“The Third Army has been ordered to press the enemy back towards Bapaume without delay, and to make every effort to prevent the enemy from destroying road and rail communications.” The Battle Instructions issued to the 42nd Division on August 20th begin with the above words, and the Division rejoiced that the signal was down at last for the Third Army to join in the Great Allied offensive, and that General Byng’s attack was planned to open before dawn on the morrow. The 4th Corps had three Divisions in the front line, the 42nd, the New Zealanders, and the 37th, from right to left. On the right of the 42nd was the 21st Division of the 5th Corps. The Division’s attack was planned on a two-brigade front, with the 127th Brigade on the right, and the 125th on the left. There were three objectives. The first was a line roughly parallel to the present frontage of the Division and about a thousand yards to the east, and the advance was made by fighting patrols, brigades being in echelon with the left brigade leading. The second objective included some high ground on the left flank, and mainly concerned the 125th Brigade; and the third, and most important, objective was, on the left, Beauregard Dovecot, a group of shell-shattered trunks—the remains of trees which formerly surrounded the now obliterated Dovecot—on high ground where five roads meet, and on the right a point within a few hundred yards of the village of Miraumont, and looking down upon it.

The organization of the Division was now designed to secure effective co-operation of all arms under the new conditions of open warfare. The Division had done well in the stationary warfare of continuous lines of trenches; it had shaped still better in the offensive-defensive method of Defence in Depth in which it had been so thoroughly trained by its present Commander; now it was to be tested by the novel experience of open warfare. Infantry Brigade Groups were composed as follows—

• Infantry Brigade.
• Artillery Brigade.
• Machine-Gun Company (one or more).
• 2 Sections Field Company, R.E.
• Cavalry or Tanks when available.

These were all under the command of the Infantry Brigadier, the Artillery Commander using the same headquarters where possible—a system that had distinct advantages over the old system of using an Artillery liaison officer.

At zero—4.55 a.m. on August 21—the guns opened. Four minutes later the 125th Brigade launched their attack, fighting patrols of the 5th L.F. advancing, under a creeping barrage, which lifted at an average rate of 100 yards every four minutes, against Hill 140, a strong point better known as The Lozenge. The opening moves were of a peculiarly delicate nature as, owing to the paucity of guns, the whole of the artillery and most of the machine-gun fire had to be concentrated first to form the barrage for the 125th Brigade, in order to make sure of The Lozenge, which was the key to the position, before being switched off, at the appointed time, to make a barrage for the 127th Brigade, and again switched to the left when the advance on the second objective was timed to start, at two hours after zero. There was a heavy ground mist—sure precursor of a hot day—and the ill-luck as regards weather conditions, which for some years had attended British offensives, was absent at last. But though the mist served as a screen, it increased the difficulties of keeping touch.

The Lozenge was a nest of machine-guns, and there was sharp and savage hand-to-hand fighting when the Bury men got in with the bayonet. They were better and more confident than the enemy at this game, and Jerry knew it; and when he found that he could not keep them from closing he realized that the game would soon be up, and his number also—or else his hands.

The guns switched over to the right, and at the appointed hour, 5.50 a.m., the 6th Manchesters on the right and the 7th on the left went over the top, and the 127th Brigade’s first objective was also reached in good time, the barrage again assisting most effectively. A very difficult ravine had had to be crossed, with steep gradients down to and up from the Beaucourt—Puisieux road. This broken ground was defended by nests of machine-guns, but the friendly mist rendered their fire far less deadly than usual, and the Manchesters were able to get to close quarters. Many of the enemy were killed with the bayonet and a large number captured.

At 6.55 a.m. the 125th Brigade started for the second objective, and soon overcame all opposition. The attacks had been made with vigour and courage, but these qualities would have been unavailing had there been any flaw in the organization, planning, and timing, or in the co-operation between the artillery, machine-guns, aircraft and infantry. There was none, and both first and second objectives were secured and consolidated.

