Douglas, M.C., "A" company; Capt. Grey Burn, M.C.,
"B"; Lieut. Gresty, M.C., "C," and Capt. J. Baker, "D"; while Capt. S.
J. Wilson, M.C., was detailed to battle surplus. In the absence of Col.
Manger on English leave, Major Rae assumed command of the battalion,
while Capt. Barratt resumed the duties of adjutant, Capt. Creagh having
gone to England on a senior officers' course.
When the division broke up camp on October 8th and marched up the line
to get into closer support, the situation was roughly as follows. Since
the battle on the Hindenburg Line the enemy had had no rest, and in
spite of the difficulties of the ground (in one place a canal running
north and south intervened) the N.Z's. and divisions right and left, had
made steady progress, inflicting terrible casualties on the Boche who
were sturdily resisting every yard of ground. To the north, Cambrai was
still in the hands of the Hun, and from the continual fires seen in
that direction it was obvious that he was wreaking characteristic
vengeance on the helpless town. The part of the Western Front between
Cambrai and St. Quentin was recognised as the key to the whole situation
so that naturally exertions were gigantic by both sides. Foch maintained
his artillery concentration in this sector and undoubtedly one of the
greatest wonders of that year of wonders, 1918, was the manner in which
the guns obtained their never-ending supply of ammunition. The steady
pounding never ceased day or night, and when infantry action took place,
the noise welled up to terrific barrage speed for hours on end.
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