72nd Seaforth Highlanders of Canada - Electric Scotland

SEAFORTH HIGHLANDERS OF CANADA
onstration of the fact that no evil is without its compensa
tions, for the heavy and deep mud which the troops had
not been in the habit of regarding with pleasant feelings,
now played its part. Many miraculous escapes were prob
ably due to its negative capacity in absorbing and muffling
shell-bursts.
The Battalion may be pictured at this time as having
changed the wave and line formation of the commencement
to one better suited to meet existing conditions. It could
be seen moving in small groups that twisted their way
among the shell-craters, now firing and again for a moment
taking cover.
Many were the grim hand-to-hand fights as Canadians
and Bavarians struggled for supremacy. The magnificent
dash and initiative of our men was unmistakable, as, de
spite the treacherous conditions of the fighting ground,
and the stern resistance encountered, the Battalion pushed
its way forward towards the summit of the sloping Ridge.
Desperately conscious of what the loss of this position of
vantage would mean, the Bavarians fought like tigers. But
their star was on the wane. Their line, the imaginarily
impregnable Vimy Ridge defences, with their miles of
trenches and barbed wire; their deeply-buried tunnels and
dugouts manned by their much-vaunted troops was smashed
between Arras and the Souchez by a stroke of arms des
tined to
ring round the world.
Establishing touch with the unit on their right, the 72nd
settled down to consolidate their gains. But if the victory
had been a great one, it was won at heavy cost, there beeing
but 62 of all ranks who did not become casualties. Many
gallant men had made the supreme sacrifice. Among the
officers the casualties were unfortunately high, eleven out
of the thirteen participating having suffered, of whom
eight were killed. Among the latter was the brave and
beloved commander of "C"
Company, Major Jack Sweet.
It is impossible to chronicle all the gripping
50
stories that