G88 



Agriculture Behind the Lines 



[Nov., 



The 10 miles to the first objective in the rear was completed 

 without incident, but the news that the German advance was 

 proceeding with rapidity necessitated a further withdrawal imme- 

 diately. This was again completed without incident and all the 

 columns converged at a point due south of Amiens. 



Forced marches had been made and the pace could not be kept 

 up indefinitely. It was therefore decided to make a dump of 

 material other than tractors, which could proceed under their 

 own power, at a village known as Hargicourt. Thi? village 

 ultimately proved the limit of the enemy's advance. It was in 

 fact in the trench lines and was reduced to ruins. By a peculiar 

 freak of war, however, while the whole area round the dump was 

 pitted with shell holes, the implements within were hardly 

 touched, except by shell splinters and were recovered almost 

 intact five months later, when the tide turned. 



The withdrawing columns finally reached PtOuen after a seiies 

 of marches which were effected under inevitably trying condi- 

 tions, and the greatest credit was reflected upon all ranks for 

 the endurance and high sense of discipline which they displayed. 

 At Eouen the personnel was reorganised and sent forward to 

 construct rear lines of defence. The Directorate returned to 

 their old Headquarters at Le Touquet. 



Of incidents there were many during the retreat. In one case, 

 an abandoned tra<?tor was pressed into the service of a retreating 

 battery, who were finding it difficult to get their heavy 9-in. 

 guns into fiction. In accordance with instructions, this tractor 

 had been left with empty water tanks, but notwithstanding, it 

 was put in motion and the engine responded to the call, and 

 althou.o'h overloaded, pulled the gun into position. The in- 

 experience of the gunner drivers, however, proved too great 

 a test and the tractor, after performing this last servics, had 

 to be counted among the missing. 



One more incident is worthy of mention , and w^as not without 

 humour. Two tractors had been loaned to one of the Armies 

 affected b}' the retreat, for use on the Army Farm, and owing 

 to a belated start, finally withdrew under their own power, 

 practically on a level wath the rear guard troops. The morn- 

 ings were misty ; the noise of the engines was unfamiliar ; and 

 reports reached Corps Headquarters that German " tanks " 

 had succeeded in passing the line of outposts. Counter steps 

 were immediatelv taken to deal with a situation, which was 

 only restored when the mist lifted, and revealed two 8/16 



Moguls " making stately and steady progress tow^ards the 

 rear. 



