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+Project Gutenberg's Three years in France with the Guns:, by C. A. Rose
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Three years in France with the Guns:
+       Being Episodes in the life of a Field Battery
+
+Author: C. A. Rose
+
+Release Date: November 14, 2006 [EBook #19814]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THREE YEARS IN FRANCE ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Geetu Melwani, Christine P. Travers, Sigal
+Alon and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at
+http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images
+generously made available by The Internet Archive/Canadian
+Libraries)
+
+
+
+
+
+[Transcriber's note: Obvious printer's errors have been corrected.
+The original spelling has been retained.
+--The caption of the illustration page 38 was unclear.
+--Page 50: "serious of raids" has been replaced by "series of raids"
+--Page 76: "must against" has been replaced by "much against"]
+
+
+
+
+                         THREE YEARS IN FRANCE
+
+                             WITH THE GUNS,
+
+
+
+                                BEING
+
+
+
+                   EPISODES IN THE LIFE OF A FIELD
+
+                               BATTERY.
+
+
+
+
+                                 BY
+
+                           C.A. ROSE, M.C.,
+
+                             LATE OF THE
+
+                        ROYAL FIELD ARTILLERY.
+
+
+
+
+                              Printed By
+                   The Allen Lithographic Co., Ltd.,
+                              Kirkcaldy
+
+
+
+
+INTRODUCTION.
+
+
+These brief notes of experiences with the guns for thirty-eight months
+in France were primarily penned for my own satisfaction. Friends who
+read the manuscript expressed much interest in it, and added the hope
+that it might be given a more permanent form. Hence it is that it is
+now printed for private circulation.
+
+The story is a simple record of the fortunes of my own Battery and
+Brigade, and is intended as a tribute to the good comradeship which
+existed, under all conditions, among all ranks.
+                                               C.A.R.
+EDINBURGH,
+    _January, 1919._
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS.
+
+
+Chapter I.,    Breaking us in,                 1
+
+   "   II.,    Our First Battle,               8
+
+   "  III.,    "Peace Warfare."               15
+
+   "   IV.,    In "the Salient,"              23
+
+   "    V.,    On the Somme,                  30
+
+   "   VI.,    Messines,                      39
+
+   "  VII.,    Ypres Again,                   47
+
+   " VIII.,    Cambrai,                       60
+
+   "   IX.,    At Arras,                      68
+
+   "    X.,    March the 21st,                73
+
+   "   XI.,    The Turn of the Tide,          78
+
+   "  XII.,    Through the Hindenburg Line,   83
+
+[Illustration: The "Grey Battery" at St. Omer, May 1917]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.                                                         (p. 001)
+
+Breaking Us In.
+
+
+On a morning early in August, 1915, the Brigade disembarked at Havre
+without mishap to man, horse, or material, and proceeded to a Rest
+Camp on the outskirts of the town. We were in France at last! The same
+evening the Batteries started to entrain, and every two hours a
+complete unit was despatched up the line--to an unknown destination.
+The men received refreshments at various Haltes, and the horses were
+duly watered and fed, but the journey was, on the whole, long and
+tedious. On one occasion only was the monotony broken, and that
+unwittingly, by the humour of one of the officers. In the course of
+the evening, the train stopped at a small station, and the compartment
+in which the officers were settled drew up in front of the Buffet.
+Some one asked where we were, and a subaltern, anxious to display his
+newly-acquired knowledge of French, replied, "Bouvette," which called
+forth no response. Shortly afterwards the train proceeded on its way,
+and the occupants of the carriage settled themselves down to sleep.
+All passed quietly for the next couple of hours--then the train
+stopped once more, and, as luck would have it, again our carriage came
+to a standstill directly opposite the buffet of the station. At once a
+question was asked as to our whereabouts. The same subaltern, shaking
+himself out of a deep slumber, stretched, roused himself, and, peering
+out of the window, exclaimed, "Good Lor', still at this beastly hole,
+'Bouvette'!" He expressed much surprise at the "unseemly mirth," as he
+described it, which followed!!
+
+After detraining, the Battery marched through beautiful country, which
+reminded one of the Borders, as it was not unlike the valley of the
+Tweed, and we were at once taken to the hearts of the inhabitants  (p. 002)
+of the good village of Seningham, which place was destined to be our
+home for the next few days. The officers were afforded spacious
+accommodation in the house of the Maire, whilst the men had comfortable
+billets in the neighbourhood. Time was spent making our unit shipshape
+after its travels by land and sea, and the "hairies" obtained as much
+grazing as possible, to make them fit for what was in store for them.
+It was wonderful how quickly the men adapted themselves to French
+ways, and much amusement was caused by their eager, if somewhat
+unsuccessful, attempts to master the language of our Allies.
+
+When it became known that the officers were anxious to increase their
+knowledge of the language of the country, the maidens of the village
+vied with one another to obtain posts as instructresses, and there was
+nearly a free fight amongst them for the possession of our worthy
+Senior Subaltern, whose taking ways did not fail to catch their
+attention!
+
+But, alas! our peaceful warfare was not to be for long! One morning
+sudden orders came through to prepare for the line in a couple of
+days' time. All was instant bustle, extra grooming was given to the
+horses, and finishing touches were put to the howitzers and vehicles.
+We were to be given a trial in action to show how we would comport
+ourselves before joining the "Feet" of our own Division, the Guards,
+who at that time were out at rest. For this purpose we were to be
+placed under the orders of the C.R.A. of an Indian Division, to
+reinforce the Batteries already in positions and receive instruction
+from them.
+
+At last the morning arrived to move off, the column, skirting the town
+of St. Omer, took the main road to Hazebrouck, and, as we passed
+through the village of Arques, we caught a first glimpse of our future
+infantry. They appeared equally keen on seeing their new artillery,
+and inspected us with a critical eye. The march was made in easy
+stages, and on the morning of the third day the Brigade arrived at
+Merville, a quaint old town in Flemish Flanders. After a hasty lunch,
+the officers rode ahead, in order to get into touch with the unit we
+were to support in the line, and another amusing incident happened _en
+route_. One of the Junior Officers owned a sturdy mare, whose
+reputation as a charger was apt to be ridiculed by his companions, as
+she was notorious for her slow gait. When the party had proceeded some
+distance at the trot, "Halting Hilda" was observed, to the astonishment
+of everyone, to be gradually taking the lead. This fact called     (p. 003)
+forth the remark from her master, "By Jove, she is pulling extraordinarily
+hard to day: what can be the matter with the animal?" It was then
+discovered that the rider had been at her mercy for the last couple of
+miles, the bit clanking merrily from side to side under her great jaw.
+In the hurry and excitement of departure, after lunch, the bit had not
+been replaced in her mouth!
+
+The afternoon was spent in reconnoitering the gun positions allotted
+to us, which were the alternative positions of the units already in
+line. As a rule, each battery makes a second or alternative gun
+position, in case it should be shelled out of its existing one, so
+that no delay takes place in getting into action again. When night
+fell there was subdued excitement in the wagon line as the time drew
+near to take the guns "in." This was actually the beginning of our
+first venture--would we have the luck to get there without being
+caught in the enemy's harassing fire? How would we behave under
+shell-fire: would we be steady or otherwise? All these and many other
+questions flashed through our minds, for a great deal depends, more
+than one would believe, on how a new and inexperienced unit receives
+its baptism of fire.
+
+At length a start was made, and the Battery moved off, and soon turned
+down the long, straight main road leading to La Bassée, the trees on
+either side showing signs of shrapnel scars, and even in the darkness
+it could be seen that the cottages were, for the most part, in ruins.
+It felt distinctly eerie as the small column proceeded silently on its
+way without showing lights of any description; the stillness and
+darkness broken now and again by the barking of a gun as we drew
+nearer the battery zone, and by an occasional Verey Light, which
+seemed to reveal us in all our nakedness. That long stretch of road
+seemed interminable--were we never going to reach our destination?
+However, all remained quiet throughout our progress, and at last we
+arrived at the entrance to the gun position, which was to be our home
+for the next fortnight. The guns were speedily unlimbered and
+man-handled into the pits awaiting their reception, the ammunition was
+unloaded from the vehicles, and the teams were returned to the wagon
+line.
+
+The following morning the pieces were "layed out" on our particular
+zone, and we had time to look round and take stock of our new      (p. 004)
+abode, which was a farmhouse standing in the centre of an orchard
+adjoining the main road. The building itself was by no means intact,
+although, as yet, habitable. It gave us enough shelter of a kind, and
+we soon adjusted ourselves to the prevailing conditions, and the
+outhouses surrounding it afforded ample accommodation for the
+detachments. The gun pits were cunningly concealed in the front
+portion of the orchard, special care having been taken against the
+prying eyes of hostile aeroplanes. We were fortunate in the choice of
+position made for our first time in the line, for two reasons,
+firstly, it was an interesting zone--including the village of Neuve
+Chapelle now immediately behind our front line--and, secondly, it was
+quiet. The country there is extremely flat, with the exception of
+Aubers Ridge, which, occupied by the enemy, overlooked us to a certain
+extent, although the many trees and woods prevented his having an
+uninterrupted view. Our tuition began at once, and we were conducted
+to the front line through innumerable communication trenches, which,
+at first, reminded one of a maze at an exhibition, the only difference
+being that numerous notice-boards directed our movements.
+
+There we were welcomed, with smiling faces, by men of a Ghurka
+battalion, their white teeth and flashing eyes showing up their brown
+skins. Now and then they would stop sharpening their deadly-looking
+kukris, their dearest possession, to allow us to pass along the
+trench. Nothing delighted these brave little men more than to be
+permitted to go on a silent raid at night, when they wormed themselves
+through the wire in "No Man's Land," and did as much damage on the
+other side as possible. They have been known to enter the enemy
+trenches without a sound, killing everyone within reach, and to return
+radiant, quite unscathed. When questioned as to why they had not
+brought in any prisoners for identification purposes, they would
+merely roll their eyes, shrug their shoulders, and say, "Enemy all
+quiet, he asleep," and calmly remove the still warm gore from their
+knives! Continuing on our way, we next struck a Highland regiment, the
+necessary complement of the one of stout little men just left behind.
+It was most interesting, as one had heard so much about the
+traditional good comradeship existing, in India, between Ghurka and
+Highlander, and here they were still side by side in France. Their
+mutual admiration is boundless and unconcealed, and it was most    (p. 005)
+amusing to watch the little men aping the ways of the big Highlanders,
+who look huge in comparison with them. The Ghurka regiments have their
+own pipe bands, and play them as if they, too, had been born and bred
+in the mountains and glens of Scotland.
+
+Soon we came to a fire bay, specially well placed to obtain a good
+view of the enemy trenches, which had been converted into what is
+known as an O.P., _i.e._, an artillery observation post. These O.P.'s
+are manned during daylight by the F.O.O. (Forward Observation Officer)
+and his signaller assistants. Their job is to keep a close watch on
+hostile trenches, watching for any unusual movement or for the
+appearance of new constructive works, such as machine gun emplacements
+or new saps. The O.P. has numerous wires leading into it, and these
+come from all the batteries in immediate support of that part of the
+line, which are jointly responsible for its defence. Our own signallers
+had been out early, and a wire had already been carefully laid and
+labelled from our gun position to the O.P., so we were now ready to
+register our howitzers on some definite object behind the enemy lines.
+A house, or some such landmark which is shewn on our trench maps, is
+usually chosen to calibrate upon. There is little trouble in effecting
+this, but, at first, there is some difficulty in following the rounds
+as they fall, through a periscope, owing to its small field of vision.
+It was, however, imperative to make use of that instrument, in this
+case, as an enemy sniper, watchful and on the alert, had already seen
+the top of it, and from time to time a bullet passed overhead
+unpleasantly close. This served to remind us to be discreet and to run
+no risks by exposing ourselves in the slightest degree above the
+parapet. Sometimes it is very difficult to restrain one's enthusiasm
+when there is an interesting shoot taking place.
+
+The pieces being duly registered, the Battery is now ready for any
+emergency, and theoretically we can engage any target in our arc of
+fire. It is then essential to learn the country in hostile territory,
+and one looks out for likely targets and for points at which one can
+inconvenience the enemy by keeping him under constant harassing fire.
+This work must necessarily be done from a point of vantage where a
+good wide view can be obtained, and, in most cases, a house, tree, or
+high piece of ground well behind the lines, is selected for a Rear
+O.P.
+
+In an incredibly short space of time every officer learns the      (p. 006)
+country off by heart, and can bring any gun to bear on a particular
+target at short notice. At first Junior Officers are allowed practice
+shoots on targets well behind the enemy lines, and as they gain
+confidence and experience, are entrusted with "close shoots," _i.e._,
+firing on hostile emplacements, etc., in the front line, a job which
+requires extreme caution and accuracy, as "No Man's Land" averages not
+more than 200 yards in width in most places. Batteries can always
+communicate with Battalion Headquarters in the line, a wire, usually
+buried, leading from there to our Brigade Headquarters, and each
+Battery has its own private wire to the latter place. In the same way
+one can be linked up with nearly every unit in a Division by means of
+an Exchange run by the Royal Engineers.
+
+A few days sufficed us to make ourselves quite at home, and officers
+went freely about "seeking whom they might devour," visited old
+established O.P.'s, and searched for new or better ones. It is a
+curious fact that the average subaltern is never fully satisfied with
+an O.P., and is always bent on discovering "something better,"
+although in few cases is his ambition realised! One officer favours
+this O.P., another that, and on this occasion the one which our worthy
+Battery Commander had a preference for was a most unpleasant place,
+commonly known as "The Doll's House," though why so called no one
+could tell. At any rate, it was an abode to be avoided on all possible
+occasions, and the subalterns were quite convinced it was the
+registering place of all the hostile batteries within range and
+vision. At any rate, we daily found less and less of the building,
+until one day the staircase was blown away as well as the perch on top
+which afforded us our view. Great was the relief when the B.C. at last
+declared the O.P. "out of action" until further notice.
+
+Nearly every O.P. has an appropriate name given to it, and so we
+repaired to "Stink Farm" after abandoning our old love! We put in most
+useful days of practice there, and the knowledge and experience gained
+was invaluable. Our thanks were due to the enemy for his consideration
+in allowing us to conduct our daily tasks almost unmolested: he showed
+himself to be most lethargic and sleepy, and did not waken up unless
+we were unusually energetic. Perhaps his chief reason for remaining so
+inactive was the absence of any heavy guns on our side. Our largest
+piece was a 60 pdr., and he may have thought mere Field Artillery  (p. 007)
+beneath his consideration. Nor was he more active in the air; his
+planes rarely passed over our lines, and when they did, it was at so
+great a height that it was quite impossible for them to gather
+information. However, one day, we were extremely fortunate in seeing a
+hostile plane, that had ventured to cross over our lines at a lower
+altitude, brought down in flames by a direct hit from an "Archie"
+battery lying in wait close behind our own position. It is a rare
+sight, for, to tell the truth, anti-aircraft batteries are not held in
+particularly high respect by anyone except by those of their own ilk,
+and on only two other occasions did we ever see the like again.
+
+Our fortnight soon sped by, and we were quite reluctant when the time
+came to go "out." We left our neighbours, who had befriended us so
+well, with the sincere hope that we would have the good fortune to
+meet and lie alongside of them again in the future. This hope,
+however, was not destined to be fulfilled. We retraced our steps
+through Merville and Aire to the same area from whence we came, to a
+village called Nielles, in order to concentrate as a Division, which,
+when formed, was designated the Guards Division.
+
+The inhabitants, as usual, extended a warm welcome to us and showed us
+every consideration, and we settled down to enjoy the peaceful
+surroundings bathed in the warm and pleasant September sunshine, while
+the Senior Subaltern availed himself of the opportunity of again
+laying siege to the hearts of his former conquests at Seningham close
+by. Our own C.R.A. came to visit us here, and the officers were
+severally introduced to him. He expressed satisfaction at the report
+which came to him from the line, concerning our conduct in action, and
+added that the high opinion formed of us at home had in no wise been
+diminished, and that our reputation merited the distinction conferred
+on us of being selected as the Artillery of the Guards from among the
+many units of the new Army.
+
+Thus we waited, confident in the belief that, whatever we were in the
+future called upon to do, we would at least put up a good show, and
+determined to be a credit to the Division of which we now formed a
+part. We had not long to wait, whispers passed round that we would be
+up and doing at no distant date, and these rumours proved to be well
+founded.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.                                                        (p. 008)
+
+Our First Battle.
+
+
+Our marching orders came within the next few days. Each unit was
+provided with portable bridges, which were carried under the wagon
+bodies, and this, and several other preparations, gave us a good
+indication that we were out for business. A couple of days trekking
+brought us to the village of Nedonchel, which proved to be another
+place of happy memory to our Senior Subaltern. Here we were given a
+rough idea of the part we were to play in the coming proceedings. Two
+army corps were to attack, on a six mile front, in the neighbourhood
+of Loos and, if the assault was successful, the corps in reserve,
+which included our Division, was to go through and exploit the victory
+to its fullest advantage. We were to take no part in the initial
+attack.
+
+Large masses of troops were being moved up behind the battle area,
+and, in order to screen our movements from hostile aircraft, the
+latter stages of the journey were to be made under cover of darkness,
+so the whole of the next day was spent in resting. At nightfall a
+diversion was caused by a Cavalry Division passing through the village
+on its way up, and a splendid sight it presented, as one famous
+regiment followed swiftly on another. It was now almost time for us to
+make a start, and the good lady of the house had remained out of bed
+to brew us hot coffee and see us off the premises. As we were about to
+depart she told us that her old mother, aged 88, who was in the next
+room, had expressed the desire to see us for a moment, and so we were
+conducted to the old lady's bedside. She was lying telling her beads,
+but sat up as we approached and beckoned to each officer in turn, who
+advanced, knelt, and received a blessing. The inhabitants knew well
+that a big battle was to be fought quite soon, as the little       (p. 009)
+village had been the scene of great activity during the past few days
+and, although it was a considerable distance from the line, the
+preliminary bombardment could be distinctly heard. The low muffled
+rumble was incessant, and, to-night, seemed, if anything, more
+intense. Shortly after midnight we set off and disappeared into the
+darkness, followed by words of good cheer from the villagers and
+shouts of "Bon chance, messieurs, bon chance."
+
+Passing through Bruay we arrived a few miles behind the battle front
+on the morning of the assault, which was delivered at an early hour,
+and soon the news came back that, so far, everything was going well;
+the village of Loos had already fallen into our hands. As the day wore
+on, however, and the expected orders to advance were not forthcoming,
+we suspected that all was not as it should be and our fears were
+confirmed soon afterwards by instructions being given to prepare to
+bivouac overnight on the ground close by. What actually happened was
+this:--The initial attack was successful in capturing and overrunning
+the enemy's front line trenches over the whole area, but, on advancing
+to the second trench system a great deal of wire was found to have
+been left unbroken or untouched by our artillery, and this held the
+infantry up at vital places. The attack, however, was pressed with
+great courage and determination, and in some places the flood of men
+swept on, but, unfortunately, in others, little or no progress was
+made. The line, consequently, soon presented a crooked, irregular
+shape, which made the situation difficult and obscure. The enemy,
+moreover, had anticipated the attack and had large reinforcements at
+hand which were at once thrown in, and after a ding-dong struggle
+throughout the day the advance came to an abrupt standstill. Two
+Divisions from the Reserve Corps were then sent in, and, on the
+following afternoon, the Guards attacked and helped to a large extent
+in straightening out a considerable portion of the line. It was not
+until nightfall of the third day that we entered the battle and took
+up a position immediately north of Vermelles Station in the back
+garden of a row of damaged villas. On our way "in," a couple of
+cavalry regiments, which had been holding Loos for the last two days
+and which had just been relieved, passed us. There passed also the
+remnant of one of the Scottish Divisions which had fought so valiantly
+and paid so heavy a price. Footsore, weary, and caked with mud from
+top to toe, with every sign of what they had been through upon     (p. 010)
+them, and heavily laden with "souvenirs" in addition to their full
+kit, the men could scarcely crawl along. However, just as one battalion
+came abreast of us, in such condition, the pipes tuned up and at once
+every head was erect and not a man was out of step as they swung past
+us; such is the moral force of the bagpipes. It was one of those
+moments in which a lump rises in the throat and a thrill runs down the
+spine.
+
+In our new position we speedily learnt what we could do and what we
+could not do. For instance, the signallers were able to introduce
+electric light into our abode by tapping a live wire which ran
+outside, from one fosse to the next, for we were now in the Lens coal
+district with mines dotted about here and there. On the other hand, we
+soon learnt to refrain from sleeping or showing lights in the second
+storey of our billet which was evidently under direct observation by
+the enemy, who did not take long to acquaint us with the fact.
