The Raid on Fosse 4 at AVION - July 23, 1917

The dust settled by the mid-morning of July 23rd when the Officers started to report their casualties. The adjutant had recorded in the Battalion diary the grim tally from the ‘successful raid’.

Killed in Action

Officers 5 Other Ranks 25

Wounded

Officers 3 Other Ranks 42

This was the cost of proving to the Regimental and Divisional leadership that Lt Col Sam Sharpe had indeed been up to the task and the 116th Battalion was skilled and ready to be used in future operations. However, for the Lt Col, these were not just regular soldiers and officers. For him they were close friends and family. Sharpe lost his cousin, Lt Charles Lennox in the overnight raid. Lt Thomas Hutchison was a close personal and family friend. He was killed heading back to Battalion Headquarters after the raid had ended. Sharpe had personally recruited many of the men who fell and personally had to write letters to their next of kin informing them of the loss. With each letter, the Lt Col slowly and steadily became another casualty of the war. Each letter represented another wound…something that could not so easily be bandaged up. And with the resounding success of the battalion’s efforts, this would just guarantee that more letters would need to be written in the future.

The following is the account of the raid as written by the Adjutant.

Appendix 2

Narrative of the night of July 22/23 July 1917

When the news was communicated to the 116th Battalion that it has been selected to make a raid on the enemy’s front-line system north of AVION, a thrill of satisfaction ran through the ranks. Now was the opportunity! The advent of the Battalion to France was under anything but favourable circumstances, as it has been selected to replace an old and tried battalion, whose Officers, N.C.O.s and men had many friends who naturally resented the old Battalion being broken up and replaced by the 116th. It had been kept in reserve for six months, those in authority hesitating about trying out a new inexperienced unit. It did much pioneer work, carried rations, made roads, dug trenches and utilized in constructing dugouts, suffered casualties and held front line positions. All ranks carried on with a willing spirit, at the same time, restive and impatient for a “go” at the enemy.

And now their time had come! Such an exceptional opportunity was rarely presented to a Battalion. The Army wanted a demonstration in force made on the AVION sector, to detract the enemy’s attention from another part of the Line, and the 116th Battalion, the junior fighting unit of the Corps, had been selected for this task. It seemed as though Brigadier General F. W. Hill D.S.O. and G.O.O. of the Brigade had arranged a “one-night” show to test out the Battalion. It had the arena to itself, the other Canadian Battalion looking on with sympathetic but doubtful expectancy! Would the 116th be up to the task? For ten days the unit was withdrawn form the Line. Tapes laid out and daily practice held. Generals Lipsett and Hill and Divisional and Brigade Staff rendered every assistance, every minute detail was provided for, and daily and night practices were held to enable each man to familiarize himself with his position and duties. All ranks bent their energies to the work in hand, daily reconnaisance by the Staff, Company and Platoon Officers, and by selected N.C.O.’s were made of the position, so that the leaders could take them men over the ground on the darkest night.

The position was difficult to attack. The assembly position was south of QUEBEC ROAD, among ruined and broken-down houses, amidst shell holes and barbed-wire entanglements, and in advancing, the Battalion had to proceed over irregular and broken ground, over steep depressions, over brick yards and brick kilns, through shell holes with a slag heap on the left, honeycombed with dugouts, alive with Germans. On the right a labyrinth of German trenches called the “Mericourt Maze”. The final objective was the Railway Embankment, twenty feet in height; behind which were known to be strong dugouts, trench mortar and machine gun emplacements. In addition, noted an attack was anticipated and were “standing to” for two or three nights expecting an attack.

A relief had taken place the night before, and the position was defended by fresh troops of the 61st German Division, lately brought from Gilesia.

A searchlight from the right front from the back area, lit up the heavens by it’s piercing rays, but the Railway Embankment was too high to permit of it playing on our assembling troops.

We moved from the BERTHONVAL FARM AREA on the night of the 18th of July 1917 and took over from the 5th C.M.R.’s in the RED Trench.

The artillery commenced on the 19th of July to cut wire and demolish enemy trenches along the Railway Embankment and in front of METAL TRENCH. (German Front Line)

The Scout Officer Lieut. Proctor (John Alexander Proctor – 25, Beaverton) and Sergt. Bonner (Arthur Bernard Bonner, 26, Cedar Grove), led out special patrols each night composed of Scouts and Non-Commissioned Officers from the assaulting platoons to reconnoiter the ground and cut gaps in the wire, through which the Platoons were to be led. Each night selected Scouts and N.C.O.’s went up to the designated routes for this purpose. Scouts were also told off to accompany the different Platoons to their objectives, with instructions to secure all possible information in reference to dugouts, trench mortar, machine gun emplacements, etc.