But neither brigade was able to gain the final objective at its first attempt, for the enemy was in great strength and, as he clearly regarded the positions attacked as very important, he fought around the Dovecot and in front of Miraumont with much courage and determination. Owing to the mist touch had not been maintained between the 125th Brigade and the New Zealanders. When the mist lifted, the company of the 7th L.F., to whom the capture of the Dovecot had been entrusted, found that they were advancing upon an enemy battery, which opened fire at point-blank range. An attempt was made to hold a shell-hole position, but the enemy was in strong force, and a fierce counter-attack practically wiped out the defenders. However, in the course of the afternoon a joint attack by the two brigades drove the enemy from the entire line of the final objective, the 7th L.F., assisted by two machine-gun sections, capturing the Dovecot, while the Manchesters advanced along the top of the ridge, clearing the enemy out of his dug-outs, and established themselves before Miraumont. They repulsed a counter-attack in the afternoon, and later in the day another, made by picked storm-troops, was also beaten off. The capture of the high ground dominating the Ancre was a brilliant beginning to a victorious advance which was destined to continue until the beaten enemy sued for peace. Field guns, anti-tank guns, and a large number of machine-guns and prisoners had been taken. With this considerable success the day’s fighting ended. But not its labour, for the newly-won positions had to be consolidated and all preparations made for the inevitable counter-attacks, so work went on steadily throughout the night.

In the course of the battle of the 21st August there had been a general high standard of courage and also many acts of heroism, some of which passed unnoticed, while some were rewarded. The outstanding valour and prowess of Lance-Sergeant Edward Smith, 5th L.F., at the capture of The Lozenge and subsequently, received the recognition they deserved, the Victoria Cross being awarded on the following grounds—

At 2.30 a.m. on August 22nd the enemy artillery opened fire, and for an hour and a half the infantry along the whole of the divisional front and the batteries around Serre were vigorously bombarded, mainly with gas-shells. At 4.15 a.m. the expected counter-attack was delivered, and was repulsed with very heavy loss to the enemy at all points except at the Dovecot. The Germans debouching from Miraumont were shattered by steady, well-aimed fire from rifles, Lewis-guns, and machine-guns. The four guns of the section of “B” Company, M.G. Battalion, attached to the 125th Brigade, had been taken forward in front of the infantry, and these, assisted by flanking fire from “C” Company’s machine-guns, with the 127th Brigade, completely broke up the attack on the right. On the left, however, posts of the 7th L.F. at the Dovecot were overrun after bitter fighting by overwhelming numbers, but the enemy was held on a line which the battalion had consolidated the previous afternoon just west of and overlooking the Dovecot. Two platoons of the 10th Manchesters (this battalion having been placed under the orders of the 125th Brigade) gave great assistance.

At 8.30 a.m. the enemy counter-attacked this new line and also the positions on the left of the divisional front held by the New Zealand Division. The attack was beaten back all along the line, and again the machine-guns contributed conspicuously to the success. The four guns of the forward section of “B” M.G. Company took the enemy waves in enfilade and broke them up utterly, the section capturing a number of prisoners and forcing more than 200 to surrender to the New Zealanders, who expressed their appreciation of the good work and efficient assistance rendered by the section. During this counter-attack a body of the enemy got through a gap between the two brigades, and all of them were killed or captured by a support section of the M.G. Battalion. Information obtained from prisoners proved that the counter-attacks had been made by four battalions of an entirely fresh enemy division—the 52nd German Naval Division—brought down from Flanders. A third counter-attack was made later in the day, but this, too, was beaten off, and in the evening and throughout the night the troops worked hard to consolidate their new positions, and prepared to follow up their successes. There was to be no rest for them or for the enemy.

The 21st and 22nd of August were days of extreme heat. Considerable movement had been made under a blazing sun, with heavy loads, over ground that had been badly gassed, and as fighting and work upon the new positions had been continuous for over forty hours there was a certain amount of exhaustion, and also some suffering from the heat. But there was none of the dejection and depression that usually accompany exhaustion. Instead, there was the consciousness of achievement, of triumph long deferred but now assured, and of buoyancy of spirit which could control the physical weariness and carry the tired body on and on to further and greater achievement. Der Tag—for years a subject of jest—had dawned at last, and its glorious opportunities were not to be thrown away because of a physical longing for rest and sleep. That the War must end some day every one knew; that it would end in victory for the Allies few of the soldiers doubted; but hope had been deferred so long, and disappointments had been so many and so great, that après la guerre had become a joke, a half-cynical allusion to a period as inevitable as death but much more remote. Now all was changed; the war had taken on an entirely new complexion, and “next spring,” or even an earlier date, was spoken of with confidence, for at last, and for the first time, the Boche was on the run. His day was over and ours had dawned. Though his numbers were still equal or superior to ours, though his lines of defence were as formidable as the skill and ingenuity of the greatest masters of defensive warfare could make them, and though he would turn, snarling, and fight like a wolf at bay, our men had complete confidence in their skill with rifle and bayonet, their grit, and their will to conquer. They knew now that they were Jerry’s master. There was an accumulation of old scores to wipe off, and though the beaten individual Boche would generally be treated with contemptuous good-humour, there remained the deep loathing of all the vile deeds by which the title of “Hun” had been earned. Exhaustion and physical distress were therefore thrust aside by the call for action.

