The 2nd Battalion, Highland Light Infantry is shown here in action at the Battle of Loos, September 1915. The blasted tree stumps are typical of the devastation brought about by artillery bombardment on the Western Front.
A full-strength British Army battalion consisted of just over 1,000 officers and men. In contrast to the volunteer battalions, the 2nd Battalion was part of the Regular Army, and was sent to France with the British Expeditionary Force in August 1914. It had already participated in the Retreat from Mons, and the battles of Ypres (1914) and Neuve Chapelle (1915).
On the morning of 25 September 1915, the 2nd Battalion went over the top to attack strong German positions near Givenchy. The German trenches were captured, but heavy counter attacks in the course of the day drove the Battalion back to its starting point. 328 casualties were sustained during the day.
Reference: Mitchell Library, GC 356.1 HIG
Reproduced with the permission of Glasgow City Council, Libraries Information and Learning
Keywords:
2nd Battalion, Highland Light Infantry, artillery, Battle of Loos, Battle of Neuve Chapelle, Battle of Ypres, BEF, British Army, British Expeditionary Force, First World War, HLI, Retreat from Mons, Western Front
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