+
+There was always a good deal of firing to be done each day, for,
+although the battle may be said to have finished after four or five
+days, there were several side-shows before the line was adjusted to
+our liking, and the enemy's fire was almost continuous. This bothered
+the F.O.O. parties considerably, and communication was difficult to
+maintain for more than a short time between the front line and
+Battery. The wire was frequently broken in numerous places, and this
+kept signallers and linesmen working at high pressure to repair the
+damage. The O.P.'s were moderately good, with the exception of one in
+"Gun Trench," where our men held a portion, then came a sand bagged
+wall occupied on the other side by our opponents which they were able
+to enter by a *T*-shaped communication trench, then another sand-bagged
+wall with our infantry beyond. Neither side could shell this trench
+for fear of injury to their own party, but this did not prevent a
+lively exchange of bombs, intermingled with various forms and sizes of
+"Minnies," which were hurled at frequent intervals. Sniping was also
+rampant, and periscopes, no matter how small, survived not longer than
+a few minutes. It was from this delightful spot that one of the
+subalterns arrived at the Battery one evening with his head swathed in
+bandages like a Sultan's turban. He had been trying conclusions with a
+"Minnie," and, as this was in the days before the introduction of the
+steel helmet, the latter had easily come out on top. When the wound
+was ascertained to be nothing like as serious as the size of the
+bandage seemed to indicate, he was removed to the wagon line amid  (p. 011)
+jeers from his brother officers, and a few days' rest sufficed to
+bring him back to duty again.
+
+Now, in one portion of the zone which we were covering, "No Man's
+Land" extended some 1500 yards in depth, and midway, lying in the
+valley, were what appeared to be two derelict enemy guns partially
+camouflaged This aroused the curiosity of the Staff, who called for
+volunteers to go out and make an investigation and report as to the
+condition of the sights, etc. Our B.C. gallantly offered his services,
+in spite of the fact that he was over six feet in height, and
+presented a most conspicuous figure, and would not be deterred. He set
+off crawling through the long grass on his perilous journey, and there
+was a huge grin on his face when he returned. After his report went in
+we ascertained that the two pieces were nothing more than cleverly
+constructed dummies formed from cart wheels, telegraph poles and
+trunks of trees, but it was not until he almost came up to them that
+he made the discovery.
+
+The detachments meanwhile had settled down, making improvements to
+their billets and strengthening the gun pits, and were already proving
+themselves seasoned warriors. On one occasion a nasty accident
+happened, due to the explosion of a howitzer, caused, as was
+afterwards proved, by a faulty shell. The complete gun crew, with the
+exception of the No. 1 in charge, was wounded. Three of their number
+were temporarily buried by the earth thrown up by the explosion, and
+it was probably due to that fact that no one was killed. The pit
+naturally fell to bits and the debris was indescribable, but the
+Sergeant managed to disentangle himself, and, standing stiffly to
+attention, reported to the officer on duty, "No. 2 gun out of action,
+sir!" No time was lost in digging out the injured men, and it was only
+found necessary to evacuate three of the number to the nearest
+dressing station--the remainder flatly refusing to go. The layer, in
+particular, deserved great credit for his grit, for, in spite of
+having been buried, and having scarcely a hair left on his head and
+devoid of eyebrows, not to mention the shock to his nervous system, he
+was again serving his gun 24 hours later, on the arrival of the new
+piece. Some idea of the force of the explosion can be gathered from
+the fact that the barrel was found, in two pieces, some 150 yards
+away, having been blown over a railway embankment, while the       (p. 012)
+breech block, which weighs about a cwt., was discovered, after a 12
+hours' search, embedded in the ground six feet below the pit. At this
+period a considerable number of "prematures" were taking place, and,
+on one occasion, we ascribed this wounding of two gunners to this
+cause, but afterwards found out our mistake. An S.O.S. went up after
+dark, and, at the time of firing No. 3 gun, the layer and another
+gunner were both badly hit by what appeared to be a "premature" just
+outside the bore of the piece. Throughout this period we were firing
+nothing but high explosive shells. Great therefore was our surprise
+when, three weeks later, letters arrived from both men, who were in
+hospital, to say that in each case shrapnel bullets had been extracted
+from them! What had actually occurred was this: At the same time that
+the trigger was pulled and the shell discharged, a "pip squeak" must
+have burst in front of the mouth of the gun pit, driving the bullets
+through the entrance.
+
+Day after day passed in much the same way, neither side attempting to
+make an attack on any large scale, but on the morning of the 8th
+October, it was observed that the hostile shelling was not normal, and
+had increased in extent along the whole recently captured area.
+Preparations were therefore rapidly made to meet any eventuality, and,
+as the day advanced and his bombardment gained in strength, it was
+apparent to everyone that the enemy contemplated an attack. At noon
+orders were received to be ready, at any time, to lay down a
+destructive barrage on a certain zone. The Staff had happily
+anticipated the point of attack accurately, and, by the time the enemy
+concentrated his final burst of fire on his objectives, every gun in
+the neighbourhood which could bear, was trained on the vital spot
+ready to open out. When at last the time arrived, the bombardment
+ceased abruptly, and the enemy's infantry advanced to the assault wave
+upon wave, for the most part in mass formation and with arms linked
+together. Emerging from a wood, they had a considerable distance to
+cover across open ground before approaching our trenches, so both our
+infantry and artillery fire was at first withheld. This gave
+encouragement to the enemy, and, as his bombardment had been pretty
+severe, he expected more or less of a "walk over," and did not reckon
+on what was to follow. When he had advanced to within 200 yards    (p. 013)
+of our lines, suddenly rapid fire spurted out from our rifles and
+machine guns, and guns of every description spat H.E. and shrapnel,
+and his ranks were literally mown down. Then a curtain was put down
+behind--a solid wall of fire--which made it practically impossible for
+the troops to retire, and their plight was beyond all hope. While they
+were cogitating whether to come on or go back, they were slaughtered
+in heaps--raked by the deadly machine guns. Very few indeed survived
+to tell the tale, but one prisoner claimed to be most indignant with
+the whole proceedings, and expressed his opinion that we did not "play
+the game" by withholding our fire, and that they imagined they had
+only to walk into our trenches and take possession of them. This
+proved to be the last big hostile counter-attack attempted, and indeed
+both sides were content to remain in their own trenches. We made a
+smaller attack the next week, but it was also unsuccessful, and little
+or no ground was gained. The enemy artillery devoted themselves
+principally to counter battery work, and several British batteries,
+which were ill concealed, had a most unpleasant time. Free use was
+made of lachrymatory shell, our first taste of it. One clear,
+moonlight night the battery was firing at a slow rate, and apparently
+the enemy saw our flashes, for he speedily turned a 4.2 battery on to
+us, his shells landing just short of each gun pit. No casualties
+resulted, but a shell entered the window of one detachment's billet
+and exploded, completely wrecking the room and destroying the men's
+equipment. Soon afterwards instructions were issued to change
+positions, and this was effected without loss or mishap. The new
+position was more favourably placed, some little way in front of the
+Fosse at Annequin, and had been constructed by the French. We were now
+covering the Hohenzollern Redoubt of evil memory. Another O.P. was
+constructed on the railway embankment on the La Bassée-Vermelles line,
+which lent itself favourably to the construction of a shaft for
+protection, the soil, for the most part, being chalk, as indeed it was
+in all the surrounding neighbourhood. It was our misfortune at this
+position to say farewell to our Battery Commander, who left us to take
+up a Staff appointment with the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, and
+all ranks were sorry to lose a leader who had thus far shared all
+their joys and sorrows. At the same time we were fortunate in      (p. 014)
+securing in his successor one who quickly and tactfully took up the
+reins of office, and the Battery continued to run on equally smooth
+lines.
+
+It now became quite evident that operations would not resume the
+nature of a battle, and it was no surprise to receive intimation that
+the Division would shortly retire from the conflict. Nobody was sorry
+at the prospect of going out, although useful lessons had been learnt
+and considerable experience had undoubtedly been gained.
+
+The weather was beginning to break, and towards the end of the first
+week in November we withdrew to the village of Sailly, preparatory to
+marching into the nest area for which we were bound.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.                                                       (p. 015)
+
+"Peace Warfare."
+
+
+When it became known that our destination was to be the sector
+immediately adjoining the one we had already been in, facing Aubers
+Ridge, our delight knew no bounds, for all were well aware that that
+locality was considered a "cushy" spot which augured well for the
+coming winter.
+
+No delay was made in leaving Sailly, and, proceeding by way of Bethune
+and St. Venant, we arrived at a small hamlet midway between the latter
+town and Merville. The Battery remained in rest for a few days, while
+a couple of "subs." with a working party commenced construction on the
+new position selected by the B.C. This entailed a considerable amount
+of labour, for timber and all other material had to be carted from the
+R.E. dump at La Gorgue some distance away. With an eye to comfort as
+well as concealment, it was decided to dig the pits in an orchard,
+along some old assembly trenches which had been used by troops before
+the battle of Neuve Chapelle. Close by was a cluster of cottages and
+outhouses in a wonderful state of preservation.
+
+By the end of the week the guns were pulled in, although there still
+remained a lot to do on the position. The house in which the officers
+quartered themselves was intact, with the exception of a few slates on
+the roof and several broken window panes. Moreover, there was a little
+furniture left and there were some fine open fireplaces, so we had
+every reason to be satisfied. Within a short space of time the gun
+pits were completed and camouflaged in keeping with the nature of the
+ground, and great assistance was rendered us during this undertaking
+by an airman who flew over the position from time to time and pointed
+out the various deficiencies. At last when he reported that the
+position could not be seen from a height of 2000 feet we           (p. 016)
+concluded, rightly, that nothing was to be feared in that direction.
+Thus we settled down to a period commonly known as "Peace Warfare."
+This may be summed up as a time when one experiences the maximum
+amount of pleasure that is possible under war conditions, with the
+minimum amount of discomfort. The enemy were completely deceived as to
+our whereabouts, and took us to be in another vacant position some way
+down the road, which was liberally shelled by them whenever fire was
+opened by us, and we used to encourage this procedure by occasionally
+ceasing in order to lead him into the belief that he was doing us
+damage. At all events, the position was never shelled the whole time
+we were in possession of it--a somewhat unique experience for a
+battery in France.
+
+The infantry were also kept busy at the commencement of this period,
+as we had relieved another Indian Division, and on this sector the
+parapet had been built for the most part by Ghurkas, who, however
+stout fellows they may be at heart, have not the stature of Guardsmen.
+The result was the latter found their heads and shoulders showing well
+above the parapet, and this necessitated the immediate heightening of
+the same some two to three feet.
+
+The O.P. duties were divided equally between the subalterns, each
+doing a third daily. The wagon lines were situated east of La Gorgue
+within easy reach, and frequent visits were paid to them, although no
+officer remained there permanently.
+
+During our stay here the Battery came under the direct orders of the
+C.R.A. and was attached to no group in particular. Various tasks were
+alloted to us, and these were, as a rule, most interesting and
+instructive. To further increase our knowledge the B.C. gave the
+majority of these shoots to the Junior Officers, briefly explaining
+the orders and then leaving us to our own devices by departing for the
+rest of the day to the wagon lines on the pretext that he had a
+birthday to celebrate. He had many of them. This plan was much to our
+liking, and tremendous keenness was displayed by all. Great pains were
+taken to carry out everything to the letter, and the signallers also
+carried out their part with equal spirit. The gun detachments at this
+time rose to a high pitch of proficiency and could get 10 rounds a
+minute out of the howitzers, which, considering the double load and
+triple movement, was by no means a bad performance.
+
+A fine level field ran alongside of the position, and it was       (p. 017)
+speedily made use of as a recreation ground. Goal posts were erected,
+and often a hot contest at football would be interrupted by the shrill
+blast of a whistle summoning the men hastily to action. Their task
+completed, they would calmly return and finish the game.
+
+All kinds of mutual understandings existed between the opposing sides
+in this area, which we soon learnt and respected. For instance, the
+village of Aubers lay behind the enemy lines approximately at the same
+distance that Laventie did on our side. Both were used as Brigade
+Headquarters and filled with troops. Neither town was shelled unless
+the enemy accidentally dropped a shell into it, when instant
+retaliation was forthcoming. On one occasion the placid calm of
+Laventie was rudely shaken through the instrumentality of a young
+officer in one of our sister brigades who, unconscious of what he was
+doing, planted several shells into Aubers. The consequence was the
+following conversation took place over the telephone between
+Headquarters and the offending subaltern.
+
+"Hullo! Is that Ack Battery?"
+
+"Yes, sir. Just a moment, sir. I'll put you through to the mess, sir."
+
+"Right you are, but look sharp about it, please. Yes. Hullo! Is that
+an officer? Well, I say, have you been firing just now?"
+
+"Yes, sir. So-and-so is doing a practice shoot from the O.P."
+
+"Put me on to him at once."
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+A brief interval follows, in which various mutterings are overheard by
+the signaller in the exchange, who smiles to himself as he continues
+to listen.
+
+"Hullo! hullo!! Damn these young officers! Will they never learn to
+answer quickly? Slow, slow is not the word for it. Will have to go
+round and shake them up a bit. This is absurd. Hullo! there. Hullo! Is
+he never going to come? Exchange, can't you get him?"
+
+"Just a moment, sir."
+
+"Hullo! hullo!!"
+
+"Yes, sir. So-and-so speaking."
+
+"What the devil are you firing at, young sir?"
+
+"Well, sir, I was given permission to fire a few rounds----"
+
+"Where?"                                                           (p. 018)
+
+"At the cross roads, sir."
+
+"Seen any of them fall?"
+
+"Not as yet, sir."
+
+"Well, for God's sake stop firing at once, sir. Why, man, your shells
+are dropping in Aubers, and they are retaliating like the very devil.
+There goes another, just outside."
+
+"Very sorry, sir. Couldn't make out where the shells were falling."
+
+"Well, report to me as soon as you get back, remember. Have no time to
+listen to an explanation now."
+
+"Very good, sir. Good-bye, sir."
+
+An animated discussion now takes place in the telephone exchange, and
+the unanimous opinion is that poor So-and-so is "for it" and will
+perhaps even get the sack, and who will succeed to the Right Section
+if he leaves the Battery?
+
+In these days a walk along the front line was a delight, and nothing
+gave the F.O.O. greater pleasure than to take his morning
+constitutional from one end of our area to the other and to peer over
+the side at frequent intervals by means of a periscope. Sniping was
+sometimes indulged in, but a target rarely presented itself for the
+simple reason that the enemy was hardly ever in his front line
+trenches during daylight. From one O.P. we could often see one or two
+men running along the trenches with lighted torches kindling fires and
+causing smoke in order to lead us into the belief that the trenches
+were powerfully manned.
+
+Now, about this time, a number of hostile batteries, whose positions
+could not be located, gave us a certain amount of trouble, but a
+successful ruse was carried out which enabled us to discover them.
+Operations were undertaken in order to force the enemy to show his
+hand, and every indication was made by us that we were about to
+institute a raid. Wire cutting was done by one battery, and others
+registered strong points in rear behind the prescribed area. Then at
+dusk, known as flesh time, when batteries are most likely to give
+their positions away, all the O.P.'s were manned, spotting apparatus
+made ready, and our barrage was put down on this sector. The infantry
+had been provided with dummy figures, which they held aloft on poles,
+and in the semi-darkness this gave the impression that they were
+preparing to quit the trenches and go over the top, while high
+overhead hovered a number of our aeroplanes waiting to assist. The
+plan worked admirably, and in a few minutes the enemy's counter    (p. 019)
+preparation commenced. As the result of our efforts his positions were
+pin-pointed and dealt with by our 60-pdrs. the next day, after which
+we were not bothered by them to such a great extent.
+
+Soon after this episode there came upon the scene what were commonly
+known as "Cook's Tourists." These were officers whose units were still
+at home, and who were sent out to gain experience by being attached to
+batteries for a short period. At times the tourist laid himself open
+to being the victim of many practical jokes, and this certainly
+contributed to the liveliness of the mess. A certain officer was
+escorted down to the front line trenches one day, and, as usual, the
+party was armed with periscopes. All of a sudden he emitted a cry of
+delight, as, gazing through the instrument, he told us of how crowds
+of the enemy were walking along a road. Could we not get our guns on
+to them quickly? This seemed an incredible occurrence, as, in this
+sector, not a single German had been seen for days on end. The mystery
+was speedily solved, however. By some means or other, he had been
+holding the periscope so that it faced the opposite direction, and
+what he actually saw was a party of our own men walking leisurely
+along the road some way behind our lines. Needless to say, this
+officer came in for a considerable amount of chaff, and, in course of
+time, was solemnly presented with a paper medal, suitably inscribed,
+on which reversed periscopes figured prominently.
+
+The festive season was now drawing near, which necessitated the
+gathering of provisions, for the men were to celebrate the 25th of
+December by having a special dinner, and presently leave was opened to
+our unit and the first lucky ones departed for "Blighty." Some sort of
+gift was due the enemy on this occasion, and it took the shape of a
+sharp five minutes' bombardment, from every gun in the area, on the
+stroke of midnight on Xmas Eve. In spite of this gruelling, the enemy
+next morning showed signs of wishing to fraternise with our men in the
+front line, but strict orders had been issued in advance that this was
+not to be countenanced. The Germans showed themselves freely above the
+parapet, and one could see that they had been dressed up smartly for
+the occasion, probably in order to impress us with their appearance.
+However, there was "nothing doing." Little or no sniping took place,
+but the artillery went through their usual routine, in fact rather
+increased their fire that day. The men's dinner was a great        (p. 020)
+success, and all seemed pleased with their fare--pork and potatoes,
+vegetables, plum pudding and fruit, with plenty of beer or stout to
+wash it down. The Officers' Mess was lively also, and our first 'Xmas,
+under war conditions, was voted most successful. Next day the Padre
+turned up, and a service was held in one of the barns, but, in the
+middle of the address, on "Peace on earth, goodwill towards men,"
+there was a sudden call for "action." A rush was made to the guns,
+and, after a few minutes' argument with the enemy, we returned and
+finished listening to the discourse. Somehow or other one could not
+help feeling that the two happenings were incongruous!
+
+We had a notion that perhaps the enemy would make an attempt to
+retaliate on us at New Year for our little joke on 'Xmas Eve, and this
+proved to be correct. He made rather a feeble demonstration, and it
+was speedily squashed, as we were awaiting it. It was an extraordinary
+thing, but we always found our foe very slow in the uptake: it
+generally took him quite a week to think out some measure of
+retaliation, and when it came, it consisted, as a rule, in copying
+what we had done to him. We could usually count on that and
+consequently guard against it.
+
+One day instructions came through calling for a report on a new
+charge, for reducing the flashes when night firing, which was supposed
+to be in our possession. Our worthy Senior Subaltern was at that time
+in command, so he decided to have the trial the same evening and put
+in his report at once. The remaining officers were to "stand by" at
+the guns and first fire a salvo with the ordinary charge and then one
+with the new one, while he stood some distance in front to wait the
+results. All went well and the salvoes were duly fired, although, at
+the battery end, there did not appear to be any difference between
+them, which fact was unanimously agreed upon. However, that was not
+the opinion of the Senior Subaltern, who waxed eloquent on the "soft,
+velvety colour" of the new charge. This was all set down presently, in
+a lengthy dispatch covering, at least, two columns of "foolscap," and
+sent to the Brigade. Nothing further was heard for several days, then
+a telephone message came through which brought a smile to the face of
+everyone in the mess except the officer concerned. It ran as
+follows:--"Reference my B214 of the 9th inst. Report on flash      (p. 021)
+reducing charges is herewith cancelled. The production of same has not
+yet been issued to batteries in the field A.A.A." Both salvoes had
+been of the same nature!
+
+Our Right Section Commander had a mania for spy hunting, and it was
+true that spies were known to infest the neighbourhood and had
+sometimes actually been caught. On every available occasion this
+officer would set out to scour the countryside in quest of a suspect.
+One day this led to the waste of much energy on his part. Having
+followed hard on the scent of a suspicious character, from one end of
+our area to the other, the quarry suddenly doubled back along the La
+Bassée road and disappeared into a house. Our friend entered also, and
+found himself in a Brigade Headquarters, confronted by the "spy," who
+greeted him warmly, and asked him what service he could render him, at
+the same time calling for tea. He had shadowed none other than the
+chief Intelligence Officer of the Division the whole afternoon! There
+was nothing for it but to own up and apologise as best he could, to
+the vast amusement of the Staff Officer. After this incident, we were
+spared further wild-goose chases by this enthusiast, and the keenness
+hitherto shown by him for these quests somewhat abated.
+
+A good deal of excitement was caused, at this time, by the arrival of
+some heavy artillery in our neighbourhood, so much talk had come to
+our ears concerning them. The guns were duly placed in position, and
+on the afternoon on which they were to open fire a large turn out of
+F.O.O.'s collected in the O.P.'s to watch the enemy get a surprise.
