Canadian Captured MG 08/15

**boltaction** · 12-26-2011 08:48 PM

Here's another one from my basement--this one is a very defunct 08/15, marked on the barrel jacket "Captured and Claimed by 7th Canadian Btn, 2/9/18". I've included some photos, including one as it was when I got it, and how it is now with the regulation tack welds so you can't open it anymore. You know, the necessary changes to make the world safer by preventing anyone from reactivating a 90 year old machine gun which is missing its works, springs, muzzle booster, trigger assemby, belt feed, decent barrel, etc, none of which have been made for about 90 years..................

If anyone knows whether 2/9/18 would be Sept 2 or Feb 9th, that would be helpful.

Cheers

Ed

And many thanks to Warren, who has a book of capture papers, indicating that this machine gun was captured near Villers les Cagincourt on September 2nd. When I Googled that, I found a mention in the 10th Battalion CEF (Calgary Highlanders) history indicating a Victoria Cross was won that day:

SGT. ARTHUR GEORGE KNIGHT, V.C.,
10TH BN. C.E.F.

Arthur George Knight was born near Lewes, Sussex, England, on the 26th of June, 1886. In 1911 he came to Canada where he worked as a carpenter prior to the outbreak of war. He joined the 46th Battalion in December, 1914, went overseas in the following year, and was sent to the 10th Battalion in France. He served a total of three years in France before he was fatally wounded. Sergeant Knight was awarded the Croix de Guerre by the Belgian Government in November, 1917, for his outstanding service. The action which won him the Victoria Cross took place on the 2nd day of September, 1918, at Villers-lez-Cagnicourt, France. Knight and Sussex Crescents in Coventry Place, Regina, Saskatchewan, are named in his honour. He is buried in Dominion Cemetery, Hendecourt-lez-Cagincourt, France.

For most conspicuous bravery, initiative, and devotion to duty when after an unsuccessful attack, Sgt. Knight led a bombing section forward, under very heavy fire of all descriptions, and engaged the enemy at close quarters. Seeing that his party continued to be held up, he dashed forward alone, bayoneting several of the enemy machine-gunners and trench mortar crews and forcing the remainder to retire in confusion. He then brought forward a Lewis gun and directed his fire on the retreating enemy, inflicting many casualties.

In the subsequent advance of his platoon in pursuit, Sgt. Knight saw a party of about thirty of the enemy go into a deep tunnel which led off the trench. He again dashed forward alone, and having killed one officer and two N.C.O.'s, he captured twenty other ranks. Subsequently he routed, single-handed, another enemy party which was opposing the advance of his platoon.

On each occasion he displayed the greatest valour under fire at very close range, and by his example of courage, gallantry and initiative, was a wonderful inspiration to all.

This very gallant N.C.O. was subsequently fatally wounded.

Looking further at the online War Diaries of the 7th Battalion CEF (Ottawa) they were the first part of this attack on September 2, 1918--the link to the relevant war diary page is here. There is mention of the 7th capturing between 600 and 700 prisoners, and also capturing a number of machine guns (including mine). The 7th seems to have reached its objective, and the 20th then carried on towards its objective, during which presumably the VC above was captured. This attack was the last part of the push towards the banks of the infamous Canal du Nord.

http://data2.collectionscanada.ca/e/e044/e001084295.jpg

Ed

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