All Ranks give well merited praise to the value and efficiency of the services rendered by the Scouts and the success in assembling the troops into their assembly positions in the face of the difficulties encountered was due to the splendid organization and familiarity of the Scouts and N.C.Os with the ground and all approaches thereto.

On the night of the attack, as it had been ascertained that some wire had still to be cut on the right of the position, a number of Scouts and N.C.O’s were told off to complete the work and to lay down tapes where the troops were to assemble for launching the attack and to indicate the lines through the wire in the direction of the objective.

D Company furnished a covering party which was pushed out on MEANDER TRENCH about 25 yards north of QUEBEC RD and the work of laying tapes and cutting wire commenced. By the time the work had been done satisfactorily it was nearby midnight, and the Platoons were commencing to arrive in the vicinity of their assembly positions.

EQUIPMENT

Each man was equipped lightly for the operation carrying 50 rounds of S.A.A. in bandolier, a box respirator at the alert position, four Mills bombs in his pockets, rifle and bayonet; each bomber in addition carried twelve bombs and each grenadier ten grenades. “B” and “C” Companies. Mopping up parties has ten mobile charges each and “A” Coy. had 5. Those detailed to furnish the advanced posts were in addition fully equipped with full water bottles and twenty-four hours rations.

In order that each man could be readily organized in the dark by his Comrades, a square patch of cheese cloth was fastened with a safety pin on each man’s back and on his respirator and about one hundred small electric flash lights were distributed among the N.C.O.’s and men for use in searching dugouts after the objective had been reached.

ORGANIZATION

The Companies were organized into three platoons and were to reach their assembly positions by the following routes:

“A” Company No. 1 Platoon on AVION front line trench and MEANDER communication trench.

No. 2 and 3 Platoons by AVION front line and the right communication trench, thence across the street to a row of demolished houses thence through the ruins to the Jumping-off lines

“B” Company By TORONTO RD and thence to rear of “A” Coy on the left flank

“C” Company Same routes as No. 2 and 3 Platoons of “A” Coy and assemble in rear of “A” Coy on the right flank.

ASSEMBLY

About midnight, the Platoons were being led quietly and stealthily into position. Then suddenly the bells in the German trenches, not a hundred yards from the right flank began to ring. Gas fumes began to make their way over to our positions. No one could tell whether the gas was merely lachrymatory or poisonous, and for some minutes the success of the attack was in the balance. The situation was tense and uncertain. One platoon leader could not see, was coughing and sneezing, and another platoon had become broken in the darkness, and one half marched on, stumbling and feeling their way feebly with their gas helmets on, while the other half had lain down along the fence, and only moved when reassured that it was only tear gas; and they had to send forward some scouts to find the other half of their Platoon, and to come back for the remainder, otherwise they would be caught in the enemy barrage which was due in a few minutes. A desperate situation confronted the Battalion! If the gas attack continued, our Artillery barrage would open and its’ program would be carried out, while the assaulting troops would be incapacitated by the gas, and unable to advance, and in due course the enemy Artillery would open up with their barrage, and the helpless men, with their gas helmets on, would be wiped out without a chance for their lives.

For about thirty minutes the situation was critical and fraught with the greatest of difficulties, the darkness, the gas, the flares, the irregularities of the ground, wire entanglements, ruins, shell holes, all combined to make the assembling of troops slow and difficult. Officers and men would put on their box respirators to escape the effects of the gas and then would take them off to move forward, but would be obliged to restore their respirators again, consequently progress was slow and only by the courage of all ranks was the situation saved.

Providentially the gas became gradually dissipated, the Battalion rallied, and the Officers and men moved into their assembly position, but the last of them, owing to the great difficulties, only got into position a few minutes before ZERO hour.

All the details were carefully planned and were carried out according to orders. Even the carrying parties overcame all obstacles and were on hand according to schedule. Sergeant Deeks (Bombing Sergeant) (775860 Thomas Deeks, 20 – Brampton) had brought up a party with ammonal tubes to blow up any wire which might be unexpectedly encountered. Two of these men, Pte. Longland (690812 Private Phillip James Longland – 26, Hamilton) and Graham, got lost in the confusion, and were found later, but still carrying around in No Man’s Land the ammonal tube, and looking for their rendezvous. They were brought into lines before the barrage opened.

