The fire took us by surprise but it did not affect in the least the high spirit and discipline which characterized all our actions.

Positions were assigned for each of the three Companies as a point of departure for the attack. Two Sections of my Machine—Gun Company were placed on the heights to cover the advance of the Infantry while: the third was held in reserve.

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The attack started at 1.40 p.m. When our tanks went over and the order was given to advance, the Battalion, including its Staff, went over the top like one man. Joe Dallet, Battalion Commissar went over with No. 1 Company on the left flank, where the fire was heaviest. He was leading the advance when he fell, mortally wounded. He behaved her- oically until the very end, refusing to permit the First Aid men to come over to him in his exposed position.

The advance, which earned the special tribute of Brigade Commander Co-pic was magnificent and worthy of veterans of many campaigns. Our Battalion advanced between 800 and 900 yards, taking positions and digging in on an important ridge directly facing the enemy strongholds; on the outskirts of the town.

Vlolumes could be written about acts of individual heroism, acts performed by men in the ranksas well as by men high in lea-dership. Space will not allow for that. I want to mention, however, comrades like Bill Neure, Commander of No. 1. Company, who was fatally wound- ed; “Izzie” Schrenzel, who seriously wounded, died later; that outstand- ing Negro comrade, Milton Herndon, leader of the Third Section of the Machine—Gun Company who was killed together with Ben Smith, when they were trying to assist the wounded on the field. i

We can also be genuinely proud of our Spanish comrades who made a splendid showing as soldiers and fighters. This was their baptism of fire also, and they showed the most inspiring courage throughout the entire offensive.

We have had enough of a t-est to prove ourselves worthy of the fight- ing traditions of the XV Brigade.

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Dr. Julius Hene, Battalion Doctor of the “lVlac.-Paps.”, who himself was wounded by a shell fragment in the above action, speaks as follows of the work of two Canadian First Aid men:

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