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The Wellington Regiment (NZEF) 1914 - 1919

Chapter XLV

page 291

Chapter XLV.

Trescault Ridge—Chip Lane and Snap Trench—Soot Avenue and Smut Trench — The Jaegers Fight Stubbornly —2nd Battalion Repels an Attack on Donrayen Trench—Relieved by the 5th Division— Back to Haplincourt Wood.

The task of storming Trescault Ridge on the 12th September, was allotted to the Rifle Brigade, in co-operation with the 37th Division on the left. Following a heavy barrage laid down by our guns, the Rifle Brigade pressed forward, and after a fiercely contested day, succeeded in reaching Snap Reserve, Snap Trench and African Trench, positions somewhat short of the final objectives.

At the close of the day's fighting, the 1st Battalion of the Rifle Brigade was relieved in the front line by 1st Wellington, while our 2nd Battalion relieved the 4th Battalion of the same brigade. This move was commenced as soon as it was dark, and was completed by two o'clock the following morning, with 1st Wellington's headquarters established at Battery Post, and 2nd Wellington's in the Quarry. The weather was wet and wintry: there was considerable shelling and much confusion in the front line, where bombing was still going on. Nevertheless, the actual relief was effected without casualties, although 'Major G. H. Hume, M.C., and Lieut. C. R. Menzies, D.C.M., had been wounded while on reconnaissance work earlier in the day.

Before dawn on the 13th, Wellington-West Coast Company of the 1st Battalion had pushed forward along Chip Lane, and joined np with 2nd Wellington at the junction of Chip Lane and Snap Trench. At noon, by pushing forward patrols, Wellington-West Coast Company had established page 292posts along Soot Avenue and Snap Trench, although, considerable machine-gun fire was experienced from the high ground. During the morning. a patrol from Ruahine Company worked down Smut Trench and reported all clear. After the Field Artillery and Stokes Mortars had bombarded several machine-gun positions. Wellington-West. Coast and Ruahine Companies (1st Battalion), during-the afternoon, in conjunction with the 15th Company. 1st Auckland, on the right, simultaneously sent strong parties to work down forward saps to establish a line along Snap Trench. Wellington- West Coast Company were successful in establishing a post at the junction of Snap and Midland Trenches; but, by some mistake, the post, in Smut, Trench had been vacated and a platoon of. Ruahine Company working down this trench was surrounded and lost heavily, having no less than thirteen men missing. Forward of Dead Man's Corner, Runhine Company and 1st Auckland were at first successful in their enterprise, Ruahine Company taking eight prisoners; but the enemy, who belonged to a Jaeger division, proving stubborn lighters, launched a series of counter-attacks, and, after three hours' fighting, we were forced back to our former line.

During this fighting there were numerous acts of bravery. One of outstanding gallantry was that of Lance Corporal L. Greenbank. He first led his section against an enemy machine-gun post. Having captured that gun himself, he pushed on, in spite of heavy casualties in his section, with two others, and, coming upon a strong enemy position, set upon the Germans with bombs, and finally gained his objective.

Lieut. R. L. Okey* was in command of a platoon, which had captured a certain portion of Snap Trench. For forty- eight hours his platoon was in constant conflict with the enemy, who occupied a part of the same system of trenches. They were repeatedly bombed and continuously under fire page 293from enemy machine-guns and snipers. By skilful handling of his men, he was able to extend his front quite two hundred yards, and although, while consolidating his position, he was driven out, he immediately counter-attacked and re-occupied the posts and then for thirty hours successfully resisted all attacks.

Shortly after 6 o'clock that evening, under cover of a heavy barrage, a storming party of about fifty of the enemy endeavoured to enter the 2nd Battalion's line. A forward post in Donrayen Trench put up the S.O.S., and opened on the enemy with rifles and Lewis guns. The enemy made three separate attempts to enter our position; but was beaten off by our fire and caught in our barrage when he retired. The 2nd Battalion's line remained intact.

About 10 o'clock that night, a hostile aeroplane which was returning after bombing our back area was brought down by our aircraft near 1st Battalion headquarters and the pilot captured.

At daybreak on the 14th, the enemy again counterattacked the 1st Battalion's forward pasts (Wellington-West Coast Company), this time with flammenwerfer; but was driven off. Except for machine-gun fire and periodical bursts of shell fire, the day was fairly quiet, Before midnight, both our battalions were relieved in the front line by battalions of the 5th Division, and moved to billets for the night at Haplincourt. During the following morning, we marched from Haplincourt Wood to rejoin the division which was now in reserve, taking up positions in the vicinity of Biefvillers. Before leaving the line, there had rejoined the 2nd Battalion, a number of officers, nearly all of whom had had long service with that battalion, either as officers or N.C.O.'s, viz., Captain D. S. Columb, Lieut. H. D. Banks, Lieui. C. A. LeLievre, 2nd Lieut. C. N. Deveiy, D.C.M., 2nd Lieut. W. Carruthers, M.M., 2nd Lieut. A Hindlesmith, 2nd Lieut. W B. Cooke, 2nd Lieut. H. Pettit. Captain D. S. Columb now assumed command of Taranaki Company, while Lieut. D. Cowan, returning from leave, took over Hawkes Bay Company.

page 294

Immediately before the relief, Lieut. W. G. Gibbs was wounded, and was later to die of wounds. A gallant officer, Gibbs had had a full share of fighting, but, like so many more who had fought at Messines, La Basse Ville and Paschendaele, he was not to see victory achieved.

Both battalions now settled down for a spell. That their bivouaes were capable of a good deal of improvement was only too plain when, during a very heavy thunderstorm, every bivouac leaked and some were swamped out. An enemy aeroplane was here brought down near the 1st Battalion's camp, and the whole New Zealand Division seemed to stand to and cheer.

* A fortnight later, viz.: on 30th September, 1918, Roy Okey was killed. He had long service with the Regiment and originally had been batman to Col. Malone.