Meanwhile, the mopping up and demolition continued behind the attack.  Several Germans were found and killed in the second line, but on the whole very few enemy were seen, somehow they had managed to escape.  Probably there were many tunnels, and in the dark it was quite impossible to tell what was a tunnel entrance and what merely a dug-out.  Many of the latter were destroyed by “C” Company, though they lost 2nd Lieut.  Lowe, who was slightly wounded, through being too keen to watch the effect of one of his own Mills bombs.  Corporal Tunks and Pte.  Baker did particularly good work with these demolition parties.

Back at Battalion Headquarters was a listening set, and this managed to overhear the German Company Commander’s telephone report to his headquarters.  “We are being attacked, ... front line penetrated, ... second line wrecked ... third line entered ... send up two sections.”  The two sections came in two parts.  A strong bombing attack was made up Hicks Alley which was held by our bombing party at the newly built block; at the same time our left was attacked over the open.  “A” Company were ready for them, and Lilley, the Lewis Gunner, soon accounted for many and broke up the attack.  “D” Company also had some fighting, in which both 2nd Lieut.  Cole and Serjeant Growdridge distinguished themselves.

The time finally came for the withdrawal, and the special flare lights were fired.  Unfortunately they failed to light, and messages had to be sent at once to the raid area.  The enemy were held off while the withdrawal was carried out, and by 2-0 a.m. the 17th the majority of the raiding party had returned.  Captain Shields was carried in by C.S.M.  Passmore, who very gallantly stayed out some time after the others were all back, but nothing could be found of Capt.  Marriott or 2nd Lieut.  Plumer and the “Goose” party.  Capt.  Marriott had been last seen in the second German line, but he had been missed in the withdrawal, and was never seen again.  We brought no prisoners and no identifications, though one man brought back a rifle and another some papers from a dug-out.  Several of the enemy had undoubtedly been killed, but no one had thought to cut off shoulder straps or search for pay books.  At 3-0 a.m. we returned to Noyelles, where we spent the day cleaning and repairing our clothing.

The raid had not been a success.  We lost Captain Marriott, 2nd Lieut.  Plumer, and seven men missing, whom we never heard of again.  Three more men were known to be killed, and three others were afterwards reported prisoners, while no less than fifty-one were wounded.  Capt.  Shields, the most cheerful, strenuous, and popular of Company Commanders, would never fight again.  He reached Chocques hospital with one leg almost blown off and the other badly shattered, and the Doctors decided to amputate the one at once.  It is still recorded as a unique feat, that throughout the operation neither the patient’s pulse nor temperature altered, thanks to his wonderful