Source 2a 3.14 pm
2nd Bde to 1st Cdn. Div.
Following message received from O.C. 8th Bn.
Section 2.
Begins. Have just returned from reconnaissance
with Kirkaldy. We went along ridge to support
48th Highlanders in S.W. corner D.1.c. 48th and
5th Royals were holding line 700 yards in original
front trench then bends back to L judge about
Cross Roads in C.6.b. Houses just North and North
West of this point must be occupied by Germans as
we got snipers enfilade fire from that direction.
Reserve 48th Highlanders Hqrs is in ST. JULIEN.
7th Bn. about C.12.b. German shells were falling
in road C.12.b. apparently coming from North.
German line appears to be from C.6.a. to Wood
C.10.d. All quiet in my front. Visited artillery
observation station in North East corner D.7.d.
is empty. Arranged disposition of 7th company in
locality "C" in case northern flank 3rd Bde was
pushed in. Message ends.
Source 2b 3.15 pm
15th Bn. to 3rd Bde.
My reserve trenches were very heavily shelled
during night and morning. I have not been able
to ascertain the casualties. About 1.30 p.m. the
enemy subjected my regiment to a very heavy bombardment
alternating the reserve, the support and
the fire trenches, the latter being submitted to
howitzer fire for sometime, evidently preparing
for an attack. About 2.00 p.m. enemy began throwing
asphyxiating gasses. This was carried on for
sometime but my men held fast and enemy showed great
reluctance to attack. Finally they attacked and
were repulsed easily. After being repulsed the
enemy again took, up the shelling but has been quiet
for the last 15 minutes. My casualties in forward
trenches very slight but have no figures available
yet. The thirteenth I understand are falling back
on our left and digging themselves in. Will help
them in all possible ways. Men and Officers
behaved splendidly. Having been unable to ration
last night instructed men to consume iron rations.
I will ration tonight for two days and would ask
that iron rations be supplied immediately to replace
consumed one.
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