Lieut.-Colonel G. E. C. Rasch, D.S.O. Commanding Officer. Capt. G. C. FitzH. Harcourt-Vernon Second in Command. Capt. A. H. Penn Adjutant. Lieut. J. C. Cornforth, M.C. No. 1 Company. 2nd Lieut. P. A. A. Harbord, M.C. ” ” 2nd Lieut. S. H. Pearson ” ” Lieut. F. A. M. Browning No. 2 Company. Lieut. F. H. G. Layland-Barratt, M.C. ” ” 2nd Lieut. F. H. J. Drummond, M.C. ” ” Lieut. A. W. Acland, M.C. No. 3 Company. Lieut. F. A. Magnay ” ” Lieut. R. Y. T. Kendal ” ” Lieut. G. R. Westmacott No. 4 Company. Lieut. W. H. S. Dent ” ” Lieut. F. P. Loftus ” ” Capt. J. A. Andrews, M.C. Medical Officer. Half a mile from Metz, Lieut.-Colonel Rasch and the Company Commanders, who had preceded the Battalion, rejoined, with the news that De Crespigny’s Brigade was to advance immediately towards Gouzeaucourt, which was reported to be in the hands of the Germans: the 1st Battalion Irish Guards on the north of the Gouzeaucourt――Metz road, the 3rd Battalion Coldstream in the centre, and the 2nd Battalion Coldstream on the right; the 2nd Battalion Grenadiers in Brigade support. The whole countryside was by this time dotted with men retiring, and the A.P.M. at the Metz cross-roads was busily engaged in dealing with stragglers; throughout the advance of the Brigade no trace was seen of any defending infantry. On clearing the village, the Battalion assumed artillery formation, and advanced to Gouzeaucourt Wood, a low scrubby plantation crowning the ridge which bisects the ground lying between Metz and Gouzeaucourt. Here the Battalion waited full of anxious curiosity. Shelling caused a few casualties, but the protection of the rising ground sheltered it from the rifle and machine-gun fire, directed at the leading battalions, which were now advancing towards Gouzeaucourt village. The capture of Gouzeaucourt was a fine achievement carried out with wonderful precision. So successful was it that the Battalion was never required: by nightfall the village had been completely cleared of the enemy, and all British stores had been recovered. When it was known that the Battalion was not likely to be called upon until the next day, cookers were brought up, and provision for the cold night was made as far as possible. CAPTURE OF GAUCHE WOOD [Sidenote: Dec. 1.]