 The company was soon in action . Cherry 's section captured a large fortified farm on the edge of the village . As they entered the muddy main street , the Australians came under heavy fire from the houses lining the road and from an adjacent stable yard . Cherry " rushed the stable yard " and a fierce firefight developed , before the Germans surrendered . As Cherry and his men moved through Lagnicourt , they found the main resistance coming from a large chalky crater , " spotted with white chalk " , at the crossroads in the village centre . The Germans ' stout defence was holding up the advance and Cherry sent a messenger back for more Stokes mortars . Becoming impatient at the delay , Cherry decided to rush the position under the cover of Lewis Gun and rifle grenade fire . Capturing the crater , he found Lieutenant Harold Hereward <unk> at the bottom wounded . <unk> had taken over command of the second section when Lieutenant Hamilton was wounded , and it had now been reduced to six men . 
