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The Wellington Regiment (NZEF) 1914 - 1919

Chapter XLIV

page 287

Chapter XLIV.

HapHncourt — Bertincourt—Havrincourt Wood — Villers-au-Flos.

Pressure on the, enemy was to be continued relentlessly. So far as the IV. Corps was concerned, on the right, the 42nd Division was to capture Villers-Au-Flos: on the left, the 5th Division was to seize Delsaux Farm and the high ground east of Beugny. The New Zealand Division in the centre, was to drive the enemy off the broad crest overlooking Haplineourt.

In accordance with these plans, the attack was launched shortly after 5 o'clock on the morning of the 2nd September, and, by nightfall, after a day of hard fighting, the Second Brigade had established itself in advance of the objective assigned to the New Zealand Division; the 42nd Division had early captured Villers-au-Flos and the 5th Division had taken Delsaux Farm, but had been checked in front of Beugny.

On the following day, the advance was continued. Haplincourt was at once taken. The 42nd Division early reached Bavastre, and pushed on through Haplincourt Wood. Beugny, yesterday so formidable, now fell without opposition to the 5th Division. In the centre of the advance, the New Zealand Division made rapid progress. By 9.30 a.m., the Second Brigade had reached the western edges of Velu Wood, and the outskirts of Bertincourt, and by mid-day, Bertincourt itself was in our hands. General Russell now moved his headquarters forward to Fremicourt.

In view of the enemy's retirement, the III. Army issued order for the advance to be continued the following day.

page 288

During the night, the enemy fell back from Ruyaulcourt and, on the ]]iorning of the 4th, the Second Brigade pushed patrols through it and established posts on its outskirts. As soon as it was daylight. British observation balloons went up very close behind the front line.

At 7 o'clock in the morning, the advance was resumed. On the New Zealand Division's front, the Second Brigade again pushed forward, clearing Ruyaulcourt of every vestige of the enemy, capturing Pauper trench, and moving forward to high ground, from which could bo seen Havrinconrt Wood.

During the afternoon, the advance on the left reahied within six hundred yards of the Wood; but, on the right, the 42nd Division was checked in front of Neuville-Bourgonval. In the evening, the 42nd Division renewed its efforts against that village and succeeded in enpinring (he northern half of it, although the southern portion still remained in the hands of the enemy, and it was not until late the following afternoon that the whole of Neuville-Bourgonval was in possession of the 42nd. Division. By 7 o'clock on the night of 5th, the line was established all along the sunken road some six hundred yards from Havrincourt Wood.

The IV. Corps on the right, was now also over the Canal du Nord, and VI. Corps on the left, had reached its western bank near Hermies. The enemy was still to be harried by our advanced guards wilh the object of driving in his rearguards and outposts, and ascertaining his dispositions. With a view to the early resumption of the offensive on a bis scale, troops were now to be rested as much as possible, resources conserved, and communications improved. As many divisions as possible were to be withdrawn into reserve for rest and training.

In accordance with this policy, on the night of the 5th September, the IV. Corps front, hitherto held by three divisions, was reconstituted so as to be held by two divisions only, viz:—the 37th Division and the New Zealand Division. This increase of frontage made it necessary for the Second Brigade to put three battalions in the front line, with one in support. 2nd Wellington was now moved forward to the Beugny line page 289and placed at the disposal of General Young, commanding the Second Brigade, as a counter-attack battalion.

On the 6th September, the Second Brigade continued the advance, meeting with but little opposition. At Metz, there was some resistance; but, by late in the afternoon, 1st Otago had taken that village. By 10 o'clock that night, the Second Brigade had advanced two miles, and penetrated a considerable distance intn Hnvrmcourt Wod. At daylight, on the 7th, the Second Brigade regained touch with the 37th Division, and pushing forward, found itself confronted with the Trescault Ridge. The enemy had now been driven back to within three miles of his notorious Hindenburg line.

On the night of the 7th, in pitch darkness, the Rifle Brigade took over the line from the Second Brigade, who now withdrew to positions in support.

The first effort against, Trescault Ridge and the other high ground was made on the 9th September, when the V. Corps on the right, attacked with the Rifle Brigade protecting the V. Corps' left flank. Hard fighting waged throughout the day. The stubborness of the enemy and the strength of his counter-attacks made it clear that he intended to maintain a deep outpost zone in front oi' his main line of resistance. Plans had, however, been already completed for a resumption of the advance on a. grand scale. As a preliminary to an attempt to break the Hindenburg line, the III. Army was to capture the enemy's outposts including Trescault Ridge. The main attack was fixed for 12th September, and the New Zealand Division's task was to storm Trescault Ridge along with the 37th Division.

Meantime, how had the Regiment been faring? Since the 1st September, 1st Wellington had been having a comparatively easy time. On the 6th, the First Brigade had become divisional reserve, and 1st Wellington had moved to positions north of the Bancourt-Haplincourt Road, while the 2nd Battalion had moved to Villers-au-Flos. Both battalions remained in these positions until the 11th. Some training was done in fine weather, and a good deal of time was devoted to salvaging and clearing up the area.

page 290

On the First Brigade becoming the Brigade in support on the 11th, 1st Wellington moved forward and took over from 1st Otago in Berlincourt, and the area forward of that village, while 2nd Wellington moved to Neuville-Bour- gonval.