46th Division attack on ST QUENTIN CANAL and HINDENBERG LINE.

Much has been written about the storming of the Hindenburg line at Bellenglise by the 46th North Midland Division and the 1/6th Battn gallantly played their part.

At 9.30 AM the order was received for the Battalion to move up to positions vacated by the 8^th SF. These Battn were to follow up closely keeping touch with the 8^th SF.

However, the Companies had already begun to move forward and since there was a very thick fog it was impossible to keep any communication. However all Companies got to the second assembly position and were ordered to push on over Canal.

The Canal was crossed between 11.0 and 11.15 AM.

Two Companies on the right found the 8^th SF around the BROWN LINE and advanced with them helping to take the YELLOW LINE and clearing out dugouts on the way.

In the centre and on the left the MG fire was very heavy particularly on forward slopes of the hills. Most of the fire was coming from S of the CANAL and one battery of field guns was firing at point blank range. Since no other troops were in front of the Battn and no tanks had appeared a smoke screen was put across the ridge S of the CANAL.

The right Companies worked forward along the CANAL meeting with fairly strong MG fire but as soon as the left Companies rushed over crest of the hill at G. 35. D the Germans surrendered in large parties.

One German gun team kept firing at the tanks who were following about 500 yards behind the Battn, but the this team was shot down and two wounded prisoners taken. The field guns from S of the CANAL and the battery in ELBE ALLEY had knocked out 5 tanks by 1.10 PM.

The YELLOW LINE was reached at about 1 – 15 PM and the DOTTED BLUE LINE shortly after.

The Germans made one or two attempts to counter attack from the right flank S of the CANAL and were twice driven off by LG fire. The third time an Officer on horse back was trying to rally his men who rushed up the hill, but LG’s killed him and his horse.

The left Company and two platoons of the right Company pushed on to LIHAUCOURT and established three posts in the village by 1.30 PM. Working around to the left the Battn met the 5^th SF who came up on the left.

The casualties were

2/Lieut M. H. Paine               Killed

2/Lieut W. Bavin                   Killed

2/Lieut W. Meakin                Wounded

2/Lieut A. Mackintosh          Wounded

5 other ranks                         Killed

8 other ranks                         Missing

42 other ranks                      Wounded