This force acted with great vigour, and not only gained GRENADIER ROAD, but also re-took the commanding saps on the northern craters, giving valuable observation over the flat ground to the north and the approaches to the Portuguese front.
The southern force (“King’s Own” and Lancashire Fusiliers) was ordered to move up CHEYNE WALK, regain the front line, and then move northwards, closing the mouth of the southern pocket.
This force succeeded in freeing DEATH AND GLORY SAP and regaining the main line of defence, but could not regain its crater posts owing to the complete destruction of the trenches leading to them.
These movements commenced at 11 30 a.m., and were covered by a concentrated barrage fire by our artillery on CANAL RESERVE, in which the enemy were believed to have their reserves massed. During the progress of the operations no enemy supports came up, and direct evidence is now available that this was due to the artillery barrage.
It will be remembered that early in the morning about 50 Officers and men were captured by the enemy round the First Aid Post at WINDY CORNER, among them being the Rev. L. N. Forse, Chaplain to the 4th Loyal North Lancashire Regiment. This Officer was many weeks in Germany, and on his return to the Brigade on release stated that he and ten other prisoners were taken off by the Boche to one of the trenches north of the craters. The ground in this area was covered with enemy dead, and our rifle and machine gun fire was very heavy. Later the party were moved southwards behind the craters, making for CANAL RESERVE trench. At about 11 30 a.m. the party were thirty yards or so from the trench, which was packed with about 500 enemy massed three deep. Our barrage opened and fell right in the trench, doing tremendous execution, unfortunately knocking out 23 of the Chaplain’s party. After half an hour the barrage ceased, and the remnants of the party made for the trench, but found it quite impossible to move along it owing to the Boche dead in it. The massed enemy reserves appeared to have been completely destroyed by our artillery fire.
The mouths of the pockets being closed and the enemy surrounded, it was only a matter of time before he was forced to surrender in groups.
There were many acts of bravery on the part of individual Officers and men, and many honours were won.
The outstanding features of the action were: (a) absolute preparedness for action, (b) the sending out of scouts to locate the enemy, (c) the prompt initiative shown by all ranks, which was responsible for the breaking up of the enemy’s attack and his complete defeat.
By 3 45 p.m. we had regained the whole of our defensive system, with the exception of the saps on the southern craters. As soon as darkness came on, an attack was organised by the Royal Lancaster Regiment to recover the crater saps in their area. This was very successful, a large number of prisoners being taken.