by scully » Mon Nov 28, 2011 12:01 am
Hi Rachel,
information on the battle where he won his M.M.
BATTLE OF VITTORIO VENETO.
Next morning (24th October 1918) all along the line the Allied artillery opened a systematic bombardment. The great offensive had begun. It was not part of the plan that any attack should be made on the Plateau, and so for some days the troops of the 48th Division remained quiet, whilst the guns thundered continually, and good news of progress came in at intervals from the South. On 28th October 1918 the 144th Brigade relieved the 145th Brigade in the left sector of the Divisional front. The two Gloucestershire Battalions of the 144th Brigade took over the front line, with the 1/7th Worcestershire in support. Next night (October 28/29th) troops of the 143rd Brigade raided the Austrian trenches at Sec and found them empty. The enemy had withdrawn.
Orders came to gain touch with the enemy in their new position, and the 144th Brigadeordered one company of the 1/7th Worcestershire to go forward as advanced guard. "A" Company (Captain Prescott took with him two platoons of " C " Company in place of two of his own platoons which had been engaged in other work.) was selected, and under- command of Captain Prescott pushed forward on the evening of October 29th. After a difficult advance of over two miles, in pitch darkness across the enemy's abandoned trenches, Captain Prescott's little force reached at dawn (October 30th) the ruins of Camporovere. On the far side of that village they were fired on and held up. Captain Prescott disposed his platoons around the village and prepared to hold his ground. Daylight showed the enemy strongly posted on the dominating height beyond the village. The Austrians opened a hot fire with rifles, machine-guns and trench mortars. The Worcestershire platoons took such cover as was available and returned the fire. The fight raged all that day with varying fortune. One of the Worcestershire platoons became involved in a hand-to-hand fight in the village and was badly cut up by superior numbers of the enemy. The subaltern (2/Lieut. E. K. Wenham) was wounded and captured, and several of his men were killed. But superior numbers did not ensure success to the enemy in every case. A group of twelve Austrians attacked Sergt. W. B. Marchant and Pte. W. Hudson. The two isolated Worcestershire soldiers charged with the bayonet. Three of the enemy surrendered and the others fled (Sergt. Marchant and Pte. Hudson were awarded the M.M. The M.M, was also awarded to Sgt. G. V. Jackson and Sgt. C. H. Harling).
When darkness closed down, Captain Prescott's force was still holding firm to their positions of the morning. The rest of the Brigade had closed up behind them. "B" Company of the 1/7th Worcestershire took over the position at Camporovere, and Captain Prescott took his men back to rest (Captain Prescott's force marched back to the former British trenches. For his gallantry in this fight Captain Prescott was awarded a 2nd bar to his M.C.).
Regards,
Louis (webmaster)