At 2.30 a.m. on August 23 two companies of the 8th L.F. on the left and two of the 10th Manchesters on the right attacked the Dovecot. The enemy fought hard to retain his hold of this position, but the Salford and Oldham men fought still harder, and the Dovecot was finally won. Casualties were heavy on both sides. A number of prisoners were taken, and also a complete Field Dressing Station. The New Zealanders on the left advanced their right to conform; and their attack being successful they passed beyond the line of the 125th Brigade, which then swung forward its left flank until touch was restored and sent patrols down into the Miraumont Valley. During the night the 125th Brigade was relieved by the 126th (D Company, M.G. Battalion attached), which also took over 500 yards of front from the New Zealand Division, who were thus squeezed out by the 126th Brigade on their right and the 5th Division on the left.

To exploit victories the following method was adopted—

In making these attacks the enemy’s position would be turned from one or both flanks. Machine-gun sections were to be pushed up behind patrols close enough to give effective support by direct fire. At least one section R.E. to be with the advance-guard, and also parties of Tunnelling Companies, R.E., to locate and destroy road-mines and “booby-traps.” The Pioneer Battalion would be available under the Divisional Commander’s hand. The Commander of a higher formation must explain attack orders, personally or through a Staff Officer, verbally to the Commander of a lower formation, and wherever possible the objectives must be pointed out on the ground to the subordinate commanders who had to carry out the operation. Briefly, the policy was to command the battle from horseback and not by telephone from a dug-out.

The important village of Miraumont, situated to the south-east of the Dovecot on both banks of the River Ancre, and strongly held by the enemy, was the next objective. Its fall would force the Germans to abandon the line of the Ancre, so a stiff resistance was expected. On the night of the 23rd-24th August the 21st Division on the right had crossed the Ancre further south and obtained a footing upon Thiepval Ridge. On the morning of the 24th the British were above Miraumont on three sides, and about midday the 126th and 127th Brigades fought their way round the outskirts from the north and south respectively until they met on the eastern side. The river was low and there was little difficulty in finding fordable passages. To the south these were secured by patrols of the 6th and 7th Manchesters, while the 5th East Lancashires and the 10th Manchesters turned the position from the north. The capture of this place was a noteworthy example of well-planned and well-carried out co-operation between the artillery and infantry of the Division. Heavy guns pumped shells into the centre of the village; field-guns smothered the outer circumference with shrapnel to keep down the enemy machine-gun fire, while the two infantry brigades worked round outside. When the two columns met on the farther side the guns ceased fire, and at noon infantry patrols entered the town from all sides and “mopped up.” Some snipers had to be disposed of, and there were a few house-to-house chases, but the majority of those who had been unable to withdraw before the completion of the encircling movement, were found ready, and indeed anxious, to surrender to any one. A stretcher-bearer of the 127th Brigade, who had fallen into German hands when searching for wounded in the mist of the early morning, proudly conducted about twenty of his now docile captors to meet the advancing patrols. A column of about 300 Germans, waving white flags, marched east out of Miraumont and surrendered. Many other prisoners, a complete battery of 5·9-inch howitzers, some 4·2-inch guns, and many machine-guns were captured. Our casualties were light in proportion to the success attained and to the loss inflicted on the enemy. The stretcher-bearers carried the wounded long distances over badly torn-up ground, in great heat, and under artillery and machine-gun fire.