+They did considerable damage, but, at the same time, were largely
+responsible for stirring up a veritable wasp's nest of hostile heavies
+which had been lying dormant for ages, and consequently our front
+again became active.
+
+While our F.O.O. was proceeding one day from the O.P. to the front
+line, he was caught in one of those bursts of hate and separated from
+the telephonists who accompanied him. On the conclusion of the shoot,
+a search was made for him, but he was nowhere to be found. They returned
+to the Battery and reported the circumstance to the B.C., who, much
+concerned, speedily organised a search-party, and set out for the
+scene of action. After a couple of hours weary tramping, they came
+upon a Company Headquarters in the front line, and there, comfortably
+ensconced in an easy-chair, with a large whisky-and-soda by his    (p. 022)
+side and a cigarette in his mouth, sat the missing officer. Much
+indignation was expressed and explanations followed, but, in future,
+it was only in the last extremity that search parties were instituted!
+
+Thus the days sped by, until it came to the minds of those in
+authority that the Division had vegetated quite long enough in this
+area, and, at the beginning of February, we were pulled out and
+transferred to another sphere of activity.
+
+Everyone regretted leaving this peaceful spot, and the period we spent
+there was always looked back upon as the brightest and happiest time
+of our sojourn in France.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.                                                        (p. 023)
+
+In "The Salient."
+
+
+It soon became known that we were bound for Ypres. This town will,
+without doubt, be the Mecca in France of the British soldier for all
+time. This place, above all others, was always mentioned with a voice
+of reverence and awe, and is hallowed by the presence of the gallant
+dead who helped in its defence. It was truly the most ill-favoured
+sector on the whole of the front held by our armies.
+
+Proceeding by way of Hazebrouck and Cassel, we entered the area
+immediately behind the Salient and took up our quarters near the
+village of Arneke, for we were not yet due for our spell of duty in
+the line. At this time the weather was most unpropitious, and rendered
+training in any shape or form out of the question. The ground was
+covered with snow to the depth of several inches, and the roads were,
+for the most part, frost-bound. A Divisional Artillery Horse Show was
+organised, however, and great keenness was displayed by all the
+batteries, who spent most of their time horse coping until the day of
+the event, which was held at Zeggers Capelle. Our Right Section
+Commander, with a team of fine little blacks, managed to secure the
+second prize in the principal event.
+
+Several days afterwards we relieved the Division who were holding the
+left centre of the Salient, and took up our position on the northern
+extremity of Ypres itself, close to the Dead End of the Canal, a short
+distance from "Salvation Corner." Here a short description of the
+position is imperative, in order to give some idea of the awkward
+nature of this sector and of the conditions attaching thereto. The
+distance between the jaws of the Salient was some five miles
+across--from the banks of the Yser Canal at Boesinghe on the north to
+the neighbourhood of St. Eloi on the south, while the ground held by
+us extended about two-and-a half miles east of Ypres in a semi-circle.
+Nearly everywhere the enemy was established on rising ground and   (p. 024)
+overlooked our territory, and, with few exceptions, all that was
+visible to us was his first line system. The enemy was thus enabled to
+detect any movement behind our line, while we were more or less
+"blind."
+
+Owing to the confined space through which an entrance into the Salient
+could be effected, great difficulty was experienced in the matter of
+transport, as there was only one main artery, namely, the
+Ypres-Poperinghe road. Every evening at dusk this thoroughfare was
+crowded with all manner of vehicles, an endless stream, coming and
+going throughout the night, and from Vlamertinghe onwards the road was
+subjected to constant shelling, and was enfiladed from either side.
+Piles of wreckage were always to be seen on the following morning,
+which told the tale of the previous night's work, and this long,
+straight piece of road holds more sentiment for the British soldier
+than any other.
+
+It was soon quite evident that the enemy was acquainted with our
+location, and it was imperative to prepare an alternative position. A
+site was chosen across the road, in the garden of a private villa,
+well sheltered by shrubs and trees. As soon as the work was completed
+and a communication trench constructed, covered with turf and plants,
+we commenced moving the guns. This was done without interference from
+the enemy until the last gun was in the act of being placed in
+position, when, as luck would have it, a shrapnel shell burst in front
+of the party, mortally wounding one layer and injuring another. Our
+B.C., also, who was assisting, received a bullet through his arm, and
+was forced to leave us. This was the second mishap we had suffered
+during the course of the first few days, as the Right Section
+Commander had already been lost to us. Having an insatiable thirst for
+knowledge, this Officer had left the O.P. with his telephonist in
+order to explore the front line, which, as everyone who knows the
+Salient will readily own, was somewhat difficult to recognise in
+places, especially by a newcomer. Suffering as he did from acute
+absent-mindedness, it was not surprising that this zealous officer
+awakened suddenly from his day-dreams to discover that something was
+wrong, and found himself standing with his companion waist high in a
+shallow disused trench, which, on further investigation, appeared
+uncommonly like "No Man's Land!" After a brief consultation, they
+decided to retrace their steps. Alas! all too late: a hostile sniper,
+reserving his fire in the hope that they would continue to walk    (p. 025)
+into the enemy trenches, on seeing them turn about, and thus being
+baulked of his prize and the prospect of a fortnight's leave in his
+own country, fired a bullet which passed through the thighs of both
+men one after the other. A party of our infantry, unable to attract
+their attention and put them right in time, had witnessed this little
+drama, and proceeded, at great personal risk and at the expense of at
+least one of their number being wounded, to extricate the two
+unfortunates and convey them to the nearest dressing station. It was
+not until a late hour that night that word came to us at the Mess that
+the missing party had been passed through the prison at Ypres, on
+their way to a C.C.S. Now, our Battery Commander, after great trouble,
+had lately gained possession of an improved type of periscope, which
+he had been persuaded to lend the F.O.O. on that day, and, on receipt
+of this news, his first thought was for the safety of his precious
+instrument. The fact that two valuable casualties had resulted did not
+seem to weigh with him in the least compared with its loss, and he was
+not to be consoled until it was ascertained that the periscope was in
+safe keeping. Only then could he be persuaded to make enquiries as to
+the nature of their wounds and express his sorrow at their misfortune.
+
+The Infantry found the trenches in an appalling state, and forthwith
+proceeded to repair them, but the enemy would not allow this to go on
+long, and, after a few days' work had been spent on them, a couple of
+hours' bombardment would suffice to demolish anything that had been
+done. As it was a case of labour lost, all attempts at building on a
+large scale were soon abandoned.
+
+Many interesting excursions were made in and around the town. There
+was a certain amount of splendour about the ruined place. The high
+battered remains of the Cloth Hall Tower stood up in proud defiance in
+the centre of the stricken city, while the ancient ramparts
+surrounding it gloried in their battle scars and showed a dauntless
+front to the enemy.
+
+A good deal of annoyance was caused in getting about from place to
+place through the uncongenial presence of a couple of hostile high
+velocity guns which were commonly known as "Quick Dick" and "Silent
+Sue," his consort. They were so named on account of the rapidity with
+which the shells arrived, and there was little or no warning of their
+coming. Their chief object was to harass the neighbourhood, for    (p. 026)
+they appeared to have no definite target but just dropped a shell
+here and there, trapping the unwary and doing considerable damage, as
+well as effectively raising a certain amount of "wind"!
+
+As conditions suited the enemy admirably, many raids were made by him,
+and, on one occasion, he launched four simultaneously, one on each
+sector of the Salient, after a sharp and heavy bombardment. He
+attacked us between Wieltje and Potijge, but was unsuccessful in his
+endeavour to obtain an identification. The attempt was frustrated, and
+the only result was that he left a number of prisoners in our hands.
+
+About the middle of May, the Division came out and returned to the
+area behind Poperinghe. There was an unexpected treat in store for the
+Brigade, for it was shortly sent down to the coast for a change of
+air. A two days' march brought the Battery to Cap Gris Nez, while the
+other batteries were distributed along the small villages between
+Calais and Boulogne. It was a real holiday for us, and a better part
+of the year could not have been chosen. All that was expected of us
+was to exercise the "hairies," which we did by taking the guns a walk
+along the hard sand in the early mornings.
+
+A large field was secured, and for several hours daily the horses were
+put out to grass, and, if ever animals showed signs of joy, they
+certainly did, and their antics were most amusing to witness. It was
+expected that some difficulty would be experienced in catching them
+again, but, after the first day, a trumpet call was all that was
+required. On hearing the sound, they would throw up their heads, and
+then slowly wander towards the entrance, where the drivers awaited and
+secured them.
+
+The main feature of the day was, undoubtedly, the bathing parade,
+enjoyed equally by man and beast. The horses knew at once what was in
+store for them when they were led down to the beach. The men stripped,
+and, mounting the eager horses, a wild dash was made for the water,
+and quite a number of the animals proved themselves excellent
+swimmers, many remaining a considerable time in deep water. On leaving
+the sea, they would gallop along the sands, showing every sign of
+contentment, and we were glad that, at last, they were receiving some
+reward for their patient devotion and faithful service, for we were
+all fond of our four-legged comrades.
+
+Amusements were instituted for the men--all manner of sports by    (p. 027)
+day and concerts in the evenings. The officers lived out of doors,
+attracted by the cliffs, from which Dover was visible on most clear
+days, and everyone voted this peaceful place the next best thing to
+home leave.
+
+It was, therefore, with much regret that, at the end of twelve days,
+we retraced our steps to Arneke, where we were to remain for the
+latter portion of the rest.
+
+We had no sooner arrived at this place than the enemy started making
+himself unpleasant in the southern portion of the Salient, and,
+attacking the Canadians from Hooge as far as St. Eloi, succeeded in
+driving them back some distance before he was finally held up. It was
+quite imperative to retake the ground lost, as he had captured
+important points of observation overlooking the Salient. A counter
+attack was set on foot, and we were suddenly called upon to help in
+the preliminary bombardment and cover the assaulting troops, which
+included a Brigade of Guards. Just before setting off, our B.C.
+rejoined us once more, and at two hours' notice we made a beeline for
+the scene of our future activity. At dusk we entered the ruins of
+Ypres, and, without delay, proceeded to dig ourselves "in," behind a
+convent, not far from the south side of the Cloth Hall.
+
+Owing to the number of extra batteries assembled for the operations,
+we found ourselves without a billet until the genial Commander of a
+Pioneer Battalion, affectionately known to the entire Dominion Forces
+as "Big Jim," and credited with innumerable deeds of "daring do," took
+pity upon us, and invited us to share his hearth and home. This offer
+we gratefully accepted, and accommodation was also provided for the
+detachment, and all were made most comfortable.
+
+The bombardment continued for three days, and it became clear, from
+the enemy's counter preparations, that he was not going to give up his
+newly acquired gains without a struggle. A most stubborn resistance
+was offered, and the infantry were forced to fight hard for every foot
+of ground that was eventually recovered. The bombardment grew in
+intensity as the zero hour approached. Shortly after midnight, the men
+went over, and, by breakfast time, had gained all that was required of
+them, except at one or two points, which were taken without much
+trouble later.
+
+By the time affairs had settled down normally again, the Division was
+due in the line, so the Battery pulled out for one night, before   (p. 028)
+transferring to our new zone, which was in the most northerly sector,
+adjoining the one in which we had already been, and which had an even
+worse reputation for unpleasantness.
+
+After crossing the Yser Canal, the ground gradually rises towards
+Pilkem Ridge, and the enemy was ensconced thereon in a kind of
+stronghold known as the High Command Redoubt. Our trenches lay beneath
+them, which gave us the feeling of being in a cup encircled round the
+brim by our foes. During this particular tour, the Battery was split
+up for the purpose of forming two forward sections, and the greater
+part of the firing was done by the left section, whose position was
+well inside the Salient. Its chief object was to harass a certain
+portion of a hostile trench which was taken in enfilade by it! In
+order to accomplish this successfully, the guns were placed in an old
+disused position in a field, near La Brique, on the backward slope of
+a hill, and the low gun-pits were completely covered with tufts of
+growing grass. The centre pits were occupied by the two pieces and the
+outside ones were speedily converted into habitations for the men.
+
+When the trenches were not being subjected to hostile shelling, the
+enemy devoted most of his time in endeavouring to destroy the numerous
+O.P.'s dotted about here and there. These were constructed for the
+most part of reinforced concrete, but the particular one used by us,
+called "Frascatis," had not yet been discovered, so we were free to
+carry out shoots to our heart's content.
+
+A favourite diversion was sniping with one of our pieces, which was a
+particularly accurate one, and several points of observation and
+snipers' posts were carefully registered. Then we would lie in wait,
+observe some movement, and let fly one round only. This method
+exasperated and annoyed the enemy exceedingly.
+
+One of the enemy's principal forms of amusement was to blow parts of
+our front parapet away and train a machine gun on the space left
+vacant, and snipe at any unsuspecting person who happened to pass
+along. On many occasions we were able to bring assistance to the
+harassed infantrymen, by spotting the offending snipers, and by, in
+turn, sniping at them with our "How." till we finally silenced them.
+
+At dusk the enemy invariably harassed all roads of communication, and
+dropped innumerable shells of large calibre into the stricken      (p. 029)
+city; and we made a habit of sitting at the entrance to the little
+shack, used as the officers' mess, smoking our evening pipes,
+interested spectators, while the shells screamed overhead, and
+alighted somewhere in the town, sending up columns of brick dust.
+
+All the batteries in the line were now busy constructing new battery
+positions, while fresh O.P.'s were also erected, and it was thought
+that these preparations were preparatory to making an attack to enable
+us to improve our position by the capture of Pilkem Ridge, but,
+although the work was completed, nothing further developed.
+
+Soon there were whispers of an impending gigantic attack away down in
+the south, and for several days before the opening of it our shelling
+was considerably increased, while the infantry made a series of raids.
+This was done throughout the whole length of the front, in order to
+keep the enemy from guessing the exact point of eruption, and we had a
+warm time in consequence. For a long time after the battle had
+commenced, we continued making demonstrations, which undoubtedly
+helped to prevent the removal of many reserves from the locality.
+
+But we were not content to remain here. There was a great scrap taking
+place elsewhere, and were we going to be left completely out of it, to
+eat our heads off, in Flanders? It seemed very unlikely that the
+Division would not be called upon on such an occasion, and great was
+the joy when one day orders came through that we were soon to proceed
+to the scene of action. Within two days we pulled out to our old
+resting place, where preparations were completed for our transference
+to the battle area.
+
+Our first acquaintance with the dreaded Salient was at an end, and,
+although the time spent there was always strenuous and difficult, we
+were not what could be called uncomfortable, and our casualties
+happily did not exceed expectations.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.                                                         (p. 030)
+
+On the Somme.
+
+
+At the beginning of August, the Division detrained in the
+neighbourhood of Doullens, and, proceeding in a southeasterly
+direction, the Brigade established itself near the small village of
+Couin. In a few days' time we went "in," and the Battery took up a
+position on the southern outskirts of Hebuterne, overlooking the enemy
+stronghold at Serre. This portion of the front was now in a normal
+state once more, as, on the opening day of the great battle, the
+British assault from Hamel, northward to Gommecourt, had met with no
+success, and the attack was not further pressed. The enemy was content
+to remain quiet, and most of the firing was carried out by us. A
+considerable number of hostile "Minnies" made conditions somewhat
+unpleasant for the infantry in the trenches, and during the night the
+battery position was subjected to indirect machine-gun fire, which
+necessitated a certain amount of caution in moving about. The O.P.'s
+were well placed, and afforded us an excellent view, for we overlooked
+the enemy's lines, and could see some distance beyond them. We were
+now on the fringe of the battle, and away half right, on clear days,
+we could see the struggle progressing, as a considerable dent had
+already been made. The sight was a very grand one, especially after
+dark. The Verey Lights and various S.O.S. rockets, which were
+frequently sent up by our opponents, made a fine spectacular display,
+far finer than any firework exhibition we had ever witnessed in our
+own country in pre-war days.
+
+Gradually the Division was side-slipped to the south, and our next
+position was close to the station of Mailly. We did not remain there
+long, however, as the time had now arrived for us to put in an
+appearance in the battle itself. We spent one night close to       (p. 031)
+Amiens, and availed ourselves of the opportunity to hold a dinner
+there, which was attended by all the original officers in the
+Brigade--a last night of fun and merriment before the long, stiff
+fight ahead of us, for who knew how many would survive the ordeal. The
+next day brought us to Vaux, on the River Somme, and, in the first
+week in September, we found ourselves immersed in the battle. We took
+up our first position in the lately captured second line German
+system, facing Montauban and covering Guillemont, which had just been
+taken by an Irish Division.
+
+Very stiff lighting was in progress on this sector, as we were now
+nearing the summit of the Ridge, the possession of which would be
+invaluable, as the enemy's territory would be laid bare to us, and he
+would lose his observation over us. It was not surprising, therefore,
+that he fought with the courage of despair and initiated
+counter-attack upon counter-attack, all of which we had to meet with
+great determination. The weather was extremely hot, which added much
+to the discomfort: and, as progress had been very slow for some time,
+it was impossible to clear up the battlefield, and the stench was
+almost insupportable. At length the village of Guinchy was captured,
+and, with our men installed on the further side of the slope, the
+fighting for position came to an end. We were now entering on the
+third stage of the great battle, which had commenced more than two
+months previously. An attack, on a large scale, was planned, the
+object being to drive the enemy down the slope of the hill into the
+low-lying country beyond. Field batteries were moved up into forward
+positions, in order to assist the infantry, by placing a creeping
+barrage--a new and most successful invention, afterwards employed on
+all occasions--in front of the advancing waves of men: and the
+"heavies," of which, for the first time, we possessed a preponderance,
+pounded the enemy communications far behind his lines.
+
+The assault was delivered over a wide area, early in the morning of the
+15th of September, but in no way did it come up to expectations--in
+fact, it might almost be counted a reverse. Some divisions did well,
+and took their objectives, but others were completely held up, at
+certain strong points, which necessitated the withdrawal of the
+remainder, in order to keep the line uniform. The Guards met with
+instant success, and took their final objectives, only to discover
+that the Division on each side of them had made little progress    (p. 032)
+and could get no further. They were reluctantly forced to return, and
+it was while doing so that heavy casualties were inflicted on them, as
+they were raked with fire from the sides as well as in front. During
+the withdrawal, a party of machine-gunners occupied a trench, and
+attempted to screen the retirement of the main body of troops, by
+holding the enemy at bay. In order to use this machine-gun to the best
+advantage, the piece was placed on top of the parapet, exposed to the
+full view of the oncoming hordes, but our men never wavered in serving
+it, and, as soon as one gunner dropped at his post, another instantly
+took the vacant place, although it meant certain death within a few
+moments.
+
+Next day they were pulled out to refit, and, as they marched back to
+rest, a very touching sight was witnessed. A certain battalion, a mere
+remnant, swung along, headed by its band. All the officers had become
+casualties, and the Battalion Sergeant-Major was in command, but as
+many of the dead officers as could be recovered were brought back on
+stretchers and placed each in his proper position. Headed by the body
+of their late Commander, the column proceeded on its way, the men
+marching at attention, and, although covered with mud and
+blood-stained, they might have been proceeding down the Mall. Such is
+the discipline of the Guards, and every tribute of respect was paid
+them by the troops through whom they passed.
+
+The next battle was timed for the 25th inst., and our infantry came
+back to the line a couple of days before that date. There was much
+suppressed excitement and curiosity, for the mysterious Tanks were to
+participate on this occasion for the first time, and it was thought
+that the secret had been so well kept that they would come as a
+complete surprise to the enemy. This proved to be the case, and the
+attack was a great success. What was known as the Flers line was
+everywhere penetrated, and all gains were held. The Tanks did splendid
+work. They advanced well ahead of the infantry, and battered down
+barbed wire, overran trenches, smashed machine-gun emplacements,
+killing the gun crews, and even waddled as far as the village of
+Gueudecourt. There they effected much execution and caused great panic
+among the enemy reserves, which were concentrating for the inevitable
+counter attack.
+
+Thus the battle continued, sometimes breaking out into fierce fights
+and at other times reduced to isolated scraps, but all the time    (p. 033)
+the enemy was being gradually and relentlessly pushed down into
+the valley, and the villages of Morval, Les Boeufs, and Gueudecourt
+fell into our hands.
+
+It was almost uncanny the way in which villages would completely
+disappear. For instance, at the time when these hamlets first came
+within our vision, on our reaching the crest of the hill, they appeared
+almost intact, but a few days rendered them unrecognisable--they had
+become merely so many heaps of rubble. There are many places on the
+Somme which have literally not one brick standing on top of another,
+and one would never imagine for a moment that a prosperous little
+village had ever existed there.
