Nothing, however, appeared to be further from the intentions of the Higher Command, and on October 2nd the other two Brigades came through us to take over the line from the 32nd, and again attempt to break the “Fonsomme” Line—­on the 3rd.  The French would attack on the right, the 32nd Division would be responsible for Sequehart, and the 46th, with Staffordshires on the right and Sherwood Foresters on the left, would sweep over Preselles, Ramicourt and Montbrehain, and make a break for the cavalry and “whippets.”  Joncourt had already been captured and the left flank was therefore secure.  Our Brigade was in support, and would not be wanted to move until 8-0 a.m.  There was not much time for making preparations, and the Artillery, who had particularly short notice, spent the night before the battle getting into position near our Headquarters.

[Illustration:  Sketch map of Cambrai-st. Quentin-Avesnes area To illustrate battles of Sept Oct Nov 1918]

Once more a thick morning mist covered our attack and the first waves, advancing with the barrage at dawn, quickly got possession of Preselles and the Fonsomme Line, killing many Germans and taking large numbers of prisoners.  There was considerable resistance in the centre, but the Sherwood Foresters, led by such men as Colonel Vann, disposed of it, and by 10.0 a.m. all objectives were gained and everything ready for the Cavalry.  Meanwhile, soon after 8-0 a.m., the Battalion was ordered to move up at once and support the Staffordshires.  We were to be under the orders of General Campbell, but would not be used for any purpose except holding the Fonsomme Line, to which we were now to go.  We had been warned the previous evening that, if used at all, it would be on the right flank, and reconnoitering parties had already gone forward to get in touch with the Staffordshires; these had not yet returned, so we started without them.

Soon after 9-0 a.m. we left Magny la Fosse and moved down the hill towards Levergies, which we decided to leave on our right flank, as it was full of gas.  We were in lines of platoons in fours—­“D” Company (Corah) and “C” (Banwell) leading, bound for the Fonsomme Line, “A” Company (Petch) and “B” (Hawley) following with orders to find support positions to the other two.  The Headquarters moved by the railway line N.E. of Levergies to take up a position as near as possible to the Support Battalion Headquarters of the Staffordshires.  All went well until the leading Companies were beginning to climb the hill E. of Levergies, when a runner from Brigade Headquarters caught us up with a message to say that the 32nd Division had not taken Sequehart in the first attack, and that it was uncertain in whose hands the village now was.  Every effort was made to warn the Companies, but we could not reach “D” and “A” in time, and we could only hope that if Sequehart was still in the enemy’s hands, they would be warned of it in time to deploy their right platoons, which would otherwise march in fours close to the edge of the village.