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You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online -at <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. If you -are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the -country where you are located before using this eBook. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Title: The British Campaign in France and Flanders--July to November 1918</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Author: Arthur Conan Doyle</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>Release Date: April 09, 2021 [eBook #65047]</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>Language: English</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>Character set encoding: UTF-8</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Produced by: Al Haines</div> - -<div style='margin-top:2em; margin-bottom:4em'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BRITISH CAMPAIGN IN FRANCE AND FLANDERS--JULY TO NOVEMBER 1918 ***</div> - -<p><br /><br /></p> - -<p class="capcenter"> -<a id="img-front-t"></a> -<br /> -<a href="images/img-front.jpg"> -<img class="imgcenter" src="images/img-front-t.jpg" alt="THE BRITISH FRONT in FRANCE and FLANDERS" /> -</a> -<br /> -THE BRITISH FRONT in FRANCE and FLANDERS -</p> - -<h1> -<br /><br /> - THE BRITISH CAMPAIGN<br /> -<br /> - IN FRANCE AND FLANDERS<br /> -<br /><br /> - JULY TO NOVEMBER<br /> - 1918<br /> -</h1> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="t3"> - BY<br /> -</p> - -<p class="t2"> - ARTHUR CONAN DOYLE<br /> -</p> - -<p class="t4"> - AUTHOR OF<br /> - 'THE GREAT BOER WAR,' ETC.<br /> -</p> - -<p><br /><br /></p> - -<p class="t3"> - HODDER AND STOUGHTON<br /> - LIMITED LONDON<br /> -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p class="noindent"> - SIR ARTHUR CONAN DOYLE'S<br /> - HISTORY OF THE WAR<br /> -</p> - -<p class="noindent"> - Uniform with this Volume.<br /> -</p> - -<p class="noindent"> - THE BRITISH CAMPAIGN IN FRANCE<br /> - AND FLANDERS<br /> -</p> - -<p class="noindent"> - VOL. I—1914<br /> -</p> - -<p class="noindent"> - THE BREAKING OF THE PEACE.<br /> - THE OPENING OF THE WAR.<br /> - THE BATTLE OF MONS.<br /> - THE BATTLE OF LE GATEAU.<br /> - THE BATTLE OF THE MARNE.<br /> - THE BATTLE OF THE AISNE.<br /> - THE LA BASSÉE-ARMENTIÈRES OPERATIONS.<br /> - THE FIRST BATTLE OF YPRES.<br /> - A RETROSPECT AND GENERAL SUMMARY.<br /> - THE WINTER LULL OF 1914.<br /> -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="noindent"> - VOL II.—1915<br /> -</p> - -<p class="noindent"> - THE OPENING MONTHS OF 1915.<br /> - NEUVE CHAPELLE AND HILL 60.<br /> - THE SECOND BATTLE OF YPRES.<br /> - THE BATTLE OF RICHEBOURG-FESTUBERT.<br /> - THE TRENCHES OF HOOGE.<br /> - THE BATTLE OF LOOS.<br /> -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="noindent"> - VOL III.—1916<br /> -</p> - -<p class="noindent"> - JANUARY TO JULY 1916.<br /> - THE BATTLE OF THE SOMME.<br /> - THE BATTLE OF THE ANCRE.<br /> -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="noindent"> - VOL IV—1917<br /> -</p> - -<p class="noindent"> - THE BATTLE OF ARRAS.<br /> - THE BATTLE OF MESSINES.<br /> - THE THIRD BATTLE OF YPRES.<br /> - THE BATTLE OF CAMBRAI.<br /> -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="noindent"> - VOL. V—1918<br /> -</p> - -<p class="noindent"> - THE SECOND BATTLE OF THE SOMME.<br /> - THE SOMME FRONT FROM APRIL 1 ONWARDS.<br /> - THE BATTLE OF THE LYS.<br /> - THE BATTLES OF THE CHEMIN DES DAMES AND<br /> - OF THE ARDRES.<br /> -</p> - -<p class="noindent"> - With Maps, Plans, and Diagrams<br /> -</p> - -<p class="noindent"> - HODDER AND STOUGHTON<br /> - LONDON, NEW YORK, AND TORONTO<br /> -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p> -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="Pv"></a>v}</span> -</p> - -<p class="t3b"> -CONTENTS -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="t3"> -<a href="#chap01">CHAPTER I</a> -</p> - -<p class="t3"> -THE OPENING OPERATIONS -</p> - -<p class="t3"> -From July 1 to August 8, 1918 -</p> - -<p class="contents"> -The general position—German attack of July 16—French counter-attack -of July 18—Turn of the tide—Fifty-first and Sixty-second -Divisions on the Ardres—Desperate fighting—The Fifteenth Scots -Division at Buzancy—Le Glorieux Chardon d'Écosse—Nicholson's -Thirty-fourth Division at Oulchy-le-Château—The campaigns on -the periphery -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="t3"> -<a href="#chap02">CHAPTER II</a> -</p> - -<p class="t3"> -ATTACK OF RAWLINSON'S FOURTH ARMY -</p> - -<p class="t3"> -The Battle of Amiens, August 8-22 -</p> - -<p class="contents"> -Great British victory—Advance of the Canadians—Of the -Australians—Of the Third Corps—Hard struggle at Chipilly—American -assistance—Continuance of the operations—Great importance of -the battle -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="t3"> -<a href="#chap03">CHAPTER III</a> -</p> - -<p class="t3"> - CONTINUATION OF THE OPERATIONS OF RAWLINSON'S<br /> - FOURTH ARMY<br /> -</p> - -<p class="t3"> -From August 22 to the Battle of the Hindenburg Line, September 29 -</p> - -<p class="contents"> -Further advance of the Australians—Of the Third Corps—Capture of -Albert—Advance across the old Somme battlefield—Capture of Mont -St. Quentin—Splendid Australian exploit—Fall of Peronne—Debut -of the Yeomanry (Seventy-fourth) Division—Attack on the outliers -of the Hindenburg Line—Appearance of the Ninth Corps—Eve of -the Judgment -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p> -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="Pvi"></a>vi}</span> -</p> - -<p class="t3"> -<a href="#chap04">CHAPTER IV</a> -</p> - -<p class="t3"> -THE ATTACK OF BYNG'S THIRD ARMY -</p> - -<p class="t3"> -August 21, 1918, to September 29, 1918 -</p> - -<p class="contents"> -Advance of Shute's Fifth Corps—Great feat in crossing the -Ancre—Across the old battlefield—Final -position of Fifth Corps opposite -Hindenburg's Main Line—Advance of Haldane's Sixth Corps—Severe -fighting—Arrival of the Fifty-second Division—Formation -of Fergusson's Seventeenth Corps—Recapture of Havrincourt—Advance -of Harper's Fourth Corps—-Great tenacity of the troops—The -New Zealanders and the Jaeger—Final position before the -decisive battle -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="t3"> -<a href="#chap05">CHAPTER V</a> -</p> - -<p class="t3"> -THE ADVANCE OF HORNE'S FIRST ARMY -</p> - -<p class="t3"> -From August 26 to September 27 -</p> - -<p class="contents"> -The indefatigable Fifty-first Division—Capture of Greenland Hill—Fine -advance of the Canadians—Breaking of the Drocourt-Quéant line—Fine -work of the Sixty-third Naval Division—Great day for the -Dominion—Demeanour of German prisoners -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="t3"> -<a href="#chap06">CHAPTER VI</a> -</p> - -<p class="t3"> -THE OPERATIONS OF RAWLINSON'S FOURTH ARMY -</p> - -<p class="t3"> - From the Battle of the Hindenburg Line (September 29) to the<br /> - Battle of the Selle, October 17<br /> -</p> - -<p class="contents"> -The first American operations—The rupture of the Hindenburg -Line—Predicament of Twenty-seventh American Division—Their gallant -resistance—Great Australian attack—Remarkable feat by the -Forty-sixth North Midland Territorial Division—Exeunt the Third -Corps and the Australians—Entrance of the Thirteenth -Corps—Rupture of the Beaurevoir line—Advance to the Selle River -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="t3"> -<a href="#chap07">CHAPTER VII</a> -</p> - -<p class="t3"> -THE OPERATIONS OF RAWLINSON'S FOURTH ARMY -</p> - -<p class="t3"> -From the Battle of the Selle, October 17, to the end -</p> - -<p class="contents"> -Attack upon the line of the Selle River—Stubborn work by the Second -American Corps—Success of the Ninth Corps—Hard fighting at -Le Cateau—Great feat of the South Africans—Continued -advance—Delay-action mines—Capture of Landrecies—Dramatic exit of -the German machine-gunner—Splendid work of the First Division -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p> -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="Pvii"></a>vii}</span> -</p> - -<p class="t3"> -<a href="#chap08">CHAPTER VIII</a> -</p> - -<p class="t3"> -OPERATIONS OF BYNG'S THIRD ARMY -</p> - -<p class="t3"> - From the Battle of the Hindenburg Line (September 29) to the<br /> - Battle of the Selle (October 17)<br /> -</p> - -<p class="contents"> -Fighting at L'Escaut Canal—Dash of the New Zealanders—The Guards -in a hot corner—Crossing of the Canal—Back on the old -ground—Great work by all four Corps of the Third Army -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="t3"> -<a href="#chap09">CHAPTER IX</a> -</p> - -<p class="t3"> -OPERATIONS OF BYNG'S THIRD ARMY -</p> - -<p class="t3"> -From the Battle of the Selle, October 12, to the end -</p> - -<p class="contents"> -The battle of the Selle River—Reversion to open warfare—The valour -of Lancashire—Haig's incessant blows—Weakening of the German -morale—The battle of Mormal Forest—New Zealanders and the -mediaeval fortress—Capture of the great forest—The Sambre -bridged—A grand Division—Advance of Fergusson's Seventeenth -Corps—The last phase -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="t3"> -<a href="#chap10">CHAPTER X</a> -</p> - -<p class="t3"> -THE ADVANCE OF HORNE'S FIRST ARMY -</p> - -<p class="t3"> -From September 27 to the end -</p> - -<p class="contents"> -The Canadians at the Canal du Nord—Hard fighting at -Bourlon—Strong counter-attack at Abancourt—Canadian valour—Godley's -Twenty-second Corps—The Ecaillon valley—Forcing of the -Rhonelle—General Heneker's attack—Capture of Douai -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="t3"> -<a href="#chap11">CHAPTER XI</a> -</p> - -<p class="t3"> -OPERATIONS OF THE SECOND AND FIFTH ARMIES -</p> - -<p class="t3"> -September 28-November 11 -</p> - -<p class="contents"> -King Albert in the field—Great Belgo-Franco-British -advance—The last -act on the old stage—The prophet of 1915—Renewed -advance—Germans desert the coast—Relief of -Douai and Lille—The final -stage in the subsidiary theatres of war -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="t3"> -<a href="#chap12">CHAPTER XII</a> -</p> - -<p class="t3"> -THE END -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="noindent"> -<a href="#chap13">APPENDIX</a> -</p> - -<p class="noindent"> -<a href="#chap14">INDEX</a> -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p> -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="Pix"></a>ix}</span> -</p> - -<p class="t3b"> -MAPS AND PLANS -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="contents"> -<a href="#img-end-t">Map to illustrate the British Campaign in France and -Flanders</a> -</p> - -<p class="contents"> -Advance of Fourth Army, August 8, showing Gains up to -August 12, and Final Position after the Fall of Peronne -</p> - -<p class="contents"> -Position of British Corps, end of September 1918 -</p> - -<p class="contents"> -Advance of First, Third, and Fourth British. Armies from -August 21, 1918, to September 2, 1918. Arrows point -to the Rupture of the Quéant-Drocourt Line -</p> - -<p class="contents"> -General Position of the Allies immediately before the Armistice -of November 11, 1918 -</p> - -<p class="contents"> -Allied Advance in the North -</p> - -<p class="transnote"> -[Transcriber's note: Because of their size and fragility, -it was impractical to scan the above five maps. -They have been omitted from this etext.] -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="t3b"> -IN TEXT -</p> - -<p class="contents"> -<a href="#img-206-t">The Attack on the Selle</a> -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p class="capcenter"> -<a id="img-end-t"></a> -<br /> -<a href="images/img-end.jpg"> -<img class="imgcenter" src="images/img-end-t.jpg" alt="Map to illustrate the British Campaign in France and Flanders" /> -</a> -<br /> -Map to illustrate the British Campaign in France and Flanders -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p><a id="chap01"></a></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">{<a id="P1"></a>1}</span></p> - -<h3> -CHAPTER I -<br /><br /> -THE OPENING OPERATIONS -</h3> - -<p class="t3"> -From July 1 to August 8, 1918 -</p> - -<p class="contents"> -The general position—German attack of July 16—French counter-attack -of July 18—Turn of the tide—Fifty-first and Sixty-second -Divisions on the Ardres—Desperate fighting—The Fifteenth Scots -Division at Buzancy—Le Glorieux Chardon d'Écosse—Nicholson's -Thirty-fourth Division at Oulchy-le-Château—The campaigns on -the periphery. -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p> -When the year 1918 had run half its course the -Germans appeared to be triumphantly in the -ascendant. In Flanders they had pushed back the -British to positions which were, on an average, to the -rear of those occupied in 1914. On the Somme they -had more than neutralised all the Allied gains of 1916, -and were stretched now from Arras to Montdidier, -covering ground which they had not touched since -the early days of the war. On the Aisne they had -reconquered all that the French had so laboriously -won in three campaigns, and were back along the -Marne and within gun-shot of Paris. These results -had been achieved in three great battles which had -cost the Allies some 200,000 prisoners and nearly -2000 guns. In July it would have seemed that the -German Empire was victorious, and yet ere the year -had ended the very name had changed its meaning in -the map of Europe, and was known only in the list of -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P2"></a>2}</span> -evil things which have had their day and then have -passed. How this extraordinary change—the most -sudden and dramatic in all history—came to pass -is the theme of this final volume. -</p> - -<p> -There were certain factors which even at the -zenith of Germany's fortunes may have prepared a -cool-headed critic for a swing of the scales, though -the wisest and best informed could not have -conceived how violent the oscillation would be. In -the first place, the ever-pressing strangle-hold of the -Navy, combined with an indifferent harvest and the -exhaustion of certain stocks within the Empire, -notably of copper, rubber, wool, and lubricants, -produced great internal difficulties which grew worse -with every month. Then again German successes -had been bought in reckless fashion at a very heavy -price, and if they brought a million men across from -the Russian frontier it is probable that they had -squandered nearly as many in the three great battles. -Finally, there was the all-important factor of the -American reinforcements which had been speeded up -to meet the pressing emergency. By splendid -international co-operation the Americans put all their -proverbial energy into marshalling and equipping -the men, while Great Britain threw every available -unit of her sea power, mercantile or naval, into the -task of getting them across. The long-suffering -people of this island gladly cut down their requirements -in every possible direction so as to secure the -tonnage for this marvellous transfer. At a steady -rate of a quarter of a million every month the -Americans flowed into France—magnificent raw -material which was soon to show how quickly it -could develop into the most highly finished article. -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P3"></a>3}</span> -This constant addition to the Allied forces, with the -moral confidence which they brought with them, was -the third contributory cause to the sudden change of -fortune. It would be ungenerous, however, not to -add that a fourth, without which all others might -have been vain, lay in the commanding personality -and extraordinary genius of the great Frenchman -who now controlled the whole Allied battle front -from the sea to the Alps, while two great civilians, -Lloyd George and Clemenceau, rallied the home -fronts of the two weary nations which had borne the -brunt of the war. -</p> - -<p> -It will be remembered from the last volume that -in the first half of 1918 the sun of victory had never -once in Western Europe rested upon the standards -of the Allies save in Italy, where the Austrians had -been defeated upon the Piave. June 17 was in -truth the turning-point of the war, for from that -date everything went well with the forces of freedom. -The change in the West came later, however, than in -Italy, and on July 16 the Germans attempted a -new advance upon the largest scale, which seemed to -have some small success at first though it was in -truth the starting-point of all their misfortunes. -Their previous advances had brought them forward -on the line from Montdidier to Rheims, and now they -enlarged their front by 25 miles on the eastern -side of Rheims, while their attack also covered about -the same distance to the west of that city, making -some progress in this latter sector, which led them -down the valley of the Oise, towards Villers-Cotterets, -Compiègne, and finally Paris. The whole world held -its breath in a hush of horror as it saw Foch's soldiers -desperately struggling and yet losing mile after mile -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P4"></a>4}</span> -of the short stretch which separated the Tuetonic -barbarians from the centre of the world's civilisation -and culture. They had crossed the Marne that -evening and had pushed the French and American -line back for some miles, but the latter rallied and -regained some of the ground. The most important -point of the struggle, however, was to the east of -Rheims, where that splendid soldier, General Gouraud, -a one-armed bearded veteran of Gallipoli, created a -false front which the enemy captured, and then whilst -they were still in disorder attacked them from the -real front, pushing them back with great loss. This -development on the east of the line fully compensated -for the German advance on the west, which -was brought to a final halt within two days. Foch -had now bled the Germans until they had lost -some of their power of resistance. The moment for -his great counter-attack was at hand, and the -carefully husbanded reserves were ready for the -crisis—those reserves which it was his supreme merit to have -hoarded up when the temptation to spend them was -more than the firmest will could have been expected -to resist. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -July 18 -</span> -</p> - -<p> -On July 18 the blow fell, and the Germans -recoiled in a movement which was destined never -to stop until they had crossed the Rhine. All -important as the operations were they are only indicated -here since this chronicle is necessarily confined to the -British action, and no British troops were as yet -engaged. Issuing under the cover of a storm from -the great forest of Villers-Cotterets which had screened -his preparations, the French Marshal hurled his line -of tanks upon the enemy, clearing a path for his -infantry. At the same moment the French-American -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P5"></a>5}</span> -line went forward over a front of 27 miles from the -Oise to the Marne, striking the whole flank of the -German advance. The attack extended from Vingre -in the north to Château-Thierry. Everywhere the -German flank fell back, their front had to withdraw -across the Marne, Château-Thierry was reoccupied -and 20,000 prisoners with 400 guns were left in -the hands of the victors. Gradually, as the attack -developed from day to day, a huge pocket was formed, -bulging southwards from the Aisne, with its lower -edge upon the Marne, the whole assuming much the -shape which Spain does upon the map of Europe. -This protrusion, instead of being a menacing point -directed towards Paris, was now a much battered -salient attacked simultaneously upon all sides, by -Mangin in the west and by Gouraud in the south and -east. Americans and French were on the Marne, -French alone to the west of it, and British with French -on the east of it. All were fighting with the cold fury -of men who have reached a crisis where death is -nothing and victory all. Nurses at the forward -hospitals have testified how the French wounded were -brought in mutilated and dying, but delirious with -joy because they knew that the tide had turned. -What matter anything else? What matter life or -limb? The grey cloud was slowly, slowly drifting -back whence it came. -</p> - -<p> -But it was very slow, for the German soldier had -never fought better, nor had his leaders ever shown -greater skill in drawing him out from danger and yet -selling every rearward position at the highest price -of Allied blood. All three Allies were tried to their -utmost, for the enemy had not yet learned that he -was fated to retreat. The British, who had their -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P6"></a>6}</span> -own great task already planned, were in weak force, -though that force was of the highest quality, for two -better divisions than Campbell's Fifty-first Highlanders -and Braithwaite's Sixty-second Yorkshiremen did not -exist in the Army. It is their operations which we -have now to examine, since the grand work of their -American comrades-in-arms can only be included in -the scope of this work where they actually fought -in the British formations. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Twenty-Second Corps on the Ardres. July 20-21. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -They occupied a point on the eastern face of the -attack, nearly midway between the Marne and Rheims, -and it was their task to force their way up that valley -of the Ardres down which the remains of the British -Ninth Corps had retreated from the disaster of the -Aisne, and across which the Nineteenth Division had -been drawn when it stopped the German advance -near Bligny, as described in the last volume. Some -memory of island valour should linger in that valley, -for much good British blood has been shed there. -The two divisions which were now hurried up to take -their place in the French line formed the -Twenty-second Corps under Sir John Godley, and were -accompanied by some New Zealand and Australian -Cavalry. They relieved a mauled Italian Corps, -while they had Frenchmen on their left and -Algerians on their right, so that it would be difficult -to imagine a more cosmopolitan line of defence. -The country in front was hilly and very difficult, and -the line was bisected by the River Ardres, the -Sixty-second advancing on the right of the stream and the -Fifty-first on the left. -</p> - -<p> -It was a very desperate and difficult business, -which lasted for ten days, during which each division -showed the most splendid courage and endurance, -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P7"></a>7}</span> -as can be proved by the fact that their united losses -came to 8000 men out of about 16,000 engaged, and -that they met and defeated four German divisions, -capturing 1500 prisoners, 140 machine-guns, and 40 -cannon. The opening attack, during which the -advancing lines passed through the ranks of the -Second Italian Corps, was greatly stimulated by the -news of the splendid Allied advance of the two previous -days, July 18 and 19. -</p> - -<p> -The fighting of both divisions was made very -difficult by the underwood and the standing corn -which lay before them, thickly sown with German -machine-guns. On July 20 the 2/4th York and -Lancasters, on the extreme right of the British line, -captured Bouilly, but were driven out again. At -the same time the 5th Yorkshire Light Infantry was -held up and lost heavily in front of the Château of -Commetreuil. It was a long, difficult, and expensive -day for the 187th Brigade, and its only remaining -battalion, the 2/4th Yorkshire Light Infantry, lost -heavily as well. -</p> - -<p> -The 185th Brigade on July 20 occupied the left -of the divisional line, with the Highlanders on the -other side of the Ardres. Marfaux and Cuitron lay -before them, but neither could be quite reached, -though again and again the assailants were on the -very edge of the villages. Once some of the men of -the 2/4th Hampshires from the supporting brigade -actually penetrated the village, but they were seen -no more. The 2/4th West Ridings, south of the -village, were also held up. Meanwhile the 5th West -Ridings attempted to work around Marfaux from the -north, through the wood of Petit Camp. All attempts -to debouch from the wood were vain, however, and -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P8"></a>8}</span> -again the attack was brought to nought. Some -ground had been gained during the day, but both -main efforts had failed, and all three brigades of the -Sixty-second Division had been badly mauled. With -no British reserves behind, General Braithwaite must -have been sorely exercised in his mind that -night. -</p> - -<p> -On July 21 the attack eased down on the -left, but on the right the 187th Brigade deployed -and attacked the Bouilly Ridge. The 9th Durham -Pioneers made a very fine advance, as did the 2/4th -York and Lancasters, and some valuable ground was -taken, but none of the villages. The attackers were -encouraged, however, by learning from prisoners that -the Germans had endured heavy losses, and had been -compelled to demand reinforcements. -</p> - -<p> -On July 22 the situation began to clear a little -as Burnett's 106th Brigade, represented mainly by -the 5th West Ridings, attacked the wood of Petit -Camp, an ominous grove, already littered with -British dead. So deliberate was their advance, in -consequence of the difficult ground to be searched, -that the barrage was at the rate of 100 yards in ten -minutes. The place was one long succession of gun -posts "en echelon," which were so concealed that -they had no field of fire, and were the more deadly -on that account as they fired by sound out of the -bushes, and could not possibly be seen until one -walked up to them. None the less the Yorkshiremen, -helped by a wing of the 5th Devons, fought their way -through this dreadful wood, dropping small posts as -they went. Two hundred prisoners and 41 machine-guns -remained in their hands, with 700 yards of new -ground. The German losses were heavy, but so were -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P9"></a>9}</span> -the British, Captain Cockhill's company of the -West Ridings emerging with two officers and six -men able to report for duty. It was a fine operation, -well conceived and well carried through. The -Germans fought with great tenacity all day. -</p> - -<p> -On July 23 the south-western corner of the -Petit Camp Wood, which was still in German hands, -was cleared by the 6th West Ridings. The main -attack, however, on Marfaux and Cuitron was carried -out by the Durhams and the New Zealand Cyclist -Battalion with magnificent success. Marfaux fell -to the New Zealanders. The stormers broke through -both villages and made their line 400 yards beyond. -Two French tanks did good service in this assault. -Two hundred prisoners and eight French 75's, taken -previously by the Germans, were among the trophies -of this fine advance. The Seventy-seventh French -Division had attacked upon the right with equal -success. -</p> - -<p> -Up to this period the Highlanders of the Fifty-first -Division had been striving hard on the southern -side of the Ardres, with a task which was not less -difficult than that of their English comrades on the -north. -</p> - -<p> -On July 20 they found the enemy opposite to -them in great strength, as was shown by the fact -that prisoners from three divisions, the Twenty-second -(Saxe-Meiningen), the Hundred and third -(Hessian), and the Hundred and twenty-third -(Saxon) were taken that day. The great straggling -wood of Courton, with a fringe of farms, mills, and -other buildings, formed a strong advanced position. -The Fifty-first Division has gained so splendid a -record in the war that advantage may be taken of -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P10"></a>10}</span> -this action to give in fuller detail its glorious units. -The attack that morning was carried out by the -154th Brigade, consisting of the 4th Seaforths, 4th -Gordons, and 7th Argyll and Sutherlands, on the -right flank. On the left was the 153rd Brigade, -consisting of the 6th and 7th Black Watch and 7th -Gordons. In reserve was the 152nd Brigade, 5th -and 6th Seaforths and 6th Gordons, with the 8th -Royal Scots as pioneer battalion. The attack was -supported by French artillery and also by the guns -of the 255th and 256th Brigades R.F.A. -</p> - -<p> -The advance was a most arduous one, especially -after the first victorious rush when the troops found -themselves involved in the thick brushwood which -prevented co-operation to such an extent that the -two brigades were entirely separated, but each -struggled on independently, small knots of determined -men fighting their way forward as best they -might. The progress was better upon the left than -on the right, but the casualties were heavy, for the -German machine-guns had survived the barrage and -were very deadly. Colonel Bickmore of the 4th -Gordons led a company of his battalion against a -German post but was brought down by a bomb, and -his men driven back. When the ground was recovered -the Colonel had been carried off as a prisoner. -The German infantry seem to have taken hardly any -part in the battle, which was fought between the -splendid Scottish infantry on one side, and the -determined German machine-gunners on the other. The -Black Watch of the 153rd Brigade found an even -blacker watch fighting on their flank, for the -Senegalese infantry of the French Ninth Division went -forward with them and did good work during the -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P11"></a>11}</span> -whole arduous day. So sweeping was the machine-gun -fire that at many points it was found to be -impossible even to creep forward through the -two-foot corn. -</p> - -<p> -By evening the attack had been definitely held, -and the Highlanders were forced to be content with -their initial gains, while the French on the left, -who had been assaulting the hamlet of Paradis all -day, were also stationary. At 6.30 a company of -German infantry attacked the Argylls, but were -driven back with heavy loss. So the long day ended, -the troops being much exhausted. The capture of -8 officers and 360 men, with many machine-guns, was -an inadequate return for such heroic exertions. All -day the enemy had been withdrawing upon the Marne -front, and the holding of his flanks was so vitally -essential that he was prepared to make any sacrifice -for the purpose. -</p> - -<p> -The attack was continued next morning, the -152nd Brigade pushing forward into the front line, -while the other depleted units supported it and -guarded its flanks. Things went badly at the outset, -for the line had been altered during the night and the -barrage was miscalculated in consequence, so that it -was no great help to the 6th Gordons in their advance. -All day mixed fighting went on in the wood, and it -was most difficult to determine the exact position of -the various units, groups of men stalking the machine-guns -as hunters might stalk tigers, the fight ending -as often in the death of the hunter as of the tiger. -Once again the evening of a bloody day found things -very much as they had been in the morning. It -cannot be denied that the German resistance was a -very stern one. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P12"></a>12}</span> -</p> - -<p> -After a pause of a day the Highland Division -renewed its attack along a portion of its front, the -main advance being carried out by the 152nd Brigade. -Once more the deadly woods were penetrated, and -once more there was a limited advance and considerable -losses. On this occasion the barrage was more -useful, though some French batteries on the left -fell short and caused heavy casualties to a company -of the 6th Gordons in their point of assembly. Such -are the unavoidable chances of modern warfare. -The 8th Royal Scots were thrown into the fight, and -made a fine advance. Altogether there were signs -this day of a weakening on the German front, which -was confirmed in the patrol fighting of the next few -days. There were many casualties in the 152nd -Brigade, including Major Moir, C.O. of the 5th -Seaforths, who was badly wounded. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Twenty-Second Corps on the Ardres. July 27. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -Major operations were in abeyance until July 27, -when severe fighting broke out once again upon the -south side of the Ardres. The 187th Brigade had been -sent across by General Braithwaite, and it now took -its place in General Carter-Campbell's sector, with -the 152nd on its right and the 153rd on its left, -with the intention of making a vigorous attack upon -the German line on this front. Tanks had been -allotted, but rain had set in, the ground was marshy, -and the monsters immovable. All immediate objectives -were easily taken. The villages of Espilly and -Nappes had both been occupied. So soft did the -front appear that the Australian horsemen were -pushed forward, while the troops north of the river -moved on in sympathy. The final line was north-west -of Chaumuzy. Here, on July 28, a very stiff -German resistance was encountered, and Chambrecy -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P13"></a>13}</span> -on the left flank represented the No Man's Land -between the armies. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Twenty-Second Corps on the Ardres. July 28-30. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -The Montagne de Bligny position, where the -Nineteenth Division had distinguished itself in June, -now lay immediately ahead, and the 8th West Yorkshires -(Leeds Rifles) were ordered to attack it. They -went forward so swiftly and with such spirit that -they were into and over the position before the -Germans realised what had happened. It was a -notable performance, for the place was of great -strength and strategic significance. The French -Government bestowed a special mark of honour upon -the 8th West Yorks for this deed, and it is certainly -a singular coincidence that, of the few British -battalions thus honoured, two should have won it at -the same spot. There was no artillery support, and -the casualties were heavy, but Yorkshire won home -in spite of it. The enemy tried to regain it until the -high corn was full of his dead, but it was all in vain. -This day, with the co-operation of the French, Bligny -village was also taken. No further ground was -gained on July 29, as a new German division, the -Two hundred and fortieth, had come into line with -orders to hold on at all costs. The fighting was very -severe at the junction between the French and -British, where the liaison was so close between the -two nations that it is on record that, when at a -critical moment the French ran out of cartridges, -the rifles and ammunition of the British casualties -were handed over to them and saved the situation. -Shortly afterwards the two British divisions were -drawn from the line and returned to their own army. -In a generous appreciation of their services General -Berthelot, after enumerating their captures, said: -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P14"></a>14}</span> -"Thanks to the heroic courage and proverbial -tenacity of the British, the continued efforts of this -brave Army Corps have not been in vain.... You -have added a glorious page to your history. Marfaux, -Chaumuzy, Montagne de Bligny—all those famous -names will be written in letters of gold in the annals -of your regiments." The French official bulletins -offered also a very special tribute of praise to the -6th Black Watch, a Perthshire battalion, which, -under Colonel Tarleton, had done particularly fine -work during the long and arduous service of the -Fifty-first Division. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Twenty-Second Corps on the Ardres. July 30-31. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -Whilst the Twenty-second British Corps had, as -described, distinguished itself greatly in the valley -of the Ardres on the east of the German salient, the -Fifteenth Scottish Division under General H. L. Reed, -V.C., had been detailed to aid the French line in -its advance on Buzancy on the western German -flank. This veteran division was thrown into the -fight on July 28, and made its mark at once upon the -formidable German position which faced it. It had -relieved the First American Division which was much -worn by its long and splendid service in General -Mangin's Tenth Army. The Americans left their -guns in the line to cover the advance, so that, for the -first time in history, British, Americans, and French -were all engaged as allies upon the same battleground. -The village was very strongly held, and -the high ground to the east of it was bristling with -machine-guns, but the Scots infantry would take no -denial. The 44th Brigade (Thomson) had attacked -the village itself, the 5th Gordons and 8th Seaforths -leading the assault. The latter battalion lost its -commander, Colonel Smith, but was the first into the -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P15"></a>15}</span> -objective, while the Gordons held and consolidated -the ground to the north of it. Farther north still -the 45th Brigade had advanced its whole line, while -at the south flank of the attack the 91st French -Infantry was clearing the woods in front of it. The -machine-gun fire at this point was very heavy, however, -and the French, after a gallant struggle, were -forced back to their original line, with the result that -the right of the attack was in the air. The Seaforths -had carried the Château of Buzancy as well as the -village, and the orders were at all costs to hold on to -these important points; so part of the 4/5th Black -Watch was pushed forward to strengthen the defenders, -who were hard pressed and heavily gassed. -There was desperate fighting all round the village, -which was declared by a veteran French flammenwerfer -section attached to the Highlanders to be the -most bloody work seen by them in the war. With -their flank naked the remains of the brave battalions -were exposed about six o'clock in the evening to an -overpowering German counter-attack which rolled -up from the south-east and drove them, still fighting -tooth and claw, through the village, from which six -German officers and 200 men were brought as -prisoners. Thus by seven in the evening the 44th -Brigade, after their day of most heroic effort, were -back on their original line. It was a sad end to a -splendid deed of arms, but there was no disposition -to blame the Eighty-seventh French Division on -the right, who were already worn with much fighting, -and who were faced with very difficult country. -Many of the Highlanders wept bitter tears of rage -and mortification when they found that the deaths -of so many of their comrades had not bought the -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P16"></a>16}</span> -village for which they gave their blood so -willingly. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Fifteenth Division at Buzancy. July 28-August 1. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -Orders were now received from the French Corps -that the Scots Fifteenth Division should change place -with its neighbour, the Eighty-seventh French -Division, a difficult operation which was successfully -accomplished, the artillery in each case being left in -position. The new operation was to consist of an -attack upon Hartennes Forest, the Twelfth French -Division working round the south and the Fifteenth -Scots Division round the north end of it, both meeting -to the east, with Droisy as an ultimate objective. -The attacking troops were concealed so far as -possible in the cornfields on July 31, and went forward -about eight o'clock in the morning of August 1, after -the completion of a successful French advance further -down the line. The brunt of this new advance was -borne by the 6th Camerons and 13th Royal Scots of -the 45th Brigade (Orr-Ewing), together with the 10th -Scots Rifles and 7/8th Scottish Borderers of the 46th -Brigade (Fortune). The left of the line made fine -progress and reached the east side of the Soissons -Road, but the 45th Brigade on the right was held up -by terrible machine-gun fire, part of which came from -several derelict French tanks. These were dealt -with and blown to pieces by trench mortars. The -advance was then resumed, the French Twelfth -Division coming forward also in the south. About -midday the Camerons had reached their mark, but -were out of touch with the Borderers on their right, -so that they were compelled to form a defensive flank -from the cemetery to the road. The Germans lay -in a series of wooded hills upon the right, and though -these were smothered with shells the brave machine-gunners -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P17"></a>17}</span> -still clung to their position. So heavy was -their fire that the right flank could get no farther, -and it was determined to hold on to the ground -gained. During the night the 44th Brigade, in spite -of its heavy losses three days before, took the place -of the 46th. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Fifteenth Division at Buzancy. July 28-August 2. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -It was evident on the morning of August 2 that -the stern combat of the previous day had not been -without its effect. The enemy was retreating all -along the line, and his positions were being rapidly -evacuated. The Twelfth French Division on the -right was able to advance almost without opposition -past the Hartennes Wood. There followed an -exhilarating pursuit up to the banks of the Crise -River. The 9th Gordon Pioneer Battalion pushed -in with great dash, and was in Villeblain before -evening, while the French Eighty-seventh Division -reached the river east of Buzancy. The Fifteenth -Division was then relieved by the Seventeenth French -Division, and was restored to the First British Army -amid a shower of congratulatory messages from -French Generals and comrades. So deep was the -feeling among the French over the magnificent -fighting and heavy losses of the Scots Division that a -monument was at once raised in their honour in front -of the old German position with the inscription: "Ici -fleurira toujours le glorieux Chardon d'Écosse parmi -les Roses de France." Many brave Scots will lie for -ever round this monument. Three splendid battalion -commanders, Smith of the Gordons, Turner of the -Royal Scots, and Kennedy of the Seaforths, were -slain, while Hart of the Scots Borderers and Macleod -of the Camerons were incapacitated—five Colonels out -of ten battalions. The sufferings from gas were very -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P18"></a>18}</span> -severe, and all the Brigade Headquarters were severely -affected, General Thomson and his staff holding on -for the duration of the battle, but collapsing on the -evening of August 2. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Thirty-Fourth Division with the French. July 25-August 1. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -Whilst the Fifteenth Division had been performing -this notable service the Thirty-fourth British Division -(Nicholson) had also been incorporated for the moment -into Mangin's Fifteenth Army, and was heavily -engaged in the battle line opposite Grand Rozoy, -rather south of the point where the Scots were fighting. -</p> - -<p> -So great had been the losses of this splendid -Tyneside division in the terrible contests of the -Somme and of Flanders that it was now entirely -reconstituted with nothing of its previous personnel -save its veteran commander and a handful of war-worn -officers. The infantry were mostly Territorials -from the Palestine campaign. On July 18 the -Thirty-fourth became part of the Tenth French Army -near Senlis. On the 22nd it was incorporated into -General Penet's Thirtieth Corps, and relieved the -French Thirty-eighth Division in the battle zone, on -a line parallel to the Château-Thierry-Soissons Road, -having its right just west of Coutremain and its left -in Parcy Tigny. Woodcock's 101st Brigade was on -the right, Williams' 102nd on the left, while Chaplin's -103rd Brigade was in support. French divisions, -the Nineteenth and the Fifty-eighth, were on either -side, so that Nicholson's men formed a curious -isolated little bit of fighting England. -</p> - -<p> -At 6 A.M. on the morning of July 25 the whole -line in this section attacked with the intention of -carrying the important road already mentioned from -Château-Thierry to Soissons. It was a hard and -disappointing day, for the French divisions on either -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P19"></a>19}</span> -side were held by the heavy fire from the Bois de -Plessier and Tigny. The 101st Brigade was not more -successful, but the 102nd on the left got forward -nearly a mile, and then lay with its left flank thrown -back to connect up with its French neighbours. -Considering that it was the first experience which -these men had had of German artillery and machine-guns, -General Nicholson was well satisfied with his -new material. -</p> - -<p> -On July 27 the division was relieved by the -extension of the flanks of its two neighbours, but it -was at once fitted into the line again, filling a -battle-front of 1500 yards, with its right east of -Oulchy-le-Château. It was just in time for an attack -which opened at 5 A.M. on July 29, and it was only -by great exertions that the guns were registered and -the infantry in their places. The objective was a -horse-shoe ridge from Beugneux in the east to Grand -Rozoy in the west. The 103rd Brigade was on the -right, the 101st upon the left. -</p> - -<p> -The barrage was not as deadly as usual on account -of the pressure of time which had hampered the -preparation and registration. The slopes were long -and open, swept by the deadly machine-guns. It -was all odds against the attack. The 103rd Brigade -got to the outskirts of Beugneux, but was held up -by the murderous fire from an adjacent mill. The -101st surmounted the ridge between Grand Rozoy -and Beugneux, but could get no farther, for it was -all open ground to the north. -</p> - -<p> -In the early afternoon the 102nd Brigade advanced -from the wood in which it lay with the intention of -helping the 101st to storm Beugneux, but as it came -forward it met the 101st falling back before a strong -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P20"></a>20}</span> -counter-attack. This movement was checked by -the new-comers and the line was sustained upon the -ridge. -</p> - -<p> -The net result of an arduous day was that the -division was still short of the coveted road, but that -it had won about 2000 yards of ground, including -a good position for future operations. Casualties -were heavy, and included Colonel Jourdain of the 2nd -North Lancashires as well as Captain Weeks, C.O. of -the 4th Royal Sussex. The French had got Grand -Rozoy upon the left flank, and though they were -driven out of it again they won their way back in -the early morning of July 30. All this day and the -next the troops prepared for a new effort, lying under -heavy shell-fire which, among other casualties, killed -Colonel Dooner, the chief staff officer of the division. -</p> - -<p> -On August 1 the attack was renewed under a -very heavy and efficient barrage, which helped the -infantry so much that within two hours all objectives -had been won. Beugneux fell after the hill which -commanded it had been stormed by the 8th Argyll -and Sutherland Highlanders in a very gallant advance. -Colonel Barbow fell while leading his men to victory. -On the left the French Twenty-fifth Division had -been held up by the deadly fire from a knoll, but -Major Atkinson of the 2nd North Lancashires realised -the situation and diverted his reserve company to -storm the obstacle, enabling the French right to get -forward. It was planned that two British battalions -should push on beyond their objectives in order to -cover the flanks of a further French advance. One -of these, the 4th Cheshires, carried out its part to -perfection in spite of heavy losses, which included -Colonel Swindells, its commander. The 1st Herefords, -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P21"></a>21}</span> -however, whose rôle was to cover the left of -the Sixty-eighth French Division, was unable to do -so, as that division was itself held up. That night -the enemy was in full retreat all along this line, and -falling back upon the River Vesle. On August 3 the -Thirty-fourth Division was returned to the area of -the Second British Army, having done a fine spell of -service which brought the warmest compliments from -the French commanders, not only to the infantry, -but to General Walthall's guns (152nd and 160th -Brigades) as well as Colonel Dobson's 207th, 208th, -and 209th Field Companies. -</p> - -<p> -The northward advance of the French, Americans, -and British was slow up to the end of July, but -became accelerated in the first week of August, -Soissons falling to the French on August 2, and -the Germans being driven to the line of the Vesle, -when they held on very tenaciously for a time, their -rearguards showing their usual high soldierly qualities. -The Americans had a particularly hard struggle, -being faced by some of the élite of the German Army, -including the 4th Prussian Guards, but winning their -way steadily forward in spite of many strong -counter-attacks. The situation upon the Vesle and the Aisne -seemed for the moment to have reached an equilibrium, -when Marshal Foch called Marshal Haig to -his assistance and a new attack was launched in -which British troops were once more employed on -the grand scale. Their great march had started -which was to end only at the bank of the Rhine. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -General Survey. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -Before embarking upon this narrative, it would -be well to prevent the necessity of interrupting it -by casting a glance at those general events connected -with the world war which occurred during this period, -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P22"></a>22}</span> -which reacted upon the Western front. It has -already been shortly stated that the Austrian Army -had been held in their attempt to cross the Piave in -mid June, and by the end of the month had been -driven over the river by the Italians, aided by a -strong British and French contingent. The final -losses of the Austrians in this heavy defeat were not -less than 20,000 prisoners with many guns. From -this time until the final Austrian debacle there was -no severe fighting upon this front. In the Salonican -campaign the Greek Army was becoming more and -more a factor to be reckoned with, and the deposition -of the treacherous Constantine, with the return to -power of Venizelos, consolidated the position of the -Allies. There was no decided movement, however, -upon this front until later in the year. In Palestine -and in Mesopotamia the British forces were also -quiescent, Allenby covering the northern approaches -of Jerusalem, and preparing for his last splendid and -annihilating advance, while Marshall remained in a -similar position to the north of Bagdad. A small -and very spirited expedition sent out by the latter -will no doubt have a history of its own, for it was -adventurous to a degree which was almost quixotic, -and yet justified itself by its results. This was the -advance of a handful of men over 700 miles of desert -separating the Bagdad front from the Caspian. -Arriving at the town of Baku they kept the German-Turks -out of that town for six weeks at a time when -oil supplies were a most pressing problem for them, -and so influenced the course of the war. Finally -they withdrew in safety after a most remarkable -exploit, hardly realised amid the clash of greater -forces. Russia still remained in its distracted -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P23"></a>23}</span> -condition, hag-ridden by forces which at their worst -surpassed all the classical excesses of the French -Revolution. Regeneration began to appear out of -chaos, however, though the end was still afar. Allied -forces in Siberia and on the Murman Coast formed -nuclei upon which the supporters of civilisation could -rally. On the water the atrocities of the German -submarines and their sinking of hospital ships, -accompanied in several cases by the drowning of the -sick and wounded men, were the outstanding feature. -In the main, therefore, it can be said that there was -a hush upon the periphery, while in the centre the -Allies with concentrated energy hurled themselves -upon their enemy with the fixed determination to -have done with the thing for ever, fighting without -a break until either they could fight no more or the -German menace had passed from the world which it -had overshadowed so long. Nowhere was there a -thought of compromise. There could be no justice -unless it were thorough justice. The criminal methods -by which the war had been waged forbade every -thought of an incomplete settlement. With stern -and deliberate determination the French and British -turned to their task, strengthened by the knowledge -that the vanguard of America was already in the -field, weak as yet in numbers, but the head of that -long column which extended across the Atlantic and -was based upon the virile nation of a hundred million -souls beyond. -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p><a id="chap02"></a></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">{<a id="P24"></a>24}</span></p> - -<h3> -CHAPTER II -<br /><br /> -ATTACK OF RAWLINSON's FOURTH ARMY -</h3> - -<p class="t3"> -The Battle of Amiens, August 8-22 -</p> - -<p class="intro"> -Great British victory—Advance of the Canadians—Of the -Australians—Of the Third Corps—Hard struggle at Chipilly—American -assistance—Continuance of the operations—Great importance of -the battle. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -August 8. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -In the tremendous and decisive operations which we -are now about to examine, it is very necessary to -have some fixed scheme in the method of description -lest the reader be inextricably lost in the long line -of advancing corps and armies. A chapter will be -devoted, therefore, to the attack made by Rawlinson's -Fourth Army whilst it was operating alone from -August 8 to August 22. At that date Byng's Third -Army joined in the fray, and subsequently, on -August 28, Horne's First Army came into action. -For the present, however, we can devote ourselves -whole-heartedly to the record of Rawlinson's Army, -all the rest being inactive. When the others come in, -that is, after August 22, a definite system of narrative -will be adopted. -</p> - -<p class="capcenter"> -[Illustration: Advance of Fourth Army, August 8, showing Gains up to August 12, <br /> -and Final Position after the Fall of Peronne] -</p> - -<p> -Before describing the great battle some reference -should be made to the action of Le Hamel fought on -July 4, noticeable as having been the first Allied -offensive since the early spring. Its complete success, -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P25"></a>25}</span> -after the long series of troubles which had plunged -all friends of freedom into gloom, made it more -important than the numbers engaged or the gain of -ground would indicate. It was carried out by the -Australian Corps, acting as part of the Fourth Army, -and is noticeable because a unit from the Thirty-third -American Division took part in the operations. -Le Hamel was taken and the Vaire Wood to the -immediate south of the Somme. The gain of ground -was about a mile in depth on a front of several -miles, and the advance was so swift that a considerable -number of prisoners, 1500 in all, were taken, -many of them still encumbered by their gas-masks. -Some sixty tanks took part in the advance, and did -splendid work in rolling out the machine-gun nests -of the Germans. Sir John Monash has attributed -some of the splendid efficiency of the Australian -arrangements and their cunning in the mutual support -of guns, tanks, and infantry, so often to be shown in -the next four months, to the experience gained in -this small battle. -</p> - -<p> -The front of the new and most important attack, -which began in the early morning of August 8, was -fifteen miles in length, and extended from near -Morlancourt in the north to Braches upon the Avre -River to the south. The right of the attack from -Hangard onwards was formed by General Debeney's -First French Army, while General Rawlinson's Fourth -Army formed the left, the British portion being roughly -three-fourths of the whole. The entire battle was -under the command of Marshal Haig. -</p> - -<p> -The preparations had been made with the skill -which the British Command has so often shown in -such operations, so that the Germans were swept off -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P26"></a>26}</span> -their feet by an attack which came upon them as a -complete surprise. It was half-past four on a misty -morning when the enemy's advanced line heard the -sudden crash of the gun-fire, and a moment later saw -the monstrous forms of the tanks looming up through -the grey light of dawn. Behind the tanks and almost -in touch of them came the grim war-worn infantry. -Everything went down before that united rush. The -battle was won as soon as begun. The only question -was how great the success would be. -</p> - -<p> -Taking a bird's-eye view of the advance, before -examining the operations more closely, one may say -that the Canadian Corps, now under a Canadian -commander, General Currie, was on the extreme -right of the British line, in touch with the French. -Next to them, in the Morlancourt district, where they -had never ceased for the last four months to improve -their position and to elbow the invaders away from -Amiens, were the indomitable and tireless Australians -under General Monash. On their left, just south -of Albert, was Butler's Third Corps, burning to avenge -itself for the hustling which it had endured during -that perilous and heroic week in March. These were -the three units concerned in the new advance. -</p> - -<p> -The opening barrage, though only a few minutes -in length, was of a shattering severity, and was -directed against very different defences from those -which had defied the Army two years before upon -the Somme. Everything flattened out before it, and -even the German guns seemed to have been overwhelmed, -for their reply was slow and ineffective. -Only the machine-guns remained noxious, but the -tanks rolled them down. Nowhere at first was there -any check or delay. The French on the right of -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P27"></a>27}</span> -the line had done equally well, and by midday were -storming forward upon the north bank of the Avre, -their victory being the more difficult and honourable -because the river prevented the use of tanks at the -first attack. -</p> - -<p> -The Canadians were on the top of their form that -day, and their magnificent condition gave promise of -the splendid work which they were to do from that -hour until almost the last day of the war. They were -probably the most powerful and efficient corps at -that moment in the whole Army, for they had lain in -front of Lens with few losses, while nearly every other -corps had been desperately engaged and sustained -heavy casualties, hastily made good by recruits. -They had also kept their brigades up to a four battalion -standard, and their divisions had that advantage of -permanence denied to all British corps. When to -these favouring points are added the great hardihood -and valour of the men, proved in so many battles, -it is probable that in the whole world no finer body -could on that day have been let loose behind a -barrage. They were weary from long marches before -the battle began, but none the less their great spirit -rose high above all physical weakness as they pushed -forward against the German line. -</p> - -<p> -They were faced at the outset by a problem which -might well have taxed the brains of any staff and -the valour of any soldiers. This was the crossing of -the River Luce, which was covered upon the farther -bank by several scattered woods, ideal haunts of -machine-guns. So difficult was this operation that -the French to the south had to pause for an hour after -the capture of the front German line, to give time for -it to be carried out. At the end of that period the -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P28"></a>28}</span> -very complex operation had been carried through, -and the whole Allied front was ready to advance. -The Canadians had three divisions in the line, the -Third (Lipsett) next to the French, the First (Macdonell) -in the middle, and the Second (Benstall) on -the left. The 2nd and 3rd British Cavalry Brigades -with the Fourth Canadian Infantry Division (Watson) -were in reserve. There was also a mobile force, called -the Canadian Independent Force, which was kept -ready to take advantage of any opening. This -consisted of the 1st and 2nd Canadian Motor Machine-gun -Brigades, with the Corps Cyclists, and some -movable trench mortars on lorries. -</p> - -<p> -The width of the Canadian attack was some -5000 yards from the Amiens-Roye Road to the -Villers-Bretonneux Railway. Once across the river -the whole line came away with a grand rush and every -objective was soon attained, each division sweeping -forward without a check. The prisoners reported -that an attack had indeed been expected, but not so -soon, and we can readily believe that the German -Army, which had been so repeatedly assured that the -British were finally dead and out of the war, must -have been greatly amazed by this vigorous resurrection. -By 10.40, Caix, which is a good five miles to -the eastward, was reported by contact aeroplanes to -be surrounded by tanks. The Cavalry and the -Independent Force were both pushing to the front, -and the latter deviated to the right in order to help -the French, who were temporarily in difficulties -near Mezières. In the afternoon the Cavalry -Division had passed through the victorious and -cheering lines of the Second Canadians, and were -carrying out a number of spirited enterprises upon the -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P29"></a>29}</span> -German supporting lines. About the same time the -Fourth Canadian Infantry Division pushed forward -and was reported to the east of Beaufort and Cayeux. -By evening all along the line the full objectives had -been reached save at one point near Le Quesnel. In -their splendid day's work men of the Dominion had -taken some 5000 prisoners and great quantities of -booty. Many of the prisoners and guns were taken -by the cavalry, who had their best day in the war. -"The best hunt we ever had, forty minutes and a -kill in the open," was the characteristic description of -one hard-riding dragoon. -</p> - -<p> -We shall now turn to the advance of Monash's -Australians in the centre of the British line. Fate -owed Monash a great victory in this sector, for, during -months of quiet but ceaseless work, he had been -improving his position as the keen runner ensures his -foothold and crouches his body while he awaits the -crack of the pistol. For once Fate paid its debts, -and with such a corps under his hand it would have -been strange had it not been so. All those advantages -already described in the case of the Canadians applied -equally to the Australians, and if the former -outlasted the others, it must be remembered that the -Australians had been in the line for four months -before the fighting began—months which included -the severe action of Villers-Bretonneux. They were -a grand corps, and they did grand work for the -Empire—work which we can never forget so long as -our common history endures. -</p> - -<p> -The order of battle of the Australian Corps on -August 8 was that the Second Division (Smyth) was -on the right in touch with the Canadians, while the -Third Division (Gillibrand) was on the left in touch -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P30"></a>30}</span> -with the Fifty-eighth British Division, the Somme -being the dividing line between them. Behind the -Second Australians was the Fifth (Hobbs), and behind -the Third the Fourth (Maclagan), with orders in each -case to leapfrog over their leaders when the first -objectives were carried. The First Division (Glasgow) -was in the immediate rear. Thus at least 50,000 -glorious infantry marched to battle under the Southern -Cross Union Jack upon this most historic day—a day -which, as Ludendorff has since confessed, gave the first -fatal shock to the military power of Germany. -</p> - -<p> -All depended upon surprise, and the crouching -troops waited most impatiently for the zero hour, -expecting every instant to hear the crash of the -enemy's guns and the whine of the shrapnel above -the assembly trenches. Every precaution had been -taken the day before, the roads had been deserted by -all traffic, and aeroplanes had flown low during the -night, so that their droning might cover the noise of -the assembling tanks. Some misgiving was caused -by the fact that a sergeant who knew all about it had -been captured several days before. By a curious -chance the minutes of his cross-examination by the -German intelligence officer were captured during the -battle. He had faced his ordeal like a Spartan, and -had said no word. It is not often that the success of -a world-shaking battle depends upon the nerve and -the tongue of a single soldier. -</p> - -<p> -Zero hour arrived without a sign, and in an instant -barrage, tanks, and infantry all burst forth together, -though the morning mist was so thick that one could -only see twenty or thirty yards. Everywhere the -enemy front posts went down with hardly a struggle. -It was an absolute surprise. Now and then, as the -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P31"></a>31}</span> -long, loose lines of men pushed through the mist, there -would come the flash of a field-piece, or the sudden -burst of a machine-gun from their front; but in an -instant, with the coolness born of long practice, the -men would run crouching forward, and then quickly -close in from every side, shooting or bayoneting the -gun crew. Everything went splendidly from the first, -and the tanks did excellent service, especially in the -capture of Warfusee. -</p> - -<p> -The task of the two relieving divisions, the Fourth -on the left and the Fifth on the right, was rather more -difficult, as the Germans had begun to rally and the -fog to lift. The Fourth Australians on the south bank -of the Somme were especially troubled, as it soon -became evident that the British attack on the north -bank had been held up, with the result that the -German guns on Chipilly Spur were all free to fire -across from their high position upon the Australians -in the plain to the south. Tank after tank and gun -after gun were knocked out by direct hits, but the -infantry was not to be stopped and continued to -skirmish forward as best they might under so deadly -a fire, finishing by the capture of Cerisy and of -Morcourt. The Fifth Division on the right, with -the 8th and 15th Brigades in front, made an equally -fine advance, covering a good stretch of ground. -</p> - -<p> -Having considered the Canadians and the -Australians, we turn now to the Third Corps on the -north of the line. They were extended from Morlancourt -to the north bank of the Somme, which is a -broad canalised river over all this portion of its course. -On the right was the Fifty-eighth London Division -(Ramsay), with Lee's Eighteenth Division to the north -of it, extending close to the Ancre, where Higginson's -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P32"></a>32}</span> -Twelfth Division lay astride of that marshy stream. -North of this again was the Forty-seventh Division -(Gorringe), together with a brigade of the Thirty-third -American Division. Two days before the great -advance, on August 6, the Twenty-seventh -Wurtemburg Division had made a sudden strong local -attack astride of the Bray-Corbie Road, and had -driven in the Eighteenth Divisional front, taking some -hundreds of prisoners, though the British counter-attack -regained most of the lost ground on the -same and the following days. This unexpected -episode somewhat deranged the details of the great -attack, but the Eighteenth played its part manfully -none the less, substituting the 36th Brigade of the -Twelfth Division for the 54th Brigade, which had -been considerably knocked about. None of the -British prisoners taken seem to have given away the -news of the coming advance, but it is probable that -the sudden attack of the Wurtemburgers showed that -it was suspected, and was intended to anticipate and -to derange it. -</p> - -<p> -In the first phase of the attack the little village -of Sailly-Laurette on the north bank of the Somme -was carried by assault by the 2/10th Londons. At the -same moment the 174th Brigade attacked Malard -Wood to the left of the village. There was a -difficulty in mopping up the wood, for small German posts -held on with great tenacity, but by 9 o'clock the -position was cleared. The 173rd Brigade now went -forward upon the really terrible task of getting up -the slopes of Chipilly Hill under the German fire. -The present chronicler has looked down upon the line -of advance from the position of the German machine-guns -and can testify that the affair was indeed as -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P33"></a>33}</span> -arduous as could be imagined. The village of Chipilly -was not cleared, and the attack, after several very -gallant attempts, was at a stand. Meantime the -53rd Brigade on the left had got about half-way to -its objective and held the ground gained, but could -get no farther in face of the withering fire. Farther -north, however, the Twelfth Division, moving forward -upon the northern slopes of the Ancre, had gained its -full objectives, the idea being that a similar advance -to the south would pinch out the village of -Morlancourt. There was a time in the attack when it -appeared as if the hold-up of the Eighteenth Division -would prevent Vincent's 35th Brigade, on the right -of the Twelfth Division, from getting forward, but -the situation was restored by a fine bit of work by -the 1st Cambridgeshires, who, under Colonel Saint, -renewed the attack in a most determined way and -finally were left with only 200 men standing, but with -316 German prisoners as well as their objective. A -wandering tank contributed greatly to this success. -</p> - -<p> -The partial nature of the local victory was due -not only to the excellent German dispositions and -resistance, but to some want of liaison between tanks -and infantry, as well as to the total disability of the -flying service to furnish any reports before 12 o'clock. -This want was partly made good by the excellent -scouting of the Northumberland Hussars. The -remainder of the day was spent in clearing the ground -gained and holding a series of counter-attacks, one of -which drove back an advanced line of the 53rd -Brigade. -</p> - -<p> -Summing up, then, the result of the first day's -fighting, it may be briefly said that seven German -Divisions had been cut to pieces, that 10,000 prisoners -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P34"></a>34}</span> -and 200 guns had been counted, and that an advance -had been made which in the French sector reached -Beaufort, and laid the British line well up to Caix, -Framerville, and Chipilly. To those who associated -those village names with the dark days when the -Fifth Army, exhausted and decimated, was compelled -to retreat through them, it was indeed an added joy -that they should be the milestones of victory. The -whole penetration, though not more than three miles -north of the Somme, was seven or eight miles at the -deepest point, which is the greatest ever yet attained -on the first day of any Allied attack. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -August 9. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -The battle was vigorously renewed on the morning -of August 9, and once more the tide flowed -eastwards, carrying the average depth of progress -two or three miles farther. In the south the French -directed their general advance rather to the right and -reached Arvillers as their final point. Their take of -prisoners had amounted altogether to 4000, and their -depth of advance was over eight miles. To their north -the Canadians had reached Rosières, and the -Australians Rainecourt and Morcourt. To the north of -the Somme the Third Corps had been temporarily -hung up by the very vigorous German resistance in -a strong position between Chipilly and Morlancourt. -Before evening General Rawlinson was able to report -the capture of a total for the two days of 17,000 -prisoners and 250 guns. -</p> - -<p> -To take the events of this second day of battle in -closer detail, the Canadians resumed their attack at -10 A.M. with the same order of divisions in the line, -but with their Fourth Division acting with the -Independent Force upon the right, where in the early -morning it captured Le Quesnel. There was heavy -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P35"></a>35}</span> -fighting all day along the Corps front, but the advance -was pushed forward for another 2500 yards. Many -villages were contained in this area, the Third Canadians -on the right getting Folies and Bouchoir, the Second -Canadians on the left Vrely, Rosières, and Meharicourt, -while the First Canadians in the centre got -Warvillers, Beaufort, and Rouvroy. The Germans -had rushed up their anti-tank guns, and the casualties -were heavy that day, especially near Le Quesnel, where -many tanks were destroyed by direct hits from -concealed batteries. To make a complete and connected -narrative of the doings upon this front it may here -be added that on August 10 the resistance thickened -and the advance slowed. Le Quesnel[<a id="chap02fn1text"></a><a href="#chap02fn1">1</a>] was taken early -by the Third Canadians, upon which the Thirty-second -British Division passed through their ranks and carried -the advance on to the outskirts of Parvillers and -Damery. The Fourth Canadian Division in turn had -very stubborn fighting and considerable losses, but it -ended the day in possession of Fouquescourt, Maucourt, -Chilly, and Hallu. At night, great fires reddening -the whole eastern sky gave promise of a further -German retreat. On August 11 it was clear, however, -that no further important advance could be made -without fresh preparation, and orders were given for -consolidation. A French attack on the right on -Bois en Z had no success, nor was the Thirty-second -Division able to take Damery. Instead of advance -it was rather a day of strong counter-attacks, against -which the attenuated lines, after three days of battle, -were hard put to it to hold their own, a flank fire -from Lihons helping the German attack at Hallu and -Chilly. The line was in the main held, however, and -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P36"></a>36}</span> -a total take of 8000 prisoners was in the Canadian -cages that evening, while 167 guns had been taken -by the one Corps. We shall now turn back and -follow the fortunes of the Australians on the second -and third days of the battle. -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p> -<a id="chap02fn1"></a> -[<a href="#chap02fn1text">1</a>] There are two villages of that name. -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p> -Upon August 9 General Monash's Corps still carried -forward its victorious career, though a halt was called -for the Fourth Division on the left which awaited -developments upon the north bank of the river. On -the right the Second Division passed through the -Fifth in order to continue the advance, while the -First Division thrust itself in upon the right flank, -next to the Canadians. Progress was slower everywhere, -but none the less it was substantial, Framerville -being taken by the 7th Brigade. There was -a misunderstanding about time, with the result -that the First Division advanced some hours before -their Canadian neighbours, with tragic consequences -to their own right flank, formed by the 2nd Brigade. -The advance was over open country, with the Lihons -ridge and village in front, from which heavy gun-fire -played upon the attack and caused considerable losses, -while on the right a deadly fire was maintained from -Rosières Station. So heavy were the casualties in -the First and Second Divisions that reinforcements -had to be sent up when the advance was resumed. -In the evening some relief was obtained, for the region -of the old French trenches was reached and the men -were at last able to get some cover. Many of the -Australians who fought through this long hot day -had marched for five hours in order to reach the field -of battle, so that it was a remarkable test of -endurance. Finally Crepy and Crepy Wood were taken -and held against three severe counter-attacks which -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P37"></a>37}</span> -broke upon them next day. On August 11 Lihons -Ridge fell and the village was occupied by the 2nd -Brigade, which again had to face determined attacks. -The Germans fully appreciated the vital worth of this -position, which commanded the plain both to west and -east, so they strained every nerve first to hold and -afterwards to recover it, but it was in stronger hands -than theirs. The 3rd Brigade on the left of Lihons -was particularly heavily attacked but threw back its -assailants in confusion. Every yard gained was held. -A final very serious German counter-attack in -successive waves, with 400 in a wave, drove down from -Lihu Wood in the north-east and actually penetrated -the front Australian lines, but the 8th Battalion in -support threw itself into the fight and soon the -position had been completely restored. -</p> - -<p> -In the meantime, the Fourth Australian Division -had been released by the fact that the remains of the -Fifty-eighth Division and the 131st American Infantry -Eegiment had, as will be told, cleared the Chipilly -Ridge north of the river. Part of the Fourth -Australians had crossed the river, fraternising greatly -with the Americans, so that the officers on both sides -had some trouble in sorting out their men—the more -so as the comradeship had often taken the form of -an exchange of hats and coats. On the night of -August 10 the whole of the Fourth Australians had -crossed to the north bank of the Somme near -Sailly-le-Sec, and their commander, General Maclagan, had -taken under him the Americans and also the 173rd -and 174th Brigades of the British Fifty-eighth -Division, much the worse for wear. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -August 11. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -The Third Australian Division had taken the -place south of the Somme vacated by their -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P38"></a>38}</span> -fellow-countrymen, and on the morning of August 11 -they continued the attack in the direction of Proyart, -that village being eventually carried by the 10th -Brigade. It is needless to say that books might, and -probably will, be written as to individual adventures -and deeds of heroism, which in their aggregate -supplied the driving force which carried the line ever -more and more to the eastward. In giving a condensed -account of the effects one can hardly get down -to the more human story of the causes. Yet few -greater deeds of valour can have been anywhere done -than that of Sergeant Statton of the 40th Battalion, -who in this engagement of Proyart seeing a neighbouring -battalion, the 37th, held up by a nest of machine-guns, -ran across to their aid, shot all the gunners -at one gun, captured three guns single-handed, and -chased the crews from two others. Many a battalion -has spent itself in doing less. -</p> - -<p> -We shall now turn to the British Third Corps on -the north of the Somme and so complete the account -of the attack of the Fourth Army. It will be -remembered that on the evening of August 8 they had -made headway along the whole line but had been -held up on the Chipilly Spur. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -August 9. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -The attack upon Chipilly was renewed at 4.15 -next afternoon, the delay being caused by the need -of assembling the reserves, which consisted of the -remainder of the Fifty-eighth Division and of the -131st Regiment of the Thirty-third Division (Bell) of -the United States Army. The assault was made by -the 6th and 2/10th London Battalions, but they were -opportunely and very efficiently aided by two -companies of the Americans, who had lost their direction -for the main attack planned to the north, but who -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P39"></a>39}</span> -seemed indifferent which fight they were in so long -as they were fighting. There was a check at the -outset, but the attack, while demonstrating from the -west, really materialised from the north, and both -village and ridge were captured with a number of -prisoners. This was a very important little victory -from the point of view of the Australians to the -south who had been commanded by the German -guns from this elevated position. -</p> - -<p> -The main attack was north of the Chipilly Spur, -and was planned to gain Cressaire Wood and a line -across from the Somme to the Ancre corresponding -with such an advance. The assault was made by two -weak brigades of the Fifty-eighth Londoners upon the -right, the 131st American Regiment in the centre, and -the remains of the Fifty-eighth upon the left. Farther -north the Twelfth Division, with the 37th Brigade in -front, carried on the line. Both Londoners and -Americans advanced with equal valour, and after a -stiff fight the main portion of the objectives was won, -though it took three hours of hard work to win them. -Much credit was due to all, but most to the American -infantry, who had their first experience of modern -fighting and who were naturally embarrassed by the -disappearance of two of their companies which had -drifted into the Chipilly affair. For a time there was -a gap between divisions, but before evening the -Twelfth extended to the right and all was well. -The correction was very necessary, for at 3 A.M. on -August 10 a German counter-attack broke -without effect upon this very point of junction. -The Twelfth Division had had a very good day on -August 9, Incledon-Webber's 37th Brigade especially -distinguishing itself. The 6th Buffs and 6th West -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P40"></a>40}</span> -Kents had heavy losses, but took 350 prisoners, two -field-guns, and a number of machine-guns. Two of -these were taken single-handed by Sergeant Harris -of the West Kents, who met his death in attacking -a third. The Victoria Cross was his posthumous -reward. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -August 10. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -On August 10 the Third Corps front was pushed -forward in the morning by a system of infiltration, -British and American patrols scouting and fighting -through the eastern portion of Cressaire Wood. -Before evening, without any serious fighting, they -reached the old French Amiens defence line, which was -the original full objective upon this front. Having -entirely accomplished his arduous task General Butler, -who had been handicapped by an illness which he -disregarded while his work called for his presence, -took a short spell of rest, his place being taken -by General Godley. The Forty-seventh Division -(Gorringe) came across to the right wing, relieving -the Eighteenth Division, while shortly after the -Thirty-third American Division, to the great regret -of their British comrades, entrained for the south to -join the main American army, but not before their -133rd Eegiment, acting with the 13th Australian -Brigade, had taken Etinehem Spur, to the north of -the River Somme. The action now died down in this -quarter. In the three days of fighting General -Butler's Corps had taken 90 guns and 3000 prisoners, -while, in the words of General Rawlinson, "in -protecting the left flank of the Fourth Army they were -given a difficult task which was carried out with a -determination and gallantry beyond all praise." The -losses had been 6500, 500 of which were from the -American Regiment. The general result of the battle -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P41"></a>41}</span> -by the night of August 11 was that the French had -taken 8000 and the British 21,000 prisoners with 400 -guns, so that it was already clear that the greatest -victory which the British Army had yet won was that -which initiated the final advance. In spite of all -this success it is to be borne in mind, however, that -the Allies had only reached the old German front -line trenches of 1916, which were now a valuable -barrier for the rear of the retreating army. There -was a pause now while the Fourth Army was waiting -for their comrades of the Third Army on the left to -develop their extension of the attack. Meanwhile many -small actions and local advances on Rawlinson's -front kept his opponents from having time to -reorganise. On August 13, as already mentioned, -Americans and Australians advanced the line to the north -of the river along the strip which is bounded upon -the left by the Bray-Corbie Road. On August 14 -the Canadian 7th Brigade took Parvillers after -some very stiff local fighting. They were driven out -again that night by the heavy concentration of the -German artillery, but next morning, with the -co-operation upon their flank of their comrades of the -9th Brigade, they won it once more. In this operation -the 52nd Battalion took Damery, while the French -carried the wood to the south of the village. There -was a strong counter-attack in the afternoon by the -German One hundred and twenty-first Division, but -it was beaten back, leaving a number of prisoners. -About August 20 the Canadians began to slip quietly -out of the line, and were conveyed, unknown to the -Germans, to a new front where they came under the -command of General Horne of the First Army. Their -exploits upon this new stage will be described later. -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P42"></a>42}</span> -The French were now on the immediate right of the -Australians until the time came for the advent of the -British Ninth Corps. -</p> - -<p> -Amid the tremendous events which followed each -other in a stupendous historical procession during the -latter half of 1918 it is hard to select those which were -decisive from those which were merely great. It may -safely be said, however, that three dates stand out -as great military crises—the turn of the tide on -July 18, the British advance on August 8, and the -breaking of the Hindenburg Line on September 29. -It has been admitted by General Ludendorff that it -was the second of these which broke the confidence of -the German Staff and finally convinced them that the -war must go against them. A very special honour -rests, therefore, with the three corps, British, -Australian, and Canadian, who brought about this victory, -as well as to the tanks, the cavalry, and the airmen -who led or followed the victorious infantry and the -masterful guns during these days of doom. -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p><a id="chap03"></a></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">{<a id="P43"></a>43}</span></p> - -<h3> -CHAPTER III -<br /><br /> - CONTINUATION OF THE OPERATIONS OF RAWLINSON'S<br /> - FOURTH ARMY<br /> -</h3> - -<p class="t3"> - From August 22 to the Battle of the Hindenburg<br /> - Line, September 29<br /> -</p> - -<p class="intro"> -Further advance of the Australians—Of the Third Corps—Capture of -Albert—Advance across the old Somme battlefield—Capture of -Mont St. Quentin—Splendid Australian exploit—Fall of -Peronne—Debut of the Yeomanry (Seventy-fourth) Division—Attack on -the outliers of the Hindenburg Line—Appearance of the Ninth -Corps—Eve of the Judgment. -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p> -We have now reached the date when Byng's Third -Army joined in the fray, and it is necessary to find -some means of co-ordinating the narrative and carrying -it on in definite stages. The next well-marked -crisis which affects each of the armies engaged is the -great general attack on September 29, which broke -the Hindenburg Line. Therefore, in separate chapters -the operations of each army will be brought up to -that date, and then further chapters will cover the -doings of each up to the date of the Armistice. Since -we have dealt with the Fourth Army, we may as well -continue with it now until we are in close touch with -the Hindenburg Line, premising only that instead of -an inert neighbour upon the left we have a very active -advancing British Army. We shall then go on to the -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P44"></a>44}</span> -Third and to the First Armies, and bring each of them -in turn up to the same point. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -August 22. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -On August 22 and the following days, the -Fourth Army, with only two Corps—the Third and -the Australians—in front, renewed its attack, greatly -strengthened by the movement of the Third Army -on its left, which ensured that at least five British -corps were all moving forward together, distributing -the advance over so wide an area that the Germans -were less able to concentrate reserves of men or of -guns at any one point—a result which was much -aided by the fine work of General Mangin's Army -on the right. -</p> - -<p> -The main part of the fighting on the front of -the Fourth Army on August 22 was north of the -Somme, where the Third Australian Division covered -the right flank of the Third Corps. On the south -of the river the Australian Corps advanced on -a front of 4½ miles, and took all their limited -objectives, which represented a depth of 1½ miles. -This was effected by the Fifth Australian Division -on the right and the Fourth on the left, supported -and finally supplanted by the First Australian -and Lambert's Thirty-Second British Divisions, the -latter on the right. The advance, which began at -dawn, was no easy one, as the country was much cut -about with many obstacles, seamed with trenches, -and dotted with scattered woods. The determined -infantry would take no denial, however, and Herleville, -Chuignies, and several other small village sites -were captured. The heaviest fighting was in the -woods, but a skilful system of encircling points of -danger had been carefully worked out, and the -losses were less than might have been anticipated. -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P45"></a>45}</span> -Sixteen guns, 80 officers, and 2463 men were the -trophies of the day. Early in the morning of August -24 the Third Australian Division moved suddenly -forward north of the river, captured the town of Bray, -and formed a permanent line upon the further side. -On August 25 this same unit advanced 3000 yards -on a 4000-yard front with very little resistance, -always covering the right of the Third Corps. -</p> - -<p> -Let us now follow the work of this Corps from -August 22 onwards. -</p> - -<p> -It covered the ground from Albert in the north, -where it was working in close liaison with the Welsh -Division on the right of the Fifth Corps, down to a -point near the Somme where it was in touch with the -Australians. The immediate object of the operations -was to eject the enemy from the positions in and -around Albert which he had held for four months, -and also from his whole defensive system opposite to -the Amiens defence line, which latter had been -regained in the previous fighting. On the day of -battle the Forty-seventh London Division was on -the right of the Corps line, the Twelfth Division in -the centre, and the Eighteenth Division on the left. -To this last was confided the difficult and important -operation of clearing Albert, and of establishing light -bridges over the Ancre so as to cross that stream -and attack the high ground east of the town on the -Becourt Road. There was to be no preliminary -bombardment, but machine-gun and artillery barrages -were to cover the infantry. -</p> - -<p> -The zero hour was 4.45, and at the signal the -Forty-seventh and Twelfth Divisions advanced behind -a creeping barrage, moving at the rate of 100 yards -in four minutes, and as thick as 250 field-guns could -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P46"></a>46}</span> -make it. With such a van of destruction in front -the infantry came forward without undue losses, -though a particular strong point named the Pear Tree -just on the interdivisional boundary held fast and -was destined to give trouble for several days to come. -As an observer remarked, "Anything British, from a -helmet to a tank, which showed over the crest was -met by the sweeping fire of many machine-guns, -while shells from trench mortars fell in the ranks of -men following up. It was only when the general -attack was continued that this hornet's nest could be -cleared." Save for this point the general objectives -marked out for these divisions, which meant an -advance of between two and three miles, were -successfully made good, but an attempt to follow up with -cavalry and whippet tanks could not be persevered -in, so stiff was the opposition. It was soon found -that the enemy in the Forty-seventh Division sector -was not only capable of defence, but of aggression, -for about 4 in the afternoon his infantry advanced -in a strong attack with a powerful artillery backing, -and drove with such violence into the 22nd, 23rd, and -24th Londons, forming the 142nd Brigade, that they -were temporarily thrown back. Their right held -firm, however, as did the Third Australian Division -to the south, so that no gap was formed. Being -reinforced by the 175th Brigade from the Fifty-eighth -Division in reserve, the Londoners soon reformed their -ranks, greatly thinned both by their advance in the -morning and by the German onslaught in the afternoon. -The enemy's front was so menacing that the -rest of the day and part of August 23 were spent in -reorganisation and consolidation. -</p> - -<p> -Meanwhile on the left, Lee's Eighteenth Division, -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P47"></a>47}</span> -a famous all-English unit of the type which, however -brilliant its comrades, has always formed the solid -core of the magnificent tireless Imperial Army, was -carrying out its difficult task at Albert. It had two -brigades in the line, the 54th to the south and the -55th to the north of the town. The Germans in front -held the line of the Ancre, with Albert as a -bridgehead, the ruins and cellars of the town being sown -with snipers and machine-guns. To clear the town, -to occupy the high ground to the east, and by these -operations to cover the flanks of two armies was the -function of this Division, and also to secure crossings -at Albert by which the Welsh on their left could get -across. -</p> - -<p> -The stream in this part was 6 feet deep and -14 wide, with swampy banks strongly held by -the enemy. There were unguarded bits, however, -and patrols got across on the 21st, which simplified -the task, though it deranged at the last moment all -the preparations for barrage. Part of the 6th -Northamptons and the 11th Royal Fusiliers crossed -early on the 22nd and formed up along the edge of -the Albert-Meaulte Road, while the rest of the 6th -Northamptons fought hard for elbow-room on the -right flank, working in close liaison with the 36th -Brigade on the left of the Twelfth Division who were -attacking Meaulte. About 6 the whole front line -advanced in this quarter, flooding over the scattered -German posts, and capturing eighty machine-guns -with their crews. At the same time the 8th East -Surreys on the left had rushed Albert, and after -some fine confused fighting had cleared the ruins and -taken the whole town, with the river crossings. The -7th Buffs at once pushed out on the Albert-Pozières -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P48"></a>48}</span> -road, but were held up by very heavy fire. The 11th -Royal Fusiliers further south had also been held up -by the guns on the summit of Shamrock Hill, east of -the town, but a company of the 2nd Bedfords, led by -Captain Doake, captured this strong point and the -line went forward. Altogether it was a good day's -work, and save on the extreme left most of the objects -were attained at the cost of reasonable casualties, -which included General Sadleir-Jackson of the 54th -Brigade, who was badly wounded in the leg. The -53rd Brigade continued their advance up to 10 P.M., -so as to gain the high ground on the Becourt Road, -and thus prepare for the next day's operations. -</p> - -<p> -The 113th Brigade of the Welsh Division on the -left had been passed over by the Albert bridges, and -the 53rd had also passed in the night. The plan of -August 23 was that these two brigades should attack -Usna and Tara Hills respectively, on the high ground -to the west of Becourt Wood. The Usna attack is -described under the operations of the Fifth Corps. -The Tara attack was completely successful, and four -tanks rendered conspicuous service. The work was -carried out by the 10th Essex, 7th West Kents, and -the 7th Queen's from the 55th Brigade. It was a fine -military feat, far more important than 350 prisoners -would imply, for it broke the girdle round Albert and -cleared the road for the advance. No progress was -made at the other portions of the corps front on -this date, save for some advance on the left of the -Twelfth Division near Meaulte. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -August 24. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -It had been determined to keep up incessant -pressure, and to test Hindenburg's incautious maxim -that the side with the best nerves would wear down -the other. At 1 A.M. on August 24 the whole line -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P49"></a>49}</span> -burst into flame once more, and under a clear moon -the Army rolled forward. On the right the Forty-seventh -Division had ample revenge for its temporary -check, as its 140th, together with the 175th Brigade -of the Fifty-eighth Division, Londoners all, swept -across the debated land of the Happy Valley and -secured it. The Eighteenth Division also made good -its objectives, the chief impediment being the historical -mine craters of 1916 at La Boiselle; 250 prisoners -were taken out of these by the 8th Royal Berks, a -party of whom under Captain Nicholson, covered by -Captain Sutherst's 53rd Trench Mortar Battery, -cleared up this difficult point. In the morning the -Eighteenth Division was well to the east of Becourt. -The only check was in the centre, where the general -advance of the Twelfth Division was still held up by -that Pear Tree strong point which had already caused -so much trouble. Before evening, however, it was -clear that the enemy was effecting a general retreat, -and the 37th Brigade was able to take possession of -this very well defended portion of the ridge. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -August 25. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -It was clear now that the German front was -crumbling, and the whole British line was pushing -ahead. The chief obstacle on the morning of August 25 -came from an all-pervading mist. There was no -check, however, anywhere in the advance up to 2 P.M., -when the general line of the front was up to Mametz. -The hardest fighting of the day was done at Billon -Wood by the 173rd Brigade, all three battalions, the -2/2nd, 3rd, and 2/4th London, having real hard work, -and standing to it like men. The place was strongly -held with powerful artillery support, but it had been -cleared before nightfall. By the same hour the -Twelfth Division was east of Mametz, and the 8th -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P50"></a>50}</span> -East Surreys were on the far side of Mametz Wood. -As these familiar places came once more into their -possession the troops felt that the tide had indeed -turned. On August 26 the Eighteenth Division had -cleared the ruins of Montauban, and the Twelfth, -Carnoy, while the Fifty-eighth pushed on from Billon -Wood, and wound up within a few hundred yards of -Maricourt. This village was passed the next day, -and altogether, on August 27 and 28, another three -miles were added to the advance of the Twelfth and -Fifty-eighth Divisions, the progress never ceasing, -but being continually accompanied by fighting and -maintained always against severe artillery fire. The -Germans had thrown in three fresh divisions upon -this front and the resistance was still very stiff. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -August 26-28. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -This was especially evident at Trones Wood, which -was carried for the second time in this way by the -Eighteenth Division on August 27. This fine assault -was made by the 8th Berks and 7th West Kents, who -carried it out with both flanks open to the enemy -since the Welsh had been held in front of Delville. -So heavy were the losses that the Berkshires were in -danger of not being strong enough to hold what they -had gained, so the 10th Essex were pushed into the -fight. At 8 A.M. on August 27 a German Guards -battalion drove through Trones Wood and pushed -out the British stormers, but they held on by their -teeth to the eastern edge of Bernafoy Wood. Here -General Barker of the 53rd Brigade reorganised -his very weary ranks, which had been greatly -mixed in the advance and retreat. Just as evening -was falling the remains of the gallant brigade darted -forward once more and came to grips with the Francis -Joseph Prussian Guards, who lay with many a machine-gun -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P51"></a>51}</span> -among the brushwood. Led by Colonel Banks -of the 8th Berkshires, the English infantry rushed into -the wood and poured over the German position, taking -forty machine-guns and completely overcoming the -resistance. It was a fine exploit, and when the 53rd -Brigade gave place to the 54th on the morning of -August 28 they handed over to them the whole of this -terrible grove, which has been so drenched by the -bravest blood of two great nations. There was no -further action in this quarter on August 28, but -on the 29th the 54th Brigade, now under Colonel -Perceval, was heavily engaged. Guillemont was -passed, though no trace of this large village could -be distinguished, and all day the 2nd Bedfords on -the left and the 6th Northants on the right were -working forward across the grim old battlefield. On -August 28 the Twelfth Division took Hardecourt, and -General Higginson, who may well have been disturbed -by the constant flow of youngsters into his ranks to -take the place of his disabled veterans, must have -had his fears removed and his heart gladdened by the -splendid conduct that day of 250 men of the 9th -Royal Fusiliers under Colonel Van Someren, none of -whom had been in France more than three weeks. On -August 30 a great centre of German resistance was -Priez Farm, which held up the 11th Royal Fusiliers, -and also the Forty-seventh Division which had taken -the place of the Twelfth in the centre of the corps. -The enemy was clinging hard to Morval, also in the -Welsh area, and this made any advance on the front -of the Eighteenth Division impossible. It was clear -that a regular battle with artillery preparation was -needed, and this was arranged for September 1. The -right wing of the corps had in the meantime got to -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P52"></a>52}</span> -the line of Maurepas, and on August 31 the Forty-seventh -Division in the centre made a good advance -up to Long Wood with a number of prisoners to show -for it. The Fifty-eighth Division closed in upon -Marrières Wood, which they took after some heavy -fighting, avenging the brave South Africans who had -died so gallantly there five months before. It was -clear that the enemy were now standing in a strong -line, and were by no means beaten, which was shown -also by the bearing of the prisoners, whose morale -was high, and who spoke with as much pride and -assurance as ever of the ultimate military success of -their country. Yet during the last week they had -been steadily driven back some 3000 yards every day -by the remorseless barrage of the British guns followed -by the disciplined rush of the British infantry. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -August 26-31. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -We shall now leave the Third Corps for a time at -this line of fixed resistance and return to consider the -advance of the Australians to the south. This had -been victorious and unbroken, though no very serious -resistance had to be overcome. Smoke by day and -fire by night, with explosions at all hours, heralded the -German retreat. On August 26 Cappy was occupied. -On the 27th Vaux Wood was occupied north of the -river, while Foucaucourt and Vermandovillers were -submerged to the south, villages no longer, but at -least marks of progress upon the map. On the 28th -the Germans were still retreating with the toes of the -Australians upon their very heels, but the heavier -shelling warned General Monash that there was a -fixed line ahead, as might well be expected, since his -men were now nearing the point where the bend of the -Somme brought the river right across their front. -Dompierre, Fay, Estrées, and other old centres of -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P53"></a>53}</span> -contention were taken that day. On the 29th the -3rd Australians got Hem, while on the south the rest -of the corps advanced 2000 yards to the bank of the -river, taking the whole line of villages from Biaches -to Villers-Carbonnel. The task of capturing such -places was much complicated by the difficulty of -knowing where they were after you had got them. -The present writer was in Carbonnel, which was a -considerable place, some weeks later, and was unable -to find any trace of habitation save a signboard upon -which was printed the words: "Here was the village -of Villers-Carbonnel." -</p> - -<p> -At the end of August the resistance had stiffened, -and it was clear that the Germans meant to take -advantage of the unique situation of Peronne in order -to make it a strong centre of resistance. To the -civilian observer it would have seemed that such a -place was impregnable against assault, for it is girt -in with reedy marshes on the west, and with a moat -on the north, while the south is defended by the -broad river, even as in the days when Quentin Durward -formed part of the garrison. Yet the Australians -took it in their stride by a mixture of cleverness and -valour which must have greatly rejoiced General -Rawlinson, who saw so formidable an obstacle -removed from his path. As a preliminary operation -the Third Australian Division had taken Clery in the -north, which they held against a vigorous -counter-attack on September 30. Halles was afterwards -captured. The question now was how to approach -the town. Immediately to the north of it there lies -a formidable hill, well marked, though of no great -height. This place, which is called Mont St. Quentin, -commanded all approaches to the town as well as -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P54"></a>54}</span> -the town itself. The Germans had recognised the -importance of the position and had garrisoned it with -picked troops with many machine-guns. Standing -upon its pitted crest, where one is often ankle-deep in -empty cartridges, one cannot imagine as one looks -west how a rabbit could get across unscathed. This -was the formidable obstacle which now faced the -Australians. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -August 31. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -They went at it without a pause and with -characteristic earnestness and directness, controlled by -very skilful leadership. Two brigades, the 5th and -6th of Rosenthal's Second Australian Division, had -been assembled on the north of the Somme bend, -the men passing in single file over hastily constructed -foot-bridges. By this means they had turned the -impassable water defences which lie on the -westward side of Peronne, but they were faced by a -terrible bit of country, seamed with trenches, jagged -with wire, and rising to the village of St. Quentin, -which is a little place on the flank of the hill. The -hill itself is crowned by a ragged wood some acres in -extent. Mont St. Quentin lies about equidistant, a -mile or so, from Peronne in the south, and from the -hamlet of Feuillaucourt in the north. On this front -of two miles the action was fought. -</p> - -<p> -Early in the morning of August 31 the 5th Brigade, -under General Martin, advanced upon the German -position. The 17th Battalion was in the centre -opposite to Mont St. Quentin. The 19th was on the -right covering the ground between that stronghold -and Peronne, the 20th on the left, extending up to -Feuillaucourt, with that village as one of its -objectives. The 18th was in close support. A very heavy -and efficient artillery bombardment had prepared the -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P55"></a>55}</span> -way for the infantry assault, but the defending troops -were as good as any which Germany possessed, and -had endured the heavy fire with unshaken fortitude, -knowing that their turn would come. -</p> - -<p> -From the moment that the infantry began to close -in on the German positions the battle became very -bitter and the losses very serious. The 19th Battalion -on the right were scourged with fire from the old -fortified walls of Peronne, from St. Denis, a hamlet -north of the town, and from scattered woods which -faced them. Every kind of missile, including -pineapple-bombs and rifle-grenades, poured down upon -them. The long thin line carried on bravely, halted, -carried on once more, and finally sank down under -such poor cover as could be found, sending back a -message that further artillery bombardment was a -necessity. On the left of the attack the 20th Battalion -seems to have had a less formidable line before it, and -advancing with great speed and resolution, it seized -the village of Feuillaucourt. In the centre, however, -a concentration of fire beat upon the 17th Battalion, -which was right under the guns of Mont St. Quentin. -Working on in little groups of men, waiting, watching, -darting forward, crouching down, crawling, so the -scattered line gradually closed with its enemy, -presenting a supreme object lesson of that individual -intelligence and character which have made the -Australian soldier what he is. A little after 7 o'clock -in the morning the survivors of two companies drew -together for the final rush, and darted into the village -of Mont St. Quentin, throwing out a line of riflemen -upon the far side of it. On that far side lay the -culminating slope of the hill crowned with the dark -ragged trees, their trunks linked up with abattis, -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P56"></a>56}</span> -laced with wire, and covering machine-guns. The -place was still full of Germans and they had strong -reserves on the further side of the hill. -</p> - -<p> -The 17th had reached their goal, but their situation -was very desperate. Their right was bent back and -was in precarious contact with the 19th Battalion. -Their left flank had lost all touch. They were a mere -thin fringe of men with nothing immediately behind -them. Two companies of the supporting battalion -had already been sent up to stiffen the line of the 19th -Battalion, and the remaining two companies were now -ordered forward to fill the gap between the 17th and -20th. Not a rifle was left in reserve, and the whole -strength of the Brigade was in the firing-line. It -was no time for hedging, for everything was at stake. -</p> - -<p> -But the pressure was too severe to last. The -Australian line could not be broken, but there comes -a point when it must bend or perish. The German -pressure from the wood was ever heavier upon the -thin ranks in front of it. A rush of grey infantry -came down the hill, with showers of bombs in front -of them. One of the companies in the village had -lost every officer. The fire was murderous. Guns -firing over open sights had been brought up on the -north of the village, and were sending their shells -through the ruined houses. Slowly the Australians -loosened their clutch upon their prize and fell back -to the west of the village, dropping down in the -broken ground on the other side of the main Peronne -Road, and beating back five bombing attacks which -had followed them up. Still the fire was murderous, -and the pressure very heavy, so that once more, by -twos and threes, the survivors fell back 250 yards -west of the road, where again they lay down, counting -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P57"></a>57}</span> -their dwindling cartridges, and dwelling upon their -aim, as the grey crouching figures came stealthily -forward. The attack was at an end. It had done -splendidly, and it had failed. But the scattered -survivors of the 5th Brigade still held on with grim -tenacity, certain that their comrades behind would -never let them down. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -September 1. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -All night there was spasmodic fighting, the Germans -pushing their counter-attack until the two lines -were interlocked and the leading groups of the 5th -Brigade were entirely cut off. In some places the -more forward Germans finding a blank space—and -there were many—had pushed on until they were -500 yards west of the general line of the 5th Brigade. -Thus when Robertson's 6th Brigade attacked at an -early hour of September 1, they came on German -infantry posts before they connected up with the -main line of their own comrades. Their advance had -been preceded by a crashing bombardment from -everything which would throw a projectile, so that -the crest of the hill was fairly swept with bullets and -shells. Then forward went the line, the 23rd Battalion -on the right, the 24th on the left, 21st and 22nd -in support. From the start the fire was heavy, but -all opposition was trampled down, until the two -leading battalions were abreast of the hill. Then -once more that terrible fire brought them to a halt. -The 23rd on the right was held by the same crossfire -which had beaten upon the 19th the day before. -Its losses were heavy. The 24th got forward to -Feuillaucourt and then, having occupied it, turned to -the right and endeavoured to work down to Mont -St. Quentin from the north. But the fire was too -murderous and the advance was stopped. Other -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P58"></a>58}</span> -elements were coming into action, however, which -would prevent the whole German effort being -concentrated upon the defence of the one position. In -the north the 10th Brigade of the Third Australian -Division, with the 229th British Yeomanry Brigade -upon their left, were swinging round and threatening -to cut in on the German flank and rear. In the south -the 14th Australian Brigade of the Fifth Division was -advancing straight upon the town of Peronne, attacking -from the south and east simultaneously. But -even now the nut was too hard for the crackers. The -British and the 10th Australian Brigades were fighting -their way round in the north and constant progress -was being made in that indirect pressure. But the -6th Brigade after its splendid advance was held up, -and old Peronne, spitting fire from its ancient walls, -was still keeping the 14th Brigade at a distance. -At 8 o'clock the attack had again failed. Orders were -then given for the reorganisation of the troops and -for a renewed effort at half-past one. The artillery -had been brought up and reinforced, so that it now -fairly scalped the hill. At the hour named the direct -advance of the 6th Brigade was resumed, the fresh -21st Battalion being pushed into the centre, between -the 23rd and 24th which had both suffered severely -in the morning. This time General Rosenthal was -justified of his perseverance. At the signal the troops -poured forward and under a hail of bullets seized the -ruins of the village once more, streaming out at the -further side and falling into a long skirmish line on -the western edge of the wood. The brave German -defenders were still unabashed and the losses were so -heavy that the wood could not instantly be carried, -but the position was consolidated and held, with the -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P59"></a>59}</span> -absolute certainty that such close grips in front with -the threatening movements upon his flank must drive -him from the hill. So it proved, for when on the -morning of September 2 the 7th Brigade passed over -the fatal plain, which was sown with the bodies of -their comrades, they went through the village and on -past the wood with little opposition, forming up at -last in a defensive line facing south-east, while the -Fifth Division on the south drove home its attack -upon Peronne, where the defence was already -hopelessly compromised by the various movements to the -north. -</p> - -<p> -Thus fell Mont St. Quentin, and as a consequence -Peronne. Sir Henry Rawlinson in his official dispatch -remarked that he was "filled with admiration for the -surpassing daring" of the troops who had taken a -position of the greatest "natural strength and eminent -tactical value." Men of the Second Guards Division -and of four other German Divisions were found among -the prisoners. The Australian exploit may be said -to have been of a peculiarly national character, as -there was not one of the Australian communities—Victoria, -New South Wales, Queensland, West Australia, -Tasmania—which did not play some honourable -part in the battle. -</p> - -<p> -Passing northward from the victorious Australians, -September 1 saw the attack carried all along the line, -the 3rd Corps advancing upon Rancourt, Priez Farm, -and the line to Bouchavesnes. On the left the -hard-worked 54th and 55th Brigades did splendidly, -especially the 8th East Surrey under Colonel Irwin. -Surrey men and Germans lay thick round Priez Farm, -but this key-position remained in the hands of the -English, after a very bitter struggle. The 7th Queen's -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P60"></a>60}</span> -took Fregicourt, while the 7th West Kents helped the -Welshmen at Sailly-Sallisel. The trench mortar -batteries, pushing right up regardless of all risk and -smothering the German strong points by their -concentrated fire, did great work in these operations, -especially the 142nd T.M. Battery near Priez Farm. -All these various advances were as remarkable for -their tactical skill as for the valour shown by all -ranks. The latter had been a constant asset, but the -former grew with time. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Sept. 1, 2. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -Meanwhile the Forty-seventh and Fifty-eighth -Divisions had each done splendidly and secured their -objectives, including Rancourt and Bouchavesnes. -The main road from Bapaume to Peronne had been -passed and the whole of the old Somme battlefield -been cleared in this direction. Prisoners were taken -from four different divisions in the course of the fight. -It had taken four months' fighting in 1916 to conquer -the ground which had been now cleared by the Fifth -and Third Corps inside of ten days. -</p> - -<p> -The advance was continued on September 2, as -it was argued that however exhausted the victors -might be the vanquished would surely be even more -so. A new actor made a first appearance in the -greatest of all dramas about this time, for the -Seventy-fourth Division, which had done good service in -Palestine under General Girdwood, made its first -attack in a European line of battle. This unit was -originally composed entirely of Yeomanry, and it had -still retained a large proportion of this splendid -material in the ranks, with a broken spur as their -witty and picturesque divisional emblem. The tale -of the British Yeomanry in the East is one which will -be among the most romantic in the war; and the -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P61"></a>61}</span> -way in which farmers' sons from Dorset or Fife -charged with cold steel and rode down the Eastern -cavalry or broke the ranks of the Turkish infantry -is as fantastic an incident as the mind of a prophetic -novelist could have furnished. Indeed it may be said -generally that none of the many imaginary forecasts -of the coming war equalled the reality in the broad -sweep of its incidents and the grotesque combinations -which ensued. -</p> - -<p> -The Seventy-fourth had now taken over from the -Fifty-eighth Division. They were pushed at once -into heavy fighting, advancing rapidly down the -western slope of the Tortille valley, through Moislains, -and over the canal. In their eager zeal they had not -mopped up sufficiently, and they soon found themselves -under a fire from front and rear which no troops -could endure. They were driven back to near the -point from which they started and their losses were -considerable. The Australians formed a defensive -flank on the south, and the Forty-seventh on the -north, and a line of resistance was built up between -them from Haut Allaines on the right to the western -bank of the Tortille. The Yeomanry had before -evening endured a very terrible welcome to the -Western front. -</p> - -<p> -The Eighteenth Division on the left had also -had some severe fighting which fell chiefly upon the -depleted 53rd Brigade. It secured the high ground -in the north of St. Pierre Vaast Wood, the whole of -which was cleared by the 8th Berkshires. On -September 3 and 4 the division continued to advance -across the canal and the Tortille upon the line of -Nurlu. On the evening of September 4 its long term -of hard and glorious service was ended and the -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P62"></a>62}</span> -Twelfth Division took its place. Its losses had been -2700, while it had captured during the battle some -1800 prisoners and many guns. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Sept. 2-10. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -From this date until September 10, which saw -them in front of the outposts of the Hindenburg Line, -the record of the Third Corps was one of steady and -uninterrupted progress. The German machine-guns -were now, as always, a cause of constant worry, loss, -and delay, but the remorseless drive of the British -infantry was for ever beating in the obstinate -rearguards. September 6 marked an advance of nearly -three miles along the whole Corps front, the Twelfth, -Forty-seventh, and Seventy-fourth moving in line and -flooding over the village sites of Nurlu, Templeux, -Driencourt, and Longavesnes. The work of Owen's -35th Brigade at Nurlu was particularly trying, for -it was held up by wire and machine-guns, the 7th -Sussex, 7th Norfolks, and 9th Essex all losing heavily -in some very desperate fighting which gave little -result. Finally, on September 6, the 1st Cambridge -and 5th Berkshires reinforced the troops already -mentioned and, under a renewed barrage, they broke -the line and carried the position. On this date the -Forty-seventh Londoners, who had done such solid -work, were ordered off to join another corps, the -Fifty-eighth moving up once more to take their place. -</p> - -<p> -On September 7 the weather, which had been -excellent since August 22, broke badly, but the Corps -improved its position in spite of wind and rain, closing -up to what was known to be the German fixed position. -On the 8th both Epéhy and Peizières were touched, -but the Germans were fairly at bay now, and instant -counter-attacks showed that their resistance would -be serious. The final position was about 1000 yards -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P63"></a>63}</span> -west of these villages. The Fifty-eighth Division -on September 10 endeavoured to gain more ground -in this quarter, but neither they nor the Seventy-fourth -upon their right could make any impression -upon the strong German line. There was a definite -pause, therefore, while tanks, guns, and all other -appliances for a serious assault upon a fortified -position were hurried to the front. On this date, -September 12, General Butler was able to resume his -command of the Third Corps, while General Godley, -after his term of brilliant service, returned to his own -unit, the Twenty-second Corps. -</p> - -<p> -We must now return to the Australian Corps on -the right, whom we left in the flush of victory after -their fine conquest of Peronne. Up to the end of -August, Monash and his men had accounted for -14,500 prisoners and 170 guns since the beginning of -the advance. On September 1, as already mentioned. -Peronne had been penetrated by the Fifth -Australian Division, but after the fall of Mont -St. Quentin, and the failure of their efforts at recovery, -the Germans must have seen that it was hopeless to -hold the place, so that the stormers were eventually -only faced by a rearguard of stalwarts. Anvil Wood -to the north-east was taken on the same day. The -order of the Divisions upon the Australian front at -this time was that the Third was on the extreme left, -acting with the Third Corps, the Second was just -north of Peronne, the Fifth was opposite to Peronne, -and the Thirty-second British Division was on the -extreme right, near Brie and St. Christ, in touch with -the French. -</p> - -<p> -Early in the morning of September 2 Rosenthal's -indefatigable Second Division continued to advance -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P64"></a>64}</span> -from Mont St. Quentin, attacking to the north-east -so as to get possession of the high ground south-west -of Aizecourt. They attained their objectives and -formed a flank along the spur from Mont St. Quentin -to Aizecourt in order to protect the Third Corps in -the difficult operations already described. By this -movement to the north the Second Australian got -in front of the Third Australian Division, which was -crowded out of the line, all but two battalions. The -Fifth Australians spent the day in clearing up Peronne. -Altogether some 500 additional prisoners fell into -their hands during the day. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Sept. 5-12. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -There was some readjustment and reorganisation -necessary after this strenuous work, but by September -5 the advance was going forward again and Flamicourt -was taken. It is an open rolling country of -large horizons, and the Germans were slowly retreating -with strong rearguards. Doingt, Le Mesnil, and -the river crossings of Brie and St. Christ were all -occupied, though the latter cost a severe fight, with -150 prisoners as trophies. On the 6th and 7th the -Corps were sweeping on with their own 13th -Australian Light Horse doing the cavalry work in front -of them, fit representatives of those splendid horsemen -who have left an enduring reputation in Egypt -and Palestine. Late in the afternoon of September 7 -the Corps front crossed the railway between Vermand -and Vendelles, and began to approach the historic -point which had marked the British line before March -21. On September 10 Strickland's First British -Division arrived in this area, and with the Thirty-second -Division and some other units began to form -the nucleus of another Corps, the Ninth, which should -operate under General Braithwaite to the right of the -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P65"></a>65}</span> -Australians. On the 12th the Australians took -Jeancourt, and were in touch with the outlying defences -of the great Hindenburg Line, which they at once -proceeded to attack. On September 13 there was -a sharp fight round Le Verguier, and an advance all -along the line in which the objectives were taken and -the tanks did some particularly fine work. Tanks -and barrages that day combined to keep the Australian -losses at a very low figure, and yet some 40 guns and -4500 prisoners had been taken before next morning. -The First Australian Division on the left secured all -the front defences which guarded the main Hindenburg -position, while the Fourth on the right worked -its way well forward, though hardly level with its -neighbours. The Ninth Corps on the right had also -come on, though it was also rather behind the -Australians. The average advance of the latter amounted -to three miles in depth on a four-mile front. -</p> - -<p> -Nothing could be more in-and-out than the German -fighting during all this stage of the war. Sometimes -their conduct was heroic in the extreme, sometimes -it was exceedingly cowardly and slack. The observer -could not but recall the famous description which an -American General of old gave of his militia when he -said with native raciness that "they either fought like -the devil or ran like hell." The machine-gunners -were usually, however, in the former category, and -they, with the heavy guns, represented the real resistance, -while the infantry only needed to be reached—in -some cases not even that—to throw up their hands -and come over as joyful captives. There were already -two Germans in British hands for every Briton in -Germany, in spite of the heavy losses in March and -April. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P66"></a>66}</span> -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Sept. 18. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -Returning to the Third Corps, which we left in front -of the Hindenburg system in the second week of -September in the Epéhy district. The obstacle in -front of the British was very formidable, for it -consisted of their own old trench lines of March, with -the Hindenburg system behind them. They had now -reached the former British reserve line which had -Ronssoy, Lempire, Epéhy, and Peizières as <i>points -d'appui</i>. It was a front so strong that in March it -is doubtful if the Germans could have carried it had -the line not given way elsewhere. It was particularly -necessary that the enemy should hold on to this -stretch, because it covered the point where the great -Canal du Nord ran under a tunnel for six miles between -Bellicourt and Vandhuile—the only place where tanks -could be used for an advance. The Germans had -therefore massed strong forces here, including their -famous Alpine Corps. -</p> - -<p> -The first task of the Third Corps was to get possession -of the old British line in front of it, whence -observation could be got of the Hindenburg position. -This attack would form part of a general movement -by the two southern Corps of the Third Army, the -three Corps of the Fourth Army, and the northern -portion of the First French Army. On that great -day of battle, September 18, there was a universal -advance along the line, which was carried out in the -case of the Third Corps by the Seventy-fourth Division -(Girdwood) on the right, the Eighteenth (Lee) right -centre, the Twelfth (Higginson) left centre, and the -Fifty-eighth Division left. Many of the characteristics -of old trench warfare had come back into -the battle, which was no longer open fighting, but is to -be conceived as an attack upon innumerable scattered -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P67"></a>67}</span> -trenches and posts very strongly held by the Germans, -and their ultimate reduction by independent platoons -and companies acting under their own regimental -officers. -</p> - -<p> -The advance was at 5.20 in the morning, with a -thick mist and driving rain to cover, and also to -confuse, the movement. The Yeomen of the Seventy-fourth -upon the right came away in excellent style, -keeping in close touch with the Australian left, and -were soon in possession of the Templeux quarries, a -very formidable position. At the other end of the line -a brigade of the Fifty-eighth Londoners did excellently -well, and by 10 o'clock had a good grip upon the -village of Peizières. In the centre, however, the -resistance was very stiff and the losses heavy. None -the less the Eighteenth Division, which has always -been a particularly difficult unit to stop, made their -way through Ronssoy and Lempire. The Eighteenth -Division did wonderful work that day, and though -nominally only the 54th and 55th Brigades were -engaged, they were each strengthened by a battalion -from the spare brigade. There were particular -difficulties in the path of the 55th Brigade, but General -Wood personally accompanied the leading battalion -and so kept in touch with the situation, varying his -activities by throwing bricks and old boots down a -German dug-out, and so bringing out 20 prisoners as -his own personal take. He was wounded in the course -of the day. Ronssoy, which fell to the 55th Brigade, -was held by the Alexander Regiment of Prussian -Guards, several hundred samples being taken for the -British cages. The taking of Lempire, carried out -mainly by the 11th Royal Fusiliers, was also a very -gallant affair, though it was a day or two before it -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P68"></a>68}</span> -was completely in British possession. The Twelfth, -which is also an all-English division with a splendid -fighting record, was held for a time before Epéhy, but -would take no denial, and after heavy losses and severe -g fighting was east of that village by 11 o'clock. Thus -by midday the whole line of villages was in the hands -of General Butler's Corps. The left was out of touch -with the Fifth Corps, but all else was in perfect order. -These positions were full of wire and concrete, and -were defended by the hardy German Alpine Corps -who fought to the death, so that the achievement was -a great one. -</p> - -<p> -All four divisions endeavoured to improve their -positions in the afternoon, but they had no great -success. The Seventy-fourth Division did the best, -as on the right it was able to secure Benjamin's Post, -but on the left it was held up by the general -stagnation of the line. The centre divisions met a German -counter-attack delivered by the Hundred and twenty-first -Division, who had been rushed up in buses -from Maretz, and this they entirely dispersed, but -neither they nor the Fifty-eighth on the left were -able to make any notable advance. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Sept. 21. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -The troops were now faced by a perfect warren of -trenches and posts which were held with great -gallantry by the Alpine Corps. There was no rest -for the British, and the night of the 18/19th was -spent by the same men who had been fighting all -day in bombing up the trenches and endeavouring -to enlarge their gains. The same sort of fighting, -carried on by small groups of determined men led by -subalterns or non-commissioned officers, and faced -by other small groups equally determined, went on -along the whole line during September 19 and 20. -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P69"></a>69}</span> -In those two days the advance went steadily on, in -spite of many a local rebuff and many a temporary -check. On September 21 the battle was renewed -still in the same fashion with heavy losses upon both -sides. At one time the steady flow of the British -tide turned for a time to an ebb, as a very strong -German counter-attack came rolling into it, and swept -it back along the whole front from the positions which -it had overflowed in the morning. The Seventy-fourth -was forced out of Quinnemont Farm, the -Eighteenth out of Doleful Post, the Twelfth were -checked at Bird Trench, while the Fifty-eighth, -intermingled with men from the right wing of the Fifth -Corps, could not get past Kildare Avenue. These -fanciful names, unseen on any save a large-scale -trench map, bulked large in this bloody battle, for -they were master points which controlled the ground -around. The sun set with the Germans in the -ascendant, and the British clawing desperately at a -series of posts and farms which they could just hold -against very heavy pressure. One of the most severe -engagements was that of the 10th Essex of the 53rd -Brigade when they attempted the Knoll, a position -from which the whole Hindenburg Line would have -been exposed. It was said by experienced soldiers -that more severe machine-gun fire had seldom been -seen than on this occasion, and the tanks engaged -were unable to use their own guns, so thick were the -driving storms of bullets which beat upon their iron -sides and searched every aperture. The Essex men -lost heavily, and the Knoll was not taken. This and -the other posts mentioned above were the cause of -much trouble to the Americans on September 27. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Sept. 22. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -It was a disappointing day, but the British soldiers, -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P70"></a>70}</span> -dog-weary as they were, were in no mood to leave -matters undecided. The operations must be carried -to a successful end. "Hard pounding, gentlemen," -as the great Duke said, "but we shall see who can -pound longest!" Just after midnight the tired -ranks were stumbling forward once more, determined -to have those posts back if human resolution could -win them. They had their reward, and it was a -conspicuous illustration of the maxim that, however -weary you may be, the enemy may be even more so. -Before the full light of morning half the line of posts -was in the hands of the persevering British. The -capture of Bracton Post by Colonel Dawson's 6th -West Kents was a particularly brilliant bit of work. -The success stretched along the whole Corps front, -and though the afternoon of September 22 saw a -whole series of counter-attacks, especially upon the -Seventy-fourth and Eighteenth Divisions, there was -no weakening of the new line. One German battalion -engaged in these counter-attacks was literally -annihilated as a barrage fell behind them through which -they could not retire. It is on record that in spite -of the very arduous service the spirits and morale of -the men were never higher. Twice after a German -repulse the men of the 6th Northants and 11th Royal -Fusiliers could not be held back from jumping out -of the trenches and tearing after them, while a -stretcher-bearer was observed to run up and down -the parados of the trench throwing cartridges down -to the defenders and shouting, "Shoot, boys, shoot!" -</p> - -<p> -By September 23 the Third Corps had gained most -of those posts which had been its objectives on -September 18, and if the battle took longer than had -been anticipated it was all the greater drain upon -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P71"></a>71}</span> -the worn resources of the Germans. They were still -intent upon making machines do the work of men, -and it was no unusual thing to take about as many -machine-guns as prisoners in some of their posts, -The situation was still not quite clear on the -left, where the right flank of the Fifth Corps was -engaged in severe local fighting in the neighbourhood -of Kildare and Limerick Post. The Egg Post on -the front of the Eighteenth Division had also been -able to maintain itself in the German line. These -various isolated strong points were the same which -had held out with such unavailing gallantry on -March 21, when, instead of forming the German rear, -they were the extreme outliers of Gough's Army. -</p> - -<p> -Whilst the Third Corps on the left of the Fourth -Army had been gradually fighting its way forward -from September 18 onwards, beating down one after -the other the outposts and obstacles which, like the -moraine before a glacier, formed a rugged line in front -of the great main Hindenburg system, Sir John -Monash and his men were keeping pace with them, -step by step, on their right, the First Australian -Division being in close liaison on September 18 -with the Seventy-fourth Yeomanry. Many a separate -volume will be written upon the exploits of our -Australian brothers, and General Monash has himself -written a record of their last glorious hundred days, -so that the chronicler has the less compunction if he -is not always able to give the amount of detail which -he would desire. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Sept. 18. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -At 5.20 on September 18 the Australians went -forward with a rapidity which seems to have -completely taken aback the German defenders, who in -many cases ran from their guns, or threw up their -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P72"></a>72}</span> -hands in detachments, when they saw the active -figures of the infantrymen springing eagerly forward -behind the line of tanks. The weather was bad, the -ground slippery with rain, and the attack expected, -but none of these factors interfered with the result. -The First Australians, as stated, were in the line on -the left, the 1st and 3rd Brigades in the van, while -on the right were the 4th and 12th Brigades of the -Fourth Australian Division in close touch with the -British First Division on their right. By midday -everything had gone down before them, and the -measure of their success was the 146 officers and -3900 men with 77 guns which formed their trophies -before evening. On one side they had reached Le -Verguier, and on the other they were past Templeux. -A minefield containing thirty-five mines was found -in front of the Fourth Australian Division, another -instance of the fact that the tanks had brought -a nautical element into warfare. The Australian -casualties were surprisingly light considering their -splendid results, for they did not amount to more -than a thousand men. -</p> - -<p> -Some description must now be given of the work -of the Ninth Corps, which had assembled under -General Braithwaite on the extreme right of the -British Army and which first came into action on -September 18 in this hard fight for the Hindenburg -Outpost Line. The Corps consisted at this -time of three divisions, the First, Sixth, and -Thirty-second, under Strickland, Marden, and Lambert. -On September 18 the Corps attacked with the -Sixth Division in touch with the French on the -right, and the First Division with the Fourth -Australians on the left. The order of brigades -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P73"></a>73}</span> -from the right was 71, 16, 1, and 2. It was known -that two German divisions, the Seventy-ninth and -Twenty-fifth, with two others in reserve, were lying -opposite behind strong defences, so that a hard battle -might well be expected. -</p> - -<p> -The Thirty-fourth French Division on the immediate -right brought off a very useful and successful -coup on September 17 by capturing Round Hill -and part of Savy Wood, which reassured General -Marden as to the safety of his right flank. This -division appeared to have the more difficult task as -Badger Copse, the village of Fresnoy, and part of -the very strong system known as the Quadrilateral -came within their area. -</p> - -<p> -The attack went forward under pelting rain at -5.20 in the morning of September 18. Following -the operations from the north we have to deal first -with the 2nd Brigade on the flank. The left-hand -battalion, the 2nd Sussex, kept up with the -Australians, who had advanced without a check and -carried every obstacle. The 2nd King's Royal Rifles, -on the other hand, had lost direction and, wandering -too far south across the face of their neighbours, -found themselves mixed up with the Sixth Division -in its fruitless attempt upon the powerfully defended -village of Fresnoy. The 1st Brigade, to the south, -was led by the 1st Camerons and the 1st Loyal -North Lancashires. The former stormed on, breaking -through all opposition and throwing out defensive -flanks as their valour carried them ahead of the line. -Meanwhile the failure of the Sixth Division to take -Fresnoy made it impossible to pass along the valley -which is overlooked by that village, so that the right -of the First Division was entirely hung up. On the -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P74"></a>74}</span> -other hand, the 2nd King's Royal Rifles recovered -their bearings as the day went on, and fought their -way up the right side of the Omignon valley in -splendid style until they were in touch with the -2nd Sussex on the northern slope. In the south, -however, the task of the Sixth Division continued to -be a very hard one, and the Seventy-ninth German -Division resisted with great determination. The -Quadrilateral consisted of a system of trenches sited -on the highest part of the plateau between Holnon -and Fayet, its northern face at this time forming -part of the German front line. This proved to be -an exceedingly difficult work to silence, as -reinforcements could be dribbled up through cleverly -concealed communication trenches. In spite of -everything, however, the 71st Brigade and their French -neighbours captured Holnon village and the western -edge of the Quadrilateral by 8 A.M. The main body -of the work was not yet taken, however, so the East -Anglians of the 71st Brigade had to form a defensive -line facing towards it and the village of Selency, -to meet any counter-attack which might sweep -up against the flank of the Corps. The left of the -line then got forward in safety, and the 2nd Brigade -was able to report at noon that both they and the -Fourth Australians were on their extreme objective. -Indeed the latter, having completely crumpled up -the One hundred and nineteenth German Division, -were now considerably ahead of the allotted line. -</p> - -<p> -Berthaucourt had been captured by the First -Division, but progress in the Fresnoy direction was -still very slow. About 3.30 P.M. hostile -counter-attacks were launched south of Berthaucourt and -opposite Fresnoy. These were repulsed by steady -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P75"></a>75}</span> -rifle-fire, but the general situation was still obscure. -All the afternoon there was very heavy fighting on -the front of the Sixth Division, especially east of -Holnon village, and on the west side of the -Quadrilateral. The French had been held up on the right. -So matters remained until evening. It had been a -day of hard work and varying success on this -portion of the line, but the capture of 18 officers and -541 men with 8 field-guns showed that some advance -had been made. It was short, however, of what had -been hoped. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Sept. 19. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -The next morning saw the battle renewed. The -neighbourhood of Fresnoy and of the Quadrilateral -was now more strongly held than ever, the Germans -being encouraged, no doubt, by their successful -defence of the day before. The fighting during this -day was desultory, and no particular advance was -made by either division. In the south the French -failed to capture Manchester Hill, which was an ugly -menace to the right flank of the Ninth Corps. -</p> - -<p> -The Forty-sixth Division (Boyd) had been added -to the strength of the Ninth Corps, and when this -welcome addition had been put in upon the left wing -it enabled the others to contract their front and -thicken their array. At 7 P.M. on September 22 -the Germans attacked the Forty-sixth Division in -its new position, just east of Berthaucourt, but they -were driven back after a slight initial success. -</p> - -<p> -There was a fresh attack on September 24 in -which the Ninth Corps co-operated with the Thirty-sixth -Corps on its right, in order to try and overcome -the German strongholds on the right of their -front which were holding them off from the Hindenburg -Line. The order of the British line was that -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P76"></a>76}</span> -the Sixth Division was on the right, the First in the -centre, and the Forty-sixth on the left. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Sept. 24. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -Although this attack, which was launched at -5 A.M., was expected by the enemy, good progress -was made along the whole front. The Quadrilateral -again proved, however, that it was a very formidable -obstacle, and there was stout resistance from Pontruet -village, just east of Berthaucourt. The Sixth -Division had closed in on the Quadrilateral from -north, west, and south, and were at close grips with -it at all three quarters. There was continuous -bomb-fighting all day in this neighbourhood, but the -situation was still obscure, and until it cleared no -progress could be made towards Selency. The First -Division in the centre had made splendid progress, -but the Forty-sixth Division had been unable to -take Pontruet, and the guns from this village struck -full against the left flank of the 2nd Brigade in its -advance, causing very heavy losses to the 1st -Northamptons. So murderous were the casualties in this -portion of the field that the position of the forward -troops was untenable, and the remains of the -Northamptons had to throw back a protective flank -to the north to cover the approaches from Pontruet. -The 2nd Sussex on their right managed to retain -their advanced position, and one company, though -very weak and short of cartridges, baffled a -counter-attack by a sudden bayonet charge in which they -took 50 prisoners. -</p> - -<p> -The attack upon Fresnoy village was made by -the 3rd Brigade, the 1st Gloucesters being immediately -opposite to it. Advancing under a strong barrage -the West Country men went straight for their objective, -taking both the village and the strongly organised -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P77"></a>77}</span> -cemetery to the south of it. On the left of the village -the British were held up by strong wire and several -vicious machine-guns, but the Germans made the -gallant mistake of running out in front of the wire -with bombs in their hands, upon which they were -charged and many of them were taken by the Gloucesters. -The German gunners in the rear then turned -their pieces upon both captors and captives, so the -company concerned was held down in shell holes all -day and withdrew as best they could after dark. -The 3rd Brigade then extended, getting into touch -with the 2nd Brigade near Cornovillers Wood. -</p> - -<p> -On the left of the 3rd Brigade the strong position -of Fresnoy Cemetery had been carried, and the -tireless infantry swarmed on into Marronnières Wood, -which was full of lurking machine-guns and needed -careful handling. It was finally surrounded by the -3rd Brigade, who mopped it up at their leisure, taking -out of it a large number of prisoners. The 2nd -King's Royal Rifles of the 2nd Brigade kept parallel -with their advance, and also cleared a considerable -stretch of woodland, while the 3rd Brigade, seeing -signs of weakening on the German front, pushed -forward and seized Gricourt, a most important -point, the 2nd Welsh gaining the village and driving -back a subsequent counter-attack. Finally, the -complete victory in this portion of the field was -rounded off when, after dark, the 2nd King's Royal -Rifles secured a dangerous sunken road across the -front which had been a storm-centre all day. -</p> - -<p> -Meanwhile the Forty-sixth Division had fought its -way to the north of Pontruet, but as this unit was -relied upon for the great pending operations on the -Hindenburg Main Line, it was thought impolitic -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P78"></a>78}</span> -to involve it too deeply in local fighting. The line -was drawn, therefore, to the west of the village. The -total captures of the day had been 30 officers and -1300 men. The trench to the south had also had -a good day, capturing all their objectives except -Manchester Hill. -</p> - -<p> -The Sixth Division had not yet cleared the -Quadrilateral, and the whole of September 25 was -devoted to that desperate but necessary work. It -was a case of bomb and bayonet, with slow laborious -progress. Finally, about 6 P.M. General Harden was -able to announce that the whole wide entanglement -had been occupied, though not yet mopped up. -The village of Selency had also fallen, while on the -right the French had attacked and captured Manchester -Hill. Strong resistance was encountered by -the First Division near Gricourt. The German -soldiers were again and again seen to hold up their -hands, and then to be driven into the fight once -more by their officers with their revolvers. Late on -the 26th, after a short hurricane bombardment, the -3rd Brigade rushed forward again. The enemy had -disappeared into their dug-outs under the stress of -the shells, so that the British infantry were able to -get on to them before they could emerge and to make -many prisoners. Colonel Tweedie of the Gloucesters -was in local command of this well-managed affair. -Altogether it was a good day for the First Division, -which had gained a line of positions, repelled heavy -counters, and secured 800 prisoners, 600 falling to the -3rd Brigade, who had done the heavy end of the work. -</p> - -<p> -All was now ready for the great move which should -break the spine of the whole German resistance. -There was still some preliminary struggling for positions -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P79"></a>79}</span> -of departure and final readjustments of the -line, but they were all part of the great decisive -operation of September 29 and may best be included -in that account. The chronicler can never forget -how, late upon the eve of the battle, he drove in a -darkened motor along pitch-black roads across the -rear of the Army, and saw the whole eastern heaven -flickering with war light as far as the eyes could see, -as the aurora rises and falls in the northern sky. So -terrific was the spectacle that the image of the -Day of Judgment rose involuntarily to his mind. It -was indeed the day of Judgment for Germany—the -day when all those boastful words and wicked -thoughts and arrogant actions were to meet their -fit reward, and the wrong-doers to be humbled in -the dust. On that day Germany's last faint hope -was shattered, and every day after was but a nearer -approach to that pit which had been dug for her by -her diplomatists, her journalists, her professors, her -junkers, and all the vile, noisy crew who had brought -this supreme cataclysm upon the world. -</p> - -<p> -The reader will note then that we leave the Fourth -Army, consisting from the right of the Ninth Corps, -the Australians, and the Third Corps, in front of the -terrific barrier of the main Hindenburg Line. We -shall now hark back and follow the advance of Byng's -Third Army from its attack on August 21st until, -five weeks later, it found itself in front of the same -position, carrying on the line of its comrades in the -south. -</p> - -<p class="capcenter"> -[Illustration: Position of British Corps, end of September 1918.] -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p><a id="chap04"></a></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">{<a id="P80"></a>80}</span></p> - -<h3> -CHAPTER IV -<br /><br /> -THE ATTACK OF BYNG's THIRD ARMY -</h3> - -<p class="t3"> -August 21, 1918, to September 29, 1918 -</p> - -<p class="intro"> -Advance of Shute's Fifth Corps—Great feat in crossing the -Ancre—Across the old battlefield—Final -position of Fifth Corps opposite -Hindenburg's Main Line—Advance of Haldane's Sixth Corps—Severe -fighting—Arrival of Fifty-second Division—Formation of -Fergusson's Seventeenth Corps—Recapture of Havrincourt—Advance -of Harper's Fourth Corps—Great tenacity of the troops—The -New Zealanders and the Jaeger—Final position before the -decisive battle. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -August 21. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -On August 20 General Mangin had pushed forward -the Tenth French Army, which formed the left of his -force, and attacked along a sixteen-mile front from -the Oise to the Aisne, thus connecting up the original -operations with those initiated by Marshal Haig. -The movement was very successful, taking some -10,000 prisoners and gaining several miles of ground. -We have now to turn to the left of Rawlinson's -advance, and to consider the new movement which -brought Byng's Third British Army into the fray. -</p> - -<p class="capcenter"> -[Illustration: Advance of First, Third, -and Fourth British Armies from<br /> -August 21, 1918, to September 2, 1918. <br /> -Arrows point to the Rupture of the Quéant-Drocourt Line] -</p> - -<p> -Upon the left of the Third Corps, which was, as -already described, fighting its way along the north -bank of the Somme, there lay the Fifth Corps (Shute). -On its left was the Fourth Corps (Harper), and north -of that the Sixth Corps (Haldane). It was to these -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P81"></a>81}</span> -three units that the opening of the attack was -entrusted. The frontage was about ten miles, -extending from Moyenneville in the north to the Ancre -in the south, so that it just cleared the impossible -country of the first Somme battlefield—which -even now a spectator cannot survey without a feeling -of wondering horror, so churned up is it from end -to end by the constant thresh of shells, burst of -mines, and the spade-work of three great armies. The -result of the first day's fighting was an advance -of several miles along the whole front, with the -capture of Beaucourt, Bucquoy, Moyenneville, and -other villages, the farthest advance coming close -to the Arras-Albert Railway, and to the village of -Achiet-le-Grand. -</p> - -<p> -There had been some recent retirement of the -German line at Serre, which gave the clue to the -British Commanders that a general retreat might -take place on this particular portion of the front. -It was very necessary, therefore, to strike at once -while there was certainly something solid to strike -against—and all the more necessary if there was a -chance of catching the enemy in the act of an -uncompleted withdrawal. -</p> - -<p> -It was nearly five o'clock when the battle began, -and it was the turn of the Germans to find how fog -may disarrange the most elaborate preparations for -defence. The mist was so thick that it could only -be compared to that which had shrouded the German -advance on March 21. Several miles of undulating -country lay immediately in front of the attackers, -leading up to a formidable line of defence, the old -Albert-Arras Railway lying with its fortified -embankments right across the path of the British Army. -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P82"></a>82}</span> -Bucquoy in the centre of the line, with the Logeast -Wood to the east of it, and the muddy, sluggish -Ancre with its marshy banks on the extreme right, -were notable features in the ground to be assaulted. -</p> - -<p> -The Fifth Corps, under General Shute, followed the -curve of the River Ancre on a front of 9000 yards. -It was poorly provided with guns as the Corps to -the left required a concentration of artillery, and it -had no tanks since the marshy valley and sluggish -stream lay before it. The Thirty-eighth Welsh -Division (Cubitt) lay on the right and Campbell's -Twenty-first on the left, each of them with two -brigades in front and one in reserve. The Seventeenth -Division (Robertson) was in support. The problem -in front of General Shute's Corps was a most difficult -one. Before it lay this evil watercourse which had -been flooded by the Germans and was 300 yards wide -at one part. All bridges were gone, and the banks -were low and boggy. The main stream was over six -feet deep, and its channel could not be distinguished -from the general flood. The whole morass was -covered by a tangle of fallen trees, reeds, and artificial -obstructions. To the east of the river ran high -ground, strongly held and fortified, from Tara Hill -above Albert to the Thiepval Height, south of -Grandcourt. The west bank was so overlooked that -no one could move unscathed. And yet it was clear -that until this formidable obstacle was surmounted -it was neither possible for Rawlinson to advance -from Albert, nor for the Fourth Corps on the left -to assault Miraumont. -</p> - -<p> -The movements of Shute's Corps on August 21 -were preliminary to their real attack. On that date -the Twenty-first Division advanced on the left -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P83"></a>83}</span> -flank, in close touch with the Forty-second Division -of the Fourth Corps. Beaucourt was taken in the -movement. By this operation the Twenty-first -Division reached a point where the flood was -narrower at St. Pierre Divion, and here some bridges -could be constructed and preparations made for the -passage. -</p> - -<p> -In the case of Harper's Fourth Corps on the -left the advance on August 21 was limited, since -no serious attack could be made upon Miraumont -while the high ground to the south was untaken. At -this date Harper's Corps consisted of five divisions, -the Fifth, Thirty-seventh, Forty-second, Sixty-third, -and the New Zealanders. Of these the Thirty-seventh -Division (Williams) was on the left, covering the -flank of the Sixth Corps, while the Forty-second -(Solly-Flood) was on the right. We shall now -follow in the first instance the work of the Fifth -Corps on the extreme right from the beginning -of the battle until the pause preceding the attack -of September 18. There are, it is true, objections -to continuous narrative, since it stands in the way -of a bird's-eye view of the whole operation; but -on the other hand the object and scope of any -series of advances become unintelligible unless -they are linked up from day to day. We shall -therefore take the Fifth Corps as one story until -it reaches the Hindenburg Line. We shall then -follow the work of the other flank corps of Byng's -Third Army, which was Haldane's Sixth Corps, -bringing it up to the same point. It will finally, -after we have established two solid bastions, be -easy to deal with the central unit, Harper's Fourth -Corps, which filled up the space between. We shall -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P84"></a>84}</span> -then have a narrative which will cover four strenuous -weeks in which the Third Army carried out a -notable advance. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -August 22. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -It has been explained that Shute's Fifth Corps -found itself with 9000 yards of river in front of it, -and that on August 21 the Twenty-first Division had -seized a favourable point for crossing near St. Pierre -Divion. There was no further advance on the -morning of the 22nd, but to the south Rawlinson's -left was fighting its way to the eastern exits of -Albert, and the bridges in the town were being got -ready for use. All day a heavy fire was kept up on -the German lines east of the river, and especially -upon the rising ground called Usna Hill. As the day -passed small bodies of troops began to cross the Ancre -from the Fifth Corps front and to make a lodgement -at the farther side. South-west of Thiepval part of -the 14th Welsh from the 114th Brigade, wading over -breast deep with their rifles and pouches held high, -got into a trench on the farther bank and held their -own. The Twenty-first Division also got some -companies across at St. Pierre, while it beat off several -attacks upon the north side of the river. During -the night the 50th Brigade of the Seventeenth -Division was slipped into the line, between -Campbell's North Countrymen on the left and Cubitt's -Welshmen on the right. General Shute was now -ready for his great effort in crossing the river. -</p> - -<p> -The first stage in this difficult operation was -carried out early on August 23, when the 113th Welsh -Brigade, which had quickly passed over the Albert -bridges, made a sudden attack about dawn on Usna -Hill, at the same time as the Eighteenth Division -to the south attacked Tara Hill. The position was -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P85"></a>85}</span> -taken with 200 prisoners, while the 115th Welsh -Brigade got up to the chalk-pit, east of Aveluy, -where they joined hands with their comrades on the -Usna line. Thus, before evening of August 23 the -Thirty-eighth Division was east of the river from -Albert to Aveluy, while the Twenty-first still held -its bridgeheads at St. Pierre Divion. The slope of -the Thiepval Ridge with all its fortifications still -lay in front, and this was the next objective of the -Fifth Corps. It was carried by a night attack on -August 23-24. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -August 23. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -A large portion of the central line was so flooded -that no advance was possible. It was planned, -therefore, that the assault should be on both wings, -the area around Authuille being nipped out and -cleared at a later stage. The operation began on -the evening of August 23 by a movement along the -northern bank of the river to the south-east of -Miraumont, so as to partly encircle that village and -help forward the Fourth Corps on the left, who were -still held up in front of it. The main Ancre attack -was carried out by the 113th Brigade on the right, -who came away with a fine impetus on the eastern -slopes of Usna Hill, capturing La Boiselle and reaching -a point 1100 yards west of Ovillers. The 114th -Brigade on the left had with great difficulty and -corresponding valour crossed the Ancre under machine-gun -fire and had established themselves on the slopes, -fighting their way forward all day until they reached -a point north-west of Pozières. All around Thiepval -there was close fighting in which this brigade acted -in close liaison with the 50th Brigade. In this struggle -many gallant deeds were done, and it is recorded, -among others, how Lieutenant Griffiths of the Welsh -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P86"></a>86}</span> -Regiment advanced using his Lewis gun as if it were -a rifle. He is said to have slain sixteen Germans -in this novel fashion before his own wounds brought -him fainting to the ground. According to the plan -the two converging brigades left a large central -section untouched, which was promptly mopped up -by the 115th Brigade, so that every man of the -Thirty-eighth Division was engaged in this fine -operation. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -August 24. