“Up to the time of reaching a point a hundred yards in rear of the Black Line, the advance was easy.

“On crossing the small rise behind Wine House we came under very heavy machine-gun and rifle fire from both Wine House and Spree Farm.  Two platoons had to be used in driving the enemy from the above-named farms, and the casualties were heavy in this minor operation.

“Both the dug-outs at Wine House and Spree Farm were in fairly good condition, and from here with the remainder of the men we pushed forward towards Border House without much difficulty, and hence to Winnipeg, where we got into touch with the 1/6th Cheshires on our left, and proceeded to the Gravenstafel Ridge.  Being left here with only two of my men, I could do no more than reconnoitre Wurst Farm and Aviatik Farm.

“Both the dug-outs and O.P. in these farms were in fairly good condition, but must have been evacuated hurriedly, although no documents of any importance could be found.

“We could see at a distance of about six hundred yards more of our troops on the right, but unable to get into touch with them as the enemy held posts between us.

“On returning to the 1/6th Cheshires on our left, a counter-attack had already been launched against their left flank, consequently it was decided to withdraw to the Winnipeg-Kansas Cross Roads.  It was found impossible to make a stand here, so the withdrawal continued to a point where the 13th Sussex Regiment had dug themselves in on Jew Hill.

“About two hours elapsed, when it was found that a party of the enemy were getting round their left flank.  A party was at once detailed to deal with this, but at this time I became detached from this party and consequently reported back to Battalion Headquarters, then situated at Spree Farm.

“I was at once detailed to take a party up to reinforce a partly organized strong point about the dug-outs at D. 13. a. 8.0.  I found here two officers and about one hundred men.  The position was strong, but both flanks were unguarded.

“There were two machine-guns and one Lewis gun.  After a short time a strong counter-attack was made by the enemy on this position from the front which was easily beaten off, but almost simultaneously we were attacked on either flank.

“By this time, another machine-gun had been brought into position, but the Lewis gun had used up all its magazines.  A number of casualties had been caused.  We held the enemy for half an hour, and a heavy battery was shelling us considerably.  Two direct hits were obtained causing a number of casualties.  Meanwhile the enemy was advancing on either flank.  It was found that only forty or fifty men remained, and little means of escape was left, but it was decided to withdraw to a line well wired about three hundred yards in rear.  On reaching this point it was found to be untenable and the withdrawal continued to the Black Line, where some of the 165 and 166 Brigades had been digging in.