“D” Company’s position was precarious.  Right and left, German machine gunners held the main road, and shooting along it made crossing impossible, while at the same time they took care to prevent any attempt on our part to move the captured guns.  This we found impossible, so set about rendering them useless, and had already removed breach block and sights from one when a counter attack was launched from the South East.  This was beaten off, but Lieut.  Ball, unable to find troops on either flank and already short of ammunition, sent back 2nd Lieut.  S.D.  Lamming on a captured horse to ask for help.  Before, however, he could return, the enemy, intent on recapturing his guns, made two more counter attacks in rapid succession, in the second of which, after losing several men, including Bolton, who had never left his Platoon during four years’ service, killed and L/Cpl.  Thurman wounded, the little isolated party fired the last of its ammunition and had to withdraw.  The Boche recaptured his battery, and, after firing one or two rounds into Cheval Blanc, took away the guns.

At 2-0 p.m., Battalion Headquarters moved up to Cheval Blanc, but the attacking Companies still reported that they were unable to advance, and, to add to our difficulties, we were not in touch with the French on our right nor could our patrols find any trace of them.  On the whole of our front the enemy had probably not more than eight machine guns, but so cleverly were they placed and so well were they served that we found it impossible to dislodge them with our weapons.  Artillery or better still Stokes mortars would no doubt have cleared the country very quickly, but these were not for the time obtainable, so, until they arrived, Col.  Digan determined to make every effort to find the French and protect the right flank.  Capt.  Pierrepont was ordered to send out frequent patrols towards Etroeungt, and, as we now had no Battalion reserve, Col.  Digan asked for two Companies of the 4th Battalion to help us.  These soon arrived, and while one, Capt.  Holden’s, remained with us at Cheval Blanc, the other, Capt.  Scaramowicz’s, took up a defensive flank position along the Brigade Southern boundary.  At last, just as it was getting dark, Capt.  Pierrepont reported having found the French in Etroeungt, and so this flank was now secure, though it had cost us the loss of 2nd Lieut.  Byles and Serjt.  Stretton who were both wounded.  In spite of this, the forward Companies were still unable to advance, and we remained in these positions all night.

In view of the fact that the Boche was now running away, our casualties during the day had been heavy, and the Staff therefore decided on a different plan for the next morning.  The Cavalry were to come up at dawn and we were not to move until they had reconnoitred the country, so that if they reported the enemy still holding out, the Artillery would be ordered to cover our advance with a small barrage.  There was no doubt that the German retreat was continuing