THE LAST FIGHT
_October 4th, 1918._ _November 11th, 1918._
Such impromptu cleaning up as was possible, was carried out during
what remained of October 4th, and we felt much better. We also carried
out a certain amount of reorganisation of Companies, which were now
thinning rather more rapidly than we cared for, but the opportune
arrival of 85 reinforcements at this moment, helped us considerably.
The enemy caused a certain amount of annoyance, and a few casualties,
by every now and then firing in our direction with a high-velocity
gun, and at night dropped a few bombs uncomfortably near, so that it
was not quite as peaceful as we should have liked.
The next morning we were rather disturbed at hearing that there was
more work to be done. The 32nd Division on our right had suffered
heavy casualties in trying to get hold of Sequehart, and the 139th
Brigade was now detailed to relieve some of their exhausted troops. At
this moment our Brigade was attached to the 6th Division. Rapid
reconnaissance was made during the day, and at night we relieved the
97th Brigade. So heavy had their casualties been that our three
Companies for the front line and support each relieved a Battalion.
These were Dorsets, Highland Light Infantry and Royal Scots.
The line taken over ran through the village of Sequehart, and was the
extreme right of the British front, next to the French. C Company were
on the right, D on the left, astride the cross roads, with B in
support and A in reserve. C Company had the unusual privilege of
forming an "International Post" with the French, and Corpl. Simpson,
who spoke the language, was put in charge of our part of the garrison.
We cannot say that after our visits to the French Headquarters, we
felt we quite knew where their front line was, but possibly it was our
fault. When they suggested "we are here," we certainly thought they
were somewhere else, but we managed very well, and materially assisted
them in an attack on the 7th, by conforming to their movements and
giving them flank support, and their Commanding Officer expressed his
grateful thanks for our help.
We have before spoken of "Bloody Ypres." The Officer Commanding D
Company is reported to have applied the superlative of the same
expressive word to this sector, but then he had cause for doing so,
for during the two days the Battalion held it, his Company
Headquarters got five direct hits. Perhaps under such circumstances,
he was slightly embittered! During the time we were there, the enemy
hardly ceased to shell the village--not desultory shelling, but
veritable barrages from end to end. It had already changed hands three
times, and we wondered if they were going to try and turn us out!
Signs of fierce struggles were on every hand. In the streets and all
around lay bodies still unburied, both of our own and the enemy's. It
was a ghastly place to be in. Signallers and linesmen had a
particularly rough time, and lines were down almost continuously.
October 6th, was a particularly bad day, as we lost Col. Dempster and
the Second-in-Command (Capt. C. P. Elliott), both wounded. They had
gone to see how things were going on in the forward area, and on
returning to Headquarters, which was in a dug-out behind Levergies,
they were unfortunate enough to be in the neighbourhood of a dump of
shells by the roadside at the same moment as a Hun gunner dropped a
shell right on the dump. The result was that both these Officers began
to soar skywards, as if off for their "harp and wings divine," but
eventually found themselves on mother earth once more, the Commanding
Officer badly shaken and cut about the face, the strap of his tin hat
broken by the force of the explosion, and Pynsent Elliott finding that
for some little time he would have to take his meals off the
mantelpiece! The Commanding Officer was anxious to be allowed to
remain with us, but eventually was persuaded otherwise, and they both
left for the Dressing Station, and Major V. O. Robinson, M.C., of the
6th Battalion, was sent to take over temporary command.
The following night we were relieved by the Monmouths, who had orders
to clear out the Boche from some machine gun nests on the
Sequehart-Mericourt Road the next morning, in conjunction with an
attack by the 6th Division on the left, and French on the right.
Relief was complete about midnight, and we marched back to Lehaucourt,
where we spent the following day. On October 9th, Col. Dempster
returned, though not looking at all well. Major Robinson remained with
us as Second-in-Command, as Major Andrews had left a few days
previously, to attend the Senior Officers' Course at Aldershot. A day
or two later Capt. Miners was appointed Adjutant, and was succeeded in
command of C Company by 2nd Lieut. Druce.
