Chapter XIV. THE BRITISH RETREAT, March, 1918 165 Rear-guard actions.--The Somme crossings.--Bennett relieved by the 20th Division at Voyennes.--Davenport with mixed troops ordered to counter-attack at Ham.--Davenport killed.--The enemy crosses the Somme.--The stand by the 184th Infantry Brigade at Nesle.--Colonel Wetherall wounded.--Counter-attack against La Motte.--Bennett captured.--The Battalion's sacrifice in the great battle. Chapter XV. THE BATTLE OF THE LYS, April-May, 1918 173 Effects of the German offensive.--The Battalion amalgamated with the Bucks.--Entrainment for the Merville area.--A dramatic journey.--The enemy break-through on the Lys.--The The Battalion marches into action.--The defence of Robecq.-- Operations of April 12, 13, 14.--The fight for Baquerolle Farm. --A troublesome flank.--Billeted in St. Venant.--The lunatic asylum.--La Pierriere.--The Robecq sector. Chapter XVI. THE TURNING OF THE TIDE, May, June, July, August, 1918 192 Rations and the Battalion Transport.--At La Lacque.--The bombing of Aire.--General Mackenzie obliged by his wound to leave the Division.--Return of Colonel Wetherall.--Tripp's Farm on fire.--A mysterious epidemic.--A period of wandering. --The march from Pont Asquin to St. Hilaire.--Nieppe Forest. --Attack by A and B Companies on August 7.--Headquarters gassed.--A new Colonel.--The Battalion goes a-reaping. Chapter XVII. LAST BATTLES, August to December, 1918 208 German retreat from the Lys.--Orderly Room and its staff.-- The new devastated area.--Itchin Farm, Merville and Neuf Berquin.--Mines and booby-traps.--Advance to the Lys.-- Estaires destroyed.--Laventie revisited.--The attack on Junction Post.--Lance-Corporal Wilcox, V.C.--Scavenging at the XI Corps school.--On the Aubers ridge.--The end in sight. --Move to Cambrai.--In action near Bermerain and Maresches.-- A fine success.--Domart and Demobilisation.--Work at Etaples. --Off to Egypt. Composition of the Battalion on going Overseas 221 " " " at the Armistice 222 Index 223 AUTHOR'S PREFACE My cordial thanks are due to my old Brigadier for his kindness and trouble in writing the Preface, and also to Colonel Ames for contributing the Introduction. From many friends in the Regiment I have received information and assistance. This book is based on a series of articles, which appeared in the _Oxford Times_ during the summer of 1919. The project, of which this volume is the outcome, was assisted by that newspaper and by the courtesy of its staff. G. K. ROSE. Oxford, November 1919. PREFACE