Page:Breaking the Hindenburg Line.djvu/75

Rh In addition to this bridge, on to the repair of which the 466th Field Company was immediately turned, the battalion was fortunate enough to find several foot-bridges over the Canal, and use was also made of a concrete dam of stout construction, from which the enemy's wire was quickly cleared. In consequence of the presence of these bridges little trouble was experienced by this battalion crossing the Canal, and our troops poured over so quickly that the enemy garrison was taken by surprise and was unable to oppose our advance.

The company first over the Riqueval Bridge itself captured 130 prisoners in one trench, including a battalion commander and his staff.

At the Blue line, when the slight pause for reorganization took place, the supporting companies passed through the advanced companies, who in their turn formed up behind them. The whole battalion then swept forward to the capture of their final objective, which was reached by the leading companies immediately after the barrage had passed over it and halted beyond. Here the battalion consolidated, sent up success signals, and despatched runners back to Brigade Headquarters to report.

Thus by 8.30 a.m., in the space of two hours and thirty minutes, exactly according to time-table as laid down by the Divisional Staff, the troops of the 137th Infantry Brigade had overcome enemy opposition west of the St. Quentin Canal, crossed that obstacle, and stormed through a line which the Germans believed to be impregnable, and which had been strengthened with every device that the Masters of modern fortifications could invent. Well might the men of the Brigade, resting on their objectives and awaiting relief by the supporting troops, feel content with their morning's work. Already some 2,000 enemy prisoners were on their way back