+
+Many changes of battery positions were made, and, whenever possible,
+we burrowed down into the ground, as the enemy's heavy pieces were out
+after our blood. The great concentration of guns and the few suitable
+localities for placing them in action added to our difficulties, and
+we were thus rendered an easy target for the hostile counter
+batteries. Innumerable brigades were huddled close together, in what
+was known as the Death Valley, for the simple reason that there was no
+other suitable spot wherein to place them, and heavy casualties
+resulted. We had the good fortune, however, to be somewhat isolated
+from the others, and occupied a forward position, where the guns were
+hidden in an old German communication trench. The enemy never found
+it, but subjected us, now and again, to a general burst of harassing
+fire: his main volume of hate passed us by far overhead.
+
+And, meanwhile, what of our friend the F.O.O.? In those days his lot
+was by no means an enviable one, and it was a task of no mean
+magnitude to keep communications going between the trenches and the
+guns. However, it had to be done, or at least attempted, and the
+following is a brief account of a typical day in the life of a gunner
+subaltern.
+
+Orders would be given that a certain hostile trench was to be
+subjected to a severe, annihilating bombardment, and this necessitated
+the laying out of a wire to a part of our front line, from which the
+shoot could be registered, as the target could not be observed from
+any other locality than the trench immediately opposite it. The F.O.O.
+rises early in the morning, and sets out with his little squad of
+telephonists and linesmen. He requires to post a signalman and
+linesman at frequent intervals, called Relay Stations, in order    (p. 034)
+to preserve communication, as the wire is being continually broken by
+hostile gun-fire. Progress, in a case like this, is necessarily slow,
+and he has to pick his way among the shell-holes, seeking as much
+protection, for the line, as circumstances will permit. The signallers
+follow in his footsteps, staggering along under the weight of a large
+reel of wire. All goes well until they reach the summit of a ridge,
+when, suddenly, a barrage from a "whizz bang" battery is placed right
+down on top of the party. There is nothing for it but to remain
+crouched in a friendly shell-hole, which affords a little protection,
+until the storm blows over or to risk the chances of being hit in the
+open. The journey is then resumed, and much relief is felt when at
+last the ground over a nasty dip is traversed without mishap, as this
+is known to be a favourite target for hostile gunners. A muddy,
+unkempt communication-trench is now entered, and the party proceed, up
+a slope, towards the support system, and eventually arrive at their
+destination--a post in the front line overlooking its objective.
+Difficulty is experienced in preserving the wire from the unguarded
+feet of infantrymen, who look askance at the party as it passes,
+cursing the idiosyncrasies of each fire bay. The instrument is
+connected with the end of the wire, and all hold their breath in order
+to hear the answering buzz which tells them that they are through to
+the battery. Several futile buzzes may be made by the telephonist, and
+then, no response being forthcoming, a linesman is sent down the wire
+towards the first relay station. A break in the wire is discovered and
+speedily mended, the next attempt is successful, and the battery is
+called to action.
+
+During registration the wire often breaks, and serious delays occur,
+but, at length, the last gun is duly pronounced O.K. by the officer.
+Just in the nick of time, too! for the enemy commences a sharp
+retaliation on the portion of the trench occupied by the little party.
+Refuge is sought in an old enemy shaft close by, and there it awaits
+the time for the "show" to commence. Several other batteries also take
+part in the shoot, and it is quite impossible to pick out the shells
+which belong to each one as they fall. Complete success crowns the
+effort, but on the particular day here described the F.O.O. and party
+failed to see the end of the bout, as they were subjected to very
+heavy fire, and were all blown down the mouth of the shaft by the
+explosion of a shell. Luckily, though badly shaken, all escaped
+without injury.
+
+Meanwhile the wire has been broken in many places and is beyond    (p. 035)
+repair, but it has already served its purpose, and, when fire has died
+down, the party starts on the return journey. On arriving at the first
+relay station, the telephonist on duty is found dead at his post, the
+receiver still clutched in his hand and held to his ear. A nasty gash
+in the forehead reveals the place where he has been hit and instantly
+killed. His companion is nowhere to be found, although bloodstains
+denote that he has at least been wounded, and, on investigation, it is
+ascertained that the linesman has been hit, picked up by passing
+comrades, and taken to an aid-post. The journey is resumed, the party
+carrying the dead with them, and presently another hostile barrage is
+encountered. Again the men lie low until it ceases, and then pick up
+the remaining linesmen, and return to the battery utterly exhausted.
+Many questions are asked, and it frequently happens that the F.O.O. is
+cursed by his Battery Commander for not keeping the wire going, and
+even the Brigade joins in the chorus. The young officer pays little
+heed, and inwardly reflects that they should be extremely thankful
+that communication was established at all, and that those of the party
+who returned did so in safety. So, in spite of everything, he consumes
+a hearty dinner and retires to bed, sleeping the sleep of the just,
+and soon becomes oblivious of all his little worries and sombre
+surroundings.
+
+Towards the middle of October the weather broke, and conditions became
+intolerable. The roads, which had been partially repaired, were still
+soft and broken, and developed into quagmires--mud and water to a
+depth of two and three feet made vehicular traffic almost out of the
+question. All ammunition had to be transported to the guns by means of
+horses carrying pack saddles, a slow and tedious method, which took a
+lot out of men and beasts alike. As yet no decca-ville railways had
+been constructed as far as battery positions. Very heavy work thus
+fell on those at the wagon lines, who were kept busy most of the day
+and night. Although the distance to the gun position was under five
+miles there and back, the journey rarely took less than ten hours to
+accomplish. If a horse fell down in this sticky mud, heavily laden as
+it was, attempts at rescue proved unavailing, except on rare
+occasions, even with the aid of drag-ropes, and the unfortunate animal
+had to be "dispatched." Was it a sense of humour that prompted those
+in authority to send the subalterns, in turn, to the wagon lines for a
+"rest"? Anyhow, it was considered anything but that by the poor    (p. 036)
+unfortunates who went, and right glad they were when the time came
+round for their next period of duty with the guns!
+
+As the weather rapidly became worse, operations came to a standstill,
+and all proceeded to dig themselves in for the coming winter. Every
+endeavour was made to make our quarters water-proof, as well as
+shell-proof, and some attempts at mining were commenced, but the
+condition of the ground was all against such an undertaking, and the
+work was abandoned. Then whispers spread abroad that we were to be
+relieved for a short rest, and, after ten weeks of incessant fighting,
+we were withdrawn from the line and marched to a little village named
+Hangest, a few miles west of Amiens. There we were glad to find
+ourselves installed in billets with a roof covering us once more. A
+week of leisure helped greatly to restore our spirits, and again we
+set out for the line. Our destination this time was Combles, and we
+took over a battery position from the French, who politely made us
+acquainted with our new surroundings. Our allies, who had been
+fighting side-by-side with us on our right flank throughout the great
+battle, were then withdrawn, and the British front was extended to the
+south as far as the banks of the River Somme. Evidence was speedily
+forthcoming to convince us of the severe nature of the recent fight.
+The ground was strewn with wreckage and material of all descriptions,
+and many hostile guns were found abandoned or lying where they had
+been put out of action by the irresistible dash of the Poilus.
+
+The country, in this part, was undulating, and better suited to the
+concealment of battery positions, and nowhere was the enemy able to
+overlook our territory. Our area included the defence of the joint
+villages of Sailly-Saillisel, situated on commanding ground, which the
+French had recently bravely stormed. Combles, too, which lay in a
+basin shaped hollow, was interesting as having been the centre of
+supplies for the southern portion of the German Army operating in the
+battle, and much booty was discovered in the huge catacombs which ran
+underneath the town.
+
+'Xmas passed in much the same way as in the previous year. A smart
+bombardment was carried out in the morning in order to advise the enemy
+that anything in the way of fraternising would not be countenanced by us.
+At mid-day the men partook of their 'Xmas fare, which had been     (p. 037)
+fetched from Amiens, and a short service was conducted by the Padre in
+one of the gun-pits. A slight disturbance took place at dusk, when the
+S.O.S. went up from the front line and all batteries immediately
+opened out. It seemed a rather extraordinary occurrence, as the
+evening was unusually quiet, and, presently, it was discovered to have
+arisen through an error, due to the fact that the enemy had put up a
+coloured light in between two ordinary Verey lights which constituted
+our own S.O.S.
+
+About this time the enemy caused considerable annoyance to a certain
+Battalion Headquarters, situated in a quarry close behind the lines,
+by occasionally dropping a shell right into it, the position having
+probably been discovered by his aircraft. Retaliation tactics were
+adopted, which consisted of subjecting the hostile trenches to a sharp
+half-hour's bombardment from eight batteries, firing a total of 2,000
+rounds. The enemy was well known to be very thick-skinned, but these
+measures met with instant success, and it was only necessary to remind
+him once again that we were not to be trifled with in this way.
+
+After the New Year, a severe spell of frost set in, with an occasional
+heavy fall of snow, and we were somewhat annoyed when orders came
+through to sideslip our position further south, as we had made our
+quarters fairly comfortable by this time, and expected to remain
+undisturbed throughout the winter. The new position was situated
+behind the ruined village of Rancourt, facing St. Pierre Vaast wood,
+and was one of the worst and most disagreeable localities it was ever
+our lot to occupy, as we were, more or less, water-logged the whole of
+our time there. Much difficulty was experienced by both friend and foe
+in entering their respective front line, so much so that, by common
+consent, sniping by rifle fire was discontinued until parapets were
+constructed and made fit for occupation. However, sniping was still
+indulged in by the artillery, and no parties of any size were
+permitted to go about freely near the front line under observation.
+Affairs continued thus until the middle of February, when it became
+apparent that something unusual was taking place in enemy territory,
+and great explosions were heard, after which volumes of smoke were
+seen to rise in large columns. These, as was afterwards proved, were
+due to preparations being made by the enemy to evacuate the low-lying
+country, into which they had reluctantly been forced, as the result of
+the battle of the Somme, prior to falling back upon the great      (p. 038)
+prepared defences known as the Hindenburg Line.
+
+Instantly every one was on the alert for further signs of evacuation,
+and one morning a patrol reported that the enemy had vacated their
+front line. Further patrols were at once pushed out, through St.
+Pierre Vaast wood, in order to maintain contact with the retreating
+foe. Every precaution had to be taken, as it was soon discovered that
+many forms of booby-traps had been cunningly laid by him in his wake,
+and progress was necessarily slow. Added to this, there was great
+difficulty in manoeuvring the guns over the innumerable trenches
+which existed in the neighbourhood, and the pieces sank up to their
+axles in the clogging mud, and were only extricated after hours of
+labour. The enemy retired slowly and most methodically, destroying
+everything of value and wantonly reducing the small villages and
+hamlets to mere shells, by means of incendiary bombs. The inhabitants
+also were removed beforehand, and, when the troops advanced, they
+might have been traversing a wilderness, so complete was the ruin and
+desolation on all sides.
+
+The time had now arrived for the Brigade to have a much-needed rest
+and also to refit, so, at the end of March, we were withdrawn from the
+contest. Marching westward, we arrived at the village of Morlancourt
+in the first week of April, well content at the prospect of returning
+to civilization for a protracted period.
+
+[Illustration: Division from Brigade R.F.A. Guards Division.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.                                                        (p. 039)
+
+Messines.
+
+
+It was not long before those in authority discovered that the
+neighbourhood of Morlancourt was peculiarly favourable for the
+carrying out of manoeuvres, with the result that a period of
+"intensive training" set in. Drill orders took place four days a week,
+and batteries were specially trained in the methods of open warfare,
+while many hours were devoted to tactical schemes.
+
+At this time units were reorganised, all batteries were increased to
+six guns, and there was plenty of work to keep everyone busy. The
+narrator of these rambling notes, after a period of two years' service
+with the Brigade, here transferred his allegiance to the sister
+howitzer battery of the Division, known as "The Grey Battery," from
+the fact that all the horses were of that colour. Sentiment ran strong
+for his "old love" and those he was obliged to leave, but he was
+already well acquainted with both officers and men of his new unit,
+and soon settled down happily amongst them.
+
+All guns were carefully calibrated on a range due west of Peronne, and
+the "hairies" picked up rapidly in condition, owing to the good care
+and attention that was bestowed upon them. The big battles of Vimy
+Ridge and Arras were now in full swing, and it seemed unlikely that we
+would be called upon to take any part in them so late in the day.
+
+Many forms of amusement were created for the men, and football
+matches, both "rugger" and "soccer," were freely indulged in between
+batteries and brigades, while the full regimental band of one of the
+Guards' regiments was kindly lent to the Divisional Artillery. It gave
+many a fine entertainment in the evenings.
+
+Time thus sped by at an amazing rate, and various visits of inspection
+paid us by officers from the C.R.A. up to the Army Commander made  (p. 040)
+it very apparent that we were undoubtedly being "fattened up"--but for
+what? The question was more than we could answer, but speculations
+were rife as to our possible destination, for we knew that the Somme
+would see us no more--in the meantime, at all events.
+
+Six weeks had come and gone, and yet we remained inactive in this
+peaceful village; then sudden orders were issued for us to be ready to
+entrain at short notice, and, in the second week of May, the Battery
+glided out of the station at Meulte prepared for anything. A long and
+circuitous route was taken _via_ Amiens, Abbeville, Etaples, Boulogne,
+Calais, St. Omer, and at length we arrived at Arques, near which we
+remained, in billets, for some considerable time. It was while we were
+there that we learnt that it was the intention of the British
+Commander to gain possession of the great Messines Ridge, which
+towered over our lines, and was a stronghold of inestimable value to
+the enemy.
+
+As long as he held this ridge, which was the keystone of his armies in
+Flanders, he was immune from any vulnerable attack on our part, and
+was free to launch any offensive operation from it by using it as a
+stepping-off place. Added to this, the northern end of the heights
+afforded him an uninterrupted view of the southern portion of the
+Ypres salient, which was a source of great annoyance to our forces on
+that part of the front. It was vital, therefore, for the future
+operations of the British Armies, that this important ridge should be
+captured and kept in our hands.
+
+Preparations were accordingly set on foot, and artillery of all
+calibre was silently concentrated from all parts, and proceeded to dig
+itself in for the coming fray. For a long time this sector had been
+free from any serious operations, and was considered a kind of resting
+place for exhausted troops, but soon the peace and quiet of the
+neighbourhood was to receive a rude awakening, when the tide of battle
+broke out upon it once more.
+
+Proceeding through Hazebrouck and Bailleul, the Brigade arrived at its
+wagon lines, a short distance west of Neuve Eglise, and immediately
+each battery sent work parties to the scene of action, in order to
+construct emplacements and make its position habitable. The spot
+allotted to our battery was in a little hollow close to the cut roads,
+near the small ruined village of Wulverghen. Our front line was placed
+on the top of an undulating rise, with the ridge itself beyond.
+
+Our principal business was to avoid attracting the attention of    (p. 041)
+the enemy to our preparations, and in this we were aided by the
+fact that there was a considerable amount of cover beside us, in the
+form of trees and undergrowth, the foliage of which was now in full
+leaf.
+
+Row upon row of batteries were placed in position behind hedges, or
+artificially concealed, the barrels of the pieces peeping out from all
+imaginable lurking places. The Divisional Artillery was situated in
+the most advanced position, the 18 pr. batteries ranging from within
+600 to 1,000 yards of the front line, with the howitzer batteries
+immediately behind them. On account of our proximity to the enemy, the
+two brigades had orders to remain silent until the day of the show,
+and we were only allowed to fire enough rounds to enable us to
+carefully register the pieces, and this was completed without giving
+away any of the positions.
+
+All ammunition was conveyed to the guns by night, and was distributed
+in small quantities near to them. Before long the enemy became alive
+to the fact that we were contemplating some move, and consequently
+increased his devastating fire by night, with the result that many
+dumps in the vicinity were exploded by him. He was bound to hit
+something, the countryside was so packed with all manner of
+ammunition. He had no idea, however, of the magnitude of our coming
+effort, and firmly believed his position to be impregnable, and that
+it was beyond our power to free ourselves from his grip.
+
+He contented himself with drenching our little valley with chemical
+shell whenever conditions were favourable, but so accustomed were the
+men to their gas masks that no serious consequences resulted, although
+it was distinctly unpleasant to have to pass each night enveloped in
+these stuffy contrivances, especially as the weather remained hot and
+oppressive.
+
+The Battery had more than their average share of good fortune
+throughout these operations, and it is worthy of putting on record
+that the unit did not sustain a single casualty to either man or
+horse. This was all the more remarkable as the engineers had
+constructed a wide plank road, which passed through the centre of our
+position, and could not be concealed from our foes, who lavishly
+besprinkled it with shrapnel after dark. Many casualties were caused
+to the transport, and the Officers' Mess virtually became an aid-post,
+where every assistance was rendered the wounded men.
+
+Our sister howitzer battery was lined up alongside of us, and,     (p. 042)
+when the two positions were first inspected, much chaff ensued as to
+which had the better place, and the men of our battery were certainly
+all of the opinion that, had the selection devolved upon them, we
+would unanimously have plumped for the other one. They had no
+landmarks likely to attract hostile fire, and thus occasion them the
+unpleasant sensation of living on top of a volcano, while we were
+slap-bang in the middle of a conspicuous cross road, with a constant
+stream of traffic coming and going through: yet, so strange and fickle
+are the fortunes of war that, while we escaped unharmed, our comrades
+next door suffered a heavy gruelling.
+
+The preliminary bombardment commenced, and continued throughout five
+days, but, in order to deceive the enemy as to our weight of
+artillery, not more than fifty per cent. of the guns in the line were
+allowed to take part at one time. A row of O.P.'s had been constructed
+on Hill 65, which overlooked the valley and town of Messines. A fine
+sight was witnessed as that stronghold was gradually reduced to a mere
+shell by our heavies, which effected extraordinarily good work in
+smashing the elaborate structures of the enemy's defence.
+
+The preparations were all that could be desired, and everything was
+carefully worked out to the minutest detail: not a stone was left
+unturned to render the operations a complete success. The labour and
+expense was well rewarded too, for surely no battle ever ran so
+smoothly from first to last, and it will always be looked back upon by
+the British soldier as a model of triumphant organisation. The battle
+only lasted a single day, but in that time the formidable network of
+trenches was neatly and clearly shorn off, and the enemy, who relied
+so much on the security of these positions, found himself suddenly
+pushed down the slope into unsuitable ground, where he could no longer
+be a menace to us.
+
+The "feet" of our Division were not in the line, being held in
+reserve, and, as it turned out, they were not called upon at all at
+this juncture, so well did the course of the battle progress. We were
+covering the infantry of an English Division, and, on the evening
+previous to the attack, the troops passed us noiselessly and in
+perfect order on their way to their various points of assembly. All
+were in excellent spirits, which augured well for the next day, and a
+feeling of calm confidence appeared to prevail amongst them. A     (p. 043)
+stream of gas and tear shells was maintained by the foe throughout
+the night, but it was mostly directed on the zone which contained the
+battery positions, consequently the infantry was caused little
+inconvenience.
+
+Early the following morning, shortly before dawn, the attack was
+heralded by the explosion of the mines, which had been in course of
+preparation for months beforehand. This was the sign for the guns to
+open out, and the assault was launched from north of St. Eloi in the
+Salient to the neighbourhood of Ploegsterte in the south, the men
+following close in the wake of the now familiar and popular creeping
+barrage.
+
+The force of the explosions was terrific, and the vibration was felt
+far and wide; even strong concrete "pill-boxes" were swung to and fro,
+and the occupants were tossed from side to side as if they were on
+board ship in a rough sea. Some indication of the colossal nature of
+these upheavals may be gauged from the fact that the craters were, in
+some cases, more than 200 ft. in diameter, and that the earth thrown
+up obliterated every hostile trench in the vicinity, completely
+burying the unfortunate garrisons who manned them.
+
+At the same moment the sky was lit up by all manner of S.O.S. lights
+and the innumerable flashes from our guns, which were now showing
+their maximum strength for the first time. They belched forth
+concentrated death, the roar reached such a deafening crescendo that
+conversation was entirely out of the question--indeed it was
+impossible to hear one's own voice. However, the scene was truly
+impressive, and the grandeur was beyond anything hitherto seen.
+
+As daylight crept in, the infantry were observed to be making rapid
+progress, although, here and there, stiff opposition was encountered.
+Soon the summit of the ridge was gained, and the men swept on and
+disappeared over the crest, leaving the mopping-up parties to complete
+their work. The Tanks bravely waddled up after them, in a vain effort
+to keep up, for the attacking infantry went so fast, in the first
+stages, that they easily outstripped those ponderous giants and left
+them far behind.
+
+Meanwhile the field batteries which had been in position farthest in
+the rear, and so were already out of range, limbered up and dashed
+into action in front of our Brigade. As soon as the next row was also
+out of action, they too galloped past and took up their place      (p. 044)
+again in "No Man's Land," while the Engineers worked at their highest
+pressure to pull down trenches and prepare the way for the gunners.