Things were now moving rapidly. Although the gallant attack by the
Monmouths had been repulsed with heavy casualties, their action had
enabled the 6th Division to get on, and eventually surround the enemy
and capture the lot. The enemy then withdrew more quickly, closely
followed by the 138th Brigade, who led the pursuit. On October 9th, we
moved to Levergies, and the next day to Mericourt, where we went into
bivouacs. This village was just on the West of Fresnoy-le-Grand,
which was entered by the 138th Brigade the same morning.
We now took a little more interest in life. Everyone was feeling
better for the rest, and found the rapid movement quite entertaining,
especially as we were now approaching civilisation again. Fresnoy was
the first town of any size that we reached; though showing distinct
signs of shelling here and there, it was not badly damaged. It was
interesting to see the Boche "War Savings Campaign" posters, and
probably the most interesting specimen, painted all over the gable end
of a house, represented "John Bull" on his Island, tearing his hair in
a perfect frenzy, with "U" Boats all around him! Here, too, there were
many inhabitants, who were of course delighted to see us. Much of the
land was under cultivation, and we had really come to the end of that
desolate region which was so distasteful to us all.
On October 12th, we moved a further step forward, and that afternoon
reached Jonnecourt Farm, between Fresnoy and Bohain. Just before
leaving we had all welcomed back Col. Currin, more or less recovered
from his wound, and with his arrival Col. Dempster left us. Jonnecourt
Farm was somewhat damaged, and said to be mined, so we put up our
bivouacs and tents in the open just by it. The farm had been captured
only a few days before by our Cavalry, and we had the uncongenial task
of burying the bodies of those who had been killed in the attack. We
now had a few days peace, and were able to refit, bath at the old
German baths in Fresnoy, which were excellently fitted up, and
reorganise our diminished forces. A pleasing little ceremony was
performed here, when the "Congratulatory Cards" from the Divisional
Commander for the N.C.O.'s and men, who had been recommended for good
work during the recent fighting, were presented to them by the
Commanding Officer at a Battalion Parade, ending up with the
Battalion marching past the recipients whilst the band played the
Regimental March.
We were not left here for long, there being more "dirty work" to be
done yet. The 138th Brigade had been joined by the 137th Brigade, and
together they were now held up about the Bois-de-Riquerval, East of
Bohain, where some tough fighting had been going on, the enemy
rear-guard making a stout defence, so as to give his main body time to
get away. With the object, therefore, of clearing the whole of this
front and pushing the enemy back to the Sambre-Oise Canal, a general
attack was arranged to take place on October 17th, by the IX Corps in
conjunction with the French on the right, and the Americans on the
left, the 46th Division being ordered to clear the enemy from the
Bois-de-Riquerval and the Andigny-les-Fermes Ridge.
On October 16th, we received orders for the attack, which was to take
place early the following morning. The 138th Brigade were to attack on
the left of the 139th Brigade whilst the 137th Brigade were to hold
their present line on the right. The attack of the 139th Brigade was
to be on a one Battalion front, and we were selected to carry out the
attack, with two Companies of the 5th Battalion in close support, the
remainder of the Brigade being in reserve. The objective (The "Blue
Line") was the line of the Andigny-les-Fermes-Bohain Road, the
consolidation of which was to include two strong points, one being the
hamlet of Regnicourt. Royal Engineers were allotted to us to help in
the consolidation, and posts were to be pushed forward South of this
road. The two Companies of the 5th Battalion had two tasks allotted.
One was to move through our right Company, after the objective had
been captured, occupy a small length of trench there, and seize a
small wood, so as to protect our right from possible counter-attack
from Hennechies Wood. The other was to follow our centre Company, mop
up any enemy left in the elements of trenches in that Company's area,
and help to mop up Regnicourt itself.
Tanks were to assist in the operation, one moving down our right
boundary, and helping to mop up the trenches on the extreme right, and
two others working along the high ground on the left, and assisting if
required in the capture of Regnicourt, proceeding thence to help the
138th Brigade at Andigny-les-Fermes.
