,
showed that the strongest remaining division in the German army, the
25th division, had been put into this sector. They had been conserved
during the recent fighting, and on the prisoners who were captured
clothing and equipment were brand new. They had a proud record extending
right through the War, and claimed they had never received a beating
from any British troops. (They were soon to meet their Waterloo.) The
126th brigade were detailed to deliver the first shock of assault. Their
objective included, after crossing the Selle River within point blank
range of the German M.G's. and rifles, a deep Railway Cutting east of
the main Solesmes road, Belle Vue Farm, and the ground immediately
beyond the railway. The 127th brigade were to go through when these
positions had been made good and occupy the high ground overlooking
Marou, a small hamlet on the final objective, which was to be taken by
the 6th Manchesters.

The battle opened at dawn on October 21st, and after very heavy
fighting, in which one exceptionally large number of the enemy stood and
fought hand to hand and were killed with the bayonet; the 126th brigade
took all their objectives in splendid fashion. 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