Artillery, the
5th Brigade, R.H.A., and the 232nd Brigade, R.F.A., moving forward as
the infantry attack progressed to new positions, so as to support
exploitation and give protection against counter-attack. The attack
was launched at 5.30 a.m. The 16th Infantry Brigade on the right next
to the valley, and the 71st Infantry Brigade on the left next to the
Americans, both made excellent way, the former capturing the very
strong Mannikin Hill position, and the latter the formidable Doon Mill
and Doon Copse position, and making a good haul of machine-guns.

As had been anticipated the French had been held up by Bellicourt Farm
on their left, and the 16th Infantry Brigade suffered a good deal from
machine-gun fire from Cerise Wood on the farther side of the valley
and from Mannikin Wood in the valley. The three whippet tanks allotted
to the 16th Infantry Brigade were all knocked out, but the West Yorks,
to whom had been entrusted the clearing of the valley, stuck to
their work most gallantly, and in the afternoon, after three attempts,
had the satisfaction of securing Mannikin Wood, with 10 officers, 240
other ranks, and 20 machine-guns, by a final attack under an artillery
smoke barrage. To this success "B" Company, 6th Machine-gun Battalion,
contributed largely by enfilade fire.

By 3 p.m. the French announced that they had captured Bellicourt Farm,
and were advancing. The situation on the right was now completely
changed, and the 1st West Yorks, advancing up the valley, gained touch
with the French east of Fairy Wood, more than half-way to the final
objective in that area.

By nightfall Mericourt, which blocked the head of and commanded the
whole of the valley, was in our hands.

The Americans gained their final objective and continued the advance
without much opposition. In attempting to support their flank the 71st
Infantry Brigade came under the fire of field guns firing over open
sights near Joncourt Farm, and could not advance. A squadron of the
Royal Scots Greys (5th Cavalry Brigade, Brig.-Gen. Neil Haig),
attached to the Division, worked round and made a gallant attempt to
gallop the guns, but were stopped by close range gun fire. Pitch
darkness now came on, and left the Division tired but triumphant on
their final objectives. The bag of the 6th Division amounted to over
30 officers and 1,100 other ranks.

Congratulatory messages were received from the Army and Corps
Commanders as follows:--

From the Army