Lieut Sutton (Leonard Victor Sutton – 21, Bradford) had in charge of another carrying party with wire mats rolled up to be used for crossing any enemy wire not cut by our patrols or by the Artillery. Sgt. Bonner (Arthur Bernard Bonner – 26, Cedar Grove) led these to their rendezvous behind the brick pile just sought of QUEBEC ROAD, and after the Scouts had finished with their wire cutting and laying tapes, they were to lead each party of three men with a wire mat, behind each of the six platoons with the Railway Embankment as the final objective. Corpl Savage (Albert Savage – 23, Chetlenham, ON) of the Scout Section did excellent work in leading these men into their positions. These men were told off to assist the Stretcher Bearers, if necessary, in evacuating the wounded. As an evidence of the faithful performance of duty of these men, Capt. Allen (Evelyn Prestwood Seymour Allen, Adjutant – 32, Toronto, ON) of “B” Company states that when he reached the top of the Railway Embankment, he saw his party with their mats, at the final objective.

MEDICAL ARRANGEMENTS

An Advanced Regimental Aid Post was established at the junction of the ARRAS-LENS Rd. and the AVION RD. in an old cement gun-pit, which was cleaned out for the purpose. Capt. James Moore (James Moore- 45, Brooklin, ON), the MO of the unit attended the wounded with great care and determination, until daylight, when an observation balloon took up its position immediately above it, after which vigorous shelling by the enemy made it necessary to vacate same.

COMMUNICATION

Lieut. Preston (Wilfred John Preston – 21, Toronto, ON) was in charge of Communications arrangements. A telephone line had been run up from Battalion Headquarters at AVION Rd. to be carried forward with the advance, also two lamps with signalers, were to be carried forward with the Company Commanders. The telephone wire broke early in the attack and under heavy artillery fire, it could not be repaired.

Signaler W. M. Robinson (William Milton Robinson- 18, Brooklin, ON) accompanies Capt. Allen to the final objective, and remained with the platoon, and assisted to evacuate the wounded. Signaler Mayne (Richard Labelle Mayne – 20, Uxbridge, ON) and Weir (Arthur Graham Weir – 23, Buford, ON) went with “C” Company to the final objective. Their lamps could not be read owing to the gas, the dust, and dense smoke owing to the action of the Artillery.

THE ATTACK

ZERO hour was at one o’clock and at that hour the barrage opened, first with a few shots here and there, and then heavens seemed to suddenly open the floodgates on the abandoned and terrified Huns, who fled, those of them who survived to the dugouts for protection. During the barrage “A” Company had crept across QUEBEC RD and got a footing on the far side and “B” and “C” Companies crept into the places vacated by “A” Company on the North side of the road.

Exactly at ZERO hour plus three minutes, the first line of “A” Company advanced, with Capt. H. Gould (Harold Victor Gould – 30, Uxbridge, ON) well in front, revolver in hand, encouraging his men as cool as on parade. No. 1 Platoon on the left under Lieut F.W. Ott (Franklin Walter Ott – 25, Port Credit, ON) with Sgt S.A. Watson (643986 Stanley Alvin Watson – 24, Orillia) to assist, had to contend with great difficulties. The platoon was heavily shelled at AVION trench and five casualties resulted, and while Lieut Ott was looking after the casualties, Sgt Watson started to take the Platoon into position. It was stopped by the gas, and the men had to put on their helmets several times, and progress was very slow. They were continually stopped. Finally get got into MEANDER Trench, but the gas was very bad, and Sgt Watson, who wears glasses, had to put on his box respirator, and then was entirely unable to see so he crawled along on his hands and knees along the O Trench and his men groped after him. Again the enemy shelled very heavily and delayed the Platoon. When the Platoon got into its’ position it was found that about half of the men were missing. Sgt Watson started immediately down MEANDER Trench to find them, which he did near AVION Trench, and all were wearing box respirators. He got them back and led them to the jumping off line, and got the whole platoon into position just in time to be ready for ZERO Hour. Sgt Watson led the Bombing Platoon around the slag heap, and put in the box, and started to deal with the dugouts, going up the CT. Many Germans jumped out of the trench and started towards the slag heap and threw the cylindrical sticks at the attacking party. They were killed on the spot.

Pte Johnson W. M. (William Moses Johnson – 22, Flint, Michigan) No. 1 Lewis Gunner went up with his crew in the slag heap and swept the top of the same. He fired all his pans and got more, and although two of his men were wounded, he kept the enemy at bay on the slag heap, and when his ammunition was running out and men were being killed and wounded, he withdrew, fighting and covering the posts as he withdrew. He brought in his Lewis gun thoroughly exhausted, but full of fight.

