Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
The War Diary for 7th March records. Did nothing all day. At 5.30pm Bde formed up and marched south west to a point about 1 mile south of the DIJAILAH REDOUBT arriving there at about 7.30am on the 8th instant (March) Shortly after this the Bde deployed 53rd SIKHS (FRONTIER FORCE) and 56th PUNJABIS (FRONTIER FORCE) being in the front line on a fronting of 400 yards. LEICESTERSHIRE REGT and 51st SIKHS in Reserve, Battn moving forward in two lines of platoon columns. The objective allotted to the Bde was a line extending from the DIJAILAH REDOUBT westwards for 400 yards. The objective of the 9th Bde, on our right, was the DIJAILAH REDOUBT, while the 36th Bde on our left worked westwards on a special mission. The two leading Battn’s of the 28th FRONTIER FORCE Bde were met by a very heavy rifle and machine gun fire but succeeded in getting well forward, the two reserve Battn’s being kept a considerable distance in rear to meet any counter attack which it was believed would almost certainly be delivered against the left of the Bde. The two leading Battn’s owing to heavy casualties were compelled to entrench some 400 yards short of the enemy’s position. About 10.00am Major D. L. WEIR D.S.O. was wounded and Capt R. J. McINTYRE assumed command. At 10.50am the Battn faced north west to meet an expected counter attack, formation of Battn in two lines of half Battn, B and A Coy’s in the front line with machine guns, C and D Coy’s in the second line. The counter attack did not take place. The 36th Bde met with considerable opposition and did not make much headway. At 1.00pm the Battn received orders to join in the attack and reinforce the DEVONSHIRE REGT right, who were on the right of the 36th Bde. The Battn extended and advanced in four lines, B Coy (which directed) on the right, A Coy on the left, each Coy having 2 platoons in the front line and 2 in the second line. On advancing it was found that the DEVONSHIRE REGT were mixed up with the HIGHLAND LIGHT INFANTRY and 1st/9th GURKHAS, and, there being no room, The Battn made a right incline and prolonged the right. The front line advanced to within 350 yards of the enemy’s trench and arrangements were being made for reinforcements to come up when the order was received to halt. The attack had now stopped, at 2.40pm. At 4.30pm orders were received that another attempt was to be made to capture the enemy’s position, and all troops were to co-operate and assault at 5.00pm. The attack took place and the front line reached a ridge about 200 yards to 250 yards from the enemy. Orders were received to dig in on the ground won. At dusk the Battn reformed and commenced to dig a line of defence 39c.4.8. (reference map T C 18). At 10.00pm the Battn was moved to another position at 50a.1.3.