was spent in salvage work on the battlefield, and at 10
P.M. we moved forward to relieve the Suffolks at Toine and Pimple
Posts--the first objectives in the attack. On the 22nd we relieved the
25th R.W.F. in the front line, and held from Carbine Trench to
Benjamin Post with A Company in support at Artaxerxes Post. The enemy
shelled the position heavily both with high explosives and gas and we
suffered some casualties.

The Division was now consolidated on the line of the second objective,
and it was obvious that the Bosche were holding the high ground,
particularly Quennet Copse and Quennemont Farm, very strongly, and it
was impossible for the tired and depleted Division to advance without
further preparation. The line held by the enemy was our old front line
of March overlooking the Bellicourt-Le Catalet section of the
Hindenburg line, and they were determined to hang on to that at all
costs. The attack on the Hindenburg line was not for us. The 74th
Division was booked for the advance further north.

On the night of the 24/25th September we were relieved by two
companies of the 106th American Battalion; got to Faustine Quarry by 5
A.M. and at 8 marched to Tincourt, where we entrained for
Villers-Bretonneux. From Villers-Bretonneux we marched to Corbie
(fifteen miles east of Amiens) and got into billets there. This was
the last we were to see of the Somme, for we were destined for another
front. That our services on the Somme front were appreciated is shown
by the following letter received by our Division from General
Rawlinson, Commanding Fourth Army, dated 28th September:--

"_74th Division._--The 74th Division has taken a prominent part
in the successful advance of the Fourth Army during the past
month, and, much to my regret, has been ordered to another part
of the British front.

"The work of this Division during a period of severe and
continuous fighting is worthy of the best traditions of the
yeoman stock of Great Britain.

"Brought to this country from a hot climate, where they took
part in a very different method of warfare, the 74th Division
has quickly adapted itself to the altered conditions, and has
fought with a determination and courage which is beyond praise.

"In the capture of AIZECOURT, DRIENCOURT, TEMPLEUX LA FOSSE,
LONGAVESNES, VILLIERS FAUCON, and TEMPLEUX LE GUERARD, the
Division has made a name for itself which ranks with the best