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Chapter XLIX.

There now remained to develop and exploit the successes won all along the line by co-ordinated action on the part of the British, French and American troops, with every possibility of turning the enemy's retreat into a rout. This combined attack was fixed for the 8th October. It is true the whole purpose of the attack was not to be at once realised; but the result was to make the enemy's position increasingly desperate.

The IV. Corps was to attack on its front with the 37th Division on the left. The New Zealanders' task on the 8th, was allotted to the 2nd and 3rd Brigades. Formidable resistance was expected and complete preparations were made for the attack. As it turned out, neither infantry nor machine-guns put up a stubborn resistance, and the New Zealanders were everywhere successful, taking shoals of prisoners and reaching theft final objectives with inconsiderable casualties and then pushing forward to exploit their successes. Preparations were at once made to continue the advance the following day.

On the 9th October, as the 2nd and 3rd Brigades again advanced, it became apparent the enemy had stolon away in the darkness, leaving no rearguards to contest progress.

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By 9 o'clock in the morning, both brigades had reached their final objectives, the 2nd Brigade, Le Cateau-Cambrai Railway, and the Rifle Brigade, with the Guards Division on its left, the railway south of Cattenieres.

Since the 3rd October, the First Brigade had been in reserve. During this period, a number of reinforcements, both officers and other ranks, had been taken on strength by both Wellington battalions.

Early on the morning of the 9th, the 1st and 2nd Wellington battalions were under orders to be ready to move at half an hour's notice. At mid-day both battalions commenced the march forward. There was over an hour's halt near the canal for dinner. We were soon on the march again, moving with one hundred yards distance between companies, passing through Crevecour and north of Esnes. Late in the afternoon, we halted again and bivouaced for the night on bare country.

Major H. E. McKinnon, M.C., was now in command of the 2nd Battalion, for Colonel Cunningham had been sick for a week or two, and, before moving on the 8th had gone back to the "B" teams, on the orders of the Brigadier, for a few days' rest.

The First Brigade now lay in support to the Second Brigade and all battalions of the First Brigade were under orders to move at an hour's notice to exploit the Second Brigade's successes

Before noon on the 10th October, battalion Commanders were summoned to brigade headquarters, returning with orders to move at once. Both battalions moved in artillery formation to an area east of Beauvois, where the men had tea and the officers reconnoitred the country in front from some high ground. The First Brigade was now to take over from the Second Brigade the divisional front with 2nd Auckland on the left, 1st Wellington on the right, 2nd Wellington in left support and lst Auckland in right support. It was not an ordinary relief, for 1st Wellington was to pass through 1st Otago and capture Viesly and, if possible, push throngh Briastre and secure the bridgeheads on page 309the river Selle. Orders were issued orally to company commanders at 5.15 p.m. Half an hour later, as 1st Wellington was moving forward, information was received that 1st. Otago had already taken Viesly, and 1st Wellington was, therefore, to push through Briastre, cross the river, and secure the railway line on the east side of the river. The 1st Battalion advanced with Ruahine Company on the right, Hawkes Bay on the left, and Taranaki Company in support. Wellington-West Coast Company was held in reserve with battalion headquarters at La Guisette Farm. At 9 p.m., forward battalion headquarters were established at Viesly, and the reserve company moved forward. By 11 p.m., our leading companies had moved through the Otago lines and pushed forward their patrols. About 1 o'clock the following morning the river was reached. It was found that no enemy was west of the river on our front; but the bridges were down. Our patrols worked through Briastre and, shortly before dawn, the 1st Battalion's two leading companies crossed the river by a bridge erected by the Royal Engineers about 900 yards south of our allotted frontage. 2nd Lieut. S. S. Pennefather, D.C.M., commanded the two platoons first across the river. Hawkes Bay Company now worked up the east bank of the river to the factory on the outskirts of Briastre and Ruahine Company followed, both companies endeavouring to shake out and cover the allotted fronts before moving forward against the railway line. When dawn broke, however, our men were seen by the enemy, who opened fire upon them with machine-guns from the railway line and the road just west of it. Hawkes Bay Company was able to get under cover, Lieut. Pennefather (Ruahine Company) showing courage and skill in holding his men together; but Ruahine Company, on an exposed slope suffered heavy casualties. Both companies re-organised and established a line, gaining touch on the right with the 37th Division, who had four platoons only across the river. Second Auckland on the left, had been unable to cross the river, and Taranaki Company was disposed through Briastre to fill in the gap, Wellington-page 310West Coast Company pushing up to cover the western edge of Briastre.

At the factory, Hawkes Bay Company erected across the river, an improvised footbridge, which enabled communication to be maintained and wounded to be evacuated.

Meantime, before daybreak 2nd Wellington had moved forward from Beauvois and established battalion headquarters at Aulicourt Farm. There it lay awaiting orders while 2nd Auckland pushed forward. As he retired, the enemy was destroying everything he could, and fires were now burning in villages on all sides. At 8 o'clock in the morning, the 2nd Battalion moved its headquarters forward to Herpigny Farm, and the First Brigade established its headquarters at Aulicourt Farm.