A glance at the map will show that the attack was at right angles to
the general line of our advance, which was North East. It was
therefore impossible for our guns to fire the normal barrage, and the
attack had to be carried out under an enfilade barrage, working
forward on the leap-frog principle. This was difficult to lay
correctly, and the greatest care had to be taken that troops forming
up were well clear of it. After three minutes on the opening line it
was to advance at the rate of 100 yards every three minutes. One round
of smoke shell was to be fired at each lift, which obviously would not
be so easy to identify as in the case of an overhead barrage. A smoke
curtain was also to be fired on the Northern edge of the Forêt
d'Andigny. The Life Guards Machine Gun Battalion were to help with
their barrage, also a Company of the 6th Machine Gun Battalion. Three
sections of our own Machine Gun Battalion were allotted to us, to be
used mainly in defence against possible counter-attacks, and a section
from the 139th Trench Mortar Battery, to assist in the capture of
Regnicourt.
In order to help matters on our front a "Chinese" or "Dummy" attack
was arranged to take place on the front of the 137th Brigade on the
right. Dummy Tanks and figures were to be placed in position
during the night, so as to appear at dawn as if attacking the
Bois-de-Riquerval from the West, whilst a rolling barrage was
arranged to move through the wood in order to give a further idea of
an attack being in progress there, and, it was hoped, bring down some
of the enemy's barrage in that quarter.
During the afternoon of October 16th, a reconnaissance was made by the
Commanding Officer, Second-in-Command, and Company Commanders. During
this operation, which was interrupted by a fierce bombardment of our
lines, an old lady could be seen quietly moving her household effects
on a wheelbarrow down that portion of the Vaux-Andigny Road running
between our lines and the enemy's.
Leaving our surplus stores, bivouacs and other paraphernalia at
Jonnecourt Farm, we moved off about 10.30 p.m., Col. Currin having
previously harangued us in no uncertain way, and in a manner truly
characteristic. On reaching the outskirts of Bohain, we turned off to
the right and proceeded by a track previously taped out by the Royal
Engineers, so as to relieve the roads of traffic, and avoid going
through the town. On reaching the quarry East of Bohain, just off the
Bohain-Vaux-Andigny Road, we halted, and had an excellent issue of hot
porridge, tea and rum--our cookers having gone up to that point
beforehand. Pack mules and limbers with ammunition and other stores,
were a little further behind, but near enough to be got forward
quickly if required during the battle. On this occasion the ammunition
supply was well arranged, thanks to the good work of "Bedder" and
"Tommy" Tomlinson, who got pack mules forward in the attack with Lewis
gun "drums" just at the right moment, to the accompaniment of some
very expressive language on the part of the Transport men.
We moved on again between 2 and 3 a.m., and without difficulty reached
and formed up on our jumping-off line, which had been previously
taped out by the Brigade Major, Capt. Grinling, about 70 yards South
of the Bohain-Vaux-Andigny Road. We had three Companies in the front
line, A (Toyne, in the absence of Thomas on leave) on the right; B
(Geary) in the centre; and C (Druce) on the left; whilst D (Warner),
in support behind C Company, was in the vicinity of Vallée Hasard
Farm. Battalion Headquarters and the Regimental Aid Post were at a
house near the road. A and B Companies each had attached half a
section of Royal Engineers from the 465th Field Company. Two Companies
of the 5th Battalion were in rear, and the rest of that Battalion were
more or less dug in under the woods on our right. The 6th Battalion
were in reserve North-West of the road. All troops were in position by
3.45 a.m. on October 17th. Our actual forming up line was in the area
of the 6th Division, who had been holding the front we were attacking;
they withdrew from this line some time before "zero" so as to give us
a free course.
The frontage allotted to us was about 1,200 yards, each of the leading
Companies thus having approximately 400 yards. This was a long space
to cover, especially now that our numbers were so diminished that we
had been forced to reduce platoons to three sections instead of four.
Each of the leading Companies had three platoons in the front line,
with sections in blobs, and one platoon in support, whilst D Company
was formed in a rectangle with a platoon at each corner, and Company
Headquarters in the centre, the three sections of each platoon being
arranged in a kind of arrowhead.
Zero was 5.20 a.m. The barrage came down punctually, and we started
forward to our last attack. There was a certain amount of mist which
developed into a dense fog, and was doubtless intensified by our own
smoke shells. A troop of our Cavalry in the vicinity of the
Vaux-Andigny road put their gas masks on, and were last seen moving
along the road in that "get-up."
