72nd Seaforth Highlanders of Canada - waughfamily.ca

LA COULOTTE.he isgiving way except in rarely happening circumstances.In a trench-to-trench attack such a proceeding would spelldisaster. For the benefit of the lay reader it may be explained that in such an attack each unit is allotted certainspecific objectives, carefully marked on a map and accurate to a yard. The whole fabric of the attack is based onthe supposition that these orders will be obeyed. That curtain of shells, the barrage, which the attackers follow, istimed and directed accordingly. It is evident that any unitwould overstep the limit of its objectives, at its peril. Thegunners, thousands of yards to the rear, unconscious of anydeparture from the pre-arranged plan, would pour theirfire into men of their own corps. The attack will alwaysbe pushed forward, but it will be advanced scientificallyas soon as all concerned can be advised. In accordancewith these tactics and principles the Battalion on this occasion slipped into its allotted objective, Quebec trench,with acomparative minimum of effort and without a casualty. Casualties occurred later, owing to the terrificpounding of the captured area by an annoyed and harrassedenemy.It soon became apparent that the attack would be resumed, and daylight reconnaissances were pushed forwardto determine the exact line of resistance adopted by theenemy. Arduous scouting showed that this was Aviontrench, which was being held by a series of posts, thegreatest strength of which lay in that part of the trenchon the before-mentioned spur. During the reconnaissancesmany exciting events occurred, chief among which was theexploit of Sergt. W. R. Brown, M.M., the BattalionScout Sergeant. After working down Poupore communication trench he entered the German front line whichin the confusion resulting from the attack was not in aproper state of defence, owing to the enemy having unaccountably omitted to block the communicating excavation. Accordingly, the intrepid Sergeant was able to step63