XXVII To Bapaume!—Rossignol Wood, Grevillers, Bapaume, Bancourt

As the summer passed the power of the German Empire slowly waned. Furious assaults on the Western Front yielded great tactical victories, but, despite colossal losses, the Huns were at no place able to win through to their strategic objectives. The people of the Rhineland were demoralised by the bombing raids of the British Air Service. The flower of the German manhood was dead on the battlefields. Food was short. Many raw materials essential for the manufacture of munitions were terribly scarce. Material hardships and privations were at last commencing to wear down the morale of the German people. Russia, broken, conquered and humiliated, by preaching and propaganda stirred the revolutionary elements toward action. Not only did the Bolsheviks fling the secret treaties into the ash-barrel of history, but they denounced even more strongly the Imperialism of Prussia. Karl Liebknicht, the prisoner of the Kaiser, the Communist leader, who had from the beginning stood out uncompromisingly against the war, became more and more a power in Germany. From his prison cell his voice reached from one side of the Fatherland to the other. The whole country was honeycombed with the British propaganda directed by Lord Northcliffe. Every day the position of the War Lords was growing more desperate.

On the other hand, the power of the Allies waxed greater and greater. The mood of depression had passed with the coming of the enemy offensive. All through the summer there page 221was no thought of anything but victory. The British rushed over every man they could lay hands on. Base depots were cleared out, and many veterans of the "Sling Front" found themselves once more with the Division. The brilliant exploit of the British Navy at Ostend and Zeebrugge was a big factor in raising the Allied morale. For three years the Americans had delayed before they came into the struggle, but now at last their succour was being brought to Europe. They did not play a very important part in the actual fighting, but they did enable Marshal Foch to do what otherwise he could not have done, and use the French and British Armies to the very uttermost without fear of a disaster in the event of a check at any point.

The German War Lords, faced by the spectre of defeat, were now desperate. They could not cease attacking, because once on the defensive their last hope of victory would be gone, and in that case they feared the people. So they thundered on, endeavouring to smash a way to Paris. Their blows were heavy, but there were not lacking signs of weakness and indecision. The Allies supremacy in the air was gradually blinding the German army. Then at last, when it seemed as though the Germans were endeavouring to deal a death-stroke, the blow was arrested in mid-air and the counter-blow was struck. Marshal Foch opened the counter-offensive which in three months of furious, breathless fighting broke the power of Germany and brought victory.

From the middle of June, old soldiers in the New Zealand Division began to notice the preliminary preparations for a big move. Heavy guns were brought up by ones and twos. Tanks came in quietly by night and were hidden away in the patches of wood. Gradually the sector grew hotter. Shell fire became more intense as the enemy commenced to lose confidence. Raids were more frequent. In front of Hcbuterne and about Rossignol Wood a small affair of some sort or another happened every day.

On July 1st the 1/Brigade took over the sector from Rossignol Wood to Hebuterne, thus shifting the divisional front page 222one brigade sector further north. The battalions embussed and proceeded by motor to Souastre. It was real midsummer weather, and the white dust was flying in clouds. From Souastre there was a march of some kilometres along a straight tree-lined road, bordered by green fields, to the village of Fonquevillers—a place much battered in the fighting of 1916, and still a frequent target for the Hun gunners, 1/Auckland proceeded through and took over the support position in Gommecourt. Here men noted with admiration the care and thoroughness with which the enemy had fortified this place in the days when it was the most western point on their line, and one of the strongest positions they possessed. The width of the wire-belts, the depth of the main trench, and the immense caverns and dug-outs driven into the hill, made it a matter of small wonder that all attacks on this stronghold in 1916 had broken down.

2/Auckland, waiting for nightfall—sunset was not until eight o'clock—moved up and took over the Rossignol-Biez Wood sector, Rossignol Wood was of immense value to the enemy. It was the one place where they had a footing on the western rim of the basin. Not only did it afford much excellent observation, but it was also a fine jumping-off point for an attack. As long, moreover, as the enemy could hold the wood securely, offensive operations against weaker portions of their line in the valley below could be carried out only at a great disadvantage. The trenches were in rather bad repair, and a considerable amount of work was necessary to put them to rights. One fairly extensive bit of digging had to be done to connect Railway and Ash trenches. While in this position, Colonel Allen, Captain Tuck and the Padre should have been shot, but escaped, owing to the reprehensible carelessness of the Hun sentries. Nearly every morning these three officers approached the front line, exposing themselves in the most reckless manner. Strange to say, they were only fired on once, and then the Hun missed, although he could not have been more than a hundred yards away. At night the enemy in their posts along the edge of the wood were very nervy. They page 223bombed and machine-gunned their wire on the very slightest provocation, and a harmless and inoffensive patrol wandering round No-Man's-Land was made the occasion for a most liberal display of fireworks.

