72nd Seaforth Highlanders of Canada - waughfamily.ca

SEAFORTH HIGHLANDERS OF CANADA"Where?" Well had absolute secrecy with regardto theplans been preserved.On the night of August 24th the Battalion was relievedin its position at Rosieres by the 88th Reserve French Regiment. The taking over by a French unit occasioned manyhumorous incidents the average "estaminet" brand ofFrench being hardly capable of explaining to a harrassedbut excessively polite French officer that one s platoon occupied such and such a position, and to be careful abouttoo much movement in daylight over the open as it wouldoccasion hostile artillery fire, etc., etc.Under a beautiful August moon the Battalion swung outof Rosieres along the dusty white road en route for GeritellesWood their old assembly position which it seemedthey had left so long ago. Not one of the marching troopsappreciated the moonlight, as its brilliance silhouettedthem fatally against the white ribbon of dust over whichthey passed, to the pilots of night flying Boche aeroplanes. It was with a curious sinking feeling, never duplicated in action, that the men heard the deep double droneof German bombers in the distance. Straight over the roadcame the planes. Up and down at irregular intervals camethe swishing whistle of the heavy bombs, culminating infountains of flame-crowned smoke and noise. Fortunatelythe 72nd escaped without a casualty, although a companyof the preceding battalion the 78th suffered hideouslyfrom a direct hit on the cobbled road. But all things, including night bombing, come to an end, and the 72ndreached Gentelles Wood without further incident.On the following day, August 27th, the Battalion entrained at Longueau, with the rest of the 4th Canadian Division, for the north and the next advance.124