were instructed to make towards Avesnes, and pushed forward to establish themselves on the high ground to the south-east of that town.
Considerable resistance was next encountered in the country south-west of Avesnes and along the Avesnes-Etroeungt Road. Late in the day, the 5th Leicesters overcame the enemy's resistance along this road and established themselves astride of it, capturing a four-gun battery and sixteen prisoners. The French on our right, however, were counter-attacked and forced to retire, thus exposing the flank of the Brigade, and, until the situation was restored, a defensive flank had to be thrown back. On out left, we were in touch with the 32nd Division near Avesnelles and little resistance was en- countered in this direction.
The check was only momentary, however, though at one time the enemy's shelling reached an intensity remotely resembling that of former days. For a few hours during the day, the neighbourhood of Grand Maison Farm, where some of our artillery was in position, was heavily punished, but this was the last occasion the enemy's guns were to trouble us at all. The rapid advance of the Infantry and of the screen of Cavalry forced the retirement of such guns as escaped capture.
On the 8th November, this last organized attempt at resistance was overcome with the assistance of concentrations of our own heavy and light artillery. After several hours fighting, the enemy gave way in all directions and the Brigade marched unhindered to their final objectives for the day. On the 9th November, the advance was resumed, but halted according to orders on a general line Sains du Nord-Semeries, inclusive. At the former place, one of those unfortunate occurrences happened, of which the wonder is that they are not more
