(General Tudor’s Letter to Brig.-General Tanner.)
[123] Commanded by Lieut.-Colonel French since August.
[124] The 28th Brigade was given a narrower front in the advance to the first objective in order to ensure that a sufficient force would still be in hand, after Frezenberg Ridge was reached, to press home the attack along the main ridge, most of which lay within the right brigade sector.
[125] Owing to the small number of field-guns per yard (one gun to about 45 yards) the Division had to depend chiefly on smoke for the barrage, and the guns fired two rounds of smoke to one of H.E.
[126] A great deal of trouble had been taken to arrange the right hour for zero, but all the calculations of the Divisional Staff were completely upset by the fact that the morning was cloudy with drizzling rain.
[127] The 28th Brigade A.F.A. was attached to the Division.
[128] The 6th and 7th Cavalry Divisions, consisting of men of fine physique, who, according to their own statements, were known as the “War-prolongers” because they remained full of fight while the resisting power of other German troops was diminishing.
[129] The cavalry in reserve consisted of the 3rd French Cavalry Brigade, which, however, was not under the orders of the G.O.C. Ninth Division.
[130] A tribute greatly cherished by the Division was received from General C. W. Jacobs in a Special Order issued on the 3rd October:—
“As the first phase of the operations which began on the 28th September 1918 is over, I wish to express to you and all ranks of the Ninth Division my gratitude and thanks for the splendid work which has been achieved.