Patrol work is always fascinating, and in front of Rossignol Wood it was even more so than usual. The dark line of the wood across the hundred yards of grass field seemed very specially mysterious. At midnight four men cross the parapet and move quietly through the wire. They carry rifles only, with a few spare rounds, and perhaps a bomb in the tunic pockets. Once clear of the wire they adopt a diamond formation, and then, with the leader in front, go forward slowly and with the utmost caution. Every now and again they slide into a shell-hole and listen intently for any sound, and then, satisfied that all is safe, move forward once more. Half way over No-Man's-Land an old trench is found and cautiously searched. There is nothing in it. A wooden cross with a piece of tattered cloth fluttering from it is the next mark, and from there the slow, careful, doubled-up walk becomes a crawl. Now the wood itself, dark, silent and mysterious, is but a matter of yards away. There is a halt for three or four minutes, and dead silence. Fifty yards away on the left a flare goes up, making everywhere as bright as day. The patrol lies flat, faces to the earth, until the flare falls with a last dying hiss amongst them. Nothing more—they have not been detected, and so after a little longer pause the leader glides forward. Straight ahead, not twenty yards away is a mound of white chalk on the very edge of the wood. Black stumps and broken branches form the background. Dark objects just visible may be men or may be trees. Is it a Hun post? There is but one way to be sure, and the patrol work on their stomachs toward it, moving inch by inch, fingers on triggers, with the first pressure already taken. The rear man of the party has the pin in his first bomb loosened, and is ready in the fraction of a second to launch it over the heads of the others. Five yards away from the mound the leader half rises and creeps in. It is an empty shell-hole—fortunately unpage 224manned. Close beside it is a heap of rails, wire, iron standards and beams of wood—evidently the place had once been an engineers' dump. For ten minutes the patrol lie quiet and listen. They have reached the line of the wood, and from the flares which rise on the left it is obvious that they are level with and perhaps in between the enemy posts. Shall they proceed further? Once more the leader goes ahead straight into the dark and tangled mass of torn trees. There has been very violent shelling here, for in between the stumps are huge craters, six and eight feet deep. They penetrate almost to the other edge of the wood—not too quietly, for in the darkness it is impossible to avoid brittle sticks or to help sending a clod of earth rattling down. Finally they stop and turn back from a point some twenty feet from a Hun pill-box, that a few days later is to get for itself a sinister reputation. The dim and silent wood, mysterious and full of unknown danger, is left behind, and the little party moves in the open field, creeping from shell-hole to shell-hole. Thirty or forty yards away a cough or a muttered word betrays the presence of the enemy. Suddenly one man places a hand on a dry stick. It breaks. Up goes a flare and two machine-guns rattle out. Fortunately their elevation is eighteen inches too high, and the prostrate four slide safely into a friendly crater. Brother Fritz has evidently caught a glimpse of their movement, and immediately goes mad. All his machine-guns along half-a-mile of front open up on to nothing in particular. There is a great banging of bombs in his wire, and a brilliant display of flares. The four who have caused this extravagant demonstration of hate sit securely in their crater and laugh noiselessly. Nothing could have done their work better for them. Sentries in the line itself will be able to take direct and accurate bearings on to the enemy posts, and next morning the "Toc Emmas" will be busy. When the Hun has recovered his equilibrium, and all is quiet again, the patrol walks back to Railway Trench, is challenged, and then recrossing the parapet, is finished for the night, once the leader has handed in his report.

On 9th July the Brigade went into divisional reserve,page 225 1/Auckland going back to Rossignol Farm, while the 2/Battalion occupied the hutted camp at Coigneux. Both camps were comfortable places, and training of all sorts was carried out. It was during this period that one of the minor satellites of the Divisional Headquarters—the museum officer to be exact—made a tour of the Division, for the purpose of instructing all and sundry in the best methods "of ratting the Hun," One of the educational staff, the recently organised department, which had for its ultimate purpose the fitting of men to go back once more to civilian life, also paid a visit to the battalions. During this period the weather was changeable, and there were several wet days.

Whilst the Auckland Battalions were out of the line the N.Z.R.B. made the first move, and in a very successful little operation occupied Fusiiier Trench, the highest part of the Hun line between Hebuterne and Kosstgnol Wood. From this time the advance went forward practically without a stop.

The 1/Brigade relieved the N.Z.R.B. in front of Hebuterne on the 17th, 2/Auckland going into Brigade reserve at Sailly, while the 1/Battalion went into the left sub-sector of the Right Brigade, some little distance to the left front of Hebuterne. At this time 1/Auckland was commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Alderman, C.M.G., with Major Orr, D.S.O., Second-in-Command, and Captain W. P. Gray as Adjutant.

