38th Bn. CEF-Thursday, August 15, 1918
Battalion cleaning up and resting, weather: hot.
Image: 22nd Battalion bivouaced behind the lines. Battle of Amiens. August, 1918, Courtesy of Library and Archives Canada.
Battalion cleaning up and resting, weather: hot.
Image: 22nd Battalion bivouaced behind the lines. Battle of Amiens. August, 1918, Courtesy of Library and Archives Canada.
The Battalion arrived in new area, after relief, about 4.00p.m. August 15th, but on account of concentration of gas shellings on this area for the previous two hours, the Battalion was moved again through the trenches to new positions. The Gas shelling continues as “A” Company and some of our details passed through the village of Foquescourt, was extremely effective and we were unfortunate in sustaining the following casualties: – Officers: 6, Other Ranks: 36. During the day the enemy heavily shelled the villages of Maricourt, Chilly and Foquescourt. The aircraft of both sides were active. At night the enemy shelling increased and his bombing aircraft continue active.
Image: Canadians wearing gas masks bringing in wounded. Battle of Amiens. August, 1918, Courtesy of Library and Archives Canada.
53 Reinforcements were taken on strength of Battalion. Enemy fired a number of large caliber shells into Beaufort and vicinity causing a few casualties and several horses killed. Beaufort Wood also came in for shelling. – The enemy firing at intervals with High Explosives causing casualties and a number of horses had to be shot. Firing in forward area appeared Normal. Aircraft very active. Weather: Fair.
Image: A large German gun captured by Canadians. Battle of Amiens. August, 1918, Courtesy of Library and Archives Canada.A large German gun captured by Canadians. Battle of Amiens. August, 1918, Courtesy of Library and Archives Canada.
At 3.00a.m. a conference was held by the Commanding Officer with all Company and Section Commanders, relative to proposed operations. In the afternoon these contemplated operations were cancelled. The Commanding Officer visited Brigade Headquarters and sent back word that they had received definite information that the enemy were retiring on the immediate South. With this information orders were given to send out fighting patrols on the Battalion frontage, to gain information as to the disposition of the enemy regarding a possible withdrawal on our front. Patrol report definitely shows that the enemy was still there. About 6.00pm, the Battalion was informed that the 25th Canadian Battalion would be relieved and the Battalion were to move into Brigade Reserve, in our old Front Line system West of Foquescourt.
Image: Canadians resting in a trench near captured gun. Advance East of Arras. August, 1918, Courtesy of Library and Archives Canada.
Instructions were received from Brigade that at a time and date to be notified later the attack would resume. But afterwards postponed. Enemy harassed front and back areas with overhead shrapnel during part of the day which was otherwise normal. Aircraft were very active and had good visibility. Lieuts J. Milne and A.Hewitt returned from 1st Div 1. Wing C.C.R.C also 12 O.Rs. were taken on strength. Weather: Fair.
Image: Canadians digging in and waiting for the next wave to pass through them and go forward during the Battle of Amiens, Courtesy of Library and Archives Canada.
Battalion relieved in course of the night. Reinforcements for all the Battalions in that Brigade arrived. Weather fine. Huns continue bombing and shelling.
Image: Cheery Canadian being brought in by the enemy, waves to the camera. Battle of Amiens. August, 1918, Courtesy of Library and Archives Canada.
At 8.45p.m. August 13th, the Battalion moved forward and completed the relief of the 46th Canadian Battalion by 1.40a.m. August 14th.
Image: A wounded German having his wounds dressed. August 1918. Courtesy Library and Archives Canada.
Battalion relieved from the front on the night of the 13th.
Image: A German 8.3 battery & ammunition dump captured. Battle of Amiens. August, 1918, Courtesy of Library and Archives Canada.
Clean underclothing was received and the remainder of the Battalion enabled to exchange their spoiled. Day passed in moderate quietness although with great aerial activity. In an air fight, one of our machines and one of the enemy’s were seen to come down. No word of a move received, but understand Battalion liable to move quickly as the tactical situation demands. Weather: Fine. Battalion paid.
Image: Canadians advancing. A plane is helping the Infantry by firing on German machine gunners. Advance East of Arras. September, 1918, Courtesy of Library and Archives Canada.
Connected up on the left with “C” and “D” Companies, and on the right with the 78th Battalion. This was the situation during the 12th and 13th.
Image: Amiens Front – German Artillery position had been amongst these trees, Aubercourt, Courtesy of Library and Archives Canada.