THE YPRES TIMES
141
assault. We could see very little of their progress, for the men advancing were
soon enveloped in the white smoke of the bursting shells.
Soon word came that they had taken the first German trench, and we then
moved forward in artillery formation across the three lines of the enemy trenches,
passing with ease through the gaps in the wire made by our tanks. The few
walking wounded of the 62nd Division whom we met told us that the enemy had
been taken completely by surprise and the attack was going well. We did not
extend, but continued in artillery formation
across the open country. Away in front we
could see dozens of tanks lumbering forward,
spitting out fire at the enemy. We noticed
several tanks in flames, and others disabled, while
their oil-soaked crews tried to make hasty repairs.
We had advanced about a mile when our scouts
in front signalled Enemy in sight." Some
Germans hidden in a quarry had started firing on
us, and immediately the order was given to
extend and advance in short rushes. When the
enemy saw that we could not be stopped they put
up their hands, crying Mercy, Kamerad."
After this skirmish our C.O. (Col. Forbes-
Robertson, afterwards V.C.) came on the scene,
and we were hastily reorganized.
Our next objective was a sunken road
skirting Bois Neuf. Most of the battalion went
round the wood and manned the sunken road,
while our company went through and cleared it
without encountering any opposition, and re
joined, in the sunken road, the battalion, who had
dug little niches in the sides of the embankment
and were making ready for any counter-attacks.
Across the fields ahead lay the village of
Containg, where the enemy were in force.
During the morning we heard the clatter of
hoofs on the road, and there appeared in sight a
detachment of Fort Garry Horse galloping
along. It was the first time we had seen cavalry
going into action, so we gave them a cheer as
they went by. There were about fifty of them,
and it was an inspiring sight to see them, each
with a revolver in his hand and rifle in holster,
gallop across the fields towards Containg.
The next morning the expected attack was
made without the usual preliminary bombard
ment. In the distance a hazy line of Germans
could be seen advancing, but after we had fired
a few rounds, assisted by one of the Fort Garry-
Horse mounted machine guns, the attack ceased.
Rain now fell, and the enemy began to
find us with their shells, one or two of which burst harmlessly in the road.
That evening the 7th Division relieved us, and we made our way to Marcoing,
a village which had been captured by the division operating on our right. The
village street was crowded with troops and tanks, and a little knot of villagers were
herded together with portable goods on their shoulders, awaiting escort back to
Imperial IV ur Museum J
l^roivn copyright
COLONEL FORBES-ROBERTSON,
V.C.
