The 4th Canadian Infantry Brigade War Diary Record of Events for April 9, 1917

The 4^th Canadian Infantry Brigade War Diary Record of Events for April 9, 1917

Below is the transcription of the minute-by-minute of events involving the 4^th Canadian Infantry Brigade on the day of the Vimy Attack. The Brigade consisted of the 18^th, 19^th, 20^th, and 21^st Battalions and this document gives a general overview of the progress of the attack in detail from the Brigade’s point of view.

Notes on Format

The log (see attached images at end of post) are typewritten. The time is noted as “a.m.”  on sheets 1 to 5 and transitions to “p.m.” on sheet 5. The log entries are in sequential order as they are written in the log but there are several entries that relate to events that are at a time prior to that to the entry. The log matrix is written to reflect the information on each sheet of the appendix. Every effort to use original spelling and terminology has been made to replicate the log entries. See footnotes for further notes of explanation outside of the explanatory notes written after each sheet.

The Appendix number column is not included but can be referenced from the digital images of the 4^th C.I.B. War Diary and the footnotes[i].

Code Names for Units

Unit	Code Name
4th Canadian Infantry Brigade	CABLE
18th Battalion	CADET
19th Battalion	CARROT
20th Battalion	CARBON
21st Battalion	CABBAGE
2nd Canadian Infantry Brigade	CHIPMAN
3rd Canadian Infantry Brigade	ARROW

The Appendices

Time	Log
3.55 a.m.	18th Bn report all Companies in position for attack.[ii]
4.00	21st Bn. report all Companies in position ready for attack.[iii]
4.45	4th T.M. [trench mortar] Battery report all ready.[iv]
4.58	2nd Cdn. Div. advised [that] Bde. [Brigade] in position of assembly.[v]
5.15	All Bns were reported in position ready for the attack. It was a cloudy morning with a light mist and rain fall which helped to conceal our men from enemy observation during their forming up in the jumping off trenches. Capt. D.C. Jennings had proceeded to the Bde. advanced repot centre in Phillip Crater with Lieut. Cockeram 20th Bn. and at 5.33 a.m. telephone communication with Bde. H.Q. was opened up.
5.30	Zero Hour. The artillery opened up simultaneously and our troops, 18th in the attack supported by the 20th advanced against the first objective which was gained three minutes after Zero Hour.[vi]
5.33	The Barrage lifted from the support trenches at 5.38 a.m. when it was entered and captured by our men at 5.45 a.m. The Divisional L.O. [Liaison Officer] reported that enemy retaliation was very week and the light very poor for observation.[vii]
5.50	The General Staff report 5th C.I.Bde have reached objectives and everything is going O.K. Word received from Divnl. Artillery that our tanks are moving forward to support the infantry.
5.51	Captain Jennings reports that the 21st Bn. in Support to the 18th, 19th, and 20th Bns. Have moved forward to the German Front line and the 3rd wave [of] the attacking Bns. Have moved forward to the German support line.
5.54	Our Advanced Report Center in Phillip Crater was subjected to heavy enemy artillery bombardment which made it untenable. Prisoners reported to be coming in on our right and a few on our Brigade front. By this time the Crater was evacuated.
5.55	Capt. Jennings reports that the 19th Bn. are held up by machine guns at Balloon Trench, parties were sent around either flank while the troops immediately in front took temporary cover. Flanking parties were very effective in silencing the machine guns ad at 6.00 a.m. the whole advance was continued. At 5.56 a.m. the 19th Bn. was reported to have captured FURZE Trench, east of PULPIT Crater.
6.00	Divisional Artillery report very little artillery retaliation and Major Jennings reports that enemy retaliation is all on No Mans Land and consists mostly of 4.1” and 5.9” with a few on our original line.

Explanatory

If one compares the communication of this action and that of the Battle of Flers-Courcelette a maturation of the skills and abilities of not only the type of communications traffic but also the strong contrast in the positive information being relayed during the battle. The entire timbre of the Vimy battle and the performance of the 4^th Canadian Infantry Brigade is apparent.

