AUGUST 8TH.
On the 6th July, after an unusually long rest from the line, the 116th
Battalion relieved the P.P.C.L.I. in the Neuville Vitasse sector,
situated about three miles south of Arras. The accommodation here was
very poor, and considerable time was spent in building shelters.
Several important reconnaissances were made on this front, during which
we lost Lt. S. D. Woodruff, killed; and 10 other ranks, wounded.
After spending 17 days in this area we were finally relieved by the 1st
Canadian Infantry Battalion and moved back in reserve once more.
On the evening of August 5th, at Boves Wood, the battalion was resting
in bivouacs, after a series of long night marches from rear areas,
which were conducted with so much secrecy as to almost warrant the
suggestion that we were being transferred to the Italian, or some
other far distant front. Only recently a printed order entitled
"Keep Your Mouth Shut," which dealt with the advisability of strict
silence concerning all movements of troops or operations of a military
nature, had been pasted in the pay book of every man in the Corps; so
that whenever anyone on the line of march was overcurious about our
destination there was always the simple answer, "Remember your pay
book."
That we were still in France was evident, and that we were likely to
remain there, if not permanently, at least for the next few weeks, was
made known that evening at a Company Commanders' meeting, during which
the C.O. announced the joyful news that the battalion would shortly
be engaged in operations of a more comprehensive nature than night
marching. There was evidently some method in our madness, and everyone
was all attention, particularly since Company Commanders' meetings had
lately been showing signs of monotony.
Very little was known, except that a battle of great importance
was imminent, that Australian, British and French troops would
likely be engaged, and that there would be scarcely any time for
final preparations, which we had always been accustomed to in the
past. The German grand offensive, which began in March, had only
partially succeeded, although the battles of the Somme, Messines and
Passchendaele had been neutralized by their recent gains.
The importance of carrying out, to the fullest extent, the training
in open warfare which we had experienced during the summer, was
particularly impressed.
The attack by our battalion was to be carried out on a frontage of one
thousand yards, starting from the village of Hourges, and although
a definite final objective was suggested, entailing an advance of
some five thousand yards, there was nothing to prevent us from
following through to twice or three times that distance, providing the
circumstances proved favorable.
The general scheme for the battalion was as follows:--"A" Company
(Capt. Ritchie) would attack on the right, going through to what
was known as the Bade trench system, which they were to capture and
consolidate. "C" Company (Capt. Sutton) would follow "A" Company, and
working round the high ground on the left flank, would drive for the
enemy defences north of Hammon Wood, thence push from the north edge
of the Wood to the left of our final objective, and deal with certain
enemy batteries presumed to be there. "D" Company (Capt. Baird) would
follow "C" Company and, passing through "A" Company, would work around
the northern slope of high ground and push for the eastern side of
Hammon Wood. "B" Company (Capt. Preston) was to follow in reserve until
the Bade system had been captured, when it would follow "D" Company and
mop up Hammon Wood, "A" Company then coming into battalion reserve.
From a study of the map and intelligence provided it seemed that
even with little opposition the turning movement to be made would be
extremely difficult, and that the leaders of all units would be called
upon to exercise their best judgment and skill in order to ensure
success, especially in view of the fact that very little opportunity
was to be given them for making a personal reconnaissance.
[Illustration: SKETCH OF ATTACK ON HAMON WOOD]
When it became generally known that the attack was imminent the spirits
of the battalion ran high, and preparations for the great battle were
pushed with all possible zeal.
The battalion moved from Boves to Gentelle Wood, a distance of
six kilometres, moving out at 11 p.m., and arriving at 6 a.m. The
congestion of traffic was the worst imaginable, and in consequence it
was only with the greatest difficulty that any movement forward by
infantry was possible, there being only one road of approach.
With but little sleep, reconnoitring commenced almost at once, and
in order to observe secrecy, small parties were sent forward to
Domart Wood. The Commanding Officer, Intelligence Officer and Company
Commanders only were able to reach the forward system and make a quick
reconnaissance at close range. Owing to the broken nature of the ground
the assembly area was limited and positions for one company had to be
found forward of the front line, held by the troops then holding that
sector. All these areas were thoroughly reconnoitred and positions
taped off, which was an extremely difficult and hazardous task due to
the night activity of enemy machine guns, but thanks to the assistance
of the Commander of the Australian Outpost Company then holding
the line, who personally pointed out the most favorable positions,
everything was completed satisfactorily.
At 9.30 p.m. on the night of August 7th the battalion moved off to
occupy the assembly positions. Zigzag lanes had been cut through the
standing corn on both sides of the road and along one of these we moved
in single file with as little noise as possible. Each man carried
two water bottles, 48 hours' rations and 170 rounds of ammunition in
addition to his usual battle equipment. To drown the curses of the
weary troops as well as the approach of the tanks it had been arranged
with great forethought, for a flight of heavy bombing planes to operate
during the night in this area. It was a bright moonlight night, and the
movement forward proceeded uninterrupted; the battalion scouts, acting
as guides, led their platoons, and the slow task of crossing the river
over bridge 53 commenced. Opened out to five paces interval, and trying
to move quietly, made the march an exceptionally tedious one; however,
the crossing was made successfully, and positions occupied under the
personal supervision of those who had made the arrangements the night
before.
It was by no means an easy position to attack from, as the leading
company was facing south. The assembly was finally completed at 2.15
a.m., and word passed round that the zero hour would be at 4.20 a.m.;
consequently there was still time to rest and to take up any minor
details which might have been previously overlooked.
