Summer 1918 in Flanders

1st May - 28th September 1918

After the heavy fighting on the Lys in April the 33rd Division was relieved and moved back to a rest area, the 98th Brigade marching to Blaringhem area on the 1st May, but the Brigade was only one day in this locality, for on the 2nd sudden orders were received to march to the Busseboom area, under orders of the 49th Division, until the arrival of 33rd Divisional Headquarters: the Brigade was also to be at the tactical disposal of the 19th Division in case the latter was seriously attacked. By the 3rd the 98th Brigade group was located in its new area, and at 12 noon on the 4th orders were received to relieve the 56th Brigade in the line from Ridge Wood (inclusive) to north-east of Elzenwalle: the 1st Middlesex (Lieut.-Colonel J.H. Hall) taking over the northern portion of the front line. Both on the 5th and 6th warnings were received of an intended hostile attack, but it did not materialise. Very early on the 8th, however, the enemy's guns began an intense bombardment of battery positions, back and forward areas; the French on the right were also heavily shelled. Two German prisoners, captured at 5.30 a.m., said the enemy was attacking at 7.30 a.m. with Dickebusch village and lake as their objectives. Our guns at once opened fire. At 7.45 no attack had developed along the 98th Brigade front, but ten minutes later British troops were seen falling back on the right, and at 9.15 a.m. German infantry were observed advancing along the general line Vierstraat to Hallebast cross-roads. Machine-gun and rifle fire was opened on them and they retired. The 2nd Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, on the right of the 1st Middlesex, swung back their right flank. At 7 p.m. the 19th Infantry Brigade counter-attacked and restored the situation, driving the enemy out of all the positions he had occupied. On the 11th the 98th Brigade was relieved by French Troops and marched back to camp north of Abeele. The 1st Middlesex were near Watou and here the Battalion celebrated Albuhera Day, sending the Colonel of the Regiment (Lieut.-General H. Kent) the following message: "Albuhera: Heartiest greetings from all ranks 57th." A telegram of best wishes was also received from the 77th.

14th June to 15th September 1918

It was June before the Battalion moved back into the front line again, relieving the 16th K.R.R. on the southern side of the Ypres-Comines Canal, north of Voormezeele. On the night of the 19th/20th the Battalion raided the enemy, the raiding party consisting of 2/Lieut. Jackson and 51 other ranks. But no identification was obtained though a stiff fight ensued. On the 14th of July the 1st Middlesex, in conjunction with the 2nd D.L.I., carried out a small operation "to retake G.H.Q.T. Line" which, apparently, had included Elzenwalle. This small affair was entirely successful and 41 Germans were taken prisoner, four machine guns also being captured. The remainder of the month was without incident. August found the Battalion still in the line in the Canal Sector. On the 4th of August the Middlesex moved back to Brandhoek. They went back again into the front line but on the 28th, being then out of the trenches, they entrained at St. Omer for the south: they had seen the last of the Ypres Salient. The train carried the Battalion via Aire, Berquette and St. Pol to Doullens, and at 2.15 a.m. on the 29th reached its destination. After detraining the Middlesex marched along the Doullens-Arras road to Pommera where they billeted. Fourteen days were spent in training and resting and then, on 15th of September, the 33rd Division, having joined the Vth Corps, movement orders arrived for the Middlesex to travel by bus to Les Boeufs.

16th September 1918

The 16th was spent in fitting the Battalion for the line and trenches at Equancourt (into which the Middlesex were to move) were reconnoitred. On the 17th the Battalion marched to Equancourt, on the 18th was in position just east of Dessart Wood, and on the 19th took over support positions in the 98th Brigade Sector in front (west) of Villers-Guislain. Desultory fighting went on for two or three days and then on the night 23rd/24th September, the 1st Middlesex relieved the 2nd Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders on the right of the Brigade front, the former occupying a line south-east of Villers-Guislain. That night the 100th Brigade, on the right of the Middlesex, attacked the enemy in a northerly direction. The Middlesex were to assist in the attack by bombing southwards to near the left battalion of the 100th Brigade. They bombed a certain distance but found no sign of the battalion in question. On the night of 24th/25th September Villers-Guislain was subjected to two "gas projectile shoots": a similar operation took place on the night 25th/26th. On the 26th the Battalion moved back to support positions west of Chapel Crossing. On the 28th Lieut. T. T. Sohy was wounded in the head.

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