Hill 145 was the highest and most heavily defended points of the ridge. It was the the keep of the German stronghold, and despite the rapid advance of the Canadians, it had not fallen with the rest of the ridge. High command had not barraged the hill as heavily, in hopes of keeping the fortifications intact. This proved a costly decision, with two battalions being close to wiped out over the first 10 hours of the battle. The 4th division had committed all of its reserves to capturing the pimple, another stronghold to the north which covered the flank, and had no forces left to send up the ridge to capture hill 145. The last battalion at full strength in the sector, was the 85th.
The 85th had spent the day digging a supply trench and transporting supplies up to the front lines. Around 315 pm, the men of C and D companies were called together for a briefing. They were being tasked to take Hill 145, and it was stressed that they were the last battalion that could take the ridge. The battalion returned to the barracks and traded in their picks and shovels, for rifles. Some men had to take blood soaked rifles from the dead and wounded at the hospital as they moved through the tunnels toward the jumping off point. Zero hour for the attack was set for 645 pm, and the two companies, C from Halifax, and D from Cape Breton, sat in the tunnels waiting for the command to move. A barrage was set to cover their advance while the sun set in the west. This was the first combat action that any of these men had been involved in, and it was one of the most important of the day.
As zero hour approached, the officers led their men from the tunnels, C company to the left, D company to the right. There, they waited for the covering barrage. Unknown to the attacking force, the barrage had been called off, as there were men stuck on the ridge and command didn't want to doom them with the artillery. 30 seconds after zero hour, C company sprung from the trenches and began advancing up the hill, soon matched by D company. As soon as they leapt from their trenches, the men were engulfed in German machine gun fire. The skrill of the pipes urging them on, the men of the 85th began to cover themselves, shooting grenades and Lewis guns from the hip. With no barrage to limit their speed, the Halagonians and Cape Bretoners began to charge at full pace up the hill. Realizing the odds were against them, the German defenders began to flee from the oncoming Canadians, who quickly reached the top of the hill.
As they reached the crest of the ridge, the men laid eyes on the French countryside, which was untouched by the war. This made some men over enthusiastic, with some of them pushing down the far side of the ridge, firing as they went. Capt. Anderson, of D company, was recommended for a commendation when he personally dragged his men back to the trenches, risking his own life in the process. What had eluded the Canadians for 13 hours was reported captured at 655 pm. In just 10 minutes, the 85th, the Highlanders Without Kilts, had captured the highest point of the ridge. They remained on station for 3 days before being relieved. When they came down the ridge, they had a new nickname, the Neverfails.
The 85th had spent the day digging a supply trench and transporting supplies up to the front lines. Around 315 pm, the men of C and D companies were called together for a briefing. They were being tasked to take Hill 145, and it was stressed that they were the last battalion that could take the ridge. The battalion returned to the barracks and traded in their picks and shovels, for rifles. Some men had to take blood soaked rifles from the dead and wounded at the hospital as they moved through the tunnels toward the jumping off point. Zero hour for the attack was set for 645 pm, and the two companies, C from Halifax, and D from Cape Breton, sat in the tunnels waiting for the command to move. A barrage was set to cover their advance while the sun set in the west. This was the first combat action that any of these men had been involved in, and it was one of the most important of the day.
As zero hour approached, the officers led their men from the tunnels, C company to the left, D company to the right. There, they waited for the covering barrage. Unknown to the attacking force, the barrage had been called off, as there were men stuck on the ridge and command didn't want to doom them with the artillery. 30 seconds after zero hour, C company sprung from the trenches and began advancing up the hill, soon matched by D company. As soon as they leapt from their trenches, the men were engulfed in German machine gun fire. The skrill of the pipes urging them on, the men of the 85th began to cover themselves, shooting grenades and Lewis guns from the hip. With no barrage to limit their speed, the Halagonians and Cape Bretoners began to charge at full pace up the hill. Realizing the odds were against them, the German defenders began to flee from the oncoming Canadians, who quickly reached the top of the hill.
As they reached the crest of the ridge, the men laid eyes on the French countryside, which was untouched by the war. This made some men over enthusiastic, with some of them pushing down the far side of the ridge, firing as they went. Capt. Anderson, of D company, was recommended for a commendation when he personally dragged his men back to the trenches, risking his own life in the process. What had eluded the Canadians for 13 hours was reported captured at 655 pm. In just 10 minutes, the 85th, the Highlanders Without Kilts, had captured the highest point of the ridge. They remained on station for 3 days before being relieved. When they came down the ridge, they had a new nickname, the Neverfails.