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[Page 47]

17-4-18
4-45 pm.  Enemy resumed gas bombardment of BOIS de L'ABBE, BOIS d'AQUENNE and VILLERS-BRET.
6 pm  Prisoner reports enemy intention to capture VILLERS-BRET and CACHY Ridge. 
6-5 pm  Gas bombardment ceased.  Estimated 12,000 gas shells fired.
7.45 pm  33rd Bn reports 5 Officers and 150 O.Rs gassed.
12 mn  33rd Bn advised total strength of Bn 6 Offs and 183 O.Rs. 58th Div advise that Counter attack Bn, 174th Bde, heavily gassed and now unfit to maintain role. 35th Bn ordered top assume this role.

18-4-18
12-15 am  35th Bn advised of new role.
12-30 am  36th Bn ordered to send forward one Coy to strengthen the garrison of VILLERS-BRET.
6 am  Enemy commenced heavy bombardment of same area.
2-30 pm  10 Officers and 139 O.Rs reinforcements arrived and immediately sent to reinforce 33rd Bn.  All troops ordered to forward defences of  VILLERS-BRET by Div. Gas Officer.
5 pm  Lieut-Col L.J.MORSHEAD D.S.O., C.O. 33rd Bn gassed.
6 pm  Decided to relieve 33rd Bn by 36th Bn (less one Coy)
11-10 pm  The relief complete.  Remnant of 33rd Bn to billets at BOVES.  9th A.L.T.M. Bty report 4 Offs, 35 O.Rs. gassed, including O.C.

19-4-18
10 am  Enemy continued to shell VILLERS-BRET with H.E

20-4-18
10 am  34th and 35th Bns relieved by 23rd Inf. Bde.   Bns moved to FRANVILLERS and LAHOUSSOYE respectively.
4 pm  B.H.Q. moved to Chateau FRECHENCOURT
Location of H.Q. at nightfall -  FRECHENCOURT
7-30 pm  2nd Devons relieved 36th Bn and 9th A.L.T.M. Bty in VILLERS-BRET.  36th Bn to LAHOUSSOYE.  9th A.L.T.M. Bty to BOVES.

21-4-18
33rd and 36th Bns arrived in new area.  33rd by Motor lorry as they were unfit to march owing to gas.
3 pm  Bde rejoined 3rd Aust. Division, who ordered reconnaissance of 2nd Zone Line from BONNAY to HEILLY and Bridgehead Line covering River ANCRE crossings.

22-4-18
10 am  Conference re furnishing nucleus garrison for Bridgehead Line and BONNAY-HEILLY Line
5.45 pm  Army Commander, Genl RAWLINSON, called on Brigadier.
11-30 pm  Information received that 4th Prussian Guards Division will attack VILLERS-BRET at 3 am on the 23rd inst.  Attack did not eventuate.

23-4-18
10-30 am  Orders issued to Units for moves in case of attack.
11 pm  Our artillery carried out vigorous counter preparations.

Current Status: 
Completed