2nd Bn, CEF-Saturday, October 19, 1918
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.
Image: Canadians inspecting one of the German dug-outs. Advance East of Arras. October, 1918, Courtesy of Library and Archives Canada.