Dr. Ardagh was in charge of the medical arrangements. while Chaplain Grigg was still with the Battalion.

The newly-occupied trenches which the Battalion was occupying were in very poor condition. German troops on this sector must have been in the line for extremely short periods, otherwise their working discipline must have been remarkably bad. Their communication saps were in particularly bad order. From the number of helmets and rifles lying about it was evident that losses from artillery fire must have been heavy. The very fact of so much useful material lying about unsalvaged was another proof of diminishing morale. The Aucklanders set to work to improve and make defensible page 226the new position, but the work was much hindered and delayed by heavy artillery and machine-gun tire. Next day there was considerable movement in the enemy lines, and the gun fire was again heavy. In the afternoon patrols went forward to test the strength of the enemy line, but were unable to make peaceful penetration at any point. Patrol activity continued by night and day. It was known that the enemy were considering a retirement to more securely fortified positions, and it was of great importance that once they commenced to move back they should be so harried and hustled that the retreat should become a rout. On the 19th, a daylight patrol. worked down to the enemy block in Nameless Trench, and before retiring shot the Hun sentry. At mid-day came information that the enemy were vacating Rossignol Wood, where Sergeant Richard Travis with his picked scouts and Sergeant Forsyth, the Engineer, were doing wonderful work. It was here the great scout reached the height of his fame and received his death wound. Auckland patrols were immediately pushed forward, and stiff bombing fights occurred, which resulted in the occupation of Owl, Swan, Fish and Duck Trenches. Hawk Trench was too strongly held, and the best that could be done there was to put in a block at the junction with Nameless Support. Two machine-guns and three prisoners were captured as a result of this fighting. Consolidation went steadily forward, and during the night the trench from Owl to the Sixteen Poplars was completed. Next day further progress was made along Hawk Trench and Nameless Support. Very heavy rain fell during the night, and the trenches quickly became quagmires. At 3 p.m. on the 23rd, after an hour's bombardment, the enemy attacked with bombing patties down Dugout Lane, but were unable to penetrate. On the following day patrol activity was continuous. Small advances were made in Lob Street and Hair Alley. A strong fighting party fought its way along Hawk Trench, and in an hour and a half had taken three enemy posts, finally being held up by a strong point, which was protected by machine-guns on the flank. The garrison of this post counter-attacked, but were page 227repulsed with the loss of three killed and fifteen wounded. In conjunction with 2/Otago, Slug Street was occupied, and here another machine-gun was taken. During the afternoon of the 25th, while the Battalion was being relieved, the enemy artillery suddenly opened up. and a picked company of their storm troops attacked Slug Street and Dugout Lane. Thtir first rush penetrated the line on the Otago sector, and they were moving to the left to exploit their success. Sergeant Judson, who happened to be in the vicinity, went across by himself, and, reorganising a party of Lewis gunners, reoccupied part of the lost ground. Corporal Webster, with two men, drove twelve of the enemy before him, until they fell into the arms of a counter-attacking party of the Otagos, he himself capturing the machine-gun they had with them. From Huns captured in this affair the New Zealanders had the pleasure of hearing that amongst other things they had the reputation of being cannibals. Once the position was again secure the relief proceeded, and 1/Auckland went back into support between Hebuterne and Sailly-au-Bois. They had had a most exciting and adventurous week, and, as a result of almost ceaseless activity, had occupied much new ground and taken four machine-guns, with several prisoners. Ten men were killed and two officers and seventy-two men wounded.