The capture of Miraumont was promptly followed up, and within a few hours of its fall fighting patrols of the 126th Brigade had entered Pys, a village more than a mile to the east, on the heels of the enemy. The straggling village of Warlencourt—Eaucourt, about a mile and a half farther east, was the next objective. The forward move began at 7.30 p.m., the two brigades moving along parallel lines, the 126th Brigade to the north and in advance of the 127th Brigade. In spite of the difficulties of a night advance through unknown country against strong enemy forces, well furnished with machine-guns, the 5th East Lancashires made steady progress, pushing the enemy rearguard in front of them, following up warily but resolutely, and adding to their bag of prisoners from time to time. On the outskirts of the village the opposition increased in intensity, and the enemy line of resistance, 400 yards west of Warlencourt, was found too strong to be attacked without artillery preparation. The troops on the right and left were already some distance in the rear. An outpost line was put out, and both brigades took up positions affording cover from the heavy machine-gun fire with which the enemy swept the valley west of Warlencourt throughout the night. The 126th Brigade lay across the Loupart Wood road, north and north-east of the village, and the 127th on the western outskirts. After dawn the German fire slackened and patrols of the 7th Manchesters advanced. They encountered opposition which weakened by degrees, and at 10 a.m. on August 25 a company of the 7th entered Warlencourt and passed through it. The advance was then stopped, as the north-eastward advance of the 63rd Division squeezed out the 42nd, which withdrew to concentrate in the Miraumont—Pys area, where two days were passed in rest and recuperation.

The Corps Commander wired his congratulations to the Divisional Commander on the successful issue of these operations, and asked him “to convey to all troops under your command my thanks for their work during the past three days and to congratulate them on their success, which could only have been attained by great fighting capacity and endurance.”

The Divisional Artillery was quickly called upon to assist the 63rd Division, which was in difficulties west of Le Barque and Thilloy, the troops being mown down by numerous enemy machine-guns posted in a sunken road between the two villages, and no amount of courage could prevail against the storm of bullets. After hurried reconnaissance the 210th and 211th Brigades, R.F.A., were rushed to positions by Loupart Wood, which was being heavily shelled at the time. A race between the two brigades ensued, the batteries trotting and even galloping to the positions by different routes. It was a perfect example of artillery manœuvre. At one moment an empty grass plain; a moment later a plain covered with the guns, wagons, and horses of eight batteries! The instant the trails were dropped—before the horses had got clear of the positions—the S.O.S. went up, and forty-eight guns were belching fire practically simultaneously.

Each division in turn was brought out of the line for a day or two in order that the offensive might be carried on with renewed vigour. Refreshing and necessary as the respite undoubtedly was, the troops, stimulated by the victories of the past few days and by the prospect of still greater successes, were glad to resume their vocation of “learning Jerry” to make war. The 42nd Division relieved the 63rd on the night of August 27-28 on a line running north and south of the village of Le Barque, a short distance beyond Warlencourt, with the 126th Brigade now on the right and the 127th on the left, each brigade having a frontage of 1000 yards. The enemy held the village of Thilloy, about a thousand yards east of this line, and two attacks by the 63rd Division had failed to dislodge him. Patrols found the village and the brickfields to the north held in force, and preparations were made to turn these positions from north and south. In the early morning of the 29th the withdrawal of the enemy from Bapaume, less than a mile to the north-east of the left flank of the Division, was reported, and patrols of the 5th Manchesters, finding that Thilloy was being evacuated in consequence, pushed through the village. At 6.30 a.m. the 126th Brigade (with “A” and “D” Companies, M.G. Battalion) was ordered to take over the divisional front with two battalions in the front line, and advance on Riencourt-les-Bapaume, the 127th Brigade dropping back into close support. Strong fighting patrols followed up the retiring enemy, but there was to be no “set-piece” attack, except under preliminary bombardment and creeping barrage. The 8th Manchesters on the right came under sharp machine-gun fire from Riencourt in front and from Beaulencourt on their right flank, and were held up. By night-fall the leading companies of the 5th E. Lancs. on the left had crossed the Bapaume—Peronne road and made good the high ground by the reservoir half a mile north-west of Riencourt. A frontal attack on the village from the west by companies of the 8th Manchesters failed, in spite of the most gallant efforts of all ranks, long distance machine-gun fire from Beaulencourt taking them in the flank and rear, and causing heavy casualties.

