War Diaries – 2nd Bn. CEF

Companies and Details reported shelter and dugouts by 7.30a.m. After a hot meal being served the remainder of the morning was spent in resting. Early in the afternoon a conference of Battalion Commanders assembled at Brigade Headquarters. Events moving rapidly, the Battalion was ordered to prepare for action for the following day. The O.C. held a company Commanders meeting during the evening and the scheme of operations schedule to take place was outlined. Meanwhile deficiencies in battle equipment was made up. Weather: Fair and cool.

Image: Canadians resting in captured trenches in front of Arras. Advance East of Arras. August, 1918, Courtesy of Library and Archives Canada.

The Battalion “Stood to” at day break, all ranks eager and alert, determined to break the expected counter-attack which, however, did not materialize. During the day under protection of barrage the work of consolidation was continued and by night a continuous line established with flanking units. During the afternoon orders were received that the 2nd Brigade would pass through our present Brigade frontage and would continue the advance until they come in contact with the enemy. Later the 8th Can.Bn. Passed through our line in extended order, and pursuant to orders from Brigade, the Battalion moved back to Reserve taking up the same quarters in the Wancour area vacated two days earlier. Weather: Fair. Lieut.P.B.d’Esterre granted leave to U.K. from 31st. Lieut.WF.Bynum joined as reinforcement 27/8/18. Lieut.R.N.Broad and 47 O.Rs. joined 28th and Liet.G.Hunter taken on strength 30/8/18.

Image: Canadian troops taking cover in a ditch alongside the road from Arras to Cambrai, Courtesy of Library and Archives Canada.

Battalion arrived at Assembly Area at about 1.00a.m. and were in position by 2.30a.m. Heavy enemy whizz-bang barrage was concentrated in close proximity to Battalion H.Q., 0.9.a05.55 causing a few casualties. A small amount of gas shelling was carried out by the enemy but was not effective, there being no casualties reported. At 4.40 a.m., ZERO HOUR, the attack commenced supported by a heavy and very effective barrage from our guns. The attack was successful and by 6:00am all our objects were taken and work of consolidation commenced. This was very difficult owing to the harassing fire carried out by enemy machine gunners on skillfully concealed positions. In spite of several determined counter-attacks all our newly captured positions were maintained. In this operation heavy casualties were inflicted upon the enemy and an estimate of 225 unwounded prisoners were taken besides a number of machine guns and 3 enemy 4.1s. Whilst leading his men with the utmost gallantry Lt-Col.L.T.McLaughlin, D.S.O. became a casualty by a machine gun bullet in left thigh. Notwithstanding this he continued to direct the operations and not until the situation was well in had did he consent to be carried from the field to the dressing station. Command of the Battalion was assumed by Major R.Vanderwater, D.S.O. Our casualties during these operations on this day were 2 officers killed, 9 officers wounded and 175 (estimated) other ranks killed and wounded. Weather: Fine.

Morning chiefly spent in making final preparations for the pending attack by 1st Can.Inf.Bde. Of the enemy’s positions in the vicinity of Upton Wood, U.5.b. ref. shet 51B 1/20,000. About 10.00am a Warning Order was received from Brigade ordering units of the Brigade to be prepared to move forward and go into action by 2.00pm. O.O. No.46 issued to Companies and the plan of assault altered. New plans were formed wherein the Brigade would continue to have the same objective but that it would be taken by a flanking movement instead of a frontal attack. Once the flanks of the enemy’s position were pushed in sufficiently the battalions were to making a Right Wheel movement, thus bringing them into the same position as called for in the original plan of attack. Battalion fell in and marched forward to Assembly Area at 11.30 p.m. Weather: Unsettled, occasional showers.

Image: Canadians near Monchy [France] waiting to go forward. Advance East of Arras. August, 1918, Courtesy of Library and Archives Canada.

About 8.30p.m., in accordance with orders receive from Brigade, the Bn. Moved forward and relieved on battalion of the 6th Brigade. Transport and rear Details moving to a position East of Neuville Vitasse about 1 kilometre. Orders were received to the effect that the attack by the 1st Can.Division would be postponed indefinitely. About 10.00p.m. the Battalion had settled down in the area allotted. Very poor accommodation was to be had owing to few shell-holes and scarcity of suitable salvage. Weather: Unsettled turning cold towards evening.

Image: The Battle Headquarters of the Canadian Corps, Neuville Vitasse, during advance. August 17, 1918, Courtesy of Library and Archives Canada.

Shortly after midnight entraining was completed, and later the train proceeded to Tincques arriving at destination at 1.10p.m. The Battalion detrained, marched to a field close to Station where hot tea was served. No.4 Company rejoined. At 6:15p.m. the Battalion embussed and proceeded to Wally Wood, debussing at 8.30p.m. Weather: Unsettled.

Image: Canadians in the reserve lines making bivouacs. Amiens. August, 1918, Courtesy of Library and Archives Canada.

Church Parades for Protestants and Roman Catholics were held at 11.00a.m.; the former in a nearby field, the latter in the French Church. Operation Order No.44 issued. At 2.00 p.m. No.4 Company plus Cooker and team proceeded to Prouzel to entrain. At 9.00p.m. the Battalion marched to entraining point and entrained for Tincques.

Image: A view of the interior of Arras Cathedral. Amiens. August, 1918, Courtesy of Library and Archives Canada.

At 2:30a.m. the Battalion arrived at Vers where billets were allotted. Breakfast was prepared immediately on arrival and the balance of the day was devoted to resting and cleaning up. Fine.

Image: A Gun captured by Canadians. Battle of Amiens. August, 1918, Courtesy of Library and Archives Canada.

Usual inspections carried out. Operation Order No. 43 issued. At 9.45pm the Battalion moved by route march to Dury-Vers Area passing through Boves, St. Fuscien and Dury. Weather: Fair.

Image: Arranging captured trench mortars and machine guns. Battle of Amiens. August, 1918, Courtesy of Library and Archives Canada.

During the morning inspections were held by platoon commanders and later, physical training carried out. At 1.45p.m. Brig-Gen. W.A.Griesback, C.M.G., D.S.O., G.O.C 1st Can.Inf.Bde., addressed the Battalion in regard to the recent Operations, thanking all ranks for the work so successfully accomplished. Advantage was taken by all to wash clothes and bathe in the stream near the camp. Weather: Very Hot.

Image: Lt.-Gen. Sir Julian Byng & Brig.-Gen. W.A. Griesback. May, 1917, Courtesy of Library and Archives Canada.