The Seventh Manchesters, S. J. Wilson [most important books to read TXT] 📗

a cohesion in the company, for it was evident that the Hun

resistance promised to be strong, and there was no hope now of

assistance from the right flank. In this manner the high ground near the

Brown Line was reached, but the company was suffering from fire both

from the front and the right flank. 2nd-Lts. Siddall and Gapp were

wounded, as well as three platoon sergeants, and there was no knowledge

as to what had happened to “D” company. At this moment the Germans

developed a counter-attack from the right in a manner to be expected

from an intelligent and courageous enemy. The obvious thing for them to

do was to cut in behind “B” company’s right flank and attempt to regain

a footing in “Unseen Trench” which had just been taken from them. From

an offensive force we were suddenly transformed into a defensive force,

and the men were still out in the open. Wilson drew back his right flank

so as to face the Huns, but kept his left in touch with the 6th on the

road in front of the Brown Line, and from this position, the men being

disposed in shell holes, “B” company held up the enemy attack and

defended the ground won. The Huns were on higher ground and when they

had been finally driven to earth they kept up vigorous sniping at very

close range, a form of fighting that we returned with interest. Pearson

was hit in the stomach and later died on the way down, so that Wilson

and C.S.M. Shields were left to control the remainder of the company.

 

The arrival of 2nd-Lt. Smith with signalling apparatus enabled

communication to be obtained with battalion H.Q. Lt. Wilson outlined

the situation and was told in return that the L.F’s. had not yet reached

Boar Copse, having met with powerful resistance. He was further ordered

to hang on to his position and wait until the L.F’s. had drawn up in

line. Meanwhile a company of the 5th was sent up to strengthen the

flank. Continuous touch by means of patrols were kept with the enemy,

and his movements were carefully watched. Within 300 yards were a couple

of German 77 m.m. guns, pluckily worked by the gunners at point blank

range until our machine gunners, who had now arrived, co-operated with

L.G’s. from the 6th and ourselves in putting them out of action. They

were taken by the 10th in the night. Meanwhile Gresty and the company of

the 6th on the Yellow Line had been ordered to fall back 300 yards to a

less isolated position, and a sound front and flank was thus

established.

 

The battle had now reached a stage when the next move would be ordered

by the brigade or even by the division. Careful observation of the enemy

led us to suppose that he was weakening and Gresty and Wilson intimated

that when the L.F’s. arrived at the Brown Line, having re-organised

their companies, they should be prepared to continue the advance in the

7th sector. Division had decided otherwise, however, and had ordered up

a battalion of the 126th brigade. Rapid preparations were made for a

night attack to complete the divisional task, the 10th Manchesters to

cover the 127th brigade front and the L.F’s. to continue on their right.

Before nightfall, the enemy having withdrawn from the trenches

immediately in front, “B” company pushed on again and established a good

line running north and south in front of the Brown Line, and touching up

with the L.F’s. who had now arrived. This considerably simplified the

work of the 10th, who were able to assemble in the night on an even

front.

 

The night attack was a success. The Huns were evidently demoralised and

put up no fight at all, surrendering in large batches without firing a

shot when our men arrived at their dug-outs, so that the Blue Line was

made good before dawn. Then came the work of exploiting success, and on

the 42nd divisional front this was carried out by the 8th Manchesters,

and the 5th East Lancs., the 126th brigade having taken over the front

during the afternoon of Sept. 28th. They were able to make good progress

over Welsh Ridge before encountering serious resistance. Later in the

day the New Zealand Division marched through to follow up the enemy, so

that the 42nd could go down for a rest. Gladly did the Fleur de Lys pack

up their traps and march back over the ground that had recently seen

such stern work. The brigadier had been up and personally thanked Lts.

Gresty and Wilson for the work achieved by “D” and “B” companies,

remarking that having seen the ground, and knowing the difficulties

which had to be encountered, he thought all the men were heroes in

having accomplished so much. Such praise coming from so sound a soldier

was naturally received with gratitude and pride, and we felt that once

again the name of the 7th Manchesters had been scored honourably and

deeply in the records of warfare. The battalion reassembled in the big

dug-out and there realised sadly the abundance of accommodation now

afforded.

 

It had been a glorious fight but won at a terrible cost. Out of the 450

or so men who went over there had been more than 300 casualties. Of the

sixteen officers who started out four only remained. 2nd-Lt. Pearson’s

death was particularly sad. He had gone out in the ranks in 1914 with

the 7th, and had been twice wounded on Gallipoli, after which he served

continuously with the battalion till the winter of 1917, when he went

home for a commission. He had returned as an officer only a few weeks

previously, and in this fight proved himself a courageous and skilful

leader of men.

