2nd Battalion The Argyll and Sutherland
Highlanders (Princess Louise's).
THE BATTLE OF POLYGON WOOD, 25th SEPTEMB ER, 1917.
Telephone:
Langham, 1446.
Oammanlcatimt to the Editor," Ypres Time»."
29, Baker St., London, W.I.
Tekcnmt:
Ypresleag, Baker," L.ndon.
IMES
PRICE 6d.
POSTAGE 7d.
THE JOURNAL OF THE YPRES LEAGUE.
Voi,. 3. No. 3.
Published Quarterly.
july, 1926
10.19 P m- "On the right of our main attack north of the Ypres-Menin Road, our troops
met with obstinate resistance, and heavy fighting took place in the area across
which the enemy counter-attacked yesterday. After a severe struggle, lasting
throughout the greater part of the day, English and Scottish Battalions drove
the enemy from his position and accomplished the task allotted to them of securing
the flank of our principal attack.
"In their advance, our troops relieved two companies of Argyll and Suther
land Highlanders, who had held out with great gallantry during the night in a
forward position in which they had heen isolated by the enemy's attack yesterday
morning."
G.H.Q., Official Telegraphic Communiqué, 26th September, 1917.
The above is the brief official notice of an action in which the 2nd Battalion (93rd)
The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders played a prominent part.
Bald and concise as it is, it contains concealed in its paragraphs a story of tenacity
and determination worthy of the Regiment.
It will be remembered that in July, 1917, a great offensive was started against the
enemy in the Ypres Salient. Owing to the appalling weather, the advance was not so
rapid as had been hoped, and, among other places, prolonged and intense fighting ensued
in the neighbourhood of Glencorse Wood and Inverness Copse.
However, on the 20th September the Battle of the Menin Road was fought success
fully and, in the area with which we are concerned, the 23rd Division pushed our line
well forward of these two places to the southern outskirts of Polygon Wood.
Preparations were at once made for a further big attack by the 2nd Army to take
place on 26th September, and the 23rd Division was relieved by the 33rd Division on
the evening of 24th September.
On the left, the 98th Infantry Brigade relieved the 69th Infantry Brigadethe 1st
Middlesex Regiment took over the front line in the neighbourhood of Carlisle Farm, the
2nd Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders were concentrated in shell holes 1,000 yards
in rear of them and the 4th Suffolk Regiment we're in brigade reserve near Clapham
Junction. The fourth Battalion in the Brigade (4th King's Liverpool Regiment) was
attached to the 100th Infantry Brigade and had hard fighting south of the Reutelbeek.