To wit, the entry at 5.55 a.m. succinctly indicates the 19^th Battalion met machine gun resistance and effectively dispatched it. In addition, the effective of the counter-battery fire from the Canadian and British Artillery arm is in evidence with the repeated reference to ineffective and negligible artillery firel At 6.00 a.m. the German artillery fire is so uncoordinated that it is falling on No Mans Land and the original Canadian main-line-of-resistance. All the Battalions of the 4^th C.I.B. are well forward of those positions at the time of this message.

 

Time	Log
6.05	3rd C.I.Bde report the capture of some prisoners and everything going O.K.
6.03	Major Jennings reports that some of our troops have reached the Black Objective and at seven minutes after six the objective was gained and consolidation had commenced.
6.06	Signals report communications complete to the 19th Bn. Advanced Report Centre.
6.10	Major Jennings[viii] reports machine gun fire and some 4.1” [artillery] on our original front line. Three minutes later some prisoners were reported coming in and enemy barrage shortening.
6.11	19th Bn. report three flares signifying Black Objective gained.
6.15	18th Bn. established advance [sic] Report Centre in FURZE trench one signal communication established two minutes afterwards.
6.16	Major Jennings reports Red flares going up on left of Black Objective. German flares reported at A.5.b.cent. and 5th C.I.Bde. report White flares going up from Black Objective.
6.20	19th Bn. report that Lieut. Longstreet has been killed and Lieut. Trendall wounded but still at duty. Ground flares reported from Black Objective and White flares from A.5.b.central. Contact aeroplane drops white flares. Enemy barrage placed on the LILLE-ARRAS Road and the shelling continuing.
6.21	Division report that 5th C.I.Bde. is believed to be at the Black Objective.
6.30	Major Jennings reports our machine gun fire and barrage very effective. The enemy are sending up golden showers and double green rockets from the THELUS Ridge. Major Jennings leaves Lieut. Cockeram in charge of Bde. Advanced R.C. while he moved forward to establish a new O.P. [observation post] in order to obtain better observation.
6.35	Prisoners are reported passing our advanced Bde. Report Centre. Major Jennings reports the Black Objective appears to have been gained along the entire front. About 100 prisoners have passed 13th Battery O.P. They are BAVARIANS.
6.38	5th C.I.Bde. report that their right Bn. is in the Black Objective and now word yet received from their left Bn. Visibility is becoming very poor owing to mist. Very few wounded are coming back and the German Barrage is very light.
6.40	The 21st Bn. is now reported to be beyond the 18th Bn. Advanced Report Centre. German machine guns are sweeping the top of PHILLIP Crater. Division report that the right Bde. of the 1st Division are in the Black Objective and that the left Bde. is doing well.
6.42	Division reports that the 5th C.I.Bde. Bn. who are detailed to capture Red Objective has been seen going forward in good order. Instructions given to Divisional Signal Cable Burying Party to proceed forward.

Explanatory

40 minutes have passed since Zero Hour – the launching of the attack at 5.30 a.m. – and it is reported that elements of the 4^th C.I.B. have achieved “the objective was gained and consolidation had commenced.” The Battalions establish Advanced Reporting Centres, established to facilitate the processing and dissemination of battle information quickly and in an efficient manner. There is the start of signal flare activity and though the descriptions do not fully explain it appears that the concern is the response by the Germans and the use of their flares which would be used to call down artillery fire on pre-determined positions. The flares go up but it seems like the retaliatory ability of the German artillery has been neutralized.

