton Tee, A Coy in Old British line and C Coy at Le Plantin North & South. Over the next 2 days the enemy were very active shelling the battalion position and creating gaps in the breastwork and particularly in the sector being held by B Coy. On the 7 March, following a heavy bombardment beginning at 5.00am, an enemy raid rushed the gaps and managed to get into the British lines at Barnton Tee. After heavy fighting the raid was repulsed and the situation was restored. Casualties were 7 men wounded.
GOOGLE MAPS Satellite view centres on Le Plantin, now named Les Fontaines.
1/5 Bn Sth. Lancs. Rgt. Givenchy, 7 March 1918. (National Archives)
References and Sources WAR DIARY 1/5Bn Sth. Lancs. Rgt.
B&O 1918. Bethune. Givenchy. 1/5 Bn Sth Lancashire Rgt (PofW Vols). March 1918.
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