During the hours of daylight, the 1st Battalion found it impossible to push forward further on account of the strength in which the road and railway line were held by the enemy, and the difficulty of crossing the river. The day was fairly quiet, and arrangements were made with the battalion on the right to occupy the original frontages during the hours of darkness. It was found that about one hundred and seventy French civilians were in the town of Briastre, and with what joy did they greet our men! Some of 1st Wellington have since blushingly admitled to embraces by matrons and maidens—many not loo clean from enforced hiding in cellars.

Early in the afternoon, the 1st Battalion established its forward battalion headquarters in Briastre, which at 5 p.m. was shelled heavily by the enemy for half an hour. In front of Hawkes Bay and Ruahine Companies, several of our men lay wounded within a hundred yards of the enemy's advanced positions. Those companies were not long in organising rescue parties and, during the day, men went out time after time, in face of machine-gun fire at close range, to bring in their wounded mates. Notably gallant work was performed by Corporal H. B. Smith, Privates R. Campbell, M.M., and G. H. Buchanan. Lieut. Pennefather himself went out no less than eleven times, and though page 311repeatedly fired on, succeeded in clearing the whole of his company's front of wounded.

Some of the 1st Battalion, under the instructions of Lieut. A. W. Thomas of the Engineers, succeeded, during the day, in making a bridge of trees and rails, and across this, after, darkness, the casualties sustained early in the day by Hawkes Bay and Ruahine Companies were evacuated. During the night, Ruahine Company was relieved by a company of the 8th Somerset Light Infantry, and moved back to support Hawkes Bay, which had moved up to the left and established itself on a road along the east bank of the river running from the factory.

At noon that day, a battalion of the 42nd Division had arrived and taken over the billets of the 2nd Battalion, who had then moved to chalk pit. Here, late that night, a mess cart drove over a bank on to the bivouac occupied by the Padre and the doctor, and Padre Walls^* had the bad luck to have both legs broken.

At dawn the following morning, the 37th Division on our right was to make an attack against certain high ground, 1st Wellington's orders being to eo-operate by protecting the left flank of the 37th Division by forming a flank from Belle Vue, where a liaison post was to be established back to the river on the left of our frontage.

Accordingly, at 5 o'clock on the morning of the 12th October, the attack by the 37th Division commenced under a heavy barrage. The two platoons of Taranaki Company under 2nd Lieut. G. McSaveney attacked simultaneously and reached Belle Vue; but were driven off with loss. Unexpected enemy strength was encountered at Bell Vue Station, and from the buildings on the Solesmes Road; and no touch could be gained with the Division on our right, which had gained its objectives on its right; but failed to reach Bell Vue.

A strong section from Hawkes Bay Company, which had followed up the Taranaki attack on the right to deal page 312with certain buildings and to protect the right flank, joined up with, a section of the 37th Division, and established a post on the Briastre Road, while another section from the same company pushed out to thy left and established another post just short of the Road. Eleven prisoners were taken; but the Belle Vue Station and the copse on the Solesmes Road remained in enemy hands.

In reply to this attack, Briastre was subjected to heavy shelling throughout the morning, while Viesly was shelled with heavy guns at frequent intervals. It was soon apparent, that against this unexpected resistance a far stronger barrage was needed, and, shortly before noon, all available guns were turned upon the German positions. Notwithstanding this, enemy machine-guns were as active as ever.

The 37th Division had by now captured the high ground on the south; but we were in no position to protect its flank. During the afternoon, under an intense barrage, the enemy attacked the forward and exposed troops of the 37th Division, and recovered the high ground and forced that division back to the railway. After severe, fighting, the Taranaki force from 1st Wellington, had to be withdrawn back to its original position.

The enemy was not long to hold the ground recovered. Our guns poured a concentrated fire on the Bell Vue Station and the enemy positions on the road and railway. First Wellington's attacking force was strengthened, and, at 6 p.m., Taranaki Company on the right and Hawkes Bay Company on the left attacked under a heavy barrage provided by artillery and machine-guns. In spite of' Hie bombardment by our artillery, the Jaegers fought, with extraordinary stubbornness. Taranaki Company captured Belle Vue, and gained touch on our right with the 37th Division, who had pushed forward a battalion to connect up with us Hawkes Bay's advance was impeded by an enemy machine-gun; but rifle grenades were rained into the post and four Germans, jumping out of their pit, ran for their lines. Lance-Corporal B. Quentin, commanding a party on Taranaki's left, who had held his ground against the fire from this machinepage 313gun, allowed none of the Germans to escape his vigilant Lewis Gun. Hawkes Bay Company then pressed on and cleared the copse and captured the buildings on the main road, which had held up Taranaki early in the day, and swung back to the left, down the ridge to our previous left flank post. A machine gun near one of the buildings hung on tenaciously; but this was dealt with by a special party from Wellington-West Coast Company, two platoons of which had been moved forward to the river when the attack commenced. By 8.30 p.m., our positions had been consolidated, and the river crossing at Briastre secured.

