The surplus of 497 men of the 8/9 Dublins was assigned to the 20th Entrenching Battalion, along with men from 3rd South Africans, 3/4 Queens Own (Royal West Kent Regt), 10th Kings Yorkshire Light Infantry, and 9th Leicesters
The battalions was northwest of Peronne. They remained working on the light railway on 21st March during the first day of the German attack.
24 March 1918
Whereever they were, 20th Entrenching Battalion had to move on 24th March in the face of the German advance. They had to leave their kit behind them, and moved towards Harbonnieres
25 March 1918
The 20th Entrenching Battalion met the Germans on their way to Harbonniers, and four Privates of 8/9 Dublins were killed.
26 March 1918
On 26th March, 8th Division found itself in an untenable position. There were large gaps to either side. 'Orders for retirement reached the 8th Division at 10 am, and it accomplished the movement in good order without serious difficulty: the 23rd and 24th Brigades were both attacked at the moment of withdrawal, but repulsed the enemy with heavy loss. Covered during the final stages by the [heavily depleted] 25th Brigade, which had been in support, the two former brigades had passed through Lihons (3 miles north of Hattencourt) by 2 pm. Then the division, still retaining the 150th Brigade and two battalions of the 151st Brigade of the 50th Division, was able to settle down on the new line, reinforced by the 20th Entrenching Battalion which was digging it.'
The 20th Entrenching Battalion were ordered to join 16th (Irish Divisoin) and moved towards Bray sur Somme, before arriving at Etineham
Battalions in Royal Dublin Fusiliers