But neither brigade was able to gain the final objective at its first attempt, for the enemy was in great strength and, as he clearly regarded the positions attacked as very important, he fought around the Dovecot and in front of Miraumont with much courage and determination. Owing to the mist touch had not been maintained between the 125th Brigade and the New Zealanders. When the mist lifted, the company of the 7th L.F., to whom the capture of the Dovecot had been entrusted, found that they were advancing upon an enemy battery, which opened fire at point-blank range. An attempt was made to hold a shell-hole position, but the enemy was in strong force, and a fierce counter-attack practically wiped out the defenders. However, in the course of the afternoon a joint attack by the two brigades drove the enemy from the entire line of the final objective, the 7th L.F., assisted by two machine-gun sections, capturing the Dovecot, while the Manchesters advanced along the top of the ridge, clearing the enemy out of his dug-outs, and established themselves before Miraumont. They repulsed a counter-attack in the afternoon, and later in the day another, made by picked storm-troops, was also beaten off. The capture of the high ground dominating the Ancre was a brilliant beginning to a victorious advance which was destined to continue until the beaten enemy sued for peace. Field guns, anti-tank guns, and a large number of machine-guns and prisoners had been taken. With this considerable success the day’s fighting ended. But not its labour, for the newly-won positions had to be consolidated and all preparations made for the inevitable counter-attacks, so work went on steadily throughout the night. [Illustration: SGT. E. SMITH, V.C., D.C.M., 1/5 BN. LANCASHIRE FUSILIERS.] In the course of the battle of the 21st August there had been a general high standard of courage and also many acts of heroism, some of which passed unnoticed, while some were rewarded. The outstanding valour and prowess of Lance-Sergeant Edward Smith, 5th L.F., at the capture of The Lozenge and subsequently, received the recognition they deserved, the Victoria Cross being awarded on the following grounds—