This morning
another attack was mounted on the remains of the village of Bullecourt,
including the infamous Red Patch. I am delighted to report that this was
achieved by 174th Brigade of 58th (2nd/1st London) Division at the point of the
bayonet. There is a general feeling here that, with the problems in the French
army and the end of their offensive that that is the finish of any further
offensive operations around Arras, though time will tell.
Early this
morning the Germans again attacked the Highlanders in and around Roeux and its
chemical works. After some initial success these attacks were halted and then
reversed and the ruins of Roeux re-taken. Further north they succeeded in
capturing the hard-won chemical works and got as far as 300 yards west of the
station. Again, however, the advance was stemmed and a counter-attack drove the
enemy back, the remnants of the chemical works again being taken. 17th
Division, north of the highlanders has lost ground which it is hoped the
highlanders will win back this evening, the attack going in soon after I will
finish writing this piece.
We have heard
news today from Palestine. Yesterday 1st/5th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment,
in front of the Turkish defences at Gaza, had a few things to report. A new
enemy battery (about 4.2" calibre said the adjutant), began to register
and fired five rounds within a radius of 50 yards of the Battalion Headquarters.
One shell pitched onto the bank of earth, known locally as a terrace, heaped in
front of one of B Company’s bivouacs on which twelve men were having breakfast
at the time. The only casualty was a slight scalp wound caused by a piece of
earth. The system of terraces has been found highly satisfactory in getting
protection from shell fire. Last evening a patrol led by an officer to within 500
yards of a feature known as the Cactus Hedge found three bodies of our men
killed in the Second Battle of Gaza a month ago.
Source: X550/6/8
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