The British Campaign in France and Flanders—July to November, 1918Doyle, Arthur Conan
History
The British Campaign in France and Flanders—July to November, 1918
Doyle, Arthur Conan
World War, 1914-1918 -- Campaigns -- Western Front
We shall now turn back and follow the fortunes of
the Australians on the second and third days of the battle.
[1] There are two villages of that name.
Upon August 9 General Monash's Corps still carried forward its
victorious career, though a halt was called for the Fourth Division
on the left which awaited developments upon the north bank of the
river. On the right the Second Division passed through the Fifth in
order to continue the advance, while the First Division thrust itself
in upon the right flank, next to the Canadians. Progress was slower
everywhere, but none the less it was substantial, Framerville being
taken by the 7th Brigade. There was a misunderstanding about time,
with the result that the First Division advanced some hours before
their Canadian neighbours, with tragic consequences to their own
right flank, formed by the 2nd Brigade. The advance was over open
country, with the Lihons ridge and village in front, from which heavy
gun-fire played upon the attack and caused considerable losses, while
on the right a deadly fire was maintained from Rosières Station. So
heavy were the casualties in the First and Second Divisions that
reinforcements had to be sent up when the advance was resumed. In
the evening some relief was obtained, for the region of the old
French trenches was reached and the men were at last able to get some
cover. Many of the Australians who fought through this long hot day
had marched for five hours in order to reach the field of battle, so
that it was a remarkable test of endurance. Finally Crepy and Crepy
Wood were taken and held against three severe counter-attacks which
{37} broke upon them next day. On August 11 Lihons Ridge fell and
the village was occupied by the 2nd Brigade, which again had to face
determined attacks. The Germans fully appreciated the vital worth of
this position, which commanded the plain both to west and east, so
they strained every nerve first to hold and afterwards to recover it,
but it was in stronger hands than theirs. The 3rd Brigade on the
left of Lihons was particularly heavily attacked but threw back its
assailants in confusion. Every yard gained was held. A final very
serious German counter-attack in successive waves, with 400 in a
wave, drove down from Lihu Wood in the north-east and actually
penetrated the front Australian lines, but the 8th Battalion in
support threw itself into the fight and soon the position had been
completely restored.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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