cted to a continuous creeping shrapnel barrage lasting
for almost three hours, while moving steadily ahead of this was a
terrific bombardment by all calibres from 4.5 howitzers upwards upon the
enemy's main trenches and supposed defence points. The brigade frontage,
measured north to south, was 1,250 yards, and this was equally divided
between the 6th and 7th. As we were going over one company behind
another, each company was responsible for nearly 700 yards--a very large
front considering our depleted numbers. There is no doubt, as far as we
were concerned, the task looked formidably ambitious.

On the morning of Sept. 26th final operation orders were issued, and
that night we moved up to our assembly positions in a huge dug-out near
Femy Wood, capable of holding the whole battalion. It was slow work
moving along the canal and across the Trescault-Havrincourt road, and it
is not surprising that eventually the intervals between platoons closed
up and the four companies were strung out in one long line. The
confidence felt in the success of the operations, was evident by the
fact that the 6-inch howitzers were installed in front of the Trescault
road within 500 yards of the enemy. Whilst we were assembling there
were motor lorries on the road unloading stacks of ammunition for them!
By the time the battalion had been packed into the dug-out dawn was
swiftly approaching, which meant the commencement of the battle, for
Zero for the third army was 5.25 a.m. The VIth corps, the 62nd division
of which touched up with our left, were to have three hours' fighting
before we commenced, and for this reason we welcomed the shelter of the
dug-out while it was in progress. The configuration of the ground was
responsible for the manner in which the battle was to grow along the
whole front. The advance of the 127th brigade was to take place along
the shoulder of a long hill running broadly east to west. North of this
high ground was a long valley stretching through Ribecourt towards
Marcoing. Another shoulder similar to but higher than ours flanked the
valley on the north, and it was this, together with the commanding
village of Flesquieres, that the VIth corps were to make good before our
attack commenced. Again, the 125th brigade, who were on our right, and
also on the higher part of the shoulder, were to open the 42nd
divisional assault half an hour ahead of ourselves.

About 8 o'clock "C" company led the way out of the dug-out and