2/Auckland meanwhile had been having a very pleasant time in reserve between Sailly and the Chaie.au tie la Haye. Here they were joined by a company of the 317 U.S.A. Regiment, which was distributed a platoon with each company of the Battalion. These troops were Virginians—grandsons of the men who had fought with Lee and Jackson. They were not at all of the average Yankee type—they were anxious to learn, and were not obsessed with the idea of teaching veterans how things should be done. They were very likeable folk, and with their quaint sayings, strange manœuvres, their faculty for getting lost, and remarkable simplicity, provided much amusement for all. Perhaps one of the most humourous things of the war, as far as 2/Auckland were concerned, was to see Sergeant McMurdo leading his "gol-darned to a cinder page 228Yanks" round "by the hand." McMurdo was an Irishman, and a splendid mimic—it is needless to say more. The Battalion, with its attached Americans, took over the line from 2/Wellmgton. Owing to the Division on the right flank not moving forward in conformity with the New Zealanders, the forward positions held by 2/Auckland were dangerously exposed to flank attack. Chasseur Hedge was therefore abandoned, after all dug-outs had been blown up, and Jena Trench became the front line. It was at this time that Sergeant-Major Roberts took up his residence in a dug-out of immense depth in what was now No-Man's-Land. His theory was that if any wandering Huns should investigate and throw bombs into the cavern below the bombs would explode long before they reached him—so he would be quite safe. Much work was done, and the Americans were given plenty of experience of living in mud. On August 2nd, 1/Auckland moved back to the hutted camp at Coigneux, while the 2/Battalion went to the Chateau de la Haye Switch behind Sailly. Eight days later the 1/Brigade relieved the N.Z.R.B., 2/Auckland going into the support line in front of Gomraecourt, while the 1/Battalion took over the front line with Battalion Headquarters at Salmon Point. This spell in was very similar to the last—newly-won ground had to be organised, and at the same time continuous patrol work was necessary to keep in close touch with the enemy, who were expected to make a further retirement at any hour. Conditions were exceedingly unpleasant, as the trenches were very narrow, wet and muddy, and there were frequent short, sharp bursts of shelling. On 14th August word was received from Brigade that the enemy were withdrawing. Patrols immediately moved out down Jigger and Kaka Trenches, and though little progress was made on the left, owing to the inertia of the battalion on that flank, the right pushed down Crayfish and Crayfish Support. Later, after nightfall, the trenches from Fork Wood southwards were occupied. Next day scout patrols were unable to make any progress, but on the following day, after artillery and trench mortar preparation, strong bombing parties, working along page 229Jigger, Crayfish and Crayfish Support, entered Fork Wood, which they cleared, and after some fighting established posts on the Bucquoy-Puisieux road. Two machine-guns and seventeen prisoners were taken.

The constant patrol activity of the last three weeks had resulted in the occupation of Rossignol Wood, Puisieux and Serre. Bapaume was the immediate objective on this part of the front, and the time had now come to strike directly for it. For weeks preparations had been quietly and secretly pushed forward—so secretly, indeed, that it was not until the 19th that even senior officers were aware of the magnitude of the operations that were to be carried out within the next few days. The New Zealand share in the first phase was to be a very small one—the Rifle Brigade being the only part of the Division to be employed. 2/Auckland, in close support to I/Wellington, found their main business was to squeeze as tightly as possible into a very small space to make room for men of the 5th Division, who were to make the advance. This led to a certain amount of recrimination between the opposite members of various platoons and companies. When your platoon has successfully settled down in the only dug-out or trench in the neighbourhood you are apt to look coldly on anyone who pushes a rival claim, however plausible a case he may advance from a legal point of view. In the army possession is usually much more than the proverbial "nine points of the law."

The attack went forward on the morning of the 21st of August. Under cover of a heavy mist the attacking troops had little difficulty in penetrating deeply into the enemy's position. Prisoners came back in fair numbers. 2/Auckland, having nothing better to do, made a point of examining what "kamerads" chanced to come their way—not without an eye for wristlet watches and other articles of value. It may be here remarked in passing that Hun watches were often most excellent timekeepers, and some of them are going still. The "ratting" of prisoners was a very interesting process. Some men were too proud to plunder, page 230and stood aloof from the whole business; others, out of a thirst for knowledge, or a desire for souvenirs, displayed a deep interest in all that was Fritz's, from his jewellery to the photos of the "frauleins" he carried in his pocket-book. Fritz was usually quite amiable, and showed a very proper spirit of resignation. Usually the search was conducted in a perfectly friendly spirit, and the unfortunate was consoled for the loss of his girl's photo, or of his Iron Cross, with cigarettes or tobacco. Occasionally the thing was carried too far, as in the case of the Field Ambulance man whom some members of 2/Auckland will remember. This gentleman, with a few others, was in charge of a small post on the main road. Little groups of prisoners were frequently passing, and he was making in every case a most thorough and systematic search through their pockets. One Hun came up, very faint, and evidently almost swooning. His arm was almost off, and as the frightful wound was undressed and without a tourniquet, the man was rapidly bleeding to death. The ornament of the Red Cross went on plundering, and when the matter was pointed out to him by those standing about, refused with oaths to touch the b—— b——. Only direct threats from the infantrymen round about and the intervention of an officer made him come to his senses. Such an inhuman type as this, however, was rare. As a general rule, once prisoners were taken by our people, and had got back out of the actual fighting, they were sure of decent and kindly treatment.