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -Farther to the left the 6th Dorsets of the 50th -Brigade, in spite of gas clouds and machine-guns had -crossed the Ancre in its narrowest reach, where some -sort of bridges had been prepared. With great -energy and initiative they cleared up the front trenches -and pockets so as to give room for a deployment, -pushing their patrols out towards Thiepval, but they -were driven in again by an attack from the Schwaben -Redoubt. The rest of the 50th Brigade (Gwyn-Thomas) -had followed, most of the infantry wading -across in the dark up to their waists in mud and -water. Pushing on, as part of the general advance, -all three battalions of the 50th Brigade went forward, -capturing several hundred prisoners, but deviating -so far from their course that when they thought and -reported that they had captured Courcelette it was -really Pozières which they had got. In the early -afternoon Allason's 52nd Brigade was pushed in on -the right of the 50th Brigade, connecting them up -with the Welshmen. The mistake in the direction -of the 50th Brigade was not an unmixed evil, for -while it left the Twenty-first Division with its right -flank exposed and in considerable difficulty, it made -a pocket of a large number of Germans in front of -the Welshmen, 900 of whom were captured. General -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P87"></a>87}</span> -Robertson saved the situation on the left by pushing -in his reserve brigade, the 51st (Dudgeon), and so -filling the gap between his division and that of -General Campbell. -</p> - -<p> -The latter division, especially the 64th Brigade, -which had pushed on to Miraumont the night before, -had some desperate fighting. The whole brigade -was passed in single file over two foot-bridges. At -11.30 P.M. they were assembled upon the south bank -and ready to start. A barrage had been arranged -for their attack, but owing to changes in plan it was -not thick or effective. The advance was made by -the 15th Durhams on the right and the 9th Yorkshire -Light Infantry on the left with the 1st East -Yorks in support, the column being guided by means -of compass bearing, and by the presence of the Ancre -on the left flank. This nocturnal march in the -face of the enemy was a very remarkable and daring -one, for the ground was pitted with craters and there -were two ravines with sheer sides at right angles to -the advance. Touch was kept by shouting, which -seems to have confused rather than informed the -enemy, who only fought in patches. Grandcourt -was overrun with 100 prisoners, 20 machine-guns, -and 4 field-pieces. Early in the morning General -M'Culloch, who had conducted the operation, was -badly wounded and the command passed to Colonel -Holroyd Smith of the Durhams. When full daylight -came the brigade was deeply embedded in the German -line, and the enemy closed in upon it but their attacks -were repulsed. The soldiers were compelled to lie -flat, however, in order to escape from the heavy fire. -The 110th Brigade of the same division had advanced -on the right, but it was acting in close liaison -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P88"></a>88}</span> -with the Seventeenth Division, and independent -of the isolated unit, which was now completely -alone on the hill south of Miraumont, their East -Yorkshire supports being at Grandcourt, and so much -out of touch with the advanced line that the Officer -Commanding imagined the stragglers to be all that -was left of the brigade. The first intimation of the -true state of affairs was given by the wounded -Brigadier as he passed on his way to the casualty -station. About 10.30 Captain Spicer, the Brigade -Major, got back by crawling, and reported that the -advanced line still held, though weak in numbers. -Aeroplane reconnaissance confirmed the report. All -day the valiant band held out until in the evening -the advance of the Forty-second Division on their -left, and of their own comrades of the 110th Brigade -on their right, rescued them from a desperate -situation. Their work had been exceedingly useful, -as their presence had partially paralysed the whole -German system of defence. Great credit in this -remarkable affair was due not only to General -Campbell and his staff, upon whom the initial -responsibility lay, but to the gallant and inspiring -leading of General M'Culloch and of the battalion -leaders, Holroyd Smith and Greenwood. It was -indeed a wonderful feat to advance three miles -over such country upon a pitch-dark night and to -reach and hold an objective which was outflanked -on both sides by the successful German defence. The -troops had been heartened up by messages with -promises of speedy succour which were dropped by -aeroplanes during the day. -</p> - -<p> -The 62nd Brigade had now pushed in between -the 64th on the right and the Forty-second Division -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P89"></a>89}</span> -on the left, touching the latter in the neighbourhood -of Pys, so that by the late afternoon of August 24 -the whole line was solid and the crossing of the Ancre -with the capture of the ridge were accomplished facts. -There have been few more deft pieces of work in -the war. The German fixed line had been driven -back and the remaining operations consisted from -this date onwards in a pursuit rather than an attack. -It was a pursuit, however, where the retreat was always -covered by an obstinate rearguard, so that there was -many a stiff fight in front of the Fifth Corps in the -days to come. -</p> - -<p> -Divisions had been instructed that the pursuit -was to be continued in a relentless fashion, and Corps -cavalry, drawn from the 8th and 20th Hussars, were -told off to throw out patrols and keep in close -touch with the German rearguard. The immediate -objectives of the infantry were Longueval and Flers -for the Welshmen, Gueudecourt for the Seventeenth, -and Beaulencourt for the Twenty-first Division. The -general movement was extraordinarily like the -advance in the spring of 1917, but the British were -now more aggressive and the Germans were less -measured and sedate in their dispositions. On -August 25 the pressure was sustained along the whole -line, and the Germans, fighting hard with their -machine-guns which swept the exposed ridges, were -none the less being pushed eastwards the whole day. -The Welsh took Contalmaison and reached the edge -of Mametz Wood, where so many of their comrades -had fallen just two years before. The Seventeenth, -fighting hard, captured Courcelette and Martinpuich. -The Twenty-first got Le Sars and the Butte de -Warlencourt, that strange old tumulus which now marked -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P90"></a>90}</span> -the joining point with the Fourth Corps still advancing -on the left. At no point was there a battle and -at no point was there peace, but a constant ripple -of fire rose and fell along the thin fluctuating line. -It is noted in the diaries of some of the British -Generals as being the first day of purely open warfare -in offensive fighting which their troops had ever -experienced. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -August 26. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -On the morning of August 26 the Welsh overran -Bazentin-le-Grand, but the 115th Brigade were held -up for a time at the old stumbling-block High Wood. -Later in the day it was taken, however, while the -113th Brigade got as far as the edge of Longueval, -meeting a severe counter-attack which was rolled -back in ruin by rifles and machine-guns. The -Seventeenth Division gained some ground, but both -brigades, the 51st and 52nd, were held up by a -withering fire before reaching Flers. The 64th -Brigade on their left met with equal opposition -and could not get forward. Everywhere there were -signs of a strong German rally for the evident purpose -of covering the removal of their guns and stores. -It was well maintained and well organised, so that -the object was attained. It became clearer with -every day that an artillery barrage was still a -necessity for an infantry advance. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -August 27. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -On August 27 the advance was continued. Outside -the Fifth Corps boundaries the Fourth Corps -on the left was encircling Bapaume and pushing -advanced guards on to Maplecourt and Frémicourt, -while Rawlinson's men on the right were facing -Trones Wood and the Guillemont Ridge. In the -early morning, with a moon shining brightly, the -whole front of the Fifth Corps was on fire once more -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P91"></a>91}</span> -and rolling eastwards. By 9 A.M. the 113th Brigade -were through Longueval and in touch with the Fourth -Army near the Sugar Refinery. The 114th Brigade -attempted to pass north of Delville Wood, but after -some confused fighting were held on the line of the -Flers-Longueval Road. Flers, however, had been -taken by the 50th Brigade, though the Germans -made a strong fight of it and at one time reoccupied -the village. Whatever the general morale of the -enemy may have been there was no immediate -weakening in the actual fighting power of his line. -The Twenty-first Division made only a moderate -advance, but they got ahead of their neighbours. -The 6th Dragoon Guards, who were now furnishing -the patrols, were withdrawn, as it was clear that the -Germans meant to stand. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -August 28. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -On the morning of August 28 they were still in -position, and the day was mainly devoted to -reorganising the infantry and bombarding the German lines, -together with all the roads which lay eastwards. -Early next morning the Welsh advanced once more, -the 113th Brigade on one side of Delville Wood -and the 114th on the other, with the result that -this sinister graveyard was surrounded and the line -carried definitely to the east of it. Morval still -held out, but Lesbœufs was overrun. There was -weakening all along the German line, which meant -no doubt that they had completed the withdrawal -of their more essential impedimenta. Flers and -Gueudecourt both fell to the Seventeenth Division, -almost without a battle. The Twenty-first Division -was also able to move forward with no great difficulty -as far as Beaulencourt and the line of the road from -that village to Bapaume. This new line was held -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P92"></a>92}</span> -with great determination by the enemy, who were -still, as must be admitted, masters of the situation -to the extent that though forced to retire they would -still retire in their own fashion. The Welsh attacking -Morval that night found the place was strongly held -and no progress possible. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -August 30. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -August 30 was to show that the German rearguards -were by no means demoralised and were not -to be unduly hustled. It is impossible not to admire -the constancy in adversity of Hans and Fritz and -Michel, whatever one may think of the mentality -of the Vons who had placed them in this desperate -position. Morval still held its own against the -Welsh, and the Seventeenth Division could not -reach the clear line in front of them which is furnished -by the Peronne-Bapaume Road. Beaulencourt was -also retained by the enemy, as the patrols discovered -to their cost. The line was still strong and menacing. -There was inaction on August 31, which was spent -in bombardment and preparation. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Sept. 1, 1-3. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -At 2 A.M. on September 1 the Twenty-first -Division attacked Beaulencourt and carried it with -a rush, and a strong attempt to regain it after dawn -cost the enemy heavy losses. During the morning -the Welshmen on the right flank attacked Morval -and were at last successful in taking this strong -position. There was very heavy fighting all day -round Sailly-Sallisel, where the 113th and 115th -Welsh Brigades made repeated efforts to envelop -and capture the village. There were several checks, -but the gallant Welshmen stuck to their task, and -before evening the place had fallen and the general -British line was well to the east of it. On the other -hand, the Seventeenth and Twenty-first Divisions -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P93"></a>93}</span> -had a bad day in front of Le Transloy and the Sugar -Factory, having nothing to show for considerable -losses, the 9th West Ridings being especially hard -hit. None the less the Seventeenth was hard at it -again next morning, for it was imperative to keep -up the pressure without any relaxation. On this -day, September 2, the plan was that the 50th and -52nd Brigades should work round on each side of -the village while the artillery kept the defenders from -interfering. This attack, though delayed for some -time, eventually succeeded, the 6th Dorsets clearing -up the ruins, while the Twenty-first Division, after -several brave attempts, drove the tenacious German -garrison out of the Sugar Factory. The 10th West -Yorkshires, under Colonel Thomas, did particularly -good work in linking up the two divisions. -Altogether it was a very satisfactory morning's work, -and the 50th Brigade added to it in the evening by -capturing in a fine attack the village of Rocquigny, -and pushing patrols on into Barastre, which was -found to be empty. On this day, as the Corps front -had contracted, the Twenty-first Division was drawn -back into reserve. It may be remarked that in all -these operations Robertson's Seventeenth Division -had the supreme satisfaction of hurling the enemy -out of a long series of villages which they had -themselves been forced to relinquish under the pressure -of the great March advance. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Sept. 3-6. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -It was clear now that the Germans, either of their -own will or driven by the constant pressure, were -withdrawing their rearguards, so that in the early -morning of September 3 no touch could be gained -by patrols. By 6 A.M. the British advance guards -were well on their way, streaming forward to the -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P94"></a>94}</span> -Canal du Nord, from the eastern bank of which the -eternal machine-guns were rapping away once more, -stopping the 50th Brigade in an attempt to make a -direct advance. There were no bridges left, so -nothing further could be done that day, which -brought the corps front up to the western bank -from Manancourt to the north-east of Etricourt. -On September 4, however, the crossing was effected -without any very great difficulty, and bridge-heads -established by both the divisions in the line. -</p> - -<p> -On September 5 the 114th Brigade attacked the -trench system round Equancourt without success. -The 51st Brigade had better luck to the north of -the village and gained a good bit of ground. The -7th Lincolns were held up with considerable loss in -the first advance on account of some misunderstanding -about the starting-point and insufficient -touch with the Forty-second Division on their -left. The 7th Borders, a battalion made up of -Cumberland and Westmoreland Yeomanry, carried -on the attack and found the village deserted. -The day ended with the right flank of the Fifth -Corps in touch with the Third Corps to the -north-west of Nurlu, while the left flank joined the -Fourth Corps north of Vallulart Wood. That night -the Twenty-first Division came back into line, taking -the place of the Welshmen who had done such -splendid and strenuous service since August 22. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Sept. 6-10. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -September 6 and 7 were occupied in a slow but -steady advance which absorbed Equancourt, Fins, -and Sorel-le-Grand. On September 8 matters -were less one-sided, as the Twenty-first Division, -acting in close liaison with Rawlinson at Peizières, -attacked Vaucelette Farm and Chapel Crossing. It -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P95"></a>95}</span> -must have been with peculiar ardour and joy that -General Campbell and his men flung themselves -upon the positions which they had held so heroically -upon March 21. Here after six months were their -complete vindication and revenge. The fighting -was carried on into September 9, the Seventeenth -Division joining in on the left in close touch with -the New Zealanders of the Fourth Corps. It was -clear that the Germans meant standing if they could -and the struggle was a very hard one, but before -evening much of the ground had reverted to the -two divisions which were both, by a peculiar -coincidence, more or less in their old positions. There -were attack and counter-attack, and a good price -paid for all that was gained. There are days when -land is cheap and days when it is the dearest thing -upon earth. At the end of this fight the Germans -were in a continuous trench on one side of the ridge -and the British in a corresponding position on the -other. It became more and more clear that the -days of pursuit and rearguard actions were over, -and that the whole British front in this quarter -was up against a fixed battle position of the -enemy—or at the least against the strong outposts in -front of a fixed battle position. This important fact -regulates the whole situation up to the great attack -of September 29. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Sept. 10-18. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -September 10 and 11 were spent in local encounters -in the Chapel Crossing and Vaucelette Farm district, -the Germans striving hard by these outpost engagements -to prevent the British line from getting within -striking distance of the old Hindenburg position, -behind which they hoped to rally their dishevelled -forces. The British were equally eager to break -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P96"></a>96}</span> -down this screen and get at the solid proposition -behind it. The weather was terrible, rising at one -time to the height of a cyclone, which disarranged -serious British advance, the Fourth Corps on the -left attacking the Trescault Spur, while the Welsh, -who had now relieved the Seventeenth Division, were -to go forward on their flank. The Germans clung -desperately to their ground, however, and after -a long day of alternate advance and retreat the -British line was where it had been in the morning. -A position called African Trench lay in front of the -Welshmen, and it was not possible to carry it in -face of the very severe machine-gun fire. From this -date until September 18 there was no advance and -no change on the front of the Fifth Corps save -that Pinney's Thirty-third Division came in to -patch its worn array. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Sept. 18. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -On September 18 the Fifth Corps attacked -once more in conjunction with Rawlinson's Army -on its right, the final objective being the trench -lines south of Villers-Guislain-Gauche Wood. The -advance was made by the Welsh Division opposite -to Gouzeaucourt, the Seventeenth in front of Gauche -Wood, and the Twenty-first to the immediate south. -It was preceded by field barrage, heavy barrage, -machine barrage, trench mortar bombardment, and -every refinement of artillery practice as elaborated -in this long war. The results of a hard day's fighting -were rather mixed. The Welsh Division was held -near Gouzeaucourt and finished up in its own original -line, leaving the left flank of the 52nd Brigade exposed. -The two other divisions were able, after hard fighting, -to reach their objectives, including Gauche Wood. -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P97"></a>97}</span> -The Twenty-first Division had a particularly trying -and yet successful day, all three brigades being -heavily engaged and enduring considerable losses in -capturing the very ground which they had held on -March 21. Their advance was complicated by a -mine-field, laid down by themselves and so well laid -that it was still in a very sensitive condition, while -the dug-outs had been so undisturbed that the 1st -Lincolns actually found their own orderly papers -upon the table. In the fighting the 62nd Brigade -led the way with complete success, and it was not -until the 64th and the 110th Brigades passed through -it and began to debouch over the old No Man's -Land that the losses became serious, Epéhy and -Peizières being thorns in their flesh. Colonel Holroyd -Smith of the 15th Durhams was killed, but the 64th -Brigade made good its full objective, the 1st East -Yorks capturing a German howitzer battery, together -with the horses which had just been hooked in. At -one time the Germans got round the left flank of the -Division and the situation was awkward, but Colonel -Walsh of the 9th Yorks Light Infantry, with his -H.Q. Staff, made a dashing little attack on his own, -and drove the enemy back, receiving a wound in the -exploit. The Twenty-first Division, save on the right, -had all its objectives. The left of the Third Corps -had not prospered equally well, so that a defensive -line had to be built up by Campbell in the south, -while Robertson did the same in the north, the whole -new position forming a marked salient. Two efforts -of the enemy to regain the ground were beaten back. -The southern divisions had been much troubled by -flanking fire from Gouzeaucourt, so an effort was -made that night to get possession of this place, the -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P98"></a>98}</span> -6th Dorsets and 10th West Yorkshires of the 50th -Brigade suffering in the attempt. This attack was -led by General Sanders, who had succeeded Gwyn, -Thomas as Brigadier of the 50th, but he was -himself killed by a shell on September 20. Some 2000 -prisoners and 15 field-guns were the trophies taken -in this operation by the Fifth Corps. Gouzeaucourt -was shortly afterwards evacuated, but there was no -other change on the front until the great battle -which shattered the Hindenburg Line and really -decided the war. All of this fighting, and especially -that on September 18, has to be read in conjunction -with that already narrated in the story of the -Fourth Army on the right. -</p> - -<p> -Having brought Shute's Fifth Corps up to the -eve of the big engagement we shall now ask the -reader to cast his mind back to August 21, the -first day of General Byng's advance, and to follow -Haldane's Sixth Corps on the northern flank of the -Army during these same momentous and strenuous -weeks. It will then be more easy to trace the -operations of Harper's Fourth Corps, which was -intermediate between Shute and Haldane. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -August 21. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -Haldane's Sixth Corps, like its comrades of the -Third Army, had gone through the arduous days of -March and had many a score to pay back to the -Germans. It was a purely British Corps, consisting -upon the first day of battle of five fine divisions, -the Second (Pereira), Third (Deverell), Sixty-second -(Braithwaite), Fifty-ninth (Whigham), and the Guards. -With four Regular units out of five, Haldane's -Sixth Corps might have been the wraith of the -grand old Mons army come back to judgment. -The First Cavalry Division, also reminiscent of Mons, -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P99"></a>99}</span> -was in close support, ready to take advantage of -any opening. -</p> - -<p> -The first advance in the early morning was made -by the 99th Brigade of the Second Division on the -south, and the 2nd Guards Brigade on the north, -the latter being directed upon the village of -Moyenneville, while the 99th Brigade was to carry -Moyblain Trench, the main German outpost position, -1000 yards in front of the line. The right of -the line was formed by the 1st Berks and the left -by the 23rd Royal Fusiliers, the latter having a most -unpleasant start, as they were gas-shelled in their -assembly places and had to wear their masks for -several hours before zero time. Any one who has -worn one of these contrivances for five consecutive -minutes will have some idea what is meant by such -an ordeal, and how far it prepares a man for going -into battle. Only a very expert man can keep the -goggles clean, and one is simultaneously gagged, -blinded, and half smothered, with a horrible death -awaiting any attempt at amelioration. -</p> - -<p> -At five o'clock nine tanks moved forward behind -a crashing stationary barrage, and the infantry -followed eagerly through a weak German fire. In -spite of all precautions the Fusiliers had lost 400 -men from gas, but otherwise the casualties were very -small. It may be remarked that many of these -serious gas cases occurred from the reek of the gas out -of the long grass when the sun dried the dew, showing -how subtle and dangerous a weapon is this distillation -of mustard. Some small consolation could be gained -by the British soldier suffering from these hellish -devices, by the knowledge that our chemists, driven -to retaliate, had in mustard gas, as in every other -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P100"></a>100}</span> -poison, produced a stronger brew than the original -inventor. Well might the German garrison of Lens -declare that they wished they could have dropped -that original inventor into one of his own retorts. -</p> - -<p> -The advance of the Guards kept pace on the -left with that of the Second Division. The 2nd -Brigade went forward with Moyenneville for its -immediate objective. The 1st Coldstream in the -north were to carry the village, while the 1st Scots -were to assemble in the low ground north of Ayette, -and to carry the attack to the Ablainzeville-Moyenneville -Ridge. The 3rd Grenadiers were then to -pass through the Scots and to capture the line of -the railway. The opening of the attack was much -the same as in the case of the troops on the right, -save that no difficulty was experienced from gas. -There were few losses in the two leading battalions, -which took many prisoners, and it was only the -3rd Grenadiers who, as they neared the railway, -met a good deal of machine-gun fire, but pushed on -in spite of it and made good the line of their objective. -</p> - -<p> -In the meantime the 9th Brigade of the Third -Division had moved through the ranks of the 99th -Brigade, and had carried on the advance in the -southern area. They advanced with the 1st -Northumberland Fusiliers on the right and 4th -Royal Fusiliers behind them. The latter had the -misfortune to lose Colonel Hartley and 50 men from -a shell-burst while moving into position. The left -front of the brigade was formed by the 13th King's -Liverpools. The whole line advancing in open order -passed on without a check, save from mist which -caused loss of direction and constant reference to -the compass. Over a series of trenches the line -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P101"></a>101}</span> -plodded its way, clearing up occasional machine-guns -and their crews. By 9.15 they were on the -railway embankment. -</p> - -<p> -The 8th Brigade (Fisher) of the Third Division -had also advanced on the left of the 9th, keeping -pace with it so far as the fog would allow. The -7th Shropshires were on the left, in touch with the -Guards. The 1st Scots Fusiliers were on the right -and the 2nd Royal Scots in support. The attack -was directed upon Courcelles, which was carried by -the Scots Fusiliers and mopped up by the 8th Royal -Lancasters. From the village a sharp slope leads -down to the railway line and here the opposition -was very strong, the ground being closely swept by -rifle and machine-gun fire. Behind two tanks the -leading battalions rushed forward and the railway -was rushed, with 200 prisoners. The position was -organised, and touch established with the Guards -on the left and with the 9th Brigade on the right. -The 9th Brigade found it difficult, however, to get -touch with the Sixty-third Naval Division on their -right, that unit having experienced considerable -difficulties and losses. The 76th Brigade, the remaining -unit of the Third Division, had the 2nd Suffolks -and 1st Gordons close up to the line, and all of -these battalions were much mixed up owing to the -persistent fog. -</p> - -<p> -A very determined pocket of German infantry -and machine-gunners had remained in front of the -left flank of the Sixty-third Division, formed by the -188th Brigade. These men were now on the right -rear of the 9th Brigade, but the situation was obscure -and nothing was certain save that the British line -was not yet continuous and solid. In spite of a -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P102"></a>102}</span> -concentration of artillery the Germans were still -holding out next morning, being the only hostile -units to the west of the railway line on the Sixth -Corps sector. -</p> - -<p> -An attempt had been made to get forward to -Achiet-le-Grand, in which part of the Sixty-third -Division on the right and two companies of the -Gordons participated. The Ansons and the Gordons -both lost considerably in this attack and were unable -to reach the village, though they advanced the line -by 500 yards. Lack of artillery support, while the -enemy guns were numerous and active, was the cause -of the check. -</p> - -<p> -The night of August 21 was quiet on most parts -of this new front of the Third Army, but at early -dawn a counter-attack developed before the Sixty-third -Division and before the 8th Brigade. An S.O.S. barrage -was called for and promptly given in each -case, which entirely extinguished the attack upon -the Sixty-third. On the 8th Brigade front some of -the German infantry got as far forward as the railway -line but were quickly hurled back again by bombs and -the bayonet. At 7.45 A.M. the enemy again made a -rush and occupied one post of the railway, from which, -as well as from the posts on the right of the 9th -Brigade where the railway line was not yet in British -hands, he enfiladed the front defences during the -day, causing many casualties, until in the evening -the post was retaken by the 1st Northumberland -Fusiliers. Among the gas cases sent to the rear this -day, though his injuries had been incurred during -the assembly, was General Fisher of the 8th Brigade. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -August 22, 23. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -The Guards in the north had also encountered -the attack of the early morning of August 22, which -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P103"></a>103}</span> -seems to have been general along the line, though -at no part very vigorous. This particular section of -it was delivered near Hamelincourt by the Fortieth -Saxon Division, who suffered terribly in the venture. -The rest of the day was comparatively quiet and was -spent in arranging the attack for the morrow. This -attack was planned with the idea of outflanking the -German position at Achiet-le-Grand, which had shown -itself to be dangerously strong. It was determined -to outflank it both upon the north and the south. -With this intention the Third Division was to -capture Gomiecourt during the night of August 22. -Farther north two fresh divisions, the famous -Fifty-sixth London Territorials, and the Fifty-second from -Palestine, were ordered to prolong the line of the -Guards, all under General Haldane, and to capture -Hamelincourt, Boyelles, and Boiry Becquerelle, with -as much more as they could get, on the early -morning of August 23. On the front of the Fourth -Corps on the right the advance was entrusted to -the Thirty-seventh Division and to the Forty-second -Division on the bank of the Ancre. -</p> - -<p> -The attack upon Gomiecourt, which was to be the -prelude of the day's work, since all advance to the -south was impossible while that village was in German -hands, was carried out by the well-tried 76th Brigade, -the 8th Royal Lancasters and 2nd Suffolks in the -front line, with the 1st Gordons in close support. -Tanks were to lead the van, but they were unable to -get across the railway embankment in time. The -assault, which began at 4 in the morning, was preceded -by a short crashing bombardment of heavy shells -upon the doomed village. It had hardly ceased -before the Suffolks and Lancasters were swarming -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P104"></a>104}</span> -down the street, and the place was secured with little -loss. Whilst this brisk and successful affair was -going on, the 13th King's Liverpools of the 9th -Brigade on the right made an advance to keep the -line level, taking some prisoners and three guns. -This was the more important as the weak point of -the situation had always been to the south and most -of the damage sustained was by enfilade fire from -this direction. -</p> - -<p> -The 8th Brigade, now under the command of -Colonel Henderson, kept pace with the 76th Brigade -in their advance, occupying the ground north of -Gomiecourt. The 2nd Royal Scots and 7th Shropshires -were in the lead. There was very heavy fire -and the losses were considerable, but the machine-gun -nests were rooted out with the bayonet, and the full -objective was attained. Farther north the attack -was carried on by the 3rd Grenadier Guards and the -1st Scots. These were successful in taking the village -of Hamelincourt and the trench system south of it, -while keeping in touch with the Fifty-sixth Division -to the north of them. The 1st Coldstream was then -pushed through and crossed the Arras-Bapaume -Road, gaining a position eventually from which they -looked south upon Ervillers. -</p> - -<p> -Farther north still both the Fifty-sixth and the -Fifty-second Divisions had joined in the advance, -moving forward to the line of the great high road -which runs from north to south. Bridges had been -thrown over the Cojeul River by the sappers of the -Fifty-ninth Division, who had held this front—the -workers having to wear gas masks during their labours. -To the 470th Field Company R.E. belongs the credit of -this most difficult job, under the direction of Colonel -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P105"></a>105}</span> -Coussmaker. Over these bridges passed the Fifty-second -Division, while south of them the attack was -urged by the 168th Brigade of the Fifty-sixth -Division, with several villages for their objective. The -13th London (Kensingtons) were on the right, the -4th London in the centre, and the 14th London -(London Scottish) on the left. The advance went -without a hitch, save that touch was lost with the -Guards on the right. This was regained again -in the evening, however, when the Brigade found -itself to the north of Croisilles and close to the old -Hindenburg Line. The Fifty-second Division had -also reached the line where it runs across the Sensée -valley. -</p> - -<p> -The main advance in front of Haldane's Corps had -been entrusted to the Second Division, who advanced -through the ranks of the Third Division after the -capture of Gomiecourt. This advance was on a -three-brigade front. On the right was the 99th Brigade, -in touch with the 63rd Brigade of the Thirty-seventh -Division to the south of them. This Brigade was told -off to keep the flank, but it captured 500 prisoners -in the process. On the left was the 6th Brigade, -which had been ordered, with the help of eight -whippets, to attack Ervillers. In the centre the -5th Brigade with ten whippets was to carry Behagnies -and Sapignies. This considerable attack was timed -for 11 o'clock. -</p> - -<p> -Gomiecourt having fallen, the 5th Brigade used it -as a screen, passing round to the north of it and then -turning south to Behagnies. The 2nd Highland -Light Infantry headed for that village, while the -24th Royal Fusiliers advanced to the storm of -Sapignies. The 2nd Oxford and Bucks were in reserve. -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P106"></a>106}</span> -The ten light tanks which led the attack had a series -of adventures. Three were knocked out by a gun -on the railway. The other seven under heavy gun-fire -swerved to the right, got out of the divisional area, -and on the principle that any fight is better than no -fight, joined with the Thirty-seventh Division in -their attack upon Achiet-le-Grand, where they did -good service. In the meantime, the tankless 5th -Brigade moved round Gomiecourt, coming under -very heavy fire on their left flank. Colonel Brodie, -a most gallant V.C. officer of the Highland Light -Infantry, was killed, and Colonel Cross of the Oxfords -wounded, by this fire. The day was very hot, the -men exhausted, and the losses severe. The new -position was organised, therefore, and the advance -suspended for the present. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -August 23. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -The 6th Brigade had advanced on the left of the -5th, heading for Ervillers, with the 1st King's -Liverpools and the 2nd South Staffords in the lead. The -front waves, assisted by light tanks, rapidly broke -down all opposition, and Ervillers was taken about -2 P.M. All movement beyond the village was checked -by very heavy fire from the high ground to the -north-east, so that Mory Copse, the next objective, was -found to be unattainable. The object of the British -Commanders was never to pay more for a position -than it was worth, or buy a machine-gun at the cost -of half a battalion. On the other hand, papers -captured during the day showed beyond all doubt -that the object of the Germans was to make an -orderly retreat as far as the Hindenburg Line, so -that it was clearly the game to hustle and bustle -them without cessation. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -August 24. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -August the 24th was a heavy day in the Sixth -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P107"></a>107}</span> -Corps, who were ordered to push on and gain ground -to the utmost extent along the whole front. In -order to strengthen the movement, the Canadian -Corps had been very quietly and deftly removed -from the right wing of Rawlinson's Army and -transferred to the left wing of Byng's Army, in touch -with the Fifty-second Division. -</p> - -<p> -It will be remembered that the Second Division, -though they had taken Ervillers, had been pinned -down there by German fire, while they had failed -to take Behagnies or Sapignies. Both these -movements were now resumed. In the night of August -23-24 the 1st King's Liverpools advanced from -Ervillers upon Mory, but were held up by very heavy -fire. The 3rd Guards Brigade on the north was -advancing successfully upon St. Leger and this had -the effect of outflanking the Mory position on that -side. St. Leger was taken by the 2nd Scots Guards -and the 1st Welsh, who cleared it in the course of the -afternoon. They could get no farther, however, until -the Second Division had completed its task at Mory. -This was now in the hands of the 99th Brigade, who, -headed by the 1st Berkshires, with the 1st Royal -Rifles behind them, and a spearhead of tanks in front, -broke down all opposition and captured Mory Copse, -a very formidable position full of emplacements and -dug-outs. By this success the threat was removed -from the right of the Guards, and all was clear for -their further advance upon Ecoust. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -August 25. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -The Sixty-second Yorkshire Division had now -moved up to relieve the Second Division, but the latter -were determined before their withdrawal to complete -their unfinished tasks. In the early morning of -August 25 the attacks upon the two obdurate villages -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P108"></a>108}</span> -were resumed, after a very heavy bombardment. -The new venture was splendidly successful. The -2nd Highland Light Infantry and the 24th Royal -Fusiliers rushed into Behagnies while it was still dark -and cleared out the whole village. This enabled -the force to get to the rear of Sapignies, which was -stormed by the 2nd Oxfords—a battalion with such -proud traditions that even now in semi-official -documents it is still the 52nd Light Infantry. 300 -prisoners and 150 machine-guns were taken in the -village, a proportion which illustrates how far -machines were taking the places of men in the -depleted German Army. Having gloriously tidied -up its front the Second Division now stood out while -the Sixty-second took its place. -</p> - -<p> -It will be remembered that the Fifty-second and -Fifty-sixth Divisions had fought their way to the -Hindenburg Line on August 23. This was too -formidable an obstacle to be taken in their stride, -and the most that could be hoped was that they -should get into a good position for the eventual attack. -The Fifty-second Division had shown the metal of the -Palestine Army by a very fine advance which made -them masters of Henin. On their right was the 167th -Brigade, with the 1st London and the 7th and 8th -Middlesex in the line. These troops pushed right -into the outskirts of Croisilles, but it was clear that -new German divisions were in the line, and that the -resistance had very much hardened. The Londoners -were unable to hold the village, and the Fifty-second -Division was also held up on Henin Hill by very strong -fire. Matters seemed to have come to a stand in that -quarter. -</p> - -<p> -Early on the morning of the 25th the Guards 3rd -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P109"></a>109}</span> -Brigade and the 186th and the 187th Brigades of the -Sixty-second Division made a resolute advance to -clear their front and get nearer to that terrible paling -which was meant to enclose the German domain. -It was a day of very hard fighting for all three -brigades, and they had ample evidence that the -German line had indeed been powerfully reinforced, -and had no intention of allowing General Byng to -establish himself in the very shadow of their -fortifications if they could hold him off. The opening was -inauspicious, for by some mistake there was an error -of half an hour in starting-time between the two -divisions. As a result the Guards found themselves -on the line of road between Mory and St. Leger with -an open flank and under heavy enfilade fire, which -made many gaps in the ranks of the 1st Grenadiers. -At the same time the leading tanks were put out of -action on that flank. In the centre the tanks lost -their way in the mist, but the 2nd Scots Guards -pushed ahead in spite of it. Banks Trench, however, -in front of them was very strongly held and the assault -was not pressed. On the left the 1st Welsh were in -St. Leger Wood, but Croisilles was still untaken and -the advance could not be carried forward as the -machine-guns from this village swept the country. -About 9 A.M. the enemy buzzed out of the Hindenburg -Line and fell upon the Scots Guards, but were shot -back again into their cover. During these operations -the Guards captured a battery of field-guns. -</p> - -<p> -The Sixty-second West Yorkshire Territorials on -the right of the Guards had an equally arduous day. -They had found the same difficulties in getting -forward, but at 5 P.M. the enemy had the indiscretion -to counter-attack, and when once he masks his own -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P110"></a>110}</span> -machine-guns he has ceased to be formidable. His -attack was near Mory Copse and aimed at the -junction between the two divisions, but it was -heavily punished and shredded away to nothing. -About 7 P.M. he tried another advance upon the -right of the Sixty-second Division and won his way -up to the line, but was thrown out again by the 5th -West Ridings and driven eastward once more. The -186th Brigade, forming the right of the division, -co-operated with the Fourth Corps in their attack -upon Favreuil, which place was captured. -</p> - -<p> -On the evening of August 25 Haldane's Sixth -Corps, which had become somewhat unwieldy in -size, was limited to the north on a line just south -of Croisilles, so that the Fifty-second, Fifty-sixth, -and Fifty-seventh Divisions all became Fergusson's -Seventeenth Corps, which was thus thrust between -the Sixth Corps and the Canadians, who had not -yet made their presence felt upon this new -battle-ground. The Seventeenth Corps was now the left of -the Third Army, and the Canadians were the right -of the First Army. The immediate task of both -the Sixth and Seventeenth Corps was the hemming -in and capture of Croisilles, and the reoccupation -of the old army front line. August 26 was a quiet -day on this front, but on August 27 the Guards -and the Sixty-second Division were ordered forward -once more, the former to attack Ecoust and Longatte, -the other to storm Vaulx-Vraucourt. The First -German Division encountered was easily driven in. -The second, however, the Thirty-sixth, was made -in a sterner mould and was supported by a strong -artillery, large and small. The 2nd Grenadiers and -2nd Coldstream in the front line of the Guards -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P111"></a>111}</span> -1st Brigade got forward for nearly a mile on each -flank, but were held up by a withering fire in the -centre, so that the flanks had eventually to come -back. The Fifty-sixth Division of the Seventeenth -Corps had not yet captured Croisilles, from which a -counter-attack was made upon the left flank of the -2nd Coldstream, which was handsomely repulsed. -</p> - -<p> -On the whole, however, it had been an unsatisfactory -day and the Sixty-second had been equally -unable to get forward, so that none of the objectives -had been gained. The Seventeenth Corps and the -Canadians in the north were both advancing, however, -and it was possible that the position in the -south might alter as a consequence. -</p> - -<p> -Such was indeed found to be the case on August -28, for the Fifty-sixth Division was able this day to -get possession of Croisilles, which eased the situation -to the south. The Guards and the Sixty-second -pushed forwards, following always the line of least -resistance, so that by evening they were 1200 yards -forward at some points, though the right of the -Sixty-second Division was still pinned to its ground. -That evening the Third Division replaced the Guards, -and the same tactics were pursued on the following -day. The 76th Brigade was now in the front line -to the south of Croisilles, with the hard-worked -Sixty-second Division still on their right. A sugar -factory was the chief impediment in front of the -latter. The right of the division got forward during -the day and occupied the old army trenches. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -August 30. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -August 30 was once again a day of heavy fighting, -the Seventeenth and Sixth Corps, represented by -the Fifty-sixth, Third, and Sixty-second Divisions, -closing in upon the Hindenburg Line and -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P112"></a>112}</span> -attacking the last villages which covered its front. The -tanks had miscarried, and the infantry at 5 A.M. had -to go forward alone. On the right the 185th -and 186th Brigades of the Sixty-second Division -both made good progress, the obnoxious sugar -factory was taken, and though Vaulx could not be -cleared it was partly occupied. Next day saw the -dour Yorkshiremen still sticking to their point, and -fighting with varying success in and out of the -village. At times they had flooded through it, and -yet again they were beaten back. By the morning -of September 1 the 186th Brigade had possession -of Vaulx-Vraucourt and were on the high ground -to the east of the village. Next morning they had -Vaux Trench as well, but about ten o'clock in the -forenoon of September 2 a strong counter sent them -reeling back in some disorder. Gathering themselves -together in grim North Country fashion they -went forward again and cleared Vaulx Wood before -evening. That night, after a very desperate and -costly term of service, the Sixty-second was relieved -by the Second Division. -</p> - -<p> -The experiences of the Third Division from the -August 30 attack were as arduous as those already -described. On that morning the 76th Brigade, with -the Suffolks and Gordons in the lead, got forward -well at the first, though they lost touch with the -Londoners to the north. The Suffolks were on that -side and the gap enabled the Germans to get round -to their left rear with disastrous results, as the losses -were heavy and the battalion had to fall back. -The Gordons had to adjust their line accordingly. -This rebuff had lost most of the ground which had -been gained early in the day. General Deverell now -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P113"></a>113}</span> -sent up the 9th Brigade, as the 76th was much worn, -but the 1st Gordons remained in the fight. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -August 31. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -On August 31 the 9th Brigade attacked the -Vraucourt position, with the 1st Gordons, battle-weary -but still indomitable, on the right, the 4th -Royal Fusiliers in the centre, and the 13th King's -Liverpools on the left. It was known that no less -than three new German divisions had been thrown in, -and however the fighting might turn it was certain -that the attrition was going merrily forward. The -assembly was unfortunately much disturbed by the -German barrage, which fell with particular severity -upon the Fusiliers in the centre. At 5.15 A.M. the -line moved forward, but again the luck was against -the Fusiliers, who were opposed by a particularly -dangerous machine-gun nest in a sunken road. One -company endeavoured to rush it, but all the officers -save one, and most of the men, were mown down. A -tank which endeavoured to help them met with a -strange fate, as a German officer managed, very -gallantly, to get upon the top of it, and firing through -the ventilation hole with his revolver, put the whole -crew out of action—a feat for which in the British -service he would certainly have had his V.C. -</p> - -<p> -The Fusiliers were hung up, but the King's on the -left had carried the village of Ecoust, getting in -touch with the right of the Fifty-sixth Division in -Bullecourt Avenue. Many hundreds of the enemy -were taken, but some pockets still remained on the -southern edge of the village, and fired into the -flank of the unfortunate Fusiliers. The King's then -attempted during the long day to throw out their -right flank and get in touch with the left of the -Gordons so as to obliterate the sunken road, which -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P114"></a>114}</span> -was the centre of the mischief. The ground was -absolutely open, however, and the fire commanded -it completely. Under these circumstances Colonel -Herbert of the 1st Northumberland Fusiliers, which -was in reserve, suggested that the attack be -postponed until dusk. This was done, and at 8 -P.M. Herbert's men overran the sunken road, capturing -the guns. Ecoust was also completely cleared of -the enemy. So ended this day of vicissitudes in -which the 9th Brigade, with heavy loss, had struggled -through many difficulties and won their victory at -the last. A further advance during the night by -both the 9th and the 76th Brigades straightened the -whole line from Ecoust to the south. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Sept. 1. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -On the morning of September 1 the Fifty-second -Division had relieved the Fifty-sixth Division, both -of the Seventeenth Corps, in the Croisilles sector, -and was in close touch with the Third Division to -the south. Both divisions went forward with no -great difficulty at the appointed hour, the three -battalions of the 9th Brigade being all in the line -once more. The important trench known as Noreuil -Switch was captured in this advance. It may well -seem to the reader that the gains were tardily and -heavily bought at this stage of the operations, but -it is to be always borne in mind that Fergusson and -Haldane in particular were up against the old intricate -trench system, and away from that open fighting -which can alone give large results. To others there -was always some way round, but here there was an -unbroken obstacle which must be frontally attacked -and broken down by pure persistence. In these -operations the new machine-gun organisation proved -to be particularly efficient, and B Company of the -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P115"></a>115}</span> -3rd Battalion Machine-Gun Corps did essential work -in winning the way for the 9th Brigade. The whole -battle was a long steady contest of endurance, in -which the Germans were eventually worn out by -the persistence of their opponents. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Sept. 2. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -The advance was renewed along this area on -September 2, the object of the Fifty-second Division -being to encircle Quéant from the south and west, -while that of the Third and Sixty-second Divisions -was to gain the east of Lagnicourt and the high -ground east of Morchies. The fortunes of the -Sixty-second Division have already been briefly described. -On the front of the Third Division the 8th Brigade, -strengthened by one battalion from each of the other -brigades, took up the heavy task, the 7th Shropshires, -2nd Royal Scots, and 1st Scots Fusiliers forming -from right to left the actual line of battle. The -last-named battalion by a happy chance joined up on -the left with its own 5th Battalion in the Fifty-second -Division. They assembled under heavy shelling, -some of which necessitated the use of box-respirators. -No sooner had the advance begun than the Shropshire -men came under machine-gun fire and lost the -three tanks which led them. They had gained some -ground, but were first brought to a halt and then -compelled to retire. In the centre the Royal Scots -took Noreuil, which was found to be lightly held. -In attempting to get on to the east of this village -they found the trenches strongly manned and the -fire, both of rifles and machine-guns, so murderous -that it was impossible to get forward. The Scots -Fusiliers were also faced with strong resistance, -including a belt of wire. Three company and eight -platoon commanders were down before this obstacle -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P116"></a>116}</span> -and the sunken road behind it were crossed. Without -the aid of tanks the depleted battalion moved on -under very heavy fire, and eventually halted in a -line with the Royal Scots on their right. To the -right of these, as already shown, the Sixty-second -Division had also been brought to a stand. A -formidable trench, called in the old British days -Macaulay Avenue, barred the way and had only -been reached by a few of the assailants. It is a fact, -however, that Lieutenant R. R. MacGregor of the -Scots Fusiliers with five men did force their way in -upon this morning, and tenaciously held on to their -position until after dark, forming just that little -nucleus of determined men by whom great battles -are so often won. -</p> - -<p> -There was a momentary check, but it was retrieved -by Captain Nagle's company of the 2nd Suffolks, who -charged with two companies of the Royal Scots and -won a section of the trench. The utmost difficulty -was experienced by the Brigadier in keeping in touch -with the action, as the ground was so exposed that -nearly every runner sent back from the front line -was killed or wounded. Colonel Henderson came -forward, therefore, about three o'clock and reorganised -his dispositions, with the result that before -evening the line had been straightened and advanced, -with the capture of many prisoners and machine-guns. -Meanwhile Quéant to the north had been -captured by the Fifty-second Division, and the whole -German system of defence was weakening and crumbling, -the Seventeenth Corps strongly co-operating -with the Canadians upon their left. The enemy's -purpose during all this very hard contest was to -sacrifice his rearguards if necessary, in order to cover -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P117"></a>117}</span> -the retreat of his main body across the Canal du -Nord. There were few more difficult problems in -local fighting during the whole war than how to carry -these successive positions, bravely held and bristling -with machine-guns. That it was finally done was -a great achievement upon the part both of those -who commanded and those who obeyed. Colonel -Vickery's guns, covering the infantry, had much to -do with the final success. How great that success -was could only be judged upon the following morning -when the new divisions which had taken over the -front, the Guards on the left and the Second on the -right, found that all the kick had been taken out of -the Germans, and that a substantial advance could -be made with little loss. -</p> - -<p> -Neither the Guards nor the Third Division -encountered serious opposition upon September 3, -and a steady, if cautious, forward movement went -on all day. The Seventeenth Corps upon the left -had turned south in order to clear Mœuvres and -Tadpole Copse. By midday the Second Division -had cleared both Hermies and Demicourt. Before -evening the 2nd Guards Brigade was in the old -British front line, which was held during the night. -The Canal du Nord was just ahead, and it was realised -that this would mark what the Germans intended -to make their permanent line. It was all-important -to push the rearguard across it and to get any bridges -with their eastern exits, if it were in any way possible. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Sept. 4-12. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -The advance on September 4 was resumed in -the face of some sporadic opposition, but by the -evening of the 6th the enemy was all across the -Canal, and the Sixth Corps was awaiting developments -elsewhere. On September 11 steps were -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P118"></a>118}</span> -taken, however, to get into striking position for the -final fracture of the Hindenburg Line, in view of -which it was necessary to gain the Hindenburg front -system west of the Canal. On September 12 the -main attack was delivered, though on September 11 -the Second Division had secured the western ends of -the Canal crossings. The centre of the new operation -was the attack upon Havrincourt by Braithwaite's -Sixty-second Division. This operation was carried -out by the 186th and 187th Brigades, the pioneer -battalion, 9th Durham Light Infantry, being attached -to the former, while eight brigades of field-guns and -three groups of heavies lent their formidable -assistance. The right of the Sixty-second was in close -touch with the Thirty-seventh Division, which was -attacking Trescault. The advance of both brigades -was uninterrupted, though strongly opposed. The -2/4th Hants and 5th West Ridings on the right, -and the 2/4th York and Lancasters with the 5th -Yorkshire Light Infantry on the left, trampled down -all opposition. The individual is almost lost to -sight in the scale of such operations, but a sentence -must be devoted to Sergeant Calvert of the last-named -battalion, who attacked two machine-guns, bayoneted -four and shot three of the crews, taking the rest -prisoners. At 7.30, the western edge of the village -of Havrincourt had fallen, but the fortified château -on the south, in the area of the 186th Brigade, still -held its own. It was attacked by the 2/4th West -Riding Battalion, who had a most difficult task in -the tangled gardens which surrounded the house. -At the same time the 2/4th Hants pushed into the -village and fought their way right through it. They -had to sustain a heavy counter-attack delivered about -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P119"></a>119}</span> -7 in the evening by the Twentieth Hanoverian -Division, supported by a flight of low-flying aeroplanes. -This attack was broken up with great loss by the -steady fire of the men of Hampshire and Yorkshire. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Sept. 13-14. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -In the early morning of September 13 the village -was strongly attacked by the enemy, who effected a -lodgment in the cemetery and pushed back the -British line for 200 yards. A fine return was made -by the 5th Devons of the 185th Brigade, who cleared -the village once again. Two of the divisional -machine-guns held out close to the posts occupied by the -Germans—so close that the sergeant in charge shot -the battalion leader of the enemy with his revolver. -From this time the Sixty-second were left in -possession of Havrincourt, which they had thus won for -the second time, since it was carried by them in the -Cambrai battle of November 20, 1917. General -Braithwaite, who was the victor upon each occasion, -remarked that if his men had to take it a third time -they should, on the cup-tie principle, be allowed to -keep it for ever. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Sept. 14-27. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -Meanwhile the Second Division on the left had -made its way slowly but without any serious check -as far as London Trench, which brought them nearly -level with the Sixty-second, while the Thirty-seventh -in the south had captured Trescault and were also -well up to the Hindenburg Line. There was no -further serious fighting for several days on this -front save that the 185th Brigade advanced its line -to Triangle Wood on the morning of September 14. -This attack was carried out by the 2/20th Londons -and was completely successful, as was their -subsequent defence against a brisk counter-attack. On -September 16 the Sixty-second Division was -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P120"></a>120}</span> -relieved by the Third, and the Second Division by -the Guards. There was no further fighting until -September 18, that general day of battle, when a -very severe German attack was made about 6 o'clock -in the evening, which covered the whole front of the -Third Division and involved the left of the -Thirty-seventh Division in the area of the Fourth Corps. -After a heavy bombardment there was a determined -advance of infantry, having the recapture of -Havrincourt for its objective. A number of low-flying -aeroplanes helped the German infantry. The attack -fell chiefly upon the 1st Scots Fusiliers and 2nd Royal -Scots, and some gain was effected by a rush of bombers -aided by flame-throwers, but they were finally held -and eventually driven back, while 100 prisoners -were retained. C Company of the Royal Scots -particularly distinguished itself in this action, forming -a solid nucleus of resistance round which the whole -defence was organised. Nothing further of importance -occurred until September 27, the day of the -general advance, in this northern portion of the -British line. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -August 21. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -In order to complete this account of the doings -of Byng's Third Army from August 21 onwards, some -account must now be given of what was originally the -central unit, Harper's Fourth Corps, though its general -progress has already been roughly defined by the -detailed description of the two Corps on its flanks. -</p> - -<p> -The first task set for this Corps on August 21 -was to capture the general line between Irles in the -south and Bihucourt in the north, while the flank of -this main attack was to be guarded by a subsidiary -advance along the valley of the Ancre, and between -Puisieux and Miraumont. The first objective of the -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P121"></a>121}</span> -main attack was Bucquoy, Ablainzeville, and the -important high ground to the immediate east of these -villages. -</p> - -<p> -The advance commenced in a thick mist, and was -undertaken in the case of the main attack by Williams' -Thirty-seventh English Division. It was completely -successful, and aided by the fire of six heavy and -fifteen field brigades of artillery, it swept over its -first objectives, the tanks helping materially to break -down the opposition. The moral effect of a tank in -a fog can be pictured by the least imaginative. Two -field-guns and many lighter pieces were taken. The -veteran Fifth Division on the right and the -Sixty-third Naval Division on the left then passed -through the ranks of the Thirty-seventh to enlarge -the opening that they had made, carrying the advance -on to the limit of the field artillery barrage, and -halting at last just west of Achiet-le-Petit. The naval -men met with a blaze of machine-gun fire from the -edge of Logeast Wood, but they rooted out the nests -and occupied the position, though the passage through -the tangled brushwood and trees disorganised the -units, and progress became slow. The railway line ran -right across the front, and this, as usual, had become -a formidable and continuous obstacle, which could -not be turned. The reserve brigade of the Fifth -Division on the right carried Achiet-le-Petit, but -could not get over the railway. The Sixty-third was -also unable to reach the railway, and found a -considerable concentration of Germans opposite to them in -the brickworks and cemetery west of Achiet-le-Grand. -The tanks had wandered off in the mist, -and for the moment the advance had reached its -limit. Many of the tanks, as the mist lifted, were hit -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P122"></a>122}</span> -by the anti-tank guns of the enemy, though some -most gallantly crossed the railway line and penetrated -the German positions, doing such harm as they could, -until they were eventually destroyed. -</p> - -<p> -Meanwhile, the subsidiary attack on the right -flank had also been successful up to a point. The -New Zealanders on the immediate south of the Fifth -Division had gone forward in their usual workman-like -fashion, and had taken Puisieux. Upon their -right, and next to the Fifth Corps who were beginning -their arduous crossing of the Ancre, was the Forty-second -Division (Solly-Flood), an ex-Palestine unit -of Lancashire Territorials which had won laurels in -the March fighting. It had come away with a flying -start, and had got as far as the important point named -Beauregard Dovecote. There it remained until the -early morning of August 22, when the enemy regained -it by a spirited attack from a new division. The total -effect of the day's work along the whole front of the -Fourth Corps had been the capture of 1400 prisoners, -of a number of guns, and of an extent of ground which -was important, though less than had been hoped for. -The main resistance had always been the railway, -and the German guns behind it, so that to that extent -his line was really inviolate. Indeed from his point -of view the whole work of the Third Army on that -date might be represented as an attack upon a false -front, the real position remaining intact. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -August 22. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -The enemy was by no means abashed, and early -in the morning of August 22 he showed that he did -not propose to surrender the field until he had fought -to regain it. At dawn the Fifty-second German -Division deployed through Miraumont and fell upon -the left of the Fifth Division in one direction, and -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P123"></a>123}</span> -the Forty-second in the other. As already stated -they succeeded in driving back the latter, and -Beauregard Dovecote remained as a prize of victory. -Some three hundred Germans pushed through between Third -the Fifth Division and the New Zealanders, but were -at once attacked by a party of the 1st Devons, -assisted by some of the New Zealanders. Corporal -Onions of the Devons showed great initiative in this -affair, which ended in the capture of the whole of the -intruders. He received the V.C. for his gallantry. -</p> - -<p> -It was a day of reaction, for the Sixty-third -Division in the north was strongly attacked, and was -at one time pushed as far as Logeast Wood. They -rallied however and came back, but failed to regain -the railway at Achiet-le-Grand. Early in the morning -of August 23 the Beauregard Dovecote was finally -captured by units of the Forty-second and New -Zealanders, the enemy falling back to Miraumont. -About the same hour in the morning the Sixth -Corps in the north had taken Gomiecourt as already -described, which strengthened the general position. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -August 23. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -Early on August 23 the Thirty-seventh Division -came up on the left and relieved the Naval Division. -Guns had been pushed into position, so at 11 o'clock -in the forenoon it was possible to deliver a strong -attack under an adequate barrage upon the line of -the railway. The result was a complete success, in -spite of the formidable nature of the defences. The -imperturbable English infantry flooded over every -obstacle, took its inevitable losses with its usual good -humour, and established itself upon the farther side -of the position, while the tanks, taking advantage of -a level crossing, burst through and did very great -work. Both Achiet-le-Grand and Bihucourt fell to -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P124"></a>124}</span> -the Thirty-seventh Division, while the Fifth captured -the high ground overlooking Irles, and subsequently -pushed on eastwards as far as Loupart Wood. Since -Miraumont was still German the flank of Ponsonby's -Division was scourged by the machine-guns, and an -attempt by the Forty-second Division to relieve the -pressure by taking the village had no success, but the -Fifth maintained all its gains in spite of the heavy -enfilading fire. In this fine operation the -Thirty-seventh Division alone captured 1150 prisoners. -There were signs, however, of German reaction, -especially on the southern flank, where a new -division, the Third Naval, had been brought into -line. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -August 23, 24. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -August 24 was another day of victory. The New -Zealanders passed through the depleted ranks of the -Fifth Division and made good not only the whole of -Loupart Wood, but also Grevillers to the north-east -of it. An even more useful bit of work was the -storming of Miraumont by the Forty-second Division -in the south. This village, which had been nearly -surrounded by the advance on the flanks, gave up -500 prisoners and several guns. The Forty-second -continued its career of victory to Pys, which they -took, and were only stopped eventually by the -machine-guns at Warlencourt. This advance greatly -relieved the situation on the right flank, which had -been a cause for anxiety, and it also, by winning a -way to the Ancre, solved the water problem, which -had been a difficult one. This day of continued -victorious advance was concluded by the occupation -of Biefvillers by the united action of the -Thirty-seventh and of the New Zealanders. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -August 25, 26. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -At 5 A.M. upon August 25 the advance was -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P125"></a>125}</span> -resumed, with the Sixty-third Division on the right, -the New Zealanders in the centre, and the Thirty-seventh -on the left. The naval men found a head -wind from the first, for the Germans were holding -Le Barque and Thilloy in great strength. No great -progress could be made. On the left the New -Zealanders and the Thirty-seventh both reached the very -definite line of the Bapaume-Arras Road, where -they were held by very heavy fire from Bapaume -on the right and Favreuil on the left. The splendid -Thirty-seventh, with some assistance from the New -Zealanders on their south, rushed the wood and village -of Favreuil and helped to beat off a German counter-attack -by the fresh Hundred and eleventh Division, -which was so mauled by aircraft and artillery that it -never looked like reaching its objective. Many dead -and some abandoned guns marked the line of its -retirement. -</p> - -<p> -On August 26 these indefatigable troops were still -attacking. It was indeed a most marvellous display -of tenacity and will-power. The general idea was to -encircle Bapaume from the north and to reach the -Cambrai Road. In this the Fifth Division and the -New Zealanders were successful, the former reaching -Beugnatre, while the latter got as far as the road, but -sustained such losses from machine-gun fire that they -could not remain there. In the south Thilloy still -barred the advance of the Naval Division, which was -again repulsed on August 27, when they attacked -after a heavy bombardment. There was a pause -at this period as the troops were weary and the -supplies had been outdistanced. On August 28 the -Sixty-third left the Fourth Corps and the Forty-Second -took over their line and repeated their -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P126"></a>126}</span> -experience, having a setback before Thilloy. On August 29 -there was a general withdrawal of the German rearguards, -the whole opposition dissolved, Thilloy fell to -the Forty-second Division, and the New Zealanders -had the honour of capturing Bapaume. Up to -this time the advance of the Fourth Corps had -yielded 100 guns and 6800 prisoners. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -August 28-31. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -On August 30 the whistles were sounding once -more and the whole British line was rolling eastwards. -It will mark its broader front if we say that on this -date the Fifth Corps on the right was in front of -Beaulencourt, while the Sixth Corps on the left had -taken Vaulx, Vraucourt. The Forty-second Division -on this day was unable to hold Riencourt, but the -rest of the line got well forward, always fighting but -always prevailing, until in the evening they were -east of Bancourt and Frémicourt, and close to Beugny. -Always it was the same programme, the exploring -fire, the loose infantry advance, the rapping machine-guns, -the quick concentration and rush—occasionally -the summoning of tanks or trench mortars when the -strong point was obstinate. So the wave passed -slowly but surely on. -</p> - -<p> -On August 31 the Germans, assisted by three -tanks, made a strong attack upon the New Zealanders, -and a small force pushed in between them and the -Fifth Division. They were surrounded, however, a -German battalion commander was shot and some -sixty of his men were taken. The whole line was -restored. On this day the Lancashire men on the -right took Riencourt with some prisoners and a -battery of guns. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Sept. 2-9. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -September 2 was a day of hard battle and of -victory, the three Corps of General Byng's Army -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P127"></a>127}</span> -attempting to gain the general line -Barastre-Haplincourt-Le Bucquière. The Forty-second Division -captured Villers-au-Flos and advanced east of it, -while the New Zealanders made good the ridge between -there and Beugny. Some 600 prisoners were taken. -There was some very fierce fighting round Beugny in -which the Fifth Division lost six tanks and many men -with no particular success. The place was afterwards -abandoned. -</p> - -<p> -The British line was now drawing close to the -Hindenburg position, and the Fourth Corps like all -the others was conscious of the increased effort which -the Germans were making in order to prevent the -attackers from gaining all the outlying posts, and -being able to carry the main line before every preparation -had been made for its defence. For several days -there were wrestles for this position or that, which -culminated on September 9 in a very sharp tussle -between the New Zealanders and a German Jaeger -Division at African Trench on the ridge west of -Gouzeaucourt. It was a very desperate fight, which -some of the old New Zealanders declared to have -been the most intense and close which they had -experienced since they met the Turks at Gallipoli—a -compliment to the Jaeger, but somewhat a reflection -upon other units of the German army. In the end -the New Zealanders were unable to hold African -Trench and had to be content with African Support. -The Fifth Division shared in this fighting. This -engagement was part of a local co-operation in an -attack made by the Fifth Corps in the south. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Sept. 12-18. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -On September 12 there was a combined attack, -which has already been mentioned, by which the Fourth -and Sixth Corps should capture Trescault Spur and -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P128"></a>128}</span> -Havrincourt. It will be remembered that the latter -was captured by the Sixty-second Yorkshire Division. -The New Zealanders advanced upon the Spur, where -they met with very vigorous opposition from their old -enemies, the Jaeger, who fought with great tenacity. -The Thirty-seventh Division turned the Spur from -the south, however, capturing both Trescault and -Bilhem. Two guns and 500 prisoners were captured. -On September 18 the Fifth Division together with -the Welsh Division of the Fifth Corps undertook a -local operation against African Trench, but the -indefatigable German Jaeger still remained masters -of the situation. At 5.20 P.M. on that day the -initiative passed to the enemy, who broke suddenly -into a very heavy bombardment, followed by a furious -attack upon the left of the Thirty-seventh Division. -It made some progress at first and the British losses -were heavy, especially in the case of the 1st Herts, a -battalion which has many times shown great steadiness -and gallantry. Lieutenant Young of this unit -rallied his men and counter-attacked at a critical -moment, dying single-handed amid the German ranks -but winning a posthumous V.C. -</p> - -<p> -We have now brought the record of the Fourth -Corps level with that of the Fifth to the south and -of the Sixth to the north. It is necessary to give some -fuller account of the Seventeenth Corps which had -been formed on the left of the Sixth. This will -complete the account of General Byng's operations with -his Third Army from their inception on August 21 -until the eve of the great general battle which was to -break out at the end of September. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -August 25. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -It has already been stated that on August 25 -Sir Charles Fergusson's Seventeenth Corps was -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P129"></a>129}</span> -formed on the left of General Byng's Third Army -and became the northern unit in that force, having -the Sixth Corps on its right and the Canadian Corps -on its left. It contained at first three divisions, -the Fifty-second (Hill), Fifty-sixth (Hull), and -Fifty-seventh (Barnes). Two of these had already been -heavily engaged in the new advance before becoming -part of the Seventeenth Corps. Indeed on the day -preceding the entrance of the Corps into the line, the -evening of August 24, the Fifty-sixth Division had -attacked the Hindenburg Line at Summit Trench and -Hill Switch, near Croisilles, without effect. They -had now established themselves near their objective -and were waiting orders to try again. -</p> - -<p> -The Fifty-second Division, one of the fine units -which had been released from Palestine owing to the -reinforcements of Indian troops in that country, had -also tried for the Hindenburg Line and taken a bit of -it upon August 24, but they had found it too hot to -hold. They were now lying low on the western -borders of Henin Hill, hoping to co-operate with the -Canadians of the First Army on their left at some -later date. A line of British divisions was now -crouching in front of Hindenburg's bars all ready for -a spring. -</p> - -<p> -In the new attack it was planned that the Fifty-sixth -Londoners should co-operate with the Sixth -Corps on their right, and clear the village of Croisilles -by outflanking it, while the Fifty-second Division -should work on the north of the Cojeul stream in close -touch with the big Canadian attack, advancing -towards Fontaine-les-Croisilles. The effect of these -movements would be that the portion of the -Hindenburg Line which faced the Seventeenth -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P130"></a>130}</span> -Corps would be attacked from the rear instead of -the front. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -August 26. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -On August 26 at 3 A.M. the Canadians went -forward, as will be told under the head of their -operations. The Fifty-second Division kept its place -on their right flank, working up along the Cojeul -River, and carrying all the objectives allotted to them. -By 10.35 A.M. their task had been completed and they -were still in close touch with the Canadians. In the -afternoon the 155th Brigade on the extreme left, -consisting of Scottish Territorials, attacked Henin -Hill from the north-west, capturing a succession of -machine-gun positions. The crews of these guns -got—and indeed accepted—little quarter, fighting -staunchly to the last. By 4 o'clock the Fifty-second -Division was well into the Hindenburg Line -from the Cojeul northwards; and by 5 o'clock the -155th Brigade was across Henin Hill, moving south-east. -The whole of this very important position was -now in British possession, though there were pockets -of the enemy scattered here and there who were -holding out to the last. The Fifty-sixth Division on -the right was still in front of Croisilles, sending out -occasional patrols which reported that the village was -still strongly held. Its orders were to maintain -pressure but not to advance until the development of the -movement in the north should shake the enemy's -resistance. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -August 27, 28. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -On August 27 Croisilles and the strong trenches -around it were kept under bombardment. The Fifty-sixth -Division began to thrust forward its left flank, -and made some progress, but was eventually held by -very heavy fire from the south. At midday the -Fifty-second Division was driving down from the north, -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P131"></a>131}</span> -getting to the Sensée River about Fontaine and -endeavouring to help the left of the Fifty-sixth -Division by moving along the Hindenburg Line. -This was partly accomplished, but it was impossible -for the Fifty-sixth to get ahead as the troops on their -right in the Ledger Trenches had also been held up. -That evening the Fifty-second Division after a fine -term of service was drawn out and the Fifty-seventh -took its place. -</p> - -<p> -Early on August 28 it was evident that the -scheme for pinching out Croisilles had been successful. -At 8 A.M. a contact aeroplane reported the village to -be empty, and at 8.30 the London patrols were in the -main street. There now lay Bullecourt in front of the -Fifty-sixth, and Hendecourt and Riencourt in front of -the Fifty-seventh Division. At 12.30 the attack -was in full swing, lines of the gallant Territorials of -London and Lancashire streaming across the low -dun-coloured curves which are cut by the famous trenches. -It was a long uphill fight, but by 4.30 in the afternoon -the 169th Brigade, containing the London Rifle -Brigade, the 2nd Londons, and the Westminsters, -had fought their way into Bullecourt. There they -were held, however, for there were numerous pockets -of Germans in their rear, and the machine-guns pelted -them from every side, while the village was far from -clear. The 167th Brigade on the right had also -been held up by machine-guns, all three battalions, -the 1st London and the 7th and 8th Middlesex, having -heavy losses and being forced back for a time. The -Fifty-seventh Division on the left of the line -encountered the same desperate resistance, which could -only have been overcome by troops who would take -no denial. Hendecourt was not reached, but all the -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P132"></a>132}</span> -gains of the morning were held as a basis for a future -advance. The liaison on either flank with the Sixth -Corps and the Canadians was complete. It had been -a day of very hard and expensive fighting and of no -very marked success. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -August 29. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -The battle was renewed about midday on -August 29, the morning having been devoted to -repulverising the powder-heap of Bullecourt with heavy -artillery, and to clearing up some of the pockets in -the immediate front of the advance. The Fifty-sixth -Division advanced once more, the 168th Brigade -having taken the right of the line. The machine-guns -were still very destructive, and the right and -centre were held up, though the left made some -progress. The general result was to get the British -line all round Bullecourt, but the village itself was -still defiant. The Fifty-seventh Division on the left -had another day of desperate fighting, in which the -Lancashire Territorials showed their usual valour. -At 4.30 some of them had got through Hendecourt -and had penetrated, with great difficulty and suffering -heavily, into Riencourt. It was afterwards found that -some ardent spirits had even forced their way into -the Drocourt-Quéant line, and left their dead there -as a proof for those who followed after. The line in -the evening was the western outskirts of Hendecourt, -where they were in touch with the right of the -Canadian Division. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -August 30. