"The success that has crowned its efforts has been brought about by careful preparation by the Staff, by skilful tactical handling by all leaders, and by determined resolve of all ranks to beat the enemy.
"The Third Army's record of ground gained, of prisoners and guns captured, is a fine one, and I owe my deepest thanks to all ranks of the 57th Division for their fine share in the achievement."
CHAPTER IX
RUITZ—LILLE—FROYENNES
On the evening of October 9th orders were received from Brigade that the Division was to "pull out of the line" the next day for a rest. This had been anticipated by all ranks, and the wildest speculations had been rife. "Three weeks at Calais," "A fortnight in the South of France," and other even more ridiculous prophecies had been uttered, each, of course, based on "inside information." After all, when the war really seemed to be nearing its end, any rumours, whether of a "rest" or of a fallen Monarchy, met with ready acceptance.
At 10.30 a.m. on October 10th we commenced our move, so as to strike the Brigade starting-point at Anneux Chapel at 11.15 a.m. Considerable difficulty was experienced in collecting the companies, owing to the barrier produced by the canal. The battalion, however, eventually was joined together, and we tramped along the Bapaume—Cambrai road in high spirits, albeit the recent battle was still in evidence by reason of the dead Germans and slain horses seen lying about.
As we reached Fontaine we met a Scottish Division marching up, and throughout its length the road was very congested. Our Divisional Commander watched us pass, and we picked up our rear headquarters by Bourlon Wood en route. As we marched along the switchback road H.R.H. the Prince of Wales and General Byng passed us, motoring up to Cambrai.
The battle area, now that the struggle had gone ahead, looked forlorn and desolate; and we were not sorry when, about two o'clock, we reached the bare hillside at Boursies, where we were to spend the night. Bivouacs were soon constructed, and though it threatened to rain, and in fact did so at intervals, our spirits were in no way damped.
Soon after our arrival we were conscious of a terrific detonation—it would be untrue to say we "heard" it—and, looking back towards Cambrai, we saw a tall pillar of smoke, with a large mushroom top, rising from the town. We wondered whether our Army Commander and the Prince of Wales had left the town in time to avoid the explosion. The next day Brigadier-General Meynell, C.M.G., arrived to take over command of our Brigade, and Colonel Gathorne-Hardy returned to our Headquarters once more. The same day a proportion of our transport moved off to Ruitz, near Bethune, our ultimate destination.