On the night of 12.4.17, “A” and “C” Companies of my Battalion, in conjunction with “B” Company were ordered to advance a 1,000 yards. I was in charge of the advance. We covered the 1,000 yards without opposition and proceeded to dig in and consolidate the position. After examining the position it was found that “B” Company had not arrived and the left flank accordingly was “in the air”.
Immediately we had dug in, the German patrols attacked the left flank of “C” Coy, and succeeded in capturing two of the outposts. I at once despatched a message outlining the position to my C.O. at Headquarters. I received a reply to the effect that the C.O. would see that “B” Coy reached the position allotted to it, and that the position must be held at all costs.
At daylight “B” Coy had not arrived, and our left flank was still “in the air”. It was inadvisable to send messages back in daylight, as they had 1,000 yards of open country to cross. I conferred with Lieut. Beattie of “C” Company and we decided to lie quiet till nightfall.
At 12 noon on the 14th I was surprised to see two Platoons advancing to support us. As soon as they left the supports they were heavily shelled by the enemy. As they neared our line, in reality a chain of outposts, I endeavoured to get them to fill in our left flank.
But when they came in they made directly for our trenches, for the shelling to which they were being subjected was very heavy. This gave the location of our position to the enemy artillery and we were continuously shelled for six hours. Major Dixon-Hearder brought these men across and they we intended to fill our exposed flank.
As soon as it became dark, we moved these newcomers over to the left flank, but there were not nearly enough of them to establish contact with the unit on our left. I immediately despatched a message to the C.O., restating our position and asking for a supply of 20,000 rounds at S.A.A. and 500 Mills grenades.
At about 8.p.m. the front line was visited by the C.O. (Major Rafferty) and the position thoroughly explained be him. He stated that he would have the exposed flank covered and the ammunition and the bombs sent up. Major Dixon-Hearder also explained the position, stating that the men were knocked up and worn out.
The C.O. replied that the position must be held at all costs. The C.O. left us about 9.p.m. and a little later Major Dixon-Hearden also left. Captain Hemmingway of “A” Coy, was then visiting the front line and told me I would be relieved that night as I had then been in the front line five days with only one night’s rest. Lieutenant Beattie and I decided to keep a screen patrol out the whole night.
We waited for our left flank to be filled in and further arrival of the promised ammunition. At 4.a.m. on 15.4.17, the enemy were heard advancing. I visited all the outposts and then ordered them not to waste any more ammunition, but to wait till the enemy were in sight before firing.
At about 4.30.a.m. we were able to see the enemy and we opened fire. The enemy continued advancing though their casualties were exceptionally heavy. The first five waves of the enemy advance were practically “wiped out”. But they had got round on our exposed left flank and had also broken through the 4th. Bn. on our right.
I then crawled to an outpost about 50 yards away, on my left and to another about 60 yards on my right. I discovered that in both posts the ammunition was pretty well exhausted. I ordered the men to fight until the last shot was fired and told the machine gun Corporal on my right to destroy his Lewis Gun. The enemy by this time had completely surrounded us and had two machine guns in position between us and our support.
Our ammunition was now quite exhausted and there was no sign of any approaching support. The Germans were then bombing our outposts and I ordered the men to surrender. Every man but one had become a casualty of some sort – killed or wounded. About 16 were captured in this outpost. Lieutenant Beattie, on my left, found himself in a similar predicament and he also had to surrender. During the fighting two messages at intervals, were despatched to Headquarters.
We were first taken to Cambrai, but after one night there were sent to Le Cateau where I spent 10 days. From Le Cateau I was transferred to the Officers Lager at Karlsruhe where I remained for only two days before being transferred to Crefeld. My next move was to Strohn Lager. This is an Officers “Strafe” Camp. In company with Lieutenant Marshall of me 15th. Battalion I managed to escape from Strohn. But I was recaptured and senteneed to five weeks “Cells”.
I was next sent to Holzminden Lager where, for 13 months I was a victim of the tender mercies of Captain Niemeyer. I succeeded in escaping from Holzminden, but after being away 12 days was recaptured on the Dutch Frontier. For this escapade I received two months “Cells”.
I was still at Holzminden when the armistice was signed. But on 6.12.18 I volunteered to go to Munster Lager, on special transportation work in connection with the repatriation of British Prisoners of War. Captain Robinson of the 44th. Canadians and Lieutenant Chalmers of the 4th Gordons were with me.
We found the camp in a disgraceful state. The latrines had not been emptied since June last and dysentry had broken out in the camp. There were practically no medical comforts at all, and British N.C.O.s in charge stated that 90% of the deaths could have been obviated had proper treatment been accorded the victims. The discipline of the British Prisoners of war was splendid.
After being there a fortnight, hospital trains brought us through to Rotterdam. We crossed to Hull by the S.S. Archangel arriving on the morning of Boxing Day 28.12.18. At Holzminder Lieutenant Coustan formerly of the 50th. Bn. but then of the A.F.C. was shot and severely wounded during an attempt to escape.
