They were heavily fired from Barricade A and from houses and it was reported that all except 4 men had been either killed or wounded including Capt Selby Smyth and 2/Lt C Saunders. I then ordered the remainder of the company to rush Barricade A which they did. In the meantime a report came in from Captain Mostyn Pryce saying that he had occupied the R B trench. After taking Barricade A fire was opened on us from Barricade B and the adjacent houses so I sent back for the next company under Lt Stoppard Sackville to attack Barricade B which they did and also cleared the houses.

 

Machine Gun fire was now opened from the mound and from another place which I cannot locate and also heavy rifle fire from Barricade D. Repeated efforts were made by individual officers and men to rush forward but the sting had gone out of the attack and it was very difficult to bring any more men up owing to the congestion on the road. I however sent back for the company left at Bus House and two companies of the K.S.L.I under Major Bayley 2/K.S.L.I reported to me. I ordered them to try and rush the mound. The reserve company which I sent back for could not get up owing to block on the road. It was now almost broad daylight and there was a confused mass of troops by the St. Eloi cross road and I decided, that as any continued rush appeared out of the question, to retire. A few men had worked round through the houses on both sides of the road but any organised advance on these lines were impossible owing to the debris and state of the ground. I consider that the failure of the attack on the mound was mainly down to the following causes.