Although it was stated that the communications trench had been deepened, I don't think it was appreciated how deep. I would say nine feet. Members of the assault party who jumped into the trench had to be helped out by lowering a rifle muzzle first, and then lifted out. I wouldn't recommend this from a safety point of view.
Casualties
Various historians quote B Company casualties as 3 missing in action (MIA), 22 wounded in action (WIA). However the 22 wounded included other 1 Battalion RAR casualties, 3 Battalion RAR, royal Tanks etc. The 3 MIA was reduced to 2 MIA when Private Jim Young returned the following evening. B Company Company/Assault PNR casualties were:-
MIA Private RD Rootes 4 Platoon
MIA Private LJ Griffiths Assault Parse
WIA Captain JR Salmon F.O.O.
WIA Sergeant RF Kavanagh 6 Platoon
WIA Private WJ Young 4 Platoon
WIA Private RE Auhl 4 Platoon
WIA Private JH Gemmell 4 Platoon
WIA Private TJ Williams Company Headquarters
One man from Standing Patrol 5 Platoon -
John Salmon carried out his F.O.O. tasks well, John was a professional. 'Gus' too, performed admirably.