Touch with flanks was instantly sought. 2nd Lieut, Silver reconnoitred a line of trenches parallel with the Bapaume railway but could find no sign of British troops on the left. Capt. Mathieson searched the sunken road in front up to the cross roads linking Achiet-le-Grand with Irles for signs of the enemy, but found none, except for four field guns which had been lately abandoned. Touch had been regained on the right, however, with the 1st Bedfordshires, of the 5th Division. Three companies of the Essex occupied the trench guarding the cross roads, whilst the fourth company garrisoned the railway crossing leading to Achiet-le-Petit. A series of posts was established at the cross roads - one on the right flank, one on the left and three in rear. Throughout the afternoon reports were received that enemy reinforcements were being brought up in motor lorries from the direction of Loupart Wood, Grévillers and Biefvillers.

Another forward movement was made at 5.45 p.m., but on the troops reaching the ridge in front of Grévillers heavy machine gun fire was experienced on the left, and the men were withdrawn, though not before the enemy were observed to be retiring and fire opened upon them. The Divisional Commander wrote of this advance of the Essex as ‘most gallant’, but the troops on the left could not get forward owing to strong pockets of enemy holding the copse, portion of railway line and trench south-west of Bihucourt. At 7.30 p.m. the 5th Division came into line on the right and touch was established with the left, the captured ground being consolidated.

It was in respect of this action that the G.O.C., 5th Division, reported: ‘The left of the attack was completely held up for a time, and it was not until two tanks working in front of the 37th Division had nearly gained the crest and put out many enemy machine guns that the advance could be resumed. These tanks, and the magnificent advance of the 37th Division, which had only relieved the 63rd Division during the previous night, on our left, undoubtedly allowed the 1st Bedfords to gain their final objective.’ This was praise, indeed, and all the more gratifying inasmuch as the Essex were on the left of the Bedfords, and it was their movement which was doubtless principally in mind when the appreciation was penned.

Before night came the 10th Royal Fusiliers of the 111th Brigade lay easy of Bihucourt, threatening Biefvillers, with 13th K.R.R. and 13th Rifle Brigade between Achiet--le-Grand and Bihucourt, the 112th Brigade being upon a line slightly in the rear from Achiet-le-Grand southward.”