"The early capture of this important tactical feature is regarded as essential to the success of larger operations in the near future. Every day given to the enemy to strengthen his positions there is a day gained for him. "There are no tanks available for this attack at Havrincourt, which will be carried out under intense artillery barrage and bombardment. "The 62nd Division has borne a brilliant share in the operations on the Marne in July, and more recently in nine days hard fighting round Mory and Vaulx. It captured Havrincourt on the 20th November last year, and a second capture of this strong position in the Hindenburg line will add fresh lustre to the splendid record of the Division. "R. D. WHIGHAM, "Major-General." All the batteries went into action during the night of the 11th September, and in the early hours of the 12th Divisional Headquarters moved to the canal bank south-west of Hermies. At 5.25 a.m. the barrage opened, and continued for about three hours, sweeping north-east through the village of Havrincourt at the rate of 100 yards in three minutes. The infantry pressed on irresistibly behind the line of bursting shell, and once more this almost impregnable position fell before the unconquerable onslaught of our wonderful battalions. The prisoners numbered 12 officers and over 600 other ranks. We had one officer wounded in the Divisional Artillery, Lieut. J. B. C. Hewitt. All through the 13th there was fierce fighting round the village. The Boche counter-attacked vigorously, and at one time got a foothold in a corner of Havrincourt, but by the evening he was again thrust out. The guns were hard at work all day, and we learned from prisoners that the counter-attacking troops lost heavily from our artillery fire. On the 14th the infantry again attacked under a barrage, and captured a trench about a thousand yards east of Havrincourt, together with five officers and 204 other ranks. The 15th was spent in consolidating the positions gained. The enemy's aeroplanes were very active and brought down three of our observation balloons in flames. That afternoon, when visiting the headquarters of the 185th Infantry Brigade with the G.O.C., I heard a curious story from Lord Hampden, the Infantry Brigadier. During the attack of the previous day some of his men entered a dug-out and found four Boches playing cards; they simply held up their hands for a moment, remarked "Kamerad," and then went on with their game! It was rather an amusing proof that the Huns were beginning to regard defeat and capture as a thing naturally to be expected. On the 16th September the infantry of the Division withdrew for a rest, the guns remaining in the line, as usual, under the 3rd Division. Lieut. S. A. Rissik was wounded this day. No further advance was made for some days, but preparations were set in hand for another great attack to be begun by the 3rd Division, and carried on afterwards by the 62nd.