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[Page 44]
[4.4.18]
arrived and were pushed forward to straighten the line. Shortly after the enemy started to reform for an assault about 700 yds from our line suffering heavily from Lewis Guns and rifles.
6 pm. Situation on left flank obscure. 34th Bn ordered to establish a line and get in touch with 33rd Bn on the right and cavalry on the left. This was successfully carried out.
6.20 pm. The 17th Lancers and 33rd BN advanced and restored our line on the left. The line now ran from P.25 d 2.5 to Cross-roads in P.31 c. Three armoured cars patrolled the streets of VILLERS-BRETONNEUX and moved out on our left flank and heavily engaged the enemy with splendid results.
11 pm. Brigadier held a Conference at VILLERS-BRETONNEUX. It was decided to attack and gain the high ground East of VILLERS-BRETONNEUX and re-establish the support line occupied by the 35th Battalion at 11 a.m. The 34th Bn was ordered to attack and capture the Railway Bridge at V.2. b. 5.7, while the other Units of the Brigade co-operated by advancing their portions of the line accordingly. This operation was carried out successfully and the line consolidated.
5.4.18
The enemy contented himself with the desultry shelling of back areas and was much more inactive than we were. During these operations it is estimated that the enemy lost about 5,000 casualties.
Our casualties were as follows :-
| Unit | Killed | Wounded | Missing | |||
| Off | O/R | Off | O/R | Off | O/R | |
| 33rd Battn | 7 | 3 | 75 | |||
| 34th Battn | 20 | 5 | 100 | |||
| 35th Battn | 3 | 45 | 6 | 191 | 44 | |
| 36th Battn | 4 | 26 | 8 | 106 | 1 | |
| 9th A.M.G.Coy | 1 | 1 | 15 | 4 | ||
| TOTALS | 7 | 101 | 23 | 435 | 40 | |
The 9th A.L.T.M. Battery was not employed in the operation, it having been decided to reserve the Battery for future operations. The Battery was attached to the 10th London Regiment and moved out into a support position on the left flank on the night of 4th/5th April.
During the operations the Medical Services worked admirably. Evacuations from Battalion R.A.Ps. was by wheeled stretchers and horse drawn ambulances, to A.D.S. on the AMIENS Road, and from A.D.S. to M.D.S. BOVES by Cars. Although confronted with innumerable difficulties the 9th Aust. Field Ambulance carried out the duties of evacuation with the greatest promptitude.