Monday 19th March 1917 from
our correspondent in the field
The 2nd
Battalion near Agny south-west of Arras advanced yesterday into trenches
vacated by the enemy. Last evening they were ordered to see if the village of
Mercatel was occupied, which it was. Patrols were again pushed into the village
about 9 pm last night and found that the enemy patrols had withdrawn and that
the enemy were now shelling the village.
About 2.30
this morning Second Lieutenant A F Aldridge with a platoon of C Company joined
Second Lieutenant A W Joyce and they both pushed forward, Second Lieutenant
Joyce with his platoon to the eastern edge of the village and Second Lieutenant
Aldridge to the high ground shown on the map above in blue. About 7 am a German
cavalry patrol of six men was fired on by Second Lieutenant Aldridge’s party,
but no casualties were seen.
Second Lieutenant Aldridge [X550/1/81]
So far
Mercatel and the high ground beyond had been taken by patrols. It was now time
for a major advance. At 7.30 am orders were received for an advance on Mercatel
in conjunction with 2/10th Battalion, London Regiment on our right and the 20th
Battalion, King’s (Liverpool) Regiment on the left.
The Battalion
was formed up ready for the attack, C and D Companies forming the attacking
waves, A Company in support, and B Company in reserve in Malplaquet Trench and
headquarters near the railway and le Chat Maigre (both also shown in blue).
The advance
did not take place until 10.30, as the 2/10th London Regiment did not come up
until then. Mercatel was reached without opposition and a little shelling. About
12 noon the leading Companies got as far as the high ground previously occupied
by Second Lieutenant Aldridge and dug in here, as the Londoners had not come up
on the right.
At 3.30 pm
orders were given for C and D Companies to push on and dig in along their
objective on the Beaurains to Boyelle Road which they did under considerable
shell fire, as they were digging in full view of the enemy who were in Neuville
Vitasse and the ridge south-east of it. On seeing our men advancing the 2/10th
London Regiment advanced shortly after and joined up on the right along the
Road. Touch was also at once gained with the 20th King’s (Liverpool) Regiment
along the road on the left (shown in green on the map). This formed the main
position and small posts were pushed out about 150 yards in front of it,
forming an outpost line. By dusk the men were well dug in.
Source: X550/3/WD
