The 4th Canadian Mounted Rifles - ElectricCanadian.com

SANCTUARY WOOD 19ted against the 8th Brigade, but even the trenches whichwere shelled the least became mere jagged scars, unfit fordefence. That anyone lived through it is a miracle.Trenches were soon demolished, shelters caved in, theground over which tall weeds and long grass had grownwas ploughed, beaten and pock-marked by shells.Sanctuary Wood, Armagh Wood and Maple Copse whicha few hours before were verdant woods were transformedinto charred, jagged stumps.At 1 o clock the bombardment ceased, but only as asignal for the preparation of further violence. Theground quivered and gently heaved and then came thevolcanic roar of a mine. It hurled into the air a large partof the front line and its defenders. Sandbags, wire,machine guns, bits of corrugated iron and bits of menwere slung skyward. After this final eruption all wasquiet, even our own guns. Immediately the Germaninfantrymen appeared in full equipment, with long spadesslung over their backs. They advanced in large numberswith an air of assurance and confidence that all resistancehad been removed by their artillery.As soon as the bombardment commenced, all realizedthat this was an affair of prime importance. The menmanned the fire-bays until blown out or buried under thedebris; some searched for cover to save their lives for theattack they knew would follow. A few went to theTunnel," only to be buried or taken prisoner in thedefenceless trap. A very few survived to tell whathappened on that terrible morning.*Space will not permit of a detailed account of whathappened to those who survived or perished, nor can themany acts of individual heroism and self-sacrifice benarrated in this short historical outline. Of the tacticsand changing dispositions of the various units of theDivision in itsdefence of this sacred ground, much hasbeen written. For the 4th C. M. R. it was a day ofobliteration. Only three officers out of twenty-two came"Lieutenant J.Harvey Douglas, who was injured by a flying missile whenthe mine went up and later badly wounded, subsequently falling into the handsofithe enemy, has vividly described his own experiences in his interestingbook "Captured."June