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 Fifty-second Division, one of the fine units which had been
released from Palestine owing to the reinforcements of Indian troops
in that country, had also tried for the Hindenburg Line and taken a
bit of it upon August 24, but they had found it too hot to hold.
They were now lying low on the western borders of Henin Hill, hoping
to co-operate with the Canadians of the First Army on their left at
some later date. A line of British divisions was now crouching in
front of Hindenburg's bars all ready for a spring.
In the new attack it was planned that the Fifty-sixth Londoners
should co-operate with the Sixth Corps on their right, and clear the
village of Croisilles by outflanking it, while the Fifty-second
Division should work on the north of the Cojeul stream in close touch
with the big Canadian attack, advancing towards
Fontaine-les-Croisilles. The effect of these movements would be that
the portion of the Hindenburg Line which faced the Seventeenth {130}
Corps would be attacked from the rear instead of the front.
[Sidenote: August 26.]
On August 26 at 3 A.M. the Canadians went forward, as will be told
under the head of their operations. The Fifty-second Division kept
its place on their right flank, working up along the Cojeul River,
and carrying all the objectives allotted to them. By 10.35 A.M.
their task had been completed and they were still in close touch with
the Canadians. In the afternoon the 155th Brigade on the extreme
left, consisting of Scottish Territorials, attacked Henin Hill from
the north-west, capturing a succession of machine-gun positions. The
crews of these guns got--and indeed accepted--little quarter,
fighting staunchly to the last. By 4 o'clock the Fifty-second
Division was well into the Hindenburg Line from the Cojeul
northwards; and by 5 o'clock the 155th Brigade was across Henin Hill,
moving south-east. The whole of this very important position was now
in British possession, though there were pockets of the enemy
scattered here and there who were holding out to the last. The
Fifty-sixth Division on the right was still in front of Croisilles,
sending out occasional patrols which reported that the village was
still strongly held. Its orders were to maintain pressure but not to
advance until the development of the movement in the north should
shake the enemy's resistance.
[Sidenote: August 27, 28.]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account