72nd Seaforth Highlanders of Canada - waughfamily.ca

efore, not only did this officer keep perfectAMIENS.direction during the attacks on the 8th and 10th of August, but duringthe first of those days he and his men rushed a machinegun post over the open, capturing the gun and killing thecrew. On the 10th, this heroic officer attacked, singlehanded,a hostile machine gun, capturing both crew andgun, being severely wounded in the face immediately afterwards. For his gallantry he was awarded the D.S.O.On the night of the 12th-13th, the Battalion was relieved,and, sleeping as they moved, the men marched back to thearea between Caix and Vrely, where, after a good hot meal,completely worn out by their terrific exertions, they weresoon sleeping their first real sleep for days. As regards thebooty captured, no accurate estimate can be given, but itincluded a number of field guns and howitzers, while themachine guns accounted for, numbered no less than 150.The 14th of August was devoted chiefly tosleep, but onthe 15th reorganization was at once commenced in readiness for any proposed advance. While encampedin thisarea it was learned that for the present it was decided tohold the positions gained south of the Somme at any rate.Meanwhile news came in about the successful attack between Albert and Bapaume. Everywhere the Hun wasgiving ground under the inexorable pressure of the Alliedarmies, and, as may be imagined, interest ran high. On the17th of August the Battalion moved up to Rosieres-en-Santerre and went into more or less sheltered quarters.This was in many ways a relief, as the continuous nightbombingto which they had beeen subjected in the open,south of Caix had become annoying to say the least. Asthe month of August drew to a close, it became apparentthat another blow was to be struck by the Canadians.Once more the Corps was to be hurled as a battering ramagainst some point in the already sagging German line ofbattle. But where? And for the present echo answered123