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -At 5 A.M. on the morning of August 30 the -Germans, who had a perfectly clear vision of the fact -that the loss of the Hindenburg Line must entail the -loss of the war, attacked in great force along the -general line Ecoust-Bullecourt-Hendecourt, and -made some considerable dents in the British front, -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P133"></a>133}</span> -especially at Bullecourt, which had to be evacuated. -The Fifty-seventh were pushed back to the line of -the Hendecourt-Bullecourt Road, and abandoned the -ruins of an old factory, which is a marked position. -This attack corresponds with the one already detailed -when the Third Division were driven out of Ecoust, -and it is heavy weather indeed when the Third -Division begins to make leeway. The Fifty-sixth -tried very gallantly to regain Bullecourt by a bombing -attack, but it could not be done. The Germans got -a footing in Hendecourt, but could not clear it, and -the evening saw the Lancashire Territorials and their -enemy at close grips among the ruins. -</p> - -<p> -On the morning of August 31 the indefatigable -Londoners attacked once more, the 4th Londons, -London Scottish, and Kensingtons of the 168th -Brigade carrying on the work. The factory was -soon retaken and so was the Station Redoubt, but -Bullecourt itself, squirting flames from every cranny, -was still inviolate. On the right the Third Division -had recaptured Ecoust, which relieved the general -situation. The British bombers got into Bullecourt -in the afternoon and before evening they had made -good the greater part of the ruins, a handful of -Germans still clinging manfully to the eastern edge. -That night the Fifty-second came to the front and -relieved the Fifty-sixth. In the five days' battle the -London division had lost 123 officers and 2600 men. -On the other hand they had captured 29 officers and -over a thousand men, while they had inflicted very -heavy losses upon the enemy. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Sept. 1. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -September 1 saw this long-drawn battle still in -full progress. There is nothing more amazing than -the way in which the British divisions at this stage -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P134"></a>134}</span> -of the war without reinforcements carried on the fight -from day to day as though they were sustained by -some prophetic vision of the imminent victory which -was so largely the result of their heroic efforts. With -the early morning the Fifty-seventh Division was into -Hendecourt, and before seven o'clock the 171st -Brigade had completely cleared the village and joined -hands with the Canadians on the farther side. -There was a great deal of actual bayonet work in this -assault, and Lancashire came out triumphant. On -the right the Fifty-second Division had a busy -morning in clearing out the dug-outs and cellars of -Bullecourt. In the afternoon they advanced eastwards -and cleared another 500 yards of ground, when they -came under very heavy fire from Noreuil on their right -flank. The 155th Brigade was lashed with a pelting -rain of bullets, one battalion, the 4th Scots -Borderers, losing 10 officers and 140 men in a few -minutes. The advance was continued, however, until -Tank Avenue, the immediate objective, was reached -and cleared. It was a splendid example of indomitable -perseverance. -</p> - -<p> -The 171st Brigade, which was still advancing -on the left, had also undergone the torment of the -machine-guns, but some skilful flanking movements -by supporting platoons enabled progress to be made -and the German posts soon surrendered when there -was a danger of being surrounded. Riencourt fell, -and by 6.30 the extreme objectives had been gained -and touch established on either flank. -</p> - -<p> -The success of this spirited attack, with the heavy -losses inflicted, seemed to have cowed the enemy before -the Fifty-seventh Division, for the night passed quietly -on that front, which was very helpful in allowing -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P135"></a>135}</span> -the preparations to go forward for the considerable -operation planned for next morning. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Sept. 2. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -September 2 was the date for the main attack by -the First Army upon the Drocourt-Quéant line south -of the Scarpe, to which all the fighting which has been -detailed was but a preliminary. The rôle assigned -to the Seventeenth Corps was to co-operate with the -Canadians by thrusting forward their left flank so as -to gain position for an attack upon Quéant from the -north. The Sixth Corps on their right was ordered -to attack Morchies and Lagnicourt and then push -forward vigorously towards Beaumetz. The First -Canadian Division, with Gagnicourt for its objective, -was on the immediate left of the Seventeenth Corps. -The orders to the Seventeenth Corps were that the -Fifty-seventh Division should support the Canadian -attack, that the Fifty-second Division should conform -to the movements of the Fifty-seventh on its left -and of the Third on its right, and finally that the -Sixty-third Naval Division, now added to the Corps, -should move up in support and improve whatever -advantages were gained. -</p> - -<p> -At 5 A.M. the barrage fell and the troops moved -forward upon one of the critical battles of the war. -The grand part played by the Canadians in the north -is described elsewhere. The 172nd Brigade of the -Fifty-seventh Division advanced splendidly towards -the gap which had been formed, a storm of gas shells -bursting among their stolid ranks. The leading -battalion, the 1st Munster Fusiliers, followed the men -of the Dominion through the breach which they had -made in the Drocourt-Quéant switch, and then according -to plan swung sharply to the right, smashing their -way with bomb and bayonet down the whole line of -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P136"></a>136}</span> -the German position and so clearing the front for their -comrades. It was a fine exploit and worthy of the -great battalion which carried it out. They were -strongly counter-attacked at the moment when, panting -and weary, they had reached their full objective, -and yet they retained sufficient vitality to drive back -the German stormers. -</p> - -<p> -Other elements of the 172nd Brigade had worked -south on the right of the Munsters, and got forward -as far as Possum Lane, so that they formed a useful -defensive flank on the left of the Fifty-second -Division. Meanwhile the 171st Brigade had advanced -directly from Riencourt Ridge and had cleared -up the trenches opposite, which were enfiladed by -their comrades. -</p> - -<p> -The Sixty-third Division was now brought forward -to play its part, with the 188th Brigade, consisting of -Ansons, Marines, and Royal Irish, in the van. At -9 A.M. it passed through the left of the Fifty-seventh -Division about a mile south of Gagnicourt. From -this point it was continually advancing during the -day, being in touch with the First Canadians on the -left and with the Fifty-seventh on the right. By -nine in the evening it was seated firmly in the -Hindenburg Line. The switch line of Drocourt-Quéant had -been ruptured as early as 8 in the morning, which -was the signal for the Fifty-second Division on the -south to advance upon the main Hindenburg Line -south-west of Quéant. The 156th Brigade was in the -van. Some few parties reached the main objective, -but by 10 o'clock the advance had been suspended, -as operations had not yet progressed sufficiently -elsewhere. The Fifty-second continued, however, -to exert pressure at the point of junction between -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P137"></a>137}</span> -the switch and the Hindenburg support line. All -day progress was being made in proportion as the -attack drove down from the north, so that by 3 P.M. the -front line had been cleared, and before midnight -the whole of the German defences, a perfect maze of -trenches and wire, were in the hands of the British -infantry. At this hour patrols had penetrated into -Quéant and found it clear. Such was the close, so far -as the Seventeenth Corps was concerned, of one of -the most decisive days' fighting in the whole of the -war. Late that night the tireless Sixty-third Division -had reached Pronville, where they added more prisoners -to their considerable captures. Altogether about a -thousand were taken by the Corps during the day, -with a large amount of material. -</p> - -<p> -September 3 saw the Sixty-third Division still -adding to its gains. In the morning it occupied -Tadpole Copse and advanced upon the Canal du Nord. -It then captured Inchy, but was held up in front of -Mœuvres by strong enemy rearguards. This marked -a definite line of equilibrium which was maintained -until the general dispositions of the Army allowed a -further advance. For a considerable time the only -fighting upon this Corps front was in connection with -Mœuvres, a village which remained as a sort of No -Man's Land until, on September 19, a spirited attack -by the 155th Scottish Brigade of the Fifty-second -Division put it finally into British hands. After this -there was quiet on the left flank of the Third Army -until the great operations at the end of the month. -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p><a id="chap05"></a></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">{<a id="P138"></a>138}</span></p> - -<h3> -CHAPTER V -<br /><br /> -THE ADVANCE OF HORNE'S FIRST ARMY -</h3> - -<p class="t3"> -From August 26 to September 27 -</p> - -<p class="intro"> -The indefatigable Fifty-first Division—Capture of Greenland -Hill—Fine advance of the Canadians—Breaking of the Drocourt-Quéant -line—Fine work of the Sixty-third Naval Division—Great day for -the Dominion—Demeanour of German prisoners. -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p> -On August 8 Rawlinson had attacked on the south -with the Fourth Army. On August 22 Byng -followed on his left with the Third Army. Four -days later Horne took it up in turn south of the -Scarpe with his First Army. The general function -of that Army was to co-operate with the attack of the -Third Army on its right, and to cover the flank of -that Army from the north. Therefore the First and -Eighth Corps stood fast, while the Canadians, who -had been brought up from the southern sector, -advanced. They formed the right unit of the First -Army, and were in touch to the south with Fergusson's -newly formed Seventeenth Corps, which was the left -unit of the Third Army. As only the Canadians were -seriously engaged up to the end of September the -narrative of the First Army can be easily summarised. -It will be necessary first to explain some preliminary -operations. After its return from its hard -fighting in the French line, where it had co-operated -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P139"></a>139}</span> -with the Sixty-second Division in attacking the great -German salient upon the Ardres, the famous Fifty-first -Highland Division had only a few days' rest -before it was in action once more. It was now placed -on the north bank of the Scarpe in the Arras sector, -The 170th Brigade of the Fifty-seventh Lancashire -Territorial Division lay to the south of the stream, -and this was placed under the command of Carter-Campbell, -General of the Fifty-first, so that he had -four brigades under him, with instructions to advance -along the line of the river, as opportunity served, in -order to screen the left of the attack now about to -break out in the south. Carter-Campbell covered -from Feuchy in the south to the east of Bailleul, about -8000 yards. -</p> - -<p> -It was known that the enemy was withdrawing -its advanced positions in front of the Army, and it -was therefore very necessary for Fergusson's -Seventeenth Corps to keep in touch with the Germans in -that region. With this object in view the 170th -Brigade in conjunction with the Fifteenth Division -on their right moved along the south bank of the -river to seize the advanced German trenches. This -was done at 1 A.M. of August 19, when a considerable -stretch of ground was occupied with little opposition. -An endeavour to increase their gains on the next -night was met by a sharp counter-attack. On the -same night two brigades of the Fifty-first Division -pushed forwards north of the river, but met with -very strong resistance. On August 20 there was -another German attack upon Moray Trench, south -of the Scarpe, but the Lancashire men broke it up -by artillery and rifle-fire. By 9 P.M., however, -the 170th Brigade were ordered back from their -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P140"></a>140}</span> -advanced position, having been badly harried all -day. On August 24 in the early morning the -Fifty-seventh Division advanced with good results, the -153rd Brigade capturing Pippin Trench and other -important points. The 152nd Brigade lay to the -immediate west of Fampoux, and did not move, but -the advance was again carried on upon the left on -August 25 with some gain of ground. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -August 26. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -Meanwhile the Canadian Corps had quietly taken -the place of Fergusson's Seventeenth Corps to the -south of the Scarpe, pushing them to the south, and -all was ready for the big battle which broke out on -August 26, and was a continuation to the north of the -large movement already going on down the line. In -this important attack, the Third Canadian Division -was on the left, and the Second on the right, the -two of them bridging the space between the Scarpe -and the left of the Third Army. It was stated by -prisoners that the attack had been foreseen, and -that they had withdrawn 2000 yards the day before. -However that may be, everything went very well, -and the men of the Dominion showed their usual -determined valour. The 7th and 8th Canadian -Brigades, just south of the river, swept along with -hardly a check, save for a time when the 8th was held -up behind Orange Hill. At 7.35, Monchy, important -as a place of observation, was in British hands once -more. At 10.45, the 4th Canadian Brigade had -captured GuGuémappemappe, and in the afternoon, Wancourt -Ridge had also fallen to the Second Canadian Division. -Here, as elsewhere, a single day had given what weeks -of effort had once failed to achieve; 2000 prisoners -were taken. -</p> - -<p> -On the north bank, the Fifty-first Division, which -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P141"></a>141}</span> -was now part of the Canadian Corps, made a similar -advance, both the 152nd and 153rd Brigades sweeping -forward, and occupying Rœux, Gavrelle and the -Chemical Works, with little opposition. The Eighth -Division was to the north of the Fifty-first, and it -also pushed forward its line, its patrols occupying -Oppy after dusk. -</p> - -<p> -The Eighth Division, reconstituted under its -veteran commander, General Heneker, after its -murderous and heroic experience upon the Aisne, was -the right-hand unit of Hunter-Weston's Eighth Corps, -which was the next unit of the First Army. The -front of this Corps was formed by the Twentieth -Division in the north and the Eighth in the south, -and its rôle at this period was to stand fast, but by a -succession of well-conducted enterprises the Eighth -Division was continually encroaching upon the -German lines. Presently, as will be seen, when the -line was advanced on the south, the Eighth Corps -was unleashed and sprang forward in combination -with the general advance on either flank. On its -left, and following its general movements, was -Holland's First Corps, which was allotted, after -September 20, to the Fifth Army, so that instead of -being Horne's northern unit it became the southern -Corps of Birdwood. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -August 27, 28. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -On August 27 the Canadians went forward once -more, the 9th Brigade on the left near the river, -while the 4th and 5th were on the right. Again there -was a day of steady advance, which was rather a -slow pursuit than a battle. In the evening the line -ran east of Cherisy, but west of Pelves and Haucourt. -In the north the Fifty-first Division attacked -Greenland Hill, which was a most important piece of high -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P142"></a>142}</span> -ground—so important that it may be said to be the -point on which the whole great advance to the Canal -du Nord pivoted. The attack was delivered with -great spirit by the 7th Gordons and 6th Black Watch -of the 153rd Brigade, but they were unable to get -the summit; while the 6th Seaforths to the south of -them were also held up by machine-gun fire. Some -advance was made, however, by the 154th Brigade, -which had now come in on the north of the line. -That night the 25th Brigade of the Eighth Division -took over this northern section. -</p> - -<p> -August 28 saw the Canadians still continuing their -slow but inexorable advance. On that morning -their 7th Brigade took Pelves and Boiry. There -were two strong counter-attacks upon the Second -Canadian Division in the evening near Artillery Hill, -and for a time the front line was pushed back, but it -soon recovered and held firm. There was quiet now -on the Canadian front, but on August 29 the 154th -Brigade of the Highland Division made a fresh attack -upon Greenland Hill, which was captured by the -4th Gordons and 7th Argyll and Sutherlands with -only slight losses. This important success caused -the evacuation by the enemy of several positions -commanded by the hill, especially Delbar Wood. -This capture screened the left flank of the Canadians -and drew from their General a generous message -of thanks, in which he said, "That your division -after its continuous fighting for the last year was -able to take and keep the strong position of -Greenland Hill, testifies to the fact that the fighting -qualities of the Fifty-first are second to none in the -Allied armies." -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -August 30. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -There were some changes of troops at this date in -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P143"></a>143}</span> -preparation for the big attack upon the Hindenburg -switch line which was impending. The Twenty-second -Corps (Godley) now formed on the left of -the Canadians, took over the Fifty-first Division, -and also occupied the south bank of the Scarpe with -the Eleventh Division. It retained the Forty-ninth -Division (Cameron) in reserve. On the other hand, -the Fourth British Division was attached to the -Canadians, and came into their centre at Remy and -Haucourt. At dawn on August 30 the Canadian -First Division attacked Upton Wood and the -trenches near, with the object of straightening the -line and maintaining close touch with the -Seventeenth Corps on the right. This movement was -splendidly successful, and 500 prisoners were taken. -The Fourth British Division advanced at the same -time and their line in the evening was just east of -Eterpigny. Next day they were held up once at -St. Servin Farm, but took it at the second attempt. -Meanwhile, the Eleventh Division was moving steadily -forward on the south bank of the river. It was -relieved on October 1 by the Fifty-sixth London -Division, acting under the Twenty-second Corps. -</p> - -<p> -On September 1 the Canadian Corps was outside -the Arras-Cambrai Road, with the Fourth British -Division forming its left flank, the Fourth Canadian -its centre, and the First Canadian on the right. It -was a day of local attacks and bickerings, but great -preparations were on foot for the morrow. The first -light of dawn had hardly begun to glimmer in front -of the eager lines of infantry before the signal was -given for the advance upon the Drocourt-Quéant -line. This line is not the main Hindenburg Line, but -it is a northern extension of the Hindenburg system, -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P144"></a>144}</span> -and it may be said to cover the towns of Douai and -Cambrai. The advance of the First Army was on -a front of five brigades—one belonging to the British -Fourth Division on the left, and two of each first -line Canadian Division to their right. The general -idea of the day's operations—among the most -important of the war—was to break through the German -line upon a narrow front, and afterwards to roll up -the flanks of the enemy, both north and south. This -having been done, the main attack was to push -through, seize the higher ground overlooking the -Canal du Nord, and if possible cross the Canal and -seize the farther bank. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Sept. 2. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -The attack should be from the Sensée River, -southwards, and the function of the Twenty-second Corps -was to form a defensive flank on the left of the -attack, taking up consecutive positions eastwards -along the River Sensée, and working in close -collaboration with the British Fourth Division. -</p> - -<p> -There was a preliminary bombardment, but the -guns had been busy wire-cutting during the last three -days, so that the great metal aprons which extended -from the German position were ragged and torn. -Hence they offered small impediment to the infantry -who dashed through at the first rush, and easily -captured the outlying trenches which stretched across a -low hill. The village of Gagnicourt lay imbedded in the -German trenches, and this was a centre both of attack -and resistance. By 8 o'clock the Canadian infantry -of the First Division had carried the village, while -the Canadian Fourth Division was in Dury on the -left, and had made its way into Dury Wood. The -advance had already covered about 3000 yards. -Both the barrage and the tanks were admirable, and -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P145"></a>145}</span> -the combination beat down the German defence which -at first was not formidable—indeed many of the -German front-liners escaped the shrapnel by running -in front of it and surrendering the moment the battle -began. -</p> - -<p> -As the advance progressed the German resistance -grew stiffer, especially in front of the Fourth Canadian -Division at Dury Wood, where there was some very -desperate fighting. All along the line, pockets of -German snipers and machine-gunners did what they -could to redeem the honour of the German Army. -Astride the Cambrai Road there was a particularly -strong point of opposition. The defenders were -numerous all along the line—so much so that prisoners -from six different German divisions were captured, -including the First and Second Guards Reserve, and -the Third Division which had only arrived the night -before with orders to advance into the Canadian area. -Many of them did so as far as the prisoners' cage. -</p> - -<p> -This splendid advance of the Canadians had been -covered and supported on the right by the -Fifty-seventh Lancashire Division of Fergusson's -Seventeenth Corps, which had cleared up the villages of -Riencourt and Hendecourt in a preliminary operation -on September 1. The Lancashire men made good -the Canadian flank, and then the Sixty-third Naval -Division of the same Corps skirted the southern edge -of Gagnicourt, passing the Canadian troops, and -pushed on to Buissy, nearly two miles further east. -This advance was on a front of a mile, and brought -the victors into contact with six other German -divisions, each of which provided samples for the -cages. Not content with this fine performance, the -Naval Division, who were now ahead of their guns -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P146"></a>146}</span> -and without tanks, pushed on again in the evening, -and inclining to the south they captured the village -of Pronville, thus getting to the east of Quéant, which -was still held by the Germans. The Drake, Anson, -Hood, and Hawke battalions, together with the Royal -Marine units, were all heavily engaged during this -long day of fighting. -</p> - -<p> -Meanwhile the Canadians had carried on along the -original line of advance, the First Canadian Division -clearing the woods of Loison and Bouche. On the -extreme left the Fourth British Division added to -its great fighting record another strenuous day of -battle. It had in front of it a very strong position, -Prospect Farm, which offered a desperate resistance, -but was eventually taken. It was afternoon, however, -before the place fell, which prevented the attainment -of the full objectives of the day. They were still -advancing in the morning of September 3, and -before noon they had taken all their original -objectives, including Etaing and Lecluse, while on -the same morning the Fourth Canadians got as far -forward as Rumancourt. -</p> - -<p> -It was a fine victory, which will make September -2, 1918, memorable to Canadians. Great work was -done by the British divisions on either side of them, -but the stress of the attack and the consequent credit -lay with our comrades from across the Atlantic. -More than 10,000 prisoners were taken during the -day. Their demeanour as described by Mr. Perry -Robinson, the well-known correspondent of <i>The -Times</i>, is of interest as reflecting the softening and -disintegrating influences in the German Army. "As -the newcomers arrived they were greeted with shouts -of laughter and welcome by their comrades already -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P147"></a>147}</span> -behind the wires, and greetings and badinage and -names were called back and forth. Those inside were -mostly eating, and held up bully-beef tins and biscuits -for the new arrivals to see, and the latter cheered -responsively.... Many were very tired, but the -whole scene suggested a new train-load of revellers -at some annual bean-feast being welcomed by -fellow-holiday-makers." -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Sept. 3. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -The Germans had dammed the river which flows -down the Trinquis valley in front of the Twenty-second -Corps, and this had now formed a considerable -lake which hampered operations to the north. The -Fresnes-Rouvroy line when tested by patrols seemed -to be still strongly held. It soon became evident, -however, that on the south the Germans had -withdrawn behind the Canal du Nord. The Canadians -on September 3 closed up to the western bank, -occupying with little resistance Recourt and Baralle. -During the day the First British Division relieved the -Fourth British Division, while the Second and Third -Canadians relieved respectively the First and Fourth -Canadians. The Canal was found to be full, and all -the bridges down, so that progress was for the time -suspended, and a period of inaction followed, which -was accompanied by a bad spell of boisterous weather, -lasting for more than a week. During this time the -First British Division was sent south to form part of -the Ninth Corps on the extreme south of the line next -to the French. The Fifty-sixth London Division -took its place on the right of the Twenty-second Corps, -and on September 19 it extended so as to take over -the ground held by the Third Canadians, thus contracting -the Canadians' front on that flank, while it was -extended to the south, where it took over from the -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P148"></a>148}</span> -Fifty-second Division on the left of the Seventeenth -Corps. The Cambrai Road became the dividing line -between the British and the Canadians. To preserve -Horne's uniformity of treatment we shall now return to -Rawlinson's Fourth Army in the south, and we shall -carry each successive Army forward from the end of -September to the date of the German surrender. -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p><a id="chap06"></a></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">{<a id="P149"></a>149}</span></p> - -<h3> -CHAPTER VI -<br /><br /> -THE OPERATIONS OF RAWLINSON'S FOURTH ARMY -</h3> - -<p class="t3"> - From the Battle of the Hindenburg Line (September<br /> - 29) to the Battle of the Selle, October 17<br /> -</p> - -<p class="intro"> -The first American operations—The rupture of the Hindenburg -Line—Predicament of Twenty-Seventh American Division—Their -gallant resistance—Great Australian attack—Remarkable feat -by the Forty-Sixth North Midland Territorial Division—Exeunt -the Third Corps and the Australians—Entrance of the Thirteenth -Corps—Rupture of the Beaurevoir line—Advance to the Selle -River. -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p> -Turning to Rawlinson's Fourth Army, which were -last seen in contact with the old Hindenburg Line -along its formidable front from Vandhuile on the -left to Gricourt on the right, it will be remembered -that it consisted of Butler's Third Corps on the -left, the Australian Corps in the centre, and -Braithwaite's Ninth Corps on the right in contact with -the French. The time had now come for an attack -on the largest scale in order to endeavour to carry -this Chinese Wall of Germany by storm. The part -assigned to the Third Corps in this important -operation was not a large one, and their front was now -contracted to 2000 yards, while two of their divisions, -the Fifty-eighth Londoners and the Seventy-fourth -Yeomanry, were transferred to another area. There -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P150"></a>150}</span> -remained only the Twelfth and Eighteenth Divisions -in line, which had to cover the left flank of the main -attack which was to be made by the Australian and -Second American Corps, and by Braithwaite's Ninth -Corps to the south of them. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Sept. 27. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -At this point the great Canal de l'Escaut passes -under a tunnel which is nearly six miles in length. -Thus it is the only place in the whole line where tanks -could be used to advantage. The general plan was -that this section of the line should be carried by the -Second American Corps as far north as the northern -entrance of the tunnel. This done they would extend -their gains to the left in a north-easterly direction -beyond Vandhuile, so as to open up a way for the -Fifth Corps. After the line had been taken -Australian Divisions were to move forward through the -Americans and push the advantage to the east. -The rôle of the Third Corps was to cover the left -of the Americans, and then, when the latter had -moved northwards, to mop up Vandhuile, establish -bridge-heads east of that point, and bridge the canal -for the Thirty-eighth Welsh Division on the right -of the Fifth Corps to get across. -</p> - -<p> -Before the general attack which took place on -that <i>dies irae</i>, September 29, the Americans had a -brisk fight of their own, which deserves some special -mention as it was the first large operation of an -American force acting as part of a British Army. -The Second American Army Corps (General Read) -had been specially selected to lead the attack on -September 29, and as a preparation for this great -effort they were ordered to make some advance along -their whole front in order to gain an advantageous -point from which to start. They lay roughly along -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P151"></a>151}</span> -the front of the Hindenburg outpost line, but they -needed to draw up closer to the main line before -the day of battle. On the night of September 24, -General O'Ryan's Twenty-seventh American Division -from New York on the left relieved the Eighteenth -and Seventy-fourth British Divisions, taking over a -front of 4500 yards opposite to Gouy. The defences -immediately before them were particularly strong, -including the notorious danger points, the Knoll, -Quinnemont Farm, and Guillemont Farm. The -53rd American Brigade (Pierce) took over the line, -with the 106th Infantry Regiment in front and the -105th in support. The entire American front was -from near Vandhuile in the north to Bellicourt in -the south. -</p> - -<p> -The tunnel, which formed a special feature in the -next great battle, deserves some description, as it -was a remarkable feature dating back to the First -Empire, and still bearing upon its arches the laconic N -of the great Corsican. It is 6000 yards long and -averages 50 feet below the surface, with a breadth -of about 70 feet. The Germans had converted it -into an extraordinary military work, for it was stuffed -with barges in which a whole division could take -absolute refuge from the heaviest barrage ever -launched. There were all sorts of bolt-holes in -every direction for getting in or out, and there were -powerful machine-gun emplacements along the top. -Altogether it was as awkward a nut to crack as -any military engineer could conceive. The main -Hindenburg Line lay a couple of hundred yards west -of the tunnel, a heavily-wired system of trenches. -About a mile farther east was a strong support line -joining the villages of Nauroy and Le Catelet, while -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P152"></a>152}</span> -two or three miles farther on was yet another strong -position, known as the Beaurevoir line. The way -in which Americans, Australians, and British combined -with equal valour to hunt the Germans out of this -terrific series of positions is a story which will go -down in the common traditions of the -English-speaking race. -</p> - -<p> -At 5.30 A.M. on September 27 there was the -preliminary operation, already mentioned, which -should gain the ground necessary for the jumping-off -place. This was done by General Lewis' Thirtieth -American Division on the right with little difficulty. -It was different with the Twenty-seventh on the -left. On this flank a depth of about 1100 yards had -to be gained, coinciding roughly with the rearmost -trenches of the Hindenburg outpost line. This -task was carried out by the 106th Infantry with all -three battalions in line and four tanks ahead of each -battalion. The leading companies, following the -barrage, reached their objectives in most cases, but -were involved in desperate fighting at the points -already mentioned, which were connected by cross-cuts -with the main German line, from which there -flowed an endless supply of reinforcements. All -day attack and counter-attack followed each other, -both parties fighting with great valour and enduring -heavy loss. By night the 53rd American Brigade was -well advanced on its right, but its left was still -battling hard to reach the allotted line: 8 officers -and 259 Germans had been taken in the fighting. -That night the 54th Brigade (Blanding) took over -the new front and lay ready for the coming battle, -with the 108th Infantry on the right and the 107th -on the left. On the front of the Thirtieth Division -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P153"></a>153}</span> -the 60th Brigade (Faison) was in line, with the 119th -and 120th Infantry in the van, the latter to the right, -in touch with the British Ninth Corps to the south -of them. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Sept. 29. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -The task which lay before the New Yorkers of -the Twenty-seventh American Division was particularly -difficult, because the men were so scattered -over 1100 yards of depth that the barrage had to -be thrown forward to cover that area of ground. -Thus the main body of the stormers had to cross -that space before getting the full protection of the -artillery. There were no American guns in action, -but the British artillery was as splendidly efficient -as ever, crashing down at 5.30 A.M. upon the starting -line, where it lingered for four minutes and then -advanced at the rate of 100 yards in every four -minutes. The German barrage came down instantly -in reply, and though it was not very heavy it -inflicted considerable damage upon the supporting -troops. What with fog and smoke it was difficult -to see more than a few feet in any direction, and this -was a great advantage to the stormers, the more so -to troops who are so individual as the Americans. -The Thirtieth Division on the right, a unit raised -in the Carolinas and Tennessee, dashed through the -main Hindenburg Line in the most gallant fashion, -capturing Bellicourt on the way, while the veteran -Australian Fifth Division passed through their cheering -ranks after they had reached their allotted limit. -The 117th American Regiment on the right was -in close touch to the south with the Forty-sixth -British Division, whose fine advance is chronicled -elsewhere, so that the British, American, and -Australian dead lay along the same battle-line. -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P154"></a>154}</span> -The 120th American Regiment on the left had -taken and held Nauroy, but had been forced to bend -its line back at the north end as far as the tunnel, on -account of the fire which beat upon them on that -flank. -</p> - -<p> -The Twenty-seventh Division had met with grave -difficulties from the start, for the tanks encountered -mines and traps, while the infantry as already -explained had practically no barrage, and found a -strongly posted enemy in front of them. The men -behaved with the utmost gallantry and the officers -led them with great devotion, but no troops in the -world could have carried the defences under such -circumstances. For a thousand yards north of the -inter-divisional boundary, near the village of Bony, -they got into the main line, and from point to point -all along the front bold parties pushed forward as -far as Gouy and Le Catelet, many of whom never got -back. The more successful were ruined by their own -success, for as the mist rose it was found that in their -swift advance they had left many pockets and strong -points behind them which fired into their backs when -they rose to advance. The Third Australians, -following up the attack, could do little to make matters -better, for all this part of the field of battle was such -a complete mix-up, and the two armies were so -dovetailed into each other, that it was impossible -to use artillery, and yet the situation was such that -without artillery it was quixotic madness for the -infantry to advance. The reinforcing Australians -were held up on the line between the Knoll and -Guillemont Farm. Groups of brave men gathered -together from time to time, and stormed up to -Guillemont and Quinnemont Farms, which were among -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P155"></a>155}</span> -the most deadly of the German strongholds. A -British Divisional General assured the present -chronicler immediately after the action that he had -never seen the dead lie so thick at any spot during -the war as the Americans lay round Guillemont -Farm. Neither the blue-clad infantry of Grant nor -the grey Confederates of Lee showed a higher spirit -than the khaki-clad lads who fought alongside the -British that day. The best that could be done, -however, was to hold such ground as had been gained, -and to wait until the advance of the Fifth Australians -from the south, and of the Eighteenth British Division -from the north, should make all their section of line -untenable for the Germans. The Twenty-seventh -Americans and Third Australians had in the meantime -held on to every inch of ground they had gained, and -also to every prisoner whom they had taken. On -the night of September 30, the Americans, shattered -in numbers, but with unabated spirit, were -withdrawn from the line. Altogether 40 officers and -1100 men had been taken from the enemy.[<a id="chap06fn1text"></a><a href="#chap06fn1">1</a>] -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="footnote"> -<a id="chap06fn1"></a> -[<a href="#chap06fn1text">1</a>] It was the privilege of the present writer to see the actual -operations during this decisive action -which broke the Hindenburg Line. -His account, written at the time, -of his personal experience is too slight -for the text, but has been reproduced -in the Appendix, where it can be -consulted or avoided by the reader. -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p> -It is necessary now to state the difficult and -confused events of September 29 from the point -of view of the Fifth Australian Division, who had -almost as severe a day as their compatriots on -the left. General Hobbs' Division went forward -with the 8th Brigade on the right, which was in -constant touch with the British troops. On the left -was the 15th Brigade, which eventually found its -northern flank in the air on account of the hold-up -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P156"></a>156}</span> -in that quarter. At 9.40 the line of the 8th Brigade -passed Bellicourt, which the Americans had cleared. -As they advanced, however, they were scourged -by a very heavy fire from the direction of Nauroy. -At midday the 32nd Battalion of Australians on -the right were in touch with the 4th Leicesters on -Knobkerry Hill. As the Brigade advanced they -came upon concrete pill-boxes of the familiar type -behind Nauroy which caused heavy losses. Joncourt -on the right was taken by the 32nd Battalion, -and at 8 in the evening the general line of -Nauroy-Le Catelet had been reached. -</p> - -<p> -The 15th Brigade on the left had the harder -task. The fog and the rapidity of the American -advance had combined to leave a number of machine-guns -still active, and there was constant opposition. -Touch was maintained with the 44th Battalion of -the Third Australian Division on the left. A great -many scattered groups of Americans were reached, -most of whom came on with the Australians. -The Brigade had been well provided with tanks, -but in the space of fifteen minutes all the heavies -and most of the whippets had been knocked out. -So mixed were the conditions and so thick the clouds -over the battlefield that for a time the 59th Australian -Battalion on the left was altogether lost, but the -57th and 58th fought on together, and with their -American friends reached the Le Catelet line, a -bunch of Germans remaining in the trench between -the two battalions. The 59th was afterwards found -to have trended northwards and to be in close liaison -with the right of the Third Australian Division. -</p> - -<p> -The fighting had been mixed on September 29, but -it became still more so next day, and it will tax the -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P157"></a>157}</span> -industry of some Antipodean historian to trace -each unit, Australian or American, and define their -relations to each other. The rôle of the 15th Brigade -was simple as it was directed to make good the rest -of the Nauroy-Le Catelet line, which was in time -accomplished. The 14th Brigade was ordered to -attack northwards in order to help the left flank -which had encountered such difficulties on the first -day, while the 11th Brigade was also directed towards -the north-east, and ordered to take a strong -impediment called the Knob, which was eventually done. -The 53rd Battalion which led the 14th Brigade -distinguished itself greatly, advancing with a steady -persistence which always gained its ends, and -overflowing the German field-guns. It was finally held -up, however, and a strong counter-attack drove it -to take refuge in that part of the Le Catelet-Nauroy -line which was already in British hands. There -was a good deal of close fighting in this quarter but -the gains were held by the 15th Brigade, which -failed, however, to get Cabaret Wood Farm. On -October 1 the 56th Australian Battalion, with the -aid of tanks, carried Estrées. -</p> - -<p> -We shall now follow the work of General Braithwaite's -Ninth Corps on the extreme right of the -whole British Army on this great day of battle. -This Corps consisted now of the First, Sixth, -Thirty-second, and Forty-sixth Divisions. Of these, the -Sixth Division (Harden) was in touch with the -French, the First (Strickland) was in the centre, -and the Forty-sixth (Boyd) was on the left. Opposite -the Corps lay the broad and deep St. Quentin Canal, -and the storm troops of the Forty-sixth Division -were fitted up with 3000 life-belts, having proved -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P158"></a>158}</span> -by experiment that they were buoyant enough to -support a fully-equipped man. Since the Spanish -infantry of Alva waded out neck-deep to attack -the Dutch defences on the Frisian Islands there -has surely never been a more desperate enterprise -than this, when one remembers that on the farther -side of the Canal was every devilment which German -sappers could construct, while no tanks could lead -the van of the stormers. The general plan was that -the Forty-sixth North Midlanders should take the -whole position between Bellenglise and Riqueval; -that the Thirty-second Division (Lambert) should -then pass through their ranks and push onwards to -Tronquoy and beyond; while the First Division -should carry out a difficult turning movement by -swinging its left flank north-east to form a defensive -line between Pontruet and the Canal at the right -of the Forty-sixth Division's advance. The Sixth -Division was to make threatening demonstrations. -</p> - -<p> -The very special obstacles which lay in the path -of the Ninth Corps had led to a reinforcement of -their artillery, so that it was after a two days' -bombardment from 500 pieces of all calibres that -the assault was made at the same hour as that -of the Americans on the left. The Stafford men -of the 137th Brigade led, with the 1st Regular -Brigade covering their right flank. An advance -line of German trenches intervened between the -British and the Canal. Favoured by the thick mist -the attackers were able to overrun these without -any great loss, killing most of the garrison who fought -bravely for every inch of ground, and winning their -way to the Canal. In the meantime the 1st -North Lancashires cleared the trenches on their -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P159"></a>159}</span> -right, while farther south the 1st Black Watch -pushed forward from Pontruet, cleared the trenches -north-east of that place, and finally, squeezing out -the North Lancashires, fought their way down to -the right flank of the Stafford stormers. -</p> - -<p> -The 3rd Infantry Brigade had also become -strongly engaged on the right of the First Division. -The 1st Gloucesters were pushed along the high -ground a mile south-east of Pontruet. Here they -were held up for the time, but the 1st South Wales -Borderers came in on their left and connected up -with the Black Watch. All day the 3rd Brigade -threw back a long flank north of Gricourt to the -Sixth Division, which was ordered to hold its ground. -</p> - -<p> -The 137th Brigade having fought its way to the -banks of the St. Quentin Canal proceeded now to force -the passage. The 6th South Staffords on the right -found the water low and there was little swimming to -be done, but the 5th South Staffords in the centre, -and the 6th North Staffords on the left were hard put -to it to get across. The men dashed backwards and -forwards on the bank, like hounds that are balked, -looking for the most hopeful spot, and then springing -into the water, sink or swim, with their gallant -officers trailing ropes behind them as they got across. -In a few minutes the whole smooth surface of the -Canal for a mile or more was dotted with the heads -of the English infantry, while cables, broken bridges, -extempore rafts, and leaking boats were all pressed -into the service. Within a few minutes the dripping -ranks were into the trenches on the eastern bank, -where the moral effect of their dashing achievement -took all the iron out of the defenders. At Riqueval -the bridge was intact and the enemy pioneers in the -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P160"></a>160}</span> -act of blowing it up when the British sappers and -infantry swarmed in upon them and bayoneted them -with the lanthorns in their hands. This bridge and -a second pontoon bridge made later by the engineers -and pioneers of the Forty-sixth and Thirty-second -Divisions, were invaluable as a means of communication. -</p> - -<p> -The trenches and the tunnel entrance at Bellenglise -were soon occupied and the perilous passage -had been safely made. The advance then continued, -the teams of four guns being shot down as they tried -to get away. The 138th Lincolns and Leicesters -with the 139th Sherwood Forester Brigade had -relieved the Stafford battalions, which dropped back -after having performed one of the most notable feats -of the war. These two brigades began to go forward -preceded by twelve tanks which had made their -way round over the solid ground on the Australian -front. The advance was much impeded, however, by -some German guns on the west side of the Canal, -to the south of the point where it had been crossed. -These guns, firing into the back of the 139th Brigade -on the right, knocked out by direct fire every one -of the six tanks allotted to it. A party of the -Foresters then recrossed the Canal, shot or bayoneted -these gunners, and extinguished the opposition in -the rear. -</p> - -<p> -The 138th Brigade on the left advanced well, and -by 12.30 was near Magny and Le Haucourt, but it -was necessary to call a halt, as the failure to hold -Nauroy upon the left had exposed the north flank -of the division, while the south flank had always -been somewhat in the air. During the delay the -barrage got ahead, but the infantry soon overtook it -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P161"></a>161}</span> -once more, racing eagerly for the protection of that -slowly-moving cyclone. By 3 P.M. all objectives -allotted to the Forty-sixth Division had been taken, -and by 4 P.M. the Thirty-second Division had passed -through their ranks—a glorious military picture on -a day of victory—with the old 14th Brigade in the -van. The leading lines of the infantry were now -well up with the German guns, and it is on record -that the German gunners fought with the greatest -valour and continued to fire their guns at -point-blank range up to the last. Many great deeds were -done as small bodies of infantry closed in on these -guns, often dashing through their own pelting -barrage in their determination that the enemy -should not have time to limber up and get away. -Nauroy had now fallen save only the north end, -which was still a scourge to the left flank of -Braithwaite's Corps. Late in the afternoon the 97th -Brigade captured the southern half of Joncourt, -and before night Le Tronquoy had fallen also. From -there the final line ran west of Le Vergies, and then -back to Etricourt, where it was in touch with the -Thirtieth American Division. -</p> - -<p> -Late at night the Sixth Division on the extreme -right, which had endured heavy fighting all along -its front during the day, was relieved by the -extension northwards of the Fifteenth French Corps. The -Sixth Division went into reserve. All night there -was a bickering of machine-guns and rifle-fire along -the front, and before morning the 14th Brigade -had completed the mopping up of the villages which -it had captured. -</p> - -<p> -It was a most glorious day's work which reflects -great credit upon General Braithwaite and his men, -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P162"></a>162}</span> -who were allotted a task which it seemed presumptuous -to demand and yet carried it out to the last inch. -The stormers captured 90 guns and 5400 prisoners -during the day, the vast majority of which (70 guns -and 4000 prisoners) fell to the Midland Territorials. -It was fitting that in so intimate a struggle as that -between Great Britain and Germany it was men from -the very inner heart of England who at the critical -moment struck the most deadly blow. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Sept. 30-Oct 1. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -On September 30 there was a continued forward -movement on the front of the Ninth Corps. The -First Division took Thorigny and the Thirty-second -Division took Le Vergies during the day, with some -700 prisoners. The general movement of troops was -from the south, the French taking ground to the left -in order to release the British for that north-eastern -movement which promised the more decisive results. -</p> - -<p> -On the morning of October 1 the Thirty-second -Division, in close liaison with the Australians, -completed the capture of Joncourt, and made progress -towards Sequehart. During the afternoon the glad -news arrived that the French were progressing -splendidly in the south and that their pioneers were -in St. Quentin. All day the Thirty-second Division -was flowing slowly onwards, taking Sequehart and -establishing its van in the Fonsomme line, which -extends from that village to Beaurevoir. The -Germans had given fanciful names to all of these lines -which were taken with such unfailing regularity by -the Allies. There were the Siegfried line, the Wotan -line, and other Wagnerian titles, which led some wit -to remark at the time that if they went far enough -through the list of that composer's operas, they would -certainly come, sooner or later, to the Flying Dutchman. -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P163"></a>163}</span> -There was some confused fighting in the line -south of Ramicourt, but the setting sun found the -Thirty-second Division in full possession. It was -clear, however, that heavy fighting was ahead, as the -Intelligence Department learned that three fresh -divisions, the Eighty-fourth, Two hundred and -twenty-first, and Two hundred and forty-first, had -come forward to buttress the line of defence. These -new-comers were strong enough to bar the way -successfully to the weary Thirty-second Division -on the morning of October 2. In the evening the -Germans passed to the attack and, backed by strong -gun-fire, they got temporary possession of Sequehart, -the British line being drawn across the high ground -to the west of that village. We must now pause to -consider what was going on in the north. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Sept. 29, Oct. 1 -</span> -</p> - -<p> -As regards the part played by the Third Corps in -these operations it was mainly limited to the action -of the 54th and 55th Brigades of the Eighteenth -Division, with elements of the Twelfth Division. -On the left the 54th Brigade attacked the position -known as the Knoll, which was occupied by the -6th Northants who repelled several severe -counter-attacks. Any further movement was hampered, -however, by the deadly fire of the enemy from -Guillemont Farm. The 55th Brigade was unable, as -planned, to get down the Macquincourt valley as the -Hindenburg Line, which commanded it, was still -intact. Next morning, however (September 30), it was -found possible to get forward as far as Guillemont -Farm and Vandhuile village, which were occupied -with little loss, but the enemy was still in force in -the Hindenburg Line behind it, and attempts to cross -the Canal were checked by the German machine-guns. -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P164"></a>164}</span> -The 37th Brigade of the Twelfth Division held the -front line to the north-west of Vandhuile, with -outposts along the Canal, which they also were unable -to cross. On October 1 it was realised that the -Australians working north had got in contact with -the remains of the Twenty-seventh American Division, -and also with the 55th Brigade in the Macquincourt -valley. On the left the Fifth Corps had also reached -the Canal. At noon on October 1 the long term of -service of the Third Corps was at an end, and their -section was taken over by Morland's Thirteenth Corps. -The work of the Third Corps during that time had -been very brilliant. Between August 8 and September -30 the five divisions which composed it met and -overthrew twenty German divisions, including a -number of the very best troops which the enemy -retained in the field. They pushed them back over -25 miles of difficult country, and captured 15,700 -prisoners in all with 150 guns. The achievement -was the more remarkable as the troops employed -were mostly young and untried, the successors of -those veterans who had laid the foundations of the -great reputation of these grand divisions. 1100 -officers and 24,000 men in the list of casualties -attest the severity of the service. In estimating the -work of the latter period it is to be remembered that -the Germans were in the line which they had been -taught to consider impregnable, with very heavy -artillery support, so that it is not surprising that it -took six days to drive them back 4000 yards to the -main outpost line, and another week to gain the Canal -2000 yards farther east. This remark applies equally -to the Corps on either side. -</p> - -<p> -Braithwaite's Ninth Corps having passed the St. Quentin -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P165"></a>165}</span> -Canal in the dashing way already described, -had established itself firmly upon the other side during -the first two days of October. On October 3 it -made a further forward movement in close liaison -with the Australians on the left. The two very -tired divisions which had fought incessantly for four -days, the Forty-sixth on the left and the Thirty-second -on the right, were still in the van. There -was some hope of a break from these repeated hammer-blows, -so the Fifth Cavalry Brigade were close behind -the infantry, waiting hopefully for the developments -of the day. The First Division on the right was -told off to keep in touch with the French Fifteenth -Corps which was joining in the attack. -</p> - -<p> -Both divisions, starting at 6.25 in the morning, -made excellent progress. Ramicourt was carried by -the Midlanders in the first rush, and it had been cleared -before 7.30. By 8, Sequehart, with 200 prisoners, -had fallen to the Thirty-second Division. The final -objective was the village of Montbrehain and Mannequin -Hill. On the left the Second Australian Division, -advancing with irresistible dash, had occupied -Wiancourt and were making good progress towards -Beaurevoir. By 11, some of the Forty-sixth Division were -on Mannequin Hill, and some on the left were in the -outskirts of Montbrehain, but the Australians had -been held up to the north of that village, which made -the situation very difficult. By 3 P.M., however, the -whole of this important point had fallen, with the -large capture of 70 officers and 2000 men. There was -very severe and close fighting in the village all day, -and the northern flank of the Midland Territorials was -still bare to enfilade fire, so they were drawn back to -the western outskirts, which are on the reverse slope -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P166"></a>166}</span> -of the hill east of Ramicourt. At 7 P.M. the Germans -counter-attacked on the British right and for a time -regained the crest of Mannequin Hill, but they were -pushed off again after dark. Another counter-attack -against the Thirty-second Division about the same -hour at Sequehart was a complete failure. During -the night one brigade of the First Division and a -dismounted section of the 5th Cavalry Brigade -reinforced the utterly weary Forty-sixth Division on the -left. In the meantime the French Fifteenth Corps, -which had attacked with no marked success during -the day, elongated its line to the north so as to relieve -the First Division. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Sept. 30-Oct. 3. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -The breach made during this day's fighting in the -Beaurevoir-Fonsomme line, together with the action -of the New Zealanders, presently to be described, in -keeping their grip of Crevecœur in the north, had -completely destroyed the resistance of the last of the -great organised defences of the Hindenburg system -to which the enemy had trusted as being impregnable. -Officers who went over these works immediately after -the fighting were amazed at the breadth and strength -of the wire and the depth of the dug-outs and trenches. -Their final destruction was due to the action of many -forces, British, American, and Australian, all equally -heroic, but the historian of the future surveying the -whole field with the detailed facts before him, will -probably agree that the outflanking forces at either -end, the New Zealanders in the north and the -Englishmen of the Midland Division in the south, -stand pre-eminently out in this wonderful achievement. -Sir Douglas Haig visited the Ninth Corps on -October 4 and congratulated it upon the vital work -which it had accomplished. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P167"></a>167}</span> -</p> - -<p> -October 3 had been a day of desperate fighting -for the Second Australian Division on the left of -the Ninth Corps, which had taken the place of the -Fifth Australians, while the Eighteenth British had -relieved the Third. Their attack was upon the -Beaurevoir line, including the village of Beaurevoir, and -though the latter was not taken considerable progress -was made. The advance was made with Martin's -5th Brigade on the right, while the 7th Brigade -(Wisdom) was in touch with the Fiftieth British -Division on the left. Sixteen tanks lumbered in -front of the line of infantry. The honours of the day -rested with the 18th, 19th, and 25th Battalions, in -that order from the right, who swept forward against -the formidable German position. So terrible was the -fire and the wire that the two right-hand battalions -drew back and lay down while the guns were again -turned on. They then rushed the line almost before -the flying fragments of splintered wire had reached -the ground. Two hundred prisoners and eighteen -machine-guns were the fruits, while the 25th on the -left got the village of Lormisset. The first phase of -the action ended with the possession of the German -line from this village to the divisional boundary on -the right, and the formation of a defensive flank by -the 7th Brigade, facing north. The 17th and 20th -Battalions then pushed in and got Wiancourt. -Altogether 11 battalions, with an average strength of -200, were concerned in this operation, and they took -6500 yards of double-trenched system. They lost -roughly 1000 men, but killed as many Germans, -besides taking 1200 prisoners, 11 guns, and 163 -machine-guns. A German officer summed up the -enemy view by saying, "You Australians are all -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P168"></a>168}</span> -bluff. You attack with practically no men and are -on the top of us before we know where we are." -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Oct. 3-6. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -The total effect of the fighting on October 3 in -this section of the line had been extraordinarily good, -though all objectives had not been taken. As the -net result the British held the line for 10,000 yards -from Sequehart to the west of Beaurevoir. At one -time the gains had been greater but the enemy had -countered with great valour, the Twenty-first Reserve -Division, Twenty-fifth, and One hundred and nineteenth -all making very strong attacks, so that the -advanced line was retaken all along. On October 5, -however, the division in the north got Beaurevoir -while the 6th Australian Brigade carried out a very -dashing attack by which the village of Montbrehain, -which had already been taken and lost, was now -permanently occupied. This hard struggle was begun -by the 21st and 24th Battalions, but both were very -worn, and there was not sufficient weight and impetus -to drive the attack home. It was at this crisis that -the 2nd Australian Pioneer Battalion, which had -never been in action, made a fine advance, losing 400 -of its number but saving the situation and capturing -the village with 600 prisoners. -</p> - -<p> -Immediately after this battle the Second American -Corps took over the whole line from the Australians, -who retired for a rest which proved to be a final one. -So exit from the world's drama one of its most -picturesque figures, the lithe, hawk-faced, dare-devil -man of the South. His record had always been fine, -and twice on a day of doom his firm ranks stood -between the Empire and absolute disaster. The end -of March on the Somme, and the middle of April in -Flanders, are two crises in which every man who speaks -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P169"></a>169}</span> -the English tongue the whole world over owes a deep -debt of gratitude to the men who stemmed the rush -of German barbarism which might have submerged -the world. But their supreme effort lay in those last -hundred days when, starting from the Abbé Wood, -west of Villers-Bretonneux and close to Amiens, they -carried their line forward in an almost constant -succession of battles until they were through the last -barrier of the desperate and redoubtable enemy. The -men were great; the officers, chosen only by merit, -were also great; but greatest of all, perhaps, was their -commander, Sir John Monash, a rare and compelling -personality, whose dark, flashing eyes and swarthy -face might have seemed more in keeping with some -Asiatic conqueror than with the prosaic associations -of a British Army. He believed in his men, and his -men believed in him, and their glorious joint history -showed that neither was deceived in the other. So -exit Australia. <i>Ave et vale!</i> -</p> - -<p> -It has been already stated that Morland's Thirteenth -Corps took over the sector which formed the -left of Rawlinson's Fourth Army, after the Third -Corps which had occupied this position was drawn -out for a rest and reorganisation. The same relative -positions were maintained, so that from October 1 -when they first came into action till the end of the -war the Thirteenth Corps had the Fifth Corps of the -Third Army on their left, and the Australians and -their successors on their right. They came into -line at that very critical moment when the great -Hindenburg Line had been broken on their south -by the Americans and Australians, but when the -situation was difficult on account of a large body of the -former, the remains of the Twenty-seventh Division, -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P170"></a>170}</span> -being embedded in the German lines, having advanced -with such speed that the trenches had not been cleared, -so that they found themselves with as many enemies -on their rear as in their front. That under these -circumstances there was no great surrender speaks -volumes for the spirit and constancy of the men. -</p> - -<p> -The Thirteenth Corps took over Lee's seasoned -Eighteenth Division from the Third Corps. It contained -also the Twenty-fifth Division (Charles), which -had been practically annihilated in the three desperate -battles described in the previous volume, but had now -been rebuilt largely of men from the Italian front -where the reduction of brigades to the three-battalion -scale had liberated a number of trained and veteran -soldiers. It was now commanded by General Charles, -an officer who had signalised his professional youth -by riding round the rear of the Boer army in the -company of young Captain Hunter-Weston. There -was also the Fiftieth Division (Jackson) which has -so often been described in the van of the battle. It -had also been reconstituted after its practical -destruction, and now contained no less than six Regular -battalions from the East, full of experience and also, -unfortunately, of malaria. Finally there was Bethell's -Sixty-sixth Division, a Lancashire Territorial unit -which had played a fine part on several historic -occasions. The South African Brigade now formed -part of this Division. Altogether General Morland -had a sound hard-working team under his hand, with -a strong backing of artillery. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Oct. 3. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -The Fourth Army was now across the line of the -Canal de l'Escaut, but it was necessary to clear a -way for General Byng's Third Army to cross on the -north. With this object it was wise to push the -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P171"></a>171}</span> -attack in the south and so to outflank the Germans -that they would have to abandon the whole position. -It was with this object that the Ninth Corps and the -Australians were ordered to attack on October 3 as -already described in order to secure the high ground -east and north of Beaurevoir and the villages of -Montbrehain and Sequehart, while the Thirteenth -Corps conformed, pivoting on its left, and capturing, -as will be shown, the villages of Gouy and Le Catelet -and the rising ground known as Prospect Hill. The -two villages which lie in a basin surrounded by hills -were powerfully held and fortified. To the west of -Le Catelet the St. Quentin Canal runs between -steep banks, which rise 50 feet above the water at -that part, but come down to the normal at Vandhuile. -</p> - -<p> -On the front of Morland's Corps only one division, -the 50th, was in line, the others being arranged in -depth behind it. Sugden's 151st Brigade was on the -right in close touch with the Australians, the 149th -on the left. The latter was to hold its ground and -form a hinge round which everything in the south -should swing. -</p> - -<p> -Early on October 3 the attack started in a -thick mist, which made observation impossible—not -an unmixed evil when a strong defensive position is -to be stormed. The troops went forward with -splendid dash, meeting with varied experiences as -they encountered the strong posts of the enemy, -but continually getting forward, though they had not -attained the level of the Australians when about -9 A.M. the latter had occupied the Masnières-Beaurevoir -line. The 6th Inniskilling Fusiliers who had -been told off to take Prospect Hill had been drawn -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P172"></a>172}</span> -into the fighting in the village of Gouy, but the 1st -Yorkshire Light Infantry pushed in on their right -and sweeping past the village, caught up the barrage -and captured the hill which it at once consolidated. -By 10 o'clock the whole of the original objective, -including both villages, had been occupied, while the -Australians were in Estrées to the south. The rest -of the day was spent, however, in holding the new -line against very vigorous counter-attacks which -drove down from the north-east and pushed the 4th -King's Royal Rifles of the 150th Brigade (Rollo), who -had already lost heavily, out of Gouy. They rallied, -however, and reinforced by the 2nd Northumberland -Fusiliers they restored the situation after some heavy -fighting which came to close grips among the houses. -The Second Australian Division on the right had -also lost its hold of Beaurevoir and been driven -by a heavy counter-attack to Beaurevoir Mill. The -night closed down upon these lines, the British -having failed to hold all their furthest points, but -having greatly enlarged their foothold on the far -side of the St. Quentin Canal, which had now been -crossed and held from a point 400 yards south-east -of Vandhuile. The Fiftieth Division had used seven -battalions and incurred heavy losses, but it had won -Gouy, Le Catelet, and Prospect Hill, with some 300 -prisoners. The tactical success was complete, but -the strategic aim was not yet attained, as the Germans -still held the Canal in front of the Third Army to the -left. It was decided, therefore, to renew the -operations at once, bringing in the Twenty-fifth Division -on the right. There was a marked salient in the -German line which included the villages of Beaurevoir -and Ponchaux. The plan was to cut in to the north -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P173"></a>173}</span> -and south of this salient and pinch it out. The 151st -Brigade came into line on the left and Hickie's -7th Brigade of the Twenty-fifth Division on the -right, while it was arranged with General Shute on -the left that the Thirty-eighth Welsh Division should -support the attack of the 151st Brigade. There were -nests of trenches upon the high ground north of Gouy -and Le Catelet and these were the main obstacles in -front. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Oct. 4. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -At 6 o'clock on October 4 the attack went forward -in thick fog, so thick that it was not until 11 that the -position of the Divisions could be defined. At that -hour it was learned that the right of the 7th Brigade -was in the high ground west of Ponchaux and in -touch with the Australians on the Torrens Canal. -They were also holding the line of railway near the -cemetery, but were under very heavy fire from the -villages which raked their position. Neither of the -villages had fallen, so that the attack on the left -seemed to have miscarried. The reports from the -Fiftieth Division were that some progress had been -made towards La Pannerie, but that the left was held -up by heavy fire. At 1 o'clock La Pannerie was -reported as taken, but the situation was still -unsatisfactory, and the troops were under the guns of -the Germans to the north, especially from Hargival -Farm, which, however, was taken in the late -afternoon. About 6 o'clock the glad news came in from -General Jackson that the enemy appeared to be -weakening, and he suggested a farther advance. -This was held over until the Welsh Division should -be available, while all preparations were made for a -fresh attack upon the salient and the villages next -morning. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P174"></a>174}</span> -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Oct 5. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -At 6 A.M. on October 5 the untiring infantry -were off once more, through the usual dense obscurity -which shrouds that region of marshes and canals. -At 9 it cleared. The 7th Brigade had been held -on the right, but the 74th Brigade of the Twenty-fifth -Division under Craigie-Hackett, had fought its -way past Beaurevoir Mill, and its left-hand battalion, -the 11th Sherwood Foresters, had reached its -objective in a sunken road north-east of Guisancourt -Farm. Some small parties were reported by the -aeroplanes to be on the east side of Beaurevoir, but -the Germans were still in the village. They were -fighting with fine resolution, and a heavy counter-attack -once more re-established their line, save that -Bellevue Farm remained in the hands of the 74th -Brigade. Further British efforts met with no better -success, so it was decided to reorganise and attack -again at dusk. The glad news had arrived that in the -north the Welsh Division had found all clear in front -of it and that the Fifth Corps was streaming across -the Canal. The Fiftieth Division then fell into line, -with the Welsh sharing in their advance. Fryell's -75th Brigade was now assembled in the dead ground -west of Beaurevoir, and about 6.30 dashed at it with -levelled bayonets and a determination which would -take no denial. The enemy were swept out of it and -the line carried forward 500 yards to the east of it, -while junction was established with the Australians -upon the Estrées-Le Cateau Road. Nearly 600 -prisoners were taken during this day. That night -the Second American Corps took over from the -Australians on the right of the Thirteenth Corps. -</p> - -<p> -There was now in front of General Morland a high -waterless plateau extending from the St. Quentin -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P175"></a>175}</span> -Canal to the Selle River. As it is a country of large, -open spaces intersected with sunken roads, it offers -great facilities for the use of machine-guns. It is -dotted with villages nestling in their orchards, but -the wide stretches between are given over to beet-root -cultivation. As the German rearguards were -still hanging on to their position, a big attack was -arranged for October 8 which would entail an -advance of the Thirteenth Corps to the -Fremont-Serain-Walincourt Road, meaning a depth of 6000 -yards on a 4000-yard frontage. The Twenty-fifth -Division had one brigade on the right in touch -with the Americans, the Sixty-sixth were in front of -Serain with two brigades, while the Fiftieth Division -with one brigade was on the left. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Oct. 8. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -The general fight was preceded by a local attack -by units of the Fiftieth Division, at 1 o'clock in the -morning of October 8, upon the strong German post -called Villers Farm which overlooked their line. -This was successfully taken, but a simultaneous -attack by the Thirty-eighth Division upon the village -of Villers-Outreaux to the north was held up, with -the unfortunate sequel that a heavy German barrage -fell upon the troops as they assembled for the main -attack. They endured tragic casualties with silent -patience, carrying through their preparations with -absolute disregard of the shower of projectiles. The -attack was launched at 5.20, the order of brigades -from the right being the 7th, the South Africans, the -198th, and the 151st. -</p> - -<p> -This attack was a complete success. There was a -stiff fight at Ponchaux, but the village was soon -carried. The whippet tanks moved up with great -daring in front of the infantry but suffered severely -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P176"></a>176}</span> -from shells and anti-tank rifles. The 2nd Cavalry -Brigade, who were eagerly awaiting a chance to be -unleashed, found no opening during the day. The -infantry got forward finely, however, and by 11 A.M. all -objectives were held save on the front of Hunter's -198th Brigade, which was badly handicapped by the -fact that Villers-Outreaux was still in German hands. -By 3 P.M. the Fifth Corps had taken this village and -the left of the Thirteenth Corps got forward to its -extreme point. The Twenty-fifth and Sixty-sixth -Divisions were at once ordered to push forward and -improve the success in every way, and the final line -was from the eastern outskirts of Fremont and -Serain up to the distillery on the Elincourt-Malincourt -Road. Some 800 prisoners had been taken. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Oct. 9. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -The battle was continued on the morning of -October 9 with a prompt vigour which was amazing -considering the continual exertions of the troops. -It was speedily evident that these attacks had shaken -the enemy and that he had been unable to get his -roots down in his new positions. Much ground was -gained with little loss, Elincourt, Avelu, and Maretz -all passing into British hands. It was hoped at one -time that the passages of the Selle River might be -seized that day, but the infantry were too exhausted -and the distances too great. The Canadian Cavalry -Brigade, pressing forward in small parties, got past -Reumont and cut off some of the Germans, but -larger bodies of cavalry were faced always with -murderous machine-gun fire from scattered positions. -The Sixty-sixth Division had overtaken the Canadian -Cavalry before evening, and the line of the Corps -was west of Escaufort but clear of the eastern edge -of Honnechy towards Bertry Station. They were -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P177"></a>177}</span> -coming at last into the old battle-ground of 1914. -The wheel had swung full circle. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Oct. 10. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -At 5.30 on October 10 these indefatigable -soldiers were off again. They made good progress -until the western slopes of the Selle valley were -reached. Here the Twenty-fifth Division was -checked by the fire from St. Benin, which appeared -to be strongly held. At noon the Sixty-sixth -Division was in Le Cateau, but under heavy fire from -the south-west of Forest. About 2 P.M. the 74th -Brigade, consisting of the 9th Yorkshires, 11th -Sherwood Foresters, and 13th Durhams, made a very -dashing assault upon the village of St. Benin, and -drove the enemy at the point of the bayonet across -the river. It was a fine achievement but led to no -immediate advance, as the stream was unbridged -and strongly defended. The Sixty-sixth Division -meanwhile attacked the ridge to the east of Le -Cateau, going forward with the 6th Connaught -Rangers on the left and the 18th King's Liverpools -on the right. The Irishmen rushed the town with -great gallantry and got through to the railway -cutting on the far side. The latter battalion got as -far as Montay, but found the banks of the river -heavily wired and were unable to cross. The -Connaught men were ordered back, therefore, after dusk, -as both their flanks were in the air. They continued -to hold the western bank of the Selle, where it passes -through the town of Le Cateau. -</p> - -<p> -There we may leave them preparing for the -important battle of the Selle River, while we bring -up the Second American and Ninth British Corps -on the right until they also are in line upon the -Selle. These two Corps worked in close liaison, -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P178"></a>178}</span> -forming the extreme right of the whole line of the British -Armies, which was now rolling forward in an unbroken -wave more than a hundred miles in length, gathering -speed and volume as it went. Some half-cynical -Italian critic had remarked early in the war that the -British may only win one battle in a war but it is -always the final one. The hour had now struck and -the line was irresistible in its cold and purposeful -determination. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Oct. 8. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -October the 8th was a great day of battle, in which -the Second Americans on the left, the Ninth British -in the centre, and the Fifteenth French on the right -were all heavily engaged, the men advancing with -ardour from the knowledge that at last the open land -of France lay before them, and that the nightmares -of barbed wire and permanent lines were behind. -Taking the line from the north, the immediate object -of the Americans was to capture Brancourt and -Fremont, including a total advance of 6000 yards. -The attack was made by the 59th Brigade of the -Thirtieth Division, with the 60th Brigade in support. -The advance was supported by a number of heavy -tanks and of whippets. The machine-guns were -numerous and deadly, but the Americans would take -no denial, fighting with that grim earnestness which -is as much their national characteristic in battle, as -is the debonnaire light-heartedness of the British, -or the exalted abandonment of the French. By -evening both villages had fallen and all objectives -attained. Early next morning the 59th American -Brigade advanced once more, maintaining the fight -until the early afternoon when the 60th American -Brigade passed through their thin ranks, taking the -towns of Busigny and Becquigny. To carry on a -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P179"></a>179}</span> -connected narrative of the American Corps it may be -added that they were still attacking on October 10, -endeavouring to secure the command of the Selle -River and the high ground beyond. The 119th -American Regiment in the north captured Escaufort -and St. Souplet, and in collaboration with Morland's -Corps got possession of St. Benin in face of a very -hot fire. Finally the 119th Regiment forced its way -to the western bank of the Selle. The 120th -American Regiment on the right had been checked by -enfilade fire near Vaux Andigny, and had to throw -out a defensive line to the south, being for the -moment ahead of the general line. This regiment -had suffered very heavily in its fine advance, and it -was relieved on the early morning of October 11 by -the 118th Regiment, who found their comrades so -stretched out that they were covering a front of -5000 yards. The left American sector then -remained stationary, but the 118th Regiment swept -forward and took at the point of the bayonet the -villages of Vaux Andigny and La Haie Manneresse, -making an advance of 1000 yards. That night the -Twenty-seventh Division came forward and relieved -the Thirtieth. We shall now return and follow the -movements of the Ninth Corps on the right during -these five days of battle. -</p> - -<p> -This Corps had joined vigorously in the attack -on October 8, advancing with the 71st Brigade of the -Sixth Division on the left, the 16th Brigade in the -centre, and the 139th Sherwood Foresters Brigade on -the right, the function of the latter being to keep in -touch with the French. The line sped forward -without a check for 2000 yards, a squadron of whippets -leading them gallantly on. The 16th Brigade had -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P180"></a>180}</span> -the hardest task, but they forced their way eastwards, -and by midday Mannequin and Doon Hills with -Beauregard Farm were all within the British lines. -The cavalry tried to get through, but the machine-guns -were still their masters, and it could only have -been done at the cost of unjustifiable losses. Cerise -Wood was a serious obstacle, but the resistance there -suddenly collapsed before the stern insistence of the -16th Brigade, and 190 prisoners gave themselves up. -Mericourt also was taken. Out of Mannequin Wood -200 more Germans were extracted. Altogether it -was a very successful day, as 4 guns, 35 machine-guns, -and 1200 prisoners remained with the victors. -The Corps line on the left was well forward on its -objectives, though on the right the advance had not -been as far as was expected. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Oct. 8-9. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -In order to strengthen the right the Forty-sixth -Division was put in between the Sixth Division on -the left and the French. With this greater weight -of attack things went very much better on October 9. -The new-comers captured Fresnoy-le-Grand, while -the Sixth Division took Jonnecourt Farm which had -been a lion in the path upon the previous day. A -railway lay across the front and the Germans tried -to build up a fresh line upon it, but in the afternoon -they had lost their grip. The usual organised -retreat of the Germans showed signs now of hurry -and demoralisation. Late in the evening the Sixth -Division occupied Bohain, which was found to contain -several thousands of civilians, many of whom had -not touched food for three days, but who forgot their -hunger in the joys of liberty. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Oct. 10. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -The next day, October 10, the whole Corps front -was moving forward, but resistance thickened as it -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P181"></a>181}</span> -advanced, and finally in the evening they appeared -to be once more faced by an organised line of battle. -The Sixth Division was now in touch with the -Thirtieth Americans at Vaux Andigny. On October 11 -a fresh German division, the Fifth Reserve, had come -into line, and it was very difficult to get forward in -face of their fire. The casualties were low, however, -and indeed it may be remarked that the greater -tactical skill acquired by years of practice showed -itself now, not merely by the defeat of the -enemy but also by the cheapness of the cost. The -iron front of the tank took many a bullet which in -earlier days would have found the breast of the -stormer, for brain work in England had come to the -aid of valour in France. Up to now, in all these -momentous operations from the 18th of September, -the total casualties of the Ninth Corps had only been -6000, less than those of many a futile trench attack -in the early years. On the other hand their prisoners -were 12,000, a most remarkable record. -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p><a id="chap07"></a></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">{<a id="P182"></a>182}</span></p> - -<h3> -CHAPTER VII -<br /><br /> -THE OPERATIONS OF RAWLINSON's FOURTH ARMY -</h3> - -<p class="t3"> -From the Battle of the Selle, October 17, to the end -</p> - -<p class="intro"> -Attack upon the line of the Selle River—Stubborn work by the -Second American Corps—Success of the Ninth Corps—Hard -fighting at Le Cateau—Great feat of the South Africans—Continued -advance—Delay-action mines—Capture of Landrecies—Dramatic -exit of the German machine-gunner—Splendid work -of the First Division. -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p> -There was a pause now on the front of the Fourth -Army, and a period for preparation and reorganisation -which was badly needed after the rapid and -unremitting advance. The Selle River in front of the -American section of the line had been carefully -reconnoitred and was found to be fordable except -for occasional deep holes. The position opposite to -this Corps was very difficult, the enemy holding the -east bank strongly, with outposts near St. Souplet -in the north and Molain in the south. Across -the stream and parallel with it was the railway, -which had an embankment rising in places as high -as thirty feet. Behind the railway was rising -ground. -</p> - -<p> -The Americans attacked with both their divisions -in the line, the Thirtieth being on the right. The -301st American Tank Battalion led them on. The -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P183"></a>183}</span> -attack was on a three-brigade front, the Twenty-seventh -Division having both its units in the fighting -line. It should be explained that an American -division has only two brigades as against the three -in the British system, but that each brigade is very -much stronger, consisting nominally of 6000 bayonets. -These particular brigades, however, were already very -worn, and a great strain was thrown upon them by -the failure of the reinforcing organisation which, for -some reason, had been unable to make good the -very serious casualties already incurred. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Oct. 17. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -The battle began at 5.20 in the morning of October -17. The left of the American line had its jumping-off -place in the partially destroyed village of -St. Souplet, and it was no easy matter to get forward -from the beginning. None the less the whole line -fought its way across the stream and up to the -high railway embankment beyond. This, as in the -area of the Thirteenth Corps, proved to be a very -formidable obstacle, the more so as the fog made -cohesion of attack and accurate observation equally -impossible. Bandoval Farm on the left of the -line poured out a destructive volume of machine-gun -fire, but it was eventually rushed by the American -Infantry. The right of the Twenty-seventh Division -got the village of Arbre Guernon. The difficulties -of this unit were greatly increased by the fact that -their tanks could not ford the stream, and though -it had been arranged that they should join them -from the south, where there was a crossing, only -two did eventually arrive, both of which were -destroyed by shell-fire. In spite of everything, -however, the Twenty-seventh Division fought their -way forward to the Le Cateau-Arbre Guernon -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P184"></a>184}</span> -Road, where they finally halted, as both of their -flanks were, for the moment, in the air. -</p> - -<p> -The Thirtieth American Division had encountered -a fierce resistance from the start at the villages of -Molain and St. Martin, so that they were held up -in crossing the river. After taking these villages -they were faced by heavy fire from the ridge across -the river. They formed a defensive flank, however, -up to the point which their comrades had reached -on the left. The total achievement of the Second -American Corps was a fine one, for their prisoners -amounted to nearly 1500 men, while their front had -been advanced for 4000 yards. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Oct. 18. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -Next morning, October 18, the attack was renewed -by General Read, the Thirtieth Division bringing up -the 60th Brigade which had been in reserve on -the day before. In front of it was a line of -well-fortified villages, two of which, Ribeauville and -Ecaillon, were captured before evening, while a third, -Mazinghien, was ringed round and American patrols -were in the streets. This success represented a -further advance of 1500 yards. The last-named -village was completely cleared by the bayonet on -the morning of October 19 and the advance was -carried on for a further distance of 3000 yards. The -objective of this day's attack was the high ground -overlooking the Canal, and by night the west slope -of this ridge had been reached all along the divisional -front. -</p> - -<p> -The Twenty-seventh Division had advanced on -the left and had taken Jonquière Farm, pushing its -patrols across the St. Maurice River and up to the -ridge beyond, behind which lay Le Catillon. A -pause was now ordered while fresh dispositions were -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P185"></a>185}</span> -made all along the British front, and during this -pause the two American divisions, which had fought -a succession of severe actions ever since September -27, were drawn out. Their losses had been very -heavy, and as already stated no replacements had -been received. In their term of service the Second -American Corps had taken 81 German guns, 6000 -prisoners, and a large amount of material, while their -own casualties amounted to the very honourable -total of 364 officers and 12,826 men. They left the -line with the deep respect and affection of their -British comrades, who well appreciated the difficulties -which new-comers, however brave, must meet with -in work which calls for so terrible an apprenticeship. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Oct. 17. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -We will now return to the operations of the -Ninth Corps, on the right flank of the Americans, -from October 17 onwards. The action was started -with the Forty-sixth Division on the right and the -Sixth on the left, while the First Division was in -close support, ready to come through when needed. -A great forest lay on their front and the general -idea was that the Ninth Corps should encircle this -from the north and join beyond the wood with the -Fifteenth French Corps, General Braithwaite coming -forward with his headquarters to the immediate -rear of the battle so as to keep control of what would -be a delicate and difficult operation. One battalion -of the 139th Brigade, attacking on the right of the -British line, lost its direction in the fog and got -into so false a position that upon the fog suddenly -lifting it was exposed to very heavy loss from the -German machine-guns. The splendid Sherwood -Foresters have seldom had a more severe ordeal. -The left of the battalion swung round, however, and -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P186"></a>186}</span> -changed direction, with the result that the situation -was restored. Without any loss of spirit the brigade -rushed on and captured Regnicourt, driving back a -heavy counter-attack which rolled in from the east -about 11.30. The other three brigades in the line, -which were, counting from the right, the 138th, 18th, -and 16th, all made good progress, though in the fog -they left several lively machine-guns in their rear. -Each captured all the objectives in front, including -the wood of St. Pierre. -</p> - -<p> -The First Division was now coming up behind -the Sixth with the intention of passing through them, -but they ran into very heavy fire before they had -reached their allotted positions. Both the 1st and -2nd Brigades had to advance for 2000 yards under the -constant thrashing of the machine-guns, in spite of -which these veteran battalions maintained their -cohesion and direction, arriving at their starting-point -in the battle line at the time arranged. Passing -through the Sixth Division they continued the -advance, with the 1st Brigade on the right and the -2nd in touch with the Americans on the left. The -village of La Vallée Mulatre was very sternly defended, -but nothing could stop the fire of the attack, and by -2.30 it had been entirely occupied. The Forty-sixth -Division on the right had fought their way through -the woody country, and had finally completed the -whole scheme by joining hands with the French at -the outskirts of the great Forêt Domanial just -north-west of Mennevret. It was a good day for the -Ninth Corps, and the prisoners amounted to 150 -officers and 1500 men, a proportion of officers which -suggests that the demoralisation of the German -Army had not stopped at the ranks. Among the -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P187"></a>187}</span> -prisoners were samples from 6 divisions, 13 regiments, -and 31 battalions, indicating the urgency with which -reinforcements had been hurried up to prevent a -complete fracture of the line. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Oct. 18. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -In the early morning of October 18 the Forty-sixth -Division in co-operation with the French -captured Mennevret and Le Repas. On the same -morning the 3rd Brigade advanced in co-operation -with the Americans on the left and pushed the line -forward as far as Ribeauville. The French had come -on well in the south and were now in touch with -the 1st Brigade, while the Forty-sixth and Sixth -Divisions were drawn out of the line. By evening on -October 19 the First Division had made its way -forward and was lining the western bank of the Canal. -The Sixth Division now came in again on the left, -and got touch with the Thirteenth Corps, thus covering -the gap left by the withdrawal of the Americans. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Oct. 17. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -Returning to the Thirteenth Corps, who were on -the left of the Fourth Army at the battle of the -Selle River on October 17, the weary Twenty-fifth -Division had been drawn into reserve, while the -Fiftieth, their heavy losses made good by reinforcements, -were put into the right of the line once more, -while the Sixty-sixth carried on to the left. The -river was at once reconnoitred and found to be a -serious impediment, especially in the immediate -neighbourhood of Le Cateau, where it had been -dammed and deepened, while it was commanded by -high ground in the east and also by numerous -strongly-built houses in the town. Arrangements were made, -therefore, that the main attack should be lower -down where the facilities were greater. The Fiftieth -Division held this right sector, with St. Souplet as -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P188"></a>188}</span> -its southern limit for the 151st Brigade, while the -149th was near St. Benin. The Sixty-sixth covered -the ground up to Le Cateau, the South African -Brigade under General Tanner being north of the -town. The South Africans with great skill and -daring arranged their assembly within fifty yards of -the German outposts on the other side of the stream, -at a point where they were absolutely commanded -by the German guns in case of discovery. There -they lay in silence until, at the first twinkle of dawn, -they sprang to their feet and rushed forward to the -eight bridges which the sappers with their usual -splendid efficiency had prepared for them during -the night. So well had the bridge-makers worked, -that in the region of the main attack they had actually -been able to throw across bridges which would carry -forward the ten tanks allotted for the assault. -</p> - -<p> -The fog was so dense and the communications so -precarious that the officers in charge of the operations -had the nerve-trying experience of seeing their whole -force vanish into the gloom and knowing nothing of -what had become of them, save that the deafening -roar of guns told of a deadly struggle. Soon there -came news of disasters to the tanks. Three drove -into a morass and were embedded there. Two -developed engine trouble and collapsed. One never -got across. The others lost their place in the fog -and all hope of useful co-operation with the infantry -was at an end. Then came belated news of the -storm troops. The leading battalions of the Fiftieth -Division had got across in safety but had been -swallowed up in the fog, shrouding several German -posts containing machine-guns, which opened on -the supports after the front files had passed them. -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P189"></a>189}</span> -On the left the formidable obstacle of the station -with its heavy loop-holed out-buildings held up the -flank battalion of the 151st Brigade, and the whole -advance was stopped and greatly disorganised at -this point. The railway was a strong line of German -resistance, and especially a wooded mound on its -eastern side, which bristled with guns. The attack -being held, the reserve of the Fiftieth Division, the -150th Brigade, was thrown into the fight which in -the early afternoon was still in a condition of -equilibrium. -</p> - -<p> -In the meanwhile a great deed of arms had been -wrought in the northern part of the line. Tanner's -South African Brigade, having reached the eastern -bank of the river, had penetrated the German wire -and stormed through the fog up the hill on the north -of the town. The second wave was held by the -concentrated fire, and the first wave was so utterly -lost that the patrols could find no trace of where it -had got to. Just as all hope had been given up, and -it had been arranged to restart the barrage, a brave -runner got through with the news that the leading -South Africans were right through the town and -engaged in a desperate hand-to-hand fight in the -deep cutting on the farther side. In order to reach -this place they had been compelled to force their -way through another broad apron of untouched wire, -a most remarkable achievement. Gradually the -very strenuous German resistance was overcome, -small bodies of South Africans dribbling up in -support of their comrades. By noon this part of -the German line had fallen, with a corresponding -weakening along the rest of their front, for the bravest -man is less brave when he begins to think that the -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P190"></a>190}</span> -day is already lost and that his self-sacrifice is -manifestly vain. -</p> - -<p> -With a view to helping the Fiftieth Division the -198th Brigade of the Sixty-sixth was now ordered -to cross the river to the south of the town, and to -strike in on the left of the long-drawn struggle at -the station, where the assailants were now so mixed -up that the two brigades were telescoped into one -and all battalion order had been lost. A strong -counter-attack had developed about 3 o'clock on -the right of the line, where the British and American -Corps joined, and this had some success, though -the 4th King's Royal Rifles held on desperately to -their ground. It was necessary to send in the 150th -Brigade to steady the line. The 7th Wiltshires and -the Munster Fusiliers were the reinforcing battalions -and by their aid the position was once more restored. -It was a dangerous crisis, for with the river in the -rear any sort of retreat would have been disastrous. -</p> - -<p> -There was now a concentrated bombardment of -the obdurate station, and this seems to have broken -down finally the spirit of the brave defenders. -Shortly after dusk patrols forced their way into the -buildings, and by 8 P.M. the whole place was in British -hands, and Le Cateau, save for the extreme eastern -outskirt, was cleared of the enemy. It had been a -very desperate battle, the laurels of which rest with -the South African Brigade, who had carried out so -remarkable an assault, and also with the Fiftieth -Division which had held on with such a bulldog -grip to its purpose. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Oct 18. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -The day's work had not been quite completed, as -the neighbouring village of Bazuel had not been -captured, and this was undertaken on October 18 -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P191"></a>191}</span> -by the Fiftieth Division, strengthened by the inclusion -of the 75th Brigade. This operation was carried -out with perfect success. There was considerable -opposition from scattered machine-gun posts, but -before noon Bazuel and the whole ridge to the east -of Le Cateau had been secured, while the Sixty-sixth -Division had cleared up the suburbs of the town. -Thus the whole capture and command of the Selle -River had been triumphantly accomplished. To -get a complete view of the battle these operations -are to be read in connection with the fighting of -the Third Army, as later recounted, on the left, and -that of the remainder of the Fourth Army on the -right. -</p> - -<p> -After a pause of a few days for reorganisation -and readjustment the active operations of the -Thirteenth Corps were resumed in the country -between the Selle and Mormal Forest, a district -which was less open than the plains to the west, -but presented special difficulties of its own, for it -was well wooded and was also cut up into numerous -small compounds with thick hedges which presented -serious obstacles to any advance. However, the -obstacle had never yet been found in France or -Belgium which would stop a British Army, so the -troops moved forward with a high heart to this new -attack. The Ninth British Corps had taken the -place of the Americans on the right, and was to -advance to the line of the Sambre and Oise Canal, -while the Thirteenth, in conjunction with the Fifth -Corps of the Third Army on the left was to reach the -main Le Quesnoy-Landrecies Road, near the western -edge of Mormal Forest. The larger aspect of this -movement was that it should cover the right flank -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P192"></a>192}</span> -of the Third Army while it carried out its own -important attack. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Oct. 23. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -The attack was launched in bright moonlight at -1.20 in the morning of October 23. The 7th Brigade -advanced on the right, with the 53rd and 54th -Brigades of the Eighteenth Division in the order -given on its left. The first objective was the -village of Pommereuil, and it was attained in the -face of heavy fire from the mills and farms along the -banks of the Richemont River. On the right the -7th West Kents did particularly well, especially an -independent company under Captain MacDonald -which attacked with such vigour that it captured -Garde Hill and Garde Copse, extending its gains -outside the divisional area, and taking many -prisoners. The 10th Essex and 2nd Bedfords were -also in the leading line. The second objective facing -the Eighteenth Division was Les Tilleuls Farm, -with the great Bois l'Évêque beyond it, which -covered four square miles. By 9 o'clock the -Eighteenth Division had got the farm and was -established in the north-east corner of the wood. -Wood's 55th Brigade coming through had got well -forward and was advancing upon the village of -Bousies in close co-operation with the Thirty-third -Division of the Fifth Corps. By 11.30 the Twenty-fifth -Division was also in Bois l'Évêque and the -British infantry was crashing through the brushwood -which makes up the greater part of the plantation. -All these various points were made good, but it was -found that beyond them the enemy had a fixed line -of defence with wire and every other defensive -arrangement, so, as the soldiers were much exhausted -from a long day's labour, the attack was pushed -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P193"></a>193}</span> -no further. Bousies had been taken after a hard -fight among the surrounding orchards, by those old -battle-comrades, the 7th Buffs and 8th East Surreys -of the 55th Brigade, and the woods were completely -cleared. Two field-guns had been captured near -the Richemont River, and the bodies of 30 men of -the 8th Royal Berks within 60 yards of their muzzles -showed how fierce had been both attack and defence. -Altogether 50 guns and nearly 1000 prisoners had -been taken. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Oct. 24. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -The attack was resumed before dawn on October -24. On the right, the village of Malgarni was the -first objective and this was carried and passed by -the 74th Brigade. Fontaine-aux-Bois was also -captured, but the Germans held part of their line -on the Englefontaine-Landrecies Road and could -not be dislodged. On the left, the Eighteenth -Division, using the same brigades as the evening -before, took Robersart and some scattered farms, -but had to fight very hard for everything they got. -The 7th Queen's were the first into the captured -village. The new ground was consolidated and -patrols thrown out to report any weakening of the -enemy line. That night General Wood, who had -done such long and fine service with the 55th Brigade, -was invalided and Colonel Irwin of the East Surreys -took over the command. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Oct. 26. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -On October 26, a day of rain and mist, the Fifth -Corps was attacking Englefontaine, and the -Eighteenth Division conformed by throwing forward its -left, which involved the 7th West Kents and 8th -Berkshires in some hard fighting. Much work was -thrown upon the Thirteenth Corps on this and the -following days in evacuating the civilians who -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P194"></a>194}</span> -swarmed in the villages, and who had no protection -against the noxious fumes of the gas shells which the -Germans with their usual thorough-going brutality -showered amongst them. If in the peace terms the -Germans found that the hearts of the Allies were -hard and their thoughts stern, they have only to -read the details of their own military history in order -to understand the reasons. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Nov. 4. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -A very large attack had now been planned in -which the First French Army, the Fourth, Third, -and a portion of the First British Armies should all -participate. The Germans were known to be -tottering and one more good blow might bring them -down. It was necessary to act at once, for the -German delay-action mines, which were usually in -the shape of one shell set to explode among a dump -of shells by the road or railway, were making the -communications almost impossible. Fortunately the -ingenuity of the British sappers discovered the private -mark—a small star upon the cap of the fuse—by which -the danger-shell could be distinguished among its -neighbours, and so many a disaster was averted. -It should be mentioned that on October 30 two -gallant senior officers of the gunners, Colonels Thorpe -and Burnyeat, were both killed by the same shell. -</p> - -<p> -The general line of advance of the Fourth Army, -which had been north-east, was now changed to east. -The orders given to the Thirteenth Corps were to -advance in that direction, astride of the Sambre and -Oise Canal, to the line of the Cartignies-Dompierre-Bavai -Road. The Ninth Corps was to cross the -Canal simultaneously on the right of the Thirteenth -at Catillon and Ors, advancing on the same objective. -The general proposition before the Thirteenth Corps -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P195"></a>195}</span> -was a total advance of about ten miles, part of it -through the south end of Mormal Forest, with the -forcing of the Canal crossings thrown in. -</p> - -<p> -The frontage of the Corps attack was 7500 yards, -narrowing down as it advanced, so three divisions -were put into the line. On the right was the Twenty-fifth -Division, with the task of forcing the passage of -the Canal opposite Landrecies, of capturing that town, -and of clearing the country up to Maroilles. The -Sixty-sixth Division was then to carry on the advance -to the ultimate objective. -</p> - -<p> -The Fiftieth Division was in the centre and was -to fight a way through Mormal Forest, while the -Eighteenth Division on the left was to storm the -village of Sassegnies. The desperate determination -of the Army may be gauged from the fact that a large -number of life-belts were served out to the leading -brigade in case it should be necessary to swim the -Canal for want of bridges. -</p> - -<p> -The attack, the last great concerted movement of -the war, was launched at 6.15 in the morning of -November 4—a day of thick, all-pervading mist. -The order of brigades from right to left in the initial -advance was 75, 149, 150, 54, and 53. Good progress -was made from the beginning all along the line, and -the news from the Ninth Corps was uplifting. They -were across south of Catillon and Ors, but the -Thirty-second Division, on the immediate right of -the Twenty-fifth Division, had been held up, so that -they were ordered to move south and pass by the -crossings already established. The Twenty-fifth and -Fiftieth Divisions both got well away, the former at -9 A.M. being within 300 yards of Landrecies, while -the latter was well up to the old bugbear, the -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P196"></a>196}</span> -Englefontaine-Landrecies Road, though Robinson's 149th -Brigade, and especially the 13th Black Watch, had -lost heavily. The Eighteenth Division had also -attained its first objectives and drove off a -half-hearted counter-attack. The 7th West Kents had a -desperate house-to-house fight in the village of Hecq, -which remained in their hands, while the 2nd Bedfords -had a similar hard victory in Preux, where they -were much helped by the 10th Essex. -</p> - -<p> -The 75th Brigade had forced its way down to the -Canal bank. The 5th Gloucesters had the good -fortune to discover two German foot-bridges and -poured across. It was indeed a proof of German -deterioration that such an oversight should have -occurred, for it is in attention to detail that the -merit of German soldiering lies. The 8th Worcesters -followed their comrades and these two battalions -began to encircle the town from the south. There -was no bridge higher up the Canal, but a fine feat -of arms was performed by a small party of the 122nd -Tunnelling Company, who dashed forward, seized the -lock gates, and cut the wires which were meant to -blow them up. On the extreme left some of the -1/8 Warwicks discovered another forgotten bridge -and pushed across to the north of the town, which -was now practically surrounded so that the garrison -was soon taken or killed. The official report remarks: -"The capture of Landrecies was an operation which -might well have absorbed the energies of a whole -division. Success was accomplished with a single -brigade and was due to the spirited leading of the -officers, the bravery of the troops, and that element -of good fortune which any well-planned and -boldly-executed enterprise deserves." -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P197"></a>197}</span> -The Eighteenth and Fiftieth Divisions had pushed -on through the forest with hardly a check and -surrounded a considerable number of Germans, who for -the most part put up a very resolute resistance. -About two o'clock there were signs, however, that the -whole line was shaking, but it was impossible to -advance farther until the Ninth Corps was in line. -The final position on this most successful day was -east of Landrecies, through Le Preseau, along the -west bank of the Sambre to Hachette, and on to -Locquignol. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Nov. 5. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -It was guessed that the enemy was in a bad way, -but on this evening it was confirmed by the capture -of a cavalry orderly bearing a message ordering the -troops to withdraw to the Sambre during the night, -and to continue the retirement upon Maubeuge. -Their skeleton rearguards still hung on, however, -and put up a spirited resistance. Next morning, -November 5, the corps advanced once more, the -74th Brigade taking La Rosière, while Maroilles fell -before noon to the same division. The Eighteenth -Division had pushed ahead and occupied Sassegnies, -while the Fifth Corps were in Berlaimont on their -left and were crossing the Sambre. The Fiftieth -Division had more difficulty as the ground was very -water-logged and the resistance considerable. The -day's advance finished by the 74th Brigade, still in -the van, capturing Basse Noyelle, while at dusk the -149th Brigade got across the Grande Helpe, a stream -behind which the Germans were expected to build up -a new line. -</p> - -<p> -A steady advance was maintained next morning, -November 6, though the constant tapping of machine-guns -in front told of the German sporadic resistance. -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P198"></a>198}</span> -That night the line of the Thirteenth Corps was east -of Marbaix and Dompierre. It was found that the -small enclosed fields were very helpful in dealing -with German machine-guns, as a concealed flank -attack could always be carried out. Armoured cars -on the roads were also found to be of great help -to the infantry. On November 8 there was a -sharp fight on the line of the Avesnes-Maubeuge -Road. After the road was won there was a very -spirited counter-attack, the German machine-gunners -coming forward with great heart, though the infantry -would not face the fire. The 6th Inniskilling Fusiliers -and 1st Yorkshire Light Infantry bore the brunt of -this engagement, which lasted several hours. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Nov. 8. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -The state of supplies made it impossible for the -Corps to advance farther, but the 12th Lancers -went on as cavalry, supported by small mobile -columns. A line was reached which ran north and -south through Hestrud, and this proved to be the -farthest east of the Thirteenth Corps, as it was -gathering itself there for an attack when the final white -flag was hoisted. Up to the last moment there was -local skirmishing and even a small German attack, -which was driven back and added a few more to the -monstrous death-roll of the war. The whole British -Army has an admiration for the German machine-gunner, -and one closing incident of the war may be -recorded. At two minutes from the moment of the -Armistice a machine-gun opened up about 200 yards -from the British line, and fired a whole belt without -a pause. The gunner was then seen to stand up -beside his weapon, take off his helmet, bow, and -turning about walk slowly to the rear. In his -person there vanished from the stage a brave and -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P199"></a>199}</span> -formidable character in the war. His last action -was as typical of the remorseless valour of his corps -as that of the British infantry who refrained from -shooting him was characteristic of their chivalrous -and sporting instincts. When the hour of fate -struck, the line of the vanguard of the Thirteenth -Corps was just west of Montbliart and Sautain, being -the most eastern point of any troops in the British -Armies in France. -</p> - -<p> -During the five weeks that Morland's Corps had -been in the line it had captured 8554 prisoners and -340 guns, while its take of machine-guns was at -least 2500. It had engaged units of no less than -forty-four divisions, which gives a vivid idea of the -state of disruption which the German Army had -reached. From thirteen of these divisions prisoners -varying from 100 to 1000 had been taken, showing -that these at least had been substantially engaged. -</p> - -<p> -Having brought Morland's Thirteenth Corps to the -goal of all its hopes and efforts, we shall now turn back -to the days after the battle of the Selle River and -carry the Ninth Corps on the right on to the same -goal. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Oct. 23. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -On October 23 broke out the general engagement -which will be known as the battle of the Oise-Sambre -Canal. The order of battle of the Ninth Corps on -this day was the First Division on the right, with -the 2nd and 3rd Brigades in the line, and the Sixth -Division on the left, with the 18th and 71st in the -line. It was a night attack launched at 1 in the -morning, and though a heavy German barrage, -mixed with gas, beat upon it, none the less both -divisions made good progress at first, though many -obstinate strong points had to be reduced. By 8 -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P200"></a>200}</span> -in the morning the First Division was reported as -being on all its objectives from Catillon southwards, -with patrols pushed into the town. The Sixth -Division had great difficulty on its left flank while -endeavouring to clear Bois l'Évêque, but late in -the afternoon they got forward again. It was clear -by night, however, that the Germans, who were -battling hard, still held some parts of the west bank -of the Canal, including Catillon and Ors. Next -morning the Sixth Division, working in close liaison -with the Twenty-fifth Division on the flank of -Morland's Corps, got well forward, but were still short -of their full objective on the left. Every day after -this in a series of minor operations the Corps improved -its footing on the west side of this great obstacle, -which was of a most formidable nature, 60 feet wide, -unfordable, with steep slippery banks and wire mixed -with wooden abattis along the farther edge. Such -was the new line of defence behind which the German -Army had rallied, and which offered a fresh problem -to the victorious British leaders. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Nov. 2. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -Most of the western bank had been occupied by -November 2, including the village of Ors, but there -were points where deep marshes and German redoubts -on this side had prevented the assailants from -reaching the edge of the Canal. There was also a -spur at the bend of the Canal which enfiladed the -line, but this was taken as a preliminary operation -by the Thirty-second Division. It was retaken, -however, by the Germans in a very strong counter-attack -supported by an overwhelming drum-fire. On -November 3 the British again got the spur known -as Happe-Garbes, but once again in the afternoon of -the same day the Germans regained it in a very -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P201"></a>201}</span> -determined advance. This heavy fighting fell upon -the 96th Brigade and specially upon the 15th Lancashire -Fusiliers, who were exposed to great pressure all -day. Among many brave records that of Sergeant -John Clarke of this battalion is pre-eminent, who -took four machine-guns single-handed, bayoneting -the crews, and fighting with desperate courage at -the head of his platoon from morning till night. -The idea of capturing the place before the general -attack of November 4 was then given up, and -other steps were taken to neutralise it. The main -crossing of the Canal was planned to be at Ors, -just south of Ors, and at two other points. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Nov. 4. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -This the last great battle of the war broke out -as already stated at 5.45 on November 4, the -infantry advance being covered by a tremendous -barrage. The First Division attacked on the -right, the Thirty-second on the left, while the -Forty-sixth was in close support. On the left -and in the centre of the Thirty-second Division -two bridges were thrown across the Canal under -intense machine-gun fire, only to be destroyed -immediately, before any large number of troops could -get across. On the right of the division, however, -the 14th Brigade gained a considerable success, the -1st Dorsets getting across over a bridge of kerosene -tins which was most cleverly constructed by the -Engineers and laid down in the darkness and mist, -so that it was a complete surprise to the enemy. A -smoke barrage and a concentration of machine-guns -helped the stormers to get across. No praise can be -too great for the sappers who worked amid clouds of -poison gas in the completion of this essential bridge -upon which the fate of the battle might depend. To -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P202"></a>202}</span> -one of them, Sapper Adams, of the 21st Field -Company, the V.C. was awarded, but there was not a man -round him who did not deserve the same honour. -</p> - -<p> -In the meantime the First Division had advanced -under cover of a thick mist, and four bridges having -been thrown across, the two leading battalions got -over the Canal, just escaping the German barrage -which came roaring down behind them. The further -experiences of this division, and especially of the -3rd Brigade at Catillon, should be told in some detail. -A special task was assigned to the brigade, which -was to clear the outlying portion of the town, to -occupy the rest of it, and to force the crossing of the -Sambre Canal at the broken bridge. The order of -the battalions on the east side of the Canal was that -the 2nd Welsh were on the right, the 1st Gloucesters -in the centre, and the 1st South Wales Borderers -on the left, good old comrades who had fought -together from the first. There were still strong -enemy posts on the west of the Canal, and the -enemy had fought tenaciously for every inch of -ground. On the far side of the Canal were many -houses which contained machine-guns, and their fire -was always heavy and accurate. The actual attack -upon the town began at 5.45 in the morning of -November 4, and was carried out in the midst of a -very dense fog by the 1st Gloucesters under Major -Guild. The portion of the town to the west of the -bridge was first conquered, with the efficient aid of -an aggressive tank. Many machine-guns were taken -in the suburban orchards and in the town itself. -The bridge was commanded by a heavy machine-gun, -but its position was spotted and the tank put -it out of action by accurate fire. The British barrage -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P203"></a>203}</span> -was falling thickly across the Canal, and the British -regimental leaders, those wonderful men on the spot -who adapt themselves to every emergency, crossed -at once, so that when the Germans emerged from -their cellars as the barrage lifted they were received -into the expectant arms of the Gloucesters. Over -a hundred were taken at this spot. The battalion -then, having formed a bridge-head, pushed on through -the town, mopping up as they went, while the Welshmen -cleared the orchards on both sides. The -captures in this well-managed affair amounted -altogether to 550 Germans, while of the British only -70 casualties were reported. No less than ten -different German regiments were identified by the -2nd Brigade during this operation, which indicates -how mixed and broken the hostile army had become -under the constant pounding. -</p> - -<p> -At the same time as the 3rd Brigade were capturing -Catillon, the 2nd Brigade on their right had -shown great gallantry in forcing their section of the -Canal. They had been ordered to cross by a lock -south of the town, but it was a desperate business, -for the lock itself was hard to reach, with banks and -water in front of it, all strenuously defended. The -infantry, with their attendant bridging parties of -sappers, were held up for a time, but Colonel Johnson -of the 2nd Sussex restored the situation, personally -leading the assault forward. It was again checked -by the hurricane of fire, but he again rallied it and -eventually led it across. In the subsequent official -report attached to his V.C., it was stated that the -offensive spirit that he had inspired in his Sussex -men was entirely responsible for the successful -crossing. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P204"></a>204}</span> -</p> - -<p> -By 8.45 the Thirty-second Division reported that -their right brigade had got across, but owing to the -enfilade fire two battalions of the left brigade had -been unable to do the same. About midday, -however, they were all over and had established -themselves in a position south-west of Landrecies. -The First Division was now touching Mezières with -its left, where it was pushing on to Fesmy, while the -German line seemed to be dissolving in front of it. -It was a great day for the old division which had -fought so gallantly from the first gunshot of the war -to this which was so nearly the last one. Much of -the credit of the victory is due to General Cartwright, -the Corps Engineer, upon whom the weight of these -various arrangements had fallen. -</p> - -<p> -The Germans were now so fluid that a light cavalry -screen was pushed out in front of the Corps, and -the Forty-sixth Division advanced on November 5 -behind it. By 9 A.M. the Thirty-second Division was -in Favril, in touch with the Twenty-fifth on their -left. Late on November 6 Cartignies was occupied. -The advance rolled forward without serious interruption, -though there was some bickering round Avesnes, -and on November 8 the Thirty-second Division -was established upon the high ground east of that -town. At this time, as already recorded, the operations -of the Fourth Army were confined to the single -mobile column commanded by General Bethell, -which was all that could be sent forward on account -of the want of every sort of supply. Two days later -came the sudden news of the signing of the Armistice. -Never was there so sudden and wonderful a change. -From dark cloud to bright sunshine seemed to have -been the work of an hour. The long hurricane had -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P205"></a>205}</span> -blown out at last and left only the weals across the -country which marked its passage. British officers -have recorded how they sped eastwards in motor -cars, and noted as far as the eye could range the -white flags of joy and enfranchisement flying from -the farm-houses and the village spires. The only -signs of the invaders were the litter of abandoned -equipment, lorries, and guns along the roads. For -many a week, however, they left terrible marks of -their passage in their delay-action mines, which, -with their usual ruthless and reckless brutality, they -had left in railway stations and other crowded points -along the line of their operations, and which exploded -long after the Armistice had been declared. This also -was weighed against them in the day of doom, but -indeed the scale was already overfull, and nothing -which they could do could add to the horror and -detestation with which they were regarded by the -world, or to the absolute determination that they -should never again raise their heads—or at least -that those heads should never be crowned by the -helmet of war. Such was the ultimate result of the -doctrine of the Superman, of might is right, and of -the whole material philosophy which had emanated -from Frederick, miscalled the Great, and poisoned all -Central Europe. -</p> - -<p> -So ended the splendid work of Braithwaite's Ninth -Corps. Its total advance since September 18 had -been 50 miles, during which time it had captured -nearly 17,000 prisoners and 318 guns. -</p> - -<hr /> - -<p> -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P206"></a>206}</span> -</p> - -<p class="capcenter"> -<a id="img-206-t"></a> -<a href="images/img-206.jpg"> -<br /> -<img class="imgcenter" src="images/img-206-t.jpg" alt="The Attack on the Selle." /> -</a> -<br /> -The Attack on the Selle. -</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p><a id="chap08"></a></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">{<a id="P207"></a>207}</span></p> - -<h3> -CHAPTER VIII -<br /><br /> -OPERATIONS OF BYNG'S THIRD ARMY -</h3> - -<p class="t3"> - From the Battle of the Hindenburg Line (September<br /> - 29) to the Battle of the Selle (October 17)<br /> -</p> - -<p class="intro"> -Fighting at L'Escaut Canal—Dash of the New Zealanders—The -guards in a hot corner—Crossing of the Canal—Back on the -old ground—Great work by all four Corps of the Third Army. -</p> - -<p><br /> -</p> - -<p> -Having for the sake of continuous narrative carried -the Fourth Army to the end of its labours, we shall -now return to the Third Army, which we last saw -on September 18 and following days, when it made -good its way through the outposts of the enemy -and closed with the Hindenburg Line. We shall -begin with the Fifth Corps on the right of the line, -which was acting in close liaison with the Third -Corps on the left of the Fourth Army. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Sept. 27-30. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -On September 27 there was no particular action -on the front of the Fifth Corps, save that the -Twenty-first Division, that hard-bitten old scrapper, -had a prolonged fight in front of African Trench, -which it alternately took and lost, until on September -28 it got its iron claws fairly fastened in it. -On this day it also pushed patrols to the east of -Gouzeaucourt. -</p> - -<p> -On September 29, the day of general battle -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P208"></a>208}</span> -along the line, the Thirty-third Division (Pinney) -and the Twenty-first (Campbell) attacked at -half-past three in the morning, advancing upon the -Hindenburg Line on the front Honnecourt-Bantouzelle, -while the Welsh Division operated to the north -of that point. There was some progress at first and -Villers-Guislain was occupied, but the enemy was -strong and aggressive, so that the advance was first -held and then forced back to its starting-point. It -was not a successful day, and there seemed no choice -but to settle down and subject these powerful lines -to a renewed bombardment. On the morning of -September 30 it was found, however, that the enemy -had withdrawn his immediate front on account of -the success in the south, and the Corps was able to -push forward to the western bank of the Canal de -l'Escaut. The Germans were still standing on guard -on the eastern side. All bridges were destroyed, -and for three days General Shute prepared for the -difficult task of forcing this broad waterway—a -formidable obstacle, it is true, but not one which -was likely to stop the men who had carried the -line of the Ancre. We shall now pass to the -Fourth Corps on the left and bring them to the -same point. -</p> - -<p> -On September 27 Harper's Fourth Corps had -been given the task to capture Beauchamp Ridge and -Highland Ridge, and clear the front system of the -Hindenburg Line as far as the Couillet valley. The -assault was launched at 5.20 in the morning. The -Fifth Division on the right was from the outset -sadly hampered by the fire from African Trench, -which struck upon its flank and inflicted heavy losses. -The division showed its usual gallantry, but the -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P209"></a>209}</span> -position was an impossible one until the Fifth Corps -got farther forward. The left of the division, however, -and the Forty-second Division made good -progress, though the fighting was very severe about -Beauchamp, which was taken but could not be held, -as a fresh German division, advancing about 7 o'clock -in the evening, drove the defenders back to the west -of it. The success of the Sixth Corps in the north, -however, at Flesquières, had an encouraging effect -upon the whole line, and about 2.30 P.M. of September -28 both the Fifth and Forty-second Divisions came -on once more, the latter being particularly successful -in getting prisoners and guns. The Fifth Division -got Beauchamp and Highland Ridge, but was still -held up on the right. By evening the line was well -forward on the western slopes of Welsh Ridge, and -some 1700 prisoners had come in. It was clear that -the German line was sagging, so in order to press the -advantage General Harper ordered up Russell's New -Zealanders to carry the battle on through the night. -There could be no more stringent test of the quality -and discipline of troops, for the advance had to be -made over unknown country covered with trenches -and wire entanglements, with only a fitful, sinking -moon to guide them. At 3 A.M. of a dark, cold night -the splendid Colonials passed through the ranks of -the Forty-second Division and, driving forward, thrust -the enemy off Welsh Ridge and Bonavis Ridge -beyond it, captured 1600 prisoners, and made good -the line of the Canal de l'Escaut. North and South -Island brigades kept line in the advance. More -than thirty guns were among the trophies of this -magnificent achievement. The Fifth Division on -their right swept forward at the same time near La -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P210"></a>210}</span> -Vacquerie, but as Gonnelieu upon their flank had not -yet been captured by the Fifth Corps, their attack -was limited on that side. This was remedied -shortly after dawn, when the Fifth Division, weary -as it was, cleared their own right flank, captured -Gonnelieu, and finally took Banteux with 250 -prisoners. The indefatigable New Zealanders had -also gone forward after dawn as blithely as though -it was their first attack, clearing the whole of the -west bank of the Canal, and penetrating at one time -into Crevecœur, where, however, they were unable -to remain. They did great work here, however, by -holding and partly saving the bridge, all others having -been destroyed, and establishing some sort of bridgehead. -</p> - -<p> -The total result of these attacks since September -27 on the front of the Fourth Corps had been the -capture of the whole front system of the Hindenburg -Line from Havrincourt Wood to the Canal, and the -capture of 40 guns with 4000 prisoners. Beyond the -Canal, however, lay formidable dangers. Only the -Crevecœur bridge remained British. Beyond was -a strongly-wired line of trenches known as the -Beaurevoir-Masnières line, which ran roughly -southwards from Crevecœur. On October 1 the New -Zealanders had got a footing, however, in Crevecœur, -and had begun to push troops over the bridge, but -it was desperate work, and the attacking brigade -suffered heavy losses. It was, however, work of the -first importance, as it turned the whole of the -Beaurevoir line. There we may leave them, level with the -Fifth Corps on their right, while we turn to follow -the progress of the Sixth Corps to the north, which -completes our survey of the Third Army. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P211"></a>211}</span> -</p> - -<p> -The old Third Division—the "Iron" Division, as -its admirers had begun to call it—attacked on the -right, and the Guards on the left. Deverell's men -went forward in splendid form, the 8th and 9th -Brigades overrunning the first objectives, and the -76th passing through them to the further positions. -They captured Flesquières, the village which had -held us up in the Cambrai battle, and by the afternoon -they were east of Ribecourt, with 1000 prisoners -trailing back to the rear. The Guards meanwhile, -with the 2nd Brigade in front, had some very tough -work at the onset, but fought their way forward, and -were succeeded by the 1st Brigade who had reached -by the afternoon the old British front line. -Continuing from here they captured Orival Wood, and -reached Premy Chapel, though this farthest point -could not be maintained, as the party which had -won it had lost touch with the main body. The -whole advance represented a notable gain of ground. -The losses were heavy, and were partly due to the -fact that the flank of the Guards passed Graincourt -before the Fifty-seventh Division in the Seventeenth -Corps had captured that place, so that they were -exposed to heavy fire. Even the Guards have seldom -been in a hotter corner or shown more conspicuous -examples of personal courage than during this long -and trying day, which brought three Victoria Crosses -to the battalions engaged. Lord Gort, who commanded -the 1st Grenadiers, the leading unit of the -3rd Brigade, was wounded as the troops formed up, -but took no notice of his injury, led on in the advance -upon the Canal, was wounded again, lay for a time -half unconscious upon a stretcher, struggled once -more to his feet, and continued to lead his victorious -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P212"></a>212}</span> -Guardsmen through a hellish fire with the final result -of large captures of the men and guns who were -opposing them. The crossing of the Canal was -signalised also by a remarkable exploit by Captain -Frisby and Corporal Jackson, who, with two other -Coldstream Guardsmen, climbed down one side and -up the other of the dry Canal in order to capture a -machine-gun with a crew of nine who were lying -amid the broken end of a bridge on the farther -bank. Jackson unhappily did not survive to receive -the Cross which he had won. -</p> - -<p> -In the meantime the Sixty-second Division, now -under General Whigham, passed through the Third -Division, and continued their victorious career. Two -companies of the 8th West Yorkshires got forward as -far as the north-west outskirts of Marcoing and Nine -Wood, but were exposed to a raking fire from the -high ground on the south side of the Ribecourt -valley, so had finally to fall back. That night the -Sixty-second continued to hold its advanced line -while the Second Division took the place of the -Guards, and all was ready for the further advance -next morning. -</p> - -<p> -On September 28 the Sixty-second dashed -forward as soon as it was light, and were soon in -possession of Marcoing. There was no severe -resistance. The Second Division on the left kept well -in line with the Yorkshiremen, and were soon -the masters of Nine Wood. By 10 o'clock the -steady flow of the British infantry had enveloped -Marcoing Copse, and the 186th Brigade had reached -the Canal, where several bridges were found to be -still intact. Noyelles had fallen to the Second -Division, who were now fighting over the ground which -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P213"></a>213}</span> -they had held in the old Bourlon days, only nine -months ago in time, and yet seeming so far off on -account of the great succession of events which had -elapsed. Some attempts were made to get across -the Canal, but the Germans were there in strength, -and nothing could be done without deliberate -preparation. In the evening the Sixty-second extended -its boundaries, and consolidated what it held. A -small party of the Second Division got across the -Canal during the night, but were unable to establish -any permanent bridge-head. In the morning of -September 29, however, one brigade of this division -made a lodgment upon the farther side, and remained -there, though with wire and machine-guns before -them. Pontoons were brought up during the day -and many bridges thrown across. The Sixty-second -meanwhile had cleared Les Rues Vertes and Masnières -and was well to the east of those villages. -</p> - -<p> -No progress was made on September 30, and -the day was mainly spent in strenuous preparations -by General Harper for his renewed advance. The -Sixty-second Division cleared some more ground, -and the Second Division failed in a village attack, -but neither movement was important. During the -evening the Third Division was brought forward on -the right and took the place of the Sixty-second, so -that they might advance next morning in conjunction -with the New Zealanders on their right. This was -duly carried out, the 5th Brigade leading on the -left, and the 76th on the right. It was a day of -heavy fighting and of stout resistance. The immediate -object was the capture of Rumilly, which was entered, -but could not be entirely cleared by the 76th Brigade. -The 5th Brigade found Mont sur l'Œuvre, which -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P214"></a>214}</span> -faced them, a particularly tough proposition, and -could make no headway. Altogether the losses on -this day were greater than the gains, but the troops -were undismayed and eager to get forward again -on the morrow. -</p> - -<p> -In the morning of October 1 they came back to -their work, the 5th Brigade still carrying on, while -the 8th Brigade took the place of the 76th. By -10 o'clock Rumilly had fallen, which gave the British -a most important point as regards the passages over -the river and canal. It took a great deal of clearing, -for it was honeycombed with cellars and dug-outs, -and there were continual outflames of unexpected -fire. Before evening it was solidly British. No -action of importance took place during the next few -days, and the 4th of October found the Sixth Corps -in the same position as the rest of Byng's Army, -solidly established upon the western bank of the -Escaut Canal and River, and with some bridge-heads -on the farther side. -</p> - -<p> -On September 27 Fergusson's Seventeenth Corps, -which had done such splendid work in breaking a -section of the main Hindenburg Line on September 2, -was called into vigorous action once more. Its rôle -was to advance in the general attack which was made -on that date by the First and Third Armies in order -to drive the enemy over the Canal de l'Escaut. The -Fifty-second Lowland Scottish Territorial Division -was on the right of the Seventeenth Corps, and the -Sixty-third Naval Division on the left, while the -Fifty-seventh Lancashire Territorials had been assigned the -duty of following up the initial advance, and passing -through the Sixty-third Division to reach the final -objective. On the immediate right of the Corps were -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P215"></a>215}</span> -the Guards Division of the Sixth Corps, while on -the left were the Fourth Canadians. The first line of -objectives was the Hindenburg support line, the -second included the villages of Anneux and Graincourt, -while the third, if it could indeed be attained, -would include Fontaine, Cantaing, and the west edge -of La Folie Wood. -</p> - -<p> -A very desperate day of fighting lay ahead of the -Seventeenth Corps before this ambitious programme -could be carried through, and yet the fire and ardour -of the troops carried them eventually to the farthest -limit. The 156th Brigade crossed the Canal du Nord -on the right of the Sixty-third Division, in spite -of clouds of gas and very heavy shelling upon their -places of assembly. The 4th Royal Scots led the -advance, and were soon in the first objective. Here -they were heavily attacked, however, and there was -no further forward movement until the 7th Scottish -Rifles came up to thicken the line. Meanwhile the -157th Brigade was dealing with that portion of the -Hindenburg Line which was west of the Canal, their -operations being on the extreme right flank of the -Corps in close liaison with the Guards. This heavy -work fell upon the 6th Highland Light Infantry aided -by three tanks, and they got well forward, but the -7th Highland Light Infantry on their left were badly -held up by thick wire and impossible conditions. -The 7th Scottish Rifles in the north had more -success, however, and they now worked south, which -gave invaluable help to their comrades in that quarter. -Before midday all the ground east of the Canal -attacked by the 156th Brigade, between the -Mœuvres-Graincourt Road and the Bapaume-Cambrai -Road, was in the possession of the Scottish infantry. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P216"></a>216}</span> -</p> - -<p> -On the left of the Fifty-second Division the Sixty-third -had got off in excellent style, with the 190th -Brigade leading, and the 188th immediately behind -it. They were encouraged by constant good news -from the north, where the Fourth Canadians were in -Bourlon Wood. In front of the Sixty-third Division -lay an important point called the Factory, an old -bone of contention in the days of the Cambrai battle -of 1917. This point was reached by the Anson -Battalion, but they were driven out of it again, and -the Germans put in a heavy garrison. It was then -methodically bombarded, and shortly after 4 o'clock -it was again attacked by the 188th Brigade with -complete success, 11 guns and many prisoners being -taken. Shortly afterwards both Graincourt and -Anneux were overrun by the advancing waves of the -Sixty-third Division. About 5 o'clock the Fifty-seventh -Division was ordered up to take the place of -the Sixty-third, moving round their north flank with -the intention of attacking Cantaing. The German -resistance had very much stiffened, however, and -there was a menace of counter-attack, so that this -final movement did not fully develop. The night -fell with the 171st and 172nd Brigades in the -advanced line which represented the farthest east -of the Sixty-third Division. A thousand prisoners -were taken during the day. Of the eleven tanks -employed no less than nine were knocked out by the -German fire—a proportion which shows how great -the risks are which are taken by the brave men who -form the crews. Each had done splendid work before -it met its fate, and ever more and more the infantry -learned, when at the last extremity before impassable -wire and death-dealing trenches, to look behind them -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P217"></a>217}</span> -in the hope of catching sight of one of these lumbering -ironclad monsters who had so often been their -Salvation. -</p> - -<p> -On the morning of September 28 the two brigades -of the Fifty-seventh Division were ordered to continue -their advance and to force the passage of the Canal -de l'Escaut, while the Sixty-third were to follow up -and exploit any success which was gained. The -immediate task of the 171st Brigade was to clear -the ground between Anneux and Fontaine, and to -establish touch with the Canadians on their left. -This they had done while the day was still young. -From about midday, however, the attack slowed up -in this section of the line. The Marcoing position -was very strong, and it held the 171st Brigade. By -2 o'clock a small force from the Fifty-seventh Division -had got across the Canal, and at about the same hour -the Drake Battalion of the 189th Brigade advanced -upon Cantaing. The orders were to push on and cross -the Canal, thrusting forward as far as was possible, -while the cavalry were held in leash at the south end -of La Folie Wood. It was soon clear, however, that -the line of the canal and river could not be easily -rushed, for all the possible crossings were swept by -a deadly fire. The 171st Brigade was held under fire -upon the spur east of Fontaine, and the Canadians -on the left had not yet made good the Marcoing -line. Two battalions of the 189th Brigade, the -Drake and Hood, were in Folie Wood, endeavouring -to force a crossing, but the night fell before it could -be accomplished. Before morning two companies of -Drakes had established posts upon the farther side, -others getting across the river as well, over a broken -bridge. Farther to the right the Sixth Corps had -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P218"></a>218}</span> -three companies of the Second Division also across -the Canal. A thousand more prisoners had been -taken during the day. -</p> - -<p> -On September 29 all three brigades of the Sixty-third -Division were across the Canal. Before mid-day -the Fifty-seventh Division had managed to clear -the Marcoing line from the Bapaume-Cambrai Road -to the Canal. The men were getting terribly worn, -but it was reckoned that the Germans were even more -so and that, at all costs, the long-drawn fight should -continue. Therefore on September 30 both the -Fifty-seventh and Sixty-third Divisions made some -advance east of the Canal de l'Escaut. On October 1 -the Fifty-seventh Division pushed out to the north -and north-east of Proville, but the advance was -not successful. Later in the day there was a -renewed advance, but again it was not pushed, -and did not get very far. The nearest enemy -post, the Faubourg de Paris, was strongly held, -and there were several small counter-attacks, one -of which overwhelmed a British trench containing -40 men and 2 machine-guns. There followed -a considerable pause while fresh dispositions and -reorganisations were made along the whole line -of the Army. These changes included very radical -alterations in the Seventeenth Corps, which lost -the Fifty-second Division, while it was strengthened -by the addition of the Nineteenth (Jeffreys), -the Twenty-fourth (Daly), and the Sixty-first -(Duncan). With this strong reinforcement General -Fergusson turned with confidence to his next task. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Oct. 4, Oct. 8. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -We shall now return to the operations of the rest -of Byng's Third Army from the time that they fairly -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P219"></a>219}</span> -settled down to the crossing of the Escaut Canal, -and the final occupation of the whole of the Hindenburg -Line. We shall begin as before with Shute's -Fifth Corps on the right. The attack of this Corps -on October 4 was largely dependent upon the -success of the Second American Corps, and as this -was only partial some modifications had to be made. -The immediate result of the American operations was -that Morland's Thirteenth Corps, which was on their -left and on the right of the Fifth Corps, had to -undertake an advance against Le Catelet and Gouy on -October 3. During this movement the Fiftieth -Division on the left of Morland's Corps was to take -possession of the high ground 1500 yards north of -Le Catelet, and were then to be relieved by the Welsh -Division of the Fifth Corps. This was duly carried -out by the evening of October 4. The rôle of the -Welsh Division was afterwards to attack northwards -across the front of the Fifth Corps so as to clear the -Hindenburg Line as far north as Rancourt Farm. It -was found, however, on October 5 that as a result -of the operations of the Fourth Army the enemy had -withdrawn and crossings were effected by the -Twenty-first and Thirty-third Divisions along the whole -Corps front, while the Welshmen east of Vandhuile -found that the line to the north of them had been -abandoned. They pushed on, therefore, and took -possession of the Nauroy-Le Catelet line, finishing -up to the east of the village of Aubencheul, while the -64th Brigade of the Twenty-first Division moved -forward and occupied the same line on their left. -So far all had gone splendidly, but it was soon found -that the enemy's retreat was not unlimited, for the -Masnières-Beaurevoir line was strongly held, and the -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P220"></a>220}</span> -Welsh Division on October 6 was unable to penetrate -it, though the Twenty-first gained a limited -footing at one point, which gave good hopes for the -future. After a day of reorganisation the attack was -vigorously resumed on October 8, the objectives -being Malincourt on the right and Walincourt on -the left. The troops were now in green and virgin -country unscarred by any previous battles, and a -most pleasant contrast to that terrible wilderness in -which they had marched and fought so long. The -attack of October 8 was made by night, the zero hour -being 1 o'clock in the morning. All three brigades -of the Welsh Division were concerned in the advance -on the right, and all had heavy fighting and some -setbacks, but persevered with fine valour, and -succeeded before evening in piercing the Beaurevoir line, -driving in the strong German rearguards and establishing -their final position to the east of Malincourt. -The Twenty-first Division on the left also came -away with great dash and made rapid progress in -their moonlight advance. By dawn most of the high -ground in front of them, including Angles Château -and Hurtebise Farm, had been taken and the 62nd -Reserve Brigade moved forward to continue the -operation, which resulted in the capture of the whole -Beaurevoir line on that front. Before evening, -after several temporary checks, the Twenty-first -Division had reached a line 500 yards west of -Walincourt, though the left of their advance had not -passed the Sargrenon River. Nearly 1000 Germans -were taken during this long day of battle. That -night the Seventeenth Division took over from the -Twenty-first, while the Thirty-third moved through -the ranks of the Thirty-eighth, so as to be all -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P221"></a>221}</span> -ready for a continuation of the pressure in the -morning. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Oct. 8. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -On this October 8, when the enemy was reported -to be withdrawing from the front of the Fifth and -Fourth Corps, and it was probable that the movement -would spread across the face of the Sixth and -Seventeenth Corps, it was very necessary, if possible, to -catch them in the very act. An attack was therefore -ordered in which the Third Division to the south -should move, supported by the Guards, upon Wambaix, -while the Seventeenth Corps should take Niergnies as -its general objective. The Sixty-third Division made -the actual attack on a front of about a mile, with seven -tanks in the van. The 188th Brigade on the right -had Niergnies in front of it, approaching it from the -north-east, while one battalion of the 189th Brigade -attacked from the south, the rest forming a protective -flank. The Fifty-seventh Division was at the same -time to make a subsidiary attack. The advance -started at 4.30, but by 6.30 the Fifty-seventh Division -had made little progress, its tank being ditched and -its 170th Brigade held up by an obstinate trench. -By 8 o'clock the line had got forward, and all the first -objectives were gained, but the Germans were still -firing from the edge of the Faubourg de Paris. A -little later a very spirited counter-attack was launched -by the enemy from the direction of Awoingt, which -was supported by seven British-made tanks, captured -in the March operations. For a time the 188th -Brigade and the Second Division on the right were -thrown back, but by 10 o'clock they were going -forward once again, and at that hour, or shortly -afterwards, a very welcome pigeon message arrived from -the Hoods of the 189th Brigade to say that they were -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P222"></a>222}</span> -through Niergnies. By the late afternoon every -objective had been captured, but the evening saw -another strong German advance which struck upon -the right of the Seventeenth Corps and upon the -front of the Second Division. The Naval men stood -fast, however, and not only cleared their own front, -but by their enfilade fire were of great assistance to -their neighbours in the south. Nearly a thousand -prisoners had been captured during the day, and the -little flags had moved eastwards once more upon the -war maps. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Oct 9, Oct. 10-11. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -On October 9 the troops were going forward -shortly after dawn. It was soon found that the -Germans had retreated, leaving only a few devoted -machine-guns to impede the pursuit. Gard Wood -and Clary were occupied by the Thirty-third Division, -who came on so rapidly that they picked up a battery -of field-guns near the village and captured the officers -drinking in an estaminet, quite unconscious that -their enemy was upon them. Bertry was occupied -by the 19th Brigade, and before evening Troisvilles -had also been captured. On the left without any -opposition at all, the 51st Brigade of the Seventeenth -Division passed through Malincourt, Selvigny, and -Caullery. The German machine-guns made some -show at Montigny, but the place was soon occupied, -as was Tronquoy. There was no barrage this day -in front of the Fifth Corps, and the advance was one -long cross-country chase of six or seven miles, with an -occasional skirmish. Early on the morning of -October 10, the Thirty-third Division crossed the -Inchy-Le Cateau Road, and with the mention of the -latter name that huge circle seemed at last to be -nearing completion, the line of which had begun to -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P223"></a>223}</span> -describe its strange curve in August 1914. The -soldiers knew that the graves of their comrades were -at last within their reach. The Seventeenth Division -on this day flowed through Audencourt and Inchy, -and the 7th East Yorkshires actually got up to -Neuvilly in a fine attack, but had to be withdrawn. -The Selle River in its shallow valley lay right across -the Corps front, and this, as was clear from the -increasing artillery fire, marked the new German -front. Here we may leave the Fifth Corps while -we hark back to bring up their comrades of the Third -Army. On the evening of October 11, the situation -was that the Thirty-third Division on the right -had established one strong post upon the farther -river bank, the Seventeenth on the left were lining -the western bank of the Selle, while the enemy were -reported to be holding the line of the Le Cateau-Solesmes -railway in strength, and especially the -village of Neuvilly to the east of the river. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Oct. 5-10. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -Turning now to Harper's Fourth Corps on the -left, and harking back to October 5, it became evident -on that morning that the enemy was withdrawing -from that point, as a result of the success of -Rawlinson's Army to the south, and even more so to the -possession of Crevecœur by Russell's New Zealanders. -The retreat was closely followed by the Thirty-seventh -and the New Zealand Divisions, and Vaucelles, -with a portion of the Masnières line south of -Crevecœur, was occupied without resistance. The -Masnières line was still strongly held, though the glow -of great fires in the east at night seemed to proclaim -a coming retreat. October 6 and 7 were spent in -preparing for a great attack upon the 8th, in which -it was hoped that the Masnières line would be forced. -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P224"></a>224}</span> -This assault made by the Thirty-seventh and New -Zealanders was completely successful, in spite of -belts of wire which were often thirty yards wide and -had to be crossed in the dim light of dawn. There -was hard fighting round Briseaux Wood, but -everywhere the attack prevailed and the Germans were -beaten out of their positions. Lesdin fell to the New -Zealanders and Rifle Brigade. Once the enemy tanks -advanced, and there was a short check, but the -forward movement was soon resumed. Over 2100 -prisoners were taken in this successful day. -</p> - -<p> -On the 9th and 10th the advance was as swift -and successful as in the case of the Fifth Corps already -described. The Thirty-seventh occupied Caudry, -Bethencourt, and Viesly, while the New Zealanders, -men of Otago and Canterbury, took Esnes, and -finally crossed the Cambrai-Le Cateau Road. Up to -now this district of France might have been a land -without inhabitants, a mere stage for the drama of -war; but now considerable numbers of the French -civilians were liberated, no less than 2500 at Caudry, -all with the same tales of German bullying and -violence. In the early morning, the Thirty-seventh -and their comrades of New Zealand were opposite -the Selle River and had passed some elements across -on each side of Biastre. We may leave them here -on the eve of the battle of the Selle River and extend -our view so as to take in the work of the Sixth Corps -to the north of them. -</p> - -<p> -In the case of Haldane's Sixth Corps there was a -general German withdrawal on October 5, which did -not prevent a very firm front being shown upon the -general line which was held on October 8. The -attack upon that day was made by the 9th Brigade -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P225"></a>225}</span> -of the Third Division on the right, and by the 99th -Brigade of the Second Division on the left. The -village of Seranvillers was the immediate objective -of the 9th Brigade, which was strengthened by the -2nd Suffolk Battalion. Both the 9th and 99th -Brigades got well forward at the start, but had very -hard fighting, and at one time were driven back by a -German counter-attack supported by tanks. The -village had been taken, but the cellars were still full -of Germans. La Targatte, the other village on -the front, repulsed two attacks and was vigorously -defended, the 2nd Suffolk having heavy losses in -front of it. Later in the day, however, it was taken -by a fine advance of the 8th Royal Lancasters and -the 1st Gordons of the 76th Brigade. On the left -flank both the 99th Brigade and the Sixty-third -Division upon their left had encountered strong -opposition from the village of Forenville and had -suffered from the counter-attack already mentioned, -but three of the German tanks were destroyed, and -the advance was resumed with the result that before -evening Forenville had been taken, and the whole -line of the original objective secured. It was only -attained, however, after a day of very desperate -battle and heavy losses. During the evening the -Guards came up, with their 1st and 2nd Brigades in -the line, and early in the morning, supported by the -fire of nine brigades of field artillery, they reached -the line of railway along the whole Corps front, and -took the village of Wambaix. News from the north -now showed that the enemy was retreating upon a -broad front and in no half-hearted manner. Patrols -of the Seventeenth Corps were reported to have -passed through Cambrai, while north of that the -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P226"></a>226}</span> -troops of the First Army had crossed the canal at -Ramillies with little opposition. Previous experience -had shown that such a retreat would certainly be -conducted in an orderly fashion, and would be -covered by rearguards composed mainly of machine-gun -units. The main thing, however, was to sustain -the pressure and keep as close to the retiring masses -as possible. Led by that veteran body, the Oxfordshire -Hussars, acting as advanced scouts, the infantry -of the Sixth Corps hurried forward in pursuit with -much the same general experience as the two Corps -on their right. Estourmel, Igniel, and Boistrancourt -marked the main line of the advance, and were -occupied by the Guards, who were in touch with the -New Zealanders of the Fourth Corps on their -right and with the Twenty-fourth Division of the -Seventeenth Corps on their left. On October 10 -the Guards were through St. Hilaire, and up to -St. Vaast, which latter village was cleared after a stiff -local skirmish on October 11. The Germans still -seemed inclined to fight in this quarter to the west -of the Selle River, especially at St. Aubert and -Solesmes. They were brushed aside, however, and -on October 13 the Guards gained that portion of -St. Python which is west of the Selle, a stream about -thirty feet across and of some depth. It was evident -that an organised full-scale attack would have to be -made at this point, so the Sixth Corps waited for -the general signal. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Oct. 9. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -Returning to the Seventeenth Corps: On the -morning of October 9 the attack was renewed by -Daly's Twenty-fourth Division, a unit which has -always been in the heart of the fighting in the past, -and now was in the line once more. It was a great day, -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P227"></a>227}</span> -for early in the morning, as is recorded elsewhere, -the Canadians and the Fifty-seventh Division had -entered Cambrai. The situation seemed fluid, and -the enemy disorganised, so the 6th Dragoon Guards -were ordered forward to work towards Cagnoncles, -while the 72nd Brigade, having taken Awoingt, -gave way to the 73rd Brigade, who advanced towards -Cauroir and west of Romilly. The Germans, however, -were in a strong line of rifle-pits behind triple wire, -so that the cavalry could gain no ground. The -infantry were also unable to get forward very far -on that day, but evening saw them in close touch -with the German covering rearguards, the Twenty-fourth -Division touching the Guards on the right, the -Canadians on the left. In the morning of October 10 -the screen had dissolved and the leading lines of the -Seventeenth Corps, consisting of the 17th Brigade, -were soon to the east of Cagnoncles, which fell to the -7th Northamptons, while the Dragoon Guards were -pushing ahead once more. Rieux and Avesnes were -both taken by the Twenty-fourth Division during -the day, and before evening the line was well to -the east of Cambrai, General Daly pushing the -advance with great vigour. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Oct. 11. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -On October 11 it was found that the Germans -were in strength and apparently meant to make a -serious stand. At about ten o'clock they -counter-attacked with tanks, and pushed back both the -Canadians on the left and the Twenty-fourth Division -on the right. The former had taken Iwuy in the -morning. No further advance was made during the -day, but general orders were issued that the way -should be cleared up to the Selle River, and that the -high ground over the river should be secured in order -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P228"></a>228}</span> -to safeguard the crossings. On October 12 the -Canadian Corps on the left was drawn out of the -line, and the Seventeenth Corps found themselves -with the Forty-eighth Division of the Twenty-second -Corps as their northern neighbours. On this day -the Germans again began to retreat, and the Corps -front was advanced down to the Selle River, between -Haussy and Saulzoir. There was hardly any -opposition. All day the Twenty-fourth Division was -advancing with the Forty-ninth on their left and -the Guards on their right. That evening the 17th -Brigade of the Twenty-fourth Division made progress -over the river, entering Montrecourt and securing the -undamaged bridge. The posts on the farther side -were swept by machine-gun fire and driven back -next morning, that portion of the bank being -commanded by rising ground on the east. -</p> - -<p> -We have thus traced all four Corps of the Third -Army from the date August 21, when it started -from the line of Albert, until October 13, when it -found itself after seven weeks of immense and -continuous exertion and of uninterrupted victory upon -the western bank of the Selle. In the compressed -narrative of this chronicle it might seem no more -complex than the forward movement of pieces upon -a board, but no detailed account could ever make -real the problems, the anxiety, the organisation, the -unwearied heroic efforts which such an advance must -entail when the great German army, now composed -of veterans deeply skilled in every wile of modern -warfare, were beaten out of position after position, -and could find no safe refuge anywhere from the -nation whose military weakness had for so long been -its standing jest. -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p><a id="chap09"></a></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">{<a id="P229"></a>229}</span></p> - -<h3> -CHAPTER IX -<br /><br /> -OPERATIONS OF BYNG'S THIRD ARMY -</h3> - -<p class="t3"> -From the Battle of the Selle, October 12, to the end -</p> - -<p class="intro"> -The battle of the Selle River—Reversion to open warfare—The -valour of Lancashire—Haig's incessant blows—Weakening of -the German morale—The battle of Mormal Forest—New Zealanders -and the mediaeval fortress—Capture of the great forest—The -Sambre bridged—-A grand Division—Advance of -Fergusson's Seventeenth Corps—The last phase. -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p> -The River Selle is a small stream, only thirty feet -across but of some depth, and it ran right athwart -the course of the Army, with every indication that the -enemy had built up a line of resistance behind it. -How far this was a strong rearguard or how far it -was a do-or-die line of battle could only be determined -by actual assault. The river runs through swampy -meadows from Neuvilly past Biastre to Solesmes. -On the far bank the ground slopes up uniformly to a -hog-backed ridge, with a road and railway running -between Neuvilly and Solesmes, rather more than -half-way up the slope. The railway joined other -lines south of the latter town, forming a triangular -embankment of great strength strongly defended by -machine-guns, as was the whole railway line and the -string of villages across the Army front, which was the -northern prolongation of that described previously. -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P230"></a>230}</span> -It was a position of great natural strength, made more -awkward by the presence of civilians in the villages, -and by a damming of the river which broadened -it in parts into a lake. The first move of General -Byng was to endeavour to seize the high ground -on the east of the river, so as to make a strong -point which would cover the bridge-building operations. -We shall describe the successive operations -from the south or right, beginning with Shute's -Fifth Corps, still working in close liaison with -Morland's Thirteenth Corps on the right, the flank -unit of the Fourth Army. It may be premised that the -warfare from now onwards was very different from -that which had preceded the capture of the great -German lines. The trench, the bomb, and the wire -all played subsidiary parts. An officer of pre-war -Aldershot experience, or even the great Duke himself -with his Peninsular prejudices, would have found -himself able to appreciate the situation. That great -shade, could he have ridden Copenhagen in the heart -of this wonderful army, would have seen, as of yore, -shells which burst over the enemy's position; he -would have seen cavalry scouts who were the advanced -posts of the marching army; he would have seen -lines of skirmishers behind them; he would have seen -mounted officers who carried personal reports; and -he would have seen columns of route marching in -fours down every road, and breaking up into small -clumps of artillery formation as they came under -fire. All this would have been familiar, and all this -he would have seen had he been present in these -later phases of the great war. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Oct. 12. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -The attack was launched at 5 A.M. on October 12, -when the advanced guard of the Thirty-third and -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P231"></a>231}</span> -Seventeenth Divisions, under Generals Pinney and -Robertson, advanced upon the high ground which -faced them. They were working in close liaison -with the Thirty-seventh on the left, and with the -Sixty-sixth Lancashire Territorials on the right, these -being the flank units of the Fourth and Thirteenth -Corps respectively. The line of the advance was -to the north of Montay, and it went very well -at first, so that by 7.45 Pinney's men were far -forward and consolidating on the left, though on the -right they were unable to penetrate beyond the -railway line. The attack of the Seventeenth on -the left reached the high ground 1000 yards north-east -of Neuvilly, but on the south side of that village -could not get past the line of the Montay-Neuvilly -Road, where the 9th West Ridings of the 52nd Brigade -were heavily engaged. Neuvilly was gained, but -while the troops were mopping it up a strong German -counter-attack drove down from the Amerval direction, -dashed up against the left of Pinney's Division -and threw it back to the line of the railway. So -great was the pressure and so continuous, that the -Thirty-third could not hold any of its gains, and -found itself in the afternoon on the west of the Selle -River once more, save for the right-hand battalion, -who held tight all day along the line of the road -between the railway and the river. -</p> - -<p> -The Seventeenth Division on the high ground -north-east of Neuvilly was now in a very dangerous -position, as the Thirty-seventh had not come up on -its left, so that both its flanks were in the air. The -12th Manchesters stood firm, however, with little -support, until about 3 P.M., when a creeping barrage -with an infantry attack behind it drove them west -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P232"></a>232}</span> -of the railway, with serious losses, to a point 200 yards -east of the river. The result was that the final line, -when night fell upon this long and trying day, was -across the river at both extreme flanks, but west -of the river in the middle. -</p> - -<p> -From the point of view of the Fourth Corps on -the left the 12th had not been a very satisfactory -day either. The Thirty-seventh had reached the -crest of the opposite hill, but the New Zealanders -on their left had not taken Bellevue, while Neuvilly -on the right had never been thoroughly cleared. -About 5 P.M. the German counter-attack, made in -four waves, came down upon the Thirty-seventh, -supported by flank fire from both villages. It reached -Neuvilly in the Seventeenth Division sector, and -then turned right so as to enfilade the Thirty-seventh, -with the result that the latter were forced to evacuate -both the hill and the railway line, but still held on to -the east bank of the river, where a steep escarpment -gave some protection. Thus ended this weary day, -which had not involved the Sixth Corps on the north, -but had exposed both the southern Corps of the Third -Army to heavy losses with barren results. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Oct. 20. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -A week now elapsed, which was marked by very -heavy artillery work on both sides, the Germans -endeavouring to prevent the British from assembling, -while the British tried to break down the machine-gun -nests and strong points which faced them, especially -in Neuvilly. There were several daring minor -engagements in which patrols endeavoured to widen or -strengthen the front, so keen being the contest that -sometimes posts were taken and retaken several -times in one night. There was, it must be admitted, -no obvious local sign of any failure in German -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P233"></a>233}</span> -morale. It was not until October 20 that the -offensive was resumed upon a large scale by the -Fifth and Fourth Corps, in conjunction with a -full-dress attack by the whole of the Fourth Army in the -south. -</p> - -<p> -The Fifth Corps advanced with Cubitt's Thirty-eighth -Welsh on the right, and the Seventeenth Division -on the left. Neither line had far to go before -clashing with the enemy, for the outposts were almost -touching each other. The attack began in the dark -at 2 in the morning, the British having indulged in -previous heavy shoots at night, in the hope, which was -justified by the result, that the real barrage would -be taken as being of a similar temporary nature. -The Welshmen had a desperate experience at first, -a quarry, a farm, and the old railway embankment all -forming difficult obstacles. In the case of the quarry, -every man of the original storming party became a -casualty, but it was taken by their successors. The -rain was heavy, the slopes slippery, the mud deep, and -the whole of the conditions about as bad as they -could be, which was the more serious as the tanks -were put out of action thereby. -</p> - -<p> -The 50th Brigade of the Seventeenth Division, -with the 7th East Yorks and 6th Dorsets in the lead, -had been launched upon Neuvilly with instructions -to avoid a frontal attack, but to endeavour to get -round to north and south so as to pinch it out; -while the guns bombarded it and kept the machine-gunners -in their lairs. South of the village the attack -advanced rapidly through the mirk of a most -inclement night. The first lines of machine-guns were -overrun and destroyed. The wave of men then -fought their way through some wire, and got as far -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P234"></a>234}</span> -as the embankment, which was thickly garnished -with light artillery. Before dawn the 10th West -Yorkshires closed in upon Neuvilly, and in spite of -several obstinate machine-guns cleared the place and -took the survivors prisoners, most of them being -dragged out of cellars. Pushing on, the Seventeenth -Division after several vicissitudes captured the village -of Amerval, but were pushed out of it again by a -counter-attack, finally regaining it after dark. The -7th Borders took this village, but lost both their -commander and their adjutant in doing so. The -Thirty-eighth had kept its line all through, so that -by evening the whole objective was practically in -the hands of the British after a very prolonged and -stubborn fight, in the course of which the Corps had -taken four guns and 600 prisoners. -</p> - -<p> -Meanwhile Harper's Fourth Corps on the left had -also gone forward at 2 A.M., their objective being -the high ground to the south of Solesmes. The plan -was that the Sixth Corps should take the ground to -the north of the village, but the whole operations -were made very difficult by the knowledge that the -civilian inhabitants were still there, and that the -guns had therefore to be used sparingly. When -once the points on both sides had been occupied it -was hoped that the Sixty-second Division of the -Sixth Corps would be able to capture the place. -The advance of the Fourth Corps was made with -the Fifth Division on the right and the Forty-second -on the left. The line of the railway and the -high ground east of it were successively occupied, -though the fire was heavy and the finest qualities -were needed in the soldiers who breasted the hill -with lines of machine-guns flashing at them from the -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P235"></a>235}</span> -hawthorn hedges of the embankment. In the attack -upon the hamlet of Marou the 127th Brigade of the -Forty-second Division showed the usual Lancastrian -gallantry. There are no finer, tougher soldiers in -the world, either in attack or defence, than these -North Countrymen. On one occasion on this day, a -company of the 5th Manchesters being pinned down, -it was essential to convey news of their position -to their supports. Four volunteers started in -succession across the open bullet-swept plain, and all four -were shot down. None the less Private Wilkinson -volunteered as the fifth and actually got through -unscathed and saved the situation. For this and -other exertions during the day he received the -Victoria Cross. The 1st and 3rd Guards Brigade -had gone forward on the front of the Sixth Corps, -with the 2nd Brigade in immediate support, and these -magnificent troops, taking St. Python in their stride, -beat down all opposition and by 7.30 were in their -appointed place to the north of the village. The -two flanks being thus secured, the Sixty-second went -in between them with their usual vigour and, according -to plan, assaulted the place from the west, fighting -their way into it and out at the other side, the 186th -Brigade taking the village while the 185th passed -through it for a fresh advance. The 2/4 York and -Lancaster aided in mopping up the village, which -entailed some very severe fighting from house to -house, as dangerous often as entering a cave in -which lurks some wounded beast of prey. It was on -this occasion that Corporal Daykins won his Cross, -leading the twelve men, who were the only survivors -of his platoon, with that mixture of wile and courage -which is the ideal combination. He not only cleared -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P236"></a>236}</span> -the front of his own platoon, but perceiving that his -neighbours were held up he started out alone to -their assistance, with such success that he brought -back a machine-gun and 25 more prisoners as the -prize of his own unaided effort. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Oct. 21-23. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -The 3rd Guards Brigade on the extreme left -attempting to make good the Solesmes-Valenciennes -Road, were checked for a time by very heavy -fire, but overcame the difficulty, and soon the Guards -had their full objective, and were in touch with -the Nineteenth Division on the flank of the -Seventeenth Corps on their left at Maison Blanche. -The Forty-second Division on the right had got well -forward, but was checked at last on the line of the -Beart brook, which caused the Sixty-second on their -left to throw out a defensive flank and put limits -to their advance. The Fifth Division on the extreme -right had also been held, and were finally driven off -the high ground south of Marou by a sharp -counter-stroke of the enemy. By evening the Fifth and -Forty-second had secured almost their full objectives, -the Manchester battalions having borne the brunt -of the fighting. The Fourth Corps had taken over -1000 prisoners. The Sixth Corps had also gone to -its full limit, the Guards and Sixty-second having -cleared everything in front of them and sent back -700 prisoners. It had been a most successful day; -but the hardest work had fallen upon the Fourth -Corps, both divisions having been badly knocked -about. It was determined to spend a day therefore -in consolidating the gains, and to continue the -advance on October 23. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Oct. 23. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -On that date the Fifth Corps on the right went -forward once again, with the Thirty-third Division -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P237"></a>237}</span> -on the right and the Twenty-first on the left. If -we attempt to describe the action from the broad -point of view of the whole Corps front, the order -of battle from the right was the Thirty-third, -Twenty-first, Fifth, Forty-second, Third, and -Second. On the front of the Sixth Corps there -was a sudden outburst of artillery fire during the -assembly of the troops, which unhappily caught the -Third Division and caused many casualties. It is -a hard test even for the most veteran troops to be -under a hurricane of shells in the dark and cold of -an autumn night, but the men of the Iron Division -came into the battle as blithely as ever. The Harpies -River, and a whole screen of villages and of woods, -with the great Forest of Mormal at their back, were -the immediate obstacles which confronted the Army. -On the right the village of Forest was soon secured, -though an obstinate pocket held out for some time -to the north-east of it. The enemy in this quarter -could be seen retiring in small parties towards -Vendegies and the wood near that village. The -Thirty-third Division on the flank had a greater -volume of fire to contend with and was rather slower -than the Twenty-first, which never halted until it -was close to Vendegies, reaching it at 10 A.M. -The defence was thickening, however, and both -divisions had very heavy going in the afternoon, -though the 19th Brigade of the Thirty-third Division -fought its way along the north of Vendegies Wood, -and reached its allotted line, while the 98th Brigade -was held up by the fire from Bousies. As the -farther line was reached the two reserve brigades of -each division—the 62nd and the 100th Brigades—were -pushed up to take the burden from those who -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P238"></a>238}</span> -were wearied out by the long and strenuous day. -Nearly 800 prisoners had fallen to the Fifth Corps. -</p> - -<p> -The Fourth Corps had the preliminary task of -clearing the south side of the St. Georges River, and -taking the village of Beaurain. This was allotted -to the Fifth and Forty-second Divisions, but the -leading brigade of the former was caught in the -artillery attack already alluded to, with the result -that it sustained losses which seriously crippled it. -None the less the attack started up to time and was -successfully carried out, save that Beaurain could -not be cleared—a fact which necessitated a change -in barrage, no easy matter after a great action is -launched. The 125th Lancashire Fusilier Brigade -of the Forty-second Division did particularly fine -work. The Thirty-seventh Division and the New -Zealanders, Canterbury and Otago in the van, had -now passed through the ranks of their comrades, -and as there were signs of German disorganisation -the pressure was strenuously maintained. As a result -the New Zealanders captured the crossings over the -Ecaillon River before they could be destroyed, and -reached the edge of Le Quesnoy, while the Thirty-seventh -seized Ghissignies with its bridge. It was -a great day's work for Harper's Corps. -</p> - -<p> -On the left the Third and Second Divisions had -advanced on single-brigade fronts, the 76th and -5th being in the lead. The 1st Gordons of the 76th -advancing rapidly, cleared the village of Romeries -after a very sharp tussle. A battalion commander -and 600 men were taken. The rest of the brigade -then passed through it and carried the line forward. -It was evident this day that the Germans, though -hard in patches, were really becoming demoralised -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P239"></a>239}</span> -under the pounding of the British, and that they -had lost all stomach for the fray. Several well-placed -machine-guns were abandoned by their crews -without a shot being fired, and serious opposition -seemed at places to be at an end. Both the 8th -Royal Lancasters and the 2nd Suffolks went through -every defence like paper. The 8th Brigade then -took up the running, and the 2nd Royal Scots carried -Vertain with 200 more prisoners, while the 1st Scots -Fusiliers took Escarmain also with 200 Germans. -Patrols were sent forward as far as the Ecaillon -River and few of the enemy appeared to be left upon -the southern bank. -</p> - -<p> -Meanwhile the 5th Brigade on the left had passed -to the north of Vertain and swept forward, keeping -level with the Nineteenth Division on their left. -They co-operated in the capture of Escarmain, -and the rest of the Second Division made its way -through Capelle, and lined the Capelle-St. Martin -Road, the latter village having been taken by the -Nineteenth Division. So demoralised did the -Germans appear on this flank, with their gun-teams -all out in the open ready to limber up, that -it appeared as if unlimited progress could be made -by Haldane's Corps, but it was known that the enemy -were in a sterner mood to the south and that the -Fourth and Fifth Corps, though victorious, had no -assurance of an easy advance. It was determined -therefore to renew the battle next morning before -daylight. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Oct. 24. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -At that hour the Thirty-third and Twenty-first -Divisions again went forward on the right, but -the opposition in this quarter was still very stiff. -Poix du Nord was captured by the Twenty-first -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P240"></a>240}</span> -and some 3000 inhabitants were found cowering in -the cellars. Englefontaine was at the same time -attacked by the 100th Brigade of the Thirty-third -Division, but the machine-guns were busy and it -was some time before they could get a lodgment. -The Twenty-first was at the same time held up on -the road north of the village. About 4 P.M. the line -moved forward again behind a fresh barrage, that -refreshing shower which revives the exhausted -infantry. The men of the 100th Brigade got -half-way through Englefontaine and remained there at -close grips with their tenacious adversaries, while -the Twenty-first fought their way forward to the -south-east of Ghissignies, where they were again -pulled up. The resistance on this southern section -of the Corps front was certainly very different from -that experienced by Haldane's Corps in the left -flank. Meanwhile the Fourth and Sixth Corps were -waiting for the Fourth Army and the Fifth Corps -to swing into line, but they made a short forward -movement on October 24, the Third Division -passing through Ruesnes, while the New Zealanders -on their right kept pace with them. Both the -Fifth Corps on the right and the Seventeenth Corps -on the left were for the time rather behind the general -line, so that a long defensive flank had to be formed -by each of the Corps between them. The Sixty-first -Division had come in on the right of the Seventeenth -Corps, but it had at once run into a sharp -attack which drove it for the time out of -Vendegies-sur-Ecaillon. During this day some attempt was -made by the Sixth Corps to push cavalry through, -but every horse of two strong patrols of Oxfordshire -Hussars was shot, so that it was impossible to persevere. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P241"></a>241}</span> -</p> - -<p> -The village of Englefontaine had not yet been -cleared, so after a breathing-space of one day the -Thirty-third Division attacked once more, while its -neighbour to the south, the Eighteenth Division, -co-operated by advancing upon Mount Carmel. -This attempt was entirely successful, the 100th -Brigade flooding over the village and capturing -450 prisoners. The Twenty-first Division at the -same time advanced its line on the north. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Nov. 4. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -The Army had now outrun its communications -and a halt was necessary. It was Haig's policy, -however, to continue raining down hammer blows -upon his reeling antagonist, so that all was ready -for a big fresh advance on November 4, which -should be on an immense scale, involving the fronts -of the Fourth, Third, and First Armies. -</p> - -<p> -The immediate objective in front of the right -of the Third Army was the formidable bulk of the -Mormal Forest, after which the action may well be -named. The advance on the front of the Fifth -Corps was made by the Thirty-eighth Welsh on the -right and the Seventeenth Division on the left, each -brigade succeeding the other, as the various objectives -were reached. The edge of the Forest was strongly -held, but when once it had been penetrated the -progress along the sides was rapid and the enemy -freely surrendered. So fair were the prospects that -the troops were ordered not to confine themselves -to the allotted objectives but to push on as far as -they could. The ultimate aim was to gain a passage -over the Sambre, though this seemed to be more -than one day's work could possibly accomplish. -</p> - -<p> -The Thirty-eighth Division attained its full -objectives, but the Seventeenth met with a lively -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P242"></a>242}</span> -resistance in Locquignol, and was held up for a time. -The weather had broken and the rain was falling, but -in spite of the depressing surroundings the fighting -line pressed on. The 13th Welsh Regiment moving -forward with great dash pushed patrols into Barbaras, -where many rifles scattered over the ground pointed -to the German demoralisation. All night the -Welshmen pushed forward, and Berlaimont was taken in -the early morning. At the same hour the Seventeenth -Division, having overcome their difficulties, were -nearly as far forward on their left. The Forest had -been expected to form a greater obstacle than was -really the case, for when once it was entered it was -found that the clearings were so extensive that save -in patches it was hardly an obstacle at all. -</p> - -<p> -The Fourth Corps had gone forward on November 4 -with the Thirty-seventh Division on the right and -the New Zealanders on the left. The latter were to -advance upon either side of Le Quesnoy, which was -to be encircled and taken. The town, which was an -old-fashioned walled fortress, was not shelled on -account of the inhabitants, but smoke- and oil-drums -were fired on to the ramparts. -</p> - -<p> -The attack was a complete success and swept over -every obstacle without a check, save for some short -delay caused by a strong point missed by the barrage -in front of the Thirty-seventh Division. Louvignies -and Jolimetz were taken by the Thirty-seventh, which -pushed on to establish itself within the Forest. The -New Zealanders left Hart's Brigade to invest Le -Quesnoy and also advanced rapidly into the Forest, -capturing many prisoners and guns. Le Quesnoy -was now completely isolated, but the ancient walls -and gateways were strongly defended by all modern -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P243"></a>243}</span> -devices, and a machine-gun clattered through the -slit where a bow may once have been bent. An -officer with a flag of truce got no response. An -aeroplane was then sent over, which dropped the -message that our troops were in the Forest far to the -east, and that a surrender would be the wisest course. -The enemy, however, would have none of it. A -forlorn hope of New Zealanders then approached -with a scaling-ladder in the good old style, and -swarmed up the walls. There was only one ladder -and three successive walls, but in some miraculous -fashion the whole of the 4th New Zealand Battalion -reached the top of the rampart, with the loss of one -man. This was accomplished by sweeping the walls -round with such a fire that the defenders could not -even peep over. On seeing that they had reached the -rampart the German commander at last hoisted the -white flag. The garrison consisted of about 1000 men. -</p> - -<p> -The Sixth Corps advanced with the Sixty-second -on the right and the Guards on the left, each on a -two-brigade front. Both divisions went forward -from the beginning without a hitch, prisoners -streaming back. As they advanced, however, they came -into heavy machine-gun fire from the orchards -south-west of Frasnoy and south of Wargnies, where for a -time the Guards were held up. The country here was -very enclosed and thickly hedged, which made progress -slow. By evening, however, the objectives had been -reached, the orchards cleared, with Frasnoy, -Preux-au-Sart, and 1000 prisoners to show for their day's -work. Altogether this battle of Mormal Forest had -been a day of triumph for the Third Army, and -especially for the Fourth Corps in the centre. It was -a great victory, in which on this front alone some -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P244"></a>244}</span> -7000 prisoners and about 100 guns were taken, while -the Germans had been beaten, with great loss, out -of a position which, in their old form, they would have -held for a month. So complete was the German -break-up that several batteries were taken by the -Fourth Corps, with horses, mounted officers, and all -complete, and were then despatched in full working -order to the rear. When one recalls how their papers -and critics had clamoured for open warfare against -the untrained British levies the result must have -surprised them. At the end of the fight the British -line was well up to the great forest. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Nov. 4-5. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -In the evening the old Fifth Division, now at last -reaching the end of those labours which had lasted -for more than four terrible years without a break, -came into the field once more. It would be interesting -to know whether there was a single man left in -the ranks of those who had skirted Mormal Forest in -August 1914 among the eager battalions which now -faced the same obstacle. It is of course true that -even the units had been largely altered in the interval, -and yet some of the grand old battalions still marched -in their honoured formations, changed in all save that -eternal spirit which has made and kept them famous. -The Fifth Division was ordered to pass through the -ranks of the Thirty-seventh after dawn at the western -edge of Mormal Forest, and to push onwards to the -east. General Oldman of the 15th Brigade on the -left advanced on a one-battalion front, and kept the -1st Bedfords, 1st Norfolks, and 1st Cheshires -leapfrogging through each other as often as possible in -order to minimise the difficulties of the Forest. -General Norton of the 95th Brigade on the right -of the line attacked with the 1st East Surreys and -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P245"></a>245}</span> -1st Cornwalls in the van, and the 1st Devons in -reserve. All day the Fifth Division clove its way -through the great forest, the British front, like a line -of beaters, putting up the game as it went. For the -most part it was but a faint-hearted quarry, but here -and there it stood fiercely at bay, and trench mortars -had to be rushed up and strong points blown down, -before the infantry could get forward. The 3rd -Hussars kept pace and connected up with the New -Zealanders on the left. Pelting rain, deep mud, -and broken tracks delayed, but could not stop, the -ardent advance, which continued until the leading -line was down on the bank of the Sambre, where they -were joined next day by the van of the Forty-second -Division, which had relieved the New Zealanders. -One bridge at Quartes was found intact and was -ready for demolition, but Major Cloutman of the -Sappers, commanding the 59th Field Company, with -extraordinary gallantry rolled across the tow-path, -swam the river, and cut the leads of the charge, all -under very heavy fire. It was a most daring deed, -which was rewarded by a V.C., but unhappily a small -party of the enemy with equal gallantry succeeded in -repairing the leads and destroying the bridge. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Nov. 5, Nov. 7. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -The operations on the right and centre of the -Third Army front now took the form of an advance -to complete the possession of the Forest of Mormal. -On November 5 the Thirty-third and Twenty-first -Divisions were back in line, and, working in close -liaison with the Eighteenth Division on the left of -the Fourth Army, they pushed the advance up to the -bank of the Sambre. Here it was found that all -bridges had been destroyed, and there was a check -while the Twenty-first to the north were making -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P246"></a>246}</span> -good the rest of the Forest and breaking out in little -groups of khaki from the eastern edge. That night -they threw light bridges over the Sambre and got -some infantry across, the line running from north -of Leval to east of Berlaimont. The left of the -Twenty-first Division was still west of the river. -Next day, November 6, the remorseless advance still -went on. Transport was failing, for the roads -through the Forest were impossibly bad, but nothing -could stop the eager infantry, who were in full cry -with their quarry in the open. A number of villages -were taken, each of which was full of machine-guns, -and showed some fight. By dusk the line of -the Avesnes-Bavay Road had been made good. On -November 7 the German retreat still continued, but -the British had still to fight their way and their -progress was far from being a walking-tour. Both the -Thirty-third and Twenty-first had a sharp fight -before they could dislodge the rearguards from the -Bois du Temple, Ecuelin, and Limont-Fontaine. -Campbell's men had a particularly hard task with -the latter, which was strongly garrisoned and stoutly -defended, while the neighbouring village of Eclaises -also presented a bold front. There was a real close -infantry battle, with some savage house-to-house -fighting, before these points could be cleared. 130 -prisoners were taken. The war had now left the -open arable country and come into the country of -small enclosed orchards with high hedges, which -blinded the German observers, since they had already -lost command of the air. This was a very vital point. -On November 8 the Welsh and Seventeenth were in -the front line once more, and the enemy was found to -be still very organised and resolute on this sector, -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P247"></a>247}</span> -fighting hard and with some success to hold the line -of a watercourse. Finally this opposition weakened, -or it might be more fair to say that the brave -rearguard, having done its work, was withdrawn. On -November 9 the Fifth Corps got along rapidly, gaining -the eastern edge of the Bois du Temple and the high -ground east of Beaufort. For a time all contact was -lost with the enemy, who were rapidly retreating, and -they were not located again until they were on the -line of the River Thure. The roads had been blown -up, and pursuit was much retarded. The difficulties -of the advance were much aggravated by the -impossibility of getting the supplies forward. Many -delay-action mines had gone up in the railways in the -rear, which prevented rail-heads from being rapidly -advanced. It is a fact, which is typical of the ghoulish -humour of German methods, that after several -explosions in the Le Cateau station it occurred to -some one to dig up the graves which were marked -in German as covering the remains of some unknown -British soldiers and were placed near the line. In -each case a delay-action mine was discovered all set -for different dates. It was determined, therefore, in -order to economise supplies, that a single Corps, the -Sixth, should form the whole front of the Third Army -from this time onwards. This change was -accomplished, and the vanguard had just got in touch -with the Germans on the River Thure, when the -historic November 11 came to end the hostilities. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Nov. 9. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -The troops of the Fourth Corps had moved forward -from November 4 onwards in close liaison with the -advance just recorded. The Fifth Division captured -Pont-sur-Sambre, Boussières, and St. Remy, while the -Forty-second occupied Hautmont, so that on -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P248"></a>248}</span> -November 9 the Corps line was the Avesnes-Maubeuge Road. -There they found themselves when the bugles sounded -the final "Cease fire." The record of Harper's -Corps since August 21 can be tersely summed up in -a few figures. They had lost 30,000 men. They had -captured 22,500 prisoners and 350 guns, fighting for -ten weeks without rest or break, and often in the -worst of weather. The record of all the divisions was -splendid, but this is perhaps the place to say a special -word about the New Zealanders, which, in the judgement -of many soldiers, was, if it be not invidious to -say so, equal to the very best division in France. -When it is stated that during the war they lost -57,632 men, and that the total number of prisoners -taken from them is reported to have been 45, -these extraordinary figures make all further comment -superfluous. But what was particularly remarkable -was their appreciation of a military situation -which more than once altered the whole strategic -situation. Thus it was their discovery that the -Crevecœur bridge was intact, and their rapidity in -seizing it and tenacity in holding it and the village, -which threatened the whole Beaurevoir line and -helped to reduce to nullity one of the greatest defences -ever created by German engineers. These men -return to their island homes bearing with them the -deep admiration of their comrades and the gratitude -of the Empire. They joined discipline in peace to -valour in war, and England was the poorer when the -last red hat-band was seen in the streets of her cities. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Nov. 4-9. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -The Sixth Corps, after the battle of Mormal -Forest, pushed on to the east, and was rather impeded -by the water-logged country than by the German -resistance. On November 6 there was a counter-attack -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P249"></a>249}</span> -upon the Sixty-second Division, which made -no headway and had heavy losses. Bavisaux, Obies, -and many other villages were taken, the church in -the latter place containing thirty machine-guns. -The Guards on the left took Buvignies, while the -Twenty-fourth Division upon their north held the -line of the Hongnau River. On November 7 the -resistance was still negligible, but the continuous -rain and the wooded nature of the country made -rapid progress almost impossible. That evening -General Haldane received the surprising news that it -was probable that the enemy would send emissaries -through the Allied lines with a view to negotiating -an armistice, his instructions being that if they -approached his front they should be detained pending -instructions from higher authority. In the evening -it was learned that they had actually reached the -French lines. The fighting still continued, however, -and on November 9 the Sixty-second Division had -reached the Sambre. The Guards on the same -day pushed forward rapidly and entered the citadel -of Maubeuge in the afternoon. It was difficult to -get touch with the enemy, who were reported to be -standing at Boussois. At this period, as already -told, the Sixth Corps took over the whole Army -front, and was advancing upon the Maubeuge-Charleroi -front when the fateful hour struck. -</p> - -<p> -The record of the Sixth Corps during their ten final -weeks of work had been a magnificent one, and was -strangely parallel to that of the Fourth Corps on -their right. Their losses had been almost identical, -about 30,000 men. Their prisoners came to over -20,000 and their captured guns were 350. The Fifth -Corps, on the other hand, had endured more than its -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P250"></a>250}</span> -neighbours, having lost no less than 34,000 men. It -had captured 13,000 prisoners. Altogether the losses -of the Third Army during the final ten weeks had -been 100,000 men, while they had taken about -60,000 prisoners with nearly 1000 guns. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Oct 16-20. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -We have considered the advance of the three -southern Corps of the Third Army. In order to -complete the record it is necessary to return to -October 13, and to trace the operations of Fergusson's -Seventeenth Corps, which were left on that date -in front of the Selle River. On October 14 the 72nd -Brigade of the Twenty-fourth Division, which was -in the van, gained a footing at the edge of Haussy -village, which straddles the river. On October 16 -this same brigade took the whole village on either -bank. The left of the line was held up, however, -by a particularly heavy gas screen. Later in the -day the Germans were into Haussy once more, but -again were pushed out from the western section of it, -on which they gas-shelled it, to the destruction of a -number of unfortunate civilians who had been unable -to get away. 400 prisoners were taken during the -day. October 17 saw the British line where it had -been on the 15th, as the gas clouds hanging low -over the river valley made the position down there -untenable. -</p> - -<p> -On October 20, a rainy and tempestuous day, -the general advance of the whole Third Army was -resumed. The Nineteenth Division having relieved -the Twenty-fourth, carried out the advance on -the front of the Seventeenth Corps, having in touch -with it the Fourth Division of the Twenty-second -Corps on the left, and the Guards of the Sixth -Corps on the right. The attack of the Nineteenth -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P251"></a>251}</span> -Division had for its first objective the bridging of the -Selle, the capture of the railway and high ground -beyond, and of the village of East Haussy. The -second stage should be the ridge to the east. Two -brigades advanced—the 57th on the left and the -58th on the right—behind a fine barrage from eleven -brigades of artillery. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Oct 20-25. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -The attack was started at 2 in the morning, and -before 4 A.M. the 57th Brigade were in the whole of -Haussy, the resistance having been slight. At 6 -o'clock the 8th Gloucesters, on the extreme right, -had reached their final objective, where they were -endeavouring to get touch with the Guards in the -neighbourhood of Maison Blanche. The 10th Warwicks -were held up on the left, but soon cleared out -the obnoxious pocket. By 9 o'clock the 58th Brigade -was also on its extreme limit, and an obstinate strong -point was surrounded and destroyed. In this brigade -the 2nd Wiltshires had the worst ordeal, but they won -through at last. Patrols on the right had reached -the banks of the Harpies. The blow had, as must -be admitted, been delivered in the air, but the river -line had been won, and that was the essential. -</p> - -<p> -On October 23 the part played by the Seventeenth -Corps was subsidiary to that of the Corps to -the north and to the south. On this date the -Nineteenth Division was ordered to protect the left flank -of the Sixth Corps in its advance on Romeries and -Escarmain. This was duly carried out by the 8th -Gloucesters and 10th Warwicks, and contributed -greatly to the victory in the south. That night the -Sixty-first South Midland Division took over from -the Nineteenth Division, with an ambitious -programme for next day, October 24. In the course of -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P252"></a>252}</span> -this attack the 183rd Brigade advanced on the -right and the 182nd on the left, their objectives -including the villages of Bermerain, Vendegies, and -Sommaing. There followed a confused day of hard -fighting, the general movement being always from -west to east. All three villages were most hotly -contested. Vendegies proved to be a special centre -of resistance, but on the morning of October 25 it -was found to be unoccupied, and the whole resistance -had relaxed to such an extent that the front of -the Army flowed slowly forward with hardly a -check, submerging fresh areas and villages until it -had reached the Rhonelle River, where a bridge-head -was established on the front of the Twenty-second -Corps. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Nov. 1-4. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -On November 1 the advance was resumed, when -Maresches was attacked by the Sixty-first Division, -the Warwicks and Worcesters of the 182nd Brigade -being in the lead. The village was taken with about -three hundred of the garrison. Preseau on the left -had fallen. This was the centre of a violent -counter-attack in the afternoon, which involved the right of -the Fourth and the left of the Sixty-first Divisions. -Four German tanks co-operated, two of which were -destroyed by the British guns. This attack pressed -back the advance from its furthest point, but made -no material change in the situation, though Preseau -was regained by the Germans, with the effect that -their machine-guns from this point held up the left -flank of the 184th Brigade in their further advance. -Nearly 800 prisoners were made during the day. -</p> - -<p> -The advance was renewed next morning, November -2, and again the resistance seemed to wane, so -that by midday the full objectives planned, but not -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P253"></a>253}</span> -attained, on the previous day had been reached with -little loss, the Sixty-first moving onwards in close -touch with the Fourth on their left and the Second -on their right. The Sixty-first were now drawn out -of the line, and the Nineteenth and Twenty-fourth -each sent up a brigade to take their place. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Nov. 3-4. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -November 3 found the front of the Corps still -pushing forward without undue opposition. In the late -afternoon the 9th Cheshires of the 56th Brigade were -in Jenlain in touch with the Eleventh Division upon -their left. The whole of the Jenlain-Le Quesnoy -Road had been reached along the Corps front, and -once again it seemed as if the cavalry might get their -long-sought opportunity. Next morning, however, -November 4, found the stubborn German still standing -grimly on the defensive, and the infantry went -forward once more to pitch-fork him a little farther -to the east. It was a great general attack in which -the three Armies, First, Third, and Fourth, all moved -forward against the Avesnes-Maubeuge-Mons line. -On the front of the Seventeenth Corps there was no -very outstanding objective, and yet it was of course -essential that they should keep well up with the line, -if only in order to cover the flanks of their neighbours. -</p> - -<p> -The right of the Corps when the advance began -consisted of the 73rd Brigade of the Twenty-fourth -Division. On its left was the 56th Brigade, and to -the left of that the 58th, both of the Nineteenth -Division. Both infantry and artillery had to find -their battle stations in pitch darkness, but all were in -their places at zero. At 6 o'clock the line went -forward, faced in the first instance by a small stream, -the Petit Aunelle, which was safely crossed, though -its banks were in places 30 feet deep. At 10 o'clock -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P254"></a>254}</span> -both divisions had gained the higher ground beyond -the stream. By midday the Twenty-fourth Division -had reached the Great Aunelle River, and a party of -the 7th Northamptons drove away with their accurate -rifle-fire the German sappers who were endeavouring -to destroy the bridge, but could not themselves cross -on account of the heavy German fire. The 2nd Wilts -of the Nineteenth Division had their patrols in Eth. -To the north the Eleventh Division was over the -river, and the German position was rapidly becoming -impossible, though they were counter-attacking with -great valour upon the farther bank of the stream. -Before evening Wargnies had fallen to the 9th -Cheshires, and the whole British front was up to or -over the Aunelle. The advance was carried on in -pouring rain on November 5, a further area being -gained up to the Hongnau River and the position -strengthened, though the amount of ground on the -farther side of the river was still limited and varied -with the German counter-attacks which occasionally -swept back the intrusive bridge-heads, but only to -have them re-established once more. The troops -were soaked, the ground was sodden, the infantry -were over the ankles in mud, and every one was -exhausted. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Nov. 4-7. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -On the morning of November 7 this line of the -Hongnau had been abandoned by the Germans and -the advance was resumed. It must surely have been -at this period of the war one of the most impressive -sights in the whole history of the world, could one -with a single sweeping glance have seen that gigantic -line from the left wing of the Belgians on the Dutch -frontier to the right wing of the French within view -of the Swiss, moving forward every day, millions of -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P255"></a>255}</span> -men advancing together, with the flash of their -bayonets before them and the red glare of their -shells in front of them, while along that whole front -of four hundred miles the grey cloud, like some visible -thing of evil, rolled slowly back in front, leaving bare -the ground which it had blighted and poisoned. It -was clear to all men that the end was near, and yet -few dared to hope how near it actually proved to be. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Nov. 7-9. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -On November 7 the Twenty-fourth Division took -over Bavay, which had just been captured by the -Guards. The weather conditions were more serious -than the German opposition, and the advance was -held back by the dreadful roads. None the less a -long succession of villages were wrenched from the -enemy—Taisnières, Feignies, and others—while on -November 9 the Guards were in Maubeuge on the -right. From this time there was practically no more -fighting, and only a slow advance on the one side and -a slow retreat on the other until the fateful -November 11. To quote the memorandum of a General -Officer upon the spot: "The moral effect of -retirement upon the enemy was very marked, and it was -found that even his machine-gunners, who had fought -very well all through our advance, were beginning to -feel the effect, and would not stand once a field-gun -was brought up to deal with them." -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p><a id="chap10"></a></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">{<a id="P256"></a>256}</span></p> - -<h3> -CHAPTER X -<br /><br /> -THE ADVANCE OF HORNE'S FIRST ARMY -</h3> - -<p class="t3"> -From September 27 to the end -</p> - -<p class="noindent"> -The Canadians at the Canal du Nord—Hard fighting at Bourlon—Strong -counter attack at Abancourt—Canadian valour—Godley's -Twenty-Second Corps—The Ecaillon valley—Forcing of the -Rhonelle—General Heneker's attack—Capture of Douai. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Sept. 27-29. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -On September 27 the Canadian Corps, with the -Eleventh British Division, attacked once more, the -advance joining the left flank of that huge movement -in which the First, Third, and Fourth Armies were -all engaged. The Twenty-second and Eighth Corps -to the north were not engaged, but made a vigorous -demonstration in support. The Canadian attack, -which began at early dawn, was on a 6000-yard -front, from Mœuvres in the south to the -Arras-Cambrai Road. In this advance the First and -Fourth Canadian Divisions were, in the first instance, -to cross the Canal du Nord, and to capture Bourlon -Wood and village, with the high ground about -Pilgrim's Rest. This attack was in conjunction with -one upon the right made by the Seventeenth Corps, -where the Fifteenth and Sixty-third Divisions -stormed the line of the Canal du Nord east and -south-east of Mœuvres, as already recorded. This -movement was entirely successful, though there was -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P257"></a>257}</span> -very obstinate resistance at Graincourt, which held -up the advance for a time. The Fifty-seventh -Division passed through, however, to the north of -this village and gained Cantaing and Fontaine, so -that the defenders of Graincourt, finding British -troops behind them, were forced to surrender. -</p> - -<p class="capcenter"> -[Illustration: General Position of the Allies -immediately before the Armistice<br /> -of November 11, 1918] -</p> - -<p> -The Canal du Nord had been emptied by the -blowing up of sluice-gates, and was quickly passed -by the Canadian troops, who scrambled down one -side and up the other, with or without the aid of -scaling-ladders. At the other side they found much -less resistance than had been expected, which was -greatly the result of a barrage which has seldom been -equalled for accuracy and intensity. Captured -German officers declared that nothing could live under -it. The German guns were slow and feeble in their -reply, and the whole work of the enemy artillery at -this period showed how nervous it had become -through the recent heavy captures, and how much -they appreciated the necessity of keeping well to the -rear. The Canadian line poured on with little loss -and did not halt until it had seized its whole objective, -including the ground about Bourlon, which had been -the scene of such bitter and fruitless fighting ten -months before. Guardsmen and Highlanders, men -of Surrey and of Yorkshire, all who had fallen upon -and still lay within the soil of that sinister grove, -were finally justified and avenged that day. The -whole manoeuvre, by which a large part of the -German line was taken in the rear, elicited -expressions of surprise and admiration from captured -German officers. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Sept. 29. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -In the second stage of the Canadian attack the -First Canadian and the Eleventh British -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P258"></a>258}</span> -Divisions—the latter on the extreme left—took up the running, -and carried the line forward in the direction of -Raillencourt and Haynecourt. In the afternoon the -169th Brigade of the Fifty-sixth Division also came -in upon the left, near the Arras-Cambrai Road, to -clear the area between the Eleventh Division and the -Canal du Nord, the latter division having taken -Oisy-le-Verger. There was constant fighting during -the day in this quarter, the 168th Brigade coming -into action to the left of the 169th, and next morning -the 8th Middlesex took Palluel. They also crossed -the River Sensée and captured Arleux, but a strong -barrage, followed by an infantry attack, drove them -out again at 3.30 on the morning of September 29. -All these attacks, both of the Eleventh and Fifty-sixth -Divisions, were made, after crossing the Canal -du Nord, from south to north, so as to extend the -left flank of the Canadians. -</p> - -<p> -One of the predominating factors in these operations -was the great flood caused by the blocking of -the Trinquis and Sensée rivers by the Germans, -which created wide lakes shown upon no map, across -the front of the Twenty-second Corps. As a matter -of fact this development was regarded with some -complacency by General Godley, for there had always -been a chance that the Germans, by driving a really -strong counter-attack along the line of the Scarpe, -might checkmate the whole British advance to the -south. The effect of the inundations was to free the -British higher command from any fears of the kind -and to enable them to hold that part very lightly, -while they thickened their line elsewhere. -</p> - -<p> -We have left the Canadian line on September 28. -On this date the Third Canadian Division, which -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P259"></a>259}</span> -had relieved part of the Fourth British on the -right of the Corps front, attacked with the 7th -and 9th Brigades in the van. On its left was the -10th Canadian Brigade, which in turn had the 2nd -Canadian Brigade to the north of it. The Third -Canadian Division made good progress and pushed -through as far as Raillencourt, but the First Canadian -Division remained motionless, as it was already -rather in front of the general line. The Eleventh -British Division was doing continuous good work in -the north, but on the morning of September 29 its -32nd Brigade was held up by a strong field of wire, -and the advance was checked in that quarter, but -later in the day the whole line pushed on once more, -the order of brigades from the north being 32 (British), -2, 12, 7, 9 (all four Canadian). A mist covered the -front, and from the heart of this impenetrable cloud -came the constant rattle of the German fire, while -their bullets swept every avenue of approach. The -progress was irregular, but by 9.45 in the morning -the 12th Canadian Brigade had taken Sancourt and -had entered Blecourt, where some fierce bludgeon -work was going on. At 10 A.M. the 2nd Brigade had -reached Abancourt station, but the Eleventh Division -were again held up in the north, which exposed the -left flank of the Canadians. South of the Bapaume -Road the 9th Brigade was making steady progress, -while the 7th had reached Neuville St. Remy. For a -moment the 12th Canadian Brigade was staggered by -a heavy counter which broke upon it, but the ranks -soon rallied and the ground was regained. It was -desperately hard fighting, however, and it was to -continue day after day until all the northern grit of -General Currie's Corps was needed to sustain it. -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P260"></a>260}</span> -Early in the morning of September 30 they were at -it again, the immediate objects of the operations -being the capture of the bridge-heads on the Canal -de l'Escaut by the Third and Fourth Canadian -Divisions, and secondly, that the high ground over -the River Sensée should be secured by the First -Canadians and Eleventh British. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Sept. 30. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -The attack began well, as the Third Canadian -Division got Tilloy and the Fourth got Blecourt. -There was some progress also along the Cambrai -Road, when the 3rd Canadians got Petit Fontaine. -It was "do or die" with the Germans, however, who -were keenly alive to the fact that at all costs they -must hold the bridge-heads of the Canal. They had -put out a great effort, and had brought up three -new fighting divisions, making seven in all between -Cambrai and the Sensée River. Counter-attacks -rolled one after the other from the east, but the -Canadians showed themselves as stiff in defence as -they were ardent in attack. They might well be in -high heart, for since September 27, 200 guns and -5500 prisoners were visible signs of their victory. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Oct. 1. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -On October 1 the Fifty-sixth Division relieved -the Eleventh and both reverted to the Twenty-second -Corps. At 5 A.M. on that date the Canadian -attack was renewed, synchronising with that of the -Seventeenth Corps in the south and the Twenty-second -in the north. The order of brigades on the -Canadian front was, from the north, 1, 3, 11, and 9. -The advance was made under a heavy barrage, but -it met with a most desperate resistance. In this -and the following day the Canadians experienced as -heavy fighting as any in their great record. By 8 -o'clock the general line had got as far as Canal -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P261"></a>261}</span> -bank-Morenchies Wood-Cuvillers-Bantigny-Abancourt. -Shortly afterwards a very heavy German attack -struck the whole Corps front, rolling chiefly up the -Bantigny valley, the hostile infantry emerging from -Paillencourt and thence pouring forward with great -determination in several lines. The 1st Canadian -Brigade in the north was bare upon its left flank and -was in sore straits, but the 3rd Brigade held on fast -to the slope which leads down to the Canal. While -swarms of men attacked the British line a number of -pockets developed in all the ground which had been -taken that day, so that the troops were shot at from -all sides. The British artillery came to the rescue, -however, and caught the German masses as they -advanced with murderous results—one battery of -heavies firing 1600 rounds. None the less the enemy -won back Abancourt, and gained some ground along -the whole front, the battle centring upon Blecourt. -</p> - -<p> -That night the British line, which was already -much weakened by prolonged fighting, and which was -clearly opposed by superior forces, halted for a time -for reorganisation and reinforcement. It has since -been proved that no fewer than thirteen German -divisions were thrown in upon this section of the line. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Oct. 2. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -The work of the Canadian Corps in crossing the -Nord Canal, following upon their splendid work in -breaking the Quéant-Drocourt line, reasserted the -fact, so often demonstrated before, that there are -no better soldiers in the world than those of the -Dominion. It has been impossible to specify the -innumerable acts of valour performed by these brave -men, but looking at the highest record of all, as -chronicled during these few days of battle, one finds -that the Victoria Cross was awarded to Captain -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P262"></a>262}</span> -MacGregor and Lieut. Kerr of the 1st Central Ontario -Regiment, the first, after being himself wounded, -having killed four and taken eight of the enemy, -while the latter rushed a strong point single-handed -and captured four machine-guns with thirty-one -prisoners. Lieut. Gregg, of the Nova Scotians, killed -or wounded eleven of the enemy and took twenty-five -prisoners on September 28. Lieut. Honey, of the -78th Manitobas, captured a whole nest of guns -single-handed, with ten prisoners, dying of wounds on -the last day of the attack, while Sergeant Merisfield -of the 4th Central Ontarios cleared out two posts by -his own initiative, and fought after being wounded -until a second wound left him senseless upon the -ground. Such were the iron men who have made -the name of Canada great in the battlefields of -Europe. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Oct. 7. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -For the sake of connected narrative we may carry -on the story of the Canadians from October 2, when -their weakened ranks, after their great and -continuous exertions, were held by the strong German -array in front of Abancourt. For the next few days, -while gathering for a fresh spring, the Canadians -saw heavy palls of smoke over Cambrai, while at -night the dull red glow from great fires hinted at -an approaching retreat. During the week which -followed, the Seventeenth Corps was, as has been -told in their own chronicle, making splendid progress -to the south. On October 7 the Second and Third -Canadian Divisions, rested and strengthened, -renewed their advance. On that date they advanced -with the old design of securing the bridge-heads over -the Canal, Pont d'Aire and Ramillies being their -objectives, the latter a name of good omen for any -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P263"></a>263}</span> -British operation. Rapid progress was made, and it -was soon evident that, be the machine-guns ever so -numerous and spiteful, it was still only a rear screen -which faced the attack. The light of day had hardly -come before the 5th Brigade, after a short, sharp -tussle, had possession of Pont d'Aire, while the 6th -Brigade got Ramillies. The 8th Brigade, to its own -amazement, crossed the Canal without opposition, and -pushed its patrols into Cambrai. It seems that at -the moment of the attack the Germans were caught -in the confusion of their changes. On October 8 -Cambrai was cleared, huge fires were extinguished, -and wires, by which the destruction of the town -might be completed, were traced and cut. An air -reconnaissance at dawn on October 9 showed that -the enemy had cleared away from the whole area -between the Sensée Canal and the Canal de l'Escaut, -having destroyed all the Sensée bridges. The -Seventeenth Corps sent the Twenty-fourth Division into -Cambrai to take it over, while there was an immediate -pursuit of the retreating enemy, in which General -Currie pushed forward a mobile column, called -Brutinel's Brigade, which contained light guns and -the Canadian Light Horse. Villages fell rapidly all -along the line both to the Canadians and to the -British Eleventh Division on their left. -</p> - -<p> -On October 10 a fresh line of resistance was -reached, and the Canadian Corps instantly attacked -it, in conjunction with the Eleventh Division. The -4th Canadian Brigade advanced swiftly and got -Naves with little opposition. The 6th Canadian -Brigade took Thun St. Martin. The Eleventh -Division got Estrun and reached the edge of Hem -Lenglet. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P264"></a>264}</span> -</p> - -<p> -On October 11 the Second Canadian Division, -together with the Forty-ninth Yorkshire Territorials, -who had relieved the Eleventh, continued their -advance, the Canadians met with heavy opposition -from Iwuy, and in the forenoon there came a heavy -counter-attack, led by seven tanks, six of which paid -the penalty. On October 12 the First Canadian -Division in the north found that their front was -apparently clear, so they swiftly advanced and took -Arleux and Estrées, while the Twenty-second Corps -attacked on their right and reached Hordain. On -this day was the fine attack, recorded elsewhere, of -the Fifty-sixth British Division, which got across the -Canal at Aubigny. On October 17 the whole line -of the Canal was clear, and the First Canadian -Division advanced towards Douai, which was occupied -by the Eighth British Division from the north. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Oct. 12. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -No further important services were exacted from the -Canadian Corps, which had done its share, and more -than its share, of the work, so that it retired from -the line with the warm admiration and respect of every -British soldier who had had experience of it. From -its first dreadful baptism of fire, when it faced without -masks the unknown horrors of the poison gas, down -to the campaign in which it broke the great Quéant -switch line, and forced the Canal du Nord, there was -never one single occasion upon which the Canadians -did not rise to the highest point of military virtue in -actual battle. Their record will be fully set out in -many a book which will deal fully and in detail with -their great deeds. Such a chronicle as this can only -hope to help the reader to fit that fuller and more -worthy record into the general plan. -</p> - -<p> -We shall now follow the work of Godley's Twenty-second -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P265"></a>265}</span> -Corps from the time that its right flank crossed -the Canal du Nord in the Marquion sector, taking its -operations consecutively, and linking them up with the -Canadians on the south, who were now, as already -recorded, advancing upon Cambrai, bursting through -every obstacle as they went. Early in October -Hunter-Weston's Eighth Corps extended down to the Scarpe. -There was great preparation for the future, but no -actual fighting, save for some outpost bickerings -between the 12th Brigade of the Fourth Division and -the Germans on the north of the Trinquis brook, in -the course of which the British posts were attacked—one -of them as many as eight times—but remained -untaken. On October 7 the guns of the Twenty-second -Corps co-operated in the attack made on -that day by the Eighth Corps in the north which -captured Biache St. Vaast, and a portion of the -Fresnes-Rouvroy line. On October 9 there was a -reconnaissance of the northern part of the -Drocourt-Quéant line by strong patrols, but it -was found that it was still strongly held. It was -at this period that the Canadian Corps was -brought across to the left of the Twenty-second -Corps, while the latter moved south, so that it now -lay between the Cambrai-Saulzoir Road and the -Canal de l'Escaut. Whilst this considerable -movement was in progress, on October 11 the Eighth -Corps on the north captured the portion of the -Drocourt line which was opposite to it. The Fifty-sixth -Division and First Canadians, who were on the -immediate south, took some part in the fray, the -Londoners capturing Fresnes, and the Canadians the -high ground which faced them. After the change -was carried out, the front east of Cambrai was held by -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P266"></a>266}</span> -the Forty-ninth Yorkshire Division on the right and -by the Fifty-first Highlanders on the left. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Oct. 11. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -Immediately before these fresh dispositions were -carried out in the south, there was a sharp action in -this sector, in which, under the direction of General -Currie, the Second Canadians and the Forty-ninth -British attacked Iwuy and the ground south-west of it. -This was on October 11. The attack gained ground -and some hundreds of prisoners, but the losses were -in excess of the gains, especially in the case of the -Yorkshire Territorials, who suffered considerably in -a counter-attack which was urged with the help of -tanks. On the morning of October 12 the Fifty-first -Highlanders had taken over from the Canadians and -carried on the operation. All day there was sharp -fighting in front of the British divisions. The -Forty-ninth made good progress and followed up the -retreating enemy, but the Fifty-first found a stiff -opposition on the left, where the Germans held fast -to Lieu St. Amand, powerfully supported by their -guns on the north bank of the Canal de l'Escaut. The -right of the Highland Division captured Avesnes-le-Sec, -and so came level with the left of the Forty-ninth. -This latter division had continual fighting at Haspres -and Saulzoir on to the line of the Selle. -</p> - -<p> -On October 13 the action was renewed, both the -British divisions striving hard to push through the -German rearguards, which were very strong and -were backed by powerful artillery from north and -east. Progress was slow, for the country was an -open plain without a vestige of cover. The enemy -were holding the Canadians to the north of the -Escaut Canal, and so were able to keep their guns -well forward on that side, to enfilade the advance -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P267"></a>267}</span> -to the south, and to support their position on the -Selle. The British had come into the region of -the civil population, so that they had to be chary -and discriminating in the use of their guns, while gas -shells could hardly be used at all. The Third Army -had now got so far ahead that it was compelled to -pause for supplies, and the First Army was forced to -conform. -</p> - -<p> -Cameron's Forty-ninth Division was much exhausted -by its exertions, so the Fourth British -Division came up about October 15 to relieve it. It -met with a sad misfortune immediately after it had -taken its place in the line, as its commanding officer, -General Lipsett, was killed while carrying out a -reconnaissance in front of the line. He had recently -been transferred from a Canadian division, and had -a great war record, extending back to near the -beginning. It is indeed tragic when one who has -played a great part in the drama leaves before the -final curtain falls. General Lucas took over the -division. -</p> - -<p> -There was no change in the situation so far as the -Twenty-second Corps was concerned until October -19, when the enemy began to retire in front of the -Highland Division, in conformity with a movement -which had already begun north of L'Escaut, and -which spread down to the front of the Fourth -Division. The Germans had prepared a line of defence -upon the Ecaillon River in the rear, and were now -letting go of the Selle in order to reassemble their -forces upon this even stronger front. The withdrawal -was irregular, so that some parts of his array -remained hard when others had almost ceased to -exist. Thus at Haspres and the part of the Selle -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P268"></a>268}</span> -to the north of it, there was still some stiff fighting. -He abandoned Saulzoir, however, and the Fourth -Division promptly established a bridge-head which -should be the base for a future advance. On the -Fifty-first Divisional front the pursuit was so rapid, -both by the Highlanders and by the Corps Cavalry, -that there was not much time for reorganisation. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Oct. 20. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -During October 20 and 21 the Germans were -slowly pressed back from the high ground east of -the Selle into the Ecaillon valley, and artillery was -pushed up to prepare for a further attack upon the -new line. The sappers did some great work in -throwing, under fire, many bridges over the Selle. -Noyelles and Douchy were occupied on the morning -of October 20. The river was found to be strongly -wired, and there were scattered lines of trenches on -the farther side, which made up a strong, fortified -position, called by the Germans the Hermanstellung. -It was clearly a more elaborate position than that of -the Selle. None the less the infantry was not to be -denied and the troops crossed the river by wading, -the water in many cases being up to the armpits of -the men. The 10th and 11th Brigades of the Fourth -Division fought their way half-way up the -north-eastern slope of the valley, past the villages of -Verchain and Moncheaux. The 1st Somersets and 1st -Hants occupied the latter and pushed through it, -securing the high ground east of the villages, but -they found that their comrades of the 2nd West -Riding and 1st Warwicks were held up by the German -main line upon the crest of the hill, and that the -Sixty-first Division, the nearest unit on their right, -were temporarily checked at Vendegies. The 2nd -West Riding got forward, however, and occupied a -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P269"></a>269}</span> -position on the crest called "The Pimple," whilst -the Fifty-first Division on the north of the 11th -Brigade also got well forward up to the village of -Maing. In the morning of October 25 the 12th -Brigade took up the task in this sector, the 1st King's -Own on the right and the 2nd Essex on the left -advancing without any very serious opposition, -being in touch with the left of the Seventeenth -Corps. In the late afternoon the Germans reacted -strongly, and there was a counter-attack upon the -front of the 2nd Lancashire Fusiliers and upon the -Highlanders to their left, but it had little effect. -The 154th Brigade of Highlanders was very heavily -engaged during this strenuous day, and the 6/7th -Argyll and Sutherlands, among others, had serious -losses. Among many brave deeds that of -Lieut. Bissett is conspicuous, for he won the V.C. by -repeated acts of gallantry, leading his men in a -desperate bayonet charge, after all their ammunition -was expended, and so saving the line. Before evening -the village of Querenaing had been occupied and the -line of the Artres-Famars Road; 1200 more prisoners -were in the Corps cage. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Oct. 25. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -The attack upon the Ecaillon position was a -difficult military operation, and one which showed -very clearly the marked ascendancy which the -British soldier had gained over his German rival. -Every factor was in favour of the defence, and yet the -line was rapidly shattered by the determined advance -of the two divisions concerned. The object of the -action was not merely the gain of ground, though -that was considerable, but it was to cover the left of -the Third Army and also to assist in the advance of -the Canadian Corps towards Valenciennes, all of -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P270"></a>270}</span> -which aims were fully carried out. The action of -the infantry was all the finer because they entirely -lost the time-table barrage, and had to depend upon -their own fine courage and the tactical skill of their -leaders. In the actual crossing of the river all ranks -showed great gallantry and determination. The -method in which the advance was pressed and the -victory followed up by very weary soldiers was -remarkable, and resulted, among other things, in the -capture of the bridge-head of Artres by the Fourth -Division, which proved of great value both to the -Seventeenth and to the Twenty-second Corps. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Oct. 26. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -A railway from Valenciennes to Le Quesnoy ran -across the front of the Corps, and this was made the -forming-up point for the renewed attack next morning, -when the Fourth and the tireless Fifty-first went -forward again under a heavy barrage. Having lost -the successive lines of the Selle and the Ecaillon, -the Germans were now lining up on the east bank -of the Rhonelle, prepared to make a resolute defence. -A party of the 2nd Lancashire Fusiliers got across, -however, on the morning of the 26th, and established -a bridge-head, and joined hands with a party from -the Sixty-first Division on their right, who had -also forded the stream. This point held firm, but -when the 2nd Essex on the left attempted also to -cross, there was a stubborn resistance. With -field-guns in the face of them and a raking fire from -machine-guns at Gaumont Farm on their left -flank, this brave battalion had a bad half-hour. -The Germans then counter-attacked, falling upon -both the Highlanders and the Essex men, but both -stood firm, though the gas with which the whole -position was drenched made the defence difficult. -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P271"></a>271}</span> -In this action the leading battalion of Highlanders -at the point attacked, the 6th Argyll and Sutherlands, -dashed forward with the bayonet at the advancing -Germans and drove them pell-mell back; 212 more -prisoners were secured. -</p> - -<p> -The situation on October 26 was that the Corps -front was well up to the River Rhonelle, that the -Fourth Division had taken Artres and established a -post across the river, and that the Fifty-first had got -as far as Famars, which it had occupied. Attempts -of the Fourth Division to enlarge their holding on -the east of the stream had no good result, but the -bridge-head was still held against all attacks. On -the 27th the Germans attacked the Highlanders and -forced their way into Famars, but were again met -with the cold steel, this time by the 4th Gordons, -and thrown out of the village. Next morning, -October 28, the Fifty-first advanced its line, making -a lodgment upon Mont Houy on its left flank, and -capturing Poirier station. Here they were stopped -by a strong German attack. It must be admitted -that, considering the incessant retreats and the -heavy punishments which they had received, the -German troops showed a fine constancy in these -numerous but useless efforts to throw back the -advance. On October 30 the Fifty-first Division -was drawn into reserve and the Forty-ninth took -their place in the line. Although there had been no -eastward movement during the last few days, the -Highlanders had spent them in an incessant pressure -to the north-east, to aid the advance upon -Valenciennes. By this means a good jumping-off place -was secured, from which a Canadian brigade was to -attack Valenciennes from the south, in conjunction -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P272"></a>272}</span> -with the main attack upon the Rhonelle line. The -Highlanders withdrew from the line in great heart -but very exhausted by a long spell of ceaseless -work. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Nov. 1. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -On November 1, under a tremendous artillery -barrage, the Twenty-second Corps advanced to the -forcing of the Rhonelle, the third river front within -a fortnight. If the operation were successful it would -be decisive of the fate of Valenciennes. The men -were very weary, and their ranks had been thinned -by the influenza microbe as much as by bullets, but -they were cheered by victory and the visible signs of -progress in the virgin country all around them. The -Fourth Division were still on the right, and the -Forty-ninth Yorkshire Territorials on the left. The 11th -Brigade held the all-important bridge-head, and across -it went the 1st Rifle Brigade, while the 1st Hants -forded the river on their left. The crossing was -accomplished with no great difficulty, and once across -the advance was rapidly pushed. Preseau village -was the first objective on this wing of the attack. -The resistance was unequal and was soon disposed -of, and the village was taken, together with the line -of the Preseau-Marly Road. About ten o'clock there -came a strong German counter-attack, which got -round both flanks of the Rifle Brigade and practically -surrounded them, so that the leading companies were -hard put to it to fight their way back into the village -and out to the west of it. The machine-gun fire -was very severe. This attack was purely local, and -did not affect the Hampshires or the Forty-ninth -Division. Low-flying aeroplanes aided the German -infantry, but were more alarming than dangerous. -Eventually the Rifle Brigade dug in about 400 yards -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P273"></a>273}</span> -west of the village; 1700 prisoners were taken during -the day. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Nov. 2. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -Following the policy of giving the Germans no -rest, both divisions attacked again next morning. -The 2nd Seaforths of the 10th Brigade were on the -right and the 1st King's Own of the 12th Brigade -on the left of the Fourth Division's front. The -German resistance, which was expected to be strong -after the counter-attacks of the day before, suddenly -collapsed, and Preseau was taken once more. So -was the dangerous high ground 700 yards to the -east, which was bristling with machine-guns. The -Yorkshiremen on the left had advanced with equal -bravery, and had taken the steel works south of -Marly. Altogether about 1000 more prisoners were -taken. That night the Eleventh Division relieved -the Fourth, while the Fifty-sixth took the place of -the Forty-ninth. The latter division was very weak -in numbers, so Blacklock's Sixty-third Naval Division -was transferred to the Twenty-second Corps in order -to help cover the widening front. -</p> - -<p> -It is worth recording that in all this recent fighting, -with its approximation to open warfare, the youths -who now made up the bulk of the fighting divisions -were found to acquit themselves manfully. Their -only deterioration from the older type was in their -power of endurance and of resistance to weather, -so that after two rough days there was a distinct -weakening of their powers. They were trained to -use their individual minds in the assault, advancing -in small independent sections in single file. "In -open country the employment of waves in the attack -is criminal"—such was one of the last military notes -of the war. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P274"></a>274}</span> -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Nov. 4. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -Early on the morning of November 3 the enemy -showed clear signs of having had enough, and was -withdrawing along the whole front, closely pursued -by mounted troops and by infantry. Curgies and -Saultain were taken, and the line rapidly extended. -On November 4 the pace accelerated, and the -crossings of the River Aunelle were forced, the -Eleventh Division having a sharp fight at Sebourg. -On November 5 the Belgian frontier was crossed and -the villages of Mesaurain, Boisin, and Angre were -occupied. There was some fighting on this day, the -168th Brigade having a sharp skirmish at Angre. -Three tanks of British pattern were captured -during the day. On November 6 the Grande Aunelle -River had to be crossed, and the Germans made a -resistance which at one time was both strenuous -and successful. There was a great deal of gas, and -all troops had to wear their masks. The Eleventh -Division was unable to reach the river on account -of the long open slope down which any advance -must be made. The Fifty-sixth Division got across -south of Angre, and reached the high ground to the -east, the 2nd London and London Rifle Brigade -in the lead. The former battalion was heavily -counter-attacked in the Bois de Beaufort and was -driven back to the river, while the London Rifle -Brigade also suffered heavy casualties from machine-gun -fire from Angre. Forty men of the 2nd Londons -were entirely cut off but held on in a deep ditch -in the wood, and were surrounded by the enemy. -None the less they managed to cut their way out -and rejoin their battalion. -</p> - -<p> -On the left of the attack the Kensingtons and -London Scottish crossed the river and got possession -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P275"></a>275}</span> -of Angre. They found themselves involved in a very -fierce fight, which swayed backwards and forwards -all day, each side attacking and counter-attacking -with the utmost determination. Twice the Londoners -were driven back and twice they regained their -objectives, ending up with their grip still firm upon -the village, though they could not retain the high -ground beyond. Late at night, however, the 168th -Brigade established itself almost without opposition -upon the ridge. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Nov. 7. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -On November 7 the opposition had wilted away -and the Twenty-second Corps advanced with elements -of three divisions in front, for the naval men were -now in line on the left, "on the starboard bow of the -Second Canadians," to quote their own words. The -river was crossed on the whole front and a string of -villages were occupied on this and the following days. -The rain was pouring down, all bridges had been -destroyed, the roads had been blown up, and -everything was against rapidity of movement. None the -less the front flowed ever forward, though the food -problem had become so difficult that advanced -troops were supplied by aeroplane. The 16th Lancers -had joined the Australian Light Horse, and the -cavalry patrols pushed far ahead. Bavay was taken -on November 10, and the Corps front had reached -one mile east of Villers St. Ghislain when, on -November 11, the "cease-fire" was sounded and the -white flag appeared. -</p> - -<p> -The general experience of the Twenty-second -Corps during these last weeks of the war was that -the German rearguards consisted mainly of machine-guns, -some of which were fought as bravely as ever. -The infantry, on the other hand, were of low -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P276"></a>276}</span> -morale and much disorganised. Need for mounted -troops who could swiftly brush aside a thin line and -expose a bluff was much felt. The roads were too -muddy and broken for the cyclists, and there was no -main road parallel with the advance. Owing to his -machine-guns and artillery the enemy was able -always to withdraw at his own time. 3200 prisoners -had been taken by the Twenty-second Corps in the -final ten days. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Sept. 21. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -In dealing with the advance of Horne's First -Army we have examined the splendid work of the -Canadian Corps and of the Twenty-second Corps. -We must now turn to the operations of -Hunter-Weston's Eighth Corps on the extreme north of -this Army, linking up on the left with the right -of Birdwood's Fifth Army in the neighbourhood of -Lens. Up to the end of September, save for local -enterprises, neither the Eighth Division on the -right nor the Twentieth on the left had made -any serious movement. The time was not yet ripe. -At the close of September, however, when the line -was all aflame both to the south and in Flanders, it -was clear that the movement of the British Armies -must be a general one. At that date the Eighth -Division extended its flank down to the Scarpe, -where it was in touch with the Forty-ninth Division, -forming the left of Godley's Twenty-second Corps. -Before effecting this change Heneker, on September -21, carried out a spirited local attack with -his own division, by which he gained important -ground in the Oppy and Gavrelle sectors. It was a -hard fight, in which the 2nd Berks had specially -severe losses, but a considerable area of important -ground was permanently gained. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P277"></a>277}</span> -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Oct. 7. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -Early in October General Heneker proceeded to -carry out an ambitious scheme which he had meditated -for some time, and which had now received the -approbation of his Corps Commander. This was an -attack by his own division upon the strong Fresnes-Rouvroy -line, to the north-east of Arras. His plan -was to make a sudden concentrated assault upon the -south end of this formidable deeply-wired line, and -then to work upwards to the north, avoiding the -perils and losses of a frontal advance. This -enterprise was begun at 5 A.M. on October 7, and was -carried through with that mixture of dash and skill -which marks the ideal operation. The 23rd and 25th -Brigades supplied the storm-troops, who were drawn -from the 2nd Middlesex, 2nd West Yorks, and 2nd -Devons, and attacked on a front of 3500 yards. -The gain of ground was nearly two miles; the line was -broken and Biache was taken. On the next day, -October 8, the northward turning movement was -carried through, the 1st Worcesters, 1st Sherwood -Foresters, and 2nd Berkshires pushing into the front -line, the work being mainly carried out by bombing. -Altogether 37 machine-guns and 250 prisoners were -taken, together with the villages of Fresnes and -Neuvireuil, so that the divisional front was now -brought opposite the Drocourt-Quéant line. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Oct. 7. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -This strong triple system of the Hindenburg type -was attacked in the early morning of October 11 in -this sector by Grogan's 23rd Brigade, and by 7 A.M. both -the 2nd Middlesex and 2nd Devons were through -it, holding the whole front before them, with the -exception of the town of Vitry on the Scarpe. The -Twelfth Division had taken the place of the Twentieth -on the left of the Eighth, and it had also fought its -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P278"></a>278}</span> -way forward, but it was still short of striking distance -and could not take part in the attack. The chief -danger was from the south, as the floods in the -Trinquis River were holding up the First Canadian -Division in that quarter, so that the German guns -could all swing their muzzles to the north. This was -obviated by a free use of smoke and gas, so that the -British infantry were shrouded on their right flank. -The barrage, by a very ingenious device, was not put -down in such a fashion as to pin the Germans to their -positions and make it more dangerous to fly than to -stand, but it was poured upon one spot, and then -moved slowly up the line at the rate of 100 yards in -eight minutes, giving the garrison plenty of time to -see and to avoid it by a timely flight, which most of -them preferred to do. When the new position, which -soon included Vitry, had been occupied, some of the -2nd Middlesex scrambled across the Scarpe by a -broken bridge and took Mont Metier, the strong point -on the left front of the Canadians, in the rear, so as to -help their future advance. The total gain was not -less than an average of three miles, with Cuincy in -the centre as the most advanced point. The German -line was now shattered, and though there were sporadic -bickerings and resistance, with a constant resource to -the ignoble warfare of land mines and booby traps, -there was no serious battle. In a single day the -Tunnelling Companies, which were always ready for -any desperate service, removed 300 mines. On -October 14 the Twelfth Division, after a spirited -attack, captured Auby on the left, while the -Canadians on the right had got up to the Douai -Canal. On the 17th the German line was clearly -recoiling, and a personal reconnaisance by Colonel -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P279"></a>279}</span> -Roberts of the 1st Worcesters showed that there was -hope for an advance over the canal. At 2 -P.M. accordingly the 2nd Rifle Brigade went forward, and -their patrols, with those of the 2nd Middlesex, entered -the historic old city of Douai, taking down the German -flag which was still flying from the town hall. "The -town was found to be fairly intact," says a general -officer on the spot, "but the inside of every house -had been stripped of everything of value, and what -had not been removed had been smashed to atoms.... -The inside and reeds of the beautiful organ in the -Cathedral had been torn out, and lay in a heap on -the floor." There is no doubt that President Wilson's -note on this subject had an effect in preventing the -destruction of towns from this time onwards, and that -it was the salvation of Douai. No inhabitants had -been left in the town. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Oct. 17. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -From this period the advance on this front was -a slow but steady triumphant progress. By the end -of October the Eighth Division had gone forward -more than thirty miles since it started, and had -captured thirty-five towns and villages, including -Douai, Marchiennes, and St. Amand. Beyond being -greatly plagued by murderous explosive traps, 1400 -of which were discovered, and being much incommoded -by the destruction of roads and bridges and -by the constant canals across its path, there was -no very serious resistance. Great floods early in -November made the situation even more difficult. -On November 5 the Eighth Division was relieved -by the Fifty-second, and quitted the line for the last -time. -</p> - -<p> -This splendid division has had some injustice done -to it, since it was the one Regular division in France -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P280"></a>280}</span> -in 1914 which was somewhat invidiously excluded -from the very special and deserved honours which were -showered upon "the first seven divisions." But even -in 1914 it had done splendid work, and as to its -performance in the following years, and especially in 1918, -when it was annihilated twice over, it will live for ever, -not only in the records of the British Army, but in -that of the French, by whose side it fought in the direst -crisis and darkest moment of the whole campaign. -There were no further movements of importance on -the front of the Eighth Corps, and the completion of -their history covers the whole operation of Horne's -First Army in this final phase of the war. It was -indeed a strange freak of fate that this general, who -commanded the guns of the right wing at Mons in -that momentous opening battle, should four and a -half years later be the commander who brought his -victorious British Army back to that very point. -</p> - -<p class="capcenter"> -[Illustration: Allied Advance in the North] -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p><a id="chap11"></a></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">{<a id="P281"></a>281}</span></p> - -<h3> -CHAPTER XI -<br /><br /> -OPERATIONS OF THE SECOND AND FIFTH ARMIES -</h3> - -<p class="t3"> -September 28-November 11 -</p> - -<p class="intro"> -King Albert in the field—Great Belgo-Franco-British advance—The -last act on the old stage—The prophet of 1915—Renewed -advance—Germans desert the coast—Relief of Douai and -Lille—The final stage of the subsidiary theatres of war. -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p> -We have followed the operations of the three southern -British Armies from the first blow on August 8—a -blow which Ludendorff has stated made him surrender -the last hope of ultimate victory—through all their -uninterrupted progress of victory until the final -armistice. We shall now turn to the northern end -of the British line, where the two remaining Armies, -the Fifth in the Nieppe district and the Second in the -area of Ypres, were waiting impatiently for their share -in the advance. Flanders was a convalescent home -for divisions, and there was not a unit there which -was not stiff with half-healed wounds, but these Armies -included many of the grand old formations which had -borne the stress of the long fight, and they were filled -with the desire to join in the final phase. Their -chance came at last, though it was a belated one. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -July. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -There were many indications in the third week of -July that the Germans had planned one of their great -attacks upon the front of Birdwood's Fifth Army in -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P282"></a>282}</span> -the Nieppe district. The succession of blows which -rained upon Hindenburg's line in the south made it -impossible, however, for him to attempt a new -offensive. There was considerable activity along the -British line, and a constant nibbling which won -back by successive ventures much of the ground -which had been gained by the Germans in April. -Early in July the Fifth Division, forming the left unit -of the Fifth Army, advanced from the edge of Nieppe -Forest, where they had lain since their return from -Italy, and gained a stretch of ground—the first sign -of the coming recoil in the north. To the left of them -lay De Lisle's Fifteenth Corps, which moved forward -in turn, effecting a series of small but important -advances which were eclipsed by the larger events in -the south, but reacted upon those events, since they -made it impossible for the Germans to detach -reinforcements. On July 19 the Ninth Division with -a sudden spring seized Meteren with 453 prisoners, -while on the same date the First Australian Division -occupied Merris to the south of it. On August 9 the -movement spread farther south, and the Thirty-first -Division took Vieux Berquin. There was a slow -steady retraction of the German line from this time -onwards, and a corresponding advance of the British. -On August 30 the ruins of Bailleul passed into the -hands of the Twenty-ninth Division. On September 1 -Neuve Eglise was submerged by the creeping tide, -while on the 3rd Nieppe also was taken. Finally on -September 4 two brigades of the Twenty-ninth -Division, the 88th under Freyberg and the 86th under -Cheape, captured Ploegsteert by a very smart -concerted movement in which 250 prisoners were taken. -Up to this date De Lisle's Fifteenth Corps had -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P283"></a>283}</span> -advanced ten miles with no check, and had almost -restored the original battle line in that quarter—a -feat for which M. Clemenceau awarded the General -special thanks and the Legion of Honour. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Sept. 28. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -All was ready now for the grand assault which -began on September 28 and was carried out by -the Belgians and French in the north and by Plumer's -Second British Army in the south. The left of this -great force was formed by nine Belgian and five -French infantry divisions, with three French cavalry -divisions in reserve. The British Army consisted of -four corps: Jacob's Second Corps covering Ypres, -Watts' Nineteenth Corps opposite Hollebeke, Stephens' -Tenth Corps facing Messines, and De Lisle's Fifteenth -Corps to the south of it. The divisions which made -up each of these Corps will be enumerated as they -come into action. To complete the array of the -British forces it should be said that Birdwood's Fifth -Army, which linked up the First Army in the south -and the Second in the north, consisted at that date -of Haking's Eleventh and Holland's First Corps -covering the Armentières-Lens front, and not yet -joining in the operations. The whole operation was -under the command of the chivalrous King of the -Belgians, who had the supreme satisfaction of helping -to give the <i>coup de grâce</i> to the ruffianly hordes who -had so long ill-used his unfortunate subjects. -</p> - -<p> -The operations of the Belgians and of the French -to the north of the line do not come within the scope -of this narrative save in so far as they affected the -British line. General Plumer's attack was directed -from the Ypres front, and involved on September 28, -two Corps, the Second on the north and the -Nineteenth on the south. The order of divisions -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P284"></a>284}</span> -from the left was the Ninth (Tudor) and the Twenty-ninth -(Cayley), with the Thirty-sixth Ulsters (Coffin) -in reserve. These constituted Jacob's Second Corps, -which was attacking down the old Menin Road. -South of this point came the Thirty-fifth (Marindin) -and the Fourteenth Division (Skinner), with Lawford's -Forty-first Division in support. These units -made up Watts' Nineteenth Corps. On the left of -Jacob's was the Belgian Sixth Division, and on the -right of Watts' the British Tenth Corps, which was -ordered to undertake a subsidiary operation which -will presently be described. We shall now follow the -main advance. -</p> - -<p> -This was made without any bombardment at 5 in -the morning of September 28, behind a heavy barrage -which swept eastwards at the rate of 100 yards every -three minutes. The Germans had clearly sent away -reinforcements to the south and were weak in numbers -as well as in spirit. The result was a very complete -victory all along the line, and before evening Plumer's -men had passed over all the ground which had been -previously contested. For the last time the roar of -battle went down the old Menin Road and rose from -historic Gheluvelt. The Ninth and Twenty-ninth -Divisions swept everything before them, and before -evening it was not only Gheluvelt but Zandvoorde, -Kruiseik, and Becelaere which had passed into their -possession. The Belgians on the left had cleared the -whole of Houthulst Forest, that lowering menace -which had hung so long before their line. Zonnebeke -and Poelcappelle had also passed into the hands of the -Allies. It was a great victory, and it was not marred -by heavy losses to the victors. Those of Jacob's -Corps were not more than 1100, while their prisoners -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P285"></a>285}</span> -were 2100. The total of prisoners came to 10,000, -with more than 100 guns. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Sept. 29. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -On September 29 the advance was resumed -with ever-increasing success all along the line. The -Scots of the Ninth Division, working in close liaison -with the Belgians, got Waterdamhoek, and detached -one brigade to help our Allies in taking Moorslede, -while another took Dadizeele, both of them far -beyond our previous limits. The Twenty-ninth -Division still pushed along the line of the Menin Road, -while the Thirty-sixth Ulsters fought their way into -Terhand. In this quarter alone in front of Jacob's -Second Corps fifty guns had been taken. Meanwhile -the Nineteenth Corps on the right was gaining the -line of the Lys River, having taken Zandvoorde and -Hollebeke; while the Thirty-fourth and Thirtieth -Divisions of the Tenth Corps were into Wytschaete -and up to Messines, and the Thirty-first Division of -the Fifteenth Corps was in St. Yves. In these southern -sectors there was no attempt to force the pace, but -in the north the tide was setting swiftly eastwards. -By the evening of September 29 Ploegsteert Wood -was cleared and Messines was occupied once again. -The rain had started, as is usual with Flemish -offensives, and the roads were almost impossible: but by -the evening of October 1 the whole left bank of the -Lys from Comines southward had been cleared. On -that date there was a notable hardening of the -German resistance, and the Second Corps had some -specially fierce fighting. The Ulsters found a tough -nut to crack in Hill 41, which they gained twice and -lost twice before it was finally their own. The Ninth -Division captured Ledeghem, but was pushed to the -west of it again by a strong counter-attack. Clearly -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P286"></a>286}</span> -a temporary equilibrium was about to be established, -but already the advance constituted a great victory, -the British alone having 5000 prisoners and 100 guns -to their credit. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Oct. 2, Oct 14. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -In the meantime Birdwood's Fifth Army, which -had remained stationary between the advancing lines -of the Second Army in Flanders and of the First -Army south of Lens, began also to join in the -operations. The most successful military prophet in a -war which has made military prophecy a by-word, -was a certain German regimental officer who was -captured in the La Bassée district about 1915, and -who, being asked when he thought the war would -finish, replied that he could not say when it would -finish, but that he had an opinion as to where it -would finish, and that would be within a mile of -where he was captured. It was a shrewd forecast -based clearly upon the idea that each side would -exhaust itself and neither line be forced, so that a -compromise peace would become necessary. For -three years after his dictum it still remained as a -possibility, but now at last, within six weeks of the -end, La Bassée was forced, and early in October -Ritchie's Sixteenth Division, the Fifty-fifth West -Lancashire Territorials, and the Nineteenth Division -under Jeffreys, were all pressing on in this quarter, -with no very great resistance. South of Lens the -Twentieth Division (Carey) had been transferred -from the left of the First Army to the right of the -Fifth, and this had some sharp fighting on October 2 -at Mericourt and Acheville. Both north and south -of the ruined coal capital the British infantry -was steadily pushing on, pinching the place out, -since it was bristling with machine-guns and very -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P287"></a>287}</span> -formidable if directly attacked. The Twelfth Division -(Higginson), fresh from severe service in the south -and anaemic from many wounds, occupied 11,000 -yards between Oppy and Lens from October 7 onwards. -Their orders were to press the enemy at the -first sign of retreat. All three brigades were in the -line, each with its own artillery, to give greater -independence. The German withdrawal was gradual but -there was some hard rearguard fighting, especially -at the strong line of the Haute Deule Canal. There -was little cover for the troops at this point save where -some ruined hamlets screened their ranks. These -flat levels leading up to wire and water could have -been made a Golgotha had the Germans been of the -old temper, but they were oppressed by the general -wilting of their line. The 1st Cambridge captured -Auby on October 14 and so got to the edge of the -Canal. On the 16th the 5th Berks got across the -broken bridge at Pont-a-Sault, though they could -hardly deploy upon the farther side. After this -date the only obstacle to the advance was the supply -question, for the villagers were all clamouring for -food and sharing the scanty rations of the soldiers. -On October 23 the Scarpe was crossed, Lieutenant -Egerton of the 87th Field Company R.E. gallantly -bridging the stream and losing his life in the effort. -The 6th West Kents got across at Nivelle, but had the -misfortune to lose their splendid commander, Colonel -Dawson, who had already been wounded six times -in the course of the war. Upon October 23 the -Twelfth was relieved by the Fifty-second Division -upon this front. -</p> - -<p> -The attack in the north had been held partly by -the vile weather and partly by the increased German -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P288"></a>288}</span> -resistance. The Twenty-ninth Division had got into -Gheluvelt but was unable to retain it. The enemy -counter-attacks were frequent and fierce, while the -impossible roads made the supplies, especially of -cartridges, a very serious matter. The worn and -rutted Menin Road had to conduct all the traffic of -two Army Corps. No heavy artillery could be got -up to support the weary infantry, who were cold and -wet, without either rest or cover. Time was needed, -therefore, to prepare a further attack, and it was -October 14 before it was ready. Then, as before, -the Belgians, French, and British attacked in a single -line, the advance extending along the whole Flemish -front between the Lys River at Comines and Dixmude -in the north, the British section being about -ten miles from Comines to the Menin-Roulers Road. -</p> - -<p> -Three British Corps were engaged, the Second -(Jacob), the Nineteenth (Watts), and the Tenth -(Stephens), the divisions, counting from the south, -being the Thirtieth, Thirty-fourth, Forty-first, -Thirty-fifth, Thirty-sixth, Twenty-ninth, and Ninth. The -three latter divisions, forming the front of Jacob's -Corps, came away with a splendid rush in spite of -the heavy mud and soon attained their immediate -objectives. Gulleghem, in front of the Ulsters, was -defended by three belts of wire, garnished thickly -with machine-guns, but it was taken none the less, -though it was not completely occupied until next -day. Salines had fallen to the Twenty-ninth Division, -and by the early afternoon of October 15 both -divisions were to the east of Heule. Meanwhile -Cuerne and Hulste had been cleared by the Ninth -Division, the 1st Yorkshire Cyclists playing a gallant -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P289"></a>289}</span> -part in the former operation. The net result was -that in this part of the line all the troops had reached -the Lys either on the evening of September 15 or on -the morning of September 16. -</p> - -<p> -The advance in the south had been equally -successful, though there were patches where the -resistance was very stiff. The 103rd Brigade on -the left of the Thirty-fourth Division enveloped and -captured Gheluwe and were afterwards held up by -field-guns firing over open sights until they were -taken by a rapid advance of the 5th Scottish -Borderers and the 8th Scottish Rifles. The 102nd -Brigade made a lodgment in the western outskirts -of Menin, which was fully occupied on the next -day, patrols being at once pushed across the Lys. -These were hard put to it to hold on until they were -relieved later in the day by the Thirtieth Division. -Wevelghem was cleared on the 15th, and on the -16th both the Ninth and Thirty-sixth Divisions -established bridge-heads across the river, but in both -cases were forced to withdraw them. In the north -the Belgians had reached Iseghem and Cortemarck, -while the French were round Roulers. By the night -of October 15 Thourout was surrounded, and the -Germans on the coast, seeing the imminent menace -to their communications, began to blow up their -guns and stores preparatory to their retreat. On -October 17 the left of the Allied line was in Ostend, -and on the 20th it had extended to the Dutch border. -Thus after four years of occupation the Germans said -farewell for ever to those salt waters of the west -which they had fondly imagined to be their -permanent advanced post against Great Britain. The -main tentacle of the octopus had been disengaged, -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P290"></a>290}</span> -and the whole huge, perilous creature was shrinking -back to the lairs from which it had emerged. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Oct. 20. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -Events were now following each other in very -rapid succession as the pressure upon the flanks -increased. On the one side it was Ostend; on the -other, as already recorded, it was Douai, which -the Eighth Division had entered on October 17. -Finally, on the morning of October 18, Haking's -Eleventh Corps from Birdwood's Army held -Lille in their grasp. The Fifty-seventh and -Fifty-ninth Divisions were north and south of the town, -which was occupied before evening, to the immense -joy of the liberated inhabitants. Meanwhile De -Lisle's Fifteenth Corps pushed on in the north -and occupied both Roubaix and Tourcoing. There -was little resistance to these operations, for the -Flemish advance on one side and that to Le -Cateau on the other had made the position of -the German garrisons impossible. By October 22 -the troops were on the line of the Escaut from -Valenciennes to Avelghem. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Oct. 25. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -Though the advance of Birdwood's Army was -comparatively bloodless there was still some obstinate -fighting in the north, and the divisions which forced -the Lys had by no means a holiday task. This -operation was carried out on October 20 and 21, -and owing to some delay on the part of the French -Seventh Corps in getting into position the flank of -the Thirty-sixth Ulster Division was exposed to -enfilade fire which caused great loss. As the Ulsters -advanced across the river they had to throw back -a defensive flank 6000 yards deep before evening -of the 21st. On the 22nd the Germans were -still fighting stoutly, and delivered at least one -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P291"></a>291}</span> -dangerous counter-attack by storm-troops, while -on the 25th they brought a new division, the -Twenty-third Reserve, an old opponent of early -Ypres days, into the line, and held their ground well. -There were changes in the British fighting line also, -as the Thirty-first relieved the Twenty-ninth, while -the Thirty-fourth, coming from the south, took the -place of the Ulsters. -</p> - -<p> -These two divisions attacked once more on -October 31, the Thirty-first surrounding Caster while -the Thirty-fourth captured Anseghem, the 8th -Scottish Rifles forcing their way into the town, and -joining up with the French at Winterkan. That -evening the enemy retired across the Escaut, and -the line was definitely made good. The bridges -over the river had been destroyed, but the French -were advancing rapidly from the north, and on -November 2 had reached Driesen and Peterghem. -They then extended south and took over the whole -front of the Second Corps, joining up with the left of -the Nineteenth Corps. The Second Corps drew out -from its last battle, having since the advance began -captured 7500 prisoners and 150 guns, at a loss to -itself of 11,000 casualties. At this period the -operations of the north may be said to have reached -their term. -</p> - -<p> -The weight of the campaign never fell fully -upon Birdwood's Fifth Army, but it was comprised -of divisions which had been knocked to pieces -elsewhere and which would not have been battle-worthy -at all had they not been of splendid individual -material. Some of them were actually called B -divisions, but upon one of them doing thirty-three -miles in thirty hours it was decreed by their General -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P292"></a>292}</span> -that such an invidious title must cease. The -Portuguese troops accompanied the British in the -Fifth Army. There was a good deal of discontent -in the ranks of this contingent, largely due to the -fact that it was impossible to grant the men the -same privileges in the way of leave as were given to the -officers. By a great concession they were broken up, -however, among the British brigades, with the result -that they did very well during the last phases of the -fighting. The fact that General Birdwood with his -depleted and inexperienced divisions was able to drive -the Germans through Merville, Estaires, La Bassée, -and on over the Aubers Ridge and out of Lille, forcing -the Scheldt and reaching as far as Ath, will always -be a memorable military exploit. It is on record -that the last bag of prisoners by this Army was at -10.57 on the 11th November, three minutes before -time. -</p> - -<p> -On November 15 Marshal Foch visited the -Headquarters of the Fifth Army, and his remarks on -that occasion were meant, no doubt, to apply to the -whole British line. "Your soldiers," he said, -"continued to march when they were exhausted, and they -fought, and fought well, when they were worn out. -It is with such indomitable will that the war has been -won. At the moment of ceasing hostilities the enemy -troops were demoralised and disorganised and their -lines of communication were in a state of chaos. -Had we continued the war for another fortnight we -might have won a most wonderful and complete -military victory. But it would have been inhuman -to risk the lives of one of our soldiers unnecessarily. -The Germans asked for an armistice. We renounced -the certainty of further military glory and gave it -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P293"></a>293}</span> -to them. I am deeply sensible of the fact that Lille -was delivered without damage to the town, and I -am grateful for the help given so generously to the -inhabitants." -</p> - -<p> -So ended the Great War in the northern sector. -It need not be said that while the British had been -attacking again and again in the manner described, -taking no heed of their own losses and exhaustion so -long as they could bring the tottering giant to his -knees, the French and the Americans were advancing -in unison. The work of the latter in the wooded -region of the Argonne was especially difficult and -also especially vital, as its effect was to cut in upon -the German rear and to narrow the pass through -which the great multitude must make their escape -from the lands which they had so wantonly invaded. -On September 12 the Americans had shown their -quality by their successful attack upon the St. Mihiel -salient. In the advance of the Argonne the American -attack extended over several weeks, was often held -up, and furnished more than a hundred thousand -casualties, but General Pershing and his men showed -a splendid tenacity which carried them at last through -all their difficulties, so that the end of the war, which -their exertions had undoubtedly helped to hasten, -found them with their line in Sedan and biting deeply -into the German flank. -</p> - -<p> -Before entering upon the terms of the Armistice -and describing the subsequent conditions of peace, -representing the final fruits of all the terrible sacrifices -of these years of alternate hope and fear, one last -glance must be cast round at the other fields of -the great struggle—Italian, Salonican, Syrian, and -Mesopotamian—all of which were decided at the -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P294"></a>294}</span> -same moment. It could almost be believed that -some final spiritual fiat had gone forth placing an -allotted term upon the slaughter, so simultaneous -was the hostile collapse on every front. In Italy -General Diaz, who had succeeded General Cadorna -after the disaster of Caporetto, made a grand and -victorious attack on October 25. It was a great -military achievement, and justified those who had -always upheld the fine quality of the Italian Army. -The Austrian forces were superior in number, being -roughly a million against nine hundred thousand, -but they were inferior in gun power. Diaz cleverly -concentrated his forces so as to have a local superiority -in the central sector, but his difficulties were -still very great, since a stream a mile broad lay -before him, shallow in parts but deepening to five -feet even at the best fords. A long island, the -Grave di Papadopoli, lay near the hostile shore, and -this was seized on the night of the 24th October -by the 1st Welsh Fusiliers and the 2/lst Honourable -Artillery Company, who held on in spite of a severe -shelling and so established an advanced base for the -Army. Early on October 25 crossings were made -at all points, and though the bridges were frequently -shot away by the Austrian guns, and one corps -was unable to get a single man across, none the less -those who had reached the other side, including -Babington's Fourteenth Corps, which had the Seventh -and Twenty-third British Divisions in the line, with -the Thirty-seventh Italian Division, made excellent -headway. By the evening of October 29 this Fourteenth -Corps, which had been held up by having its -left flank exposed through the failure of the Eighth -Corps to cross the river, found a brave comrade in -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P295"></a>295}</span> -the Italian Eighteenth Corps which lined up with it -and crashed its way right through the Kaiserstellung -position forming the battle zone of the Austrian line, -It was a very complete victory, and broadened -to such an extent during the next few days that -by November 2 the whole Austrian army had -ceased to exist, and 700,000 men with 7000 guns were -in the hands of the victors. Not only had they -regained by arms all the ground they had lost a year -before, but Trieste surrendered on November 3 and -was occupied from the sea. Trento had also been -taken in the north, so that the two goals of Italian -ambition had both been reached. Every part of -the Italian line had been equally victorious from the -Alps to the sea, and great valour was shown by every -formation, as well as by the French and British -contingents. The British Forty-eighth Division was -engaged in the northern sector, far from its comrades, -and carried through its complete objective in a -manner worthy of so veteran a unit, which had -learned its soldiering in the hard school of the Somme -and of Flanders. On November 3 the final Armistice -was signed by the Austrians, by which they -withdrew into their own country and waited there for -the final terms of the victors. -</p> - -<p> -On September 12 began the great Franco-Serbian -advance on the Salonican front—a front -which had been greatly strengthened by the -accession of the Greek forces. Under General Franchet -d'Esperey and Marshal Misitch there was an advance -on a front of sixteen miles, penetrating occasionally -to a depth of four miles. By September 17 this -had extended to a depth of twelve miles, and it was -clear that a decisive movement was on foot. On -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P296"></a>296}</span> -September 18 the British and Greek troops joined in -on the Lake Doiran sector, and the Bulgarians were -retreating along their whole front of a hundred miles. -General Milne's troops were the first to cross the -Bulgarian border, after a very severe action in which -some units sustained heavy losses. All the Allied -nations were advancing swiftly, and it was clear that -the end was near. On September 30 the Bulgarian -nation, misled by its own unscrupulous ambitions -and by its unsavoury king, sent in its surrender, -retired from the conflict, and waited to hear what -the final punishment of its misdeeds might be. -Thus fell the first of the four pillars of the Central -Alliance. -</p> - -<p> -The fate of Turkey was not long delayed. On -September 19 General Allenby, who had halted long -upon the line of Jerusalem while he gathered his -forces for a supreme and final effort, gave the word -for a fresh advance. The victory which followed -will perhaps be accounted the most completely -scientific and sweeping of the whole war. With his -mixed force of British, Indians, Australians and -smaller Allied contingents, Allenby broke through the -enemy's lines near the coast, and then despatched -his splendid cavalry towards Damascus in a wild -pursuit which can hardly be matched for calculated -temerity. Some of the troopers in that wonderful ride -are said to have accomplished seventy to eighty miles -in the twenty-four hours. The result was that a strong -force was thrown across the Turkish rear and that -their Seventh and Eighth Armies were practically -annihilated. In the final tally no less than 80,000 men -and 250 guns were in the hands of the victors. It was -a shattering blow. Damascus was occupied, the Turks -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P297"></a>297}</span> -were driven pell-mell out of Syria, General Marshall -advanced in Mesopotamia, and Turkey was finally -brought to her knees after a battle on the Tigris in -which her last army was destroyed. On October 30 -she signed an armistice by which the Allied fleets -might enter the Dardanelles and occupy Constantinople, -while all Allied prisoners should at once be -returned. As in the case of the Germans the feelings -with which the Allies, and especially the British, -regarded the Turks were greatly embittered by their -consistent brutality to the unfortunate captives whom -the fortune of war had placed in their hands. There can -be no peace and no sense of justice in the world until -these crimes have been absolutely expiated. The last -spark of sympathy which Britain retained for her old -Oriental ally was extinguished for ever by the -long-drawn murder of the prisoners of Kut. It should be -added that the small German force in East Africa -still continued to dodge the pursuing columns, and -that it was intact in Rhodesia at the time when the -general collapse compelled it to lay down its arms. -It was a most remarkable achievement, this resistance -of four years when cut away from a base, and -reflects great credit upon General von Lettow-Vorbeck, -whose name should certainly shine among -the future reconstructors of Germany. -</p> - -<p> -As to naval matters there is nothing to be said -save that the submarine trouble had been greatly -ameliorated by the splendid work of the Navy, much -assisted by the American destroyers. The blockade -was still rigorously enforced, and had much to do -with the general German collapse. There was some -hope that the German fleet would come out and -that a more decisive Jutland might adorn the finish -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P298"></a>298}</span> -of the war, but the plans of the German officers -were marred by the insubordination of the German -men, and there was no heroic gesture to dignify the -end of the great useless fleet, the most fatal and -futile of all Germany's creations, for its possession -led her to her ruin. -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p><a id="chap12"></a></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">{<a id="P299"></a>299}</span></p> - -<h3> -CHAPTER XII -<br /><br /> -THE END -</h3> - -<p> -Before entering into the terms of the Armistice it -may be instructive to give some short outline of the -course of events at the German Headquarters which -led to so sudden and dramatic a collapse. No doubt -the political and economic state of Germany was very -bad, but the disaster was primarily a military one, -as is clearly shown by the subsequent White Book -published after the declaration of peace. This -compilation shows that the arrogance with which the -military leaders spoke during their successful offensive, -and down to the middle of July, had changed in the -short space of ten weeks to such utter despair that -on October 1 they were sending urgent messages -to Berlin that the war was to be closed down at any -cost, and that even such questions as the loss of the -German colonies and the cession of Alsace-Lorraine -were not to weigh in the balance against the -imperative necessity of staving off a tremendous military -disaster. The inclined plane seems to have taken -an abrupt tilt on August 14, after the first successful -British advance, when it was decided to take the -opportunity of the next German success to ask for -peace. No success arrived, however, but rather a -long succession of disasters, and Hertling, the -dotard Chancellor, was unable to make up his -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P300"></a>300}</span> -mind what to do, so that matters were allowed to -drift from bad to worse. Early in October it was -announced from General Headquarters that a break -through might occur at any moment. Prince Max -of Baden had been made Chancellor on the understanding -that he would at once appeal to President -Wilson for a cessation of hostilities, which was the -more urgent as Bulgaria had already dropped out -of the war and Austria was on her last legs. As -might have been foreseen, President Wilson refused -to treat without the concurrence of his Allies, and -some improvement in the German defensive line -enabled them to hold on until early November, when -their needs once again became overpowering, and -the great twin-brethren Hindenburg and Ludendorff -finally admitted defeat. Then followed in quick -succession events which are political and outside the -scope of this record—the revolution in the Fatherland, -the flight of the Kaiser and of the Crown Prince into -Holland, and the advance of the Allied armies, under the -terms of the Armistice, to the left bank of the Rhine. -</p> - -<p> -Some account should, however, be given of the -circumstances under which the Armistice was signed, -and the drastic terms which were exacted by the -Allies, the fit preliminaries to a peace founded upon a -stern justice. It was at nine o'clock on the evening -of Thursday, November 7, that the German delegates, -led by the ambiguous and scheming Erzberger, -travelling along shell-broken roads, under the glare -of searchlights and signal-fires, entered within the -French lines near La Capelle. The roar of the battle -in their rear was a constant reminder of the urgency -of their mission. They came no farther than Marshal -Foch's travelling headquarters, where they were met -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P301"></a>301}</span> -by the Marshal himself, with Admiral Wemyss to -represent that British sea-power which had done so -much to promote this interview. The proceedings -were short and strained. A proposition for a truce -was waved aside by the victors, and a list of terms -was presented which made the German delegates -realise, if they had failed to do so before, the abyss -into which their country had been precipitated by -two generations of madmen. Disgrace abroad, revolution -at home, a fugitive monarch, a splitting empire, -a disbanding army, a mutinous fleet—these were the -circumstances under which Germany ended her bid -for the dictatorship of the world. -</p> - -<p> -At 5 A.M. on Monday, November 11, the Armistice -was signed, and at 11 A.M., as already recorded, -the last shot of the greatest war that ever has -been, or in all probability ever will be, had been -fired. London and Paris were at last relieved -from their terrific strain, and none who witnessed -them can forget the emotions and rejoicings of -the day. Those who had not realised the complete -collapse of the Colossus were surprised at the severity -of the terms which had been accepted in such haste. -All invaded territory had to be cleared within fourteen -days. All Allied prisoners to be at once returned, -while those of Germany were retained. The left -bank of the Rhine, together with ample bridge-heads, -to be handed over, as a temporary measure, to the -Allies, the Belgians holding the north, the British the -Cologne area, the Americans the Coblentz area, and -the French, Strasburg, with all Alsace-Lorraine. All -danger of a continuation of the struggle was averted -by the immediate surrender of 5000 guns, 30,000 -machine-guns, and 2000 aeroplanes, together with -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P302"></a>302}</span> -great numbers of locomotives, lorries, waggons, and -barges. All Roumanian, Russian, and other forced -treaties were abrogated. East Africa was to be -evacuated. All submarines and a large portion of -the German navy were to be handed over to the -care of the Allies until peace terms should decide -their ultimate fate. The blockade was to continue. -Such were the main points of the Armistice which -foreshadowed the rigorous peace to come. -</p> - -<p> -It was not until January 11, 1919, that the delegates -from the various interested nations assembled -in Paris, and their deliberations, which seemed long -to us, but may appear hasty and ill-considered to -our descendants, terminated on May 7, a most -dramatic date, being the anniversary of that sinking -of the <i>Lusitania</i> which will always be recorded as the -supreme instance of German barbarity. So stringent -were the terms that the Scheidemann Government -resigned and left the unpleasant task of ratification -to a cabinet of nobodies, with Herr Bauer at their -head. So long as the firm signed, it mattered nothing -to the Allies which particular partner was the -representative. There was higgling and wriggling up to the -last moment, and some small concessions were actually -gained. The final results were briefly as follows: -</p> - -<p> -1. Two new countries shall be formed—Poland in -the north and Czecho-Slovakia in the south, the -former largely at the expense of Germany, the latter -of Austria. Germany shall contribute to the building -up of Poland the districts of West Prussia and Posen, -both of which are historically Polish. The important -district of Upper Silesia—the prized conquest of -Frederick from Maria Theresa—was left indeterminate, -its fate to be decided by the people's will. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P303"></a>303}</span> -</p> - -<p> -2. The northern portion of Schleswig shall revert -to Denmark, from which it was taken. -</p> - -<p> -3. Alsace-Lorraine shall be returned to France, -and that country shall receive for a time the produce -of the Saar coal-fields as recompense for the destruction -of her own coal-fields by the Germans. -</p> - -<p> -Thus on each side, Germany was trimmed down -to the lands inhabited by Germans, the Danes, the -Poles, and the French borderers being emancipated. -When next they march to war they will not swell -their ranks by unwilling conscripts forced to fight -against their own friends and interests. -</p> - -<p> -4. Every effort was made by the treaty to disarm -Germany, and to prevent her in the future from -plotting the destruction of her neighbours. Those -sudden irruptions of 1864, 1866, 1870, and 1914 were -to be stopped once and for ever—if indeed we can -place final terms upon a phenomenon which dates -back to the days of the Roman republic. -</p> - -<p> -The German General Staff—that dangerous -<i>imperium in imperio</i>—was to be dissolved. The army -should be only sufficiently powerful to keep internal -order and to control the frontiers. Compulsory service -was abolished, and the manhood of Germany—to -the probable detriment of all trade competitors—was -dedicated to the arts of peace. The import and -export of war material were forbidden, and the great -war-god, Krupp, lay prostrate in his shrine at -Essen. All submarines were forbidden. The navy -was limited to thirty-six vessels of mediocre strength. -Zeppelins were to be handed over. German cables, -fourteen in number, and all German oversea possessions -passed into the hands of the Allies. With such -terms, if the Allies continue to stand together and -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P304"></a>304}</span> -guarantee their enforcement, the Frenchman may -look eastward without a tremor, and the mists of the -North Sea can cloud no menace for our islands. For -many a long year to come the formidable military -history of Germany has reached its close. A clause -which dealt with the trial of all military offenders, -including the Kaiser, concluded the more important -items of the Treaty. -</p> - -<p> -So at last the dark cloud of war, which had seemed -so endless and so impenetrable as it covered the whole -heavens from the Eastern horizon to the Western, -passed and drifted beyond us, while a dim sun -in a cold sky was the first herald of better times. -Laden with debt, heart-heavy for its lost ones, with -every home shaken and every industry dislocated, its -hospitals filled with broken men, its hoarded capital -all wasted upon useless engines—such was the world -which the accursed German Kultur had left behind -it. Here was the crop reaped from those navy -bills and army estimates, those frantic professors and -wild journalists, those heavy-necked, sword-trailing -generals, those obsequious, arrogant courtiers, and -the vain, swollen creature whom they courted. Peace -had come at last—if such a name can be given to a -state where international bitterness will long continue, -and where within each frontier the bulk of mankind, -shaken by these great events from the ruts of custom, -contend fiercely for some selfish advantage out of -the general chaos. In the East, Russia, like some -horrible invertebrate creature, entangles itself with -its own tentacles, and wrestles against itself with such -intricate convulsions that one can hardly say which -attacks or which defends, which is living or which -already dead. But the world swings on the divine -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P305"></a>305}</span> -cycle. He who made the planet from the fire-mist -is still at work moulding with set and sustained -purpose the destinies of a universe which at every -stage can only reach the higher through its combat -with the lower. -</p> - -<p> -Here the historian's task is done. It has occupied -and alleviated many heavy days. Whatever its sins -of omission it should surely contain some trace of -the spirit of the times, since many a chapter was -written to the rumble of the distant guns, and twice -the author was able to leave his desk and then return -with such inspiration as an actual view of the -battlefields could afford him. The whole British line in -1916, the Soissons and Ardennes positions of the -French, the Carnic Alps, the Trentino, and the Isonzo -positions of the Italians were all visited in turn; -while in 1918, as recorded, the crowning mercy of -September 29 was actually witnessed by the writer. -He lays down his pen at last with the deep conviction -that the final results of this great convulsion are -meant to be spiritual rather than material, and that -upon an enlightened recognition of this depends the -future history of mankind. Not to change rival -frontiers, but to mould the hearts and spirits of -men—there lie the explanation and the justification of all -that we have endured. The system which left -seven million dead upon the fields of Europe must -be rotten to the core. Time will elapse before the -true message is mastered, but when that day arrives -the war of 1914 may be regarded as the end of the -dark ages and the start of that upward path which -leads away from personal or national selfishness -towards the City Beautiful upon the distant hills. -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p><a id="chap13"></a></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">{<a id="P307"></a>307}</span></p> - -<h3> -APPENDIX -</h3> - -<p> -The following account of some personal experiences on -the day when the Hindenburg Line was finally broken—the -most important day, perhaps, in the whole war—may possibly -be worthy of the decent obscurity of an appendix, though -it is too slight and too personal for the pages of a serious -chronicle. It is appended for what it is worth, reprinted with -a few additions from the columns of <i>The Times</i>:— -</p> - -<p class="poem"> - Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord,<br /> - He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored.<br /> -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p> -The grand, sonorous, mystical lines of Julia Ward Howe -rang in my head as I found myself by most unlooked-for -chance an actual eyewitness of this, one of the historical -episodes of the greatest of wars. Yes, with my own eyes I -saw the rent while the men who made it were still pushing -forward from the farther side of it. -</p> - -<p> -Even now I can hardly realise that it was so. A kindly -invitation from the Australian Government explains my -presence on their front, while the energy and goodwill of a -helpful soldier on the spot, a captain of Australian Artillery, -brought about the rest. Let me try to transcribe what I saw. -</p> - -<p> -It was about 11 o'clock when we reached the edge of the -battle-field on Sunday, September 29. "We" refers to -Sir Joseph Cook, Colonial statesman, Commander Latham, -the Australian Naval Attaché, and myself, with Captain -Plunket, a twice-wounded Australian officer, as our shepherd. -</p> - -<p> -The programme of the day was already clear in our heads. -American Divisions were to rush the front line. The Australian -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P308"></a>308}</span> -Divisions were to pass through them, and carry the battle -front forward. Already as we arrived the glad news came -back that the Americans had done their part, and that the -Australians had just been unleashed. Also that the Germans -were standing to it like men. -</p> - -<p> -As our car threaded the crowded street between the ruins -of Templeux we met the wounded coming back, covered cars -with nothing visible save protruding boots, and a constant -stream of pedestrians, some limping, some with bandaged -arms and faces, some supported by Red Cross men, a few in -pain, most of them smiling grimly behind their cigarettes. -Amid them came the first clump of prisoners, fifty or more, -pitiable enough, and yet I could not pity them, the weary, -shuffling, hang-dog creatures, with no touch of nobility in -their features or their bearing. -</p> - -<p> -The village was full of Americans and Australians, -extraordinarily like each other in type. One could well -have lingered, for it was all of great interest, but there were -even greater interests ahead, so we turned up a hill, left our -car, which had reached its limit, and proceeded on foot. -The road took us through a farm, where a British anti-aircraft -battery stood ready for action. Then we found open plain, -and went forward, amid old trenches and rusty wire, in the -direction of the battle. -</p> - -<p> -We had now passed the heavy gun positions, and were -among the field-guns, so that the noise was deafening. A -British howitzer battery was hard at work, and we stopped -to chat with the major. His crews had been at it for six -hours, but were in great good-humour, and chuckled mightily -when the blast of one of their guns nearly drove in our -eardrums, we having got rather too far forward. The effect -was that of a ringing box on the exposed ear—with which -valediction we left our grinning British gunners and pushed -on to the east, under a screaming canopy of our own shells. -The wild, empty waste of moor was broken by a single shallow -quarry or gravel-pit, in which we could see some movement. -In it we found an advanced dressing station, with about a -hundred American and Australian gunners and orderlies. -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P309"></a>309}</span> -There were dug-outs in the sides of this flat excavation, and -it had been an American battalion H.Q. up to a few hours -before. We were now about a thousand yards from the -Hindenburg Line, and I learned with emotion that this spot -was the Egg Redoubt, one of those advanced outposts of -General Gough's Army which suffered so tragic and glorious -a fate in that great military epic of March 21—one of the -grandest in the whole war. The fact that we were now -actually standing in the Egg Redoubt showed me, as nothing -else could have done, how completely the ground had been -recovered, and how the day of retribution was at hand. -</p> - -<p> -We were standing near the eastward lip of the excavation, -and looking over it, when it was first brought to our attention -that it took two to make a battle. Up to now we had seen -only one. Now two shells burst in quick succession forty -yards in front of us, and a spray of earth went into the air. -"Whizz-bangs," remarked our soldier-guide casually. Personally, -I felt less keenly interested in their name than in the -fact that they were there at all. -</p> - -<p> -We thought we had done pretty well to get within 1000 -yards of the famous line, but now came a crowning bit of good -fortune, for an Australian gunner captain, a mere lad, but a -soldier from his hawk's eyes to his active feet, volunteered to -rush us forward to some coign of vantage known to himself. -So it was Eastward Ho! once more, still over a dull, barren -plain sloping gently upwards, with little sign of life. Here and -there was the quick fluff of a bursting shell, but at a comforting -distance. Suddenly ahead of us a definite object broke the -sky-line. It was a Tank, upon which the crew were working -with spanners and levers, for its comrades were now far -ahead, and it would fain follow. This, it seems, was the -grand stand which our young gunner had selected. On to -the top of it we clambered—and there, at our very feet and -less than 500 yards away, was the rift which had been torn -a few hours before in the Hindenburg line. On the dun slope -beyond it, under our very eyes, was even now being fought -a part of that great fight where at last the children of light -were beating down into the earth the forces of darkness. It -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P310"></a>310}</span> -was there. We could see it. And yet how little there was -to see! -</p> - -<p> -The ridge was passed and the ground sloped down, as dark -and heathy as Hindhead. In front of us lay a village. It -was Bellicourt. The Hindenburg position ran through it. -It lay quiet enough, and with the unaided eye one could see -rusty red fields of wire in front of it. But the wire had -availed nothing, nor had the trench that lurked behind it, -for beyond it, beside the village of Nauroy, there was a long -white line, clouds of pale steam-like vapour spouting up -against a dark, rain-sodden sky. "The Boche smoke barrage," -said our guide. "They are going to counter-attack." Only -this, the long, white, swirling cloud upon the dark plain, told -of the strife in front of us. With my glasses I saw what -looked like Tanks, but whether wrecked or in action I could -not say. There was the battle—the greatest of battles—but -nowhere could I see a moving figure. It is true that all the -noises of the Pit seemed to rise from that lonely landscape, -but noise was always with us, go where we would. -</p> - -<p> -The Australians were ahead where that line of smoke -marked their progress. In the sloping fields, which at that -point emerged out of the moor, the victorious Americans, -who had done their part, were crouching. It was an assured -victory upon which we gazed, achieved so rapidly that we -were ourselves standing far forward in ground which had -been won that day. The wounded had been brought in, and -I saw no corpses, though some friends who had reached the -line to our left found eighteen American lads lying dead by -the roadside. On that side the fight was very severe, and the -Germans, who had been hidden in their huge dug-outs, were -doing their usual trick of emerging and cutting off the attack. -So much we gathered afterwards, but for the moment it was -the panorama before us which was engrossing all our thoughts. -</p> - -<p> -Suddenly the German guns woke up. I can but pray that -it was not our group which drew their fire upon the half-mended -Tank. Shell after shell fell in its direction, all of -them short, but creeping forward with each salvo. It was -time for us to go. If any man says that without a call of -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P311"></a>311}</span> -duty he likes being under aimed shell-fire, he is not a man -whose word I would trust. Some of the shells burst with -a rusty red outflame, and we were told that they were gas -shells. I may say that before we were admitted on to the -battle-field at all, we were ushered one by one into a room where -some devil's pipkin was bubbling in the corner, and were -taught to use our gas-masks by the simple expedient of -telling us that if we failed to acquire the art then and there -a very painful alternative was awaiting us. -</p> - -<p> -We made our way back, with no indecent haste, but -certainly without loitering, across the plain, the shells always -getting rather nearer, until we came to the excavation. Here -we had a welcome rest, for our good gunner took us into his -cubby-hole of a dug-out, which would at least stop shrapnel, -and we shared his tea and dried beef, a true Australian -soldier's meal. -</p> - -<p> -The German fire was now rather heavy, and our expert -host explained that this meant that he had recovered from -the shock of the attack, had reorganised his guns, and was -generally his merry self once more. From where we sat we -could see heavy shells bursting far to our rear, and there was -a general atmosphere of explosion all round us, which might -have seemed alarming had it not been for the general chatty -afternoon-tea appearance of all these veteran soldiers with -whom it was our privilege to find ourselves. A group of -sulky-looking German prisoners sat in a corner, while a lank -and freckled Australian soldier, with his knee sticking out -of a rent in his trousers was walking about with four watches -dangling from his hand, endeavouring vainly to sell them. -Far be it from me to assert that he did not bring the watches -from Sydney and choose this moment for doing a deal in them, -but they were heavy old Teutonic time-pieces, and the prisoners -seemed to take a rather personal interest in them. -</p> - -<p> -As we started on our homeward track we came, first, upon -the British battery which seemed to be limbering up with -some idea of advancing, and so lost its chance of administering -a box on our other ear. Farther still we met our friends of -the air guns, and stopped again to exchange a few impressions. -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P312"></a>312}</span> -They had nothing to fire at, and seemed bored to tears, for -the red, white, and blue machines were in full command of -the sky. Soon we found our motor waiting in the lee of a -ruined house, and began to thread our way back through the -wonderfully picturesque streams of men, American, Australian, -British, and German, who were strung along the road. -</p> - -<p> -And then occurred a very horrible incident. One knew, -of course, that one could not wander about a battlefield and -not find oneself sooner or later involved in some tragedy, -but we were now out of range of any but heavy guns, and -their shots were spasmodic. We had halted the car for an -instant to gather up two German helmets which Commander -Latham had seen on the roadside, when there was a very -heavy burst close ahead round a curve in the village street. -A geyser of red brick-dust flew up into the air. An instant -later our car rounded the corner. None of us will forget -what we saw. There was a tangle of mutilated horses, their -necks rising and sinking. Beside them a man with his hand -blown off was staggering away, the blood gushing from his -upturned sleeve. He was moving round and holding the arm -raised and hanging, as a dog holds an injured foot. Beside -the horses lay a shattered man, drenched crimson from head -to foot, with two great glazed eyes looking upwards through -a mask of blood. Two comrades were at hand to help, and -we could only go upon our way with the ghastly picture -stamped for ever upon our memory. The image of that dead -driver might well haunt one in one's dreams. -</p> - -<p> -Once through Templeux and on the main road for Peronne -things became less exciting, and we drew up to see a column -of 900 prisoners pass us. Each side of the causeway was -lined by Australians, with their keen, clear-cut, falcon faces, -and between lurched these heavy-jawed, beetle-browed, -uncouth louts, new caught and staring round with bewildered -eyes at their debonnaire captors. I saw none of that relief -at getting out of it which I have read of; nor did I see any -signs of fear, but the prevailing impression was an ox-like -stolidity and dulness. It was a herd of beasts, not a -procession of men. It was indeed farcical to think that these -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P313"></a>313}</span> -uniformed bumpkins represented the great military nation, -while the gallant figures who lined the road belonged to the -race which they had despised as being unwarlike. Time and -Fate between them have a pretty sense of humour. One of -them caught my eye as he passed and roared out in guttural -English, "The old Jairman is out!" It was the only word -I heard them speak. French cavalry troopers, stern, -dignified, and martial, rode at either end of the bedraggled -procession. -</p> - -<p> -They are great soldiers, these Australians. I think they -would admit it themselves, but a spectator is bound to -confirm it. There is a reckless dare-devilry, combined with a -spice of cunning, which gives them a place of their own in -the Imperial ranks. They have a great advantage, too, in -having a permanent organisation, the same five divisions -always in the same Corps, under the same chief. It doubles -their military value—and the same applies equally, of course, -to the Canadians. None the less, they must not undervalue -their British comrades or lose their sense of proportion. I -had a chance of addressing some 1200 of them on our -return that evening, and while telling them all that I thought -of their splendid deeds, I ventured to remind them that -72 per cent of the men engaged and 76 per cent of the -casualties were Englishmen of England. But this is a -description of a day's adventure on the Hindenburg line, -and my deep appreciation of the Commonwealth soldiers, -of their officers, and of their Commander, must appear -elsewhere. -</p> - -<p class="noindent"> -ARTHUR CONAN DOYLE. -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p><a id="chap14"></a></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">{<a id="P315"></a>315}</span></p> - -<h3> -INDEX -</h3> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="index"> -Abancourt, <a href="#P259">259</a>, <a href="#P261">261</a>, <a href="#P262">262</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Achiet-le-Grand, <a href="#P81">81</a>, <a href="#P102">102</a>, <a href="#P103">103</a>, <a href="#P106">106</a>, -<a href="#P121">121</a>, <a href="#P123">123</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Achiet-le-Petit, <a href="#P121">121</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Adams, Sapper, V.C., <a href="#P202">202</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Aisne River, <a href="#P1">1</a>, <a href="#P5">5</a>, <a href="#P6">6</a>, <a href="#P21">21</a>, <a href="#P80">80</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Albert, <a href="#P26">26</a>, <a href="#P45">45</a>, <a href="#P47">47</a>, <a href="#P48">48</a>, <a href="#P82">82</a>, <a href="#P84">84</a>, <a href="#P85">85</a>, <a href="#P228">228</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Allason, General, <a href="#P86">86</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Allenby, General Sir Edmund, <a href="#P22">22</a>, -<a href="#P296">296</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -American Army, co-operation of, -with British Armies, <a href="#P6">6</a>, <a href="#P25">25</a>, <a href="#P32">32</a>, -<a href="#P37">37</a>, <a href="#P38">38</a>, <a href="#P39">39</a>, <a href="#P40">40</a>, <a href="#P41">41</a>, <a href="#P150">150-158</a>, <a href="#P161">161</a>, -<a href="#P164">164</a>, <a href="#P166">166</a>, <a href="#P168">168</a>, <a href="#P169">169</a>, <a href="#P174">174</a>, <a href="#P175">175</a>, -<a href="#P177">177</a>, <a href="#P178">178</a>, <a href="#P179">179</a>, <a href="#P181">181</a>, <a href="#P182">182</a>, <a href="#P183">183</a>, -<a href="#P184">184</a>, <a href="#P185">185</a>, <a href="#P186">186</a>, <a href="#P187">187</a>, <a href="#P307">307-313</a>; -advance in the Argonne, <a href="#P293">293</a>; -successful attack on the St. Mihiel -salient, <a href="#P293">293</a>; in Sedan, -<a href="#P293">293</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Americans reinforce the Allies on -Western front, <a href="#P2">2</a>, <a href="#P23">23</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Amerval, <a href="#P231">231</a>, <a href="#P234">234</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Amiens, <a href="#P26">26</a>, <a href="#P40">40</a>, <a href="#P45">45</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Ancre River, <a href="#P31">31</a>, <a href="#P33">33</a>, <a href="#P39">39</a>, <a href="#P47">47</a>, <a href="#P81">81</a>, -<a href="#P82">82</a>, <a href="#P84">84</a>, <a href="#P85">85</a>, <a href="#P86">86</a>, <a href="#P87">87</a>, <a href="#P89">89</a>, <a href="#P103">103</a>, <a href="#P120">120</a>, -<a href="#P122">122</a>, <a href="#P124">124</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Angre, <a href="#P274">274</a>, <a href="#P275">275</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Anneux, <a href="#P215">215</a>, <a href="#P216">216</a>, <a href="#P217">217</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Ardres River, <a href="#P6">6</a>, <a href="#P7">7</a>, <a href="#P9">9</a>, <a href="#P12">12</a>, <a href="#P14">14</a>, <a href="#P139">139</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Argonne, American advance in the, -<a href="#P293">293</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Arleux, <a href="#P258">258</a>, <a href="#P264">264</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Armistice, the, <a href="#P204">204</a>, <a href="#P205">205</a>, <a href="#P275">275</a>, <a href="#P295">295</a>, -<a href="#P297">297</a>; signed, <a href="#P301">301</a>; terms of, <a href="#P302">302</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Arras, <a href="#P139">139</a>, <a href="#P277">277</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Artres, <a href="#P270">270</a>, <a href="#P271">271</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Atkinson, Major, <a href="#P20">20</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Auby, <a href="#P278">278</a>, <a href="#P287">287</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Aunelle, Petite, <a href="#P253">253</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Aunelle River, <a href="#P254">254</a>, <a href="#P274">274</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Austria, defeated on the Piave, <a href="#P3">3</a>, -<a href="#P22">22</a>; collapse of, <a href="#P294">294-295</a>, <a href="#P300">300</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Avesnes, <a href="#P204">204</a>, <a href="#P227">227</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Avre River, <a href="#P25">25</a>, <a href="#P27">27</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Awoingt, <a href="#P221">221</a>, <a href="#P227">227</a> -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="index"> -Babington, General Sir J., <a href="#P294">294</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Baden, Prince Max of, <a href="#P300">300</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Bagdad, <a href="#P22">22</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Bailleul, <a href="#P139">139</a>, <a href="#P282">282</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Baku, <a href="#P22">22</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Banks, Colonel, <a href="#P51">51</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Banteux, <a href="#P210">210</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Bapaume, <a href="#P60">60</a>, <a href="#P90">90</a>, <a href="#P91">91</a>, <a href="#P125">125</a>, <a href="#P126">126</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Barastre, <a href="#P93">93</a>, <a href="#P127">127</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Barbow, Colonel, <a href="#P20">20</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Barker, General, <a href="#P50">50</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Barnes, General, <a href="#P129">129</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Bauer, Herr, <a href="#P302">302</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Bavay, <a href="#P255">255</a>, <a href="#P275">275</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Bazuel, <a href="#P190">190</a>, <a href="#P191">191</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Beaucourt, <a href="#P81">81</a>, <a href="#P83">83</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Beaufort, <a href="#P29">29</a>, <a href="#P34">34</a>, <a href="#P35">35</a>, <a href="#P247">247</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Beaulencourt, <a href="#P89">89</a>, <a href="#P91">91</a>, <a href="#P92">92</a>, <a href="#P126">126</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Beaurevoir, <a href="#P162">162</a>, <a href="#P165">165</a>, <a href="#P168">168</a>, <a href="#P171">171</a>, <a href="#P172">172</a>, -<a href="#P174">174</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Beaurevoir Line, <a href="#P152">152</a>, <a href="#P166">166</a>, <a href="#P167">167</a>, <a href="#P171">171</a>, -<a href="#P210">210</a>, <a href="#P219">219</a>, <a href="#P220">220</a>, <a href="#P248">248</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Behagnies, <a href="#P105">105</a>, <a href="#P107">107</a>, <a href="#P108">108</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Belgians, King Albert of, <a href="#P283">283</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Belgian Army, co-operation with -British Armies, <a href="#P283">283</a>, <a href="#P284">284</a>, <a href="#P288">288</a>, -<a href="#P289">289</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Bell, General (U.S. Army), <a href="#P38">38</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Bellenglise, <a href="#P158">158</a>, <a href="#P160">160</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Bellicourt, <a href="#P66">66</a>, <a href="#P151">151</a>, <a href="#P153">153</a>, <a href="#P156">156</a>, <a href="#P310">310</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Benstall, General, <a href="#P28">28</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Berlaimont, <a href="#P197">197</a>, <a href="#P242">242</a>, <a href="#P246">246</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Berthaucourt, <a href="#P74">74</a>, <a href="#P75">75</a>, <a href="#P76">76</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Berthelot, General, <a href="#P13">13</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Bertry, <a href="#P176">176</a>, <a href="#P222">222</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Bethell, General, <a href="#P170">170</a>, <a href="#P204">204</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Beugneux, <a href="#P19">19</a>, <a href="#P20">20</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Beugny, <a href="#P126">126</a>, <a href="#P127">127</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Biastre, <a href="#P224">224</a>, <a href="#P229">229</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Bickmore, Colonel, <a href="#P10">10</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Bihucourt, <a href="#P120">120</a>, <a href="#P123">123</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Billon Wood, <a href="#P49">49</a>, <a href="#P50">50</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Birdwood, General Sir W., <a href="#P141">141</a>, <a href="#P276">276</a>, -<a href="#P281">281</a>, <a href="#P283">283</a>, <a href="#P286">286</a>, <a href="#P290">290</a>, <a href="#P291">291</a>, <a href="#P292">292</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Bissett, Lieutenant, V.C., <a href="#P269">269</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Blacklock, General, <a href="#P273">273</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Blanding, General (U.S. Army), <a href="#P152">152</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Blecourt, <a href="#P259">259</a>, <a href="#P260">260</a>, <a href="#P262">262</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Bligny, <a href="#P6">6</a>, <a href="#P13">13</a>, <a href="#P14">14</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Boiry Becquerelle, <a href="#P103">103</a>, <a href="#P142">142</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Bois du Temple, <a href="#P246">246</a>, <a href="#P247">247</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Bois l'Évêque, <a href="#P192">192</a>, <a href="#P200">200</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Bouchavesnes, <a href="#P59">59</a>, <a href="#P60">60</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Bouilly, <a href="#P7">7</a>, <a href="#P8">8</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Bourlon village, <a href="#P256">256</a>, <a href="#P257">257</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Bourlon Wood, <a href="#P216">216</a>, <a href="#P256">256</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Bousies, <a href="#P192">192</a>, <a href="#P193">193</a>, <a href="#P237">237</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Boyd, General, <a href="#P75">75</a>, <a href="#P157">157</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Braithwaite, General, <a href="#P6">6</a>, <a href="#P8">8</a>, <a href="#P12">12</a>, <a href="#P64">64</a>, -<a href="#P72">72</a>, <a href="#P98">98</a>, <a href="#P118">118</a>, <a href="#P119">119</a>, <a href="#P149">149</a>, <a href="#P150">150</a>, <a href="#P157">157</a>, -<a href="#P161">161</a>, <a href="#P164">164</a>, <a href="#P185">185</a>, <a href="#P205">205</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Brancourt, <a href="#P178">178</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Bray, <a href="#P45">45</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Brie, <a href="#P63">63</a>, <a href="#P64">64</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Brodie, Colonel, V.C., <a href="#P106">106</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Brutinel, General, <a href="#P263">263</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Bucquoy, <a href="#P81">81</a>, <a href="#P82">82</a>, <a href="#P121">121</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Bulgaria, surrender to Allies, <a href="#P296">296</a>, <a href="#P300">300</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Bullecourt, <a href="#P131">131</a>, <a href="#P132">132</a>, <a href="#P133">133</a>, <a href="#P134">134</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Burnett, General, <a href="#P8">8</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Burnyeat, Colonel, <a href="#P194">194</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Butler, General, <a