In the early hours of the 30th August patrols of the 5th E. Lancs. engaged the enemy in the outskirts north of the village. The German positions were, however, very strongly held, and their numerous machine-guns excellently posted and handled, and little progress could be made. Prisoners taken later stated that orders had been given that Riencourt must be held at all costs. Captain Dick, with two platoons of “A” Company, worked his way down a trench leading south-east towards an enemy position, until he could get dead ground almost up to the position. Making good use of this, he rushed the ridge, and the enemy bolted, giving easy targets at short range. He then led his two platoons against another position with such speed that only three of his men could keep up, but they proved too much for the nerves of the Germans, who fired wildly and missed. Captain Dick killed the officer, his three men wounded others, and the hands of the remaining forty-five went up. For this he was awarded the D.S.O. The battalion dug in, and the artillery shelled the ridge immediately north of the village, but patrols sent out to discover the result of the bombardment reported that the enemy machine-gun positions were still held too strongly to give any chance of getting to close quarters.

In the afternoon the 10th Manchesters were ordered to move into position for a night attack upon Riencourt. Crossing the Bapaume—Peronne road they were heavily shelled, and an enemy observation plane kept in touch only a few hundred feet above them. Machine-gun bullets raised spurts and dust all around or glanced off the stones, and several road-mines exploded close to where they passed, sending up great columns of earth. It was Oldham Wakes Friday, and the men talked of bygone wakes and of the people at home, and made grim jests in contrasting past and present. “A” Company, on the left, worked round to the north-east and lay out in a fold of the ground until the barrage should lift. “D” Company, on the right, had to get through a lot of wire, and, being held up for a time, suffered rather severely. H.E. and shrapnel rained upon the German positions so thickly that it seemed as though they must be obliterated, but as soon as the two companies launched their attack, on the lifting of the barrage, they were met by a hail of shrapnel and machine-gun bullets. Bending their heads to the storm the first wave went steadily forward and at dusk forced their way into the village, where dumps of smoke-shells, trench-mortar shells and Very lights, left behind in the March retreat, exploded from time to time. Enemy infantry and machine-gunners fought courageously, taking up one position after another, as they were forced back. But the second wave pushed through the centre of the village, and getting on the flank killed or captured the crews of the machine-guns. As the Germans were bringing up considerable reinforcements from Villers-au-Flos, “C” Company was rushed forward, the three companies were linked up, and the enemy driven off with heavy loss. Soon after dawn “B” Company was moved up from reserve and the line advanced 300 yards on the left flank. The enemy brought up more machine-guns and even a light field-gun which fired at point-blank range, and made desperate efforts to recover the lost ground, but fighting patrols dealt with them, and Riencourt and its outskirts were finally won. Two field-guns were taken, and one of these was promptly turned against its former owners by gunners of the 210th Brigade. The capture of Riencourt was a brilliant affair, carried to a successful issue against great odds by the clever handling of the companies engaged and the dash and keenness of the infantry and machine-gunners. The Divisional Commander was prompt to show his appreciation in a telegram to the Battalion Commander. During the Riencourt operations there were numerous instances of individual daring, initiative, and resource. After the capture of the village, Captain J. A. C. Taylor, D.S.O., whose leadership of “A” Company, 10th Manchesters, contributed greatly to success, led a Lewis-gun section against the enemy on his flank, and drove them out of a trench and sunken road, killing a large number and capturing three prisoners and a machine-gun. After this he led an attack against a machine-gun post, which he captured. Lance-Sergeant H. Harrison, 8th Manchesters, on his own initiative went through an intense artillery barrage and heavy machine-gun fire in daylight and dressed the wounded who had been left behind close to the enemy’s position, when the 8th Manchesters were ordered to withdraw on the night of August 29-30. At night he returned with stretcher-bearers and collected all the wounded in the area. For this he was awarded a bar to the Military Medal which he had gained in March for a similar bit of work. A more humorous incident was that of the 10th Manchester stretcher-bearer who brought in a number of prisoners whom he had cowed with an empty beer-bottle—his only weapon. A group of about twenty Germans, who had been holding a post some distance east of the village, had evidently heard of the good times enjoyed by prisoners in England, so instead of retiring to fight again another day, they waited to be gathered in. Somehow they were ignored by mopping-up patrols, and were no doubt hurt by this lack of consideration. While debating on their next step a British contact ’plane appeared, and on its approach they waved handkerchiefs attached to rifles, and walked complacently into their cage.

Their brilliant success in this and other night attacks led the 10th Manchesters to adopt the nickname of “The Night-jars.” The Divisional Commander’s predilection for night attacks was completely vindicated on each such occasion, and casualties were much fewer than would have been the case in daylight attacks, even under the best artillery barrage. But thoroughly trained, confident, and trustworthy troops are necessary for success in night attacks, and the General’s confidence in his officers and men was always justified.

