9th Faughs advance against the Germans at Bailleul

The Advance in Flanders. Troops of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, 36th Division, advancing from Ravelsburg Ridge to the outskirts of Neuve Eglise, 1 September 1918.

The Allied 'Hundred Days Offensive' on the Western Front had begun with the Battle of Amiens on 8 August 1918 and would eventually lead to the end of the First World War. As part of that great offensive, two battalions of the Royal Irish Fusiliers were fighting in the battle to recapture Bailleul. It had been seized by the Germans during the Spring Offensive 1918, or Kaiserschlacht.

Having made some progress against the Germans in Bailleul on 2 September, the advance continued on 3 September against resolute German opposition, with the 1st Battalion The Royal Irish Fusiliers leading and the 9th Battalion in reserve. During the night, the 9th Battalion took over the brigade front covering more than a mile. In the morning attack they would suffer heavy casualties at the hands of the German machine-gunners.