The 4th Canadian Mounted Rifles - ElectricCanadian.com

DURING THE LAST GERMAN OFFENSIVE 101before he crossed into enemy territory, but instead, hesaw him raise his arm above his head and discharge hisrevolver into the bulging parachute. Immediately, theair resistance was reduced and he descended rapidlywithin our own lines It was a most ingenious act ofbravery.The Battalion had been thirty-two days in the line,seventeen in the front line and fifteen in support withoutrest or baths, when relieved by the 52nd Battalion onthe night of March 20th. By 4.30 a.m. the next morning Mar. 20,the men were back in Hill s Camp at Neuville St. Vaast.In spite of the long spell in the trenches the Battalion waswarned to provide large working parties for the forwardarea that night. The men turned out cheerfully, forthe weather was perfect, a condition that conduced togood spirits. This was on March 21st, a date which Mar. 21,became historical.In the afternoon the Battalion heardrumours of a German offensive but they knew nothingof its dimensions; they could hear the continuous rumbleto the south, like distant thunder and knew that itwas no ordinary bombardment. The working partieswere paraded and ready to move off at 5.00 p.m. wheneverything was suddenly cancelled and orders receivedto be ready to relieve part of the 186th Imperial InfantryBrigade.Consequently on the night of the 23rd-24th the Bat- Mar -talion took over from three companies of the 8th WestYorks and two companies of the Duke of Wellington s inand around the Railway embankment and Brierley HillTrench on the Arleux Sector. This was a temporarymove and lasted only a few days. By the 28th theBattalion returned to Neuville St. Vaast and was underhalf an hour s notice. By 12.25 p.m. orders werereceived to occupy a line from Junction Redoubt toChanticleer Post. The men were back again in CubittCamp for Easter Sunday on March 31st and had achurch parade, baths and a general clean-up. Fromthere they did the usual round of duties. There wasgreat activity all along the line in preparing new defencesfor possible emergencies. Colonel Patterson took his23