"The following day, the 13th was uneventful on our front. Considerable numbers of the enemy were seen moving in front of our right flank, but the battalion on our right protected us. The PONT DE PIERRE on our left was attacked but the enemy was driven off by the 11th L.F.s.
Towards evening a warning was received from Brigade that in the event of a withdrawal being necessary the Brigade was to rendezvous at MONT DE LILLE, east of BAILLEUL. At 11-30pm I received orders to withdraw in conjunction with the units on my flanks.
I led the battalion up the BAILLEUL road and we met the officer and guides who had been sent in advance, and posted the battalion on a frontage of 300 yards in three lines. An outpost line on the BAILLEUL - NIEPPE road, a front line of 6 posts at the bottom of the slope and a reserve line of 3 posts at the top of the ridge of MONT DE LILLE.
The 11th Lancashire Fusiliers were building a similar position on our left and the 15th Royal Scots were on our right on lower ground. The siting of posts was extremely difficult in the dark, and the men were compelled to dig hard in spite of being tired, as there was only an hour to daylight. The first enemy was sighted at about 8-30a.m. Very soon afterwards a heavy bombardment of our front line posts & in less degree of our reserve line was begun; the concentration on the left of our front and on the right of the 11th L.F. was as intense and accurate as is ever experienced in trench warfare.
This bombardment continued all day and shells were scattered over the whole front line area.
At dusk some of our posts and those of the 11th L.F.s had been reduced by casualties to such an extent that the enemy was able to force his way in and with remarkable quickness took possession of 3 of our front line posts and the centre reserve line post. As soon as this was discovered a counter attack was carried out by my Battn. H.Q. Signallers, scouts, runners and details who had dug in centrally 200 yards behind the reserve line.
The enemy appeared uncertain of his position and was easily driven out leaving several dead and 3 machine guns; our line was completely re-established and our casualties were slight. The battalion was relieved by a company of the 2/5th South Staffs at 2-30a.m. 15th and marched to S 3 s on the WESTOUTRE ROAD. From there at 6-0p.m. the battn. was sent to rejoin the 148th Infy. Bde. and returned to hut camp between WESTOUTRE & LOCRE for a few hours rest, proceeding at 2-0a.m. 16/4/18 to near LOCRECHATEAU. At 9-0a.m. the battalion dug in position of readiness for counter-attack on the S and S.E. of LOCRE CHATEAU: slits being dug - artillery formation. At 12-0 noon 17th orders were received to be in readiness to counter-attack: the enemy having obtained a lodgement in the first line; this was not carried out until 6-15p.m. after an unsuccessful attack had been made by the reserve Company of the battalion in the line."