The 4th Canadian Mounted Rifles - ElectricCanadian.com

""130 4TH CANADIAN MOUNTED RIFLESA "g -Aug. 28,In the evening of the 27th the Battalion was warnedby telephone to be prepared to relieve the 43rd Battalion.An advance party of all companies under Major W. V.Sifton was sent forward to reconnoitre the 43rd Battalion s position. While the party was away the orderswere changed. A further advance was anticipated forAugust 28th and the 43rd Battalion was placed underorders of the 8th Brigade and the 4th C. M. R. underthe 9th Brigade. Consequently the party was sent backand rejoined at 6.00 a.m. on the 28th. Orders had beenreceived an hour before from the 9th Brigade statingthat the 3rd Division would continue the advance andthat the 9th Brigade would attack that morning. The4th C. M. R. and the 52nd Battalions were detailed toattack on the right and left respectively and capturethe enemy trenches south of Boiry. The 4th C. M. R.was to swing a portion of the Battalion to the right andform a flank on the Cojeul River until the attack of the8th Brigade, which was timed for one and a half hourslater than the 9th Brigade attack, matured.Zero hour was set for 11.00 a.m. on the 28th. Thecompanies started some time before to get to their assembly positions. Major Sifton s party which had returnedat 6.00 a.m. was thoroughly fatigued but had to turnaround and join the assaulting troops. The march tothe front was particularly trying; the men had to go about6,000 yards over difficult ground which was being shelledcontinuously. The companies were given their orders;"C"Company was to attack on the right with its flankon the Cojeul River and "B"on the left withCompanyits left flank on the town of Boiry. They were orderedto penetrate a distance of 2,000 yards on a 1,200 yardfront. "D"Company was to move in close support to"C"Company, assisting it and at the same time makingACompanygood the right flank on the Cojeul River.was to be in reserve and move in the rear of B" Company.Owing to the difficulties of the ground and to the factthat the enemy had observed the movement of severalbattalions and had opened a heavy barrage, only"C