CHAPTER VII
THE GERMAN OFFENSIVE
THE FIRST BATTLE OF ARRAS, 1918
Telegrams of congratulation on the action at Cambrai came from Corps and Army Headquarters; Sir Douglas Haig also sent a wire. But there was no question of rest for the 56th Division.
The strength of battalions on the 1st December was:
| Officers. | Other ranks. | |
| 7th Middlesex | 41 | 760 |
| 8th Middlesex | 35 | 571 |
| 1st London | 43 | 740 |
| 3rd London | 37 | 813 |
| 4th London | 32 | 622 |
| 12th London | 28 | 754 |
| 13th London | 36 | 850 |
| 14th London | 42 | 949 |
| 2nd London | 32 | 529 |
| 5th London | 40 | 730 |
| 9th London | 31 | 789 |
| 16th London | 30 | 592 |
On the 3rd the division, less artillery, moved by tactical trains to the area behind Arras; Divisional Headquarters were at Fosseux; the 167th Brigade in the Montenescourt-Gouves-Wanquentin area; the 168th in the Warlus-Simencourt area; the 169th in the Bernaville-Dainville area. The next day the division moved into the XIII Corps area with Divisional
Headquarters in camp near Roclincourt. Gen. Dudgeon went to see the new line on the 6th, and on the 7th the relief of the 31st Division started.
The line taken over was between Gavrelle and Oppy: Gavrelle was held by us and Oppy by the Germans.