A Short History of the 6th Division Part 13

18. _General attack_ to capture high ground overlooking St.

Quentin--71st Infantry Brigade on right, with D.L.I.

attached to capture Holnon--16th Infantry Brigade on left --latter advanced 3,000 yards--former held up by Quadrilateral--right made little progress as French failed to capture Round and Manchester Hills on right flank.

19. Attack renewed on Quadrilateral but unsuccessful.

20-23. Digging new a.s.sembly trenches and bombarding Quadrilateral with heavy artillery.

24. Attack on whole IX Corps front--18th Infantry Brigade on right, 16th Infantry Brigade on left--fighting all day; half Quadrilateral captured by nightfall.

1st Leicesters, attached to 18th Infantry Brigade, captured Douai Trench east of Holnon at 10.30. p.m. by moonlight.

25. Gradual completion of capture of Quadrilateral. Selency Village captured--Position consolidated.

26-30. On position.

Sept. 30 to Oct. 1. Relief of Division by the French.

Oct. 1-3. Resting in Tertry area.

4. Division relieved 46th Division--D.H.Q. at La Baraque, 71st Infantry Brigade at Magny la Fosse, 16th Infantry Brigade took over line with 139th Infantry Brigade (46th Division) left at Sequehart under 6th Division.

7. 71st relieved part of 16th Infantry Brigade on left next to 30th American Division.

8. _General attack_ towards Bohain--71st Infantry Brigade on left, 16th Infantry Brigade on right, 18th Infantry Brigade in Divisional Reserve with West Yorks (attached to 16th Infantry Brigade) attacking up valley, French on right--all objectives gained by night.

Oct. 8-9. Took over part of line by night from 30th American Division and handed over part to 46th Division.

9. Attack under a barrage at dawn towards Bohain and Fresnoy --Bohain captured during night by 9th Norfolks.

10. Advance by 71st Infantry Brigade to high ground 2,000 yards east of Bohain--46th Division on right.

11. Reconnaissance in force by 71st Infantry Brigade brought to a standstill by machine-gun fire.

11-12. 18th Infantry Brigade relieved 71st Infantry Brigade by night.

12. 18th Infantry Brigade reconnaissance in force at 4.30 p.m.

made a little ground.

14. 71st Infantry Brigade relieved 18th Infantry Brigade.

16-17. 16th and 18th Infantry Brigades moved to north for general attack on 18th, with 30th American Division on left and 46th Division on right. Brig.-Gen. Walker wounded.

18. _General attack_ through Vaux Andigny--16th Infantry Brigade on left, 18th Infantry Brigade on right, 71st Infantry Brigade in reserve--successful--1st Division pa.s.sed through 6th Division, which came into Corps Reserve.

19-20. Resting.

20-21. Division relieved 30th American Division in St. Souplet area --18th Infantry Brigade on right next to 1st Division, 71st Infantry Brigade on left next to 25th Division--D.H.Q.

Becquigny.

23. _General attack_ to gain high ground overlooking Sambre Ca.n.a.l--zero 1.30 a.m.--18th Infantry Brigade successful on right--71st Infantry Brigade on left, disorganized by gas sh.e.l.ling in a.s.sembly position and losing the barrage by reason of the high fences and the mist, gained most of their objectives by the afternoon.

23-24. 16th Infantry Brigade relieved 71st Infantry Brigade by night and pushed on, completing capture of final objective.

Oct. 28. 71st Infantry Brigade relieved 18th Infantry Brigade.

30. Successful attack on a farm by 1st The Buffs.

30-31. Division relieved by 32nd Division, went to rest at Fresnoy le Grand.

Nov. 6. Division moved to Bohain.

11. Hostilities ceased.

14. Division marched to area Catillon-Mazinghien-Vaux Andigny.

15. To area Prisches-Le Sart-Catillon.

16. To area Avesnes-Favril.

17. Halt.

18. To area Solre le Chateau-Dompierre.

19. Tail closed to Dimechaux-Sars Poteries.

20. _March to the Rhine commenced._

To area Barbencon-Thirimont. Tail at Solre le Chateau.

23. Tail closed to Barbencon-Beaumont.

24. To area Leneffe-Fraire-Walcourt-Boussu.

Nov. 25th to Dec. 1. Halt.

Dec. 2. To area Mettet-Flavion-Morialme. Tail at Leneffe-Fraire.

3. To area Sommieres-Onhaye.

4. To area Bouvignes-Anhee. Tail at Mettet-Biesmeree.

5. H.Q. Group and 71st Infantry Brigade crossed Meuse and went to Crupet-Braibant-Purnode.

16th and 18th Infantry Brigades closed to river at Anhee-Bouvignes. Tail at Gerin-Maredret.

6. 16th and 18th Infantry Brigades crossed Meuse Division in area Achet-Hamois-Ciney. Tail at Yvoir.

7. Halt.