The Germans continually worked around the brigade's positions and by 09:00 the remains of the brigade, three officers and 68 other ranks, were in trenches near Rouchy, the division HQ. The front line of 23rd Brigade, 2nd West Yorks. and 2nd Middlesex, were forced slowly back from the front line and then held their ground in the battle zone north of the river. German tanks sent against them were destroyed by the French anti-tank batteries. After 07:00 they were out-flanked from both sides, from the east by the movement that had gotten behind the other brigades of the division, and one from the west from the 50th Division area, which then pushed south forcing the 2nd Devons. back to Pontavert on the river. Here it was surrounded and was killed or captured almost to the last man. The remnants of the brigade, described as a handful of infantry and a few gunners, were organized to the south, on high ground. With losses of guns from the intense an "uncannily accurate" German artillery bombardment, many of the gunners fought as infantry around their positions as the German infantry arrived and forced them steadily back. The 5th Battery, XLV Brigade, after keeping up fire until the Germans infantry surrounded them, fought on as infantry with only four men escaping, three having been ordered away as they were unarmed. The 2nd Devons. and the 5th Battery (R.H.A.) were later cited in French Army orders and awarded the Croix de Guerre with bronze palm. By mid morning the remains of the division were across the river and were estimated to be no more than 1,000 strong.
