The Battalion Jumps Off
At 06.30 hour the Battalion moved off by platoons at 30 yard interval form the assembly positions and followed a taped out track through R.25.b, R.20.c&d, R.21.a&b to railway about R.16 central. Little difficultly was experienced in reaching the line of the railway about R.16.central. Although the Battalion had to go through the enemy barrage comparatively few casualties resulted. It was not necessary to split into smaller formations than platoons. Owing to a very thick morning mist and the fact that the New Zealand Division had to go through our Divisional area at the same time as ourselves in their encirlement of Le Quesnoy it was rather difficult keeping touch between platoons.
On reaching the railway line companies were able to reorganise in the Sunken Road, in R.17.a&o. From this point D Coy (left) and B Coy (right) went forward in a due easterly direction in artillery formation of platoons. On reaching the lines about Grid line between M.14 and M.15 both companies had to extend on coming under Machine Gun fire from Orchards in M.15.b&c. It was found that 2/4 Duke of Wellington’s had not quite reached the Green Line and enemy machine guns were very troublesome in front of this line. Both companies decided to leapfrog through 2/4 Duke of Wellingtons in M.15.a&c and continue the advance at once. The enemy artillery was particularly active in R.17.c&d and R.18.a&c whilst moving up.
D Company Attacks
D Coy first encountered opposition from machine guns in the Orchard in M.15.b which was soon overcome. Later this Company was help up for some time from several machine gun posts in M.16.a&b. which were successfully dealt with by Lewis Gunners and 2 machine guns fell into our hands. After overcoming this opposition this company was able to push on its objective without further trouble and a line was established on the high ground in M.17.a. Touch was at once obtained with 187th Infantry Brigade on the right. This Company captured 90 prisoners, 8 [eight] 4.2” howitzers, 3 machine guns and a considerable amount of shells and other stores.
B Company Attacks
B Coy on the right of D Coy on reaching the high ground in M.15.a&c found two of B Coy 5th Duke of Wellington’s Regt and decided to push on independently. Lewis Gun fire was brought to bear on the Orchard and on B. Coy advancing the enemy gave himself up. O.C. C Coy sent one platoon round to the road junction at M.15.c.7.7 to endeavour to outflank the Orchard and there be joined up with the left of the New Zealand Div who had just mopped up the Northern outskirts of Villereau. About 100 of the enemy came out of houses at M.15.d.3.5 on this platoon approaching, but were escorted away by the New Zealand Division.
C Company Attacks
Whilst involved in this fighting O.C. C Coy completely lost touch with one of his platoons. He however collected his remaining 3 platoons and continued the advance behind B Coy, leap-frogging through them in M.16.d. An enemy machine gun in Gommegnies Church and another one firing from the house at M.17.d.7.0 causes a good deal of trouble and were not overcome. The railway line in M.17.d was eventually crossed in spite of very heavy machine gun fire and the advance pressed on. On crossing the railway New Zealand troops were seen well on the right and the right platoon at once got in touch with them with the result that the Company worked 200 yards too much to the right, but which did not materially matter seeing that A Coy were in close touch on the left of the Company front.
A house in M.13.o.7.0 was held by the enemy and an attempt with one platoon was made to take it. The house however proved to be held in strength and had Machine Guns on either flank and also in the upper rooms of the house. The platoon, after losing its Platoon Commander and several men had to fall back. The enemy waved a white flag from the sky-light of the house but made no effort to give himself up. The O.C. Company then decided to take up a line in M.17.d and M.18.c W of the Sunken Road. The New Zealand Division attempted to take the house at M.18.c.7.0 with three platoons but failed. C Coy’s line was established at 13.30 hours after much fighting. This company took about 100 prisoners and 8 machine guns.
After the Advance
At dusk the Battalion line was reorganised with D Coy on the left, C Coy on the right with a line of posts from the left of C on a line between M.17.b&d connecting to right of D Coy held by A Coy. B Coy was in Battalion Reserve in M.17.c. The day’s fighting had been hard, after a very long march to the point where resistance was met. Direction was very difficult to keep owing to the numerous hedges which were very strong and enclosed country, and in many cases platoons had to work round.
Immediately after dusk the enemy came nearer and commenced digging in opposite our whole front, but on the New Zealand Division attacking Le Carnoy at 21.30 hours opposition ceased and no further machine gun fire was heard after 23.00 hours.
The casualties of the Battalion during the day amounted to 6 Officers and 80 other ranks. 13 guns were captured, 220 prisoners were captured and 15 machine guns, besides large quantities of munitions etc.
5th November
5/11/1918: At 06.00 hours 185th Infantry Brigade attacked through the Battalion’s front and, encountering no opposition, made a rapid advance. It was a miserable wet day. The Battalion became Brigade Reserve and was moved during the orning in to the Sunken Road in M.17.b. At 16.00 hours the battalion marched in pouring rain to billets at La Cavee (N.7.c). Men were all drenched and very tired.
