Page:Breaking the Hindenburg Line.djvu/46

36 south-west of Pike Wood, where it was reorganized and held on until dark.

Similar fine work was done by the 1/6th North Staffords during the attack. The outpost company of this battalion was for six hours completely cut off from communication with Battalion Headquarters, all lines having been cut by artillery fire. The company, however, held on to its position against superior numbers for the whole of this time, although suffering very much from the prevailing lack of ammunition. Casualties were very high, but the men, inspired by the heroic example of their officers, fought with an utter disregard of personal safety, inflicting heavy losses on the attackers, who were only able to make very insignificant gains of ground. Where all the men did so well it is difficult to draw distinctions, but prominence should be given to the work of Private B. Mountford, of the 1/6th North Staffords, who during the shortage of ammunition was mainly responsible for saving the situation on the front occupied by his company. Finding a German machine gun and ammunition in the captured trenches, he at once set to work, got the gun into working order, brought it into action, and caused many casualties to the enemy. For five hours under heavy fire from German rifles and machine guns he manned this gun, firing short bursts of fire when enemy attacks appeared likely to develop with success, thus assisting materially in slowing down his advance and helping to repulse thrusts which were unusually determined and long-sustained.

Fighting continued well on into the day, but after his initial success the enemy made very little progress along any part of the front attacked. With few exceptions our men were able to retain their positions until dark, but the outpost companies were in a very unfavourable