+Thus we were able to give the fullest possible support to the infantry,
+and the fire never ceased, while the men always found the creeping
+barrage laid down in front of them.
+
+Early on in the fray prisoners came dribbling back in a more or less
+dazed condition, and, as they passed the array of guns, they paused
+and gazed in evident wonder at the huge concentration--probably
+realising how fortunate they were in escaping the fate of so many of
+their comrades.
+
+Now, the enemy, although he knew an attack was imminent, had failed to
+anticipate the correct zero day, with the result that, on several
+portions of this front, various reliefs were in process of taking
+place at the actual time of the assault. The consequence was his
+defence was thrown into a state of confusion, while the extra numbers
+in the trench offered a double prey for the bayonets of our men, who
+were not slow in seizing the chances thus afforded them.
+
+The whole of the first objectives were quickly in our possession, as
+well as the villages of Messines and Wytscheate, and there was a
+slight pause to give a breathing space to the infantry, and to allow
+time for the field guns to take up their allotted positions beyond the
+recently captured enemy trenches, before entering upon the second and
+final stage of the battle. When the creeping barrage, which had
+remained stationary during this period, went forward once more, the
+infantry encountered stronger opposition, but by this time the Tanks
+were well up in support, and were instrumental in breaking up the
+machine-gun nests and thus enabling the men to proceed up to schedule
+time.
+
+The enemy lost a number of field artillery pieces, but had taken the
+precaution to withdraw most of the heavy ones several days before,
+when our bombardment commenced. His shooting, therefore, was rather
+wild and erratic, as he evidently had not had sufficient time to
+register his guns properly in the new positions. The result was that,
+fortunately for us, most of his energy was misplaced, and, for a
+battle of this magnitude, the casualties were not as heavy as might
+have been expected.
+
+By early afternoon the final objectives were everywhere in our     (p. 045)
+hands, and the work of consolidating the fruitful gains that the
+last few hours had yielded was immediately begun.
+
+Several counter-attacks were attempted by the enemy, but were not
+pushed with much vigour, and no success was secured in that direction:
+our infantry remained firm and could not be dislodged.
+
+Trenches were swiftly constructed, the work proceeding without
+intermission, and by evening the men were, more or less, securely "dug
+in," except in a few places where the line was slightly irregular, and
+which was afterwards rectified by means of a small operation.
+
+By the time the battle had finished we found ourselves the farthest
+back Brigade in the line, the immense number of batteries which, at
+the beginning, had been in our rear were now well in front of us, and
+on this sector the Divisional Artillery were the only two Brigades who
+did not move forward during the course of the fight. Moreover, by this
+time we were firing almost at extreme range close to the enemy's new
+front line, which gives some idea of the distance our men covered.
+
+The day had been an exhausting one for the gunners, and, in order to
+give some indication of the work and labour they had been called upon
+to do, our battery alone fired over 4000 rounds of ammunition. This
+was by no means a bad performance when one takes into consideration
+that each shell weighs 35 lbs., and necessitated a goodly amount of
+manhandling, but the men all had their "peckers well up," and
+displayed much determination throughout.
+
+For a few days following the battle there were a number of small
+isolated scraps for positions, and one or two enemy counter-attacks,
+before the new front settled down into something like normal
+conditions again. Decca-ville and light railways were pushed up
+smartly by the R.O.D., and the Engineers constructed new roads, while
+Labour Battalions were busily employed repairing the old ones and
+clearing up the litter of the battlefield.
+
+Ever since we came into action it had been no secret that our stay in
+this area would be of short duration, and that we were only to be
+employed in the battle itself, and were only to remain as long as our
+services were really required. It was no surprise when, five days  (p. 046)
+later, orders came through for us to withdraw from the line. We pulled
+out back to our wagon line, and from there proceeded through Bailleul
+to the little hamlet of Borre, a few miles east of Hazebrouck, where
+we remained pending removal to our next destination. We all had the
+feeling that our recent tour had been a great success, and were well
+satisfied with the part we had taken in the operations, for this was
+the first occasion on which we had witnessed a battle go smoothly,
+without a hitch from start to finish, and was a great contrast to any
+previous one in which we had participated.
+
+A few days in rest sufficed to put the Brigade shipshape once more,
+and we were now ready for the next bout. No delay was made in
+transferring us to another neighbourhood, and we set out in a
+northerly direction, which boded little good, for we knew that
+unpleasant events were developing in that quarter.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.                                                       (p. 047)
+
+Ypres Again.
+
+
+In the middle of June the Division arrived in the neighbourhood of
+Ypres, and at once took over from the Belgians from just below
+Boesinghe northwards. We were thus back on familiar ground, as we had
+occupied the next sector to the south in the previous year. Although
+we were not actually in the Salient itself, we were situated at the
+northern re-entrant to it. The Yser Canal constituted "No Man's Land,"
+the eastern bank of which was held by the enemy and the western by
+ourselves.
+
+The battery positions on this occasion were placed a considerable
+distance behind, mainly around the village of Elverdinghe, as the
+enemy had close observation and overlooked us from Pilkem Ridge. We
+did not take long to discover that our opponents were well acquainted
+with the situation of our new homes, for the majority of the batteries
+were subjected at once to an avalanche of shells as soon as they
+opened fire in order to register the guns. It became imperative for us
+to build alternative positions or go elsewhere, while other sections
+moved forward and undertook most of the firing. We had not been
+settled more than a few days when the enemy suddenly conceived a
+violent attraction for the house occupied by the officers' mess, and,
+after several direct hits had been made on it, we decided that the
+place was becoming too hot, and searched round for a more suitable
+abode. We packed up, made a hasty flight, and secured accommodation in
+a house which was strengthened by concrete, but even there we had to
+be wary, especially at night, for we were very close to a road fork,
+beloved by the enemy gunners.
+
+The majority of the O.P.'s were also obvious to the keen eyes of the
+foe, who paid them much attention on every possible occasion, and it
+was just as well for the occupants that they had been strongly     (p. 048)
+constructed with steel girders and concrete. On one occasion an
+officer, doing a night O.P. duty, along with his telephonist, was
+subjected to a full hour's bombardment by two hostile batteries, which
+fired salvoes regularly every minute. Next morning there was nothing
+left of the house except the skeleton, with the O.P. structure
+standing out defiant in bold relief in the midst of it.
+
+These then were the conditions on this sector at the time of our
+taking it over, and it will be seen that the enemy did more or less
+what he chose, and was undoubtedly top dog as far as gunnery was
+concerned. However, this was not to remain long so, as almost
+immediately preparations were set on foot for the coming offensive,
+which had already been decided upon.
+
+A host of new O.P.'s were erected, new roads and light railways
+constructed, while large working parties prepared fresh gun pits in
+advanced positions, and all were carefully camouflaged where they were
+exposed to enemy view. Every day new units arrived, and the country
+appeared to be overrun with troops. Most of the forward work had to be
+done during the night, and, as each position was completed, the guns
+were silently concentrated. While this was in progress, the Divisional
+Artillery only were maintained for the defence of the line, as it was
+not advisable that the enemy should know until the last possible
+moment that anything unusual was afoot. The scheme was a much more
+ambitious one than that in which we had recently taken a part, and, if
+everything went forward according to plan, it meant that we would be
+on the go for a considerable time, and there even appeared to be a
+chance of getting a taste of the long-talked-of open warfare.
+
+About this time a most amusing episode was witnessed by one of our
+Subalterns who was doing a liaison with the infantry at a battalion
+headquarters. This place was situated most unpleasantly, and was well
+known to the enemy, consequently accommodation had to be sought
+underground as much as possible. While the F.O.O. and his companion,
+the Intelligence Officer, were performing their ablutions early one
+morning outside the mouth of the cellar, a Brigadier with his Staff
+suddenly appeared on the scene to pay a visit to the Commander. The
+two Staff Officers remained outside, and opened conversation with  (p. 049)
+them. The Intelligence Officer, being something of a wag, brandished
+his shaving brush in one hand and with the other jocularly shoved the
+Staff Captain down the steps into their retreat, and asked him what he
+thought of the bedchamber. The other officer, although much amused,
+stood aghast, and, after the visitors had departed, he asked his
+companion to whom he had been speaking. He replied that he did not
+know, for, although the Captain's features appeared familiar, he could
+not "place" him, though he was a jolly sort of chap anyhow. On being
+told that it was none other than the Prince of Wales that he had been
+familiarly digging in the ribs for the past quarter of an hour, he was
+incredulous, and exclaimed, "And to think I nearly killed the
+youngster down these stairs!"
+
+At length preparations were completed, and the two Brigades of the
+Divisional Artillery took up new advanced positions alongside the
+reinforcing batteries already in line, while the heavies were thickly
+aligned close in the rear. The preliminary bombardment broke out about
+the middle of July, and at first it was keenly resented by the enemy,
+who perceived that we were gradually wrestling the initiative from
+him, but when, day after day, our fire continued unabated, he
+apparently resigned himself to his fate. Hurricane shoots by field
+batteries soon began to make a difference in the appearance of his
+trenches, and the heavies, by means of aerial registration, demolished
+his strongholds far back over the crest, and destroyed many of his
+battery positions. Several thick woods were facing us across the
+canal, and these grew thinner, and yet more thin, disclosing cunningly
+concealed pill-boxes, which were then dealt with by the heavies, until
+at last only a few stumps remained to indicate that a wood had ever
+existed there. The enemy's alarm grew daily, and soon our aeroplanes
+reported that the hostile batteries were being withdrawn further out
+of danger, and that work was proceeding feverishly upon new defences
+far behind his lines. By this time we had complete control of the air,
+and the heavens were alive with our aircraft, though the enemy tried
+his best to equalise matters by bringing along his famous "travelling
+circus" to the scene of action, and many thrilling fights were
+witnessed. The batteries were subjected to much chemical shelling
+during the night, and the enemy were known to bring forward special
+guns under cover of darkness for this purpose, and to withdraw     (p. 050)
+them out of range again before daybreak.
+
+It was during this period that he introduced the new mustard gas for
+the first time, and it must be admitted that he surprised and
+inflicted considerable casualties on us at first by this latest
+specimen in his assortment of poison.
+
+Our initial attack had to be postponed for several days, as the
+French, who came in immediately on our left, were delayed in putting
+in their appearance, consequently they had many hours' bombardment to
+make up, but, when it did commence, it was no uncertain one, and the
+noise was terrific. In the meantime our bombardment was continued
+also, though in a lesser degree, and the destruction of the enemy's
+lines was, as far as we were able to judge, thorough and complete.
+
+This delay proved a blessing in disguise to the Guards, who were to
+deliver the assault on our sector. The problem of effecting a crossing
+of the canal was a most serious and difficult one, and it had been
+arranged to send the men over on floating mats, as a good deal of
+water still remained in parts of the bed. In others so much mud and
+slime were encountered, while carrying out a series of raids, that it
+was almost impossible to cross without some such assistance, and it
+will be readily understood that it was imperative to waste no time in
+this manoeuvre, especially as the foe was awaiting them on the further
+bank. Whether it was that the enemy could not maintain communications
+between his front line and the rear, on account of our intense
+bombardment, or whether, as has been suggested, he suspected a
+repetition of Messines, and that we had mined underneath the canal
+bed, at all events three days before the attack he evacuated the canal
+bank and retired just over the crest of the hill some 800 yards
+beyond. This movement, however, had not been carried out unperceived
+by our valiant airmen, who, flying at a low altitude, returned and
+reported the situation. Immediately strong patrols crossed the canal
+and pushed up the slope on the other side, in order to remain in
+contact with the enemy and gauge his whereabouts. A series of posts
+were thus established 500 to 600 yards east of the canal, and orders
+were given to hold them at all costs, so that on the day of the battle
+our infantry could start off from there without having any serious
+obstacle in their way. Many men crossed the canal by means of hastily
+constructed foot bridges or floating rafts made of biscuit and petrol
+tins ingeniously lashed together.
+
+On this occasion we will follow the fortunes of the F.O.O.'s       (p. 051)
+detailed to accompany the infantry on their journey over the top on
+the first day of the battle. The party consisted of two officers and
+fourteen signallers and linesmen from the Brigade, who, during the
+past fortnight, had received full instructions as to their duties.
+Every detail had been carefully worked out beforehand: the men had
+been divided into several groups, each armed with telephones, reels of
+wire, flags, and Lucas lamps, all these things being necessary for the
+provision of each relay station. One of the officers was to accompany
+the attacking waves of infantry with his staff, consisting of a
+telephonist, linesman, and signaller, while the duty of the other was
+to work in conjunction with him and to maintain, as far as possible,
+uninterrupted communication with the Brigade after laying down the
+wire. The morning before the battle, the wire was laid out over the
+canal as far as the series of outposts, in order to save time on the
+following day. The same evening, at sunset, the party set out, after
+receiving wishes for the best of good luck from those who had been
+fortunate enough to escape being detailed for this arduous task.
+Officers and men proceeded to their appointed places in the front
+line, or rather in what had once been an enemy support trench, though
+now it was scarcely recognisable as such, owing to the effects of our
+bombardment, there to remain for the night and await coming events.
+
+Now, in consequence of the enemy's premature retirement over the
+crest, he lost most of his observation on us, but he was aware we had
+effected a crossing and held posts on his side of the canal. He
+therefore lavishly besprinkled this area with all manner of high
+explosive shells--one here, one there: never two in the same
+place--and the members of the party began to wonder whether they would
+survive to witness the fortunes of the battle. It always appears to be
+a matter of conjecture as to what are the real feelings of an F.O.O.
+about to take the plunge, so perhaps it might be of interest in this
+case to acquaint ourselves with them. As he lies out there with his
+men, where are his thoughts? Are they of his home, his parents, wife,
+or children? Will he ever see their dear faces again? No--! all that
+agony has been fought out over and over again long ago, during the
+previous fortnight or so, since he has been detailed for this
+particular job. Then, what does he think about? If the truth be told,
+he is rapidly running over in his mind all the little things which
+may perhaps, at the last moment, have been omitted or forgotten.   (p. 052)
+He questions Gunner "So-and-so" to make certain that that extra piece
+of wire has been brought along, and asks what the h--l Gunner
+"Somebody else" is doing standing there without a "tin-hat" on, and
+enquires of the Bombardier if he has adjusted the Lucas lamp properly,
+which has been giving some trouble previously. These and a
+hundred-and-one other such questions flash through his brain as he
+lies on the ground with his little party, all vigorously puffing pipes
+or cigarettes. The hours go by very slowly, and conversation on any
+old topic is attempted from time to time, sleep being entirely out of
+the question, as everyone is much too excited for anything of that
+nature. Meanwhile the bombardment continues without intermission, and
+the night becomes intensely cold and eerie. Will the darkness never
+pass and let us get started on the job?
+
+Soon after midnight the infantry, who are to make the assault, arrive
+at their places of assembly, full of quips and jests, a sure sign that
+they are cheery and in good form for the coming fray. Rum is served
+out, and the men lie down in little bunches, either to snatch a few
+minutes' sleep or else to resume their constant arguments and
+bickerings on every subject under the sun except anything connected
+with the war. Zero hour at last draws near, and everyone grows more
+restless, for this period is much the most trying time to endure, and
+all topics of conversation have long since been exhausted. Then a
+short, sharp order passes down the line, and the answering shouts
+announce that all are present and ready--the "quarter to zero" has
+arrived. Another crisp order comes along, and there are a series of
+ominous clicks as each man adjusts his bayonet to the rifle, then the
+men line up in perfect extended order, ready for the word to go. A
+faint grey appears in the sky to the east, but only the next man is
+visible to his neighbour, as the darkness is still upon us. The
+F.O.O.'s and party are also up and ready, final instructions being
+rapidly given to the signallers, who nod assent that everything is
+prepared and understood. Then suddenly the guns bark out afresh, and a
+creeping barrage drops down like a curtain in front of the men, who
+follow after it at an easy walk. Fortune attends the little party, as
+the wire has only been cut in three places, and these are speedily
+repaired; and, as soon as the second wave of men is clear of the
+trench, the line is laid out as rapidly as possible behind them. The
+ground is difficult to traverse, being full of deep craters, so    (p. 053)
+the party progresses more slowly than the infantry, and presently
+the third wave gains on and passes it by. At first the enemy puts down
+a nasty barrage, just beyond our stepping-off place, but most of his
+heavy stuff falls on the canal bank, and, as the majority of the
+troops have already crossed, the damage is not severe. By this time
+the party has gained the top of the crest, and, after establishing a
+relay station in a pill-box lately occupied by their opponents, the
+remainder proceed on their way. Many are the temptations to dawdle,
+instead of getting on with the work, so much of interest is taking
+place around them, including the amusing, and at that time not too
+frequent, sight of scores of the enemy, with uplifted hands, emerging
+from pill boxes, where they must have been packed like sardines.
+
+An auxiliary wire tapped into the main F.O.O. line is led to another
+pill-box, now to be used as a new infantry headquarters for the time
+being, and the party comes under the fire of a hostile machine gun
+emplacement, which necessitates their lying in a shell-hole for a
+while. On arrival there, the "mopping up" party is found still at
+work, but it soon completes its grim task. The officer who has
+proceeded with the infantry now sends his first message through to the
+effect that the first objectives are taken, the wire fortunately
+holding out well at the moment, every sound being clear and distinct.
+The Lucas lamp is then fixed on top of the relay station, and
+communications established in case the wire goes, but the morning
+dawns in mist, and signalling by this method is unsatisfactory.
+
+After a short pause, the infantry proceed on the second stage of their
+adventure, the F.O.O. and party following up and laying out wire close
+behind them. More messages are sent through to Brigade, and the wire
+breaks on several occasions, but is speedily dealt with by the
+linesmen, who are kept busy patrolling up and down the line.
+Meanwhile, items of extreme interest are taking place around the
+pill-pox of the Central Relay Station. Numerous batches of prisoners
+are drifting back, for the most part unattended, composed entirely of
+youths of nineteen and twenty years of age, the Guards having refused
+to kill these babies, only "despatching" the older men, for the
+Division up against them was very mixed, and may best be described as
+a "dud" lot, and it did not put up much of a fight. The lads all look
+weary and mud-stained, although there is an expression of relief   (p. 054)
+on their faces, as they steadily munch the bread that has been
+good-naturedly handed to them by their captors, for they have been
+starving for the past three days or so, no food having reached them on
+account of the terrific bombardment. An aid-post is hastily placed in
+a huge shell-hole close by, and the wounded straggle back; those who
+are but slightly hit and can walk help each other along, while the
+others are carried on stretchers. Here, a man, ghastly wounded, minus
+one leg and with the other almost severed, lies on a stretcher, calmly
+puffing at a cigarette given him by the bearers, and attempts to raise
+himself on his elbow that he may gaze at the curious scenes taking
+place around him. Others just stagger along, their pinched faces
+showing signs of suppressed pain, yet all have a quip or a jest on
+their lips as they smoke the inevitable cigarette. The sight is truly
+a wonderful one! The courage and calm that these wounded display in
+the midst of their sufferings is beyond words, but they are
+"Greatheart's all." Reinforcements are passing all this time on their
+way up to the battle line, ready to throw themselves into the conflict
+when their time arrives.
+
+Again the infantry move forward to the third and final objective,
+under cover of the friendly barrage, and, by the time they arrive at
+their allotted destination, an advance of some three miles from the
+canal bank has been effected since morning. The wire is linked up, and
+the F.O.O. selects a good point of vantage, and makes himself and his
+staff as comfortable as possible, and then proceeds to gather as much
+information as he can obtain to send back over the line. The infantry
+are now busy digging themselves in, and are being subjected to heavy
+shell-fire, but they stubbornly resist all efforts to dislodge them.
+By this time the batteries have all limbered up and advanced to new
+positions, mostly out in the open, and an order comes over the
+telephone from the B.C.'s for the F.O.O. to register the guns afresh:
+so he at once picks up some dependable landmark, and with much
+difficulty observes the rounds as they fall, and thus gives the
+necessary corrections.
+
+Then the wires break on account of the shelling, and some time is lost
+before communications are again established. The enemy has now
+recovered somewhat from the initial shock of the attack, and displays
+much determination to recover lost ground--counter attacks are
+launched without success. The F.O.O. now has an important message to
+convey, but, when the telephonist endeavours to send it through,   (p. 055)
+there is no answering buzz. Thereupon the linesman is despatched as a
+runner, and, on reaching the first relay station, he transfers the
+written message to another linesman, who immediately sets out for the
+next relief, and so on, until the message duly arrives at
+headquarters.