Major Jennings reports effectiveness of the Canadian machine gun fire. This is, most likely, a reference to indirect machine gun fire from the Vickers machine guns of the 4^th Canadian Machine Company the following tactic was used effectively:

“According to Bidwell and Graham, the Canadians were innovators in the use of machine guns, one example being the attack against the ridge. We have already seen Lewis guns pushed foward in the assaults on the Somme while heavier Colts and Vickers provided support; at Vimy the latter were put to use in interdiction operations. Locking the gun into a high elevation, a stream of bullets could be sent over forward infantry positions and observation posts towards German communication trenches, tracks, and cross-roads, to hinder the movement of ammunition, food, water and personnel. On one occasion, for example, Colts broke up a tranport column moving up a road towards the village of Vimy, just the other side of the ridge.”[ix]

At this early stage the Battalion of the Brigade are preparing to move on their next objective – The Red Line.

Time	Log
6.50	Enemy barrage is still on our original front line area. A German machine gun captured with its entire crew is reported passing Advanced Bde. R.C. carried by the Huns.
6.55	Enemy barrage has dropped back to his original front line, not very heavy. Smoke interfere very badly with observation and more prisoners passing Bde. at Adv. R.C. 5th C.I.Bde. report they are having very little opposition. 18th Bn. Very lights on their immediate front.
7.00	4 Tanks about 400 yards to left of the 19th Bn. are advancing and going strong. 21st Bn. are reported to be advancing slowly and in good order to the Red Objective. Bde on our left are also advancing.
7.02	Divisional Artillery report that in the 5.A. Square the whole line seems to be advancing without encountering much opposition.
7.03	21st Bn. are reported in the LILLE Road.
7.08	21st Bn. are reported in Les TILLIEULS.
7.10	Wounded Bavarians are brought into the Bde. H.Q. and interrogated.
7.15	A runner of the 3rd Bde. who was lost brings message to Bde. H.Q. which reports Black Objective gained buy 3rd Bde. by 6.20 a.m. not many casualties.[x]
7.16	18th Bn. report Red ground flares to the left and to their immediate front.
7.22	Appendix II received from 3rd C.I.Bde.
7.20	German prisoner carrying his machine gun brought into Bde. H.Q. Prisoner belongs to the machine gun coy [company] of the 3rd Divisional Reserve Regiment
7.27	Reported from Advanced R.C. that the Red Objective appears to have been gained but no flares have been seen to confirm this.
7.35	German Artillery firing almost nil. 19th Bn. report consolidation of Black Objective getting on very well, started consolidating at 7.00 a.m.
7.37	Bds Signal Officers from the Black Objective reports that the 21st Bn. appear to have gone out of there [their] way and are to [too] far to the left.
7.40	Bde. L.O. with 3rd C.I.Bde. reports all three Bns. Of 3rd Bde. in Black Objective and advance to Red Line well on the way.[xi]
7.47	Lieut. Trendall reports “B” Coy consolidating Black Objective, also reports 19th Bn. consolidating east of ARRAS Road.[xii]
7.48	4 guns of the 4th Cdn. M.G. Coy. Were moved forward at 7.45 a.m.
7.55	5th C.I.Bde. report Red ground flares were seen at A.5.b.95.70. and big explosion heard in THELUS Wood. Division report 2nd Bde. in Red Objective.

Explanatory

There is mention of mist and smoke and given this environment the risk of the attack being unhinged by poor visibility was a concern, yet the communications recorded continue to illustrate the efficient and effective command and control of the Canadian troops. The practice exercises and the change of tactical doctrine to cross-train and enable the soldiers of all ranks to know the battle plan was paying off. The unpreparedness of the Somme was not to be repeated at Vimy. The various arms of the infantry were working together.

A little panic appears at 7.37 a.m. when the 21^st Battalion appears to be out of position and as the battle unwinds this message is almost the only one to indicate the battle and the units in it are no performing as expected.

