ereby making a line which it was very
difficult to keep intact. The Battalion had taken over from the
Australians by 01.00 and at 03.00 the enemy began his attack. A
succession of bombing rushes came up the hill and engaged the whole
line. These were repulsed by bomb and rifle fire but not without loss.
On the left, Bloody Post, a little in advance of the sangar, took its
toll of the defenders. Captain Campbell was hit, Lieut. M'Lellan was
killed instantaneously by a bullet, Lieut. Pitchford got a bomb splinter
through his steel helmet, and No. 1 company was left with one officer.
The fighting was not so heavy on the right but at six o'clock a strong
and concerted attack developed on the whole Battalion front, and, with
bomb and bayonet, forced back the right of No. 1, making a breach at the
junction of the companies. The position was dangerous in the extreme but
the men fought stubbornly and Major Neilson with Headquarters Company
restored the line by a bayonet charge. Dawn came and the front held
firm. In the last attack 2nd Lieut. C.T. Price of No. 2 company had been
killed and Lieuts. J.S. Agnew and Gilchrist wounded. The casualties in
the ranks were thirteen killed and twenty-two wounded, amongst them
C.S.M. Milne of "B" Company and Sergt. Black of "A" Company, both
serious losses to the battalion.

All day the enemy was quiet but night brought renewed activity. The
Brigadier had given Colonel Morrison a company of the 5th A. & S.H. for
use in the line, which, with a company of the 5th K.O.S.B.'s and an
adequate supply of trench-mortars and artillery support, gave greater
hope of security. Just after midnight a general attack of no great
weight commenced, but the enemy did not push it home, although the
steepness of the sides of the valley prevented the full effect of our
artillery fire, and the machine-guns posted in Tahta and firing up the
valley made little impression. Soon after 02.00 the enemy attack forced
back the right of the line and Colonel Morrison had to throw in the
Brigade Reserve Company of the Argylls which the Brigadier had
authorised him to use. They recovered the crest of the ridge without
opposition or casualty. The enemy's attacks were half-hearted and by
dawn had ceased entirely. During the night Lieut. Sillars was killed,
and Captain Moir and Lieut. Girvan wounded, the total casualties being
six killed and sixteen wounded. Next night the 1st Royal Irish of the
10th Division relieved us and th