+
+Thus the day wears on: sometimes direct communication is possible, and
+at others the wire is "dished," but, on the whole, a good deal of
+information is passed through. The relay posts are constantly shelled,
+and the bombardier in charge is wounded, while one runner was killed
+in his gallant endeavour to pass through a heavy barrage with an
+important communication. In the evening the party, much exhausted with
+the strenuous and never ending work of the day, is relieved by a fresh
+group of officers and signallers, who take over from them, and the
+little party wind their way homewards profoundly thankful to find
+themselves back with their unit safe and sound.
+
+The situation, at the end of the opening day of the battle, was
+roughly this:--In the north all had gone well, and most of the
+objectives aimed at were successfully taken, but, such stiff
+resistance was met with further south, that the assaulting troops were
+held up after they had gained only about half of those allotted to
+them, and, although they fought stubbornly and determinedly, they were
+unable to make further ground. Thus the left wing was forced to mark
+time while the troops on the right made a series of attacks in order
+to straighten out the line, otherwise the army to the north would have
+found itself enclosed in a nasty salient. The artillery, over the
+whole battle front, also encountered great difficulty in advancing the
+guns, the ground was so ploughed up by the effects of the long
+preliminary bombardment. Even the horse gunners, who were detailed to
+move up in immediate support of the infantry, were unable to proceed
+further than a few hundred yards on the other side of the canal. Huge
+craters, placed lip to lip, met them in all directions, and an advance
+was found to be out of the question till new tracks were prepared and
+the road cleared of debris. This naturally took some time to
+accomplish, and, meanwhile, all the field batteries were advanced as
+close to the canal bank as possible, but even then they were much too
+far behind, and were firing at almost extreme range.
+
+No serious attack could be delivered, therefore, for some ten      (p. 056)
+days, until sufficient time had elapsed to enable the gunners to
+occupy new positions some way across the canal, and, on this occasion,
+Langemarke fell into our hands, as well as the line of the Broombeke.
+Progress remained slow further south, consequently our front became
+stationary. Now, it so happened that most of our batteries were in
+extremely awkward positions, as we had expected to be moved forward at
+any time. They were right out in the open, devoid of any cover, and,
+for the most part, placed in shell holes which had been hastily
+converted into pits. Here we were subjected to the most "gruelling"
+time that was ever our lot to endure, and the battle developed into a
+gigantic duel between batteries, in which our position was no worse
+than the others. We lived in shell holes, scantily covered with
+corrugated iron and a layer or two of sand-bags, scarcely splinter
+proof, nor had we any means of making ourselves more secure. The
+enemy's heavy counter batteries swept and searched over the slope
+where the majority of our batteries were congregated, and never before
+or after were they seen to reach such a pitch of efficiency.
+
+Never a day passed without casualties, and often a number of gunners
+were buried as the result of an explosion, and had to be hastily dug
+out, and early on we lost one of our subaltern officers, who was borne
+away to the dressing station with no less than a dozen wounds on him.
+It was with great difficulty that the battery was kept in action
+sometimes, and, though we soon shifted our position to a flank, this
+did not relieve the situation. A 60 pdr. battery not far behind us
+developed the fatal habit of becoming particularly active during
+"flash time," and, as its flash was notoriously conspicuous, it was
+not surprising that its location was promptly pin-pointed by the
+enemy, who proceeded to knock it out: and this they succeeded in doing
+without much delay. During this particular contest we always got the
+short rounds, and, as they were not peas that were coming over, but 8"
+and 11" shells, the atmosphere was unpleasant, to say the least of it!
+
+We considered ourselves lucky if we could keep 50 per cent. of the
+guns in action at the same time, while every nerve was strained to dig
+out the remainder, and it was a very heartless job, as a gun had no
+sooner been recovered and set up in position than it was knocked   (p. 057)
+out again almost immediately. One morning, after a wild night of
+shelling by the enemy, on going to ascertain the damage, we found one
+gun with its barrel buried deep in the ground, the trail standing
+perpendicular pointing towards the sky; another completely turned over
+on its back pointing in the opposite direction, while a third had been
+blown right out of the shell hole in which it had been placed, and
+hurled a considerable distance away. Casualties to our establishment
+mounted at a most alarming rate, and one night our B.C. was mortally
+wounded by a high explosive shell, and, although such assistance as it
+was possible to give was rendered, he did not survive long after
+reaching the casualty clearing station. His loss was much felt, not
+only by reason of his own cheerful personality, but also on account of
+the way in which he inspired all those under him to do their utmost,
+especially in times of stress and danger, when he always proved
+himself a true leader. The Captain now succeeded to the command of the
+battery, and the Senior Subaltern became second-in-command. It soon
+became evident that we could not carry on much longer under these
+conditions, and in the last week of September we were pulled out to
+refit, and remained near the village of Herszeele for a few days
+before again entering the fray.
+
+Meanwhile a subaltern with a working party was busily occupied
+preparing new emplacements for our reception, and on the day of their
+completion he was wounded while riding his bicycle back to his billet:
+thus we lost yet another officer. But, try as we would, it was
+impossible to escape the vigilant eye of the enemy, who engaged
+battery positions one after another, and the number of guns knocked
+out was prodigious. Through a lucky chance it had been decided to take
+the guns "in" at dawn, instead of during the night, and by reason of
+this we escaped a most violent hostile bombardment which was directed
+against the position, and which damaged at least two of the pits and
+completely destroyed several dug-outs which the work party had
+recently striven so hard to build. We set to work and repaired most of
+the damage, and, whether or not it was the enemy thought he had
+disposed of us thereby, at all events he did not repeat the
+performance beyond subjecting us to the ordinary night harassing fire.
+
+Another attack was impending, which again necessitated the forward (p. 058)
+movement of all batteries, and this time we were more fortunate in the
+selection of a site, and had several German pill-boxes in which to
+live and take refuge. Owing to the congestion on the one and only good
+road in the neighbourhood and the hostile shelling thereof, it was a
+matter of luck to find ourselves safely installed behind Abri Wood,
+and we immediately set out preparing for the new fight. Unfortunately,
+the weather again came to the assistance of our foe, and a spell of
+rain and wind made conditions extremely difficult for both infantry
+and gunners. However, the battle was proceeded with, and the result
+was an advance over the mud and slime of the river Broombeke as far as
+the outskirts of Houthoulst Forest, a distance of about two miles; our
+French allies, on the left, keeping in step with us throughout this
+operation. Then the inevitable forward move of the batteries was
+resumed, and this time we occupied positions down the further slope of
+the hill immediately across the rivulet of the Steenbeke. In
+consequence of torrents of rain, which continued daily, the low-lying
+ground became flooded, and it was all we could do to prevent the guns
+sinking in the sodden earth, and they frequently disappeared in the
+mud up to their axles. Dry accommodation was nowhere to be found
+except in a great pill-box, which we added to and strengthened, and it
+was popularly called the "Rabbit Hutch," for the obvious reason that
+it held the majority of the four batteries of the Brigade.
+
+Now, our last attack had advanced us considerably further than the men
+on the right, who throughout the past month had encountered very stiff
+opposition, so we had perforce to remain stationary and mark time,
+while the battle continued to the south. On several occasions we
+rendered assistance by putting up what is commonly known as a "Chinese
+barrage," _i.e._, the artillery carries out the ordinary programme
+preceding an attack, but no action follows on the part of the
+infantry. Conditions were equally disagreeable at the wagon lines,
+which speedily developed into quagmires, and it was almost impossible
+to walk about the lines unless attired in waders, and, even then,
+there was always the possibility of completely disappearing in the
+mud. Over and above that, the wagon lines were subjected every now and
+then to the attentions of a high velocity gun, as well as frequent (p. 059)
+visits from hostile night bombing machines, which were following the
+example set by our airmen and were endeavouring to pay us back in our
+own coin. Much damage was done in and around the neighbourhood, but
+our lines escaped exceedingly lightly. The question of ammunition
+supply became acute, and the use of pack saddles was again
+necessitated, and, because of the great distance between wagon lines
+and gun position, the round journey sometimes took eighteen hours to
+accomplish, and naturally the strain eventually told greatly upon both
+men and horses.
+
+The battery positions were not long in being located by the enemy, who
+expended great quantities of ammunition in his attempts to destroy
+them: and he made much use of chemical and mustard shell, which in
+time saturated the low-lying ground on which the guns were placed. In
+this way he effectively gassed the B.C., a subaltern, and several of
+the men, who were all despatched to the wagon line, and the Captain
+assumed command for the time being and brought up reliefs with him. By
+this time the Battery was again in a very bad way, and a rest was
+promised on several occasions, only to be held up time and again with
+the exhortation to hold out yet a little while longer. Winter was
+rapidly approaching, and it was necessary to adjust our line before
+fighting came to a standstill: and a considerable distance had yet to
+be traversed before the goal--Passchendaele and the ridge on which it
+was situated--could be reached.
+
+The battery, meanwhile, waited on in patience. All the remaining
+officers were affected by the mustard gas, as well as the majority of
+the gunners, and a sorry sight we presented when, in the first week in
+November, an incoming battery took over from us. We then proceeded to
+the new wagon lines, near Proven, in an utterly exhausted condition.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.                                                      (p. 060)
+
+Cambrai.
+
+
+Everyone thought that our long-expected rest was now forthcoming, so
+it was a great surprise when we were ordered to hold ourselves in
+readiness for a long march.
+
+What did it all mean? Were we marching into our new area and having
+our rest there or were we to be pitchforked into another scrap?
+
+No indication of our destination was given, and everything seemed most
+mysterious: and, when the Brigade arrived in the neighbourhood of
+Merville, there did not appear to be any sign of a definite halt. At
+all events the journey was being performed in easy stages, as if we
+were filling in time, and we were always making further south, till,
+passing behind Bethune, the vicinity of Arras was reached. Here news
+of the surprise attack at Cambrai first reached our ears, the secret
+of which had been kept so well, and, heading in the direction of
+Bapaume, we were acquainted with the fact that we were again "for it."
+
+Now, the initial attack, which came as a complete surprise to the
+enemy, had met with instant success, and, with the aid of a
+considerable number of Tanks, the great Hindenburg line had been
+breeched over a distance of from 6 to 8 miles, with the result that
+the fall of Cambrai a centre of great importance to the Germans
+appeared imminent.
+
+However, after the first couple of days, the attack was not pressed
+home as it might have been, for some reason or other, and the fight
+came to an abrupt standstill, leaving our troops in a particularly
+baggy salient. These were the conditions that prevailed when the
+Division gradually moved nearer the scene of action.
+
+In the beginning of the fourth week of November, we entered the
+battle, taking over from a famous Scottish Division which had fought
+with great distinction on the opening days.
+
+The battery was placed in action to the north of Flesquieres,      (p. 061)
+well inside the salient facing Bourlon Wood, in a position only
+recently completed by the enemy and which had not even been occupied
+by him. There was plenty of accommodation for everyone in the deep
+mined dug-outs prepared by him some thirty to forty feet below the
+ground, and the officers' quarters were spacious and lavishly
+constructed.
+
+From this point the domes and the spires of the city of Cambrai could
+be clearly distinguished; indeed, they appeared such a short distance
+away, it looked as if a saunter would carry us into the heart of the
+town.
+
+It was most interesting and instructive studying the elaborate system
+of the Hindenburg defences. First, there were three separate belts of
+closely-entwined barbed wire, each being some thirty yards wide, and
+behind them came a deep, narrow forefield trench that was only
+intended to be lightly manned. Communication trenches led back to the
+main Hindenburg trench some distance behind, in most cases being out
+of immediate view from our lately occupied positions.
+
+This trench was both deep and wide, being some twelve feet across and
+duck-boarded throughout, raised on wooden stakes to prevent the water
+reaching the level of the pathway. At short intervals shafts led down
+to the spacious dug-outs beneath, which were all connected and linked
+up with one another. In fact, practically speaking, one could walk
+from one end of the line to the other below the surface of the ground.
+
+Skilfully concealed, at frequent intervals, were emplacements for both
+trench-mortars and machine-guns, all heavily concreted and covered on
+top with turf.
+
+The enemy must have thought himself very secure in this vast
+stronghold, but in a way this very fact contributed, in a great
+measure, to his undoing; for, it is common knowledge that the more one
+frequents deep dug-outs the less inclination there is to emerge from
+them when a scrap is taking place.
+
+Finally, some 500 yards in the rear, a support line ran along, which,
+though not constructed with the same strength, was formidable enough
+in itself.
+
+To judge by the indescribable mess, and by the mass of material left
+littered about, the enemy must indeed have beat a hasty retreat. The
+dug-outs were filthy to the last degree, and there was no sign of any
+system of sanitation having been used by these people, who         (p. 062)
+considered their "Kultur" to be superlative, and who desired to impose
+it on the rest of mankind. All through the campaign, whenever one had
+the opportunity of inspecting hostile trenches and billets, one always
+found the same thing, filth and lack of sanitation.
+
+Now, for some little time our hold on Bourlon Wood had been
+precarious, so a further attack was initiated, and the Guards went in
+to straighten the line. They swept through the Wood, taking the
+villages of Bourlon and Fontaine, but a gigantic counter attack
+pressed them back again owing to reinforcements being late in arriving
+to render assistance. They were so badly mauled and cut up that it was
+necessary to withdraw them from the line to refit, and infantry from
+an "Old Contemptible" Division took their place. Bourlon Wood became
+so saturated with gas that, after a great tussle, neither side was
+able to tenant it any longer, and so withdrew, leaving a screen of
+outposts to prevent any surprise attack.
+
+This was the situation when dawn broke on the 30th of November, a day
+which proved to be one of ups and downs for us, and caused many
+misgivings to arise in the old country. The object of the enemy was to
+pinch either side of the jaws, and, if his attack on the north had met
+with equal success with that on the south, there would have been
+little hope for the troops in the salient, who undoubtedly would have
+been surrounded and cut off. However, as events turned out, our men
+held out and remained firm. Moreover, it was afterwards discovered
+from captured documents that the enemy's scheme was a large and
+ambitious one. Not only was it his intention to retake the whole of
+our recent gains, but to press on further through Havrincourt Wood,
+and establish himself on a line beyond it.
+
+The Germans employed the same tactics as we used on the opening day of
+the battle--there was no preliminary bombardment, and their troops
+advanced under cover of a heavy mist and preceded by a creeping
+barrage. They put an overwhelming number of troops into the fight, the
+odds against our men being something like three to one, but our
+infantry in the north fought valiantly, although they were forced to
+give ground step by step in the initial stages. As the day wore on and
+the mist rose, we were able to see the hostile infantry advancing in
+masses, but they were paying a heavy toll at the hands of our machine
+gunners, who cut many a line in their ranks.
+
+The situation became tense when the enemy succeeded in driving     (p. 063)
+our men across the Bapaume-Cambrai road, and were seen to be
+approaching Anneux and Graincourt. The 18 prs. batteries which were
+lying alongside of us dragged their guns out of their pits on to the
+crest in front, and proceeded to rake the enemy, firing as rapidly as
+they were able, through open sights, the gunners stripped to the
+waist, toiling and sweating in their endeavour to stop the oncoming
+tide. The fight swayed backward and forward throughout the whole day,
+but finally the enemy was held in check without gaining further
+ground, and he incurred very heavy casualties.
+
+In the south the situation was very obscure, and somehow or other the
+enemy broke a gap in the defences between La Vacquerie and
+Gouzeaucourt, capturing the latter place as well as the village of
+Gonnelieu, and commenced streaming through. He had advanced a
+considerable distance before the importance of his move was fully
+realised, consequently most extraordinary incidents occurred, stories
+of which are now familiar to everyone. Battery positions were rapidly
+overrun, and even wagon lines were captured, while Labour companies,
+working on the roads far behind the front, on looking up, discovered
+the foe almost on top of them.
+
+There were no reserves in immediate support, and affairs were taking
+on a most serious complexion. Something had to be done and that right
+speedily! Therefore the Guards, who had only two days previously been
+withdrawn from the fight, were again called upon. They were lying in
+rest around Bertincourt, Ytres and Ruyaulcourt, and were hurriedly
+conveyed in 'buses and motor lorries to Metz, where they formed up and
+set out on their big counter-attack, supported by our sister Brigade
+and another gunner unit which chanced to have been pulled out on the
+previous night. Now, the enemy troops appeared to be as much surprised
+at their success as we were, and continued advancing in a bewildered
+kind of fashion, astonished at the little or entire lack of opposition
+with which they met. Suddenly, however, they came face to face with
+the full strength of the best disciplined troops in the world,
+whereupon they paused, staggered, and at length commenced to fall
+back, in confusion and disorder, with the result that the day was
+saved just in the nick of time, and most of the ground was recovered,
+in addition to some 50 guns.
+
+Meanwhile the wagon lines were situated in the village of          (p. 064)
+Ribecourt, right inside the salient, and, although it was known that a
+scrap was taking place, no one had any idea as to its stupendous
+nature. The fact that the village lay in a valley, surrounded by
+hills, prevented much noise of the conflict reaching those in it.
+However, shortly after breakfast, it became apparent that something
+was amiss, and the place became subjected to a heavy bombardment. The
+horses and vehicles were evacuated as quickly as possible, without
+suffering undue casualties, and collected on the hillside a short
+distance away, facing Bourlon Wood, where they "stood to" awaiting
+further orders.
+
+Hostile aeroplanes put in an appearance, flying daringly low hither
+and thither across the salient, endeavouring to pick up as much
+information as possible, and sometimes dropping bombs. Many a tussle
+took place between them and our airmen, who did not allow them
+undisputed sway for long.
+
+At noon instructions came through to be prepared to withdraw the guns
+at any moment, but in the end this was found unnecessary. Even at this
+time we were unaware that the enemy had penetrated our line to the
+south, and the first indication we had that something unusual was
+taking place, was the arrival of some reinforcements, who hurried
+along the top of the hillside behind us, and took up positions facing
+in the opposite direction! A short time elapsed, and then we were
+astonished and horrified to see a creeping barrage roll along, top the
+crest, and gradually draw nearer us from the rear. Fortunately, it
+stopped before actually reaching us, for by this time the enemy had
+attained his furthest point of penetration, and the counter attack had
+already been launched. Throughout the rest of the day the wagon line
+"stood to" ready for any emergency, and at dusk the limbers were sent
+up to the position, and the guns were withdrawn the same night and
+placed in action in the railway cutting immediately behind the ridge
+to the south of Flesquieres.
+
+It became evident, after the experiences of the previous day, that, as
+long as we remained in this awkward salient, we would undoubtedly be
+exposed to further attacks at the hands of the enemy. The Germans
+meanwhile had concentrated huge forces in the vicinity, so a
+continuation of our advance was now out of the question, and a
+modification of our front was decided upon. The infantry           (p. 065)
+constructed a new line running north of Flesquieres Ridge, and, as
+soon as it was completed, our troops fell back on it under cover of
+darkness, unperceived and therefore unmolested by the enemy, who only
+made the discovery on the following day, and then cautiously followed
+up until they came in contact with us once more. The salient presented
+a curious aspect at night to those inside it, and we seemed to be
+almost surrounded by Verey lights, as indeed we were, except where the
+narrow neck led out towards Metz.
+
+The enemy did not, as was expected, attempt any further operations on
+a large scale, but contented himself with making things very
+uncomfortable for us. In spite of our withdrawal, the line was still
+saggy to a large extent, and he could bring his guns to bear on any
+part of the salient and enfilade it. He also paid much attention to
+bombing, and his planes came over at dawn and dusk and caused a good
+deal of damage. The wagon lines came in for their share of
+unpleasantness, and in the course of a fortnight we were forced to
+quit no less than three positions in turn. The battery was specially
+handicapped by the colour of its horses, and was evidently easily
+spotted by hostile aircraft, for we had more than our share of ill
+fortune at this period. To take the worst case that befell us, one
+night the wagon line lost 35 horses. A covey of enemy planes had been
+over at daybreak, and apparently made a mental note of our location,
+as they returned the same evening and dropped several bombs, though,
+strange to say, no damage was effected. However, towards midnight, a
+4.2 battery suddenly opened fire with instantaneous fuse action, and
+many casualties were inflicted before the horses could be removed,
+owing to difficulties in the pitch darkness.
+
+The most wonderful fact in the whole proceedings was that, although
+there was little or no cover for the men, who were ensconced in
+bivouacs, except a few who were in an old disused trench close by,
+only a couple of them were hit. The officers were rudely awakened by
+large splinters entering their tent, and only just missing their heads
+as they lay on their valises, while the sergeants had a most
+miraculous escape. They had formed a Mess in a bay of the trench, the
+sides supported and heightened by some of the Q.M.S.'s stores, and
+covered on top by a large tarpaulin. A shell dropped practically on
+top of them, fortunately detonating instantly against several      (p. 066)
+boxes of iron rations, which undoubtedly contributed to saving their
+lives. An officer arrived on the scene immediately afterwards, and
+found them all lying unconscious as the result of the explosion, but
+they soon revived and took a stout part in rescuing the horses. The
+construction was completely wrecked, and the clothes they wore were
+stripped into ribbons, but only one of them had a scratch on him.
