The 4th Canadian Mounted Rifles - ElectricCanadian.com

i9nAui9i?68 4TH CANADIAN MOUNTED RIFLESwnere lachrymatory bombs had been exploded, visitingthe Divisional Gas school to test their helmets, and spending almost a month preparing for the attack in front ofMericourt, which never matured. While at AuchelLieut. -Colonel G. F. McFarland, who had previouslycommanded the 8th Reserve Battalion in England, joinedthe Battalion and reverted to the rank of Major tobecome Second-in-Command. About the same timeCaptain W. V. Sifton became Adjutant. He was oneof the original officers and went as Staff Captain to the2nd C. M. R. Brigade, with which he was wounded atMessines in December, 1915. He rejoined in June andsucceeded Lieutenant J. R. Woods, who was acting adjutant, vice Captain Innes-Taylor, who was invalided homeafter the Vimy battle.5^n August 15th, the Battalion moved to Camblain1 Abbe, twenty kilometres south-east; not as attractivenor as comfortable a place as Auchel and where there wasnot the same liveliness and gaiety. The shops wereimprovised; a front room in a house would be convertedin order to display polish, bianco, button-sticks, chocolateand other things not issued under K. R. or stamped witha broad-arrow. They remained in the village four days,carrying out manoeuvres in conjunction with the 1stC. M. R. Orders were then received to take over someof the line from the First Canadian Division and theBattalion moved in stages to the front line.On the same day that the Battalion moved to Camblain1 Abbe, the First and Second Canadian Divisions openeda very determined attack on Hill 70 at Lens. The areaaround Lens was more advantageous to the defendersthan the attackers. This dense mining area with itsslag-heaps, railway-sidings and mine-pits was verydifficult for the assaulting troops. In addition, the monthof August was unusually wet; the precipitation hadseldom been so great and during this time rain fell nearlyevery day. The big allied offensive in Flanders was alsoAgain, as so oftensuffering on account of the weather.before and afterwards, the elements favoured the enemy.After a week s hard fighting with very small gains, these