Corpl. D. McLean (643928 Donald McLean – 29, Orillia, ON) was in charge of the mopping up party for the No. 1 Platoon and did excellent work. He and Pte. McDonald along with Sgt Watson and others, killed many of the enemy, and brought in one Officer and five men as prisoners. Owing to the refractory conduct of some of its’ prisoners, they had to kill three or four before their six prisoners submitted tamely and came along to Battalion Headquarters. Pte. Kissick (James Kissick – 25, Swansea, ON) of “A” Company went along with Pte. Ed Carnaby (James Edward Carnaby – 25, Beaverton, ON) of “B” Company to the rear with three prisoners. On their way around the slag heap they saw Germans coming out of dugouts. They rounded up fifteen and marched eighteen back as prisoners to Battalion Headquarters.

No 2 Platoon of “A” Company, under Lieut. Blandy (Oliver Roland Blandy – 27, Hamilton, ON), was in the center, and met with little opposition. METAL Trench had been done in by our Artillery. Lieut. Blandy himself, went into a dugout and got four prisoners and handed them over to Pte Wrigley (Robert John Wrigley- 24, Toronto, ON) and Scout Hunter (William Edward Hunter – 26, Hamilton, ON) who was wounded in the arm. These two men got the prisoners back to QUEBEC when a shell killed two of them and buried Pte Wrigley. The other prisoners started to run away and Scout Hunter shot them. Pte Wrigley went back to his Platoon in METAL Trench.

No 3 Platoon of “A” Company under Lieut Joseph Hughes (Joseph Henry Hughes – 30, Toronto, ON) was on the right. This Officer displayed great gallantry and coolness in his leadership, both in getting to his assembly position, and also in taking his platoon to its objectives. He himself shot two Germans who were trying to train their guns on our men and put the gun out of action. The men were greatly inspired by his action.

“B” and “C” Companies followed close on the heels of “A” Company, and proceeded to the final objective, meeting with stubborn and persistent resistance – Machine Guns from the flanks and the Embankment. It is reported there is a tunnel under the Embankment with a Gallery in which are Machine Guns with a field of fire towards our front and flanks.

Capt Allen and Major Currie (Martin Currie – 39, Calgary AB) both displayed great coolness and “B” and “C” Companies marched slowly to the final objective, and when it was reached, Officers and N.C.O.’s and men threw themselves upon the enemy on the opposite side, where a desperate hand to hand conflict took place. Lieut C Simpson Lennox (Charles Simpson Lennox – 19, Toronto, ON) of “B” Company was in command of No. 5 Platoon on the left. He had a very difficult flank to handle, but did his work most thoroughly. Capt. Allen reports that his posts from the first objective to the Railway Embankment were placed as cooly as on parade. He placed three blocks, one on each side of the Embankment, and one in the Trench north of the Railway. Corpl. Kelly (Rayford Ennis Kelly – 24, Oshawa, ON) was wounded. Corpl. Congdon (Orren John Congdon – 23, Atherley, ON) and Corpl. Fairman (John James Fairman – 21, Sunderland, ON) were among the missing. Lieut Lennox was seen over the Embankment by Scout Kent and had completed his work and had started to return on receiving the withdrawal signal. Sgt Drew (Oliver Cecil Drew – 23, Cannington, ON) his platoon Sergeant was a school teacher near Cannington, and a most capable N.C.O. He is also missing. Lieut Gibson (John Alexander Gibson – 29, Toronto, ON) and Lieut Crabtree (Maurice Crabtree – 24, Toronto, ON), respectively in charge of No. 6 and 7 platoons, reached their final objectives, encouraging and leading their platoons with Great gallantry. The latter brought in two prisoners single-handed.

“C” Company was led to its’ objective by Major Currie. Lieut J.A. Hughes was a brave young officer, who had only lately joined the Battalion. He was wounded but continued to lead and direct his men. Lieut Yorke (Roy Lionel Edward Yorke – 25, Toronto, ON) was wounded at the jumping off line, and his platoon was without his services. Lieut Neil (Frank Scott Neil – 27, Harriston, ON) was killed before reaching the final objective, and his last words to his Sergeant were “Carry on, Sergeant Go on as if I were with you.” He was a most capable and gallant officer. Major Currie had to do double work, having lost the services of these two Officers. Without any hesitation, he immediately shouted to his men to follow him, and led his Company with conspicuous bravery to and over the railway embankment. His fine example was an inspiration to all ranks. He brought back to Advanced Battalion Headquarters three prisoners, single-handed and although wounded in the face, he continued to lead and direct his Company throughout.

The work of destruction completed, the two companies “B” and “C” withdrew as ordered, covered by a section of each platoon, acting as a rear guard.

