At the time when those battles opened the enemy still held his line opposite the 20th Division, and during the whole of this period, up to the 6th of October, although pressed by fighting patrols from each brigade, he gave up comparatively little ground except immediately south of Lens.
On the night of the 26th/27th of September the 7th D.C.L.I., the right battalion of the 61st Brigade, attacked the enemy’s trenches south-west of Acheville in conjunction with the 8th Division on the right. At the same time the 59th and 60th Brigades assisted with trench mortar and machine-gun fire, and gas was projected in the Avion sector.
The front attacked by the 7th D.C.L.I. extended for some 1200 yards and contained seven posts strongly held by light machine guns and trench mortars, effectively wired in. For over ten days patrols of this battalion had shown considerable enterprise and boldness in making constant reconnaissances of the objective, gaining definite knowledge of the obstacles to be encountered, and of the enemy’s dispositions. The information obtained was passed on to all ranks, so that every man knew what to do.
The night was dark and overcast, and for some time heavy rain fell, making movement more difficult but helping to conceal the assembly. In order to prevent enemy patrols from obtaining information of the preparations, and also to make the night’s proceedings appear normal, a platoon of “D” Company patrolled the front until shortly before zero.
The assaulting troops, “A” Company, under Captain Waters, and “B” Company, under 2nd Lieut. Lobb, assembled along a road known as Winnipeg Road, which ran parallel to the objective and about 300 yards west of it. At midnight the Divisional Artillery, with some other batteries attached for the purpose, opened a particularly well-timed and effective barrage, and continued to fire for three-quarters of an hour. The 61st L.T.M.B. fired about 1500 rounds with good effect during the operations, and a skilfully arranged and well-executed programme was carried out by the 20th Battalion M.G.C. The co-operation of the artillery, trench mortars and machine guns in this operation was splendid.
Close under the barrage—in places within thirty yards of it—the infantry advanced, “A” Company on the right, “B” Company on the left. “A” Company, in close touch with the assaulting troops of the 8th Division, attacked the enemy in front. One platoon of “B” Company advanced on the left of “A.”
The enemy was undoubtedly surprised by the rapidity with which these troops reached the line, and left his trench, making a stand on the far side. The fight was brief. Under very effective fire from rifles, Lewis guns and rifle grenades, many of the enemy fell. Posts were quickly established in the captured trench and consolidation was begun at once.
The three remaining platoons of “B” Company turned the trench from the north, and by this manœuvre effectively took the garrison by surprise. After a short fight at close quarters all opposition was overcome, and leaving many dead in the trench and several prisoners and a machine gun in our hands, the rest of the enemy retreated under rifle and Lewis gun fire.
As soon as the objective had been captured, “C” Company sent up trench parties, accompanied by R.E. These parties removed the enemy’s blocks in the communication trenches leading into the captured line, and with the material which they carried forward established blocks in the communication trenches leading from the new line towards the enemy.
“D” Company was in support of the attack, but was not needed, and when the protective barrage ended, three platoons of this company moved up to act as battle patrols, carrying with them R.E. material and tools, which they dropped in the new line as they passed through.