BATTLE of ARRAS

9 [April 1917]: Zero was at 5.30am – The attack of the XIV Light Division Command at 7.30am.

1^st Objective the Harp defenses due S of Tilloy – 2^nd & final objective the Feuchy Line running roughly N&S some 800 yds E of Wancourt and about 5000 yards from the starting line.

The 42^nd and 43^rd Infantry Brigades attacked. The 41^st Infantry Brigade was kept in Divisional Reserve. At 7.30am the 41^st I Bde left the caves and assembled in the original British lines FE Sector this Battalion on the left the 7 KRRC on the right & the two 8^th Bns in rear.

At noon the Brigade moved in the same order into the German lines opposite where it spent the night. Very little enemy shelling & by the evening the 43^rd Bde was reported to be slowly getting a footing in the final objective. END

1917 April 10^th: at noon the Brigade moved in the same order towards the Feuchy line. The battalion in artillery formation D Coy on the left, C on the right, the Bn was on roughly a Company frontage. The HQ’s party followed and in rear A & B Coys followed the same formation. After a halt for a meal the battalion reassembled for the final advance and on to the final objective which had not been and entirely made good. Its orders were to relieve the 43rd Infantry Brigade and if circumstances favourable to push on beyond the Feuchy line. At this time 2 cavalry brigades came up on the left and the final move was made in conjunction with the cavalry in a heavy snowstorm which blew into the face of the enemy and to a certain ? Screened our movements.

A considerable enemy artillery barrage and heavy machine gun fire from Wancourt and the ridge behind it caused some casualties. The cavalry advance was checked by wire in front of the objective. The 43rd infantry brigade withdrew as the battalion took over this position. The cavalry did the same after dark having suffered heavily and the situation remained stationary for the time. END