At 12.45 p.m. reinforcements were sent up from the 5th King’s Liverpools, and, with the help of these 2 Platoons, the Centre Company attempted to consolidate the enemy front line, and join up with the Right Company. About 1 p.m. the enemy made a very determined attack, and forced the Centre Company back into our original line by weight of numbers, and superiority of bombs, rifle grenades, etc. Enemy trench mortars and artillery were active on our Support Line and roads of approach. The Right Company, finding both flanks in the air, and being attacked by superior numbers, fell back to avoid being surrounded and cut off altogether. The fighting all morning was particularly fierce, but the enemy were superior in numbers and ammunition, and great difficulty was experienced in getting ammunition through the enemy barrage to the attacking Companies. The Companies reorganized in our front line, and devoted all their efforts to clearing the trenches of wounded, debris, etc.
The Battalion was relieved during the night of the 20th /21st by the 4th Loyals, and moved into dugouts in Ken Lane—Sart Lane, the relief being completed by 4.30 a.m. The day was spent resting, cleaning clothes, arms, etc., and salving of equipment, arms, and the removal of dead from the front line. At 6 p.m. on the 22nd Companies moved off independently and concentrated at St. Emilie, where they were met by the Band, and marched to billets in Longavesnes, and became part of the Divisional Reserve. At 2.30 p.m. on the 23rd the Major-General Commanding the Division came and spoke to the Battalion, which paraded in fatigue dress. In the course of his remarks, the General stated that “Although the Battalion did not hold their gains, yet they more than achieved the object of this attack. A considerable quantity of men and guns were kept employed opposite our front, and so assisted our advance at Cambrai. No enemy reinforcements left our front until late in the day.”
The following casualties were sustained during this attack:—
Officers.—Killed, Lieut. A. M. Clark (displayed splendid leadership in Gillemont Crescent), Second-Lieut. A. J. Dartnell. Wounded, Second-Lieut. J. R. Rundle (died of wounds), Capt. T. R. Blain, Second-Lieuts. R. Smith, J. Mackay, J. H. Sykes, G. Field, L. R. Keighley. Total, 9.
Other Ranks.—Killed 9, Wounded 113, Missing 80. Total 202.
There was little repose in this period of “rest” and the general atmosphere was one of tension. On the 29th the Battalion was ordered to “Stand To” and be ready to move immediately, as heavy enemy attacks were expected opposite the Divisional front. At 8.30 a.m. on the 30th we moved off by Companies to concentrate with the rest of the 164th Brigade near St. Emilie. At 10.30 a.m. the Battalion was ordered to move to Epehy and hold on at all costs. The enemy had broken through on the flank of the Left Brigade, and cut off almost the whole of the Brigade in the line. At 12 noon Companies extended to N.E. of Epehy and advanced in extended order to reinforce the 5th King’s Own, who were being forced back from their forward positions. Companies dug in a new line about 300 yards behind the front line held by the 5th King’s Own. The enemy were held, and we commenced to consolidate the position. The evening was fairly quiet and our casualties had been small.
December, 1917
On the 1st December the Battalion were in immediate support to the remains of the 166th Brigade, on the left of the Divisional front. The line held was as follows: From Fallen Tree Road on the right to Fourteen Willows Road and thence to Epehy—Villers Guislain Road on the left. During the early morning a party of the 5th King’s Own and 10th Liverpool Scottish, who had been surrounded in Limerick Post for nearly twenty-four hours, fought their way out and regained our lines. This party reinforced the front line and enabled closer touch to be gained with the 5th Lancashire Fusiliers on our left. At 6 a.m. an attack was due to commence by Tanks and Cavalry, with the intention of re-taking Villers Guislain, but no action was observed, although the artillery activity on the left increased considerably. At 9 a.m. however an attack by cavalry commenced. Two Squadrons advanced along the Epehy—Villers Guislain road and attempted to attack in the direction of Villers Guislain, but they were so badly cut up by artillery fire and Machine Guns that they withdrew to Epehy. Cavalry also attacked from Little Priel Farm on the right, and managed to make progress. One Squadron attempted to approach Villers Guislain by pushing along the valley from Little Priel Farm, but were met with heavy machine gun fire from Parr’s Bank, and although they held on to a forward position near Fourteen Willows Road for some time, they suffered heavy casualties, and were ultimately forced to withdraw.
The enemy made no further attempt to attack the Brigade front, devoting his efforts to consolidating the ground gained, but his artillery, Machine Guns and snipers were very active all morning. At 1 p.m. we launched a counter-attack with the intention of re-taking Meath, Kildare and Limerick Posts, and making these posts a line of resistance. About 200 of the 5th King’s Own, 10th Liverpool Scottish and 5th Loyals, together with 2 Squadrons of Indian Cavalry, constituted the attacking force. Inadequate Artillery support, and heavy enemy Machine Gun fire were mainly responsible for the failure of the attack, and the survivors returned to our front line, having suffered severely. During the attack “A” Company moved up from immediate support to the front line, S. of Fourteen Willows Road.
At 4.30 p.m. enemy Artillery became very active, Battalion Headquarters in Fourteen Willows Road, our front line and support line to the right of the Epehy—Villers Guislain Road, were heavily shelled for about half an hour. As evening drew near, however, conditions became normal. The 8th Liverpool Irish advanced on the left of Epehy—Villers Guislain Road in support of the 4th Loyals, and eventually gained touch with the left flank of the 166th Brigade on the right of Epehy—Villers Guislain Road. The 166th Infantry Brigade, including the 4th King’s Own, were relieved during the night by the 110th Infantry Brigade, 21st Division, and went into billets in St. Emilie, the relief being completed at 1.30 a.m. on the 2nd December, and all Companies had arrived in billets by 3.30 a.m. The day was spent in resting and cleaning equipment and clothes, but we were again under orders to be ready to move at half an hour’s notice. Reserves of ammunition, grenades, tools and rations were brought up to establishment.