Over the top with the 25th: Chronicle of events at Vimy Ridge and Courcellette — John Shaqi
Over the top with the 25th: Chronicle of events at Vimy Ridge and CourcelletteLewis, R.
History
Over the top with the 25th: Chronicle of events at Vimy Ridge and Courcellette
Lewis, R.
Canada. Canadian Army. Battalion, 25th; Vimy Ridge, Battle of, France, 1917; World War, 1914-1918 -- Personal narratives, Canadian
It was found necessary to send for reinforcements if the trench was to
be re-captured. Imperials relieved us on the St. Eloi front, and we
were speedily conveyed by motor lorries and rushed up to the Ypres
section. Our boys all knew they were in for a hot time but we were
keen to be at it for we were "just spoiling for a fight." We got it
all right, and though we were only here for two days, such was the
severe nature of the fighting, that our casualty list was very heavy.
Incessant rain added to our discomfiture; but the spirit of the boys
was something wonderful to behold.
After a twenty-four hour rest in the huts at Ypres we went to the now
famous "Hill 60" where we remained for seven days. It was while we
were here at "Hill 60" that Sergt. Duffet got the D.C.M., though he
afterwards died of the wounds which he had received.
After leaving "Hill 60" we went back to the St. Eloi front again, and
had the usual routine of work to perform--trench warfare and plenty of
working parties. Just imagine a party of about a hundred men carrying
wire trench mats across the open in full view of Fritz. A flare goes
up; everybody stands still; a machine gun opens fire; everybody goes
down so that they will not be hit; and then every thing is still
again. All of a sudden somebody swears as he trips over a shell hole,
but the oath is made in such a reverent way that it is more of a
prayer than a curse word. Thus it continues night after night.
Chapter Six
As I have previously said, there is always a certain amount of rivalry
between the Battalions. In illustration of this we got word that a
Battalion on our right was going to pull off a raid. Our Colonel
immediately ordered Lieut. Wise (he went over with the 25th as a
Sergt. and is now a Major and second in command of the Battalion) to
take a party of men and make a raid into Fritz's trench. They set off
and after wandering around "No Man's Land" for a while found an
opening in his wire. They got into his trench and bombarded him right
and left, killing quite a few and bringing back valuable information.
Unluckily we had a few wounded, and Sergt. Anderson got no further
back than Fritz's wire when he was hit. Lieut. Wise made three or four
gallant attempts to get him out, but, owing to the machine gun and
rifle fire, it was impossible. Lieut. Wise, who was badly wounded got
the Military Cross and Cross de Guerre, and several of the boys got
the Military Medal, so the Battalion on our right had to postpone
their raid.
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