SGT. E. SMITH, V.C., D.C.M., 1/5 BN. LANCASHIRE FUSILIERS.
In the course of the battle of the 21st August there had been a general high standard of courage and also many acts of heroism, some of which passed unnoticed, while some were rewarded. The outstanding valour and prowess of Lance-Sergeant Edward Smith, 5th L.F., at the capture of The Lozenge and subsequently, received the recognition they deserved, the Victoria Cross being awarded on the following grounds—
For conspicuous gallantry, leadership and personal example during an attack on the 21st August and subsequent operations. This N.C.O. while in command of a platoon personally took a machine-gun post, rushing the garrison with his rifle and bayonet. The enemy, on seeing his advance, scattered to throw hand-grenades at him. Regardless of danger he shot and killed at least six of the enemy. Having done this he ordered his men to follow him, and mopped up two more machine-gun posts, again killing and capturing some of the garrison himself. A little later, seeing another platoon requiring assistance, he led his men to them, took command of the situation, and captured the objective, again killing many of the enemy himself. During the enemy counter-attack on the 22nd August he led a section forward and regained the line where it had been penetrated on his platoon front. This N.C.O.’s personal example of bravery, skill and initiative is worthy of the highest praise and reward. His conduct throughout exemplified magnificent courage and skill with his weapons, and in addition he displayed marked tactical ability and command. All men around him were greatly inspired by his leadership and example.
At 2.30 a.m. on August 22nd the enemy artillery opened fire, and for an hour and a half the infantry along the whole of the divisional front and the batteries around Serre were vigorously bombarded, mainly with gas-shells. At 4.15 a.m. the expected counter-attack was delivered, and was repulsed with very heavy loss to the enemy at all points except at the Dovecot. The Germans debouching from Miraumont were shattered by steady, well-aimed fire from rifles, Lewis-guns, and machine-guns. The four guns of the section of “B” Company, M.G. Battalion, attached to the 125th Brigade, had been taken forward in front of the infantry, and these, assisted by flanking fire from “C” Company’s machine-guns, with the 127th Brigade, completely broke up the attack on the right. On the left, however, posts of the 7th L.F. at the Dovecot were overrun after bitter fighting by overwhelming numbers, but the enemy was held on a line which the battalion had consolidated the previous afternoon just west of and overlooking the Dovecot. Two platoons of the 10th Manchesters (this battalion having been placed under the orders of the 125th Brigade) gave great assistance.
At 8.30 a.m. the enemy counter-attacked this new line and also the positions on the left of the divisional front held by the New Zealand Division. The attack was beaten back all along the line, and again the machine-guns contributed conspicuously to the success. The four guns of the forward section of “B” M.G. Company took the enemy waves in enfilade and broke them up utterly, the section capturing a number of prisoners and forcing more than 200 to surrender to the New Zealanders, who expressed their appreciation of the good work and efficient assistance rendered by the section. During this counter-attack a body of the enemy got through a gap between the two brigades, and all of them were killed or captured by a support section of the M.G. Battalion. Information obtained from prisoners proved that the counter-attacks had been made by four battalions of an entirely fresh enemy division—the 52nd German Naval Division—brought down from Flanders. A third counter-attack was made later in the day, but this, too, was beaten off, and in the evening and throughout the night the troops worked hard to consolidate their new positions, and prepared to follow up their successes. There was to be no rest for them or for the enemy.
The 21st and 22nd of August were days of extreme heat. Considerable movement had been made under a blazing sun, with heavy loads, over ground that had been badly gassed, and as fighting and work upon the new positions had been continuous for over forty hours there was a certain amount of exhaustion, and also some suffering from the heat. But there was none of the dejection and depression that usually accompany exhaustion. Instead, there was the consciousness of achievement, of triumph long deferred but now assured, and of buoyancy of spirit which could control the physical weariness and carry the tired body on and on to further and greater achievement. Der Tag—for years a subject of jest—had dawned at last, and its glorious opportunities were not to be thrown away because of a physical longing for rest and sleep. That the War must end some day every one knew; that it would end in victory for the Allies few of the soldiers doubted; but hope had been deferred so long, and disappointments had been so many and so great, that après la guerre had become a joke, a half-cynical allusion to a period as inevitable as death but much more remote. Now all was changed; the war had taken on an entirely new complexion, and “next spring,” or even an earlier date, was spoken of with confidence, for at last, and for the first time, the Boche was on the run. His day was over and ours had dawned. Though his numbers were still equal or superior to ours, though his lines of defence were as formidable as the skill and ingenuity of the greatest masters of defensive warfare could make them, and though he would turn, snarling, and fight like a wolf at bay, our men had complete confidence in their skill with rifle and bayonet, their grit, and their will to conquer. They knew now that they were Jerry’s master. There was an accumulation of old scores to wipe off, and though the beaten individual Boche would generally be treated with contemptuous good-humour, there remained the deep loathing of all the vile deeds by which the title of “Hun” had been earned. Exhaustion and physical distress were therefore thrust aside by the call for action.
Miraumont, August 22-24
At 2.30 a.m. on August 23 two companies of the 8th L.F. on the left and two of the 10th Manchesters on the right attacked the Dovecot. The enemy fought hard to retain his hold of this position, but the Salford and Oldham men fought still harder, and the Dovecot was finally won. Casualties were heavy on both sides. A number of prisoners were taken, and also a complete Field Dressing Station. The New Zealanders on the left advanced their right to conform; and their attack being successful they passed beyond the line of the 125th Brigade, which then swung forward its left flank until touch was restored and sent patrols down into the Miraumont Valley. During the night the 125th Brigade was relieved by the 126th (D Company, M.G. Battalion attached), which also took over 500 yards of front from the New Zealand Division, who were thus squeezed out by the 126th Brigade on their right and the 5th Division on the left.
To exploit victories the following method was adopted—
(a) Strong patrols, usually one platoon, would make good the ground by bounds. These patrols to be adequately supported.