For two days the Brigade waited for orders, expecting a move forward at very short notice. On the 22nd, officers went up to reconnoitre Logeast Wood, but this place, together with Achiet-le-Grand, fell during the night. Bapaume was now within reach. Of the series of ridges which run in a semicircle to the south and west of the town, all except the last were now in the hands of the British. If the line Loupart Wood-Grevillers-Biefvillers could be taken, the way was open for a direct encirclement of the town itself. During the afternoon of the 23rd, when the 1/Brigade received their orders to move up in readiness for battle in the morning, the exact page 231position was somewhat obscure, and remained so through the greater part of the night. About 4 p.m. the Brigade was moving, 2/Auckland leading, followed by 1/Wellington, 2/Wellington and 1/Auckland. Everybody was in high spirits and quite ready for all that might befall. Once through Bucquoy, where was a. dead mule—a significant sight in a smashed village where the barbed-wire barriers were still across the street—and up the short, steep rise that faced the village, the Battalions commenced to march across a wide field, which here and there bore evidence of fighting—helmets and rifles lying about, and here and there newly-dug graves. At the same time it was hard for the men who had fought on the Somme, at Messines and Ypres to realise that this was a battlefield. Very few shell-holes scarred the surface of the meadow-land. Half way to Achiet-le-Fetit there was a halt, and the men settled down in old German trenches to wait for the next move. A little shelling caused a few casualties. The night was rather chilly. At 10 p.m. a Brigade conference was called. 2/Auckland and 1/Wellington were ordered to attack before dawn in the direction of Bapaume. Two alternatives were given. If the 5th Division had taken the Loupart Wood Grevillers-Biefvillers line, as was rumoured, then the objective was to be the town itself. If this had not been done, then 2/Auckland were to take Grevillers and I/Wellington Loupart Wood. Zero hour was to be at 4.15 a.m., and an artillery barrage was to cover the attack. At 2 a.m. the Battalions, while on the road, received word that, as the English troops were moving, they would have to carry out the second part of the programme. This information, however, was quite wrong, and on arriving at the cross-roads known as the "Starfish," 2/Auckland found that they were for all practical purposes in No-Man's-Land. The road running from the "Starfish" to Biefvillers faced directly on to Grevillers, and along this road the Battalion deployed out and then lay down in readiness for the move forward.

Lieutenant-Colonel S. S. Allen was in command, and had with him Lieutenant Nicholls acting as adjutant in the absence page 232of Captain Tuck, who had gone on leave.' Dr. Harpur, the Battalion M.O., was also on leave, and his place was taken by Dr. Simcox. Padre Dobson was with Headquarters. Company Commanders were:—

• 3rd Company: Captain Wood.
• 6th Hauraki: Captain Moncrieff.
• 15th North Auckland: Lieutenant Gapham.
• 16th Waikato: Major McClelland.

A thousand—fifteen hundred yards away Loupart Wood and Grevillers showed up, dark masses of trees against the lighter background of the fields. These, with the road running from the "Star-fish" to Grevillers, were the only landmarks to give direction. 1/Wellington Battalion arrived, but were too late to establish proper contact. There was no one on the left, and that flank was exposed. Where the enemy might be no one knew, except that on the left he was sending up flares from a post some three hundred yards from the road. Along the rest of the front he gave no sign, and from the reports received he was at least a thousand yards away. The general plan of attack was for two platoons of the 15th Company to go to the right of the village and two to the left, while the 3rd Company were to pass over the ridge between Grevillers and Biefvillers and reach the valley beyond. Very few had a clear realisation of just what had to be done, or how it was to be done. By the time the deployment had taken place and the Company Commanders had received their orders it was time to move. In other battles the zero time was marked by the crash of the barrage opening, but on this occasion a quiet word of command put the Battalion in motion, and very quietly the men moved out into the darkness, knowing little save that they must go forward. The first obstacle was a belt of wire, through which everyone scrambled as best he could. Enemy machine-guns on the left opened up, and also one or two in the centre. So hot was the fire that Lieutenant Vickerman's platoon, on the extreme flank, was held up, and the remainder of the company considerably disorganised. In the centre, however, the resistance was less stubborn, and the page break

Bapaume—Bancourt.

