SKETCH MAP OFFAMPOUX
SKETCH MAP OFFAMPOUX
SKETCH MAP OF
FAMPOUX
Fampoux, a village of fair size, was held by both sides, and as a result had few houses left standing, those to the south-west and on the island appearing to have fared the best.
The main road coming from Arras passed in succession through St. Nicolas, St. Laurent-Blangy, Athies, and Fampoux; at this point it became sunken, and then carried on eastwards through the German lines into Roeux.
From Fampoux a sunken road ran north to Gavrelle. Along this road, heavily protected by wire, ran the German front line.
Two kilometres behind, and parallel to, this portion of the German line ran the Roeux—Gavrelle road.
On the left of the sector behind this road rose Greenland Hill, flanked on its left rear by the spires and roofs of Douai.
The island originally carried the Pelves and Monchy—Le Preux roads over the Scarpe, but all the bridges being demolished, it was of little importance, and was merely held by our patrols at night.
From Feuchy to the island was a belt of marshland, bounded on the south by the Arras—Douai railway line, which roughly defined the German positions. Over these we maintained a strict watch from the hill north of the Scarpe.
The right flank of the battalion rested on Feuchy.
Several systems of support trenches ran from north to south down the sector, the most important one, Stoke Support, running parallel to the front line, and commanding it from an average distance of 400 yards.
The two main communication trenches were Camel Avenue in the north and Cam Avenue in the south.
Battalion Headquarters were situated in Cam Valley, a small depression about 400 yards long and 80 yards in width on the north side of the Arras road, north-east of Athies.
Athies, in the hands of support troops, was the ration dump for the sector, and also maintained communication over the river with Feuchy.
A battalion in reserve manned the Arras—Lens railway embankment between the Scarpe and the Arras road, finding ample and comfortable accommodation in the numerous "bivvies" and dug-outs covering its western slope.
From the top of the embankment a fire trench had an excellent command of the approach from Athies.
Between the embankment and St. Laurent Blangy, two kilometres farther west, intervened the woods, lakes, and grounds of Blangy Park, giving cover to our field batteries.
Brigade Headquarters was on the main road St. Laurent—Blangy; while Quartermaster's Stores and Transport were at Ste. Catherine, north of Arras.
Relieving troops, rations, and supplies were brought up to the sector by means of a light narrow-gauge trench railway, which, leaving the dump and railhead at Anzin St. Aubin, three kilometres north-west of Arras, struck the Scarpe at St. Nicolas, and, travelling along its north bank under the cover afforded by the trees with which it was lined, came to an end just short of Feuchy.
The dispositions of the battalion were—"A" and "C" Companies in Athies, "B" and "D" in Cam Valley. After being at first in the railway cutting, Battalion Headquarters moved on the evening of August 1st to the railway embankment, handing over their old Headquarters to the Munsters, and taking over from the 85th Canadian Infantry Battalion. The tour was very quiet, the only incident being some heavy bursts carried out from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on August 6th by our "heavies" on the enemy front line.
The same day a slight readjustment of the line took place between ourselves, the Munsters, and the 8th K.L.R. 2nd-Lieutenant Paterson and Rev. S. J. Hughes joined while we were here, and the Medical Officer was temporarily relieved by Lieutenant Gherman, M.O.R.C., U.S.A.
On August 8th we were relieved by the 2/7th K.L.R., and then proceeded to relieve the 8th K.L.R. in the front line. Theoperation was finally completed by 1.10 a.m. "D" and "C" Companies held the front line, "A" and "B" were in support.
The tour in the front line was hardly more eventful than when in support. The Corps Commander visited us on two occasions; the battalion on our right was unsuccessfully raided; "A" Company took a prisoner after a patrol encounter; and on August 13th sixteen officers and thirty-two other ranks of the American Army were attached for instruction.
There is no doubt that this was the most "cushy" sector the battalion ever occupied. The weather was fine and warm, the country pleasant, and but for a little artillery and one or two active trench mortars the enemy harmless. On August 15th we were relieved by the 2/7th K.L.R., with the exception of "D" Company, and moved back into reserve at Victory Camp. Here we spent a quiet two days cleaning and training, being joined by "D" Company on August 17th. On August 18th we moved to Ste. Catherine Camp at Anzin, where 2nd-Lieutenant D. J. Williams reported for duty.