Battleground: Europe [00] Hindenburg Line: Cambrai - Flesquieres by Jack Horsfall

Author:Jack Horsfall [Horsfall, Jack]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Hindenburg Line, Battles, World War I, Guidebooks
Amazon: B00DN5TTRY
Publisher: Pen & Sword
Published: 2013-06-25T08:00:00+00:00

Chateau de Flesquières when in use by the Germans and before its destruction.

Battle Map 16

51st Highland Division at

the start of the attack on

Flesquières

In the afternoon the Black Watch reached Flesquières Trench, but no further advance was possible. In this fighting Second Lieutenant Clark’s platoon was held up by machine gun fire and his Lewis gun section all became casualties. He then continued to work the gun, forcing the enemy to retire, but was killed about that point. On the right Lieutenant Colonel A Long’s 1/7th Gordons also advanced up the slope alongside the Black Watch. However, in front the wire was still thick. Long thought he could advance if he could have artillery and tank support but was told to hold his hand. It was dark and the advice to wait until the morning was sound.

At dusk the 51st (Highland) Division’s attempt to take the centre of the Havrincourt-Flesquières Ridge on 20 November came to a halt. The division was virtually at the bottom of a salient with the flanking divisions successful. But, until Flesquières was taken the grand plan for Bourlon was in jeopardy. ‘Uncle Harper’ would capture it the following day very easily – indeed at no cost. So far his casualties, including the two battalions of tanks (in their case in men, if not machines’, had been incredibly light, less than eight hundred. Within the next three days this would increase to 1,570. His Division had captured 1,548 unwounded prisoners, and 5,785 German officers and men were reported missing in the fighting along the battle front at the end of the day.

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