In the early evening of the 30th the Battalion moved up by companies through the ruins and fires of Ypres towards Potijze and assembled in Congreve Walk, between Potijze Road and Lone Street, to wait for zero hour on the 31st. Major P. E. Robathan was in command, Colonel Balfour, with other Officers, N.C.O.’s and men forming B. Echelon at the Transport. We had a long wait through the night while the first stage of the attack was carried out by the 165th and 166th Infantry Brigades. At 3.30 a.m. on July 31st, under a barrage of more intense power than any previously recorded in the war, nine Divisions of the Fifth Army “went over the top,” while attacks in co-operation were carried out on the right by the Second Army and on the left by the French.
By 9 a.m., after severe fighting, the assaulting battalions of the 165th and 166th Infantry Brigades had captured their objectives, known as the Blue Line and the Black Line, on the north side of the Ypres-Roulers railway, penetrating about one to one and a half miles from Wieltje into the German system. To the 164th Infantry Brigade fell the second stage of the attack, to pass through the 165th and 166th Infantry Brigades and capture the enemy’s third line system, the Green Line or Gheluvelt-Langemarch Line, about one mile beyond the Black Line.
At 8.20 a.m. the 164th Infantry Brigade began its advance on a two-battalion frontage. The right front was formed by the 1/4th North Lancashire Regiment with the Battalion in support, and touch was to be kept on the right with battalions of the 45th Brigade (15th Division); the left front was formed by the 2/5th Lancashire Fusiliers supported by the 1/8th Liverpool (Irish). The slow advance from Congreve Walk towards the Black Line was carried out in its early stages according to schedule, and, in spite of a heavy retaliatory barrage, without serious loss. But before the Black Line was reached it was found that the enemy still held some of his concrete “pill-boxes” (the term “farms” being a courtesy title) and fighting became very severe, the support battalions becoming involved.
But the advance from the Black Line to the Green Line was the Battalion’s real task. Wonderful as the barrage had been at the outset it lost a little in intensity as the ranges lengthened and as time progressed. The Green Line was reached by all units of the Brigade and was held for about three hours. Among many who fought with gallantry and devotion Lance-Sergeant T. F. Mayson behaved with a distinction which won him the Victoria Cross. Single-handed he put out of action two machine guns and their crews and during the enemy counter-attack later in the day held up the advance at an isolated post by Lewis Gun fire.
It was not possible to occupy the Green Line permanently (it was many weeks before British troops again trod ground east of the Kansas Cross roads). Although touch had been established on the Green Line with the 15th Division on the right, the 39th Division on the left had encountered such serious difficulties that, although their right battalion gained touch with the Lancashire Fusiliers on the Green Line, a defensive flank had to be formed.
August, 1917
Moreover, in the early evening the enemy delivered a most determined counter-attack against the Green Line, and the Battalion, contesting, like the other units, every inch of ground, was compelled to withdraw to the Black Line, which it held against counter-attack, and at 1.30 a.m. on August 1st received orders to withdraw to the old British front line. Battalion Headquarters moved from Pommern Redoubt, and about 5 a.m. reached the mined dugout in Oxford Trench, where they joined Lieut.-Colonel Hindle, D.S.O., of the 4th Loyals, and his battalion headquarters.
The remnants of the Battalion and those of the 4th Loyals, manned the old front line from the top of New John Street to Warwick Farm. It was not until mid-day that all the survivors were collected—about 150 in all. Lieut. C. E. Withey took command of the front line, having under him Second-Lieuts. Lauder, Newbold, Gribble, Latham and Ellwood, and Second-Lieut. Lonsdale, of the 4th Loyals. Information was received that the enemy had driven back our advanced posts upon the Frezenberg Line and was preparing to assault that line. Preparations were accordingly made to hold the old front line as strongly as possible and a defence was quickly organised.
Heavy rain had rendered the old trench almost untenable, and the task of reforming trench duties and taking round the rations was extremely difficult. Towards midnight fifty stragglers were brought up from Transport lines, under Second-Lieut. Lingford, to reinforce the garrison. No casualties were sustained in the fire trench, although it was intermittently shelled. On August 2nd information was received that the Brigade was to be relieved by the 108th Brigade. The relieving troops arrived at 1.30 p.m., and relief was reported complete by 2.30. The situation was quiet during the morning, and no further casualties were sustained.
Upon relief by the 9th Royal Irish Rifles, Companies moved off independently, and by 5 p.m. had all reached the old concentration area at Vlamertinghe. Battalion Headquarters boarded a motor lorry outside St. Jean and had not proceeded very far when a heavy shell exploded just behind. Three were seriously wounded (two of whom afterwards died) and two slightly wounded. Colonel Hindle, of the 4th Loyals, Major Robathan, and the other occupants of the wagon had very narrow escapes. On reaching the concentration area everyone received a welcome rum ration—an indulgence which in a few instances produced curious effects! Food was ready and also baths and clean clothes. Colonel Balfour and the Officers and N.C.O.’s of the “B” List were assiduous in their attentions to the survivors. They had had information of the progress of the battle from wounded Officers passing through the Clearing Station at Vlamertinghe Mill. At 8.45 the Battalion left the concentration area and proceeded by buses—in a long convoy with the other units of the Brigade—to the Watou No. 3 Area, via Brandhoek and Poperinghe.