+
+No delay was made in attending to the wounded horses, and in conveying
+the remainder to a place of safety. The drivers were all splendidly
+cool and collected under the trying circumstances, but many of the
+poor beasts were beyond human aid, and had to be destroyed.
+
+The scene next morning was a gruesome one, and it was a most pathetic
+sight to watch the drivers, with tears running down their cheeks,
+bidding a last farewell to their lost charges before burial, for the
+men become exceedingly attached to their four-legged comrades,
+especially when they have had charge of them for a considerable time.
+No time was lost in selecting a new locality, as it was considered
+wise to get out of the salient altogether, and thus avoid the risk of
+incurring further unnecessary casualties; so the wagon lines were
+removed to the vicinity of Ruyaulcourt.
+
+A spell of hard frost set in, with an occasional fall of snow, which
+added to our difficulties as well as to our discomforts, for it must
+be remembered that both battery position and wagon line were occupied
+at a moment's notice, and no time could be spent in making any
+preparations beforehand for our reception. Affairs were now settling
+down for the winter, and nothing unusual was taking place beyond a
+good deal of artillery activity on both sides, consequently we were
+only awaiting orders to withdraw from the line. These came through in
+a few days' time, and the Brigade pulled out in the middle of December
+to the ruined village of Beaulencourt, situated south east of Bapaume.
+On the following day a long march was undertaken, and we proceeded by
+way of Achiet-le-Grand, Ayette, and Beaumetz to the village of
+Montennescourt, due west of Arras, a distance of 25 miles.
+
+It says much for the battery that it accomplished this long trail with
+no less than 43 horses below establishment, and without any outside
+assistance, in spite of the heaviness of the roads. The guns       (p. 067)
+were pulled by six-horse teams, and the vehicles and other baggage
+wagons by four-horse teams, made up by requisitioning all the
+available outriders, yet none of the horses suffered to any great
+extent from the extra strain imposed on them.
+
+It was with feelings of great gratification that we learnt that at
+last we were going to have our long-delayed rest, and that it would
+fall to our lot to spend the coming Christmas-tide and New Year season
+in more congenial surroundings than had been the case in the two
+previous years. All were prepared to enjoy themselves on this
+occasion, as it was felt, on reviewing the past six months, during
+which time we had been fighting incessantly in "pukka" battles, in
+which we had acquitted ourselves not badly, that we had thoroughly
+earned a week or two of complete rest and quiet.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX.                                                        (p. 068)
+
+At Arras.
+
+
+The next fortnight was spent under most happy conditions, and all
+ranks had an enjoyable time. As Christmas approached, active
+preparations were made to excel anything we had ever had before in the
+way of festivities, and this was possible now that we were out of
+action. Quarter-Master-Sergeants, puffed out with importance, were to
+be seen strutting hither and thither, returning with mysterious sacks
+and parcels, presumably filled with good cheer.
+
+Plucked geese and turkeys appeared in large numbers, suspended from
+the ceilings of billets, and several large barrels arrived on the
+scene, and were duly placed under lock and key in the canteen,
+awaiting the auspicious day. Much competition took place between
+batteries for the possession of the only two live pigs in the village,
+which eventually went to the highest bidders, while the remainder
+procured their joints in the form of pork from Doullens. One of the
+batteries meanwhile grew so attached to its prospective Christmas fare
+that it was almost decided to spare his life and adopt him as a
+mascot. His fate was sealed, however, when one day it was discovered
+that he had disposed of several parcels of food which had,
+inadvertently, been placed within his reach by some of the men.
+
+Concerts were arranged, and the village school-room was kindly lent
+and artistically decorated for these occasions. The weather was all
+that could be desired now that we were safely lodged in billets, and
+it was a typical old-fashioned yule-tide, with a plentiful fall of
+snow followed by hard frost. The little village was in a sheltered
+hollow, and a small rivulet passed through it on its way down the
+valley, while the scenery might have been that surrounding any hamlet
+in the south of England.
+
+An open air service was conducted by the Padre, for the Brigade, on
+'Xmas morning, and the rest of the day was given over to sports and
+concerts, and the climax of enjoyment was reached at night when    (p. 069)
+the men partook of their dinner. Gramaphones were well to the fore,
+but all kinds of musical instruments took part in the gaiety which
+followed.
+
+A certain amount of latitude was given the men for a few days after,
+in order that they might recover from the orgy, for indeed they had
+never had such a gorge since their arrival in France. All were in
+excellent spirits, and these were by no means diminished when it
+became known that our next area was in front of Arras. It was
+recognised to be an enviable part of the line to be situated in,
+especially during the winter months. It was also a locality with which
+we had not as yet made acquaintance, and it was always interesting to
+visit a new portion of the front, as we disliked being too long in the
+same surroundings without a change of scene.
+
+The day following New Year, the Division entered on its period of duty
+in the sector north of Monchy to the vicinity of Gavrelle, with the
+heights of Vimy, which had fallen into our hands in the previous
+spring on its left.
+
+The battery position was reached by following the Arras-Plouvain road
+along the valley of the river Scarpe, and we took over from a Scottish
+Division. The enemy lines were everywhere overlooked, consequently he
+wisely refrained from showing much activity.
+
+A magnificent view was obtained from the rear O.P. on the heights
+facing Vitry, and, on a clear day, Douai was plainly visible and even
+the country far beyond it.
+
+Our front line ran along at the bottom of the slope, having the ruined
+piles of Roeux, which was the scene of such furious fighting in the
+latter stages of Arras battle, immediately in its rear. Half right, to
+the south of the river Scarpe, what remained of the village of Monchy
+stood out like a sentinel on the top of the hill. This point afforded
+a splendid view in all directions and was the veritable keystone of
+the whole position. Four of our pieces were placed in a quarry, a few
+yards off the road leading through Fampoux, on its western extremity,
+while the other two guns were moved forward, east of the same village,
+behind a bank, and carefully camouflaged. As this sector was
+extraordinarily quiet and there was not sufficient work to keep
+everyone occupied, the Battery Commander decided to commence
+construction and endeavour to make our position a model one. Two pits,
+which were already in existence, were pulled down and rebuilt,     (p. 070)
+and two others were constructed alongside, and all of them were placed
+just as near the front bank of the quarry as would permit of the guns
+clearing the crest. The whole position was completely camouflaged, as,
+it will be readily understood, a quarry made a conspicuous target for
+the enemy at any time, and if he suspected the presence of a battery
+therein, there would have been little peace or quiet for us. However,
+as things turned out, we had evidently made a good job of our work,
+and to our surprise, not a single shell dropped in the quarry during
+our period of occupation.
+
+Walls were white-washed and ammunition and charge shelves elaborately
+painted, the platforms were neatly tiled or bricked with material
+taken from the surrounding ruins, and all manner of "eye wash" was
+employed in making the pits look well. A communication trench was dug
+from one extremity to the other, rivetted and duck-boarded throughout,
+and led to the men's quarters. These when completed were palatial, and
+put in the shade any headquarter unit in the line.
+
+The near side of the quarry, which consisted of chalk, was easily and
+rapidly mined, and, in the course of three weeks, the men had
+comfortable quarters. Beds made of wire netting stretched on wooden
+frames, a spacious dining hall, telephone pit, cook house, and they
+even possessed a moderate sized bath room, which was highly valued and
+put to great use. The officers' quarters were no less sumptuously
+fitted out. Each had sleeping accommodation, in cellars of the ruined
+houses, running along the main street close to the quarry, nicely
+lined with wood and canvas to keep the damp out, while the Mess itself
+was a work of art.
+
+The latter was built entirely by the officers and their batmen, under
+the personal supervision of our energetic B.C.
+
+The floors, walls and roof of the cellar were lined with three inch
+timber, and one day a subaltern, who had been out exploring, came back
+triumphant, bearing in his arms a huge roll of wall paper found buried
+under some rubbish, at a spot which probably denoted the one time
+existence of a decorator's shop. The Mess was therefore duly papered,
+with frieze complete, and with the addition of easy chairs, book
+shelves, a stove and gramaphone, there was nothing left to wish for,
+and the place was most cosy and snug. The entrance, too, was the
+admiration of everybody, nicely tiled and decorated with fancy
+carvings from the utterly destroyed church. Iron girders, beams,   (p. 071)
+and countless bricks to the height of several feet rested on top of
+our home. It is not to be wondered at, then, that this model position
+was frequently visited by high personages, brought hither by our
+Brigade-Commander or C.R.A., who appeared almost as proud of the place
+as we were ourselves. Moreover, as we were in such close proximity to
+the road leading up to the front line, it was only natural that
+officers should drop in to this half way house and rest and regale
+themselves before resuming their journey, so before long our Mess was
+known as "The Pub" throughout the Division.
+
+The forward position was treated in the same fashion, and never before
+had both officers and men had such comfortable quarters. Thus we
+settled down to a life of ease, such as we had not known since the
+Laventie days of two winters ago, and proceeded to thoroughly enjoy
+ourselves.
+
+Frequent trips were made into Arras, either on horseback or by river,
+for there was a steamboat service, running daily on the Scarpe, which
+landed one close to the Officers' Club, a large wooden erection
+similar to a Y.M.C.A. hut, run by the Expeditionary Force Canteen.
+
+The town had not been irreparably destroyed, and in most parts the
+inhabitants had returned, and were carrying on their usual routine,
+while many shops were re-opened and doing good business. The Cathedral
+was badly damaged, as well as other prominent buildings, but, on the
+whole, the town had escaped wonderfully considering how close the
+enemy had been to it for so long. Now, of course, the enemy was over
+six miles away, and the city could not be reached by any other than
+his high velocity guns, and they seldom troubled to shell the place,
+and when they did so, from time to time, the fire was chiefly directed
+on the railway station and sidings in the vicinity.
+
+An equally peaceful time fell to the lot of those who were at the
+wagon lines. They were situated just off the main Arras-Souchez road,
+within easy reach of the former place. Accommodation for Officers and
+men was provided by Nissen huts, containing stoves, while the horses
+had good covered-in standings, with mud walls surrounding them for
+protection against bombing raids.
+
+The transport of ammunition to the guns was easily conducted, as
+excellent roads ran the whole way, and every care was taken to     (p. 072)
+keep the horses up to condition. The frost did not continue and
+in the early months of the year the weather was wonderfully bright and
+mild, and many a good gallop could be had in the neighbourhood, as
+there was a fine stretch of open ground close to the wagon line.
+
+The horses undoubtedly had a better time than it is usually possible
+to give them during the winter months. The war horse is an
+extraordinarily intelligent animal and appreciates anything done for
+him in the way of comfort. He also becomes very cute and cunning, and
+always knows the routine of the day, and can tell his time of feeding
+almost to the minute, and, if allowed, would go by himself
+automatically to the water troughs and return to his own particular
+standing in the stable.
+
+One horse familiarly known by the name of "Shrapnel," owing to several
+wounds of that kind which refused to close up, and completely heal,
+knew at once when he was "warned" for the line. Now, he disliked going
+out at nights, and consequently was in the habit of "scrimp-shanking,"
+and proceeded forthwith to go lame. At first he managed to fool
+everybody, but on close investigation it was discovered that nothing
+at all was the matter with him.
+
+Another fine beast, which at one time must have been ill-treated, when
+he came to us had a bad rope gall on his near hind, and was extremely
+nervous at being touched. After hours of coaxing he allowed his
+section officer and driver to handle him, and, at length, showed great
+affection to them both, but woe betide any other member of the
+battery, who attempted to go near him, back went his ears and out went
+his feet at once!
+
+About the middle of February, a feeling of uneasiness evidently
+entered the minds of those in authority. It was known that the enemy
+was transferring large numbers of troops, which had been released by
+the collapse of Russia, to the Western front. Consequently every unit
+got busy at once, the Infantry dug new trench systems in rear of their
+existing ones, constructed strong points, and mile upon mile of barbed
+wire was laid down.
+
+The gunners prepared new battle and reinforcing positions, in case a
+retiral should be necessary, and filled them with ammunition against
+all eventualities.
+
+In a little more than a month everything was completed, and during the
+third week of March, the troops were warned of an impending great
+enemy offensive, and became fully on the alert.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X.                                                         (p. 073)
+
+March the 21st.
+
+
+The morning of the 20th broke calm and the enemy did nothing to
+indicate that anything out of the ordinary was about to take place,
+but this did not deceive us, as it was known to our Command that the
+blow was going to fall on the following morning. Silence reigned
+supreme, except for the ordinary harassing artillery fire, up till
+midnight, but shortly afterwards the German guns opened out their
+annihilating fire, and drenched our forward system and battery
+positions with a severe gas bombardment.
+
+In this area the majority of batteries had, at the last moment, taken
+the precaution to change their positions, as these were known to the
+enemy, and thus avoided being entirely demolished by the heavy
+concentration which poured all manner of shell into those they had
+lately vacated.
+
+At dawn, which, unfortunately for us, broke in a thick mist, after a
+sustained bombardment of some four to five hours' duration, the enemy
+launched his gigantic attack over an area of fifty miles, from
+Guenappe, immediately below Monchy in the North, to the neighbourhood
+of La Fere in the south. Under cover of the mist, he congregated large
+numbers of field guns, which were able to accompany and closely
+support the attacking waves, while at some places he employed his new
+Tanks. These, however, though rendering some assistance to him, by no
+means came up to expectations, and were ponderous and clumsy, in spite
+of the fact that he had previously captured several of ours from which
+to copy, but they proved to be far behind ours, both in construction
+and usefulness.
+
+A "Chinese barrage" was put down by the enemy on our sector, but no
+attack developed. The same evening the Division was hurriedly
+withdrawn from the line, and heading in a southern direction arrived
+in the neighbourhood of Tilloy and prepared for instant action.
+
+In spite of the favourable conditions, our foes made little or no  (p. 074)
+ground, throughout the day, on the whole of the Army front, and were
+held in our forefield. Further south, much the same thing happened,
+although they penetrated further in some places, but nowhere had they
+broken through, so the news on the whole was good and reassuring.
+
+The German attack was renewed on the following day, and still the
+Northern Army remained firm, but they succeeded in effecting a serious
+breech in the Army to the south, where the British had lately taken
+over from our French allies. So swift was the enemy's progress at this
+point that our troops on either side of this bulge soon became
+endangered, and a general retirement was immediately necessary in
+order to keep the line straight.
+
+This applied to the Northern Army also, but not to anything like the
+same extent. The Division again moved south, and took up positions
+behind the Henin Ridge, between the village of that name and St.
+Leger, for the purpose of covering the retirement.
+
+The whole line thus became mobile, and, for several days, a stiff
+rear-guard action was fought, which resulted in very heavy casualties
+being inflicted on the enemy. He was by this time flushed with his
+success further south, and attempted to advance as if he were already
+the conqueror, which led to his own undoing, as virtually he was only
+permitted to gain ground at our time and will. It cannot be denied,
+however, that the days were anxious ones and the infantry were kept
+very heavily engaged and became much exhausted. However, they made the
+most of their opportunities, and had hitherto rarely found such ready
+targets, and their machine guns effected great execution on the enemy
+ranks as the men came along laden with full packs. A story is told,
+and is believed to be true, of one machine gunner that, in the course
+of his morning's work, he slaughtered over 200 German's single handed
+with his weapon, after which he became a raving lunatic and had to be
+forceably removed.
+
+The infantry, too, admitted that they were getting tired of killing
+Boches, and the casualties inflicted on our men were a mere nothing as
+compared with those suffered by our foes. The gunners were equally
+busy dropping into action here and there and falling back as the
+circumstances required, until at the end of a week, the line became
+more or less stationary. The front line now ran through Mercatel,  (p. 075)
+Boisleux and Moyenneville and thence, in a south westerly direction,
+towards Serre. Thus the Germans were again almost back on the line
+they had held, prior to the big retreat on the Hindenburg line in the
+spring of 1917.
+
+It seemed a great pity to vacate the Henin Ridge, for the opposing
+sides found themselves facing each other in a hollow, with rising
+ground on either side, which made battery positions difficult to
+conceal. So many disused trenches, which had previously formed part of
+the old German line system, helped to shelter us, to a great extent,
+for we were at this point nearly two miles east of the permanent line
+of a year ago.
+
+Everyone feverishly sat about digging and constructing new trenches,
+and an enormous amount of work was accomplished in a comparatively
+short space of time, for it was felt that the enemy had by no means
+expended all his strength, and would endeavour, in the near future, to
+resume active operations. There could be no doubt that he would be
+dissatisfied to remain where he was, especially as, so far, he had
+little to shew on this particular part of the front for his gigantic
+effort and huge loss of men.
+
+It was no surprise therefore when, at the beginning of the second week
+in April, after a short sharp bombardment, the enemy made a strong
+attack from Monchy, north to the Vimy Ridge, with the object of
+seizing Arras and the heights before mentioned. The result was a
+costly failure, as he was everywhere held up in our forefield system,
+and the British Divisions opposed to him had the time of their lives.
+We were very interested to hear about this battle, as, of course, it
+was fought over the sector in which we had lately spent a number of
+happy months and where we had done such an amount of work. It was
+distinctly gratifying, too, when a wire was received from the Division
+who took over from us thanking our Division for the wonderful
+defensive construction made by us. It was due to that work that they
+were enabled to bring the enemy so quickly to an abrupt standstill.
+
+They had seemingly experienced a veritable field day and thoroughly
+enjoyed themselves on that occasion.
+
+After this unsuccessful effort, the enemy evidently gave up the
+attempt to gain possession of Arras and Vimy by a frontal attack and
+turned his thoughts elsewhere.
+
+Unfortunately, however, in the course of these operations, Monchy  (p. 076)
+had to be evacuated by the British, which enabled the Boche to gain
+observation on the city which, thereafter, came in for a good amount
+of shelling, and again the inhabitants were forced much against their
+will to leave the stricken place.
+
+All manner of heavy shell fell in the town, and the damage caused was
+considerable, and it was no longer the haven of rest for the troops
+which it had been a few months previously. Our wagon lines, meanwhile,
+had not escaped undamaged, and were forced to change positions on
+several occasions until, at last, comfortable quarters were obtained
+in the little village of Bretencourt, where the houses still had roofs
+covering them, as the hamlet was just outside the devastated area.
+When affairs settled down once more, the battery positions were
+gradually advanced, and we dug a new position east of Ficheux, where
+the guns were meanwhile situated.
+
+A forward section was established ahead in the railway cutting of the
+Arras-Albert line, and we subjected the enemy to as much
+unpleasantness as it lay in our power to devise.
+
+We were not, however, any length of time in this sector, and were
+removed to the adjoining one immediately to the south.
+
+The line required rectifying in several places, and in a brilliant
+minor operation, the village of Ayette was carried and remained firmly
+in our hands.
+
+Our new position was situated on the high ground to the north of
+Adinfer Wood, immediately behind the village of the same name, but the
+neighbourhood was much more peaceful than that which we had recently
+quitted, as everywhere we had observation over the enemy, and
+naturally he never created trouble under such circumstances.
+
+The wagon lines were again moved, this time much further behind, to
+the small village of Gaudiempre, where one might have imagined one was
+completely out of the war area, it appeared so quiet.
+
+The place was intact and all were ensconced in snug little billets,
+while the horses were well off also, as opportunities for grazing were
+afforded round about the neighbourhood.
+
+Then the enemy's second great offensive opened on the Lys, and all
+eyes were turned in that direction, but everyone held the opinion
+that, sooner or later, he would be brought to a standstill, which
+proved to be the case.
+
+In fact, throughout the whole of this trying period, the           (p. 077)
+confidence among all ranks was extraordinary. No one had the feeling
+that we were going down and under, and it would have done the pessimists
+at home a world of good to have caught a glimpse of conditions out in
+France and of the cheery optimism that prevailed there. There was even
+disappointment, in some quarters, that the enemy had not attempted to
+attack us on this front, but he evidently thought discretion was the
+better part of valour, for the defences were, by this time, very
+strong, and it would have been strange if he had managed to penetrate
+to any depth.
+
+About the middle of May, it was the will of those in authority to rest
+the Division a while, and although we were not in any urgent need of a
+rest, we were not disinclined for it, as the season of the year was
+favourable, and we pictured all manner of good times in store.
+
+The Brigade, therefore, withdrew to the wagon lines, marched the
+following day to Humbercourt, the village appointed for our resting
+place.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI.                                                        (p. 078)
+
+The Turn of the Tide.
+
+
+It invariably happened, when the Brigade came out for a period of
+rest, that expectations of a real holiday were never fully realized,
+and although the time passed pleasantly enough and we were favoured
+with fine weather, all ranks were kept pretty busy. Many tactical
+schemes were practised, and we had always to hold ourselves in
+readiness to render assistance, at short notice, to the troops who
+were in the line, for our Command was taking no risks and had not
+entirely given up the possibility of a hostile attack on this area.
