The following is taken from the IV Corps War Diary in the National Archives (WO 95/717). For the 21st March I have extraced those entries that show waht was happening to 6 Division on that day, as seen from the reports from Division to Corps HQ.

6.10 Communication with 71 and 18 Bde.  Line to 18 Bde cut.

6.30 No attack developing.  All lines forward of left Bde [16 BDE] cut but Coys. reporting by Power Buzzer.

6.35 Bde reserves ordered to assembly positions.  Line to 18 Bde cut.

6.51 16 Bde front line battalions report everything OK, mostly gas shells.

7.10 71 Bde left battalion, the battalion on their left [York & Lancs] report enemy concentrating in CORNHILL VALLEY.

8.35 71 Bde heavy HE bombardment continues, very little gas.

9.43 Right Coy. of left battalion of 71 Bde attcked by enemy but beaten them off.

9.50 Heavy T.M. [trench mortar] fire from BIRDCAGE. Division HQ moved to FAVREUIL.

10.04 71 Bde report S.O.S’s [SOS flares for artillery] in large numbers of left battalion front.

10.20 Front Line broken. SKIPTON RESERVE surrounded.  Horses and guns moving up valley East of CORNHILL VALLEY.

10.30 Hold whole of Battle Zone. Situation was restored by immediate counter attacks.

10.45 71 Bde front broken at 10.30 SKIPTON RESERVE surrounded.  2 Coys. sent to counter attack SKIPTON. 

  18 Bde report enemy attacking and in place in their Support Lines.

  16 Bde report enemy through Front Line.  Enemy advancing in hundreds down HIRONDELLE VALLEY.

11.40 Enemy broken through LEEDS RESERVE.

12.15 Withdrawing from LAGNICOURT TRENCH to MORCHIES - VAULX line. Enemy in Noreuil.

12.35 Enemy infantry and guns reported beyond LEEDS RESERVE across HIRONDELLE VALLEY, also in D.19.

13.00 18 Bde & 71 Bde holding Reserve Line.  Right of 16 Bde [York & Lancs] driven back.  Enemy coming through LAGNICOURT in C.24.d.

1.40 71 Bde to endeavour to hold on to their present position in the reserve line until dark.

3.50 Hold MORCHIES - VAULX lineon left. Gap forming between left of Division and 59 Division.

5.30 Remnants of 16 Bde in VAULX - MORCHIES line. Enemy reported advancing from N.W. of HIRONDELLE VALLEY towards VAULX.

7.00 Instructions to units to re-establish MORCHIES - VAULX line.

8.45 Holding section of MORCHIES - VAULX line in front of MORCHIES. Enemy concentrating in C.29.d, C.28.a. Guns being turned on.

  16 Bde in touch with 71 Bde, but gap on left. [to 59 Division]