Then came the
Manchesters, the 6th on the left, the 5th on the right, and the 7th in
close support. The 6th advanced well, but the 5th quickly had trouble
being held up owing to the troops on their right not keeping up. The
enemy was fighting well, his infantry and machine gunners being
particularly stubborn and covering their retirement very skilfully.
Machine guns swept the advancing lines of the 5th, and the bare high
ground to be crossed left them very exposed to exceedingly heavy
enfilade fire. It was during this portion of the fight that Pte.
Wilkinson of the Wiganers obtained the V.C. for message carrying. Five
of his comrades had been killed within a few yards after starting on the
same mission. Wilkinson volunteered to be the sixth to make the attempt.
He was entrusted with the task and got through.
The 7th were now drawn into the battle, and "D" company advanced to form
a defensive flank for the right company of the 5th. With this help the
line was advanced, but it could not reach the final objective and so
link up with the 5th who had already reached and occupied Marou. "A"
company had advanced in support to the 6th and took up their allotted
positions, forming four defended localities in depth ready to make a
defensive flank if necessary. The 62nd division on the left had pushed
through Solesmes and had made good the high ground to the east of that
town, joining up with the 6th Manchesters. At 4.30 p.m. a further
barrage was put down for the 5th division and the 5th Manchesters to
continue the advance.
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