Amongst the battle honours of the Canadian Corps there are many names which to the men of one Battalion have an entirely different significance than to the men of another. Such a name is Fresnoy. It was captured in April 1917 by the men of the 6th Brigade and for them there is at least some little satisfaction in the fact that "they captured Fresnoy". (Fresnoy is a small farming community situated 9 miles northeast of Arras).
For the men of the 4th Brigade, however, and in particular the 19th and 20th Battalions there is no such satisfaction as that, for the 19th "lost" Fresnoy -- but lest any misunderstanding occur it might be well to explain that the village of Fresnoy, or rather - what was once Fresnoy -- when captured formed the very point of a salient. A bulge had been made in the German lines at this point -- a very deep bulge - and the intention no doubt was that a strong point should be created here which would assist attacking troops on the right and left to straighten out the line.
Heine wasn't exactly dumb at that though and the attack having pretty well slowed up now, his morale was greatly improved by the addition of reinforcements. He decided, just as the morning the 19th took over, and before they really established themselves in the line, to do the straightening out himself. He had all the advantages with him of the high ground: several days continuous bombardment from three sides, which destroyed all the wire; and a fresh Imperial Battalion on our right composed mostly of young boys who stood the gaff too long and were in no fit shape to receive the attack when it came. He got in on them on the morning of the 8th of May, 1917, a foggy dismal morning after all night and several nights before rain.
But to go back. We had parked on the ridge in a series of shelters in old German trenches a short distance from the edge of the hill. We had heard the bombardment for days and on the 7th many walking wounded, wild eyed, and with all the appearances of having undergone a tough experience, passed along the trench. Prospects ahead looked none too rosy. We knew we were for it that night.
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