e same tactics as we used on the opening day of
the battle--there was no preliminary bombardment, and their troops
advanced under cover of a heavy mist and preceded by a creeping
barrage. They put an overwhelming number of troops into the fight, the
odds against our men being something like three to one, but our
infantry in the north fought valiantly, although they were forced to
give ground step by step in the initial stages. As the day wore on and
the mist rose, we were able to see the hostile infantry advancing in
masses, but they were paying a heavy toll at the hands of our machine
gunners, who cut many a line in their ranks.

The situation became tense when the enemy succeeded in driving (p. 063)
our men across the Bapaume-Cambrai road, and were seen to be
approaching Anneux and Graincourt. The 18 prs. batteries which were
lying alongside of us dragged their guns out of their pits on to the
crest in front, and proceeded to rake the enemy, firing as rapidly as
they were able, through open sights, the gunners stripped to the
waist, toiling and sweating in their endeavour to stop the oncoming
tide. The fight swayed backward and forward throughout the whole day,
but finally the enemy was held in check without gaining further
ground, and he incurred very heavy casualties.

In the south the situation was very obscure, and somehow or other the
enemy broke a gap in the defences between La Vacquerie and
Gouzeaucourt, capturing the latter place as well as the village of
Gonnelieu, and commenced streaming through. He had advanced a
considerable distance before the importance of his move was fully
realised, consequently most extraordinary incidents occurred, stories
of which are now familiar to everyone. Battery positions were rapidly
overrun, and even wagon lines were captured, while Labour companies,
working on the roads far behind the front, on looking up, discovered
the foe almost on top of them.

There were no reserves in immediate support, and affairs were taking
on a most serious complexion. Something had to be done and that right
speedily! Therefore the Guards, who had only two days previously been
withdrawn from the fight, were again called upon. They were lying in
rest around Bertincourt, Ytres and Ruyaulcourt, and were hurriedly
conveyed in 'buses and motor lorries to Metz, where they formed up and
set out on their big counter-attack, supported by our sister Brigade
and another gunner unit which chanced to ha