took up
their assault positions near the front line. At the appointed hour,
following behind the 5th, they moved forward to the attack, in the
formation which we had practised so frequently, and which was the most
suitable for the large frontage that had to be covered. All four
platoons were in line, and each platoon was divided into four sections,
the two rifle sections on the flanks, and the two L.G. sections in the
middle and echeloned to the rear. This was the artillery formation
useful for covering the ground previous to the actual assault, each
section moving in file (_i.e._, two ranks) well opened out. When close
to the enemy position the platoons extended and formed two lines, with a
L.G. in the centre of each line, and riflemen on the flanks. Every
Company went over in this formation, and strict orders were issued that
no man was to enter the enemy trenches for the purpose of covering the
ground, but to keep out in the open, otherwise great confusion would
arise, and officers would lose control of their men.

Misfortune greeted "C" company from the start. Capt. Allen, M.C. and
2nd-Lt. Ray were killed immediately, and casualties were soon very
heavy. It was evident the enemy was making the most of his superior
position and the clear sweep of ground. The remnants of the company
pushed on, however, and reached their objective. "A" company followed
and they also suffered severely from the moment they advanced out of
Ferny Wood. Then it was noticed that most of the machine gun fire was
from the right flank, and our men were being subjected to a terrible
enfilading fire as they moved across the open. All the officers became
casualties, Lt. Hammond wounded, 2nd-Lt. McAlmont wounded, 2nd-Lt. T.
Woods wounded, and 2nd-Lt. Carley, killed. The few men of the company,
now led by C.S.M. Joyce, reached the Red Line and joined "C" company,
which, Lt. Edge, M.C., having been hit, was now under the command of
2nd-Lt. Jones. It was impossible, with the small number of men,
scattered over a wide front, to continue the advance for the moment. "D"
company, moving up according to programme, were treated similarly to the
previous two companies and men began to drop long before they
anticipated meeting any resistance. Thus, before they had gone very far
2nd-Lt. Thrutchley and 2nd-Lt. Wright were wounded, which left Lt.
Gresty, M.C. and 2nd-Lt. Milne to carry on the leadership, a task which
they performed in fine style. They quickly ar