2nd Bn, CEF-Wednesday, October 2, 1918
The Battalion stood by ready to move at short notice. Weather: Fair, cool.
Image: A busy scene on Arras – Cambrai Road. Advance East of Arras, Courtesy of Library and Archives Canada.
The Battalion stood by ready to move at short notice. Weather: Fair, cool.
Image: A busy scene on Arras – Cambrai Road. Advance East of Arras, Courtesy of Library and Archives Canada.
Battalion in reserve at X.19.a.10.55, re-equipping and re-organizing during the morning. Transport and rear Details at location just East of Inchy. During the afternoon, according to instructions from Brigade, the Battalion took over area vacated by the 3rd Can.Bn. West of Haynecourt. Move completed and H.Q. established at X.16.a.50.60 at 3.45p.m. Verbal instructions were then received to the effect that the Bn. moved back t its former area at X.19.a.10.55. Weather: Fine.
Image: Guns going forward over a bridge built by Canadian Engineers. Advance East of Arras. September, 1918, Courtesy of Library and Archives Canada.
The Battalion in Brigade Reserve. Day spent in re-organizing and resting. Weather: Fair. During the month the following officers proceeded on leave: – Lieut. A.W. Aseltine to Paris. Capt. H.Taylor to U.K. Lieut.J. Leckey. Lieut.A.Hewitt. Lieut.A.J.Wall, M.C. Capt.H.Smith, M.C., M.M. From Leave: Lieut.P.B.d’Esterre, Lieut.A.W.Aseltine.Lieut.D.A.Cameron. Major R.de.Waller, M.C. from Can.Corps School. Signed: Major R. Vanderwater, O.C. 2nd Canadian Infantry Battalion, East. Ontario Regiment.
Image: Corps Tramways repairing German railroad. Advance East of Arras. Sept. 1918, Courtesy of Library and Archives Canada.
Battalion in reserve with Headquarters in X.19.a.10.55. Re-organizing and reequipping proceeded with. Operation Order No.52 Issued, and in accordance with, The Battalion occupied positions vacated by 3rd Can. Battalion. Relief was reported complete at 8.30p.m. Weather: Fair & Cool.
Image: Canadians constructing a bridge across Canal du Nord. Advance East of Arras. September, 1918, Courtesy of Library and Archives Canada.
At 6.00 a.m. troops of the 4th Canadian Division passed through our Outpost Line and continued the attack. The day was spent in re-organizing and equipping. Transport E. of Inchy. Weather: Little rain but mostly fair.
Image: Canadians advancing on the Arras front getting around the Germans’ harassing fire. Advance East of Arras. Sept. 2 1918, Courtesy of Library and Archives Canada.
Light rain fell during the night but became clear during the morning. At 5.20a.m. our barrage opened. The intensity of our fire and the vigorous shelling of hostile battery positions permitted only a feeble retaliation. Battalion moved forward n “Diamond Formation” by Companies at 10 minutes interval commencing at 6.40a.m. At 10.00a.m. No.1 Company was on the right, No.4.Company on the left, No.3 in Support and No.2 Company in Reserve leap-frogged through 1st Battalion and continued the advance from the Green Line. Enemy M.Gs. mounted along the Railway in W.3.a & c upheld our advance. The 2nd Can.Inf.Bde. Advancing on our left and the 4th Can.Division on our right enfiladed these guns and permitted our advance to continue to the Blue Line. This was captured and consolidation commenced. At 6.00p.m. the Bosche massed for a counter-attack but was easily dispersed. The remainder of the night passed quietly. At 10.30a.m. Transport and rear Details moved forward to Bn. Assembly Area and then to East of Canal Du Nord. Weather: Fair.
Image: Canadians advancing. Advance East of Arras. September, 1918, Courtesy of Library and Archives Canada.
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. The Battalion assembled in V.29.C & D with Headquarters at V.29.c.central. Transport and rear Details remained at old location. Weather: Fair.
Image: 87th Bn. listening to comrade playing mouth organ. Amiens. August, 1918, Courtesy of Library and Archives Canada.26
Training as previous days. Weather: Fair, cool.
Image: Canadian Ammunition Column on way to Field Guns. Advance East of Arras. September, 1918, Courtesy of Library and Archives Canada.
In the forenoon training was carried out as yesterday. Band Concert at night. Weather: Fair.
Image: [CEF, 2nd Battalion, Music Band], Courtesy of Library and Archives Canada.
Training to-day consisted of P.T. & B.F. and the practicing of Battle Formations. Band Concert at night. Reconnaissance by Company Officers of forward area carried out. Weather: Fair.
Image: B Company (2nd Canadian Infantry Battalion). July, 1916, Courtesy Library and Archives Canada.