The 12th K.R.R.C. on the 3rd sent forward a platoon of “A” Company, under 2nd Lieut. J. C. Mackenzie, and a platoon of “B” Company, under 2nd Lieut. J. S. Langworth. In spite of strong resistance the platoon of “A” Company established a post in the enemy’s front line. Second-Lieut. Langworth was wounded, and after heavy fighting his platoon was surrounded and only two men got back. Second-Lieut. Mackenzie, although hard pressed, held on to his position throughout the following day, and on the 5th “D” Company established two more posts in the German line south of Acheville. Heavy machine-gun fire prevented any further advance.
On the front of the 61st Brigade, on the 3rd, parties of the 12th King’s bombed their way up several communication trenches but met with strong opposition, and the battalion made no progress that day. On the right the 7th D.C.L.I. advanced on a two company front, with “D” Company, under Lieut. Chegwin, on the right, “B” Company, under Capt. Davis, on the left. Both made good progress and occupied the German front line between Fresnoy and Acheville, where they captured twelve prisoners and a machine gun, and a number of documents, aeroplane photographs and maps, which gave very valuable information. The D.C.L.I. then found themselves in advance of both the units on their flanks, as the troops on their immediate right had also been unable to gain their objective.
On the following day the 12th King’s, attacking behind an artillery barrage, entered the German trenches, thus advancing their line 500 yards. On the front of the D.C.L.I. “D” Company was relieved by “A” Company, under Lieut. Parkes. Well supported by artillery, by machine guns and by the 61st Light Trench Mortar Battery, the leading companies gained Fresnoy Wood; they pushed from there to the village, but being unsupported on the flanks withdrew to the wood again.
On the 5th the line of both battalions was established in the German trench system between Fresnoy and Acheville. The King’s established themselves in the trenches north of Fresnoy, and in the evening pushed two platoons of the right company forward to the west end of Fresnoy Park. Patrols which entered the park met a good deal of opposition, entirely from machine guns. During the day touch was gained with the 11th K.R.R.C. on the left, and the battalion was relieved on the night of the 6/7th.
A patrol of the 7th D.C.L.I., under 2nd Lieut. Spargo, located an enemy trench mortar on the morning of the 5th. A Stokes gun of the 61st L.T.M.B. opened fire on it, scattered the team and knocked out the trench mortar, which was then captured by the patrol. Soon after mid-day the enemy, approaching under cover of Fresnoy Wood, launched a strong counter attack on “B” Company of the D.C.L.I. The company suffered a certain number of casualties, but successfully repulsed the attack. Most useful work was done throughout the operations by the second in command, Capt. J. W. Rawle, who remained with the front companies, helping to organise the defence of the captured trenches, and keeping battalion headquarters informed of the situation.
On the night of the 5/6th the 7th D.C.L.I. were relieved by the 7th Somerset L.I., who on the following day pushed forward battle patrols of “B” and “D” Companies. These patrols were engaged all day with the enemy rearguards, and the line of the battalion had been advanced to 400 yards in front of Fresnoy when the battalion was relieved that night.
By the 8th the relief of the 20th Division by the 12th Division was complete.
Chapter XIV
THE FINAL ADVANCE
9th October to 11th November 1918
The Division at rest in the Monchy Breton area—Move to Cambrai—Advance to the line Mons—Maubeuge.
(Vide [Sketch D.])