The Battle of Manchester Hill

Bigman - m-u-f-c.co.uk forum

"The Germans made their big push to win the Great War in the Spring of 1918.
They broke the British lines and pushed us back for day after day after day.

On 21st March 1918, the 16th Battalion, The Manchester Regiment entered the line.
They dug in, prepared a redoubt and their Commanding Officer Lt Col Wilfrith Elstob
gathered his men around him and told them how desperate the situation was.
That after 4 years of fighting we could lose the war.

"Look lads" he said "I've had enough of retreating" and dug his swagger stick into the built-up ground of the redoubt saying
"This is Manchester Hill".

Then, squaring up to stand full to attention, he told them
"The Manchester Regiment will defend Manchester Hill to the last."

He then looked each one in the eye and softly gave the order
"Manchesters: Here we fight and here we die."

Lt Col Elstob was killed in action that day and his men fought on to the last bullet.

Editors addition:

For this action, Lt Col Elstob was awarded the Victoria Cross, the highest military honour one can be awarded in the British Army.
From his citation: "For most conspicuous bravery, devotion to duty and self-sacrifice during operations at Manchester Redoubt, near St. Quentin, on the 21st March, 1918. During the preliminary bombardment he encouraged his men in the posts in the Redoubt by frequent visits, and when repeated attacks developed controlled the defence at the points threatened, giving personal support with revolver, rifle and bombs. Single-handed he repulsed one bombing assault driving back the enemy and inflicting severe casualties. Later, when ammunition was required, he made several journeys under severe fire in order to replenish the supply. Throughout the day Lieutenant-Colonel Elstob, although twice wounded, showed the most fearless disregard of his own safety, and by his encouragement and noble example inspired his command to the fullest degree. The Manchester Redoubt was surrounded in the first wave of the enemy attack, but by means of the buried cable Lieutenant-Colonel Elstob was able to assure his Brigade Commander that "The Manchester Regiment will defend Manchester Hill to the last." Sometime after this post was overcome by vastly superior forces, and this very gallant officer was killed in the final assault, having maintained to the end the duty which he had impressed on his men - namely, "Here we fight, and here we die." He set throughout the highest example of valour, determination, endurance and fine soldierly bearing."