HLI Chronicle 1918 - The Royal Highland Fusiliers

(5.) Battalion Highland Light
Infantry.
THE Battalion was withdrawn from the line
on 5th October after six continuous months
of strenuous trench routine, and went into
billets in a picturesque little village. No time
was lost in getting the men back again into
- condition from the usual" staleness" resulting
from a long period in the line, and intensive
training was begun.
This continued until 14th November, when
the Battalion participated in a Brigade
scheme which was witnessed by the C.-in-C.,
who expressed himself as being quite pleased
with the conduct of operations.
On 16th November we commenced the long
" trek" back to the line by march route,
halt,ing overnight in billets, and resuming the
march on night of 17th. On morning of 18th
we found ourselves in hutments, where we
remained overnight, and once more took to the
road by night, marching to a camp on the outskirts
of what was once a village.
Rere we got the first official tidings of the
masterly coup that, the day before, had left
the enemy's much vaunted Hindenburg Line
in our hands. As news of the battle's progress
kept coming in, the excitement prevailing in
the camp grew more marked, and speculll.tion
was rife as to what part the· Battalion was
destined to play in it.
The placing of the Brigade under an hour's
notice was the signal for a scene of immense
bustle and preparation. All superfluous kit
was dumped, and the Battalion stood by,
waiting for the final orders that would throw
their fine fighting qualities into the already
over-weighted British side of the scale.
It was wonderful to see them during the 24
hours preceding the move forward. Everybody
was in such high spirits. The men
stood around in groups discussing the coming
fight with much zest, or played football with
the Officers in a field close by, taking as much
interest in the game as if war was a myth.
HIGHLAND LIGHT INFANTRY CHRONICLE.
On the 21st November the Battalion,
1eaving details behind, marched 8 miles further
up, and pitched tents at dusk, in which we
remained until 3 a.m., morning of the 23rd,
when we moved up and relieved a battalion
in the Hindenburg Support Line, becoming
Divisional Reserve to the two other Brigades
of the Division who were holding a wood
further on. That evening the Battalion was
ordered up to support one of these Brigades,
but was sent back, not being required, and
next morning was placed under orders of this
Brigade and proceeded to a village about a
mile in front of the Hindenburg Support
Line.
Here orders were received to capture the
village of B-- that same afternoon, and
Battalion once more moved forward through
intense barrages put; down by the enemy,
sustaining few casualties owing to the excellent
Artillery formation maintained.
In this manner the wood was reached, and
a halt was made prior to advancing on the
village, which lay on the other side of it. At
2.30 the move forward commenced, and at
4 p.m., after some sharp fighting, Headqua,rters
and one Company were established in the
village with the other three Companies occupying
the 4th objective-German trench in front
of village.
That night (24th-25th November) communication
was established by runners with
Brigade Headquarters, who were under the
impression that the Battalion was cut off.
Rations and ammunition w(>re also brought up
under cover of darkness-thanks to the untiring
energy of the QU::J.ltermaster, Transport
Officer, and Company Q.M. Sergeants.
On the morning of. the 25th the enemy
delivered a strong attack, which we succeeded
in beating off, our casualties being comparatively
light.
It was now apparent that the enemy was
also in occupation of the village, and had
mounted machine-guns and snipers in many of
the houses, inflicting many casualties on the
little H.L.I. garrison.
At tnis stage an event occurred which caused
all ranks who heard of it at the time to experience
the acute pang of an irreparable 106s.
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