The New Zealanders on the left and the 21st Division on the right had also made good progress, but the 42nd Division had again gone farther forward than either, and in consequence the 127th Brigade was in a pronounced salient, exposed to enfilade fire on both flanks. The machine-gun sections which had advanced with the battalions applied themselves with zest to keep down the enemy’s fire, and they dealt with it very effectively. In the early afternoon the New Zealanders on the left made a further attack and came up into line with the 6th Manchesters, thus easing the situation on that flank. In the evening the 5th and 6th Manchesters were relieved by the 7th Manchesters and 8th Lancashire Fusiliers. At night the heavy and field artillery shelled Barastre and Haplincourt Wood in preparation for the morrow’s advance upon those places. In the early hours of September 3, however, patrols of the 8th L.F. and the 7th Manchesters found that the enemy had retired and that Barastre and Haplincourt Wood were empty. The fighting at Villers-au-Flos had evidently hit the enemy hard, and the Division made haste to exploit its success. The 125th Brigade was ordered to “leap-frog” through the 127th, and this was completed at 10 a.m., the 8th L.F. finding the advance-guard. It was a most exhilarating advance, reminding one of a Field Day on Salisbury Plain, and a new thrill was provided when a troop of the Scots Greys passed through and exchanged greetings with the infantry. Warfare had become more and more open recently, but this was the real genuine article. Cavalry going into action on horseback was a pleasant and cheering sight, and its significance was realized. The foot-sloggers grinned and waved their hands, wishing them the best of luck. The battalions in the rear were also witnessing sights, perhaps not so striking in their appeal to the eye, but hardly less significant of the change that had come over the scene. The whole British Army seemed on the move, and the roads were packed with transport. There were field artillery drawn by teams of mules, 6-inch howitzers bouncing along behind motor-lorries, dumps in process of removal, tanks, busses, field-kitchens, cable-wagons, observation-balloons attached to motor-cars with the observer at a height of 100 feet, and every variety of vehicle hastening in the wake of the retreating foe. The railways had been entirely destroyed, and much damage had been done to the roads, especially at the cross-roads. The traffic was constantly checked, or if possible diverted, while huge craters were filled in, but all difficulties were overcome, and the transport, and supply services got through Barastre without a halt, and at 1 p.m. the village of Bus, three miles beyond Villers-au-Flos, was entered. By 6 p.m. Ytres, the day’s final objective, had been gained, and now the Division was on familiar ground. On the left touch had been maintained throughout with the New Zealanders, who had made equally rapid progress, but the division on the right had met with greater opposition, and was 1000 yards behind.
RIENCOURT-LES-BAPAUME.
VILLERS-AU-FLOS.
TRESCAULT ROAD, LEADING THROUGH HAVRINCOURT WOOD.
A SLEEPER TRACK THROUGH HAVRINCOURT WOOD.
