The first opposition was encountered by the right platoon of "C" Company, who were held up by heavy machine-gun fire. The supporting platoon at once commenced an enveloping movement, which apparently disheartened the foe, as the post retired into a dug-out, out of which they were bombed, and the survivors made prisoners. "B" Company then advanced again with three platoons in front, though as progress was made sections darted off to deal with individual posts. "C" Company encountered little opposition till they approached the west edge of the village, when our own barrage, unfortunately, came back 200 yards, causing considerable casualties. A third platoon was accordingly sent forward to reinforce, and just at this moment heavy machine-gun fire was opened from the sunken road. No. 6 Section promptly dashed forward and successfully dealt with this nest of machine guns, when the company proceeded to deploy and move through the village, "B" Company continuing the line from the southern part of the village to the Brigade boundary.
The enemy now concentrated his artillery fire on the village, and both companies sustained somewhat serious casualties. Moreover, some of the enemy had gone to ground, and, reappearing after the leading wave had passed through, came up and opened fire on them from behind. A section was consequently detached to put a stop to this, and successfully drove the enemy back into the arms of "D" Company, who were "mopping up," twenty-one Germans being taken prisoners.
During the passage of the village 2nd-Lieutenant Anderson (No. 5 Platoon) became a casualty, and Sergeant Adlington took over command; while in "C" Company 2nd-Lieutenants Upward and Paterson were both wounded. Corporal Stevenson, finding both his platoon officer and sergeant out of action, assumed command of his platoon and led them successfully to their final objective in a masterly fashion.
After passing through the village, where numerous prisoners had been taken, the companies advanced steadily over difficult country to their final objectives. These were reached by "B" and "C" Companies at 7.10 p.m. and 7.15 p.m. respectively.
Shortly before this 2nd-Lieutenant T. L. Williams (No. 11 Platoon) was most unfortunately killed by a shell, and his place was taken by Sergeant Warren, who took the men over to their objective, which he consolidated with marked ability.
The enemy still held out with one very determined machine-gun party at Wolf Alley, and the advance was slightly checked. Rifleman Dury, with the utmost coolness, scored a direct hit on the gun at point-blank range with a rifle grenade, and the whole gun team were taken prisoners.
At 7.25 p.m. the contact aeroplane passed over as prearranged, and the flares were lit. By 9 p.m. both companies had completed the consolidation of their objectives, and on the right were in touch with the Scots Fusiliers. The left company, however, had not succeeded in getting touch with the 2/7th K.L.R., so Captain Robinson and Corporal Lee set out at 9.45 p.m. to try and find the right post of the left battalion. Soon after starting they ran into a party of the enemy, consisting of one officer and twenty-one men, which was apparently working round our left flank. The enemy proceeded to get his machine gun into action, but the officer and N.C.O. who were attending to it were promptly shot dead by Robinson and Lee, while five men of the party were killed as they tried to take cover, whereupon the remainder at once surrendered. For this fine performance and his general conduct throughout the operations, of which too much cannot be said, Captain Robinson received a bar to his Military Cross, while Corporal Lee was awarded the Military Medal.
The left battalion was located about 10 p.m., but being 500 yards away two sections were moved up from "D" Company to fill the gap, the rest of that company forming supporting posts. They had done their "mopping up" well, and took fifty prisoners in Riencourt itself.
Such is a brief and bald account of the taking of Riencourt, a feat of which the battalion may well be proud. The barrage that fell on them as they were moving forward to their assembly positions might well have disorganized the attack. As it was, the N.C.Os. and riflemen rose to the occasion as their seniors became casualties, and carried on admirably. Some names have already been mentioned, but some additions must be made. Rifleman Lewis, after his Company Sergeant-Major and the other N.C.O. at Company Headquarters were knocked out, took charge of the Headquarters personnel and kept up communication with all concerned. Rifleman Prior on liaison patrol tackled a German party of eight men with such determination that two were killed and the rest captured. Sergeant Haigh proved a skilful and bold platoon commander; Rifleman Dodd an equally dashing section commander. Riflemen Hatton, Fairclough, and Atkin ran backwards and forwards unceasingly throughout the action, keeping up communication; while Rifleman Mount, as stretcher-bearer, was untiring in his efforts, and entirely regardless of danger. He organized enemy stretcher parties, and many of the battalion wounded undoubtedly owe their lives to his energy and resource.