Very little enemy activity. Day was very bright and visibility good. During the day all arrangements were made for crossing the Canal and for establishing a line as far East of the village as the Douai-Cambrai road. At dusk a floating bridge was taken up by the 2nd Bn.Canadian Engineers under command of Lieut.Scott, and without difficulty was placed across the Canal. The Right Front Line Company cross the Canal, sending patrols through the village, meeting M.G. nests which were routed and captured. An outpost line was established on the Eastern edge of the Farm. The left Company Succeeded in crossing the Canal on their front on an old bridge which they had repaired and they did not meet with much resistance until reaching the Sensee River which proved to be very formidable obstacle. However everything was well in hand and plans were soon arranged for material to be brought up to allow the infantry to cross the river. Before this could be accomplished orders were received from Brigade to withdraw to former positions West of the Canal. This was done and an outpost line established as before. During the operations we inflicted many casualties upon the enemy and also captured three machine guns and 2 prisoners. Our casualties were light. Lt.W.A.Fellows being slightly wounded. Lt.A.McKinney joined the Bn.
Training as on previous days. Special attention was paid to the different battle formations, intervals, time, etc. Lieuts. E.J.Ford, W.L.Brassey, C.R.Holmes, W.A.Ritchie joined the Bn. At 7.15p.m. in accordance with Operation Order No.49 Companies moved off and proceeded to the Assembly Area. Very little hostile shelling was encountered and the move completed without casualties. Transport and rear Details remained at old location. Weather: Fair.
Orders having been received during the night that the 2nd and 3rd Battalions would pass through the 1st and 4th Battalions, this Unit passed through the outpost line at 0900 hours and continued the advance. Touch was at once gained with the 3rd Battalion. Moving behind a screen of skirmishers and scouts, the Battalion followed closely the retiring enemy. A scout patrol captured one prisoner early in the morning. In the Vicinity of Reiulay and Villers enemy patrols were encountered with machine guns. They, however, retired on the advance of the skirmishing line. Not until nearly dusk, when the pursuit had been pushed to the Western firing of the Bois des Eclusetters, did anything occur to give colour to what was more or less of a route march. North East of the Bois St. Amand a German cavalry patrol advanced cautiously, ostensibly for the purpose of getting in touch with our outpost. They made no attempt to give battle and retired at the gallop when fired upon. A scout patrol under Lieut. G. Hunter, operating far in advance of our outposts came in contact with some enemy outposts on the road between the Bois des Eclusettes and the Foret de Vicoigne. A lively fire fight ensued in which three casualties were inflicted on the enemy, with no loss to ourselves. At the end of the day, two Companies held the outpost line, West of the Bois des Eclisettes, while the remaining Companies were in support and reserve. Battalion Hqrs. were established at the Chateau near L’Ermitage. From about 1400 hours on the 19th inst. we had no touch with the 3rd Brigade on our right, some difficulty having arisen with regard to the left boundary of this Brigade. This was rectified about 1900 hours by a slight extension of our outpost line to the right and by the 16th Battalion Extending their front further to the left. Transport and Rear Details left Dechy at 0710 hours arriving at Montigny at 0820 hours. Left Montigny at 1205 hours, arriving at Pecquencourt at 1300 hours. Weather: Showery.
