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
The attack upon Chipilly was renewed at 4.15 next afternoon, the
delay being caused by the need of assembling the reserves, which
consisted of the remainder of the Fifty-eighth Division and of the
131st Regiment of the Thirty-third Division (Bell) of the United
States Army. The assault was made by the 6th and 2/10th London
Battalions, but they were opportunely and very efficiently aided by
two companies of the Americans, who had lost their direction for the
main attack planned to the north, but who {39} seemed indifferent
which fight they were in so long as they were fighting. There was a
check at the outset, but the attack, while demonstrating from the
west, really materialised from the north, and both village and ridge
were captured with a number of prisoners. This was a very important
little victory from the point of view of the Australians to the south
who had been commanded by the German guns from this elevated position.
The main attack was north of the Chipilly Spur, and was planned to
gain Cressaire Wood and a line across from the Somme to the Ancre
corresponding with such an advance. The assault was made by two weak
brigades of the Fifty-eighth Londoners upon the right, the 131st
American Regiment in the centre, and the remains of the Fifty-eighth
upon the left. Farther north the Twelfth Division, with the 37th
Brigade in front, carried on the line. Both Londoners and Americans
advanced with equal valour, and after a stiff fight the main portion
of the objectives was won, though it took three hours of hard work to
win them. Much credit was due to all, but most to the American
infantry, who had their first experience of modern fighting and who
were naturally embarrassed by the disappearance of two of their
companies which had drifted into the Chipilly affair. For a time
there was a gap between divisions, but before evening the Twelfth
extended to the right and all was well. The correction was very
necessary, for at 3 A.M. on August 10 a German counter-attack broke
without effect upon this very point of junction. The Twelfth
Division had had a very good day on August 9, Incledon-Webber's 37th
Brigade especially distinguishing itself. The 6th Buffs and 6th West
{40} Kents had heavy losses, but took 350 prisoners, two field-guns,
and a number of machine-guns. Two of these were taken single-handed
by Sergeant Harris of the West Kents, who met his death in attacking
a third. The Victoria Cross was his posthumous reward.
[Sidenote: August 10.]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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