Place: Trenches nr Ovillers 
Date: 1/7/16 
The battalion attacked at 7:30am leaning on its left 8th Y&L, on its right 2nd Lincolns. In support to our battalion were the 11th SFS. Below is set forth copy of statement made consequently in reporting action to 70th Brigade. During the preliminary bobardment our losses from hostile shell fire were considerable. I estimate them at 10% of the whole strength. The first two waves leaving our trenches just before 7:30 am, reached the German lines with only slight loss. The remaining waves lost heavily in NO MANSLAND from MG fire from both flanks & I estimate that loss before they reached the German front line at 60%. No Casulaties ocurred from our own artillery. The German wire offered no obsticle. Our men were soon mixed up with those of the 8th Y&L, 9th Y&L, 11th SF & 2nd Lincolns & severe fighting took place for the second German trench which several times changed hands. Several of our men penetrated at one time the third line. At the second & third lines all were held up by machine guns. The enemy relied throughout almost entirely on machine guns & bombs very little on rifles & bayonets. At about 8:30 am the order "Reli_e" was passed around possibly originating from the enemy & our men were thereafter organised & rallied by officers of 2nd Lincolns our own N.C.O's & ______ by men, & returned to the attack line after line fighting for the second & third lines. The last man of this battalion to leave the German lines left at about 6pm, ____ thought that there were none of our men leaving then in the German second line. Very few of our officers reached the German trenches. the Germans were many times observed sniping & bombing our wounded. Our battalion went into action with 25 officers, 1 M.O & 659 other ranks. Of those the M.O & 110 other ranks have reported to the battalion. The above statement has been put together from evidence taken from N.C.O's & men only no officer taking part in the operations being accountable. Signed A.L ____, Captain Commanding 8th Btn. KOYLI. During the night the battalion was withdrawn to LONG VALLEY.
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Paul Soames