Chapter XLIII.

The tasks of the IV. Corps on the 30th August, were assigned as follows: The 42nd Division, on the right, was to seize Riencourt, the New Zealand Division, in the centre, Bancourt and Fremieoiirt, and 5th Division, on the left, Beugny. The Rifle Brigade way to attack Fremicourt, and the First Brigade was to attack Bancourt and secure the high ground on the east of it, runnecting up with the 42nd Division on the right and the Rifle Brigade on the left. The task of capturing Bancourt was allotted to 2nd Auckland, and 1st Wellington was to co-operate with and, if necessary, support 2nd Auckland, and, on the capture of both Bancourt and Fermieourt, push forward to certain high ground (afterwards generally known to us as Bancourt Ridge) and gain touch with the battalions on the flanks, 2nd Wellington was to be in brigade reserve.

First Wellington's operation orders were issued at 2 a.m. but, on account of the darkness and the shell torn area to be crossed by the runners, they did not reach companies till nearly 3 a.m. As the companies assembled for the attack, they were subjected to a rather severe bombardment and sustained a number of casualties.

At 5 a.m., the attack was commenced, 1st Wellington keeping in touch with the Rifle Brigade, who advanced on Fremicourt under a barrage. Shortly before the hour fixed for the attack, the 42nd Division had notified 2nd Auckland it would not be ready to attack till later, and, in accordance page 282with orders, 2nd Auckland had postponed its start. The operation became thus a rather difficult one for 1st Wellington; but, fortunately, the resistance in Bancourt was dealt with by two tanks handled by their commanders with great skill and courage, and, at first, our 1st Battalion was able to make progress towards the crest beyond the village. Moving up the slope, one of its platoons was held up by a machine- gun. Private G. J. Scothern at once rushed forward with his Lewis gun and engaged the enemy, ami so enabled the rest of platoon to rush the gun and continue the advance. From the right, however, the enemy turned a great many machine- guns upon our ranks, in the face nf which it became impossible for our 1st Battalion to contniue the advance, and there was nothing for it but to dig in and establish a line on a small spur short of its objective. Here, Scothern was again active with his Lewis gun. He crept forward and, handling his gun wilh courage, was able to keep the enemy fire down until his platoon had dug in. Then his gun was put out of action; but, undismayed, as soon as it was dark, Scothern secured a German gun, and was not long in bringing it into action. Another Lewis gunner in Private T. M. E. Richmond showed conspicuous devotion to duty. Twice all his mates were rendered casualties, but Richmond stuck to his gun and remained alone in an isolated and dangerous position on the second occasion for no less than twelve hours. He showed splendid courage and initiative in handling his gun, and by maintaining his position, which was of great importance, was the means of maintaining the line intact.

The 42nd Division had moved shortly before 6 a.m. and 2nd Auckland with them. It was then broad daylight with no protecting mist, and the enemy was of course folly alive to the attack. The 42nd Division was checked by withering fire from further down the Peronne Road, and was unable to take Reincourt. This check made it impossible for the moment for Auckland's right flank to reach its objective, but it was able to establish a foothold well up the ridge. The left company of 2nd Auckland made good progress, and by 8 a.m. had cleared Rancourt and gained touch with 1st. Wellington.

On the north, the Rifle Brigade had had no walk over but after overcoming staunch opposition, had taken Fremi- court. After the capture of Fremicourt, Hawkes Bay Company (1st Battalion) on the left, had been able to gain its objective, but its right flank had had to swing back to conform with 2nd Auckland's line.

Before 2nd Auckland had had time to dig in, the German snipers and machine-gunuers returned to the huts on the Haplincourt Road, and from there and from Ricaeourt, still in the hands of the enemy, a very heavy fire was poured into 2nd Auckland. From a sunken road in front, mortars were hurled at 2nd Auckland's position, while anti-tank guns from the direction of Villers-au-Flos raked the exposed forward slopes. 2nd Auckland's position became untenable, and it was forced to withdraw behind the crest. When this withdrawal became known, orders were issued immediately for the re-establishment of the line and to that, end, Hawkes Bay Compauy of 2nd Wellington was sent forward. However, the project, was abandoned, tlie position being, considered satisfactory for the time being.

During the day, 1st Wellington's line, on the slope and subject to enemy observation was swept by machine-gun fire as well as receiving more than an ample share of shelling. There were also several half-hearted counter-attacks. During the night, companies continued t he consolidation of their positions, and patrols were sent out. Taranaki was now on the right, Wellington-West Coast in the centre, Hawkes Bay on the left, with Ruahine in support. The troop of the Royal Scots Greys, the section from 1st Battery N.Z.F.A., the two sections of machine-gunners, and the section from the Trench Mortars again co-operated with our 1st Battalion.

After dark, the 42nd Division made a further attack upon Riencourt, and finally raptured that village.

At half past four the following morning, the enemy counter-attacked accompanied by tanks and under protection of a heavy bombardment. Our 1st Battalion's line as well as that of the battalions on both flanks, was pushed back two page 284or three hundred yards; but by ten o'clock in the morning the line was re-established and, indeed, slightly improved. Fighting continued during the day with but little change in the position. What a hard day it was for the 1st Battalion, for the day's casualties testify, viz.:—2 officers killed, 5 wounded: 47 other ranks killed. 161 wounded, 11 missing, Capt. J. MacMorran, then, commanding Hawkes Bay Com pany in the 1st Battalion, but well known in both battalions, had been killed in the fighting; at Bancourt.

About mid-day, about two hundred and fifty reinforcements had been received by the Ist Battalion, and these were at once organised into a reserve company.

Although none of the enemy infantry penetrated as far as its position, the 2nd Battalion in support in the suburbs of Bapaume did not escape its share of shell fire during the counter-attacks. Several shells knocked down, portions of the walls immediately above battalion headquarters' cellars. There were a good many gas shells and one, falling in the cellar occupied by battalion details, badly gassed nine men.

Before midnight, warning orders were received by both battalions for an attack under an artillery barrage at dawn the following morning.

This operation of the 1st September, was necessary in order to retake the portion of the crest lost on the 30th, and also, now that the 42nd Division, had taken Reineourt and protected the right flank, to extend our footing on the high ground and so secure wider observation. It was considered that the crest line was held too strongly by the enemy to be taken without artillery co-operation, and, accordingly, an artillery barrage was arranged for. The attack was to be delivered by the 42nd Division on the right, and the New Zealand Division on the left, with the 5th Division on our left, co-operating. The Rifle Brigade and the 1st Brigade were to be the New Zealand Brigades in action, and the attack was fixed for 4.55 a.m.

In accordance with these plans, at zero, the Rifle Brigade moved forward through the outpost line. They met little real resistance, and, 5:30 a.m. they had reached their page 285objective and, indeed, their centre had passed beyond it, and had taken prisoner some seventy of the 23rd (Saxon) Division. The 5th Division had not been able to advance at the time appointed; but, later in the morning, that division pushed forward as far as possible, and, in the evening, under cover of darkness, advanced its line to conform with the Rifle. Brigade's.

That night, 1st Wellington were relieved by 2nd Otago, the 2nd Brigade taking over the line.