href="#P26">26</a>, <a href="#P40">40</a>, <a href="#P63">63</a>, <a href="#P68">68</a>, <a href="#P149">149</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Buzancy, <a href="#P14">14</a>, <a href="#P15">15</a>, <a href="#P17">17</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Byng, General Sir Julian, <a href="#P24">24</a>, <a href="#P43">43</a>, -<a href="#P79">79</a>, <a href="#P80">80</a>, <a href="#P83">83</a>, <a href="#P98">98</a>, <a href="#P107">107</a>, <a href="#P109">109</a>, <a href="#P120">120</a>, -<a href="#P126">126</a>, <a href="#P128">128</a>, <a href="#P129">129</a>, <a href="#P138">138</a>, <a href="#P170">170</a>, <a href="#P214">214</a>, -<a href="#P218">218</a>, <a href="#P230">230</a> -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="index"> -Cadorna, General, <a href="#P294">294</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Caix, <a href="#P28">28</a>, <a href="#P34">34</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Calvert, Sergeant, <a href="#P118">118</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Cambrai, <a href="#P144">144</a>, <a href="#P225">225</a>, <a href="#P227">227</a>, <a href="#P260">260</a>, <a href="#P262">262</a>, -<a href="#P263">263</a>, <a href="#P265">265</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Cameron, General, <a href="#P143">143</a>, <a href="#P267">267</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Campbell, General, <a href="#P6">6</a>, <a href="#P82">82</a>, <a href="#P84">84</a>, <a href="#P87">87</a>, -<a href="#P88">88</a>, <a href="#P95">95</a>, <a href="#P97">97</a>, <a href="#P208">208</a>, <a href="#P246">246</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Canal de l'Escaut, <a href="#P150">150</a>, <a href="#P170">170</a>, <a href="#P208">208</a>, -<a href="#P209">209</a>, <a href="#P210">210</a>, <a href="#P212">212</a>, <a href="#P213">213</a>, <a href="#P214">214</a>, <a href="#P217">217</a>, -<a href="#P218">218</a>, <a href="#P219">219</a>, <a href="#P260">260</a>, <a href="#P263">263</a>, <a href="#P265">265</a>, <a href="#P266">266</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Canal du Nord, <a href="#P66">66</a>, <a href="#P94">94</a>, <a href="#P117">117</a>, <a href="#P118">118</a>, -<a href="#P137">137</a>, <a href="#P142">142</a>, <a href="#P144">144</a>, <a href="#P147">147</a>, <a href="#P215">215</a>, <a href="#P256">256</a>, -<a href="#P257">257</a>, <a href="#P258">258</a>, <a href="#P261">261</a>, <a href="#P264">264</a>, <a href="#P265">265</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Cantaing, <a href="#P215">215</a>, <a href="#P216">216</a>, <a href="#P217">217</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Capelle, <a href="#P239">239</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Caporetto, <a href="#P294">294</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Carey, General, <a href="#P286">286</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Carter-Campbell, General, <a href="#P12">12</a>, <a href="#P139">139</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Cartwright, General, <a href="#P204">204</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Catillon, <a href="#P194">194</a>, <a href="#P195">195</a>, <a href="#P200">200</a>, <a href="#P202">202</a>, <a href="#P203">203</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Cayley, General, <a href="#P284">284</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Chaplin, General, <a href="#P18">18</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Charles, General, <a href="#P170">170</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Château-Thierry, <a href="#P5">5</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Chaumuzy, <a href="#P12">12</a>, <a href="#P14">14</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Cheape, General, <a href="#P282">282</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Chipilly, <a href="#P31">31</a>, <a href="#P32">32</a>, <a href="#P33">33</a>, <a href="#P34">34</a>, <a href="#P37">37</a>, <a href="#P38">38</a>, -<a href="#P39">39</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Clarke, Sergeant, <a href="#P201">201</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Clemenceau, M., <a href="#P3">3</a>, <a href="#P283">283</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Cloutman, Major, V.C., <a href="#P245">245</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Cockhill, Captain, <a href="#P9">9</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Coffin, General, <a href="#P284">284</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Cojeul River, <a href="#P104">104</a>, <a href="#P129">129</a>, <a href="#P130">130</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Comines, <a href="#P285">285</a>, <a href="#P288">288</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Constantine, King, <a href="#P22">22</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Constantinople, <a href="#P297">297</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Cook, Sir Joseph, <a href="#P307">307</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Courcelette, <a href="#P86">86</a>, <a href="#P89">89</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Courcelles, <a href="#P101">101</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Coussmaker, Colonel, <a href="#P105">105</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Craigie-Hackett, General, <a href="#P174">174</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Cressaire Wood, <a href="#P39">39</a>, <a href="#P40">40</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Crevecœur, <a href="#P166">166</a>, <a href="#P210">210</a>, <a href="#P223">223</a>, <a href="#P247">247</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Croisilles, <a href="#P105">105</a>, <a href="#P108">108</a>, <a href="#P109">109</a>, <a href="#P110">110</a>, <a href="#P111">111</a>, -<a href="#P114">114</a>, <a href="#P129">129</a>, <a href="#P130">130</a>, <a href="#P131">131</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Cross, Colonel, <a href="#P106">106</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Crown Prince of Germany, <a href="#P300">300</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Cubitt, General, <a href="#P82">82</a>, <a href="#P84">84</a>, <a href="#P233">233</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Cuitron, <a href="#P7">7</a>, <a href="#P9">9</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Currie, General Sir A., <a href="#P26">26</a>, <a href="#P259">259</a>, <a href="#P263">263</a>, -<a href="#P266">266</a> -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="index"> -Daly, General, <a href="#P218">218</a>, <a href="#P226">226</a>, <a href="#P227">227</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Damascus occupied, <a href="#P296">296</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Damery, <a href="#P35">35</a>, <a href="#P41">41</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Dardanelles, <a href="#P297">297</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Dawson, Colonel, <a href="#P70">70</a>, <a href="#P287">287</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Daykins, Corporal, V.C., <a href="#P235">235</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Debeney, General, <a href="#P25">25</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -De Lisle, General, <a href="#P282">282</a>, <a href="#P283">283</a>, <a href="#P290">290</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Delville, <a href="#P50">50</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Delville Wood, <a href="#P91">91</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -D'Esperey, General Franchet, <a href="#P295">295</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Deverell, General, <a href="#P98">98</a>, <a href="#P112">112</a>, <a href="#P211">211</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Diaz, General, <a href="#P294">294</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Dixmude, <a href="#P288">288</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Doake, Captain, <a href="#P48">48</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Dobson, Colonel, <a href="#P21">21</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Doiran, Lake, <a href="#P296">296</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Dompierre, <a href="#P52">52</a>, <a href="#P198">198</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Dooner, Colonel, <a href="#P20">20</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Douai, <a href="#P144">144</a>, <a href="#P204">204</a>, <a href="#P279">279</a>, <a href="#P290">290</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Douai Canal, <a href="#P278">278</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Drocourt-Quéant Line, <a href="#P132">132</a>, <a href="#P135">135</a>, -<a href="#P136">136</a>, <a href="#P143">143</a>, <a href="#P261">261</a>, <a href="#P265">265</a>, <a href="#P277">277</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Dudgeon, General, <a href="#P87">87</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Duncan, General, <a href="#P218">218</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Dury, <a href="#P144">144</a>, <a href="#P145">145</a> -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="index"> -East Africa, <a href="#P297">297</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Ecaillon, <a href="#P184">184</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Ecaillon River, <a href="#P238">238</a>, <a href="#P239">239</a>, <a href="#P267">267</a>, <a href="#P268">268</a>, -<a href="#P269">269</a>, <a href="#P270">270</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Ecoust, <a href="#P107">107</a>, <a href="#P110">110</a>, <a href="#P113">113</a>, <a href="#P114">114</a>, <a href="#P132">132</a>, <a href="#P133">133</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Egerton, Lieutenant, <a href="#P287">287</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Englefontaine, <a href="#P193">193</a>, <a href="#P240">240</a>, <a href="#P241">241</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Epéhy, <a href="#P62">62</a>, <a href="#P66">66</a>, <a href="#P68">68</a>, <a href="#P97">97</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Ervillers, <a href="#P104">104</a>, <a href="#P105">105</a>, <a href="#P106">106</a>, <a href="#P107">107</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Erzberger, Herr, <a href="#P300">300</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Escarmain, <a href="#P239">239</a>, <a href="#P251">251</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Escaufort, <a href="#P176">176</a>, <a href="#P179">179</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Estrées, <a href="#P52">52</a>, <a href="#P157">157</a>, <a href="#P172">172</a>, <a href="#P174">174</a>, <a href="#P264">264</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Eterpigny, <a href="#P143">143</a>, <a href="#P161">161</a> -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="index"> -Faison, General (U.S. Army), <a href="#P153">153</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Favreuil, <a href="#P110">110</a>, <a href="#P125">125</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Fergusson, General Sir Charles, <a href="#P110">110</a>, -<a href="#P114">114</a>, <a href="#P128">128</a>, <a href="#P138">138</a>, <a href="#P139">139</a>, <a href="#P140">140</a>, <a href="#P145">145</a>, -<a href="#P214">214</a>, <a href="#P218">218</a>, <a href="#P250">250</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Feuillaucourt, <a href="#P54">54</a>, <a href="#P55">55</a>, <a href="#P57">57</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Fisher, General, <a href="#P101">101</a>, <a href="#P102">102</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Flers, <a href="#P89">89</a>, <a href="#P90">90</a>, <a href="#P91">91</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Flesquières, <a href="#P209">209</a>, <a href="#P211">211</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Foch, Marshal, <a href="#P3">3</a>, <a href="#P4">4</a>, <a href="#P21">21</a>, <a href="#P292">292</a>, <a href="#P300">300</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Fonsomme, <a href="#P162">162</a>, <a href="#P166">166</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Fontaine, <a href="#P215">215</a>, <a href="#P217">217</a>, <a href="#P257">257</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Fontaine-les-Croisilles, <a href="#P129">129</a>, <a href="#P131">131</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Forest, <a href="#P177">177</a>, <a href="#P237">237</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Fortune, General, <a href="#P16">16</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Framerville, <a href="#P34">34</a>, <a href="#P36">36</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Frémicourt, <a href="#P90">90</a>, <a href="#P126">126</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -French Army, co-operation of, with -British Armies, <a href="#P10">10-21</a>, <a href="#P27">27</a>, <a href="#P28">28</a>, -<a href="#P78">78</a>, <a href="#P80">80</a>, <a href="#P161">161</a>, <a href="#P162">162</a>, <a href="#P165">165</a>, <a href="#P166">166</a>, <a href="#P178">178</a>, -<a href="#P179">179</a>, <a href="#P180">180</a>, <a href="#P185">185</a>, <a href="#P186">186</a>, <a href="#P187">187</a>, <a href="#P194">194</a>, -<a href="#P283">283</a>, <a href="#P288">288</a>, <a href="#P289">289</a>, <a href="#P291">291</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Fresnes, <a href="#P265">265</a>, <a href="#P277">277</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Fresnoy, <a href="#P73">73</a>, <a href="#P74">74</a>, <a href="#P75">75</a>, <a href="#P76">76</a>, <a href="#P77">77</a>, <a href="#P243">243</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Fresnoy-le-Grand, <a href="#P180">180</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Freyberg, General, <a href="#P282">282</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Frisby, Captain, V.C., <a href="#P212">212</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Fryell, General, <a href="#P174">174</a> -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="index"> -Gagnicourt, <a href="#P135">135</a>, <a href="#P136">136</a>, <a href="#P144">144</a>, <a href="#P145">145</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Gauche Wood, <a href="#P96">96</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Gavrelle, <a href="#P141">141</a>, <a href="#P276">276</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -General position on Western front -in July, <a href="#P1">1-4</a>; survey of the -various fronts at beginning of -August, <a href="#P21">21-23</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -George, Mr. Lloyd, <a href="#P3">3</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Germany, internal condition of, <a href="#P2">2</a>; -collapse of resistance, <a href="#P299">299</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Gheluvelt, <a href="#P284">284</a>, <a href="#P288">288</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Gheluwe, <a href="#P289">289</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Ghisignies, <a href="#P238">238</a>, <a href="#P240">240</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Gillibrand, General, <a href="#P29">29</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Girdwood, General, <a href="#P60">60</a>, <a href="#P60">60</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Glasgow, General, <a href="#P30">30</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Godley, General Sir A. J., <a href="#P6">6</a>, <a href="#P40">40</a>, <a href="#P63">63</a>, -<a href="#P143">143</a>, <a href="#P258">258</a>, <a href="#P264">264</a>, <a href="#P276">276</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Gomiecourt, <a href="#P103">103</a>, <a href="#P104">104</a>, <a href="#P105">105</a>, <a href="#P106">106</a>, <a href="#P123">123</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Gorringe, General, <a href="#P32">32</a>, <a href="#P40">40</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Gort, Lord, V.C., <a href="#P211">211</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Gough, General Sir Hubert, <a href="#P71">71</a>, <a href="#P309">309</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Gouraud, General, <a href="#P4">4</a>, <a href="#P5">5</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Gouy, <a href="#P151">151</a>, <a href="#P154">154</a>, <a href="#P171">171</a>, <a href="#P172">172</a>, <a href="#P173">173</a>, <a href="#P219">219</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Gouzeaucourt, <a href="#P96">96</a>, <a href="#P97">97</a>, <a href="#P98">98</a>, <a href="#P127">127</a>, <a href="#P207">207</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Graincourt, <a href="#P211">211</a>, <a href="#P215">215</a>, <a href="#P216">216</a>, <a href="#P257">257</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Grandcourt, <a href="#P82">82</a>, <a href="#P87">87</a>, <a href="#P88">88</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Grand Rozoy, <a href="#P18">18</a>, <a href="#P19">19</a>, <a href="#P20">20</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Greenland Hill, <a href="#P141">141</a>, <a href="#P142">142</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Greenwood, Colonel, <a href="#P88">88</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Gregg, Lieutenant, V.C., <a href="#P262">262</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Gricourt, <a href="#P77">77</a>, <a href="#P78">78</a>, <a href="#P149">149</a>, <a href="#P159">159</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Griffiths, Lieutenant, <a href="#P85">85</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Grogan, General, <a href="#P277">277</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Guémappe, <a href="#P140">140</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Gueudecourt, <a href="#P89">89</a>, <a href="#P91">91</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Guild, Major, <a href="#P202">202</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Guillemont, <a href="#P51">51</a>, <a href="#P90">90</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Guillemont Farm, <a href="#P151">151</a>, <a href="#P154">154</a>, <a href="#P155">155</a>, -<a href="#P163">163</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Gwyn-Thomas, General, <a href="#P86">86</a>, <a href="#P98">98</a> -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="index"> -Haig, Field Marshal Sir Douglas, -<a href="#P21">21</a>, <a href="#P25">25</a>, <a href="#P80">80</a>, <a href="#P166">166</a>, <a href="#P241">241</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Haking, General Sir R., <a href="#P283">283</a>, <a href="#P290">290</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Haldane, General Sir J., <a href="#P80">80</a>, <a href="#P83">83</a>, <a href="#P98">98</a>, -<a href="#P103">103</a>, <a href="#P105">105</a>, <a href="#P110">110</a>, <a href="#P114">114</a>, <a href="#P224">224</a>, <a href="#P239">239</a>, -<a href="#P240">240</a>, <a href="#P249">249</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Hamelincourt, <a href="#P103">103</a>, <a href="#P104">104</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Harper, General Sir G. M., <a href="#P80">80</a>, <a href="#P83">83</a>, -<a href="#P98">98</a>, <a href="#P120">120</a>, <a href="#P208">208</a>, <a href="#P209">209</a>, <a href="#P213">213</a>, <a href="#P223">223</a>, -<a href="#P234">234</a>, <a href="#P238">238</a>, <a href="#P248">248</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Harpies River, <a href="#P237">237</a>, <a href="#P251">251</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Harris, Sergeant, V.C., <a href="#P40">40</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Hart, General, <a href="#P242">242</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Hart, Colonel, <a href="#P17">17</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Hartennes Forest, <a href="#P16">16</a>, <a href="#P17">17</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Hartley, Colonel, <a href="#P100">100</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Haspres, <a href="#P266">266</a>, <a href="#P267">267</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Haucourt, <a href="#P141">141</a>, <a href="#P143">143</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Haussy, <a href="#P228">228</a>, <a href="#P250">250</a>, <a href="#P251">251</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Havrincourt, <a href="#P118">118</a>, <a href="#P119">119</a>, <a href="#P120">120</a>, <a href="#P128">128</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Havrincourt Wood, <a href="#P210">210</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Hendecourt, <a href="#P131">131</a>, <a href="#P132">132</a>, <a href="#P133">133</a>, <a href="#P134">134</a>, -<a href="#P145">145</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Henderson, Colonel, <a href="#P104">104</a>, <a href="#P116">116</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Heneker, General, <a href="#P141">141</a>, <a href="#P276">276</a>, <a href="#P277">277</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Henin, <a href="#P108">108</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Henin Hill, <a href="#P108">108</a>, <a href="#P129">129</a>, <a href="#P130">130</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Herbert, Colonel, <a href="#P114">114</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Herting, Count von, <a href="#P299">299</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Hickie, General Sir W., <a href="#P173">173</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Higginson, General, <a href="#P31">31</a>, <a href="#P51">51</a>, <a href="#P66">66</a>, <a href="#P287">287</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -High Wood, <a href="#P90">90</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Hill, General, <a href="#P129">129</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Hindenburg, General von, <a href="#P48">48</a>, <a href="#P300">300</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Hindenburg Line, the, <a href="#P42">42</a>, <a href="#P43">43</a>, <a href="#P62">62</a>, -<a href="#P65">65</a>, <a href="#P66">66</a>, <a href="#P69">69</a>, <a href="#P71">71</a>, <a href="#P72">72</a>, <a href="#P75">75</a>, <a href="#P77">77</a>, <a href="#P79">79</a>, -<a href="#P83">83</a>, <a href="#P95">95</a>, <a href="#P98">98</a>, <a href="#P105">105</a>, <a href="#P106">106</a>, <a href="#P108">108</a>, <a href="#P109">109</a>, -<a href="#P111">111</a>, <a href="#P118">118</a>, <a href="#P119">119</a>, <a href="#P127">127</a>, <a href="#P129">129</a>, <a href="#P130">130</a>, -<a href="#P131">131</a>, <a href="#P132">132</a>, <a href="#P136">136</a>, <a href="#P137">137</a>, <a href="#P143">143</a>, <a href="#P149">149</a>, -<a href="#P151">151</a>, <a href="#P152">152</a>, <a href="#P153">153</a>, <a href="#P155">155</a>, <a href="#P163">163</a>, <a href="#P166">166</a>, -<a href="#P169">169</a>, <a href="#P207">207</a>, <a href="#P208">208</a>, <a href="#P210">210</a>, <a href="#P214">214</a>, <a href="#P215">215</a>, -<a href="#P219">219</a>, <a href="#P282">282</a>, <a href="#P307">307-313</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Hobbs, General, <a href="#P30">30</a>, <a href="#P155">155</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Holland, General, <a href="#P141">141</a>, <a href="#P283">283</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Hollebeke, <a href="#P283">283</a>, <a href="#P285">285</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Holnon, <a href="#P74">74</a>, <a href="#P75">75</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Honey, Lieutenant, V.C., <a href="#P262">262</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Hongnau River, <a href="#P249">249</a>, <a href="#P254">254</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Horne, General Sir H., <a href="#P24">24</a>, <a href="#P41">41</a>, <a href="#P138">138</a>, -<a href="#P141">141</a>, <a href="#P276">276</a>, <a href="#P280">280</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Houthulst Forest, <a href="#P284">284</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Hull, General, <a href="#P129">129</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Hunter, General, <a href="#P176">176</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Hunter-Weston, General Sir A., <a href="#P141">141</a>, -<a href="#P170">170</a>, <a href="#P265">265</a>, <a href="#P276">276</a> -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="index"> -Inchy, <a href="#P137">137</a>, <a href="#P223">223</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Incledon-Webber, General, <a href="#P39">39</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Irles, <a href="#P120">120</a>, <a href="#P124">124</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Irwin, Colonel, <a href="#P59">59</a>, <a href="#P193">193</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Italy, victorious on the Piave, <a href="#P3">3</a>, -<a href="#P22">22</a>, <a href="#P294">294</a>; co-operation of, on -Western front, <a href="#P7">7</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Iwuy, <a href="#P227">227</a>, <a href="#P264">264</a>, <a href="#P266">266</a> -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="index"> -Jackson, General, <a href="#P170">170</a>, <a href="#P173">173</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Jackson, Corporal, V.C., <a href="#P212">212</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Jacob, General Sir C., <a href="#P283">283</a>, <a href="#P284">284</a>, <a href="#P285">285</a>, -<a href="#P288">288</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Jeffreys, General, <a href="#P218">218</a>, <a href="#P286">286</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Jerusalem, <a href="#P296">296</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Johnson, Colonel, V.C., <a href="#P203">203</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Joncourt, <a href="#P156">156</a>, <a href="#P161">161</a>, <a href="#P162">162</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Jourdain, Colonel, <a href="#P20">20</a> -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="index"> -Kaiser, the, <a href="#P300">300</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Kennedy, Colonel, <a href="#P17">17</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Kerr, Lieutenant, V.C., <a href="#P262">262</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Kruseik, <a href="#P284">284</a> -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="index"> -La Bassée, <a href="#P286">286</a>, <a href="#P292">292</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -La Boiselle, <a href="#P49">49</a>, <a href="#P85">85</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -La Capelle, <a href="#P300">300</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -La Folie Wood, <a href="#P215">215</a>, <a href="#P217">217</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Lagnicourt, <a href="#P115">115</a>, <a href="#P135">135</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Lambert, General, <a href="#P44">44</a>, <a href="#P72">72</a>, <a href="#P158">158</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Landrecies, <a href="#P195">195</a>, <a href="#P196">196</a>, <a href="#P197">197</a>, <a href="#P204">204</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Latham, Commander, <a href="#P307">307</a>, <a href="#P312">312</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Lawford, General, <a href="#P284">284</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Le Cateau, <a href="#P147">147</a>, <a href="#P177">177</a>, <a href="#P183">183</a>, <a href="#P187">187</a>, <a href="#P188">188</a>, -<a href="#P190">190</a>, <a href="#P191">191</a>, <a href="#P247">247</a>, <a href="#P290">290</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Le Catelet, <a href="#P151">151</a>, <a href="#P154">154</a>, <a href="#P156">156</a>, <a href="#P157">157</a>, <a href="#P171">171</a>, -<a href="#P172">172</a>, <a href="#P173">173</a>, <a href="#P219">219</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -L'Escaut, <a href="#P267">267</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Le Hamel, action of, <a href="#P24">24</a>, <a href="#P25">25</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Le Quesnel, <a href="#P29">29</a>, <a href="#P34">34</a>, <a href="#P35">35</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Le Quesnoy, <a href="#P238">238</a>, <a href="#P242">242</a>, <a href="#P270">270</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Le Tronquoy, <a href="#P158">158</a>, <a href="#P161">161</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Le Vergies, <a href="#P161">161</a>, <a href="#P162">162</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Le Verguier, <a href="#P65">65</a>, <a href="#P72">72</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Lee, General, <a href="#P31">31</a>, <a href="#P46">46</a>, <a href="#P66">66</a>, <a href="#P170">170</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Lempire, <a href="#P66">66</a>, <a href="#P67">67</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Lens, <a href="#P27">27</a>, <a href="#P100">100</a>, <a href="#P276">276</a>, <a href="#P286">286</a>, <a href="#P287">287</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Lettow-Vorbeck, General von, <a href="#P297">297</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Lewis, General (U.S. Army), <a href="#P152">152</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Lihons, <a href="#P35">35</a>, <a href="#P36">36</a>, <a href="#P37">37</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Lille, <a href="#P290">290</a>, <a href="#P292">292</a>, <a href="#P293">293</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Lipsett, General, <a href="#P28">28</a>, <a href="#P267">267</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Locquignol, <a href="#P197">197</a>, <a href="#P242">242</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Logeast Wood, <a href="#P82">82</a>, <a href="#P121">121</a>, <a href="#P123">123</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Longueval, <a href="#P89">89</a>, <a href="#P90">90</a>, <a href="#P91">91</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Lucas, General, <a href="#P267">267</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Luce River, <a href="#P27">27</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Ludendorff, General, <a href="#P30">30</a>, <a href="#P42">42</a>, <a href="#P281">281</a>, <a href="#P300">300</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Lys River, <a href="#P285">285</a>, <a href="#P288">288</a>, <a href="#P289">289</a>, <a href="#P290">290</a> -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="index"> -M'Culloch, General, <a href="#P87">87</a>, <a href="#P88">88</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -MacDonald, Captain, <a href="#P192">192</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Macdonell, General, <a href="#P28">28</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -MacGregor, Captain, V.C., <a href="#P262">262</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -MacGregor, Lieutenant R. R., <a href="#P116">116</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Maclagan, General, <a href="#P30">30</a>, <a href="#P37">37</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Macleod, Colonel, <a href="#P17">17</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Macquincourt Valley, <a href="#P163">163</a>, <a href="#P164">164</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Malincourt, <a href="#P220">220</a>, <a href="#P222">222</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Mametz, <a href="#P49">49</a>, <a href="#P50">50</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Mametz Wood, <a href="#P89">89</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Manchester Hill, <a href="#P75">75</a>, <a href="#P78">78</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Mangin, General, <a href="#P5">5</a>, <a href="#P14">14</a>, <a href="#P18">18</a>, <a href="#P44">44</a>, <a href="#P80">80</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Mannequin Hill, <a href="#P165">165</a>, <a href="#P166">166</a>, <a href="#P180">180</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Marcoing, <a href="#P212">212</a>, <a href="#P217">217</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Marden, General, <a href="#P72">72</a>, <a href="#P73">73</a>, <a href="#P78">78</a>, <a href="#P157">157</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Marfaux, <a href="#P7">7</a>, <a href="#P9">9</a>, <a href="#P14">14</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Marindin, General, <a href="#P284">284</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Marne River, <a href="#P1">1</a>, <a href="#P4">4</a>, <a href="#P5">5</a>, <a href="#P6">6</a>, <a href="#P11">11</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Maroilles, <a href="#P195">195</a>, <a href="#P197">197</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Marou, <a href="#P235">235</a>, <a href="#P236">236</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Marshall, General, <a href="#P22">22</a>, <a href="#P297">297</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Martin, General, <a href="#P54">54</a>, <a href="#P167">167</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Masnières, <a href="#P171">171</a>, <a href="#P213">213</a>, <a href="#P223">223</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Maubeuge, <a href="#P197">197</a>, <a href="#P249">249</a>, <a href="#P255">255</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Meaulte, <a href="#P47">47</a>, <a href="#P48">48</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Menin, <a href="#P289">289</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Menin Road, <a href="#P284">284</a>, <a href="#P285">285</a>, <a href="#P288">288</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Mennevret, <a href="#P186">186</a>, <a href="#P187">187</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Mericourt, <a href="#P180">180</a>, <a href="#P286">286</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Merisfield, Sergeant, V.C., <a href="#P262">262</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Merville, <a href="#P292">292</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Mesopotamia, <a href="#P22">22</a>, <a href="#P297">297</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Messines, <a href="#P283">283</a>, <a href="#P285">285</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Meteren, <a href="#P282">282</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Mezières, <a href="#P28">28</a>, <a href="#P204">204</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Milne, General, <a href="#P296">296</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Miraumont, <a href="#P82">82</a>, <a href="#P83">83</a>, <a href="#P85">85</a>, <a href="#P87">87</a>, <a href="#P88">88</a>, <a href="#P120">120</a>, -<a href="#P122">122</a>, <a href="#P123">123</a>, <a href="#P124">124</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Misitch, Marshal, <a href="#P295">295</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Mœuvres, <a href="#P117">117</a>, <a href="#P137">137</a>, <a href="#P256">256</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Moir, Major, <a href="#P12">12</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Molain, <a href="#P182">182</a>, <a href="#P184">184</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Monash, General Sir John, <a href="#P25">25</a>, <a href="#P26">26</a>, -<a href="#P29">29</a>, <a href="#P36">36</a>, <a href="#P52">52</a>, <a href="#P63">63</a>, <a href="#P71">71</a>, <a href="#P169">169</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Monchy, <a href="#P140">140</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Mons, <a href="#P280">280</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Mont St. Quentin, <a href="#P53">53</a>, <a href="#P54">54</a>, <a href="#P55">55</a>, <a href="#P56">56</a>, -<a href="#P57">57</a>, <a href="#P59">59</a>, <a href="#P63">63</a>, <a href="#P64">64</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Montauban, <a href="#P50">50</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Montay, <a href="#P177">177</a>, <a href="#P231">231</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Montbrehain, <a href="#P165">165</a>, <a href="#P168">168</a>, <a href="#P171">171</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Morchies, <a href="#P115">115</a>, <a href="#P135">135</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Morcourt, <a href="#P31">31</a>, <a href="#P34">34</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Morlancourt, <a href="#P25">25</a>, <a href="#P26">26</a>, <a href="#P31">31</a>, <a href="#P33">33</a>, <a href="#P34">34</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Morland, General, <a href="#P164">164</a>, <a href="#P169">169</a>, <a href="#P170">170</a>, -<a href="#P171">171</a>, <a href="#P174">174</a>, <a href="#P179">179</a>, <a href="#P199">199</a>, <a href="#P200">200</a>, <a href="#P219">219</a>, <a href="#P230">230</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Mormal Forest, <a href="#P191">191</a>, <a href="#P195">195</a>, <a href="#P237">237</a>, <a href="#P241">241</a>, -<a href="#P243">243</a>, <a href="#P244">244</a>, <a href="#P245">245</a>, <a href="#P246">246</a>, <a href="#P248">248</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Morval, <a href="#P51">51</a>, <a href="#P91">91</a>, <a href="#P92">92</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Mory, <a href="#P106">106</a>, <a href="#P107">107</a>, <a href="#P109">109</a>, <a href="#P110">110</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Moyenneville, <a href="#P81">81</a>, <a href="#P99">99</a>, <a href="#P100">100</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Murman Coast, <a href="#P23">23</a> -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="index"> -Nagle, Captain, <a href="#P116">116</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Nauroy, <a href="#P151">151</a>, <a href="#P154">154</a>, <a href="#P156">156</a>, <a href="#P157">157</a>, <a href="#P160">160</a>, -<a href="#P161">161</a>, <a href="#P310">310</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Neuve Eglise, <a href="#P282">282</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Neuvilly, <a href="#P223">223</a>, <a href="#P229">229</a>, <a href="#P231">231</a>, <a href="#P232">232</a>, <a href="#P233">233</a>, -<a href="#P234">234</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Nicholson, General, <a href="#P18">18</a>, <a href="#P19">19</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Nicholson, Captain, <a href="#P49">49</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Nieppe, <a href="#P281">281</a>, <a href="#P282">282</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Niergnies, <a href="#P221">221</a>, <a href="#P222">222</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Nivelle, <a href="#P287">287</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Noreuil, <a href="#P115">115</a>, <a href="#P134">134</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Norton, General, <a href="#P244">244</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Noyelles, <a href="#P212">212</a>, <a href="#P268">268</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Nurlu, <a href="#P61">61</a>, <a href="#P62">62</a>, <a href="#P94">94</a> -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="index"> -Oise River, <a href="#P3">3</a>, <a href="#P5">5</a>, <a href="#P80">80</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Oldham, General, <a href="#P244">244</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Onions, Corporal, V.C., <a href="#P123">123</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Oppy, <a href="#P141">141</a>, <a href="#P276">276</a>, <a href="#P287">287</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Orr-Ewing, General, <a href="#P16">16</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Ors, <a href="#P194">194</a>, <a href="#P195">195</a>, <a href="#P200">200</a>, <a href="#P201">201</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -O'Ryan, General (U.S. Army), <a href="#P151">151</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Ostend, <a href="#P289">289</a>, <a href="#P290">290</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Ovillers, <a href="#P85">85</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Owen, General, <a href="#P62">62</a> -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="index"> -Palestine, <a href="#P22">22</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Parvillers, <a href="#P35">35</a>, <a href="#P41">41</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Peace conference at Paris, <a href="#P302">302</a>; -chief terms of settlement, <a href="#P302">302-304</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Peizières, <a href="#P62">62</a>, <a href="#P66">66</a>, <a href="#P67">67</a>, <a href="#P94">94</a>, <a href="#P97">97</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Pelves, <a href="#P141">141</a>, <a href="#P142">142</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Penet, General, <a href="#P18">18</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Percival, Colonel, <a href="#P51">51</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Pereira, General, <a href="#P98">98</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Peronne, <a href="#P53">53</a>, <a href="#P54">54</a>, <a href="#P55">55</a>, <a href="#P58">58</a>, <a href="#P59">59</a>, <a href="#P60">60</a>, <a href="#P63">63</a>, -<a href="#P64">64</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Pershing, General, <a href="#P293">293</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Petit Camp Wood, <a href="#P7">7</a>, <a href="#P8">8</a>, <a href="#P9">9</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Piave, defeat of Austrians on, <a href="#P3">3</a>, <a href="#P22">22</a>, -<a href="#P294">294</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Pierce, General (U.S. Army), <a href="#P151">151</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Pinney, General, <a href="#P96">96</a>, <a href="#P208">208</a>, <a href="#P231">231</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Ploegsteert, <a href="#P282">282</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Ploegsteert Wood, <a href="#P285">285</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Plumer, General Sir H., <a href="#P283">283</a>, <a href="#P284">284</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Plunket, Captain, <a href="#P307">307</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Ponchaux, <a href="#P172">172</a>, <a href="#P173">173</a>, <a href="#P175">175</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Ponsonby, General, <a href="#P124">124</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Pout d'Aire, <a href="#P262">262</a>, <a href="#P263">263</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Pontruet, <a href="#P76">76</a>, <a href="#P77">77</a>, <a href="#P158">158</a>, <a href="#P159">159</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Portuguese, <a href="#P292">292</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Pozières, <a href="#P85">85</a>, <a href="#P86">86</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Premont, <a href="#P175">175</a>, <a href="#P176">176</a>, <a href="#P178">178</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Preseau, <a href="#P252">252</a>, <a href="#P272">272</a>, <a href="#P273">273</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Priez Farm, <a href="#P51">51</a>, <a href="#P59">59</a>, <a href="#P60">60</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Pronville, <a href="#P137">137</a>, <a href="#P146">146</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Prospect Hill, <a href="#P171">171</a>, <a href="#P172">172</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Puisieux, <a href="#P120">120</a>, <a href="#P122">122</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Pys, <a href="#P89">89</a>, <a href="#P124">124</a> -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="index"> -Quadrilateral, the, <a href="#P73">73</a>, <a href="#P74">74</a>, <a href="#P75">75</a>, <a href="#P76">76</a>, <a href="#P78">78</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Quéant, <a href="#P115">115</a>, <a href="#P116">116</a>, <a href="#P135">135</a>, <a href="#P136">136</a>, <a href="#P137">137</a>, <a href="#P146">146</a>, -<a href="#P264">264</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Quinnemont Farm, <a href="#P151">151</a>, <a href="#P154">154</a> -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="index"> -Raillencourt, <a href="#P258">258</a>, <a href="#P259">259</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Ramicourt, <a href="#P163">163</a>, <a href="#P165">165</a>, <a href="#P166">166</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Ramillies, <a href="#P226">226</a>, <a href="#P262">262</a>, <a href="#P263">263</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Ramsay, General, <a href="#P31">31</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Rancourt, <a href="#P59">59</a>, <a href="#P60">60</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Rawlinson, General Sir Henry, <a href="#P24">24</a>, -<a href="#P25">25</a>, <a href="#P34">34</a>, <a href="#P40">40</a>, <a href="#P41">41</a>, <a href="#P53">53</a>, <a href="#P59">59</a>, <a href="#P80">80</a>, <a href="#P82">82</a>, <a href="#P84">84</a>, -<a href="#P90">90</a>, <a href="#P94">94</a>, <a href="#P96">96</a>, <a href="#P107">107</a>, <a href="#P138">138</a>, <a href="#P148">148</a>, <a href="#P149">149</a>, -<a href="#P169">169</a>, <a href="#P223">223</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Read, General (U.S. Army), <a href="#P150">150</a>, <a href="#P184">184</a> -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="index"> -Regiments: -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -<br /> -<i>Artillery—</i> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Royal Field Artillery, <a href="#P10">10</a>, <a href="#P21">21</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Honourable Artillery Company, -<a href="#P294">294</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Trench Mortar, <a href="#P49">49</a>, <a href="#P60">60</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -<br /> -<i>Cavalry—</i> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -6th Dragoon Guards, <a href="#P91">91</a>, <a href="#P227">227</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -12th Lancers, <a href="#P198">198</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -16th Lancers, <a href="#P275">275</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -3rd Hussars, <a href="#P245">245</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -8th Hussars, <a href="#P89">89</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -20th Hussars, <a href="#P89">89</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Northumberland Hussars, <a href="#P33">33</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Oxford Hussars, <a href="#P226">226</a>, <a href="#P240">240</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Australian Light Horse, <a href="#P64">64</a>, <a href="#P275">275</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Canadian Light Horse, <a href="#P263">263</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -<br /> -<i>Guards—</i> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Coldstream, <a href="#P100">100</a>, <a href="#P104">104</a>, <a href="#P110">110</a>, <a href="#P111">111</a>, -<a href="#P212">212</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Grenadier, <a href="#P100">100</a>, <a href="#P104">104</a>, <a href="#P109">109</a>, <a href="#P110">110</a>, <a href="#P211">211</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Scots, <a href="#P100">100</a>, <a href="#P104">104</a>, <a href="#P107">107</a>, <a href="#P109">109</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Welsh, <a href="#P107">107</a>, <a href="#P109">109</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -<br /> -<i>Infantry—</i> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, -<a href="#P10">10</a>, <a href="#P11">11</a>, <a href="#P20">20</a>, <a href="#P142">142</a>, <a href="#P269">269</a>, -<a href="#P271">271</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Bedford, <a href="#P48">48</a>, <a href="#P51">51</a>, <a href="#P192">192</a>, <a href="#P196">196</a>, <a href="#P244">244</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Berkshire, <a href="#P49">49</a>, <a href="#P50">50</a>. <a href="#P51">51</a>, <a href="#P61">61</a>, <a href="#P62">62</a>, <a href="#P99">99</a>, -<a href="#P107">107</a>, <a href="#P193">193</a>, <a href="#P276">276</a>, <a href="#P277">277</a>, <a href="#P287">287</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Black Watch, <a href="#P10">10</a>, <a href="#P14">14</a>, <a href="#P15">15</a>, <a href="#P142">142</a>, -<a href="#P159">159</a>, <a href="#P196">196</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Border, <a href="#P94">94</a>, <a href="#P234">234</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Buffs (East Kent), <a href="#P39">39</a>, <a href="#P47">47</a>, <a href="#P193">193</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Cambridge, <a href="#P33">33</a>, <a href="#P62">62</a>, <a href="#P287">287</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Cameron Highlanders, <a href="#P16">16</a>, <a href="#P17">17</a>, <a href="#P73">73</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Cameronians (Scottish Rifles), <a href="#P16">16</a>, -<a href="#P215">215</a>, <a href="#P289">289</a>, <a href="#P291">291</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Cheshire, <a href="#P20">20</a>, <a href="#P244">244</a>, <a href="#P253">253</a>, <a href="#P254">254</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Connaught Rangers, <a href="#P177">177</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Devon, <a href="#P8">8</a>, <a href="#P119">119</a>, <a href="#P123">123</a>, <a href="#P245">245</a>, <a href="#P277">277</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Dorset, <a href="#P86">86</a>, <a href="#P93">93</a>, <a href="#P98">98</a>, <a href="#P201">201</a>, <a href="#P233">233</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Duke of Cornwall's, <a href="#P245">245</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Durham Light Infantry, <a href="#P8">8</a>, <a href="#P9">9</a>, <a href="#P87">87</a>, -<a href="#P97">97</a>, <a href="#P118">118</a>, <a href="#P177">177</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -East Surrey, <a href="#P47">47</a>, <a href="#P50">50</a>, <a href="#P59">59</a>, <a href="#P193">193</a>, <a href="#P244">244</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -East Yorkshire, <a href="#P87">87</a>, <a href="#P88">88</a>, <a href="#P97">97</a>, <a href="#P223">223</a>, -<a href="#P233">233</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Essex, <a href="#P48">48</a>, <a href="#P50">50</a>, <a href="#P62">62</a>, <a href="#P69">69</a>, <a href="#P192">192</a>, <a href="#P196">196</a>, -<a href="#P269">269</a>, <a href="#P270">270</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Gloucester, <a href="#P76">76</a>, <a href="#P77">77</a>, <a href="#P78">78</a>, <a href="#P159">159</a>, <a href="#P196">196</a>, -<a href="#P202">202</a>, <a href="#P203">203</a>, <a href="#P250">250</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Gordon Highlanders, <a href="#P10">10</a>, <a href="#P11">11</a>, <a href="#P12">12</a>, -<a href="#P14">14</a>, <a href="#P15">15</a>, <a href="#P17">17</a>, <a href="#P101">101</a>, <a href="#P102">102</a>, <a href="#P103">103</a>, <a href="#P112">112</a>, -<a href="#P113">113</a>, <a href="#P142">142</a>, <a href="#P225">225</a>, <a href="#P238">238</a>, <a href="#P271">271</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Hampshire, <a href="#P7">7</a>, <a href="#P118">118</a>, <a href="#P208">208</a>, <a href="#P272">272</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Hereford, <a href="#P20">20</a>, <a href="#P128">128</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Highland Light Infantry, <a href="#P105">105</a>, -<a href="#P106">106</a>, <a href="#P108">108</a>, <a href="#P215">215</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Inniskilling Fusiliers, <a href="#P171">171</a>, <a href="#P198">198</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -King's Liverpool, <a href="#P100">100</a>, <a href="#P104">104</a>, <a href="#P106">106</a>, -<a href="#P107">107</a>, <a href="#P113">113</a>, <a href="#P177">177</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -King's Own Royal Lancaster, <a href="#P101">101</a>, -<a href="#P103">103</a>, <a href="#P225">225</a>, <a href="#P239">239</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -King's Own Scottish Borderers, -<a href="#P16">16</a>, <a href="#P17">17</a>, <a href="#P134">134</a>, <a href="#P289">289</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -King's Royal Rifles, <a href="#P73">73</a>, <a href="#P74">74</a>, <a href="#P77">77</a>, -<a href="#P107">107</a>, <a href="#P172">172</a>, <a href="#P190">190</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Lancashire Fusiliers, <a href="#P201">201</a>, <a href="#P238">238</a>, -<a href="#P269">269</a>, <a href="#P270">270</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -<br /> -<i>Infantry—</i> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Leicester, <a href="#P156">156</a>, <a href="#P160">160</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Lincoln, <a href="#P94">94</a>, <a href="#P97">97</a>, <a href="#P160">160</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -London Rifle Brigade, <a href="#P131">131</a>, <a href="#P274">274</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -1st London, <a href="#P108">108</a>, <a href="#P131">131</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -2nd London, <a href="#P49">49</a>, <a href="#P131">131</a>, <a href="#P274">274</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -3rd London, <a href="#P49">49</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -4th London, <a href="#P49">49</a>, <a href="#P105">105</a>, <a href="#P133">133</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -6th London, <a href="#P38">38</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -10th London, <a href="#P32">32</a>, <a href="#P38">38</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -13th London (Kensingtons), <a href="#P105">105</a>, -<a href="#P133">133</a>, <a href="#P274">274</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -14th London (Scottish), <a href="#P105">105</a>, <a href="#P133">133</a>, -<a href="#P274">274</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -20th London, <a href="#P119">119</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -22nd London, <a href="#P46">46</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -23rd London, <a href="#P46">46</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -24th London, <a href="#P46">46</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -24th London (Queen's Westminsters), <a href="#P131">131</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Manchester, <a href="#P231">231</a>, <a href="#P235">235</a>, <a href="#P236">236</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Middlesex, <a href="#P108">108</a>, <a href="#P131">131</a>, <a href="#P258">258</a>, <a href="#P277">277</a>, <a href="#P278">278</a>, -<a href="#P279">279</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Munster Fusiliers, <a href="#P135">135</a>, <a href="#P136">136</a>, <a href="#P190">190</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Norfolk, <a href="#P62">62</a>, <a href="#P244">244</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Northampton, <a href="#P47">47</a>, <a href="#P51">51</a>, <a href="#P70">70</a>, <a href="#P76">76</a>, <a href="#P163">163</a>, -<a href="#P227">227</a>, <a href="#P254">254</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -North Lancashire, <a href="#P20">20</a>, <a href="#P73">73</a>, <a href="#P158">158</a>, <a href="#P159">159</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -North Staffordshire, <a href="#P159">159</a>, <a href="#P160">160</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Northumberland Fusiliers, <a href="#P100">100</a>, -<a href="#P102">102</a>, <a href="#P114">114</a>, <a href="#P172">172</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Oxford and Bucks, <a href="#P105">105</a>, <a href="#P106">106</a>, <a href="#P108">108</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Queen's (West Surrey), <a href="#P48">48</a>, <a href="#P59">59</a>, -<a href="#P193">193</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Rifle Brigade, <a href="#P224">224</a>, <a href="#P272">272</a>, <a href="#P279">279</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Royal Fusiliers, <a href="#P47">47</a>, <a href="#P48">48</a>, <a href="#P51">51</a>, <a href="#P67">67</a>, -<a href="#P70">70</a>, <a href="#P99">99</a>, <a href="#P100">100</a>, <a href="#P105">105</a>, <a href="#P108">108</a>, <a href="#P113">113</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Royal Irish, <a href="#P136">136</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Royal Scots, <a href="#P10">10</a>, <a href="#P12">12</a>, <a href="#P16">16</a>, <a href="#P17">17</a>, <a href="#P101">101</a>, -<a href="#P104">104</a>, <a href="#P115">115</a>, <a href="#P116">116</a>, <a href="#P120">120</a>, <a href="#P215">215</a>, <a href="#P239">239</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Royal Scots Fusiliers, <a href="#P101">101</a>, <a href="#P115">115</a>, -<a href="#P116">116</a>, <a href="#P120">120</a>, <a href="#P239">239</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Royal West Kent, <a href="#P40">40</a>, <a href="#P48">48</a>, <a href="#P50">50</a>, <a href="#P60">60</a>, -<a href="#P70">70</a>, <a href="#P192">192</a>, <a href="#P193">193</a>, <a href="#P196">196</a>, <a href="#P287">287</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Seaforth Highlanders, <a href="#P10">10</a>, <a href="#P12">12</a>, <a href="#P14">14</a>, -<a href="#P15">15</a>, <a href="#P17">17</a>, <a href="#P142">142</a>, <a href="#P273">273</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Sherwood Foresters, <a href="#P160">160</a>, <a href="#P174">174</a>, -<a href="#P177">177</a>, <a href="#P179">179</a>, <a href="#P185">185</a>, <a href="#P277">277</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Shropshire, <a href="#P101">101</a>, <a href="#P104">104</a>, <a href="#P115">115</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Somerset Light Infantry, <a href="#P268">268</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -South Staffordshire, <a href="#P106">106</a>, <a href="#P159">159</a>, <a href="#P160">160</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -South Wales Borderers, <a href="#P159">159</a>, <a href="#P202">202</a>, -<a href="#P203">203</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Suffolk, <a href="#P101">101</a>, <a href="#P103">103</a>, <a href="#P112">112</a>, <a href="#P116">116</a>, <a href="#P225">225</a>, -<a href="#P239">239</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Sussex, <a href="#P20">20</a>, <a href="#P62">62</a>, <a href="#P73">73</a>, <a href="#P74">74</a>, <a href="#P76">76</a>, <a href="#P203">203</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Warwick, <a href="#P196">196</a>, <a href="#P251">251</a>, <a href="#P252">252</a>, <a href="#P268">268</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Welsh, <a href="#P77">77</a>, <a href="#P84">84</a>, <a href="#P85">85</a>, <a href="#P202">202</a>, <a href="#P203">203</a>, <a href="#P242">242</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Welsh Fusiliers, <a href="#P294">294</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -West Riding, <a href="#P7">7</a>, <a href="#P8">8</a>, <a href="#P9">9</a>, <a href="#P93">93</a>, <a href="#P110">110</a>, <a href="#P118">118</a>, -<a href="#P232">232</a>, <a href="#P268">268</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -West Yorkshire, <a href="#P13">13</a>, <a href="#P93">93</a>, <a href="#P98">98</a>, <a href="#P212">212</a>, -<a href="#P234">234</a>, <a href="#P277">277</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Wiltshire, <a href="#P190">190</a>, <a href="#P251">251</a>, <a href="#P254">254</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Worcester, <a href="#P196">196</a>, <a href="#P252">252</a>, <a href="#P277">277</a>, <a href="#P279">279</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -York and Lancaster, <a href="#P7">7</a>, <a href="#P8">8</a>, <a href="#P118">118</a>, <a href="#P235">235</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Yorkshire, <a href="#P177">177</a>, <a href="#P288">288</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Yorkshire Light Infantry, <a href="#P7">7</a>, <a href="#P87">87</a>, -<a href="#P97">97</a>, <a href="#P118">118</a>, <a href="#P172">172</a>, <a href="#P198">198</a>, <a href="#P269">269</a>, <a href="#P273">273</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -———— -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Royal Engineers, <a href="#P21">21</a>, <a href="#P104">104</a>, <a href="#P160">160</a>, -<a href="#P201">201</a>, <a href="#P202">202</a>, <a href="#P245">245</a>, <a href="#P287">287</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Royal Naval Division, <a href="#P101">101</a>, <a href="#P102">102</a>, -<a href="#P121">121</a>, <a href="#P123">123</a>, <a href="#P124">124</a>, <a href="#P125">125</a>, <a href="#P135">135</a>, <a href="#P136">136</a>, -<a href="#P137">137</a>, <a href="#P145">145</a>, <a href="#P146">146</a>, <a href="#P214">214</a>, <a href="#P216">216</a>, <a href="#P217">217</a>, -<a href="#P218">218</a>, <a href="#P221">221</a>, <a href="#P222">222</a>, <a href="#P273">273</a>, <a href="#P275">275</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Tunnelling Companies, <a href="#P196">196</a>, <a href="#P278">278</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -<br /> -<i>Overseas Forces—</i> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Australians, <a href="#P6">6</a>, <a href="#P12">12</a>, <a href="#P25">25</a>, <a href="#P29">29</a>, <a href="#P30">30</a>, <a href="#P31">31</a>, -<a href="#P34">34</a>, <a href="#P36">36</a>, <a href="#P37">37</a>, <a href="#P38">38</a>, <a href="#P39">39</a>, <a href="#P40">40</a>, <a href="#P41">41</a>, <a href="#P42">42</a>, -<a href="#P44">44</a>, <a href="#P45">45</a>, <a href="#P46">46</a>, <a href="#P52">52</a>, <a href="#P53">53</a>, <a href="#P54">54</a>, <a href="#P55">55</a>, <a href="#P56">56</a>, -<a href="#P57">57</a>, <a href="#P58">58</a>, <a href="#P59">59</a>, <a href="#P61">61</a>, <a href="#P63">63</a>, <a href="#P64">64</a>, <a href="#P65">65</a>, <a href="#P67">67</a>, -<a href="#P71">71</a>, <a href="#P72">72</a>, <a href="#P73">73</a>, <a href="#P74">74</a>, <a href="#P79">79</a>, <a href="#P149">149</a>, <a href="#P150">150</a>, -<a href="#P152">152</a>, <a href="#P153">153</a>, <a href="#P154">154</a>, <a href="#P155">155</a>, <a href="#P156">156</a>, <a href="#P157">157</a>, -<a href="#P162">162</a>, <a href="#P164">164</a>, <a href="#P165">165</a>, <a href="#P166">166</a>, <a href="#P167">167</a>, <a href="#P168">168</a>, -<a href="#P169">169</a>, <a href="#P171">171</a>, <a href="#P172">172</a>, <a href="#P173">173</a>, <a href="#P174">174</a>, <a href="#P282">282</a>, -<a href="#P307">307-313</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Canadians, <a href="#P26">26</a>, <a href="#P27">27</a>, <a href="#P28">28</a>, <a href="#P29">29</a>, <a href="#P31">31</a>, <a href="#P34">34</a>, -<a href="#P35">35</a>, <a href="#P36">36</a>, <a href="#P41">41</a>, <a href="#P42">42</a>, <a href="#P107">107</a>, <a href="#P110">110</a>, <a href="#P111">111</a>, -<a href="#P116">116</a>, <a href="#P129">129</a>, <a href="#P130">130</a>, <a href="#P132">132</a>, <a href="#P134">134</a>, <a href="#P135">135</a>, -<a href="#P136">136</a>, <a href="#P138">138</a>, <a href="#P140">140</a>, <a href="#P141">141</a>, <a href="#P142">142</a>, <a href="#P143">143</a>, -<a href="#P144">144</a>, <a href="#P145">145</a>, <a href="#P146">146</a>, <a href="#P147">147</a>, <a href="#P148">148</a>, <a href="#P176">176</a>, -<a href="#P215">215</a>, <a href="#P216">216</a>, <a href="#P217">217</a>, <a href="#P227">227</a>, <a href="#P228">228</a>, <a href="#P256">256</a>, -<a href="#P257">257</a>, <a href="#P258">258</a>, <a href="#P259">259</a>, <a href="#P260">260</a>, <a href="#P261">261</a>, <a href="#P262">262</a>, -<a href="#P263">263</a>, <a href="#P264">264</a>, <a href="#P265">265</a>, <a href="#P266">266</a>, <a href="#P269">269</a>, <a href="#P271">271</a>, -<a href="#P276">276</a>, <a href="#P278">278</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -New Zealanders, <a href="#P6">6</a>, <a href="#P9">9</a>, <a href="#P83">83</a>, <a href="#P95">95</a>, <a href="#P122">122</a>, -<a href="#P123">123</a>, <a href="#P124">124</a>, <a href="#P125">125</a>, <a href="#P126">126</a>, <a href="#P127">127</a>, <a href="#P128">128</a>, -<a href="#P166">166</a>, <a href="#P209">209</a>, <a href="#P210">210</a>, <a href="#P213">213</a>, <a href="#P223">223</a>, <a href="#P224">224</a>, -<a href="#P226">226</a>, <a href="#P232">232</a>, <a href="#P238">238</a>, <a href="#P240">240</a>, <a href="#P242">242</a>, <a href="#P243">243</a>, -<a href="#P245">245</a>, <a href="#P248">248</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -South Africans, <a href="#P52">52</a>, <a href="#P170">170</a>, <a href="#P175">175</a>, <a href="#P188">188</a>, -<a href="#P189">189</a>, <a href="#P190">190</a> -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="index"> -Rheims, <a href="#P3">3</a>, <a href="#P4">4</a>, <a href="#P6">6</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Rhonelle River, <a href="#P252">252</a>, <a href="#P270">270</a>, <a href="#P271">271</a>, <a href="#P272">272</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Ribeauville, <a href="#P184">184</a>, <a href="#P187">187</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Ribecourt, <a href="#P211">211</a>, <a href="#P212">212</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Richemont River, <a href="#P192">192</a>, <a href="#P193">193</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Riencourt, <a href="#P126">126</a>, <a href="#P131">131</a>, <a href="#P132">132</a>, <a href="#P134">134</a>, <a href="#P136">136</a>, -<a href="#P145">145</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Riqueval, <a href="#P158">158</a>, <a href="#P159">159</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Ritchie, General, <a href="#P286">286</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Roberts, Colonel, <a href="#P279">279</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Robertson, General (17th Division), -<a href="#P82">82</a>, <a href="#P87">87</a>, <a href="#P93">93</a>, <a href="#P97">97</a>, <a href="#P231">231</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Robertson, General (5th Brigade), -<a href="#P57">57</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Robinson, General, <a href="#P196">196</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Robinson, Mr. Perry, correspondent -of <i>The Times</i>, quoted, <a href="#P146">146</a>, <a href="#P147">147</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Rollo, General, <a href="#P172">172</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Romeries, <a href="#P238">238</a>, <a href="#P251">251</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Ronssoy, <a href="#P66">66</a>, <a href="#P67">67</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Rosenthal, General, <a href="#P54">54</a>, <a href="#P58">58</a>, <a href="#P63">63</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Rosières, <a href="#P34">34</a>, <a href="#P35">35</a>, <a href="#P36">36</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Roulers, <a href="#P289">289</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Rumilly, <a href="#P213">213</a>, <a href="#P214">214</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Russell, General Sir A. H., <a href="#P209">209</a>, <a href="#P223">223</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Russia in revolution, <a href="#P22">22</a>, <a href="#P23">23</a>, <a href="#P304">304</a> -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="index"> -St. Benin, <a href="#P177">177</a>, <a href="#P179">179</a>, <a href="#P188">188</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -St. Christ, <a href="#P63">63</a>, <a href="#P64">64</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -St. Georges River, <a href="#P238">238</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -St. Leger, <a href="#P107">107</a>, <a href="#P109">109</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -St. Maurice River, <a href="#P184">184</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -St. Mihiel, American success at, -<a href="#P293">293</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -St. Pierre, <a href="#P186">186</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -St. Pierre Divion, <a href="#P83">83</a>, <a href="#P84">84</a>, <a href="#P85">85</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -St. Pierre Vaast Wood, <a href="#P61">61</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -St. Python, <a href="#P226">226</a>, <a href="#P235">235</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -St. Quentin Canal, <a href="#P54">54</a>, <a href="#P157">157</a>, <a href="#P158">158</a>, -<a href="#P159">159</a>, <a href="#P160">160</a>, <a href="#P162">162</a>, <a href="#P163">163</a>, <a href="#P164">164</a>, <a href="#P165">165</a>, -<a href="#P171">171</a>, <a href="#P172">172</a>, <a href="#P174">174</a>, <a href="#P175">175</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -St. Souplet, <a href="#P179">179</a>, <a href="#P182">182</a>, <a href="#P183">183</a>, <a href="#P187">187</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Sadleir-Jackson, General, <a href="#P48">48</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Sailly-Sallisel, <a href="#P60">60</a>, <a href="#P92">92</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Saint, Colonel, <a href="#P33">33</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Salonica, <a href="#P22">22</a>, <a href="#P295">295</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Sambre and Oise Canal, <a href="#P191">191</a>, <a href="#P194">194</a>, -<a href="#P195">195</a>, <a href="#P196">196</a>, <a href="#P199">199</a>, <a href="#P200">200</a>, <a href="#P201">201</a>, <a href="#P202">202</a>, -<a href="#P203">203</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Sambre River, <a href="#P197">197</a>, <a href="#P241">241</a>, <a href="#P245">245</a>, <a href="#P246">246</a>, -<a href="#P249">249</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Sanders, General, <a href="#P98">98</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Sapignies, <a href="#P105">105</a>, <a href="#P107">107</a>, <a href="#P108">108</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Sassegnies, <a href="#P195">195</a>, <a href="#P197">197</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Scarpe River, <a href="#P138">138</a>, <a href="#P139">139</a>, <a href="#P140">140</a>, <a href="#P143">143</a>, -<a href="#P258">258</a>, <a href="#P265">265</a>, <a href="#P276">276</a>, <a href="#P277">277</a>, <a href="#P278">278</a>, <a href="#P287">287</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Scheidemann, Herr, <a href="#P302">302</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Scheldt River, <a href="#P292">292</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Schwaben Redoubt, <a href="#P86">86</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Sedan, Americans in, <a href="#P293">293</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Selency, <a href="#P74">74</a>, <a href="#P76">76</a>, <a href="#P78">78</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Selle River, <a href="#P175">175</a>, <a href="#P176">176</a>, <a href="#P177">177</a>, <a href="#P179">179</a>, <a href="#P182">182</a>, -<a href="#P187">187</a>, <a href="#P191">191</a>, <a href="#P199">199</a>, <a href="#P223">223</a>, <a href="#P224">224</a>, <a href="#P226">226</a>, -<a href="#P227">227</a>, <a href="#P228">228</a>, <a href="#P229">229</a>, <a href="#P231">231</a>, <a href="#P250">250</a>, <a href="#P251">251</a>, -<a href="#P266">266</a>, <a href="#P267">267</a>, <a href="#P268">268</a>, <a href="#P270">270</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Sensée Canal, <a href="#P263">263</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Sensée River, <a href="#P105">105</a>, <a href="#P131">131</a>, <a href="#P144">144</a>, <a href="#P258">258</a>, -<a href="#P260">260</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Sequehart, <a href="#P162">162</a>, <a href="#P163">163</a>, <a href="#P165">165</a>, <a href="#P166">166</a>, <a href="#P168">168</a>, -<a href="#P171">171</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Serain, <a href="#P175">175</a>, <a href="#P176">176</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Serre, <a href="#P81">81</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Shute, General, <a href="#P80">80</a>, <a href="#P82">82</a>, <a href="#P84">84</a>, <a href="#P98">98</a>, <a href="#P173">173</a>, -<a href="#P208">208</a>, <a href="#P219">219</a>, <a href="#P230">230</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Skinner, General, <a href="#P284">284</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Smith, Colonel (Gordons), <a href="#P17">17</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Smith, Colonel (Seaforths), <a href="#P14">14</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Smith, Colonel Holroyd, <a href="#P87">87</a>, <a href="#P88">88</a>, <a href="#P97">97</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Smyth, General, <a href="#P29">29</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Soissons, captured by French, <a href="#P21">21</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Solesmes, <a href="#P226">226</a>, <a href="#P229">229</a>, <a href="#P234">234</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Solly-Flood, General, <a href="#P83">83</a>, <a href="#P122">122</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Someren, Colonel van, <a href="#P51">51</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Somme River, <a href="#P1">1</a>, <a href="#P25">25</a>, <a href="#P26">26</a>, <a href="#P30">30</a>, <a href="#P31">31</a>, <a href="#P32">32</a>, -<a href="#P34">34</a>, <a href="#P37">37</a>, <a href="#P38">38</a>, <a href="#P39">39</a>, <a href="#P40">40</a>, <a href="#P44">44</a>, <a href="#P45">45</a>, <a href="#P52">52</a>, -<a href="#P54">54</a>, <a href="#P60">60</a>, <a href="#P80">80</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Spicer, Captain, <a href="#P88">88</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Statton, Sergeant, <a href="#P38">38</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Stephens, General, <a href="#P283">283</a>, <a href="#P288">288</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Strickland, General, <a href="#P64">64</a>, <a href="#P72">72</a>, <a href="#P157">157</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Sugden, General, <a href="#P171">171</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Suthery, Captain, <a href="#P49">49</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Swindells, Colonel, <a href="#P20">20</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Syria, <a href="#P297">297</a> -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="index"> -Tadpole Copse, <a href="#P117">117</a>, <a href="#P137">137</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Tanner, General, <a href="#P188">188</a>, <a href="#P189">189</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Tara Hill, <a href="#P48">48</a>, <a href="#P82">82</a>, <a href="#P88">88</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Tarleton, Colonel, <a href="#P14">14</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Templeux, <a href="#P62">62</a>, <a href="#P67">67</a>, <a href="#P72">72</a>, <a href="#P308">308</a>, <a href="#P312">312</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Thiepval, <a href="#P82">82</a>, <a href="#P84">84</a>, <a href="#P85">85</a>, <a href="#P86">86</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Thilloy, <a href="#P125">125</a>, <a href="#P126">126</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Thomas, Colonel, <a href="#P93">93</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Thomson, General, <a href="#P14">14</a>, <a href="#P18">18</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Thorpe, Colonel, <a href="#P194">194</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Thure River, <a href="#P247">247</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Tigris River, <a href="#P296">296</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Tortille River, <a href="#P61">61</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Tourcoing, <a href="#P290">290</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Trento captured, <a href="#P295">295</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Trescault, <a href="#P96">96</a>, <a href="#P118">118</a>, <a href="#P119">119</a>, <a href="#P127">127</a>, <a href="#P128">128</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Trieste, surrendered to Italy, <a href="#P295">295</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Trinquis River, <a href="#P147">147</a>, <a href="#P258">258</a>, <a href="#P265">265</a>, <a href="#P278">278</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Trones Wood, <a href="#P50">50</a>, <a href="#P90">90</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Tudor, General, <a href="#P284">284</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Turkey, collapse of, <a href="#P296">296</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Turner, Colonel, <a href="#P17">17</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Tweedie, Colonel, <a href="#P78">78</a> -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="index"> -Usna Hill, <a href="#P48">48</a>, <a href="#P84">84</a>, <a href="#P85">85</a> -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="index"> -Valenciennes, <a href="#P269">269</a>, <a href="#P270">270</a>, <a href="#P271">271</a>, <a href="#P272">272</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Vandhuile, <a href="#P66">66</a>, <a href="#P149">149</a>, <a href="#P150">150</a>, <a href="#P151">151</a>, <a href="#P163">163</a>, -<a href="#P164">164</a>, <a href="#P171">171</a>, <a href="#P172">172</a>, <a href="#P219">219</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Vaulx-Vraucourt, <a href="#P110">110</a>, <a href="#P112">112</a>, <a href="#P113">113</a>, <a href="#P126">126</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Vaux Andigny, <a href="#P179">179</a>, <a href="#P181">181</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Vaux Wood, <a href="#P52">52</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Vendegies, <a href="#P237">237</a>, <a href="#P240">240</a>, <a href="#P252">252</a>, <a href="#P268">268</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Venizelos, M., <a href="#P22">22</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Vesle River, <a href="#P21">21</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Vickery, Colonel, <a href="#P117">117</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Vieux Berquin, <a href="#P282">282</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Villers-Bretonneux, <a href="#P29">29</a>, <a href="#P169">169</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Villers-Cotterets, <a href="#P3">3</a>, <a href="#P4">4</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Villers-Guislain, <a href="#P208">208</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Villera-Outreaux, <a href="#P175">175</a>, <a href="#P176">176</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Villers St. Ghislain, <a href="#P275">275</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Vincent, General, <a href="#P33">33</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Vitry, <a href="#P277">277</a>, <a href="#P278">278</a> -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="index"> -Walsh, Colonel, <a href="#P97">97</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Walthall, General, <a href="#P21">21</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Wambaix, <a href="#P221">221</a>, <a href="#P225">225</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Wargnies, <a href="#P243">243</a>, <a href="#P254">254</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Warlencourt, <a href="#P89">89</a>, <a href="#P124">124</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Watson, General, <a href="#P28">28</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Watts, General Sir H., <a href="#P283">283</a>, <a href="#P284">284</a>, -<a href="#P288">288</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Weeks, Captain, <a href="#P20">20</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Wemyss, Admiral Sir Rosslyn, -<a href="#P301">301</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Whigham, General, <a href="#P98">98</a>, <a href="#P212">212</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Wiancourt, <a href="#P165">165</a>, <a href="#P167">167</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Wilkinson, Private, V.C., <a href="#P235">235</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Williams, General (37th Division), -<a href="#P83">83</a>, <a href="#P121">121</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Williams, General (102nd Brigade), -<a href="#P18">18</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Wilson, President, <a href="#P279">279</a>, <a href="#P300">300</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Wisdom, General, <a href="#P167">167</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Wood, General, <a href="#P67">67</a>, <a href="#P192">192</a>, <a href="#P193">193</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Woodcock, General, <a href="#P18">18</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Wytschaete, <a href="#P285">285</a> -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="index"> -Young, Lieutenant, V.C., <a href="#P128">128</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Ypres, <a href="#P281">281</a>, <a href="#P283">283</a> -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="index"> -Zandvoorde, <a href="#P284">284</a>, <a href="#P285">285</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Zonnebeke, <a href="#P284">284</a> -</p> - -<p><br /><br /></p> - -<p class="t3"> -THE END -</p> - -<p><br /><br /></p> - -<p class="t4"> -<i>Printed in Great Britain by</i> R. & R. CLARK, LIMITED, <i>Edinburgh</i>. -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<div style='display:block; margin-top:4em'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BRITISH CAMPAIGN IN FRANCE AND FLANDERS--JULY TO NOVEMBER 1918 ***</div> -<div style='text-align:left'> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Updated editions will replace the previous one—the old editions will -be renamed. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part -of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project -Gutenberg™ electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG™ -concept and trademark. 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