Our Patrol party was waiting for us in Lone Trench, but their report was far from satisfactory. 2nd Lieut.  Brooke declared that there were by no means enough gaps, in fact none at all on the left, and Colonel Trimble asked for the raid to be postponed.  Meanwhile, 2nd Lieut.  Brooke went off to the front line, where he finally was able to convince the Divisional Intelligence Officer that there were not sufficient gaps, and at the last moment, as the Companies were preparing to move to their assembly positions, the raid was postponed for 24 hours.  Accordingly we spent the night in our somewhat cramped surroundings in Lone Trench, and the following day the Artillery continued to cut the wire, this time with better success.

One of the original objects of the raid had been to detract attention from a Canadian attack on “Hill 70” to be made at the same time.  This attack we watched from the back of Lone trench, and later in the day were able to give material assistance.  The German counter attack came from behind Hulluch, near Wingles, and the troops for it assembled and started their attack in view of our posts.  Captain Ellwood and his machine gunners at once got to work and did terrific execution, being chiefly responsible for the failure of the enemy’s efforts, and enabling the Canadians to hold the Hill.

So successful was the wire cutting on the 16th, that our patrol reported all ready for the raid, and accordingly we moved at dusk to our assembly positions.  One alteration in the plan of attack had to be made at the last minute.  It had originally been intended that the attacking platoons, after passing in file through our wire, should spread out in No Man’s Land into lines.  As the German wire was only cut into gaps and not obliterated, it was now decided that platoons should keep in file until through that belt also, and spread out on entering the front line.  Bridges were placed over our front line, all faces were blackened, and by 10-30 p.m. all were ready for Zero, which was to be 10-58 p.m.

The barrage started promptly, and the advance began.  The enemy’s wire was a little thick on both flanks, but all passed through fairly easily and entered the front line, where, as arranged, each man shouted to show he had arrived.  Two enemy were found and killed, but much of the trench was full of wire.  The attackers passed on rapidly to the second and third lines, finding the wire thicker in front of each line, but finally reaching their objective and building bombing blocks.  It was a dark night, and to avoid losing touch, Captains Petch and Shields had arranged to call each other’s names as they went forward.  Suddenly Captain Shield’s voice stopped with one last cry, and Captain Petch hurrying to the spot found he had been hit by a shell and terribly wounded in both legs.  However, his Company reached the third line, and the party under 2nd Lieut.  Plumer set out to destroy the Goose.