| War Diary April 1, 1917 - April 12, 1917 Canadian 5th Battalion |
| April 7, 1917 Trenches Weather ~ Fine Wind ~ East "C" and "D" Companies relieved "A" and "B" companies in the line. Major L. P. Tudor took command in the trenches with Major I. L. Crawford as second-in-command, Lieutenant H. D. Hadley Acting Adjutant and Lieutenant Fiske i/c Battalion Dump. "A" and "B" Companies returned to Ecoirvres for a rest. During the night "C" and "D" Companies reconnoitred their assembly positions in front of Bonnal Trench. Casualties ~ April 8, 1917 Trenches Weather ~ Fine with a few showers Winds ~ S. E. The day was mostly quiet. Our artillery put on a feint barrage for 15 minutes to which the enemy retaliated with 5.9's and 4.2's. Our artillery also used the 106 fuse for wire cutting, and we had to have the saps cleared from 8:00 a. m. to 4:00 p. m. In the evening "A" and "B" Companies special carrying party 27 O. R.'s strong, stretcher bearer party 57 O. R.'s strong, under Lieutenant Hocking and the remainder of H. Q. details arrived in the trenches. A hot meal was given to all, and they then proceded to get into the assembly positions. Casualties ~ April 9, 1917 Trenches Weather ~ Fair with a few showers Wind ~ S. E. Battalion H. Q.'s at A22.a.9.2. All Battalion in assembly positions by 1:00 a. m. Six casualties from one 5.9 shell. (1 killed*, 5 wounded - one seriously) *This would be the death of W. F. Smith. 8th C. I. Battalion occupied tunnels and dug-outs vacated by our people. Zero Hour set for 5:30 a. m. Our Trench Strength as follows: Battalion H. Q. ~ 5 Officers Four Companies ~ 4 Officers each Total Other Ranks ~ 803 At 5:30 a. m. precisely barrage opened, and our men advanced. Black Line (first objective) gained at 6:10 a. m. ~ Casualties estimated at 200 ~ a great many of which were caused by machine gun fire. Lieutenant Hocking had his stretcher party at work immediately, and really good work was done in getting the wounded to our Regimental Aid Post. As there were too few bearers for clearing to the Field Ambulance, he used 40 prisoners for this work. Sgt. Chivers-Wilson and his dressers followed attacking closely, runner from Major Mahaffy saying that he had reached the Red Line and was sending back 70 prisoners. At 6:30 p. m. the 8th C. I. Battalion relieved us at the Red Line and we occupied part of the Black Line with Battalion H. Q. at A.17.e5.2. |
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