Page:Breaking the Hindenburg Line.djvu/180

152 On the front held by the 138th Brigade after the attack, no counter-attack was attempted by the enemy, but, at 11 a.m., he was reported by the Sherwoods to be massing for a counter-attack in front of Hennechies Wood. By this time, he must have realized the perilous position in which he stood, and the counter-attack was his last attempt to restore the situation. The effort, however, was not successful. His assembling troops were caught by our artillery fire, and the few men who survived the barrage were shot down by Lewis-gun fire, only one man reaching our trenches alive.

On this front also, much difficulty was experienced in obtaining touch with the French, who were to have joined up with us at the northern edge of the strip of woodland where Hennechies Wood merges into Andigny Forest. Patrols were sent out to get into touch and eventually located our Allies holding a post about one hundred yards south of Forester's House.

Meanwhile, at 7.30 a.m., when the main attack was well launched, the 6th North Staffords moved back to the original line along the western edge of the wood, from which they had withdrawn slightly to avoid our barrage and the enemy reply. Strong fighting patrols were at once sent out and the Bois de Riquerval was cleared without difficulty, touch being obtained with the French north-west of Retheuil Farm.

This task accomplished early in the day, the battalion then pushed forward, clearing Hennechies Wood as they went and securing a few prisoners and machine guns. At 2.30 p.m., the wood was completely free of the enemy, and contact was established with the Sherwoods on the left and the French on the right. Night fell with the Brigade established on the line Mennevret-Andigny and, at dawn on the 18th, the 138th Brigade took over the front