t
journey it detrained in the pitch dark at Brie, where Lewis guns, etc.,
were placed on lorries, the orders being to move into billets near
Peronne. Whilst waiting for guides, however, a staff officer of the
Division arrived with fresh orders. Instead of proceeding to billets the
Battalion was to move straight into the fight. The Lewis guns were
removed from the lorries and replaced by blankets, and the Battalion
marched off in the direction of Tincourt. Just to the south of that
village and in front of Beuzy a reserve system of partially dug trenches,
known as the Green Line, was at once occupied. This line was the next
defence system behind the Brown Line, where the 66th and other Divisions
had been overwhelmed in the morning. On the morning of the 22nd March the
men watched with interest tanks moving up to counter-attack, but on the
whole things were quiet. In the afternoon the shelling became heavier,
and in the distance large massed bodies of the enemy could be seen. The
first contact occurred when a German scout was wounded and captured by a
patrol. Orders were then received that the line was to be held at all
costs. The apparent strength of the position, however, inspired
confidence, and it was not till towards dusk that the first serious
casualties occurred.

About 9 p.m. further orders were received to withdraw to a ridge in the
rear, in front of Cardigny. The movement was successfully carried out in
the dark, and at dawn the new position was reconnoitred and the
dispositions completed. At 7 a.m. the startling orders were received that
the Fifth Army was about to withdraw to the west of the Somme, and
detailed instructions as to the rearguard action were issued. The
Battalion was to cover the retirement of the 5th Durham Light Infantry,
which would in turn cover a further withdrawal. Accordingly the village
of Cardigny was occupied with a view to a temporary stand. No sooner was
this done than the enemy were on the outskirts and their snipers and
machine guns were giving considerable trouble. The position soon became
untenable, and permission was obtained to withdraw. This was done without
loss, largely owing to the courage of Y Company, who, under Capt. J.F.G.
Aubin, M.C., formed the rearguard to the Battalion.

The next line of defence was a trench system on a ridge near Le Mesnil,
which overlooked the Somme to the rear. Here things were quiet, though it
was known that the enemy was working round the flanks