had been overwhelmed in the morning. On the morning of the 22nd March the
men watched with interest tanks moving up to counter-attack, but on the
whole things were quiet. In the afternoon the shelling became heavier,
and in the distance large massed bodies of the enemy could be seen. The
first contact occurred when a German scout was wounded and captured by a
patrol. Orders were then received that the line was to be held at all
costs. The apparent strength of the position, however, inspired
confidence, and it was not till towards dusk that the first serious
casualties occurred.

About 9 p.m. further orders were received to withdraw to a ridge in the
rear, in front of Cardigny. The movement was successfully carried out in
the dark, and at dawn the new position was reconnoitred and the
dispositions completed. At 7 a.m. the startling orders were received that
the Fifth Army was about to withdraw to the west of the Somme, and
detailed instructions as to the rearguard action were issued. The
Battalion was to cover the retirement of the 5th Durham Light Infantry,
which would in turn cover a further withdrawal. Accordingly the village
of Cardigny was occupied with a view to a temporary stand. No sooner was
this done than the enemy were on the outskirts and their snipers and
machine guns were giving considerable trouble. The position soon became
untenable, and permission was obtained to withdraw. This was done without
loss, largely owing to the courage of Y Company, who, under Capt. J.F.G.
Aubin, M.C., formed the rearguard to the Battalion.

The next line of defence was a trench system on a ridge near Le Mesnil,
which overlooked the Somme to the rear. Here things were quiet, though it
was known that the enemy was working round the flanks, through Peronne on
the left and Le Mesnil on the right. There was still a considerable
amount of transport on the east of the river, and it was expected that a