It is pretty safe to say that everyone was lost almost immediately,
and as a consequence we wandered out of our course, a fact which was
destined to give us much trouble. It was also impossible to judge the
lifts of the barrage, so that there was great confusion, and things
for a long while did not go at all well. On this occasion, too,
compasses do not appear to have proved of great avail. C Company on
the left kept going for some time alright, and got possession of some
high ground after overcoming, under the excellent leadership of 2nd
Lieut. Druce, some opposition from machine gun nests, though some of
these were missed owing to the fog. Then they wandered off in an
Easterly direction and got on to the 138th Brigade area on our left,
and later, when the fog cleared, they found themselves nearly at
Andigny-les-Fermes. B Company in the centre went on until they were
held up by unbroken wire, and heavy machine gun fire from the
Regnicourt Ridge, and from a clearing in the centre of the Battalion
area. Their Commander, Capt. Geary, was killed by machine gun fire
after leading his men with the greatest bravery. On many previous
occasions he had done excellent work, and his loss was most keenly
felt. A Company on the right soon lost touch with B, but got on until
they reached a position near the railway track, in spite of having had
a very nasty time and many casualties from the machine guns in the
same clearing.
D Company lost touch with everyone at first, and got completely split
up. Company Headquarters were lucky enough to run into a Boche machine
gun post, which they cleared with much skill, capturing 11 men, and
putting the two guns out of action. Then they decided to try and find
Battalion Headquarters, as they concluded they must have got too far
forward. By a somewhat circuitous route they eventually succeeded in
doing so, and found that Col. Currin had also had difficulty in
getting to his advanced Headquarters, which was no more than a "Map
Reference." Of the rest of D Company, three platoons got across to the
right of our front and did good work there, particularly 2nd Lieut.
Newton and his platoon, who were of great assistance to A Company. A
great feat was performed by some members of the other platoon of D
Company, who had kept their direction on the left towards Regnicourt.
Having run up against a couple of machine guns, Sergt. Robinson and
L.-Corpl. Harper went forward to reconnoitre the position, and finding
it strongly held, went back for the rest of the platoon. With a
combination of "fire and movement" they succeeded in getting round the
flank of the post and rushing it. L.-Corpl. Harper, who stood up when
only a few yards from the post in order to be able to aim more
accurately, was shot through the head, and L.-Corpl. Coombes at once
rushed forward, shot six Germans with his revolver, and finished off
the last man who was trying to run away with his Lewis gun.
When news of all these happenings duly reached him by runners,
stragglers and other means. Col. Currin collected all the oddments who
had wandered to his Headquarters, and sent them forward under Major
Robinson to push the enemy out of the clearing between B and C
Companies. The fog had to a certain extent cleared by this time, but
it was still not easy to keep direction. Very soon, however, it lifted
altogether, and the party found itself on the Western edge of the
clearing and fired at by the enemy both from the clearing and from the
ridge towards their right front, from which the enemy were also
firing into the rear of B Company, who had gone past them.
The party now advanced by bounds, and was throughout most gallantly
led by Major Robinson, who went out absolutely unarmed, but later
managed to get a Boche pistol lent him, which he very soon lost.
Knowing him as we do we are not surprised that such a small matter did
not worry him in the least! Eventually they got possession of a trench
on the ridge, which afforded them a certain amount of cover. The
garrison of this trench, about 10 men with a machine gun, were very
fortunate in receiving quarter, as they fired on our advancing line up
to the last minute, and then threw up their hands. Most of the trouble
now came from machine guns about half right, and it was determined to
round them up. At this point Sergt. Winson, of C Company, did most
excellent work. Regardless of all risk he kept his Lewis gun trained
on the enemy, whilst a party worked round their right flank, first by
crawling over to a small clearing, and then rushing the post from
there. This manoeuvre was entirely successful, six machine guns, and
about 40 prisoners being captured.
At the same time that part of C Company, which had wandered away to
the left, turned back and moved towards the high ground East of
Regnicourt. The enemy in the clearing now realised that they were more
or less surrounded, and after little more resistance surrendered, 27
machine guns and 140 prisoners being taken from this small area. A
Company of the 5th Battalion under our old Regimental Quarter-Master
Sergt., now Capt. Dench, arrived shortly afterwards and took up a
position in the clearing as a reserve.