During the two days' lighting at Briastre, there were numerous noteworthy acts of gallantry but, as usual, many must go unrecorded. His company commander (Capt. T. C. A. Hislop) being early wounded on the 11th, Lieut. T. H. Crawford took charge of Hawkes Bay Company, and by resolute leading pushed across the river and established and maintained a position near the objective under heavy artillery and machine-gun fire, and throughout displayed marked gallantry and skill. During the attack on the 12th, Sergt. W. J. Lewis, M.M., led his platoon very ably and repelled an attack from the rear, when the enemy worked in behind from a flank. Lieut. W. K. Fowler had been in charge of the left flank platoon of his company in the attack on Belle Vue. Our barrage came down on a part of his platoon, necessitating immediate reorganisation. Then when starting to follow the barrage, Fowler was shot through the right arm by machine-gun fire; but he continued on with his platoon to the objective, staying there until he obtained a clear idea of the position, then reporting back with valuable information. Private W. sheriff had been indefatigable early in the day in helping to carry wounded back through heavy shell fire, and, later in the attack, he again went out and, whilst carrying in a wounded man, a shell burst killing the other stretcher bearer. Sheriff, thereupon, carried the wounded man on his back to an advanced dressing station.

Some idea of the efficiency of the artillery bombardments and barrages that accompanied the attacks of Tara-page 314naki and Hawkes Bay Companies on the railway may be gauged from the fact that, when, a fortnight later the 1st Battalion was allotted an area including the railway line at Belle Vue to clear of dead, in the first hundred yards along the line going north from the level crossing of Belle Vue, our men found thirty-eight dead Germans. All these were on the railway itself, and did not include those found in the posts in front and behind the railway.

The 1st Battalion's casualties for the day were 28 killed, 76 wounded, and 11 missing. During the morning attack, we had taken eleven prisoners, while in the evening another ten prisoners were taken and one machine-gun.

The New Zealand Division was now to be relieved by the 47th Division. At midnight, 1st Wellington was relieved by the 8th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers, and marched back in cold drizzly rain to Fontaine-au-Pire Second Wellingion, who had been held in reserve with 1st Auckland, was relieved late in the day by the 7th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers, and marched to billets and huts in Longsart.

The 1st Battalion now settled down comfortably in the best billets that battalion had had since its arrival in France. It occupied practically the whole of both sides of the Rue de Saules, and, although, not damaged to any extent by shell fire, a great many houses had been left in a filthy state by the retreating enemy. Accumulations of filth and latrine refuse were features at almost every building and examples ot wanton destruction, and such as beds and chairs ripped open, glass and crockery smashed, and furniture chopped about, were common. On the other hand, there were houses which had not been despoiled, appearing as if the inhabitants had just vacated them. The village had been cleared of inhabitants. Nothing was done until the following day, when the cleaning of billets was tackled in earnest. "B" teams and reinforcements now rejoined their respective battalions and platoons were re-organised.

Colonel Cunningham now returned from the Rest Camp, and re-assumed command of the 2nd Battalion, while Captain W. F. Currie, R.M.O., returning from hospital took over his page 315duties again from Capt. W. C. Reid who returned to his Field Ambulance. Captain Haskins (R.M.O.) now left the 1st Battalion to join the 2nd Field Ambulance. The Rev. G. T. Brown now joined the 2nd Battalion, replacing Padre Walls, while Lieut. A. N. Tod came back to his old battalion for duty as signalling officer.

On the 14th October, H.R.H. The Prince of Wales paid a visit to the New Zealand Division, and early in the afternoon both battalions lined the road and cheered lustily as the Prince and General Russell rode slowly by. It was quite an iuformal inspection, and the Prince frequently stopped and spoke a few words to Battalion Commanders.

The following weak was devoted to training. Many men were able to go to the baths, either at Fontaine-au-Pire, or at Esnes. Battalion tailors and bootmakers had a busy time repairing the damage of a few days in action.

On the evening of the 17th October, at 1st Battalion Headquarters' Mess in Fontaine, a re-union was held of all those who had left New Zealand with the Main Body and were now officers in the Wellington Regiment. A splendid spread was provided, and it was a thoroughly happy function. Some of those present were:—Brig.-Genl. H. E. Hart, C.M.G., D.S.O., Brig-Genl. R. Young, C.M.G., D.S.O., Lieut. Col. W. H. Cunningham, D.S.O., Lieut. Col. L. H. Jardine, D.S.O., M.C., Lieut. Col. F. K. Turnbull, D.S.O., M.C., Major H. E. McKinnon, M.C., Capt. B. H. Morison. M.C., and Capt. J. T. Dallinger, M.C. The Commander of the First Brigade, Brig.-Genl. C. W. Melvill, C.M.G., D.S.O., was also present.