The 8th Manchesters and the 5th E. Lancs. were relieved during the night of the 30th-31st by the 127th Brigade, and they went into Divisional Reserve at Pys, the 125th Brigade becoming support brigade in Thilloy. The relief by the 6th Manchesters was carried out under difficult circumstances, as the battle raged inside and around Riencourt, and the position was obscure. The battalion to be relieved could not supply guides, so Lieut.-Colonel T. Batherwick, M.C., commanding the 6th Manchesters, made an exhaustive personal reconnaissance amid heavy bursts of shell and machine-gun fire, and returned to lead in two companies. He then made a second personal reconnaissance under similar conditions before taking in the remainder of the battalion. For this and for his part in the success at Miraumont the D.S.O. was awarded. After the relief of the two battalions had been completed the 10th Manchesters remained for a day or two in the front line, attached to the 127th Brigade. After the capture of Riencourt there was no further fighting of any importance on August 31, the rest of the day being spent in consolidating the positions taken up around the village.

On September 1 the 127th Brigade, by pushing out to the left, got into touch with the New Zealanders on the high ground north-east of Riencourt. The situation was unsatisfactory on the right, as this flank was much exposed to the enemy in Beaulencourt, which still held out against the 5th Corps. The next objective was Villers-au-Flos, about a mile south-east of Riencourt, and the attack on this thickly-wooded and strongly-held position was made by the 5th Manchesters on the right and the 6th Manchesters on the left at 5.15 a.m. on September 2, after eight minutes’ bombardment. The two battalions and a company of the 7th Manchesters attached to the 5th went forward in fine style in the face of a very stiff resistance, under a creeping barrage which lifted 100 yards every three minutes. Very stiff fighting took place the moment the advance began, for the barrage, though heavy and accurate, was not sufficient to overcome opposition, and the infantry had to provide additional covering-fire to enable detachments to advance without losing the barrage. The accuracy and quickness of fire of the Stokes gunners attached to each of the leading battalions destroyed a machine-gun nest and two German trench-mortars which had caused numerous casualties. On the left good progress was made, but on the right the 5th Manchesters had a harder task, their right flank being swept by the fire of a number of machine-gun posts, but this was overcome by a noteworthy instance of co-operation. An aviator, seeing that the infantry were in difficulties, flew over the German posts and attacked them with machine-gun fire, and at the same time a battery of 18-pounders was withdrawn from the barrage and switched on the machine-gun nests, while trench-mortars, machine-guns and neighbouring infantry, on their own initiative, brought their full available volume of fire to bear. This proved too much for the Germans, a number of whom surrendered, and the 5th and 7th Manchesters went forward. Stiff fighting continued, for the enemy made skilful use of the cover of ruined houses, hedges, and bushes, but once at close quarters the Manchesters made short work of the Germans, who suffered heavily. The Stokes gunners, after using up all their bombs, fixed bayonets and joined heartily in the hand-to-hand fighting. They were gallantly led by Lieutenant R. H. Welch, commanding the 127th Light T.M. Battery, who was awarded the D.S.O. Light carriages had been improvised for the 6-inch mortars, and these vied with the Stokes mortars in close support of the infantry. They had to be man-handled across rough ground, but in spite of the weight of mortars and heavy ammunition they were brought into action in forward positions in astonishingly quick time. Two fighting tanks had been detailed to take part in the attack. One broke down, but the other passed through the village with the infantry and gave very valuable assistance by destroying machine-gun posts. A supply tank delivered small-arm ammunition and drinking water close behind the front line. Before noon Villers-au-Flos had been thoroughly mopped up, and the 127th Brigade was consolidating its new positions beyond the village. Three hundred prisoners, a battery of 77 mm. guns, eighteen machine-guns and much material had been captured, and the enemy’s loss in killed and wounded was very great.

In a Special Order of the Day Brigadier-General Henley congratulated the 127th Brigade on “adding a new anniversary to those which your gallantry has already made famous.... Yesterday, after three months of unbroken fighting in trenches and in the open, and in face of stubborn resistance by Huns more than equal in numbers, you stormed and took Villers-au-Flos with the utmost dash and determination—a feat which would have been notable if performed by battalions at full strength and fresh from a period of rest. When Manchester hears of this new proof of your prowess, she may well be as proud of her sons as I am of commanding such soldiers.”