A Company on the right had fared very badly, having met with heavy
machine gun and rifle fire and suffered many casualties, including
their commander. Lieut. Toyne, who was wounded, and 2nd Lieut.
Jacques, killed, leaving the Company under the command of 2nd Lieut.
Shackleton. Eventually, owing to their exposed position they had to
retire slightly, but later were reinforced by two Companies from the
5th Battalion, and together they were able, after some very stiff
fighting, to dislodge the enemy and get their objective. Lieut. Thomas
of the 465th Field Company, Royal Engineers, did some very gallant
work here in reorganising parties and leading them forward in attempts
to get on, and the greatest praise is due to him for his splendid
efforts.
Major Robinson's party, after getting the Ridge, pushed on to
Regnicourt Village, where they found some of the Leicesters, who had
wandered on to our front. Just beyond, one of our Tanks had broken
down, and had a very rough time before its crew could be rescued. It
was now about 10.15 a.m. Capt. Warner was put in charge of the front
line with orders to consolidate, and he accordingly reorganised the
odd parties of men he found under his command, and began to establish
strong points South of the Andigny-les-Fermes-Bohain Road. Some
trouble was caused at this time by a German field gun inside
Hennechies Wood, which was firing on these parties at point blank
range. Once its position was located, however, it was not long before
our Gunners forced it to withdraw, and the posts were eventually
established.
About 11 a.m. the enemy were seen massing for a counter-attack about
1,500 yards away on our right front, but we got the guns of the whole
"group" turned on to the area in a very short time, and the Boches
were completely broken, only a half-hearted attempt being made, and
only one man reaching our lines.
By noon the enemy in the Forêt d'Andigny must have begun to feel that
with the 138th Brigade--who had now captured the village of
Andigny-les-Fermes--on their right flank, and the 137th Brigade and
ourselves on their left, it was time they were moving, for a patrol
which we pushed out towards the wood found it occupied only by a few
odd machine guns. Major Robinson himself took charge of this patrol,
which consisted of a platoon of B Company, under Comp. Sergt.-Major
Cobb. On one or two occasions, owing to their small numbers they had
to creep round to avoid these machine guns, but they escaped without
accident, and after proceeding a distance of something like 2,000
yards in a South-Eastern direction, they eventually found a French
post about 100 yards South of "Forester's House." The "poilus" were
delighted to see them, and shewed their appreciation by giving our men
the whole of the contents of their water bottles.
About 5 p.m., Companies having been to some extent reorganised, an
outpost line was formed running due North and South from Hennechies
Wood, East of Regnicourt, and joining up on the left with the 138th
Brigade. Later on, the 137th Brigade moved up a Battalion through the
wood to fill the gap between our right flank and the French.
[Illustration: MAP TO ILLUSTRATE THE BATTLE OF REGNICOURT.]
During the attack we captured something like 220 prisoners, and nearly
100 machine guns, besides inflicting many other casualties. Our own
losses, too, were heavy--the heaviest in Officers that we had
experienced in the recent fighting. Besides Geary, we lost 2nd Lieuts.
Plant and Jacques killed, and Lieuts. Toyne and Whitelegge, and 2nd
Lieut. John H. Smith wounded, whilst in other ranks we lost 25 killed
or died of wounds, and 54 wounded, including Sergts. Oldham, Sharrock
and Wicks. Deeds of gallantry were conspicuous on all sides, and
especially good work was done by several N.C.O.'s in charge of
platoons. Amongst the following, who did particularly well and have
not already been mentioned in connection with the Battle of
Regnicourt, are several who had previously displayed conspicuous
courage in other recent battles: Sergts. Shepperson, Sharrock, Wallis,
Scrimshaw, and H. Wilson; Corpls. Watson and Francis; L.-Corpls.
Slater, Creamer (killed), Robinson and Beech, and Pvtes. Wesley,
Houghton, Martin, Draper, Jackson, Berresford, C. Smith, Vipond, Lees,
Turpin and Roe.
