I may say here that the infantry were always most generous in their acknowledgment of our support, and there was the best possible feeling between the two arms in our Division. We all had the greatest admiration for our wonderful infantry, and it was a great gratification to us to know that they appreciated _our_ efforts. Eight Military Medals were awarded while we were in action in this part of the line (v. Appendix). Early on the morning of the 21st March the enemy began a tremendous bombardment on our front, and we could hear the thunder of his guns extending apparently for many miles to either flank. The great offensive had evidently begun, and we received orders to be prepared to withdraw from our part of the line, which was to be taken over by a Canadian Division, and to become G.H.Q. reserve. Lieut. H. G. Goldsmith was wounded this day. It was sometime before we could get any news of what was taking place, but on the 23rd we learned that the Boche had opened an attack with 45 divisions along a front of 50 miles, from the Oise to the Sensèe, and thence to the Scarpe, that he had retaken Ecoust, Noreuil, and the Mort Homme heights, and that the 17th Corps on our right had evacuated the important height of Monchy. Further news came at mid-day that our 5th Army was retiring on Peronne, and that the 3rd Army was also being pressed back by sheer weight of numbers. Two batteries of the 312th Brigade, A and B, withdrew from the line that night, and went into action on the 24th in positions close to Beaurains to support the 17th Corps. My headquarters moved on the same day to Warlus, and the 310th Brigade, and the remainder of the 312th, were ordered to withdraw from the line that night and march to the Warlus area. Events, however, were moving rapidly, and at midnight on the 24th I received instructions to concentrate at Ayette. The previous orders were at once countermanded; the batteries at Beaurains were ordered to withdraw from action forthwith and to march on Ayette, where they were to be joined by the rest of the artillery, which had just arrived at the Roclincourt wagon lines. I left myself at 6 a.m. on the 25th and met the G.O.C. at Ayette. Here we found orders awaiting us to push on to Bucquoy. Our infantry began to arrive there about mid-day, and, tired as they were after marching all through the night, were at once thrown into the line from Logeast Wood to Achiet-le-Petit, where the Boche was attacking in great strength.