Current Information:

Action of Pietre

With the aim of diverting German troops away from Loos when the British attack went in there on 25th September 1915, there was an attack by the Meerut Division of the India Corps along a 1500 yard front against the German salient west of the Moulin du Pietre with the possible objective of gaining a foothold on the Aubers ridge in which case the Lahore Division  would attack through the Bois du Biez.  As at Loos, gas and smoke were used but this handicapped the attackers more than the defenders, especially when German shells destroyed some of the cylinders.  Zero was at 6am and on the right, 2/3rd Gurkha Rifles and 2nd Leicestershire of Garhwal Brigade stormed forward. However, very little artillery ammunition had been made available for the diversionary attacks and here the German wire was still largely intact.  This resulted in severe losses for these two battalions who got no further than the dykes in front of the German line. 

On the left all five battalion of the Bareilly Brigade had more success. The wire had been dealt with here and they stormed the front line with bayonets taking over 200 prisoners.  They pressed on to the support trench and the three leading battalions, 4th Black Watch, 96th Punjabis and 2nd Black Watch continued the advance up to the windmill which they reached but without capturing the buildings there.  The Dehra Dun Brigade was ordered up to exploit the situation but there was a long delay which put the Bareilly Brigade, with two long open flanks of the wedge, in danger.  The first German counter attack came against 2/8th Gurkhas in the German support trench.  They lost heavily and were forced to withdraw, exposing the right of the two Punjabi battalions and 4th Black Watch.  Under pressure all the Bareilly Brigade battalions were forced to withdraw so as not to be cut off.  Repeated stands were made during this withdrawal but by 4pm all troops were back in the original line.

Private Cooper's brother, Herbert Cooper, also of 2nd Leicestershire, was killed in the same action.