The Seventh Manchesters - S. J. Wilson (leveled readers .TXT) 📗
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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
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