The 116th Battalion in France

the P.P.C.L.I. in the Neuville Vitasse sector, situated about three miles south of Arras.

n this front, during which we lost Lt. S. D.

inally relieved by the 1st Canadian Infantry

being transferred to the Italian, or some other far distant front. Only recently a printed order entitled "Keep Your Mouth Shut," which dealt with the advisability of strict silence concerning all movements of troops or operation

y Commanders' meeting, during which the C.O. announced the joyful news that the battalion would shortly be engaged in operations of a more comprehensive nature than night marc

that there would be scarcely any time for final preparations, which we had always been accustomed to in the past. The German grand offensive, which

nt, the training in open warfare which we had exper

and although a definite final objective was suggested, entailing an advance of some five thousand[64] yards, there was noth

on the left flank, would drive for the enemy defences north of Hammon Wood, thence push from the north edge of the Wood to the left of our final objective, and deal with certain enemy batteries presumed to be there. "D" Company (Capt. Baird) would follow "C" Company and, passing through "A" Compan

e extremely difficult, and that the leaders of all units would be called upon to exercise their best judgment and skill in order to

nt the spirits of the battalion ran high, and preparation

iving at 6 a.m. The congestion of traffic was the worst imaginable, and in consequence it was only with the g

at close range. Owing to the broken nature of the ground the assembly area was limited and positions for one company had to be found forward of the front line, held by the troops then holding that sector. All these areas were thoroughly reconnoitred and positions taped off, which was an

on to his usual battle equipment. To drown the curses of the weary troops as well as the approach of the tanks it had been arranged with great forethought, for a flight of heavy bombing planes to operate during the night in this area. It was a bright moonlight night, and the movement forward proceeded uninterrupted; the battalion scouts, acting as gui

s finally completed at 2.15 a.m., and word passed round that the zero hour would be at 4.20 a.m.; consequent

and the greatest credit is due to the unit commanders for leading their companies and platoons out as well as they did. The left company were obliged to make a left-about wheel round a hedge, out to a road which they covered, and from there deploy in artillery formation. The remainder followed rapidly, and

tives. The enemy machine guns were then busy, and fighting commenced in earnest. "C" Company, on the left, realizing the necessity of pushing on as rapidly as possible, made excellent time. "A" Company got into the fight early, and suffered sever

ction, operating on the flanks, with the exception of two, which nearly

with, and a long stream of prisoners commenced leaving for the rear. The dash of our men was most marked, showing a marvellous difference from the old staid method of following the barrage shoulder

oad, Battalion Headquarters soon found itself close to the battle and

the Bade trench, and under cover of our own fire these nests were rushed and put out of action,

advance was then continued and the Bade system finally taken with a number of machine guns, which were remounted on the parados ready for action by 6.15 a.m.; Battalion Headquarters was immedia

s kept on our left flank with the 58th Battalion, and owing to the extremely poor visibility, it was considered advisable to make certain that our left flank was s

rds to the right, still in action and apparently firing on "A" Company in the Bade trench. Fire was immediately brought to bear on the rear of this party, and after a few rounds they were compelled to capitulate; again a large number of prisoners were sent to the rear. This enabled "

s dealt with on the high ground to the north of Hammon

dvancing until surrounded. A few rounds, together with the bold assault of infantry straight to the guns, was sufficient to prove to the enemy the futility of further resistance; consequently a record capture of enemy guns was made, and the survivors of the artillery group, who were numerous, came stre

ommenced firing on parties of the enemy infantry seen on a hill about a hundred yards to the left. A temporary defence system was rapidly established, and the ground cleared in front of the 7th Brigade, which w

Lt. J. Anderson, and 30 other ranks killed; 10 officers