There was nothing, therefore, to do but for the battalion to dig in, which they proceeded to do under heavy machine-gun and artillery fire, a none too pleasant task.
At 4.30 p.m. news was received that the 63rd Division had captured the Sugar Factory; and at 5.30 p.m. General Longbourne, our Brigadier, arrived at Battalion Headquarters. It now appeared that the attacking divisions had made progress towards their second objective, and that it was our turn to continue the operation.
Our instructions were to capture Cantaing Trench and Support. This was a double line of trenches which ran in a south-south-easterly direction from the south side of Bourlon Wood round the south-east side of Anneux down to Cantaing. To reach this line we were to move down to our objective from the north, using the section of Cantaing Trench and Support that ran along the west and south sides of Bourlon Wood, and obtaining cover from the wood itself.
It was decided to attack on a two company front—"D" on the right, "C" on the left, with "B" in support and "A" in reserve. "C" Company was responsible for the clearance of Cantaing Trench. Zero was 6.20 p.m., at which hour a twenty minutes' barrage was to begin. The companies moved over at 6 p.m., but the barrage never came off. However, at about 9.30 p.m. word was received from Captain Fell that, as neither Cantaing Trench nor Support was half dug or continuous, he thought it inadvisable to continue before daylight. This was approved.
At 4.30 a.m. on September 28th Captain Patteson, the Brigade Major, arrived with fresh orders. The battalion were now to capture a trench just west of Fontaine and round the southern edge of that place to the east end of Cantaing, the attack to commence at 6.20 a.m.
The formation for the attack was the same as had already been detailed, except that "B" and "A" Companies were given objectives on the left of the attack.
Companies moved off at 6.15 a.m. and at 9.30 a.m. Captain Fell and Captain Williams reported that they had gained their objectives and were moving through Fontaine—where a Divisional Headquarters, complete with maps and papers, was occupied—to take up positions on the east side.
While proceeding to attack Anneux, Lieutenant James, commanding "A" Company, was severely wounded. Notwithstanding, he carried on for eighteen hours, and was only evacuated at length by the direct orders of the Commanding Officer. For his gallantry on this occasion he was awarded the Military Cross.
Platoon posts were established by the three companies, "B," "C" and "D," east of Fontaine, "A" Company being on the western outskirts of the village. The casualties were 2nd-Lieutenant Shirt and ten men wounded. The same morning the 170th Infantry Brigade passed through us to capture the Marcoing Line, which runs north and south about 1,400 yards east of Fontaine, but, having failed to do so, were withdrawn through us early in the morning of September 29th. At 7.30 a.m. on September 29th information was received that the Canadians had captured the Marcoing Line as far south as the trenches just north of the railway embankment which cuts the Cambrai—Bapaume road. Two patrols from "D" and "B" companies were despatched in consequence at 9.30 a.m. to "mop up" the balance of this line north of the Canal De l'Escaut. "D" Company's patrol reached the sunken road which runs from the north end of La Folie Wood towards Cambrai, but were there held up by machine-gun fire. 2nd-Lieutenant Waln and "B" Company's patrol worked along the north side of the railway embankment, which runs from about 100 yards north of Fontaine due east, till they got in touch with the southernmost post of the Canadians in the Marcoing Line. Turning south, he proceeded to clear the Marcoing Line, fighting his way with the utmost coolness and gallantry. At the very outset several of his men were knocked out by artillery and machine-gun fire, but he worked his way doggedly along. Being presently reinforced by another platoon, he completed the clearing of this section of the line, joining hands finally with "D" Company's patrol at the southern end of this section of the line. He finished his task at 6.30 p.m., and brought in one machine gun and sixteen prisoners. For this very gallant performance, which was highly complimented by the Canadians, 2nd-Lieutenant Waln was recommended for the Military Cross, but was awarded a Divisional Commander's Card of Congratulations only. Lance-Corporal Chambers was awarded the Military Medal in the same connection.