72nd Seaforth Highlanders of Canada - Electric Scotland

SEAFORTH HIGHLANDERS OF CANADA
Pherson, commenced what will always be an outstanding
example of courage and initiative in the annals of the 72nd
Battalion. Working their way forward, the gallant trio
advanced some 400 yards and effected an entry into the
heavily defended road. Turning along it, the three set
about clearing it of the enemy.
Despite the odds against them, the trio, fighting their
way up the road with splendid courage, shook the nerve
of the defenders. Pressing home their advantage at the
psychological moment, the three men actually drove the
Germans out of the road, taking no fewer than 50 prison
ers.
On the right, the advance had not met with quite such
an intense machine gun fire, but, overcoming heavy resist
ance, had pushed forward to their final objectives. So it
was that comparatively early in the forenoon of September
2nd all the Battalion s objectives were well in hand.
In reviewing the attack the 72nd had every reason to be
proud of its work. It had advanced between two and a
half and three miles, had carried the famous Hindenburg
Line on a frontage of 600 yards, had stormed Mount Dury
and had captured 448 prisoners, one field gun and 23 ma
chine guns a truly handsome total. The casualties, thanks
tc skilful handling, had not been high considering the
nature of the operation,
14 officers and 254 other ranks be
ing the total.
With the Drocourt-Queant line safely behind our posi
tions the night of September 2-3 came down. The front line
company was relieved by the 102nd Canadian Infantry
Battalion. It was not, however, until the 5th that the
whole Battalion was relieved. On that date they moved
back to the trenches west of Triangle Wood, over ground
over which they had fought so bitterly but a short three
days ago in
a famous battle which had already passed into
history.
After arrival at Triangle Wood there occurred one of the
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