Time	Log
7.57	Observers in Phillip Crater have taken cover owing to heavy shell fire.
8.10	Major Gwyn 18th Bn. reported killed.
8.20	Lieut-Colonel Jones 21st Bn. reported wounded. 18th Bn. reported casualties very slight. Wire received by L.O. with 3rd Bde. as to disposition of that Bde.[xiii] Received from 18th Bn. advising as to consolidation.
8.30	Major Keslick, 20th Bn. reports that 21st Bn. is in the Red Objective. 5th C.I.Bde. is reported to be having some difficulty.
8.33	Telephone communication established with Les TILLEULS, 21st Bn. seen in Les TILLEULS. Resistance here has been slight, apparently retaliation has been slight.
8.35	Report received from 18th Bn. Officer to the effect that our men can be seen on the Lille Road.[xiv]
8.40	2nd Canadian Division reports that the Corps reports Capture of Black Objective.[xv]
8.50	5th C.I.Bde. report that they are in the Red Objective.[xvi]
9.05	Major Jennings reports that the 4th C.I.Bde. advanced Report Centre will move forward to A.11.a.4.9. 2 Tanks are stock in the mud on the Phillip Crater.
9.20	Major Thomson 19th Bn. is reported killed. 19th Bn. report Lieut. Longstreet killed, Bennett and Johnston wounded, “D” Coy Major Thomson killed, Lieut. Trendall wounded, O.R. about 50. many unaccounted for yet, captured 120 prisoners, two machine guns, three trench mortars.
9.30	Messages received confirming capture of Red Objective. Received from 15th Bn. Received from L.O. with 3rd C.I.Bde. Received from 2nd Cdn. Div.[xvii]
9.35	6th C.I.Bde. are reported advancing from the Red Objective.
9.45	Captain Gander reports as follows – “Am in touch with right and left flank of Bns., reorganization and consolidation continues.”
9.50	O.C. 20th Bn. reports advising situation as to consolidation etc.[xviii]
10.00	B.M. 411 giving situation of the 20th Bn. was sent to 2nd Cdn. Div.[xix] 1 White flare reported on our extreme left of 1th Bn. and 1 at 10.05 in the same location.
10.20	Approximate casualties in the 19th Bn.:- “D” Coy. 50, “B” Coy. 60, “C” Coy. 75. No Officer casualties in “C” Coy.

Explanatory

Buy 8.00 a.m. it appears that the German artillery has recovered to some degree and are shelling PHILLIP Crater, ironically, or perhaps not, this is the 4^th C.I.B.’s Advanced Reporting Centre that is taking all the Battalion message traffic and passing it off to Brigade Headquarters. Perhaps the German forward observers are seeing increased activity in and out of the crater and made a determination of its importance. It is the most forward crater in that sector and the lips of the crater may allow for better observation for the elements of the Brigade stationed there.

Relevant information continues to be relayed and the reports of casualties bear a stark reminder to the cost of this action. They are rarely without sacrifice. The casualty report for the 19^th Battalion records 185 casualties as of 10.20 a.m. The Battalion suffered 36 dead that day.

Note the reference to telephonic communication. The Canadian forces were establishing a more efficient and safer mode of communicating than relying on runners as they did at the Somme. This resulted in much more timely and accurate reports. Note the previous log entry at 7.15 a.m. where a runner from the 3^rd Canadian Infantry Brigade, part of the 1^st Canadian Division on the right of the 2^nd Canadian division go so lost he ended up in a totally different sector.

