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.
Pages:
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142