Chapter 10: THE GERMAN ONSLAUGHT

On the 21ST of March, the German Army, reinforced by Divisions released from the Eastern Front upon the collapse of Russia, made a supreme effort to crush the Allied British and French Armies, before the arrival of the massive but untried American forces.

During the night of March 20/21ST the whole of 5TH British Army front was subjected to the greatest Artillery concentrations I have ever known before or since. Our infantry battalions in the 25TH Division suffered devastating casualties, and many units ceased to exist. The Artillary had many casualties but could still function.

On our left flank was the Portuguese Army, of one division, I believe. After a day's bombardment the whole division streamed back, heading towards Paris, and leaving a serious gap on our flank.

I was snatched from my ammunition dump, given command of about fifty men from seventeen different units and assigned a sector of about three hundred yards frontage, to be held at all costs!

Although I had done basic training I was inexperienced regarding modern infantry tactics. However, there was one capable sergeant, from the Black Watch, whose calm demeanor and practical outlook I recognized and gladly made us of. We strung our men along our three hundred yards in little groups of three or four saw to it the each group had its zone of fire, lots of ammunition and rations and told them to dig in.

When the German Cavalry entered Paris, they suspected that they were being enticed into a trap and elected to hold their ground. In two days we were relieved by other troops.