30.9.1916 BELLACOURT: Lt Col GD GOODMAN CMG resumes Command of the Battalion.

War Diary [WO/95/2694]

30th: Operation ordered & carried out.

139 Infantry Brigade: Headquarters War Diary [WO95/2692]

Raid by the 1/5th and 1/7th Battalions

A party of the 5th Battalion Sherwood Foresters, consisting of 2/Lieut PATTINSON with 2 Signallers and a covering party laid a telephone wire to within 20 yards of the Sap at X.1.d.55.50 at 8pm.

The Officer [PATTINSON] and a party of 19 other ranks went out again with a 36′ ammonal tube at 9.30pm and placed in in the enemy’s wire. Finding by the light of a German flare that the tube was not in the right place, 2/Lieut PATTINSON withdrew it and again inserted it, during which time the enemy were sniping and throwing grenades.

The tube was exploded successfully and the party attacked the Sap but were bombed at once by a party of five Germans in the Sap – 2/Lieut PATTINSON and 2 men being slightly wounded. The party then bombed the Sap for 10 or 15 minutes – three of our bombs being seen to explode by three Germans who had got up to fire and were not seen again.

A party of the 7th Battalion Sherwood Foresters, consisting of 2/Lieut BROWNE and 16 other ranks exploded a 36′ tube at the left side of the Sap at R.34.c.55.60 and rushed forward. They were at once met by grenade thrown by a party of the enemy at the bottom of the Sap, and after throwing 25 grenades back the party returned to our lines.

A party of the 7th Battalion Sherwood Foresters, consisting of 2/Lieut BARNES and 18 other ranks exploded a tube at R.34.b.34.77 and on going forward found it difficult to find their way, the Officer and 2 men being separated from the rest of the party. After proceeding for 30 yards the Officer ordered his party to withdraw and they reached our lines without casualties. None of the party could find a trench at this point except one man who fell into a trench about chest high and there is considerable doubt whether a Sap exists at this point.