Battalion in Gampoux Area being in support of the railway embankment with A. Company at Point du jour, relieved by English troops in the course of the night 1-2. Proceeded by light to Cliff Gaut, arriving about 3am, 2nd.
Image: 3rd Canadian Division Headquarters during the advance. Battle of Amiens. August, 1918, Courtesy of Library and Archives Canada.
August 1st found the Battalion in Fluy with A and B Companies in Seux, a distance of 1.5 miles from Battalion Headquarters which were located in the old Chateux, Fluy. At 9.00a.m. the Battalion proceeded to the Tank Demonstration Area near Picquigny, a march of 6.5 miles from Fluy. Arriving there at noon and having lunch in the field. At 2.00pm a lecture was given by the officer commanding No. 14 Tank Battalion giving general description of co-operation between Infantry and Tanks in Action. Following which “D” Company, 18th Canadian Battalion and “B” Company 21st Canadian Battalion, co-operated with one Section of the Tank Corps, three with attacking waves and one in support, in carrying out practice attack which clearly shows how targets were given to the tanks by the infantry and by the use of smoke-bombs (No. 27 Grenades) and the use of green and white flag by the tank denoting that opposition has been cleared up and the advance would be resumed. Also the use of red and yellow flag denoting that tank is out of action, which is replaced by tank in support moving forward; also the use of the tri-coloured denoting the withdrawal of the tank after the completion of the operation.
Image: Tanks en route. August, 1918, Courtesy of Library and Archives Canada.
Dainville- The day was principally spent in resting and cleaning up. Baths were not available but clean underclothing was issued. Transport and rear details remained at Berneville. At 4:30pm the Battalion, less rear details, moved by motor busses and lorries from Dainville, de-bussing about one kilometre West of Avesnes-le-Comte, and proceeded to Lignereuil, arriving at 7:15pm. Transport and rear details left Berneville at 11:30 am and arrived at Lignereull at 5:30pm. The weather was fair.
Figure 3: Map of Western Front 1918
In February of 1918 the 156th Battalion C.E.F. was disbanded due to the need of reinforcements along the Western Front. Members of the 156th were sent to several regiments. To tell the story of the soldiers of the 156th we will follow the events of three battalions from Eastern Ontario. The 2nd Battalion CEF (Eastern Ontario Regiment) perpetuated by the Governor General’s Footguards (Ottawa), 21st Battalion CEF perpetuated by the Prince of Whales on Regiment (Kingston) and the 28th Battalion CEF, perpetuated by the Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa (Ottawa).
The Brockville Rifles perpetuate 4 battle honours of the 156th Battalion C.E.F.; Amiens, Arras, Hindenburg Line and Pursuit to Mons. These were bestowed following the Hundred Days Offensive that led to the end of The Great War. To honour the sacrifice of the soldiers of Eastern Ontario who served in these battles we will be posting in real time the transcribed events from their war diaries. Follow along and learn the story of these brave individuals who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms. The real time events will start on August 1, starting just before the beginning of the Hundred Days Offensive.