page break page 233enemy outpost screen was rapidly broken through, many machine-guns and prisoners being taken. A small party, under Sergeant O'Brien of the 3rd Company, was now able to move round and take in the rear the machine-guns which were causing all the trouble. The crews surrendered, and the 16th were thus enabled to get well ahead, meeting with little opposition until they commenced to cross the ridge just in front of their final objective, when they once more came under very heavy fire. In the centre the 3rd Company met with little opposition, moving swiftly on the village along the line of the road. The main part of the 15th Company, on the extreme right flank, crossed below the wire belt, through a trench they were fortunate to discover, thus escaping a very well-directed stream of bullets that were knocking sparks out of the wire. Once through, dark figures were seen moving on the right. Who were they—Huns or men of the Wellington Battalion? They were where the Wellington men ought to be. A guttural challenge and a rifle shot, a short fierce little fight, and then it was obvious from the prostrate figures that there had been no mistake. Under two or three senior N.C.O.'s—amongst whom by far the most prominent was Sergeant McMurdo, a very brave, popular and efficient man—they extended out, and, maintaining touch both with the Wellington Battalion and the 3rd Company, moved on toward the village. The gap widened rapidly, and the thin line stretched out for some hundreds of yards. Just at dawn all were very close to the fringe of hedge and the tall trees that marked the village boundary. The 3^rd Company plunged right in, meeting with no opposition. In the middle of the village, marked by the Red Cross, was a large dressing station, which had been hastily evacuated. On the outer edge, where a railway siding ran into the trees, they were just too late to capture a big railway gun, which was hastily towed away by its engine. Four eight-inch howitzers were not so fortunate. Their teams, or traction engines, were not on the spot, and so they could not be moved. These guns were the most important capture yet made by New Zealand troops. The 15th Company, moving up to the edge of the village page 234and the high crest line between it and Loupart Wood, saw figures moving in front of them. Dawn broke very suddenly. From thirty yards in front came a cry of alarm. The long thin line of the 15th hesitated whether to dash right in or not —the Huns hesitated whether to run or stick to their guns. The initiative lay with any bold leader on either side who could impose his will on the waverers. A Hun gunner was the first to act, and the rattle of his gun restored the confidence of the others. Half-a-dozen more joined in, and the 15th went to cover, while the streams of bullets cut up the earth in all directions. It was impossible to raise a head while the Huns continued to rattle through belt after belt at such a furious pace. There was nothing to be done but lie still and wait for better times. Back across the valley three tanks were seen coming up. Helmets went up on bayonet points to attract their attention, and then Sergeant Forsyth, who had been scouting far in advance, went back to the nearest and explained the position. Under heavy fire he led it up the slope toward the sunken road.

Two small quick-firers open on the tank and the little shells burst all round as fast as the gunners can loose them off. The brave sergeant never flinches—hit in the arm by a flying splinter, he still leads on. The German machine-gunners see the danger. Their weapons avail nothing against this iron monster—their nerve fails, and they run. At the same moment the infantry rise up, keeping abreast of or following the tank. They take the sunken road with its row of machine-guns. Then "Bang"—clear and hard—a shell has caught the tank fairly in front. It gives a funny little lurch, slews half round, and then stops dead. But the infantry press on, and, though coming immediately under heavy fire, gain possession of the crest and work some little distance down the slope before flinging themselves down in the old grass-grown shellholes of 1916.

Forsyth and McMurdo moved freely round on the bare and exposed slope, organising the new line. Enemy snipers not a hundred yards away were very busy, and one of them page 235shot Sergeant Forsyth dead. He had been in front from the moment the advance started, and had acted throughout with the most cool and desperate daring. It was quite certain that he would be killed. He had as fine a record of fighting service as any man with the Division. Enlisting with the Main Body Engineers, he was one of the few who went right through Gallipoli. In France he had been through every general engagement in which the New Zealand troops had fought, in addition to which he had been in two fights with Australian and one with British troops. His was a wonderful record, crowned by a day of glorious deeds. The Victoria Cross awarded to him was one of those which has never been disputed. All were agreed that he was worthy of it, and that there was no one who could be named in any way equal to him. With the exception of a certain amount of open ground in front of the 15th Company, 2/Auckland had now obtained the whole of their objective, and at an astonishingly small cost. When it is considered that the Battalion took thirty-five machine-guns, all of which were well placed with a splendid field for fire, it is seen that the task set was no easy one. Success can be attributed to the surprise attack in the darkness, which had penetrated deeply before the enemy realised exactly what was happening, the exceedingly patchy defence of the Huns, who fought well in places, but very weakly in others, and the bold leadership displayed by various junior officers and N.C.O.'s in the resolute tackling of the various posts which gave trouble. The 16th Company, in particular, performed the whole of their task in a most satisfactory manner, great credit being due to the manner in which Lieutenant Vickerman pushed forward with his platoon after the initial check. Great results might have been obtained on the right if there had been better combination between the 3rd and 15th Companies, combined with strong, intelligent and resolute leadership. Unfortunately, Colonel Allen was wounded soon after dawn, before he could reconnoitre this part of the front, the command of the Battalion passing to Major McClelland. Casualties were only eighty all told, including seven offi-page 236cers, only one of whom—Lieutenant Webster, a very fine man—was killed. Beside the thirty-five machine guns, the three howitzers and the two 77mm. field guns, the Battalion captured five minenwerfers, three waggons, one "pineapple" gun, and nearly four hundred prisoners.

