38th Bn. CEF- Saturday, August 10, 1918
Zero hour was arranged for 10.15 a.m. and proceeded by Tanks, the leading Battalions moved off followed by the support Battalions at about 800 yards distance. The advance through Rosieres-en-Santerre was carried out without incident, but an emerging on the East of this Village, we came under machine gun fire and light artillery fire. The 85th Battalion suffered considerably from this cause, and upon arrival at the Meharicourt-Lihons Road had lost both their acting Battalion Commander and acting Second in Command of the Battalion. Owing to the fact that the Australians who were expected to go forward through the Village of Lihons and carry on the attack North of the Amiens-Nesle Railroad not coming forward, our left flank was entirely in the air to a position occupied by the enemy with large numbers of machine guns and the 8th Battalion changed their direction to North East in order to take on the enemy guns. Owing to this unforeseen circumstance and realizing that in all probability the 85th would not be able to proceed to their objective, we decided to push the 28th through at once to the objective of the 85th Battalion, and if possible to our own objective. This latter proved impossible owing to the increased fire being brought in enfilade from the left and great difficulty was experienced after passing the Meharicout-Lihons Road owing to the presence of large quantities of old wire in-good condition and a network of trenches which not only retarded progress, but made proper control of formations very difficult, and at the end of the afternoon our front lay behind the Chilly-Lihons Road and we were subjected to enemy fire of artillery and machine guns both from our front and left flank, and in addition two shoots by our own light artillery harassed us from the rear. Being informed that the two right Battalions had gained their objectives and fearing their left flank would be in the air, orders were issued to the various companies of the 28th to reorganize as quickly as possible and continue to push forward until we could connect up on our right flank with the 78th or 72nd Battalion, and also form a continuous line from Hallu to the Amiens-Nasle railroad. Owing to severe Officer casualties this proved difficult indeed.
Image:Tanks advancing down Amiens-Roye Road. Battle of Amiens. August, 1918, Courtesy of Library and Archives Canada.