Two of our fighting patrols, which went out just after dark on the 25th, to occupy the junction of Orchard Road and front line, to the junction of Finchley Road and front line, met the enemy in force, became heavily engaged, and were driven back. Second-Lieuts. Sykes and Whitmore were wounded. A barrage was put down to enable a third party to rush this line. The barrage came down in No Man’s Land, behind the objective, and our men could not advance against hostile machine gun fire. Several casualties were sustained. The enemy were holding our old front line in strength. At 4 a.m. on the 26th April, covered by Artillery fire, two platoons of “A” and “D” Companies rushed the enemy position, and heavy hand-to-hand fighting ensued. Our party was forced to withdraw. At 2.20 p.m., under cover of Artillery fire and Machine Gun barrage, two Platoons of “C” and “D” Companies attempted, in conjunction with 5th Lancashire Fusiliers to retake the crater saps on our left. The barrage did not come down on “K” and “J” Saps, and the Lancashire Fusiliers were unable to reach their objectives. The 4th King’s Own reached their objectives after fierce fighting, during which 40 German prisoners were taken. Parties of “C” Company, under Second-Lieut. Hunter, on the left, quickly cleared Berkeley Street, “E” Sap, and front line. Parties of “D” Company, under Second-Lieut. Stewart, on the right, rushed from Coventry Sap and took “A” Sap, also obtaining touch with “C” Company. Second-Lieut. Hunter was killed after these objectives were reached. Touch was established with the 5th Lancashire Fusiliers but the latter were driven from their positions by strong enemy counter-attacks. Our own posts became surrounded on three sides, and we were forced to give ground. After bitter fighting we accomplished a successful withdrawal to our former lines, after inflicting heavy losses on the enemy. Congratulations were received from Corps, Division, and Brigade Commanders on the fine fighting qualities displayed.
April–May, 1918
On the 28th April we were relieved by the 4th Loyals, and went into support in the Village Line, Battalion Headquarters being in Fanshawe Castle; “B” and “D” Companies in Canal Bank; “A” Company in Pont Fixe, and “C” Company, Windy Corner. The 7th King’s Liverpool Regt. relieved us on the night of the 1st May, and we went into Brigade Reserve in Verquigneul, where re-clothing, refitting and bathing was carried out. Reinforcements joined us and Companies were reorganized. The Divisional Commander inspected and interviewed parties of “C” and “D” Companies who took part in the recent attack on the Crater Saps. Platoon and Company training were also carried out. On the 8th May preparations were made for going up into the line. 2 Officers and 135 other ranks proceeded by march route to Allouagne, to Corps Reinforcement Depot, as “B” Team. At 7.30 p.m. the march to the trenches by platoons commenced. We relieved the 5th King’s Liverpool Regt. in the Givenchy Right Sector, Left Sub-Sector. The relief was completed at 1.40 a.m. on the 9th without incident. Dispositions were as follows: left front, “A” Company; centre, “D” Company; right front, “B” Company; “C” Company in support in the Keeps. There was much enemy activity during this tour of duty in the trenches, especially by his Artillery, and also in the air. On the 14th May a low flying aeroplane was engaged by our machine guns, and shortly afterwards the enemy’s artillery, searching from Pont Fixe to Windy Corner, succeeded in blowing up an ammunition store at the latter post.
May–August, 1918
Such was the general position at this time. Outwardly, the course of events, for the next three or four months, followed the same routine. Life alternated between the trenches at Givenchy, and Reserve at Drouvin Camp. It is earnestly hoped that a cursory glance at the period under review, will not convey the impression that nothing worthy of note was happening. Far from it; but a closer analysis would be a repetition of what has already been presented to the reader. The Battalion underwent its usual hazardous tour of duty in the trenches, and close proximity to the enemy could never be uneventful. It will be recalled that during the strong attack by the Germans on April 9th, we were compelled to retire slightly from our old front line, and this had since been occupied by the enemy. This line was accordingly re-occupied by our troops, and a great quantity of salvage was found and brought down.
The spirit which now prevailed amongst our troops was restrained optimism. This feeling had an intangible quality, gossamer in texture, more tacit than expressed, but everywhere radiating good cheer, and hope for the near future. The power of the enemy’s attack appeared to have been definitely broken, while the time was approaching when our own irresistible advance was to reach a triumphant conclusion.
On the 21st August, at Vaudricourt, we listened to a lecture by Brigadier-General G. I. Stockwell, telling us about, and explaining a secret attack on the Craters, to be carried out by the 5th Lancashire Fusiliers and ourselves, and Officers and N.C.O.s studied a model of the Craters. The following day this lecture was repeated to the men by Company Commanders. Preparations for the coming attack were made, and great keenness was shewn. On the 23rd August we moved up the line to assembly positions, with Headquarters in the Givenchy Tunnel. The Battalion was very busy making final arrangements.
August, 1918
At 2.20 a.m. on the morning of the 24th August, all Companies were in assembly positions. Despite a very slight harassing fire no casualties were sustained. Wire cutting had previously been carried out by advance parties. The enemy was very quiet, sent up few lights, and showed no signs of anticipating an attack. Supporting Companies received hot breakfasts, and the assembling troops had sandwiches and chocolate. No noise was made in getting up food. Snipers crept out to position on spoil heaps, from which they kept down enemy observation prior to the attack, and kept down enemy fire during the attack, by firing on such targets as exposed themselves.
At 6 a.m. visibility became very poor, a slight rain falling. Our own Stokes Mortars fired intermittently on the crater areas up to the time when the rockets were fired at zero hour. One of our aeroplanes flew low over the craters, drawing only a very slight machine gun fire. On the firing of the rockets at 7.20 a.m., the assaulting troops immediately advanced under splendid leadership. Two and a half minutes elapsed before the enemy fired his first rifle shot. There was no artillery fire at all. The enemy was completely taken by surprise, and was found mostly in dugouts. Not a single enemy machine gun was in action on the Battalion front. At 7.24 a.m. an S.O.S. rocket, bursting into two red lights, was fired from well behind the enemy’s lines. Meanwhile, mopping up parties had followed closely behind the front line of sections, but found the enemy to be in small strength. These were effectively dealt with, some being killed and some being taken prisoner. A few tried to run away but were heavily fired on.