Time	Log
10.23	2 White flares reported directly over THELUS 1 at 10.10 a.m. and at 10.13 a.m.
10.25	L.O. with 3rd C.I.Bde reports all 3 Bns. of that Brigade in Red Objective.[xx]
11.00	Artillery report 2 Companies of Infantry have passed through THELUS. 3,000 prisoners are reported in the Corps Cage and 200 more are being sent back. Message received   Bn. giving location.[xxi]Captain Manion M.O. 21st Bn. advises as to his location of newly established Dressing Station.
11.15	3rd C.I.Bde. send in situation report to 4th Bde. H.Q. 21st Bn. advise H.Qrs. of that unit are established at ULMER HAUS.[xxii] 21st Bn. submit lists of captures material which they secured in Les TILLEULS Cave. L.O. with 3rd C.I.Bde. advises that he will remain there until operations are complete.[xxiii]
11.20	4 German prisoners carrying two of their captured machine guns arrive at Bde. H.Q.
11.25	18th Bn. repot enemy barrage which has lessened in between the Black and Red Objectives.
11.30	An intercepted message states that 6th Bde. have captured the Blue Objective.
11.45	Reorganization of the 19th Bn. almost complete.
12.20 p.m.	6th Bde. report that they have captured the Blue Objective and are now advancing to the Brown Line. 1st Division are reported to have taken the Blue Objective.[xxiv]
12.30	Lieut. Trendall 19th Bn. reports that FARBUS is captured by the K.O.S.B. [Later report states FARBUS catpred by the 6th C.I.B.][xxv]
1.00	2nd Cdn. Div. advised to the amount of captures war material.[xxvi]
2.15	2nd Cdn. Div. advised to disposition of the Bde.[xxvii] 2 Squadrons of Calvary passed Bde. H.Q. going towards WILLERVAL. Artillery report Brown Objective captured.
2.17	19th Bn. report Golden Spray in front of THELUS at 2.13 p.m. and 2.15 p.m.[xxviii]
2.20	21st Bn. report situation, reorganization and consolidation.
3.25	Wire received from 2nd Cdn. Div. giving general situation, and amount of prisoners captured. 2nd Cdn. Div. wire report from 1st Army giving situation at Red Objective.[xxix]
3.35	21st Bn. report the capture of 1 German Field Gun with 15 rounds of ammunition.[xxx]
3.40	G. 323 received from 2nd Cdn. Div. as to the holding of the Red Line.[xxxi]
3.55	G. 323 acknowledged by Bde.
4.25	B.M. 418 issued to all units regarding the reorganization of this Bde.[xxxii]
4.30	B.M. 419 to 2nd Cdn. Div. situation is now quiet. Practically no hostile shelling in the 4th Bde. area. At 5.30 a.m. the 4th Bde. in conjunction with other troops captures its objective and are now holding and consolidating the captured line. Wind strong westerly – Gas alert on. Addressed to Chateau, rept. Clean and Arrow.

Explanatory

The first record of a “golden shower” or “golden spray” pattern of flares is mentioned but the lack if record of resistance by the reports indicates the totality of the success of that day’s action. As the morning passes into afternoon a consistent positive flow of reports of the success of the brigades and divisions of the Canadian Corps is related.

At 4.30 p.m. the word “quiet” indicates the effectiveness of the attack. The German shelling is virtually non-existent and no reports of any counter-attack illustrate the effectiveness of the barrage preparation and execution as artillery and machine gun fire interdicted the ability of the German forces to bring up reinforcements to the front in an attempt to affect a reversal of the Canadian attack on that day before the reorganization and consolidation of the Canadian troops in preparation for just such an eventuality.

Time	Log
4.45	21st Bn. wire in total amount of booty captured by them up to 4.00 p.m.[xxxiii]
4.50	G. 330 received from 2nd Cdn. Div. giving situation of 3rd Cdn. Div.[xxxiv]
6.05	Artillery report verbally that S.O.S. seen from far side of THELUS Wood.
6.55	G. 332 fro 2nd Cdn. Div. giving situation and success of 17th Corps.
8.25	19th Bn. support platoon and signal section each bring in captured machine gun.[xxxv]
8.30	2nd Cdn. Div. advised as to the disposition of this Brigade.
8.35	Receipt acknowledged to the 19th Bn. of M.G. 7933 and 8013.
8.50	Our barrage in reply to S.O.S. call in THELUS Wood have been very effective and everything is now O.K.
10.00	G. 336 2nd Cdn. Div. wire report from 17th Corps.[xxxvi]
10.10	G. 337 from 2nd Cdn. Div. advising of the new S.O.S. arrangements.[xxxvii]
10.30	Report on estimated casualties received from 20th Bn. by telephone.[xxxviii]

Explanatory

The afternoon is waning and the dusk of the day of battle is creeping towards night. The troops are exhausted and need to prepare for a counter-attack. The Divisional Command recognizes the state of the troops and advises the Brigade to take appropriate action. At the same time it indicated the precarious nature of the attack. The Canadian Corps is fully engaged and its reserves are minimal.