The New Zealanders on the left and the 21st Division on the right had also made good progress, but the 42nd Division had again gone farther forward than either, and in consequence the 127th Brigade was in a pronounced salient, exposed to enfilade fire on both flanks. The machine-gun sections which had advanced with the battalions applied themselves with zest to keep down the enemy’s fire, and they dealt with it very effectively. In the early afternoon the New Zealanders on the left made a further attack and came up into line with the 6th Manchesters, thus easing the situation on that flank. In the evening the 5th and 6th Manchesters were relieved by the 7th Manchesters and 8th Lancashire Fusiliers. At night the heavy and field artillery shelled Barastre and Haplincourt Wood in preparation for the morrow’s advance upon those places. In the early hours of September 3, however, patrols of the 8th L.F. and the 7th Manchesters found that the enemy had retired and that Barastre and Haplincourt Wood were empty. The fighting at Villers-au-Flos had evidently hit the enemy hard, and the Division made haste to exploit its success. The 125th Brigade was ordered to “leap-frog” through the 127th, and this was completed at 10 a.m., the 8th L.F. finding the advance-guard. It was a most exhilarating advance, reminding one of a Field Day on Salisbury Plain, and a new thrill was provided when a troop of the Scots Greys passed through and exchanged greetings with the infantry. Warfare had become more and more open recently, but this was the real genuine article. Cavalry going into action on horseback was a pleasant and cheering sight, and its significance was realized. The foot-sloggers grinned and waved their hands, wishing them the best of luck. The battalions in the rear were also witnessing sights, perhaps not so striking in their appeal to the eye, but hardly less significant of the change that had come over the scene. The whole British Army seemed on the move, and the roads were packed with transport. There were field artillery drawn by teams of mules, 6-inch howitzers bouncing along behind motor-lorries, dumps in process of removal, tanks, busses, field-kitchens, cable-wagons, observation-balloons attached to motor-cars with the observer at a height of 100 feet, and every variety of vehicle hastening in the wake of the retreating foe. The railways had been entirely destroyed, and much damage had been done to the roads, especially at the cross-roads. The traffic was constantly checked, or if possible diverted, while huge craters were filled in, but all difficulties were overcome, and the transport, and supply services got through Barastre without a halt, and at 1 p.m. the village of Bus, three miles beyond Villers-au-Flos, was entered. By 6 p.m. Ytres, the day’s final objective, had been gained, and now the Division was on familiar ground. On the left touch had been maintained throughout with the New Zealanders, who had made equally rapid progress, but the division on the right had met with greater opposition, and was 1000 yards behind.

With Metz-en-Couture as the objective the advance was resumed at 7 a.m. on September 4, the 5th L.F. leading. The night had been remarkable for the intensity of the enemy’s gas bombardment, and this continued throughout the day. Ytres, Bus, and indeed most of the positions in the divisional area were drenched with gas, and box-respirators had to be worn for hours at a time. In addition to the bombardment the troops were bombed by successive flights of enemy aircraft. Fighting patrols crossed the Canal du Nord without much opposition, but considerable resistance was met with at Neuville-Bourjonval, and the advance-guard was checked in the outskirts of this village. The division on the right had been held up at the Canal, which they could not cross, and until they could accomplish this it would be useless to incur heavy losses in capturing the village while the Division’s right flank was in the air. In the evening four strong patrols were sent out under a barrage to make good the village and the trench system beyond, and the two northern patrols penetrated the enemy’s trenches and took prisoners. On the morning of the 5th the village was cleared, but the enemy still held a trench system to the east. This was attacked in the afternoon by a company of the 7th L.F., in conjunction with an attack on the left by the New Zealand Division, and all guns of “B” Company, M.G. Battalion, assisted in placing a box-barrage round the objective. The attack was brilliantly successful, the trench system being captured and more than 100 prisoners taken, with very slight loss to the company. On the night of September 5-6 the Division, less the artillery which remained in the line, was relieved by the New Zealanders, and moved back to the Pys—Thilloy area, with D.H.Q. in a German ammunition dump at Riencourt. The Divisional Artillery had some strenuous days with the New Zealanders, the casualties at Metz-en-Couture being heavy. Some of the batteries fired 5000 rounds, and one battery nearly 6000, in a day.

