In short, it was efficiency in all branches that enabled the Division to advance a distance of fifteen and a half miles in sixteen days, against a strong and desperate foe, across country which gave every advantage to the defence, and in that short period to capture the towns and villages of Miraumont, Pys, Warlencourt, Thilloy, Ligny-Thilloy, Riencourt, Villers-au-Flos, Bus, Barastre, Ytres, and Neuville-Bourjonval. One thousand two hundred and sixty-one prisoners passed through the Divisional Cages and Dressing Stations, 24 guns of all calibres up to 8-inch, 50 heavy and more than 100 light machine guns, 16 trench-mortars, and a large quantity of material of war were taken. The casualties of the Division were: 20 officers and 233 other ranks killed, 49 officers and 1256 other ranks wounded, but the loss inflicted upon the enemy was calculated at four times that number. It was a magnificent record which well deserved the Divisional Commander’s Special Order of the Day, of September 6, 1918— “In March of this year I had the honour of congratulating you on the valour and good work displayed by all ranks of all arms and services in a defensive battle. To-day I am proud to find that my confidence in you to live up to the Divisional Motto in an offensive battle has been more than fulfilled. “In seventeen days continuous fighting you have accounted for, at the very lowest computation, more than a whole enemy division. “Officers, N.C.O.s and men of the East Lancashire Division, I congratulate you on your valiant deeds, and in the name of our King and Country, I thank you for the good work you have done. “As to the future, I remain confident that, if possible, even better work will be done, and the enemy will have further cause to regret meeting the East Lancashire Division.” The Division was no less proud of its Commander, and its confidence in him was unbounded. [Illustration] CHAPTER XII THROUGH THE HINDENBURG LINE (_September 7-30, 1918_)