The Battalion traffic almost stops. Perhaps this indicates the exhaustion of the forces involved in the concentrated action for Zero Hour until approximately 4.00 p.m. In those 11 hours the men of the 4^th Canadian Infantry Brigade achieved a success rarely experienced by any force in the Western Front up until that time.

The use of combined arms and the appropriate logistical support from all branches of the Canadian infantry help establish the success of the troops at the sharp end.

[i] All Appendix numbers hereafter refer to the 4^th Canadian Infantry Brigade Appendices for the April 1917 War Diary of that Brigade unless otherwise stated in the footnote.

[ii] Appendix 35. To 4^th CIB From RP 4 CADET at 3.55 a.m. – All Companies in place and organized for attack. Casualties nil.

[iii] Appendix 36. To 4^th CIB From APC 1 CABBAGE – 21^st Battalion in position.

[iv] Appendix 37. To 4^th CIB From TM231, 4^th Trench Mortar Battery – Battery in position 5 am.

[v] Appendix 38. To 2^nd Cdn. Div. From BM 408, 4^th CIB – Guns. 4 slight casualties. In position of assembly.

[vi] Appendix 39. To 2^nd Cdn. Div. From BM 409, 4^th CIB – German front line captured 5.33 a.m.

[vii] Appendix 40. To 2^nd Cdn. Div. From BM 410, 4^th CIB – [German] support line entered at 5.38 a.m.

[viii] It is not clear if there are two officers being recorded here, a Captain Jennings and a Major Jennings, or that a typographic error occurred and was made consistently after it was created.

[ix] RAWLING, Bill. Technology in Search of a Role: The Machine Gun and the CEF in the First World War. Material Culture Review / Revue de la culture matérielle, [S.l.], june 1995. ISSN 1927-9264. Available at: <https://journals.lib.unb.ca/index.php/MCR/article/view/17667/22311>. Date accessed: 14 oct. 2016.

[x] Appendix 41. A runner of the 3^rd Bde got lost. Message for 14^th Bn. from Lt. G.E. Gough 4^th Coy. – Black Objective time 6.30. We have gained Black Objective not many casualties.

[xi] Appendix 42 (entry not fully legible). From 3^rd CIB. To Cable. Sender A512 6.50 a.m. – Spare Liaison Officer. C.F.A. who states he has studied ground very carefully. States [illegible] are in black line. Was observing from line. Repeated right and left Bde.

[xii] Appendix 43, 44, 45.

[xiii] Appendix 46 and 47. Appendix 46: From 3^rd CIB to 4^th CIB 7.40 a.m. Confirming conversation. All Bns. report the have taken the BLACK Line and are advancing RED approximately 6.30 a.m. Appendix 47: From 18^th Bn to 4^th CIB 8.30 a.m. Left Coy reorganized at 7.45 a.m. Are making good headway with consolidation.

[xiv] Appendix 48. From Lt. CRAIG to 4^th CIB 8.15 a.m. Our men can be seen on LILLE Rd. about 600 prisoners coming in from ZWISCHEN STELLUNG and beyond.

[xv] Appendix 49. From 18^th Bn. to 4^th CIB 8.30 a.m. Right Company organized at 7.06 a.m. and are consolidated.

[xvi] Appendix 50. From 2^nd Cdn Div. to 4^th CIB 8.30 a.m. Corps reports capture of BLACK line confirmed. Many prisoners coming in.

[xvii] Appendix 51, 52, 53. Appendix 51: From 3^rd Bde to Cable 8.30 a.m. 15^th report 8.00 a.m. they are digging in Red Line. Appendix 52: From 3^rd Bde to Cable 9.15 a.m. All 3 Bns. consolidating Red Line. 1^st Bn. doing well. Appendix 53: From 2^nd Cdn. Div. to 4^th CIB 9.20 a.m. 1^st Canadian division report at 8.13 a.m. 10^th and 15^th battalion in touch with each other in RED objective and are consolidating.

