Each of these Lewis gun detachments was made up of about four officers and forty men, and they ordinarily had twelve Lewis guns with them. Three such detachments fought near Masvillers and Merlaincourt, others near Villers Bretonneux, Caix, Harbonnières and Marcourt, the general retreat carrying them back almost to Amiens. Again and again small parties failed to get the orders to retire in time, and had to fight their way back after being surrounded and cut off by the enemy. Sometimes they fought with French infantry, but chiefly with the Sherwoods, Queen’s and Royal Fusiliers of the 19th Corps. Extraordinarily good individual work was done, as the list of honours shows. The story of a 5th Battalion detachment gives a typical picture: [55]“The 5th detachment under the command of Lieutenant Pitt, consisted of Second Lieutenants Whyte and Storm, forty-one men and seven guns. On March 28 this detachment was attached to ‘Carey’s Force’ and ordered to hold the line on each side of the Villers Bretonneux--Warfusée--Abancourt Road, a position which was to be held for two days at all costs. “While placing his guns, Lieutenant Pitt was wounded and Second Lieutenant Whyte took over the command. “A Vickers gun section was in position north of the road, so Second Lieutenant Whyte posted his guns on the south side. The infantry holding the line at this point were all low category men and convalescents, and not more than twenty men had any experience of holding a rifle. “At 6 p.m. on the 28th, word was received that the enemy were about to attack and, at close range, machine-gun fire was opened on them. “The infantry began to fall back, but were rallied by Second Lieutenant Whyte and Captain Bingham, M.C., and taken back to their former position. “Second Lieutenant Whyte then assumed command of this section. At 10 p.m. the enemy again attacked, but were again driven back by the Lewis gun fire. “On the following day (29th) the enemy launched an attack on the right, but it was completely broken up by enfilade fire from Second Lieutenant Whyte’s guns, the enemy suffering extremely heavy casualties. Some relief was afforded on the night of 29th-30th by cavalry, who came up on the right of this sector. “Enemy machine-guns and snipers were very active, but two of the former and three snipers were accounted for by Lewis gun fire. Second Lieutenant Whyte held the line until 10.30 p.m. on the 31st, when he was relieved by Australian troops. “For his gallant defence of this position Second Lieutenant Whyte was awarded the M.C. “Corporal S. Archbold working under Second Lieutenant Whyte showed conspicuous gallantry throughout these trying days. Single-handed he worked his Lewis gun, carrying it and its ammunition to a new position, firing it and loading his magazines without assistance for twenty-four hours. During this period he helped in breaking two enemy attacks.