 

About 600 prisoners had been taken by the battalion, as well as the two

field guns, large numbers of machine guns and other booty. More

important was the death-blow to the German resistance. The Hindenburg

Line had been smashed, the enemy was obviously demoralised, and they

were in full flight for the next piece of ground which could offer a

suitable position for delaying our rapid advance. The awards to the 7th

for this battle included a bar to his Military Cross for Lt. Gresty, and

Military Crosses for Lt. Wilson, 2nd-Lt. Milne, 2nd-Lt. Siddall, and

2nd-Lt. Thrutchley. C.S.M. McHugh, M.M., C.S.M. Tabbron, and Sgt. Mather

received the D.C.M., while twenty N.C.O’s. and men obtained the M.M.,

Pte. Greer being given a bar to his M.M.

 

The following Special Order of the Day indicates the value of the work

done by the Manchesters in this day’s fighting:—

 

29th September, 1918.

 

MANCHESTERS,

 

For the second time in this month of September you have struck the

enemy a heavy blow. It has brought us appreciably nearer to the

complete victory which our country is determined to achieve.

 

I do not yet know the full amount of our booty. It can be estimated

from the two miles of our advance, and from the prisoners,

considerably more than a thousand in number.

 

I wish to record my admiration for the splendid behaviour of all

ranks. The victory was won under conditions of exceptional

difficulty, and, as at Villers-au-Flos, against an enemy superior

in numbers to the attackers; and it was won by the magnificent

determination and devotion of the troops.

 

ANTHONY HENLEY, Brig.-Gen.,

Commanding 127th Inf. Brigade.

 

CHAPTER X.

 

Pursuing the Hun.

 

THE SELLE RIVER.

 

Yet again the vicinity of Havrincourt Wood was the abode of the 42nd

division, and having been supplied with tents we set about the task of

refitting and reinforcing. Companies once more attained a strength of

about 100, and as the new men largely consisted of troops drafted from

non-infantry units, principally A.S.C. from England, and men out for the

first time, it was necessary to push along vigorously with training, for

it was certain that we should be wanted again for fighting very soon.

Returns from leave, etc., caused the following arrangement of company

commanders:—Lieut. Douglas, M.C., “A” company; Capt. Grey Burn, M.C.,

“B”; Lieut. Gresty, M.C., “C,” and Capt. J. Baker, “D”; while Capt. S.

J. Wilson, M.C., was detailed to battle surplus. In the absence of Col.

Manger on English leave, Major Rae assumed command of the battalion,

while Capt. Barratt resumed the duties of adjutant, Capt. Creagh having

gone to England on a senior officers’ course.

 

When the division broke up camp on October 8th and marched up the line

to get into closer support, the situation was roughly as follows. Since

the battle on the Hindenburg Line the enemy had had no rest, and in

spite of the difficulties of the ground (in one place a canal running

north and south intervened) the N.Z’s. and divisions right and left, had

made steady progress, inflicting terrible casualties on the Boche who

were sturdily resisting every yard of ground. To the north, Cambrai was

still in the hands of the Hun, and from the continual fires seen in

that direction it was obvious that he was wreaking characteristic

vengeance on the helpless town. The part of the Western Front between

Cambrai and St. Quentin was recognised as the key to the whole situation

so that naturally exertions were gigantic by both sides. Foch maintained

his artillery concentration in this sector and undoubtedly one of the

greatest wonders of that year of wonders, 1918, was the manner in which

the guns obtained their never-ending supply of ammunition. The steady

pounding never ceased day or night, and when infantry action took place,

the noise welled up to terrific barrage speed for hours on end. When the

nerve-shattered German soldier pathetically walked over to our lines one

morning with hands up and exclaiming “Kamerad, too much shell!” he was

surely expressing the enemy point of view. The line had thus been pushed

on to the western outskirts of Solesmes, and troops in this area were

now waiting for the fall of Cambrai and Douai to continue the pressure.

When these events took place preparations were made for another battle.

 

During the battalion’s march forward there was considerable

night-bombing by enemy aircraft, and on the first night Sgt. Riley, an

old member of the battalion, was killed and several men of H.Q. wounded

by bombs on their bivouac. It was a fair country that the 7th were now

approaching. After seven months’ campaigning in the dismal devastated

lands of the Somme regions the sight of whole houses with chimneys and

roofs, and smoke exuding from them in the correct manner, was as welcome

as an oasis to the thirsty traveller in the desert. Here were billets, a

word of which we had almost forgotten to use. But picture our excitement

when we saw a real live civilian. The sight of these things probably

brought home to our men the full meaning of the German defeat more than

anything else. The 127th brigade spent a few days under most comfortable

conditions in the village of Beauvois on the Cambrai-Le Cateau road,

residing in houses, almost complete with furniture. A few of the

villagers had courageously remained behind, taking cover in their

cellars while the fighting and shelling took place above their heads. A

good deal of wanton destruction had been carried out by the retiring

Hun, but on the whole the countryside presented a normal appearance, a

most welcome sight to eyes wearied with the scenes of devastation, and

an important factor also in keeping up the morale of the troops.

 

Eventually the N.Z’s. were relieved, and it was found that a very

skilful and determined enemy lay in front. Subsequent events, indeed,

showed that the strongest remaining division in the German army, the

25th division, had been put into this sector. They had been conserved