At 4.20 a.m. sharp, one of the greatest barrages in the history of the
war by artillery and machine guns opened out. It was truly a marvellous
piece of work considering no previous registration had been made.
The difficulty of getting away from the assembly points commenced at
zero, plus eight minutes, and the greatest credit is due to the unit
commanders for leading their companies and platoons out as well as
they did. The left company were obliged to make a left-about wheel
round a hedge, out to a road which they covered, and from there deploy
in artillery formation. The remainder followed rapidly, and at zero
plus forty minutes, the whole Battalion was clear of the jumping-off
positions, including Headquarters, which followed in rear of the
reserve company. The enemy retaliation came down quickly, but was not
very heavy, although the congestion around the assembly point resulted
in some casualties there.
The dense fog and smoke made it very difficult to preserve direction,
and the Demuin road, with its tall trees, made an excellent landmark,
previously noted, which enabled the 43rd, 58th and our own battalion
to deploy towards their correct objectives. The enemy machine guns
were then busy, and fighting commenced in earnest. "C" Company, on the
left, realizing the necessity of pushing on as rapidly as possible,
made excellent time. "A" Company got into the fight early, and suffered
severe casualties, losing all their officers and about sixty other
ranks before reaching their objective, and it was only through the
prompt action of C. S. M. Fenwick, who gathered the remnants of that
company together, that they were enabled to do so.
The tanks were very much handicapped by the dense fog, and lost
direction, operating on the flanks, with the exception of two, which
nearly ran down a number of our battalion when they went through us at
the start.
Very heavy fighting took place around enemy Headquarters. Machine guns
were in abundance, and it was only after brilliant work on the part of
the forward company that this nest was successfully dealt with, and
a long stream of prisoners commenced leaving for the rear. The dash
of our men was most marked, showing a marvellous difference from the
old staid method of following the barrage shoulder to shoulder at the
high port. Enemy machine gun nests were difficult to locate, owing
to the poor observation, and a great many of these were cut off and
surrendered to the infantry following behind.
Owing to a check which "A" Company received at the Hangard-Dodo Wood
road, Battalion Headquarters soon found itself close to the battle and
provided reinforcements to assist them in taking their final objective.
The advance had also been checked by machine gun fire immediately
to the right centre and left of the Bade trench, and under cover of
our own fire these nests were rushed and put out of action, severe
casualties being inflicted on the enemy, their guns being captured and
some prisoners taken.
An isolated field gun was still in action behind a small hedge
approximately to the front and left of Bade trench; this was soon put
out of action and the survivors of the crew captured. The advance
was then continued and the Bade system finally taken with a number of
machine guns, which were remounted on the parados ready for action by
6.15 a.m.; Battalion Headquarters was immediately established here, and
the composite company ("A" Company, with Headquarter reinforcements)
moved forward to provide a covering fire for "C" and "D" Companies in
their advance on Hammon Wood.
Meanwhile, on the left, the advance was going along well, a great
many machine guns being captured without interfering with the
progress of our men. Close touch was kept on our left flank with the
58th Battalion, and owing to the extremely poor visibility, it was
considered advisable to make certain that our left flank was secure
at Demuin Wood before committing all our left flank platoons to the
assault on Hammon Wood; consequently one platoon went into Demuin with
the 58th Battalion.
It was not known exactly what progress the right was making at this
time, and with depleted ranks, it seemed at the moment that the number
of infantry available for the advance on Hammon Wood was none too
strong. As the advance progressed the enemy were seen on the high
ground 500 yards to the right, still in action and apparently firing on
"A" Company in the Bade trench. Fire was immediately brought to bear on
the rear of this party, and after a few rounds they were compelled to
capitulate; again a large number of prisoners were sent to the rear.
This enabled "B" Company to go up on the right and their appearance
considerably heartened "C" Company, so that the advance against Hammon
Wood pushed forward rapidly from west and north. It was also realized
that "D" Company was making good progress, and were getting within
reach of the Woods.
An enemy field-battery of two guns, still in action, was dealt with on
the high ground to the north of Hammon Wood re-entrant, together with a
number of machine guns.
Whilst "D" Company progressed forward on the right a composite company
of "C" and "B" Companies pressed up the re-entrant from the north. The
enemy artillery had evidently been reached before they had realized
their danger; some of the gunners fought to a finish, firing through
open sights on our men advancing until surrounded. A few rounds,
together with the bold assault of infantry straight to the guns, was
sufficient to prove to the enemy the futility of further resistance;
consequently a record capture of enemy guns was made, and the survivors
of the artillery group, who were numerous, came streaming from the
dug-outs in which they had taken shelter, and were marched to the rear
under their own officers. An eight-inch howitzer, a 5.9, and a 4.1
long-range battery were among the trophies captured, together with an
artillery Quartermaster's stores, which contained all kinds of unknown
material.
Along the high ground to the south and east some enemy machine guns
still held out. These were quickly dealt with by "D" Company, and
Hammon Wood was cleared. Our men now went well forward of the Wood and
commenced firing on parties of the enemy infantry seen on a hill about
a hundred yards to the left. A temporary defence system was rapidly
established, and the ground cleared in front of the 7th Brigade,
which was close behind and ready to push forward; and so by 7.30 a.m.
our battalion had reached and consolidated its final objective, in
which operations they captured 16 guns, 40 machine guns and about 450
prisoners.
Our casualties were 2 officers, Capt. A. W. Baird, M.C., Lt. J.
Anderson, and 30 other ranks killed; 10 officers and 148 other ranks
wounded and missing.