Meanwhile, Edge and his
men were creeping steadily forward, and were encountering difficulties
amongst huge shell holes, loose tags of wire and a very irregular hedge
which they were trying to follow as a guide. Eventually they reached the
post and took the enemy completely by surprise. A short rush carried
them in and one Boche was captured, but the rest got away in the
darkness, leaving their gear behind them. The consolidating party
followed up quickly, and covered by a protective screen who lay out well
in front in the vicinity of Red Cottage, they dug L.G. positions, fire
steps for riflemen and placed coils of wire out in front and on the
flanks. A good deal of the C.T. was also dug--quite sufficient at any
rate to enable a careful man to crawl down to the new post in daylight.
It was a good night's work, and earned a well-deserved M.C. for Lieut.
Edge and M.M's. for Sgt. Banahan and three others.
Next day, brigade considered the necessity for careful consolidation of
the ground gained by the 6th and 7th, but Capt. Creagh intimated that he
wished to make his position more secure by capturing the Triangle, a
strong triangular redoubt which lay in the grounds of La Signy Farm, and
which dominated the post we had just taken. Permission was granted to
carry out this enterprise, and once more preparations were rushed
forward and orders made out for the operation to be accomplished that
night. This time "D" company, temporarily commanded by Lt.
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