[xviii] Appendix 54. From 20^th Bn to 4^th CIB 9.40 a.m. O.C. – Mopping up party 18^th Bn. reports. Consolidating FURZE trench from South Bde. boundary to THELUS road in touch with 16^th Bn. on right. Being shelled from direction of THELUS by 5.9 howitzer. Situation good. M.G. fire and sniping slackening issued 8 a.m.

[xix] Appendix 54a. From 4^th CIB to 2^nd Cdn. Div. 10.00 a.m. The following message received from 20^th Bn. Begins: O.C. – Mopping up party 18^th Bn. reports. Consolidating FURZE trench from South Bde. boundary to THELUS road in touch with 16^th Bn. on right. Being shelled from direction of THELUS by 5.9 howitzer. Situation good. M.G. fire and sniping slackening issued 8 a.m.

[xx] Appendix 55, 56. Appendix 55: From 3^rd CIB to Cable 9.25 a.m. Support Bn. report all three Bns. in Red line and ABRAM doing very well. Appendix 56: From 2^nd Cdn. Div to 4^th CIB 10.43 a.m. First Can. Inf. Bde report at 9.00 a.m. having captured SWISHEN STELLUNG. Am deploying for attack on blue. In touch with 51^st and 2^nd Can Divns.

[xxi] There appears to be a noticeable space in the original text as if the transcriber of the log left it open to add later.

[xxii] Appendix 57, 58. Appendix 57: To Unknown From Unknown. Time Unknown. a 11 a6 to a 11 a7.7. C Coy on right. 19^th on left. Shelling us. 10.05 a.m. Appendix 58: From Captain Manion, Medical Officer 21^st Bn. to 4^th CIB 11.00 a.m. I have established a dressing station in Filsen [illegible] trench map location A.11.A.1.5. Have advised field ambulance by runner. All well.

[xxiii] Appendix 59, 60, 61,62. Appendix 59: From 3^rd CIB to 4^th CIB. Situation appears quite satisfactory. All Bns. consolidating and 1^st Bde. have met up on very good order. Appendix 60: From 20^th Bn. to 4^th CIB 11.10 a.m. CABBAGE HQ established at UMER HAUS. An officer has been to right objective. We will furnish full information as soon as possible. Appendix 61: From 21^st Bn. to 4^th CIB 11.15 a.m. Attached message from O.C. “C” Coy. For your information. Also message in German enclosed in pigeon case. Appendix 62: From 2^nd CIB to 3^rd CIB 11.05 a.m. Unless advised to the contrary we’ll remain here till operations are completed.

[xxiv] Appendix 62a. From 2^nd CIB to 3^rd CIB 11.05 a.m. Blue line reached 11.00 a.m.

[xxv] Appendix 63. From 19^th Bn. (Trendall) to 4^th CIB 12 p.m. FARBUS believe taken by K.O.S.B.

[xxvi] Appendix 63a. From 4^th CIB to 2^nd Cdn. Div. 1.00 p.m. Report capturing all following war material. 6 machine guns and 3 Trench Mortar Batteries.

[xxvii] Appendix 63b. From 4^th CIB to 2^nd Cdn. Div. 2.15 p.m. Disposition Report. Adv. Bde. HQ ZIVY CAVE. CADET in A.10.b.9.5. CARROT in dugout A.4.d.6.7. CARBON A.10.8 ½.4. CABBAGE in ULMER dugout A.11.a.1.5. M.G. Coy and T.M. Btty. In ZIVY Cave.

[xxviii] Appendix 64. To 4^th CIB from 21^st Bn. 2.15 p.m. Retaliation quiet. Cabbage holding RED objective and are consolidating with flank companies. [Rest of message is illegible.]