In a way it was an unsatisfactory day, and we feel we have hardly had
our deserts for the gallant work done by all ranks against an enemy
holding in much greater strength much more strongly fortified
positions than had been anticipated. The fighting was extremely hard,
if anything harder than at Ramicourt, and the greatest possible credit
is due to all for the gallant way they fought, and the great dash and
determination they displayed to get their objective. Regnicourt is apt
to be looked on as a small matter, but for the 8th Battalion it was
one of the most strenuously fought battles of the war.
About midnight, we were relieved by the 6th Battalion, and rested for
the night just behind Regnicourt. The following day, as the Brigade
had been squeezed out of the line altogether by the further retirement
of the enemy, we were able to withdraw, and in the evening marched
back to Fresnoy. We were met on the road by our Drums, under the
leadership of Corpl. (shortly to become Sergt.-Drummer) Coupe, who had
got them to a wonderful state of perfection. They cheered everyone up,
and considerably helped the last part of the march. We were glad to
see General Harington waiting for us just before reaching the village,
and his brief "Well done, Sherwoods" as we passed, was the fullest
appreciation of our efforts that we could wish for.
We now had several days complete rest, and were fortunate in getting,
almost at once, a draft of 120 reinforcements, mostly men of the
Northumberland Hussars, who had not previously seen service abroad.
They were a good lot, and with their addition we felt more like
ourselves once more; in fact our paper strength now totalled 34
Officers, and 745 other ranks. We had quite a pleasant time doing a
little training, as well as reorganising and cleaning, and devoting
the afternoons to football.
The fighting moving further off each day, we had to move forward on
October 29th to Bohain. This was carried out as a Brigade march, and
we entered Bohain with bands playing, and the civilian population in
the streets to welcome us. The town had been knocked about very
little, and the billets were extremely comfortable. Our training here
included a route march across the scene of our recent fighting, in
order to imbue the newly arrived with a sense of the honour they
should realise had been done them in posting them to such a fine
Battalion!
A great drawback to our advance all this time was the business-like
way in which the Boche had mined the roads and blown up railways.
Every railway and river bridge had been systematically blown up, and
mines had been put at every cross roads, and usually in the deep
cuttings and high embankments, so as to give the maximum of trouble in
filling and getting past. In many cases, these mines had actually been
blown and all we found were huge craters. In a few cases delay-action
mines had been laid, which did not explode for some little time. All
this gave our Sappers much work to do in reconnoitring road crossings,
and other points for signs of mining where they were not blown, or in
arranging for temporary roadways to be constructed, or craters to be
filled in where they had been exploded. But on a larger scale the
enemy's very clever system of working his delay-action mines on the
railways, was the biggest nuisance we had to contend with. The
railway having been repaired well forward, a mine would suddenly go up
miles behind, thus preventing trains getting on to the appointed
railhead, and so causing endless worry to the authorities who had to
arrange for our supplies coming up. To them this disorganisation must
have been extremely disconcerting, and it went on altogether for
nearly a month. The mines were so cunningly concealed that it was
impossible to locate them. In spite of everything supplies reached us
in some marvellous way without a hitch.
On November 3rd, in order to support the 1st and 32nd Divisions, who
were to attack the line of the Sambre-Oise Canal on the following day,
and to exploit the success if they broke through, we moved to the
little village of Escaufort. It was a heavy march, the roads were bad,
and we arrived late in the evening soaked through to spend a dreary
night in poor billets, many of which had suffered during the
bombardment of the last few days, and in bivouacs. Early the following
morning we pushed on to St. Souplet, where we prepared to stay for the
night in a few old barns. Later in the day, however, news was brought
that the attack had been successful, and we moved on to Catillon, on
the Canal. Transport, Quarter-Master's Stores and Battle Details moved
to Mazinghien. The same night we got orders that we were to pass
through the 1st Division and 138th Brigade, and take up the pursuit,
the following day.
We had been informed that owing to the "blowing" of the bridge over
the Canal at Catillon, we should have to make a détour of several
miles with cookers and Lewis gun limbers to get across by a pontoon
bridge, in order to arrive at our point of assembly on the Catillon-La
Groise Road, which was only about 1,000 yards away! We determined to
see if we could not find some other means of doing this, and thanks
to a reconnaissance by Major Robinson, we found that it was possible
for Infantry to cross the Canal over débris from the blown up bridge,
though the Transport would have to go round. This was a great boon, as
it enabled us to get breakfast before starting considerably later than
would otherwise have been necessary. Capt. A. Bedford arrived with the
rations about 3.0 a.m., we had breakfast at six, and at eight moved
off, being across the Canal, and in our proper position by 8.30.