On the flanks, Loupart Wood had fallen to 1/Wellington, and Biefvillers to parties of 2/Wellington, which had been acting as support battalion. Later in the morning the 2/Brigade passed through on the left and kept up the pressure. The same evening 2/Auckland were relieved by the 1/Battalion, and went back in reserve.

After the fall of the Loupart Wood-Grevillers-Biefvillers line the resistance of the enemy in front of Bapaume was much stiffer than had been expected. He clung tenaciously to the Albert-Bapaume road, endeavouring to save time until his defences in rear should be more strongly organised. 1/Auckland for the third time running found themselves actively employed in patrol work, so as to maintain a constant pressure and to be prepared to exploit without loss of time any retirement of the enemy. They took over the position won by 2/Auckland, and held on during the 25th under heavy shelling from 5.9 and eight-inch howitzers. Rain fell through the night, and the next day was showery. At mid-day the 15th Company were ordered to support 2/Wellington in an operation to the right of Grevillers, which had for its object penetration to the south of Bapaume and the crossing of the Bapaume-Albert road, 2/Wellington made no progress, but a patrol of the North Aucklanders, Lieutenant O'Gorman, Sergeant Judson and four others, bombed for two hundred yards up a sap until they reached the road, taking three machine-guns and a couple of prisoners. It was here that Sergeant Judson, who had already distinguished himself in the patrol operations at Hebuterne and Puisieux, was awarded the Victoria Cross for "most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty, when in an attack on enemy positions he led a small bombing party under heavy fire and captured an enemy machine-gun. He then proceeded up a sap alone, bombing three machine-gun crews before him. page 237Jumping out of the trench he ran ahead of the enemy. Then standing on the parapet he ordered the party, consisting of two officers and ten men to surrender. They instantly fired on him, but he threw a bomb and jumped down amongst them, killed two, put the rest to flight, and so captured two machine-guns. This prompt and gallant action not only saved many lives but enabled the advance to continue unopposed."

Sergeant Judson joined 2/Auckland with the Ninth Reinforcement, and served with them through the trench spell at Armentieres until he was badly wounded in the storming of the Switch Line on September 15th, 1916. He rejoined the Regiment after the Hun offensive, and was sent to the 1/Battalion, then holding the line in and about Hebuterne. His feat of winning the D.C.M., the M.M. and the V.C., all in the space of six weeks, is a record probably unequalled by any other British soldier.

The ground gained by the gallant sergeant and his companions was, however, not held, as the Division on the right retired, and, in consequence, the New Zealanders had also to draw back to avoid exposing their flank to attack. Later in the afternoon 1/Auckland were ordered to be ready to follow up in case of an enemy retirement after a short bombardment by the trench mortars. The enemy, however, showed no signs of retiring, and became exceedingly hostile, whereupon the Battalion received orders to "stand fast." Later, orders came to relieve 2/Wellington, and this move was carried out before the dawn of the 27th. During the evening patrols of the 3rd, 6th and 16th, the front line companies, moved out behind a heavy barrage and occupied several hundred yards of ground, going forward until they were held up by enemy strong points. One patrol of the Waikatos crossed the sunken road, but, coming under heavy machine-gun fire, was compelled to withdraw, with the loss of two men killed. Rain set in, and this, with much shelling, combined to make the spell in, a miserable one. The Aucklanders had very little shelter, and an oil-sheet is a poor protection against continued rain. It is good only as far as it goes, and that is not quite to a man's waist. Men page 238and water soon make mud, and mud is always a misery in war lime. Boots get wet through, and wet feet are never a comfort. Rifles are jammed with the mud, and the lot of the man in the line is altogetlier an unenviable one, particularly when hot food fails to arrive.

On the morning of the 29th, after a fairly quiet night, 6th Company patrols advised that the enemy showed signs of evacuating the position. Orders were immediately issued to push forward. This was done, and a rapid move at once took place. In an hour 3/Company patrols had pushed forward a thousand yards. The Rifle Brigade, on the left, at the same time commenced to push through Bapaume itself. 1/Auckland, keeping to the right of the town, pushed past it, and, crossing the Bapaume-Peronne road, took up a line beyond the reservoir on the embankment by the large railway siding, some thousand yards ahead of the town itself, and facing the village of Bancourt, which was strongly held by the enemy. 1/Auckland had been continually busy through the whole of the month of August. Without being actually involved in any considerable action, they had been fighting almost continuously and very successfully. The ground they had gained by peaceful penetration and otherwise, was all of extreme value. The casualties had been far from light-—4 officers and 31 O.R.'s having been killed, and 5 officers and 123 O.R.'s wounded. Captain Knight, one of the officers wounded, belonged originally to the Fourth Reinforcement draft, and had seen a very considerable amount of service. Amongst the killed was Sergeant Fraser, M.M., a Gallipoli man, who had been badly wounded on two or three occasions. He was a quiet, strong character, a hard worker, and a brave man, who was very highly thought of in the Battalion.

