During the night of the 10/11th. “A” and “B” Companies had connected up with the 78th Battalion in front of Hallu with “D” Company forming posts in the centre of our position and “C” Company on the Chilly-Lihons Road. This was the situation at 6.00a.m. on the morning of the 11th. The 85th Battalion having taken positions in Support with one Company forward in close support. At 2.30a.m. on the 11th the enemy placed a heavy concentration of artillery on our right Companies, “A” and “B” and on the forward Companies of the 78th Battalion, and about 9 o’clock made an attack from the East and North-East. “A” and “B” Companies withstood this attack gallantly but suffered many casualties, especially from their left flank where the enemy worked in behind them. After repelling this attack orders were received that the forward Companies would be withdrawn a short distance to improve and straighten our line. Our Companies, however, held their positions until later in the afternoon, and orders were issued that evening for “A” and “B” Companies to withdraw to the Chilly-Lihons Road, connecting up on the left with “C” and “D” Companies, and continuing to connect up on the right with the 78th Battalion.
Image: A dead German in a camouflaged trench, during Canadian advance. August, 1918, Courtesy of Library and Archives Canada.