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covering a right flank of the FUP. Soon afterwards it was learnt that owing to heavy commitments elsewhere no artillery support would be forthcoming for the attack, and the attack was cancelled by the Brigade Commander, who was present at the time. As the company of 12 Para Battalion was withdrawing it came under heavy mortar fire and suffered casualties, and at the same time parties of the enemy commenced infiltrating into the woods and orchard to the right front of the Battalion area. 12 Para Battalion withdrew from Longueval and the Battalion was ordered to "stand-to" and await the enemy attack. For the next two hours small parties of enemy (their poor fieldcraft and marksmanship did not warrant their being called snipers) made determined efforts to penetrate the Battalion's position but met with no success. One party got to within fifty yards of Battalion HQ and threw grenades into "B" Company area. This party was small in number and was still further reduced by the accurate rifle fire of the RSM who, with the IO was again in the attic of Battalion HQ.

The enemy could be heard shouting and cheering presumably to encourage each other, and a few individuals attempted to cross the open field before Battalion HQ. They were subsequently buried in the some field. Eventually a platoon of "D" Company under the command of Lieut W.J. Chapman, MC swept the woods and orchards in front of the position and cleared them of enemy, but not before some enemy in front of "C" Company area had fired on wounded personnel lying on stretchers waiting evacuation from the RAP. The RMO (Capt R.L. Rees) and OC Section 195 Field Ambulance (Capt F. Shaw),together with all RAMC personnel, showed exceptional courage and devotion to duty when tending wounded under fire on this occasion.

After a break of approximately two hours, enemy forces again attempted to penetrate the position; this time supported by an SP gun. The Recce Platoon covering the front of the Battalion position suffered some casualties before withdrawing and the enemy again attacked but without success. The SP gun which fired about twenty rounds towards Battalion HQ sent all its shells over the top of the house. Lieut R. Quinn opened fire with an anti-tank gun in reply and, although no hits were observed, the SP gun withdrew and the attack petered out.

10th and 11th June were quiet days with occasional mortar duels and some long range sniping and it was not until 0130 hours on the 12th that the enemy made any further attempts to inflict casualties on the Battalion. At that hour a sudden burst of mortar fire caused several casualties around Battalion HQ, and for the next few hours the position was subjected to continuous mortaring. It was discovered that an enemy patrol of about twelve to twenty strong, with at least three LMGs and a French 81 mm mortar, had established themselves in an orchard in front of "C" Company and were firing at random into the Battalion area. The party withdrew before any steps could be taken to deal with it.

On the 13th June a further attempt was made to capture Ste Honorine, this time by the 5th Battalion Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders. The attack was preceded by a very heavy artillery bombardment and was successful, but on immediate counter-attack by Panzer Grenadiers, supported by SP guns, forced the Camerons to withdraw. The enemy followed up the withdrawal but not towards Longuevul, and the Battalion position remained intact. Lieut Chapman's platoon, which was covering the right flank of the FUP for the assault, come under heavy mortar fire when withdrawing and suffered casualties including Lieut Chapman, who was badly wounded by a mortar bomb.