[xxix] Appendix 65, 66. Appendix 65: From 2^nd Cdn. Div. to 4^th CIB. 2.15 p.m. First Army wires at 11.50 A.M. that all divisions of Canadian Corp have reached RED objective. Our right is in touch 51^st Division 17^th Corps. 51^st in touch with 34^th Div. where they are held up by mg fire. Artillery moving forward for attack on brown line. Appendix 66: From 2^nd Cdn. Div. to 4^th CIB. 2.15 p.m. First Army wires at 11.50 A.M. that all divisions of Canadian Corp have reached RED objective. Our right is in touch 51^st Division 17^th Corps. 51^st in touch with 34^th. Addressing all Bdes. CRA and no. 2 double groups.

[xxx] Appendix 67. From 21^st Battalion to 4^th CIB. 3.15 p.m. Cabbage has taken one [illegible] German field gun. [rest of message illegible.]

[xxxi] Appendix 68. To 4^th CIB from 2^nd Cdn. Div. 4^th Bde. will reorganize within its own Brigade area West of the Red Line. RED Line to be continued to be held but no more troops than are actually necessary for its defence to be put into it. Every effort must be made to give men as much rest as possible one Bn. if necessary being withdrawn to dugouts in our old front line system.

5^th Bde will old its share of main consolidation line at tis front line with post at Head of BONVAL RAVINE and such other posts in RED Line as G.O.C. may consider necessary. Remaining Bns. to reorganize and get as much rest a possible within Brigade area one Bn. if necessary to be withdrawn to our old front line system.

6^th and 13^th Bdes. Will continue consolidation of captured line and as troops become available will link up outpost line as new front line.

[xxxii] Appendix 69. To All 4^th CIB Bns, 4^th M.G. Coy., 4^th Trench Mortar Battery From 4^th CIB 4.25. p.m. 4^th Bde. will reorganize within its own Brigade area West of the Red Line. RED Line to be continued to be held but no more troops than are actually necessary for its defence to be put into it. Every effort must be made to give men as much rest as possible one Bn. if necessary being withdrawn to dugouts in our old front line system. 18^th and 19^th Bns. may use dugouts in their previous assembly areas and 20^th and 21^st Bns. may use dugouts in support line and ZIVY CAVE.

[xxxiii] Appendix 71. To 4^th CIB from 21^st Battalion 4.05 p.m. Our Trophy Total. 4 machine guns. 1 field gun. 3 trench mortars. 1 telephone apparatus. Also 110 prisoners.

[xxxiv] Appendix 72. To 4^th CIB from 2^nd Cdn. Div. 3.50 p.m. Following from 3^rd Can. Div. time [illegible] p.m. Situation. [All] objectives reached on whole division front. Strong points are being consolidated as arranged and consolidation plan. First CMR bn not yet established touch with 13^th Bn. [Illegible] CMR SPANDAUS HAUS. HQ 2^nd CMR Bn. [illegible map coordinate] and the 4^th CMR [illegible map coordinate]. With new movements position in old front line.

[xxxv] Appendix 73. To 2^nd Cdn. Div. and 4^th CIB. From 2^nd Cdn. Div. 3.50 p.m. 17^th Corps reports number of prisoners through Corp area up to 3.00 p.m. 44 officers and 2,900 ORs. Other prisoners are reported not yet arrived. Tow batteries 77 mm reported captured.

[xxxvi] Appendix 74. To 4^th CIB from 2^nd Cdn. Div. 9.30 p.m. Following from 17^th Corps. Begins. Artillery [illegible] at [illegible map coordinate] reports time 4.10 p.m. that our infantry in outskirts of FAMPOUX. Large number of prisoners and several 7.7 guns take as well as communication and store. Ends.

[xxxvii] Appendix 75. To 4^th CIB from 2^nd Cdn Div. Time unknown. To equalize distribution of [rest is illegible].

[xxxviii] Appendix 76. Telephone from Lieut-Colonel Rorke to Brig-General Rennie. Estimated Casualties, 20^th Battalion. Officers 1 killed, 5 Wounded. Total 6. O.R.’s 7 Killed. 44 Wounded. 39 Missing. Total 90.

4th Canadian Infantry War Diary for April 9, 1917