The sixteen days from August 21st to September 5th had been a period of continuous victory in which every unit shared. The ease with which the troops shook out into open warfare after a long period in the trenches was remarkable, advanced artillery sections and often advanced batteries moving in close support of the infantry. The shooting of the artillery and the accuracy of their barrages earned the praise and the thanks of the infantry, and the gunner can hardly wish for a greater reward. The continual night work involved in bringing up the very large supplies of gun ammunition required in modern battles was most wearing for drivers and lorries, but the guns were fed. Light trench-mortars were frequently used in close support of advanced infantry, and when the ammunition was expended the men acted as infantry with marked success. The M.G. Battalion was consistently good. At critical moments officers and N.C.O.s showed admirable resource and initiative, and the guns were handled with skill and daring. The system of pack transport, to which great attention had been paid during training, enabled gunners, where their fire would prove a deciding factor, to take up positions in advance of the infantry.

The water-supply was the chief problem of the R.E., and the exceptional experience of the C.R.E., Lieut.-Colonel J. G. Riddick, with water difficulties in Gallipoli and Sinai proved invaluable to the Division.[19] This part of France had little surface water. There was none between the Ancre at Miraumont and the Canal du Nord at Ytres, and the shafts of village wells had been blown in by the enemy. By the capture of Miraumont control of the sources of the Ancre was obtained, and the engineers of the 42nd and New Zealand Divisions at once got to work on the erection of dozens of horse-troughs and a number of water-cart filling-points. During the advance beyond Miraumont all water had to be carried forward in Garford lorries to some improvised water-point as near the firing-line as possible. At this point canvas tanks of 2300 or 9000 gallons capacity were erected, and the lorries were at work at all hours of the day and night to keep the tanks filled. Lift-and-force pumps were then installed, and by their means the battalion water-carts were supplied. Credit is due to Lieut.-Colonel R. J. Slaughter, D.S.O., and the “Q” department for their excellent organization, upon which the advance depended. Artillery horses had to be watered at the occasional foul village ponds until damaged wells could be re-opened, a difficult task which the R.E. accomplished by working day and night. The need for water was so urgent that at times the Garford lorries had to be hurried forward along by-roads before the tunnellers and sappers had completed road reconnaissance, and one of these was blown to pieces by a road-mine, and its drivers killed.

The Signal Company established Visual Stations as far forward as possible, and also supplemented electrical communications by using wireless, pigeons, and Mounted Orderlies. The destruction of roads in the line of advance, and the multitude of shell-holes which pitted the face of the country, made conditions exceptionally difficult for the R.A.S.C., but supplies never failed, thanks to the energy and skill with which the 7th N.F. Pioneers repaired and re-made the roads, and to the expert work of the sappers and tunnellers who unearthed innumerable booby-traps on roads and in dug-outs. Supply tanks gave invaluable aid in bringing up trench mortars, water and ammunition of all kinds. The work of the R.A.M.C. was carried out skilfully and with creditable smoothness, casualties being treated and evacuated with a degree of comfort that could hardly have been expected under the conditions of constant movement, the Field Ambulances keeping up with the infantry, and setting up Aid Posts wherever they could find suitable shelter. Stretcher-bearers went through shell and machine-gun fire calmly and deliberately in the performance of their duties. Officers and men from the highest to the lowest, had complete confidence in one another.[20]

In short, it was efficiency in all branches that enabled the Division to advance a distance of fifteen and a half miles in sixteen days, against a strong and desperate foe, across country which gave every advantage to the defence, and in that short period to capture the towns and villages of Miraumont, Pys, Warlencourt, Thilloy, Ligny-Thilloy, Riencourt, Villers-au-Flos, Bus, Barastre, Ytres, and Neuville-Bourjonval. One thousand two hundred and sixty-one prisoners passed through the Divisional Cages and Dressing Stations, 24 guns of all calibres up to 8-inch, 50 heavy and more than 100 light machine guns, 16 trench-mortars, and a large quantity of material of war were taken. The casualties of the Division were: 20 officers and 233 other ranks killed, 49 officers and 1256 other ranks wounded, but the loss inflicted upon the enemy was calculated at four times that number. It was a magnificent record which well deserved the Divisional Commander’s Special Order of the Day, of September 6, 1918—

The Division was no less proud of its Commander, and its confidence in him was unbounded.