Sir Joseph John Talbot Hobbs personal diaries, Vol. III. (3 February 1917 to 9 May 1918)
all through the latter part of the day The enemy has repeatedly counter attacked but has always failed with heavy loss. On our left at 7 p.m. he advanced in three waves got through partially our Artillery barrages only to be wiped out with our Rifle & Lewis gun fire. The main points of the battle were 1. The anxiety for my right flank through the Bosche breaking in on the 33rd Div & establishing M. G. on my right & enfilading my 15th Bde. 2. Having to use my R. Bde to assist the 98 Bd. 3. Heavy losses throughout Tuesday 25th by Enemy Artillery. 4 G.O.C. 15th Infy Bde. declared at 8 p.m. that impossible to go on with attack in the morning as three of his Bns had been wiped out almost I gave him 31st & 29 Bns of the 8th Bde in Reserve & told him the Attack would go on. then he said all his guides etc were shot. I said get more. the attack must go on & the Barrage (ours) must be your guide. 5 About 11.a.m on the 26th Gen Elliott G.O.C. 15th Bde. said his men go no further than the original line on extreme right & the Red line on their left as the 29th & 31st had suffered so badly & the 33rd had not come up. I told him to push on with what he had got & guard his right with the 57 Bn. O/C of the 29th wired me for help I would however not touch my two reserve Bns & ordered him (through his G.O.C.) to go on & hold on. 6. The destruction of Tapes & other marks for forming up place & tracks to same. 7. The blowing up of all our [Page] 106.