Gen. Henley personally assisted in getting the platoons of
"B" and "C" companies into position, and then "A" and "D" companies were
ordered to withdraw to their line.
When the withdrawal had been completed the 7th were on the right of the
division, with the flank resting on the edge of Bucquoy village. The
road from Bucquoy to Ayette, which was almost south to north, is an
important one and is marked by a row of trees on each side. As one walks
from Bucquoy along this road, another road branching off to the right
from the edge of the village is seen leading down to Ablainzevelle. The
road junction marks the highest portion of ground in the vicinity, and
there is a long sweep eastwards towards Logeast Wood and
Achiet-le-Petit. It was when we noticed the latter place that the whole
irony of the situation broke upon us. Eight month's ago we had been
enjoying a blissful period of rest on this self-same spot, and such
features as we now gazed upon had merely been used for the purpose of
containing a supposed enemy in the working out of a tactical exercise--a
sham fight. Now--the enemy could not be more real or more alive. He was
here with the sole intent of destroying us by any possible method if we
would not vacate our position. What happened?
The 7th was assured that this was at last the spot where resistance
would be offered. There were no trenches, and the men lay out in the
open on the sloping ground east and south of the Ablainzevelle road,
with intent to dig in as soon as possible.
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