It was decided without any delay to attack the enemy in their new position on the line Frenricourt-Bancourt-Riencoutt, which they had organised on the high ground that ran in a northerly direction from Riencourt behind Bancourt to the Cambrai road. Over the whole area of the Ancre and the Somtne the country was much the same. Villages scattered page 239here and there were embowered in groves of trees, while, beyond, wide open fields stretched without a vestige of cover for thousands of yards. A succession of chalk ridges, nowhere running to any great height, ran like so many waves across the whole battlefield, and in every case formed admirable defensive positions, giving excellent observation and a splendid field for fire on advancing troops. In accordance with their usual custom, the Huns were holding in depth and relying on their machine-gun nests to hold up attacks made against them. If they had had men behind the guns of the calibre of those who manned the New Zealand guns on Chunuk Bair there would have been little chance of an advance being successful. Fortunately, however, the morale of the German troops was breaking down rapidly, and even where a group or a battalion of brave men put up a resolute resistance there were always faint-hearted ones who gave way long before their position was hopeless.

The attack, which was on a wide front, was to go forward at dawn on the 30th August. On the left the 42/Division was moving on Riencourt, and on the right I/Wellington had Fremincourt as their objective. Just before zero Major Sinel received information from the English troops that they would be unable to move for some little time. In accordance with instructions received from Brigade, 2/Auckland were thereupon held back, although the rest of the advance continued as arranged. The German artillery opened up at once, and a heavy barrage was put down on the sunken roads in which the Aucldanders had assembled. Many casualties occurred. Major Sinel and Major McClelland were both slightly wounded, but were able to carry on. Dr. Simcox, who was with the Battalion while Dr. Harpur was on leave, was severely wounded. Padre Dobson took over the aid post and superintended the care of the wounded through the rest of the fighting. The padre was one of the few Main Body men still surviving, and had had a long war experience. He was well known for his courage and sang-froid.

When at last the Battalion did advance, the enemy were page 240prepared for the move, and concentrated very heavy machinegun fire on the advancing troops. Bancourt fell to the 6th Company, under Captain Moncrief, a very brave and able soldier, who had left New Zealand as one of the sergeantmajors attached to the original Battalion of the Auckland Regiment. The Haurakis drew up in a long line, set their teeth and went straight for the village, which they took, very largely owing to the dashing leadership of Lieutenant Taylor. Further progress was difficult. On the ridge beyond, which ran astride of the Bancourt-Bertincourt road, were a number of Niessen huts very strongly held by the enemy. From here and from Riencourt, which was as yet untaken, a very heavy rire was poured in. On the open slope, bare of all cover, men went down in scores. Soon all was confusion. The majority simply lay flat and fired if any target presented itself. In one place a dry water-course running up the hill enabled some to creep forward and so obtain a precarious hold on the ridge. Half way up, a large chalk quarry gave cover for a number. Out on the left, which was now several hundred yards ahead of the 42/Division, the danger of a flanking attack by the Huns was a serious one. To meet any danger from this quarter the 3/Company were sent out to form a defensive flank. It was impossible to get further forward, but what ground had been gained was resolutely held against counterattacks, that continued to develop throughout the day. Under cover of darkness the position was roughly organised, and some more ground occupied, while wounded, who could not be approached by daylight, were picked up and sent back.

At dawn next morning two enemy tanks came out and headed for our line. One reached the chalk quarry and skirted along the edge—a couple of yards only from a line of men who lay fiat on their faces, scarcely daring to breathe. It was a terrible moment, and then the tank passed on, finally falling down a small bank, and sticking helplessly. Fighting through the day was heavy, until the fall of Riencourt took off the pressure from the flank. This made the enemy's position no longer tenable, and during the night of September 1st-2nd he page 241commenced to draw back. In a short while the withdrawal became a general retirement, which was followed up by the 2/Brigade. In this action 2/Auckland took 150 prisoners, 51 machine-guns and one tank. Their losses were heavy, over 350 being killed and wounded. Lieutenant Carter, who as signal corporal had done so well on the 15th September, 1916, was here mortally wounded. He was very well known in the Regiment, and was extremely popular. Lieutenant W. Hill, who also died of wounds, was another well-known figure who had been with the Battalion in the early days. Lieutenants Hall, McCreanor, Taylor and Abel were all brave and capable men, whose loss was a severe blow to the Battalion.