Page:Breaking the Hindenburg Line.djvu/20

18 headquarters being first at Derby, and afterwards at Luton and Bishop's Stortford. After less than seven months' training in England it was ordered to France in February 1915, enjoying the distinction of being the first complete Territorial Division to arrive in any theatre of war.

In less than two weeks after its arrival the Division was placed in reserve for the Battle of Neuve-Chapelle, 12th–13th March, 1915, but was not used. It received its baptism of fire at Ploegsteert, and later took over the line in front of Kemmel and Neuve-Eglise, whence its next move was to the Ypres salient. Here it settled down for nearly four months, part of which was spent in front of the notorious Hill 60.

Whilst in this area the first “Flammenwerfer” attack made by the enemy was launched on the Division on its left, which, stunned by the unexpectedness of the new weapon, recoiled, leaving the left flank of the 46th Division in the air. What might have been a serious disaster was averted by the stubborn fighting of the 139th Brigade.

The Division was next moved to the Bethune area, and on the 13th October, 1915, it relieved the Guards Division and made an attack on “The Quarries” and “Fosse 8.” This was the first big attack the 46th Division had been called upon to perform. The casualties were very high, reducing its strength by nearly one-half.

In December 1915 the Division was selected to proceed to Egypt, and two Brigades actually arrived there. The orders were then countermanded, however, the Brigades were recalled, and the whole Division returned to the North of France in February 1916. Here they took over the line before the famous Vimy Ridge, which was at that time in the hands of the enemy. The unit relieved was