72nd Seaforth Highlanders of Canada - Electric Scotland

SEAFORTH HIGHLANDERS OF CANADA
"Where" Well had absolute secrecy with regard
to the
plans been preserved.
On the night of August 24th the Battalion was relieved
in its position at Rosieres by the 88th Reserve French Regi
ment. The taking over by a French unit occasioned many
humorous incidents the average "estaminet" brand of
French being hardly capable of explaining to a harrassed
but excessively polite French officer that one s platoon oc
cupied such and such a position, and to be careful about
too much movement in daylight over the open as it would
occasion hostile artillery fire, etc., etc.
Under a beautiful August moon the Battalion swung out
of Rosieres along the dusty white road en route for Geritelles
Wood their old assembly position which it seemed
they had left so long ago. Not one of the marching troops
appreciated the moonlight, as its brilliance silhouetted
them fatally against the white ribbon of dust over which
they passed, to the pilots of night flying Boche aero
planes. It was with a curious sinking feeling, never dupli
cated in action, that the men heard the deep double drone
of German bombers in the distance. Straight over the road
came the planes. Up and down at irregular intervals came
the swishing whistle of the heavy bombs, culminating in
fountains of flame-crowned smoke and noise. Fortunately
the 72nd escaped without a casualty, although a company
of the preceding battalion the 78th suffered hideously
from a direct hit on the cobbled road. But all things, in
cluding night bombing, come to an end, and the 72nd
reached Gentelles Wood without further incident.
On the following day, August 27th, the Battalion en
trained at Longueau, with the rest of the 4th Canadian Divi
sion, for the north and the next advance.
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