At 6.45 p.m. on October 6th we relieved the 8th K.L.R. in the front line—"D," "A," "B" Companies in front and from the right, and "C" Company in support. The line ran from a point in the Marcoing Line about 300 yards north-north-east of Proville across the Canal de l'Escaut, and right across an old German aerodrome almost to the Cambrai—Bapaume road, where the Canadians carried on the line. "D" Company were south of the canal, "B" and "A" Companies north of it. Posts were for the most part in old houses and cellars. "A" Company had an enormous covered concrete rifle range (see aeroplane photo) on their front. Their posts were at one end, and Company Headquarters at the other—a most convenient arrangement, affording protection from weather or hostilities for the Company Commander when visiting his posts.
During this night rear headquarters and transport lines by Bourlon Wood, to which the Padre and Lieutenant Hazell had been sent sick, and Captain Bowring for a rest prior to going on leave, were visited by an aeroplane and heavily bombed. The destruction caused by these terrific explosions was very considerable. One man was killed and seven wounded; while among the transport itself, which received the brunt of the bombing, eighteen animals were either blown to pieces or so maimed that they had to be shot. It was a horrible business digging out the wounded men and putting the mutilated and screaming animals out of their pain, and in the morning the place looked like a shambles.
October 7th passed off quietly with only intermittent shelling; but next day there was a general attack by the Third Army on limited objectives, which was connected with the turning of Cambrai from the flanks, though but mild retaliation occurred on our front.
It was now expected that the enemy might fall back at any moment. Active patrolling for the night of October 7th-8th was arranged by the battalion scouts working in relief. As had been anticipated, no enemy were located in the area bounded by the Cambrai—Bapaume road, the Cambrai embankment, and the canal; but up to 4 a.m. machine guns were still firing across the open country from the south bank of the canal. By this time the general attack of the Canadians, which had commenced at 1.30 a.m., had carried them up to the canal bridgeheads without serious opposition. Accordingly all companies in the front line were instructed to push forward small patrols, to be followed by strong fighting patrols, to keep abreast with the Canadians. At 7.30 a.m. a general advance was ordered, and, after consultation with the 8th K.L.R., who had relieved the 2/7th K.L.R. on our right, we made the following moves: "D" Company worked along the south of the canal up to the railway embankment in front of Cambrai; "B" Company worked along south of the Cambrai—Bapaume road, crossed the canal in front of Cambrai by a footbridge; "A" followed "B" Company, to form the left of our front line, which was now the railway embankment; while "D" Company occupied "B" Company's old position as support.
By twelve o'clock our new line was established with three companies on the line of the railway embankment running along the western outskirts of the town, and piquets placed over all entrances to Cambrai. Battalion Headquarters had moved from the canal bank up to the rifle range.
At 2 p.m., the pursuit having swept through and past Cambrai, we were concentrated for the night with "A" and "B" Companies in the rifle range, "C," "D," and Headquarters in houses some few hundred yards nearer the town itself. Our casualties from shell and machine-gun fire for three days were three killed and twenty-eight wounded.
The capture of Cambrai was the end of our share in the battles of Bapaume and Cambrai. The month of September and the early days of October saw the final initiation of the battalion, and, in fact, of the whole Division, into the mysteries of a great offensive. Looking back, we have reason to feel that we acquitted ourselves with credit. The following letter from General Sir Julian Byng, commanding Third Army, to our Divisional Commander, is reproduced here by special permission:—
"I cannot allow the 57th Division to leave the Third Army without expressing my sincerest appreciation of its services during the Battle of Cambrai.