Limbers and cookers joined us about nine, A Company's cooker having
fallen overboard in crossing the pontoon bridge but having been
extricated without damage. We were the only Battalion in the Brigade
that day to start out with a full stomach and our day's rations with
us!
Late in the afternoon we moved into poor billets in the village of
Mezières, where we stayed the night, and were joined by Transport,
Stores and Battle Details. Bedford worked uncommonly well, as did also
the Quarter-Master's Branch, in getting up rations, which they had to
man-handle over the canal crossing--still impossible for traffic--and
reload into our transport limbers. For all their efforts we were duly
thankful.
On November 6th, the 5th Battalion were to attack as the 6th had been
held up just West of Prisches, and we were to move up in support. The
method adopted was for the attacking troops to pass round the village,
whilst the support Battalion, pushing one Company on the road as an
advanced guard, moved by platoons at about 50 yards interval. This was
now true open warfare, and there was no organised line of defence. The
day's objectives were Prisches and Cartignies. After an early start we
continued our march towards Prisches, the attacking troops meeting
with little opposition, and our advanced guard, A Company, were
quickly in after them. The enemy had gone and we had got possession by
10.30 a.m.
We shall never forget the reception by the inhabitants of Prisches! We
were the first of the relieving troops they had seen, and their
feelings at being thus released after four years of oppression and
slavery at the hands of the Hun, found expression in many
demonstrations of joy and gratitude. Civilians of all ages came out to
greet us. Their national flags--Heaven only knows where they came from
or how they were concealed from the enemy--were displayed on all
sides, and even before the enemy were clear of the village the
Tricolour was floating from the Church Tower! It was truly a wonderful
sight, and a day never to be forgotten. We were surrounded by offers
of coffee and fruit, cider and cognac, plentifully mingled with the
tears and kisses of the grateful inhabitants. Indeed, so insistent
were they that progress became difficult. We eventually, however,
managed to establish Battalion Headquarters in a farmhouse at the East
end of the village, where we again had a great reception, and stayed
for some refreshment during a temporary hold-up of the advanced
troops.
The attacking troops were to push on through the next village,
Cartignies, and establish an outpost line on the other side of it. So
rapid was the retreat, and so certain were we of success, that whilst
at Prisches we despatched Bradish and a party of N.C.O.'s to get our
billets there for the night! In the afternoon we were able to push on
with the rest of the Battalion, B Company forming the advanced guard.
On arriving at Cartignies we were met by Bradish, who informed us that
he had made arrangements for billeting us, but that half the village
was still in the hands of the enemy, who were firing on the 5th
Battalion with machine guns. The Commanding Officer whilst
reconnoitring near the Church, soon discovered this for himself, so
withdrew diplomatically, deciding that it was not "our war" just
then. Accordingly we got into our billets and posted sentries and
Lewis guns at windows and other points for our protection. Owing to
some of the Staffords who were also in the village, deciding to hold
their outpost line in the village, instead of on the other side the
river, the clearing of the village was a longer process than it should
have been. It caused us no trouble, but we doubt if Tomlinson and
Tebbutt would have slept so comfortably had they known that their
billet was in No Man's Land! However, all was well; we had had another
great reception from the delighted inhabitants, and after a long and
tiring day we were soon asleep in good, comfortable billets.
For the next three days we stayed there, being joined by the Transport
and Stores, Battle Details and several Officers from England, who had
never been out before.
The Hun was now going away rapidly, and it was very doubtful if we
should be required again. We never were, and were glad to find we had
done with him.
There was talk of an Armistice, and we were also warned that German
Envoys were expected, and might come through our lines. This they did
not do and we were not sorry.
On November 10th, we had to move out of Cartignies to a small village,
Boulogne-sur-Helpe, near by--the most Easterly point the Battalion
ever reached.
November 11th came in just the same as any other day, but quite early
a wire from Brigade Headquarters stated that the Germans had agreed to
our Armistice terms, and the Great War was over.