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France

At dawn a group of Germans approached the 1st Battalion, South Wales Borderers purportedly expressing a wish to speak to an officer. With a very recent incident involving the Guards Regiment and a similar request from an approaching enemy force (which turned out badly for the Guards) the decision was taken to ‘open up’ on the enemy, who were wiped out at 200 yards. 8394 Pte. John Waddie Wishart may well have been part of this action, or at the very least witnessed it. Genuine or not the battalion was enfiladed by German fire and ordered to hang on ‘at all costs.’ There were a great many casualties, and the day itself was later described as a ‘bad business.’  During the afternoon, whilst holding a position north-west of Troyon, John’s unit were subjected to almost constant fire from snipers, enemy shelling and allied shells bursting short of their targets. Captain Paterson described the scene as ghastly, commenting that wounded had been crying all night for help, but without anyone to help them. By the day’s end, losses over the previous forty-eight hours numbered 20 killed, 78 wounded and 122 missing. The Battle of the Aisne was essentially over, giving way to the trench warfare in the area that would continue for several years.

56591 Gnr. George Greig Wishart of the 56th Battery, Royal Field Artillery continues to see action from the same position, and in addition to sending out, finds himself the unwilling recipient of incoming enemy shellfire.

7322 Gnr. Joseph Wishart, 6th DAC continues his journey east towards Oulchy.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]