We soon grew to like our new
allies, and we were rather sorry when they departed to join their own
division.
On June 6th the 42nd division took over the line once more and were not
relieved of responsibility of the front until Sept. 6th, sixteen days
after the big offensive had commenced. The 7th occupied the part of the
front which we knew so well at Hebuterne, relieving a battalion of the
New Zealand Division. The "Diggers" had worked hard upon these trenches
with the result that they were now in excellent condition. A good spell
of weather also assisted in the comfort of the troops. Col. Manger's
policy was to give the Hun no rest, and he began to put his principles
into practice at Hebuterne. As soon as we arrived, a thorough
reconnaissance of the enemy positions was made, and we began to make
preparation for a raid of some magnitude. This was carried out by "B"
company, of which Capt. Grey Burn was now in command, and the officers
selected to go over with the raiders were Lieut. Wender, D.C.M., who had
previously served with the 1st Battalion in Mesopotamia, 2nd-Lt. Milne
and 2nd-Lt. Goodier. Goodier had been a sergeant in "C" company, and for
his excellent services at Bucquoy had been recommended for promotion in
the field to the commissioned ranks, a distinction which came through
while we were at Henu.
It was known that the enemy held his front line in a series of isolated
posts, each armed with light machine guns. Curiously enough, whether
through lack of material or not we never knew, he paid little or no
attention to wiring in these days, except in utilising what old wire lay
about.
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