On the extreme right “A” Company (Edwards) made no headway at all.  Between the road and the edge of the wood was about 150 yards of open ground, across which ran a Z-shaped hedge, while, at the point where the “ride” entered the wood, stood a Chateau and a large black hut commanding all the country round.  Daylight came soon after they left the road and with it a burst of heavy machine-gun fire from the Chateau at close range, which split the Company into three parts.  Headquarters and one platoon found some cover round the little house on the corner where they started; near them in a bank was 2nd Lieut.  Dennis with his platoon, while the remainder, under Cpls.  Thompson and Shilton, were in the Z-shaped hedge, unable to show themselves without being fired at.  On their right the French had captured Retheuil and Forte Farms.

At 5-20 a.m., Major Dyer Bennet, finding it impossible to see anything of “A” and “B” Companies, decided to advance his Headquarters, keeping as far as possible to the centre of the Brigade frontage.  Accompanied by the Adjutant, R.S.M., a few runners, and the French Interpreter, he set off for the edge of the wood, which was reached without loss; but the enemy’s machine guns at the Chateau, 200 yards away on the right, and slightly below us, plainly told us that “A” Company had not gone forward.  A similar distance away on the left, concealed by a wall and the corner of the wood, another gun was firing across at “B” Company, who could be seen on the opposite hillside trying to reach the cover of their two trenches.  The Headquarter party was too small to be able to help, so while the Adjutant went back to try and find some reinforcements, the Interpreter, Henri Letu, made a most gallant reconnaissance into the woods to see if he could gather any information.  The “reinforcements” consisted of a platoon of French soldiers, a Lewis Gun team of the 4th Battalion and two signallers.  At the same time the M.O. and Intelligence Officer (Lieut.  Ashdowne) arrived, and the latter, taking two men with him, soon drove out the enemy from the “corner wall” post on the left.  The Battalion Headquarter flag was hung out in a conspicuous tree, signal communication was opened with the original Headquarter Farmhouse, and at about 8 o’clock the party was still further reinforced by the arrival of Cpl.  Thompson and No. 1 Platoon of “A” Company, whom the Adjutant had discovered under the “Z” shaped hedge.  All these movements had to be carried out with great care, as any visible activity at once drew fire from the Chateau.

This Chateau Major Dyer Bennet now decided to attack, and soon after 9.0 a.m. a party consisting of No. 1 Platoon and some Frenchmen set off under the Adjutant to do so.  Cpl.  Shilton and a few men were sent through some gardens to engage the enemy on their right flank; the Lewis gun, under Cpl.  Thompson, went through the woods to try and attack the buildings from the rear; the Frenchmen advancing still further