72nd Seaforth Highlanders of Canada - waughfamily.ca

SEAFORTH HIGHLANDERS OF CANADAnished by the houses of the village of Anzin which ran tothe water s edge. On the right, however, the only approach to the canal lay over some 300 or 400 yards ofexposed slope across which any movement in daylight wasabsolutely impossible. The crossing was to be made simultaneously at two points on the northern sector and at another point on the southern sector. The crossing at thislatter point was to depend on the progress made by theBattalion on the right.From the information gained as to the enemy s disposition, careful covering fire was arranged for. This consistedof several varied and novel kinds. Riflemen and Lewisgunners were posted at windows in the houses lining thecanal. Artillery and trench mortars were laid on selectedpoints. Lastly, a field gun of the 52nd Battery C. F. A.was actually placed in our outpost line overlooking thecanal at the point where the middle crossing was to bemade. The fact of having a field gun in the outpost linewas novel, to say the least. Experience proved its presenceto be of the greatest value. With infinite care, the wheelswrapped in sacking and the horses feet muffled in asimilar manner to prevent the slightest rattle as the gunwas dragged through the cobbled streets of Anzin, it wasmanoeuvred into position on the night of October 31stthe night before the attack. The greatest credit is due toLieut. Sweatman and his gunners for their gallant handling of this piece throughout the action.In the early hours of November 1st all arrangementswere completed."A" and "D"Companies holding thefront line from north to south were in readiness to leapfrom the shelter of their positions, fling their boats, raftsand cork -float bridge into the water and force the crossing.Two platoons of "B"Company were disposed at advantageous points in the houses overlooking the northerncrossing, in order to beat down by rifle and machine gunfire any development which menaced the crossing troops.162