The Attack
The Battalion was ordered to attack enemy rearguard positions East and South East of the village of Metz-en-Couture including the South East side of the village itself and consolidate on a line on the high ground to the N & N.E of the village. The 11th Battalion were conforming on the left and the 8th Division on our right.
The hour of commencing the attack was 2.0pm at which time the Battalion deployed in one wave of two lines on a two company front from Dessart Wood. - Weather snowing hard. Operation commenced without incident.
About 2.15pm the Battalion came under heavy machine gun fire being then on the high ground. Casualties were incurred at once byt the advance continued steadily and good direction intervals were maintained.
The left Companies pushed steadily on into Metz the right Companies were hung up in the Sunken Road on their right flank, this road was cleared but more Germans counter-attacked from the S.E and after inflicting heavy casualties drove out the right company of the second line. The Leading Company of this flank had by then gone on to and passed its final objective.
The situation then was this – The Right flank was in the air. Nothing could be seen of the Division on our left, the enemy were in behind the right company at an unknown strength. A message was at once sent to the right company to detail a party to return and deal with the situation.
Instructions were then received from Brigade to use a company of the 10th R.B’s [Rifle Brigade] who were established 500 yards north of Dessart Wood. This company of R.B’s was ordered to assault the road from a south westerly direction and consolidate there. The enemy however either had retired towards Gouzeaucourt Wood or surrendered prior to their arrival so this company was ordered to hold the line from the right of the Battalion to the left of the Division on the right forming a defensive flank.
The Aftermath & Casualties
n the meantime all the objectives had been gained, about 30 prisoners were taken mostly from isolated posts. They belonged to Regiments 229, 230 and 231. The attack seemed to be a surprise to the enemy possibly owing to the snow-storm in which it took place. Little difficultly was experienced with supplies, useful captures of Tommy’s Cookers, solidified spirits and food and drink were made.
Our casualties unfortunately were heavy. The following officers were killed: Capt. Egerton-Leigh; Capt. C.R. Blake; Capt. D.G. Davies; 2nd Lt Ashwell; 2nd Lt A.L.C Marlow; 2nd Lt R.S.G Vigers later died of wounds.
4 other officers were wounded. There were 170 losses amongst other ranks: 22 Killed; 128 wounded and 20 missing.
In losing these officers the Battalion has sustained by far the greatest loss since its formation, Capt Egerton-Leigh and C.R. Blake had been with us since 1914, the former in the unanimous opinion of all was one of the bravest officers we have even known.
The behaviour of the last new draft joined three days ago was beyond praise. The artillery were much hampered by weather conditions but our light signals could be seen. Enemy artillery fire was negligible until after our objectives were gained. The entire operation was a great success though our casualties were heavy.