Observation Posts were left on the Railway Embankment, where the right and left communications trenches intersected it, and supporting posts were establish on each flank.

“A” Company remained in METAL Trench until “B” and “C” Companies had completed their withdrawal.

“D” Company in local reserve, with Captain Ritchie in Command, occupying AVION Trench had organized Scouts under Lieuts Weber (George Roy Weber – 25, Hamilton, ON) and Lick (Vernon Cuthburt Lick – 22, Embro, ON) , which were to relieve at daybreak, the posts left by “B” and “C” Companies. Lieut Lick, however, was killed by a shell near METAL Trench, and his Sergeant and Corporal were wounded. Lieut Weber went up on the left and reached METAL Trench, but at 4:45 am the Germans had counterattacked in force, and our posts withdrew, fighting, as ordered.

Pte Dan MacDonald of “B” Company fought off and killed many Germans swarming over the Railway Embankment and brick kilns. His gallant conduct and coolness saves many men on the posts, as he himself did not retire until wounded, and then he withdrew, bringing in his Lewis Gun. Pte J. McRae (John McRae – 30, Oshawa, ON) and Robt. Butler (Robert Butler – 20, Lorneville, ON), when coming in, captured sixteen Germans, and brought then safely to Battalion Headquarters.

When it was learned that Lieut. Lick was killed, and Lieut Weber was missing Capt. Ritchie (David Ritchie – 35, Calgary, AB), commissioned Sergeant Houston (Fraser Charles Alfred Houston – 20, Toronto, ON) to lead a party up MEANDER Communication Trench and assist the posts. Sgt, Houston and his party got out between METAL Trench and the Railway Embankment, and attack from the flank. They withdrew fighting to METAL Trench and down the C.T. taking the balance of the men on the posts with them. Stiff fighting took place all the way back and when they got to the slag heap some of the Germans intercepted the way, and were killed. Further down, the party was cut off by Germans coming around the slag heap. Many of them were killed. Sgt. Houston personally dispatched four and took one prisoner. Having been wounded in the face, he withdrew to the Regimental Aid tent, taking with him several wounded men, and had his wound dressed, and returned and carried on until his Company was relieved. His conspicuous bravery and gallant conduct inspired the men and saved many on our posts. His devotion to duty was most marked and his fortitude won him the admiration of his comrades.

ARTILLERY

The attack was preceded and supported as set out in the operation order, by excellent Machine Gun and Artillery fire, supplied by the 3rd C.D.A., 4th C.D.A, 179th A.F.A and D/5, D/11 and D/18 Howitzer batteries, R.F.A.

The Canadian C.H.A. also supported the operation.

Liaison Field and Heavy Artillery Officers were present at the Battalion Advanced Headquarters in AVION Trench and rendered prompt and effective assistance and responded within seconds to our posts, S.O.S. Signals and the enemy counter-attacked.

SUMMARY

The Battalion has attacked over a frontage of 600 yards to a depth of 400 yards, taking both objectives, killing many Germans , destroying dugouts with mobile charges, capturing a trench mortar, a machine gun and bringing back to our own lines 55 prisoners including one Officer.

Our losses were considerable but small in comparison to the losses inflicted on the enemy. Lieut Neil and Lieut Lick were killed. Lieut T.W. Hutchison (Thomas Wilson Hutchison – 27, Uxbridge, ON), the Assistant Adjutant and Lewis Gun Officer was killed by a shell when returning to rear Battalion Headquarters. Lieut Simpson Lennox and Weber are missing. Lieut Irwin (Thomas Arnold Irwin – 23, Hamilton, ON) and Palmer were slightly wounded, and Lieut Blandy severely gassed and all evacuated to the hospital. Major Currie and Lieut Hughes were wounded but remain on duty. Other Ranks killed 9, Missing 20, Wounded 28, gassed 6.

CONGRATULATIONS

Messages of congratulations were received from G.O.O. of the 9th infantry Brigade , Gen. F. W. Hill, also from G.O.O. of Division, Gen. Lipsett, also from Corps Commander as well as the Commander-in-Chief.

These types of messages help to mitigate our grief in respect to our losses, and having won the appropriation of those in the Higher Command, we feel conscious of having performed our duty.

Gen. Lipsett, G.O.O. of the 3rd Division accompanies by Brig-Gen Hill G.O.O. of the 9th Brigade inspected the battalion on the day after we came out of the line, and in very happy terms, they both expressed their appreciation of the work of the Battalion and complimented all ranks of the success of the operation.

Sam Sharpe

Lt Col Commanding 116th Canadian Infantry Battalion