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The Wellington Regiment (NZEF) 1914 - 1919

Chapter XLI

page 270

Chapter XLI.

We Fraternise with the 18th Royal Irish—A Cricket Match — Gommecourt — Fish Alley — A Further Enemy Withdrawal.

At the beginning of August, the 2nd Battalion ascertained that in billets at St. Legei was the 2nd Battalion. 18th Royal Irish Regiment, to which the 7th Wellington West Coast Regiment in New Zealand was allied. The 2nd Battalion, 18th Royal Irish, served in New Zealand during the Maori War, and for long had had its headquarters at Wanganui. Col. Cunningham at once rode down and called, and arrangements were made for exchanging visits and, if possible, getting some photographs. The Royal Irish invited three officers from our Wellington-West Company to lunch with them the following day, and Col. Cunningham and Capt. J. R. Cade were able to accept this cordial invitation.

Early in the afternoon of the 4th August,, Wellington- West Coast Company headed by the battalion band marched into St. Leger. They received a great reception from their Irish comrades. A most enjoyable afternoon was spent by all ranks, who left their hosts realizing that they had experienced real Irish hospitality, and that the 18th Royal Irish had upheld their traditions. Their transport was freely requisitioned to return their guests to their billets, and several senior officers were nothing loth to avail themselves of so humble a conveyance as the battalion mess-cart. Taking place as it did on the fourth anniversary of the outbreak of war, the meeting of the 18th Royal Irish and 7th Wellington- West Coast, will long be remembered.

page 271

It was then suggested that either a football or cricket match should be played between the two RegimiMits, and, a few days later, when writing to thank Lieut.-Col M. C. C. Harrison, M.C., for the hospitality bestowed upon us by his battalion, we offered to play a football match. Col. Harrison replied that, as most of his footballers were on leave or at courses, he feared a Rugby match would be rather a faree; but suggested that we should send over a cricket team. In a day or two, a cricket team from both our 1st and 2nd Battalions, journeyed to Achieux in motor lorries to play the Royal Irish. Unfortunately, the latter were then under orders to leave Aehieux; but our team, played a scratch match and, later, the Royal Irish were able to get. a team logether and a one innings game was won by them by ten runs, They gave us tea, and a very hearty send off.

On the 9th August, the 2nd Battalion, now in a new camp which it had made for itself at Couin, way inspected by General Russell who expressed his pleasure at its turn-out. From here, three officers with long service with the '2nd Battalion left for England on a tour of duty at Sling Camp. They were, Capt. J. N. Rauch, M.C., Lieut. J. H. Catchpole, M.C., and Capt. H. Simmonds, M.C., the last of whom, for some time past, had been adjutant of the battalion. A few days later, Capt. J. T. Dallinger came over from Sling to take over the duties of adjutant to the 2nd Battalion.

Both battalions were now for the line again, and, on the following afternoon, 1st Wellington relieved 2nd Battalion Rifle Brigade in the reserve line at Gommecourt, while, after dark, our 2nd Battalion relieved the 1st Battalion of the same brigade in the front line. The weather was fine and we were not long in settling down. 2nd Wellington found an enemy machine-gun troublesome in Fish Alley, and Wellington- West Coast Company planned to knock out the post on the following day. During the day a prisoner was taken by that company and good information extracted from him. Ruahine Company, feeling particularly hostile, stole a march and made an attempt during the afternoon on the unwelcome machine-gun, and failed, much to the disgust of Wellington-page 272West Company, for it spoiled that Company's plans. The next day or two were quiet, except for minnenwerfer; to which our artillery rendered prompt and effective retaliation.

On the 14th, 1st Otago, on the right, reported that the enemy was retiring and that they were pushing forward patrols. Second Wellington immediately pushed out patrols; but, as the enemy retired as we came up, our patrols were unable to get in touch with him. We pushed on our line in conjunction with 1st Otago, on our right, and 1st Auckland on our left and, by shortly after mid-day had made substantial progress, and established a new line from pox Wood to Fork Wood. Here, fine work was done by a bombing party under Lieut. R. V. Hollis, in driving three enemy machine-gun posts before it, and so facilitating the task of the battalion. During this operation, eight prisoners were taken by Wellington-West Coast Company, and valuable information was obtained from them to the effect that the enemy was retiring by forty-eight hour stages to Achiet-le-Petit line. Later in the day, patrols were pushed well out, and came in touch with the enemy at several points.

On the following day, there were signs of a further evacuation of the enemy towards Achiet-le-Petit. The village of Puisieux-au-Mont was shelled by the enemy, and 1st Otago on our right pushed well round its southern flank. From noon till midnight, the enemy heavily shelled the front trenches on the hill held by Taranaki and Hawkes Bay Companies, Katipo trench held by Taranaki Company being levelled in places. Our casualties were slight in proportion to the severity of the gun fire. During the night, our patrols again pushed out and formed observation posts. On the following day, there was again very heavy shelling of our front line trenches and 2nd Lieut. L. D. O 'Sullivan,* while working with a patrol in the outpost line was severely wounded. Our outpost line was maintained and the enemy was reported east of Puiaieux-au-Mont. Towards evening, page 2731st Auckland on our left, in conjunction with the English Brigade on their left, advanced their line to the front of Buequoy to conform with the general line, and several prisoners were taken. Our artillery was now moving up, and occupying forward positions.

On the next night, 1st Wellington relieved both lst Auckland and 2nd Wellington and became the front line battalion of the Now Zealand Division, while 2nd Wellington took ovev 2nd Auckland's position in brigade reserve. Our 1st Battalion was not to remain long in that position, for, on the following night, it was relieved by 2nd Battalion of the Rifle Brigade, and then in turn relieved 1st Battalion Rifle Brigade in the outpost line of resistance in what was called the Green line.

* Lieut. O'Sullivan died of wounds on 24th August.