+
+It must be admitted, however, that in the end everybody enjoyed
+rehearsing these schemes, and we would have been well acquainted with
+our duties had the emergency arisen. Our resentment, also, at being
+called upon to partake of violent exercise so early in the morning,
+completely disappeared after a while, the country looked so beautiful
+at dawn, and we usually returned in time for breakfast, with
+well-whetted appetites, after some three or four hours in the saddle.
+
+Unfortunately, at this time, the scourge known as "Flanders Grippe,"
+which had been prevalent throughout the Army, developed in our
+Brigade. For a considerable time this epidemic paralysed us, more or
+less, as about half our number was down with the disease at the same
+time. Although it passes after taking its three days' course, one is
+left very weak and groggy for some time, and several of the men were
+very seriously ill.
+
+Inevitable inspections by Corps Commanders and minor officials passed
+off without incident, but, of course, much labour and "eye-wash" was
+expended as is always the case on these occasions. The Divisional
+Horse Show, held towards the end of our rest, was undoubtedly the
+principal diversion of our time out, as each unit naturally did its
+utmost to outshine all others. The battery entered a gun team
+complete, consisting of six dapple-grey horses, and we succeeded in
+securing the second prize in the gunner's Derby. Curiously enough, (p. 079)
+the winners, our sister howitzer battery, won with five, out of six
+horses which had been shown, over two years previously at Zeggers
+Capelle, in Flanders, and who then carried off second prize in the
+competition with a team of blacks. H.R.H. The Duke of Connaught
+afterwards inspected the prize-winners, and evinced much interest on
+being told that ours was a complete battery of grey horses.
+
+Paris leave opened for both officers and men as a consolation for home
+furlough being stopped, and many availed themselves of the opportunity
+of having a few days' enjoyment in the "Gay City."
+
+In the first days of June the Division returned to the line and
+occupied the sector we had already been in prior to moving to Adinfer.
+The area had become very quiet with one or two exceptions, and the
+enemy did not subject our infantry to much shelling, and contented
+himself with occasionally annoying them with trench mortars. But if,
+at any time, he discovered the location of a battery position, that
+unit had a most unhappy time. Four of our guns were placed in the
+railway cutting, where we had previously had a forward section, and
+the remainder were again detached some distance away. Mine shafts,
+which were already in existence, were enlarged and the men had plenty
+cover on top of them.
+
+Some little time afterwards certain indications pointed to the fact
+that the enemy contemplated business once more on this front, and as
+our guns were situated awkwardly where it would be impossible to
+withdraw them quickly, we were directed to construct a new position
+further behind. The work proceeded briskly, and, when completed, four
+of the pieces were withdrawn and placed there, the other two remaining
+in the railway embankment. The main position was a long way back, and
+the guns could only just reach the enemy support trenches,
+consequently they were only to be fired in case of a general S.O.S.,
+and all the shoots were accomplished by the forward section. Much time
+was spent in making our new quarters shipshape, and the ground was
+well suited for mining, as it consisted principally of chalk, and
+eventually all ranks were comfortably installed in spacious underground
+quarters, although, at the moment, they were quite unnecessary, and
+many lay out in the open during the warm summer nights. The principal
+thing to do now was to make sure that the officers and men did not
+stagnate for lack of occupation and to find means to keep them     (p. 080)
+hard and fit. Physical exercises were indulged in during the morning,
+and sports of all kinds were organised, both at the battery positions
+and at the wagon lines--the latter having taken up their quarters at
+the village of Baillemont.
+
+A modified kind of base-ball, introduced by an energetic and
+enthusiastic Canadian subaltern, became very popular with the men,
+while the corps ran a polo-club of sorts for the officers. A fairly
+level patch of ground was selected which possessed a certain amount of
+grass, and the numerous shell holes were filled in and levelled off by
+fatigue parties, with the result that it became moderately good. The
+polo ponies, however, left something to be desired, and it was no
+uncommon sight to see a young officer appear mounted on a stalwart
+wheeler, the best he could do for himself from among the horses in his
+section. Possibly the explanation was that he had found a horse which
+he could suitably "rein in".
+
+Meanwhile the enemy's third big offensive had come and gone and the
+British Commander-in-Chief's famous "back to the wall" order of the
+day to his armies. Still we waited, but nothing unusual happened; then
+in the middle of July the French were heavily attacked, and once more
+the clouds appeared on the horizon. There was great enthusiasm when it
+became known that our Allies had counter-attacked, and were driving
+the enemy out of the Marne pocket, and when the daily bulletins
+arrived there was always a scramble among the men to read them. Then
+the British stroke fell south of the river Somme at Villers
+Brettonneux, and excellent news, as to our progress, came through,
+which raised everyone's hopes to a high degree. Our artillery fire was
+increased daily, and affairs became more lively, while flying was in
+full swing and continued night and day. Both sides paid much attention
+to bombing, and our Airmen freely besprinkled enemy territory with
+their bombs by day, whereas the foe rarely attempted raids over our
+lines during daylight. However, after dusk, the air was filled with
+the planes, as the weather was particularly favourable, and the hum of
+the machines coming and going was incessant throughout the whole
+night. At times one could scarcely get any sleep for the continual
+drone they made, like the hum of gigantic bees around their hives. One
+thing certain was that we had almost complete control of the air and
+both out-numbered and out-witted the enemy to a marked extent.     (p. 081)
+It was most unpleasant to hear the noise of the hostile planes drawing
+nearer, for one could not mistake the beat made by the German machines.
+The amount of bombing experienced by us was quite bad enough in all
+truth, but we used to smile when contemplating what our foes must be
+suffering at the hands of our Airmen, as truly it was ten times worse.
+
+During this period the two counter offensives were progressing
+favourably in the south, and we suspected that something would be
+doing on our front before long, as the din of battle was creeping
+further north. It came as no surprise, therefore, when serious
+fighting commenced north of the Somme, and the enemy retreated from
+Serre and later withdrew in error from Ablainzevelle. As soon as he
+discovered his mistake he attempted to retake it, but, by that time,
+our men were firmly lodged there and could not be shifted from the
+village.
+
+In the middle of August, to everyone's satisfaction, it became known
+that we were to be up and doing at no distant date, and preparations
+were immediately and silently set on foot. Throughout each night a
+continual stream of teams and wagons conveyed thousands of rounds of
+ammunition up the line to battery positions, and fresh dumps were
+placed in forward localities. New battle positions were constructed in
+advanced positions and stocked with shells, and we only awaited the
+order to occupy them. Instructions were issued to wagon lines that all
+surplus kit and stores were to be left behind, as a strenuous time was
+in store for us, and all ranks responded with a will to the hard work
+these preparations necessitated. Drivers were elated at the prospect
+of a change from their humdrum existence, and their enthusiasm knew no
+bounds. New reinforcing batteries appeared like mushrooms during the
+night, and lay safely ensconced in their appointed places in readiness
+for the coming fray, while the neighbourhood behind the lines bristled
+with activity and also with new arrivals. We believed that probably
+these preparations were being made in order to take the Henin Ridge in
+front, and no one imagined that the coming operations would consist of
+more than a local attack with a limited objective, as little or no
+information had been given to anyone. It is true that rumours were
+abroad, that our opponents were preparing to withdraw during the
+coming winter to their defences in the Hindenburg Line, which meant
+that we would be left most uncomfortably situated in the wilderness
+throughout that season. Little did we dream, however, that this    (p. 082)
+was the commencement of a long series of hammer blows, lasting
+over several months, and employing millions of men, and destined to be
+the last and greatest battle the world has ever seen, ending with the
+complete demoralisation of the enemy's forces. The turn of the tide
+was at hand at last!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII.                                                       (p. 083)
+
+Through the Hindenburg Line.
+
+
+Before the serious work ahead of us could be undertaken, it was
+necessary to shear off an awkward little bulge in the enemy's line,
+which included the ruined hamlet of Moyenneville. The corps on our
+right were to take part in an assault two days previous to the
+commencement of our own advance, so it was considered expedient to
+accomplish the above task at the same time. Consequently, during the
+big attack, delivered in the south on the 21st of August, which
+brought our troops level with the Arras-Albert railway line, our small
+side-show passed off successfully almost unnoticed. Desperate fighting
+had also taken place in the neighbourhood of Morlancourt, just north
+of the river Somme, in which the enemy troops had been driven back
+after stubborn resistance. They thereupon evacuated the town of
+Albert, as the place was getting too hot for them, and retired on
+positions to the east of it. Our guns were now moved into their battle
+positions, and on the eve of the attack everything was ready and in
+order. For once in a way the weather was favourable, and this augured
+well for the speedy advancement of the guns, which was essential for
+the success of the operations.
+
+At dawn, therefore, on the 23rd inst., without any preliminary
+bombardment, but, preceded by a dense creeping barrage and supported
+by innumerable tanks, the infantry set out on their long journey. The
+men swept on, capturing the villages of Boyelles and Hamelincourt at
+an early hour, without meeting much opposition or suffering undue
+casualties. The day went well throughout and all objectives were
+taken, and by nightfall, the vast machinery in the rear commenced to
+move slowly forward. Batteries were advanced and supplied with
+ammunition, by their echelons, ready for the next bout, and wagon
+lines occupied the positions only just vacated by the guns. The attack
+was continued on the following morning, which necessitated the     (p. 084)
+moving up of the guns once more, and the same thing continued day
+after day. The enemy was slowly and relentlessly pressed back without
+a pause or breathing space, and once this gigantic force was set in
+motion it was exceedingly difficult to stop it, as our opponents were
+soon to find out to their cost.
+
+As the fight proceeded, our comrades on the left joined in, and
+gradually the battle spread further north, assuming huge dimensions,
+until it reached the river Scarpe. The enemy was caught napping before
+Monchy, and the Dominion forces in one bound everywhere overwhelmed
+their opponents, not only capturing the village but gaining ground to
+the extent of two miles beyond it. By this time, Croisilles and St.
+Leger had fallen into our hands, but the enemy made a most determined
+stand in front of Ecoust, and a very stiff tussle took place for
+several days before we eventually gained possession of it.
+
+Some extraordinary incidents took place during the course of these
+operations. The long-hoped for open warfare was upon us at last, and
+the gunners' dream of galloping into action and firing with open
+sights at close range was an accomplished fact almost before we were
+aware of it. On one occasion, the whole Brigade, immediately at the
+close of executing a creeping barrage, limbered up, and topping the
+crest in front came face to face with the enemy, and dropped into
+action alongside our advancing infantry. The enemy machine gunners
+were lined up on a ridge some four hundred yards away, but on seeing
+us they decamped with all speed, probably believing us to be a
+regiment of cavalry. At any rate, if they had stood their ground and
+manned their guns, they would have assuredly wiped us off the face of
+the map almost before we could have opened fire on them. At the end of
+another day's work, our battery position was scarcely two hundred
+yards behind our front line, where the infantry had installed
+themselves.
+
+The wagon lines were now well over late enemy territory, on the ground
+where his batteries had been situated, and the mess was almost beyond
+description. In some cases his positions were entirely obliterated,
+which spoke volumes for the accuracy of the fire of our heavies,
+directed by our gallant airmen, and if it had not been for the
+quantities of ammunition and dead horses littered around, it would
+have been impossible to have known that positions ever existed there.
+Mine shafts had been entirely closed up by the explosion of the great
+shells, and a conglomeration of huge craters marked their          (p. 085)
+locality. There was no rest for anyone these days, and no men were
+called upon to perform more strenuous work than our little drivers,
+whose untiring and never failing energy was worthy of the highest
+praise and admiration: not only had they to care for their pair of
+horses, but were incessantly on the go twixt gun positions, dumps, and
+wagon lines under the most trying and difficult circumstances, and, at
+the same time, the latter were changing positions frequently. However,
+they never faltered or grumbled, and had always a cheery smile on
+their faces, even when they returned in the middle of the night dead
+beat. For days on end it was impossible to get out of one's clothes,
+and sleep was almost an unknown quantity: however, what did it matter
+as long as we continued to advance, and in spite of everything--this
+was a long way better than the monotonous routine of trench warfare.
+Everybody looked upon it in this light, and the excitement and never
+ending novelty of the experiences under which we were living, carried
+us on through thick and thin.
+
+The corps on our left, meanwhile, had by a superhuman effort
+penetrated the great Drocourt-Queant switch of the Hindenburg line,
+and firmly maintained their grip on the ground to the east of it, and
+all counter attacks made by the enemy, to dislodge them, proved
+unavailing. The troops to the south had also effected good progress,
+and the ill-fated town of Bapaume had again changed hands and passed
+for the last time into the keeping of the Allies. Thus it came about
+that the enemy troops, in spite of their very determined resistance in
+the neighbourhood of Ecoust and Mory, found themselves in a most
+perilous position, as the Dominion forces were now well in their rear,
+and were carrying out a turning movement from a northerly direction.
+Therefore, they were forced to do something, without further delay,
+which resulted in a swift retirement on to the Hindenburg line some
+six miles to the rear.
+
+It was a most interesting and instructive chase, and the enemy
+retreated so fast that it was with the greatest difficulty that we
+could keep up and maintain contact with him. The battery had
+reluctantly to abandon a captured German field gun which had been
+doing valiant work as the seventh gun for several days against its
+late owners, for we had neither time or the means to convey        (p. 086)
+surplus equipment along with us. It was the kind of day that one reads
+about in "Field Artillery Training" or even endeavours to imitate
+while manoeuvring out in rest, but for the first time we were doing
+it in reality. The battery dropped into action on innumerable
+occasions during the course of the day, and had only time to fire a
+few rounds before the enemy had decamped out of range. Then we would
+limber up with all speed, the teams waiting the orthodox two hundred
+yards in rear and to the flank, and gallop forward and take up a new
+position right out in the open, and help the enemy on his way with a
+few reminders that we were up and after him, and that he would do well
+to hurry.
+
+By evening our foes had snugly entrenched themselves behind the great
+Hindenburg barrier, and we again came face to fare with this
+formidable obstacle. The line had, meanwhile, been kept in an
+excellent state of preservation, and it was quite out of the question
+to make a frontal attack on it without first cutting the belts of
+broad wire and treating the emplacements to a prolonged bombardment.
+Another formidable hindrance in our way and placed between us,
+moreover, was the famous Canal Du Nord, which was entirely dry in most
+places. It was a considerable breadth across, and could obviously not
+be bridged as long as the enemy kept watch over it from the opposite
+side, and it varied from forty to seventy feet in depth. Thus, for the
+time being, the line settled down stationary until this task could be
+accomplished, for it was not the intention of our Command that we
+should sit down for the winter before this great fortress, as our
+enemies wished and expected us to do.
+
+Our opponents were too busily engaged removing their heavy pieces of
+Artillery back to a place of safety to subject us to a great amount of
+annoyance, and, as the weather remained good, the work of bringing our
+heavies up was accomplished quickly and effectively. The battery took
+up a position in our former front line facing Bourlon Wood, with the
+ruined village of Mouevres immediately ahead, while the forward
+section was placed in part of the Hindenburg line itself, south-east
+of Pronville. Wire cutting was undertaken and carried out by all field
+batteries, and the heavies pounded enemy emplacements and
+communication trenches in the rear.
+
+Bombing by aircraft became intensive on both sides, and the enemy
+adopted new tactics by coming over after dark, and, waiting for    (p. 087)
+the gun flashes, proceeded to drop bombs on the batteries. A fine
+spectacle was witnessed two nights in succession in the form of a
+super-Gotha bombing machine brought down in flames. Our small fighting
+planes were in the habit of flying at a high altitude, keeping watch
+over our lines and lying in wait for these monsters. As soon as one of
+them was picked out in the rays of a searchlight, others would
+concentrate at once on it, whereupon the archies immediately opened
+fire. Then far above a light would twinkle out several times, which
+was a sign for the anti-aircraft batteries to cease fire. Everything
+remained still for a while, the searchlights always focused on their
+prey, which endeavoured to dodge out of the brilliant light, but in
+vain, owing to its unwieldiness. Then suddenly from out of the
+darkness a little object shot alongside the giant plane and spat
+tracer bullets into it, whereupon it instantly caught fire, and slowly
+heeling over commenced its downward journey to destruction.
+
+Fierce fighting continued to the south, and by a series of brilliant
+operations our troops had everywhere come in contact with the
+Hindenburg Line, and commenced pounding its defences for the further
+advance. At the beginning of the fourth week in September preparations
+were almost complete for the coming assault, which would require all
+the energy and fortitude we could display. The Division was
+side-slipped down to the neighbourhood of Havrincourt, as it was
+familiar ground to us, after our experiences in November and December
+of the previous year. The policy at this juncture was, as far as it
+could be carried out, to place Divisions in localities with which they
+had already become acquainted. Our battle position was situated on the
+outskirts of the small hamlet of Demicourt, and we were to cross the
+canal a few hours after zero by means of a ramp already prepared and
+carefully camouflaged at a point where it passed through our lines. If
+all went according to expectations we were to follow a line due east,
+and, passing to the north of Havrincourt, take up a position, already
+known to us, on the railway cutting south of Flesquieres, although as
+yet it was in enemy possession.
+
+The great battle opened on the morning of the 27th inst., under
+excellent conditions, and it is now known to everyone how the crossing
+of the canal was effected by means of scaling ladders, and, in some
+instances, by the use of life-belts.
+
+From first to last the day went smoothly and well, and by          (p. 088)
+nightfall the great Hindenburg Line, upon which the enemy depended so
+much and in which he had such faith, was everywhere behind us, and we
+were through, at last, to open country beyond!
+
+It only remained for the Allies' great Commander-in-Chief to deliver
+the final knock-out blow at his own time and discretion.
+
+At this time the writer was reluctantly forced to leave the Battery on
+account of ill health, and was sent home, and it is a source of keen
+regret to him that on that account he missed the closing weeks of the
+great campaign.
+
+It is now a matter of history how our Armies, after hot and incessant
+fighting, swept the enemy divisions out of France.
+
+On Armistice Day, the Division was in possession of Maubeuge, and thus
+the Guards found themselves on territory which they had occupied in
+the early days of the War, prior to the retreat from Mons.
+
+After three and a half years of strenuous warfare, the Battery is now
+lying at rest in Cologne, where it keeps its silent "Watch on the
+Rhine."
+
+
+
+
+THE END.
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's Three years in France with the Guns:, by C. A. Rose
+
+*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THREE YEARS IN FRANCE ***
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diff --git a/old/19814.txt b/old/19814.txt
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+++ b/old/19814.txt
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+Project Gutenberg's Three years in France with the Guns:, by C. A. Rose
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Three years in France with the Guns:
+       Being Episodes in the life of a Field Battery
+
+Author: C. A. Rose
+
+Release Date: November 14, 2006 [EBook #19814]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THREE YEARS IN FRANCE ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Geetu Melwani, Christine P. Travers, Sigal
+Alon and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at
+http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images
+generously made available by The Internet Archive/Canadian
+Libraries)
+
+
+
+
+
+[Transcriber's note: Obvious printer's errors have been corrected.
+The original spelling has been retained.
+--The caption of the illustration page 38 was unclear.
+--Page 50: "serious of raids" has been replaced by "series of raids"
+--Page 76: "must against" has been replaced by "much against"]
+
+
+
+
+                         THREE YEARS IN FRANCE
+
+                             WITH THE GUNS,
+
+
+
+                                BEING
+
+
+
+                   EPISODES IN THE LIFE OF A FIELD
+
+                               BATTERY.
+
+
+
+
+                                 BY
+
+                           C.A. ROSE, M.C.,
+
+                             LATE OF THE
+
+                        ROYAL FIELD ARTILLERY.
+
+
+
+
+                              Printed By
+                   The Allen Lithographic Co., Ltd.,
+                              Kirkcaldy
+
+
+
+
+INTRODUCTION.
+
+
+These brief notes of experiences with the guns for thirty-eight months
+in France were primarily penned for my own satisfaction. Friends who
+read the manuscript expressed much interest in it, and added the hope
+that it might be given a more permanent form. Hence it is that it is
+now printed for private circulation.
+
+The story is a simple record of the fortunes of my own Battery and
+Brigade, and is intended as a tribute to the good comradeship which
+existed, under all conditions, among all ranks.
+                                               C.A.R.
+EDINBURGH,
+    _January, 1919._
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS.
+
+
+Chapter I.,    Breaking us in,                 1
+
+   "   II.,    Our First Battle,               8
+
+   "  III.,    "Peace Warfare."               15
+
+   "   IV.,    In "the Salient,"              23
+
+   "    V.,    On the Somme,                  30
+
+   "   VI.,    Messines,                      39
+
+   "  VII.,    Ypres Again,                   47
+
+   " VIII.,    Cambrai,                       60
+
+   "   IX.,    At Arras,                      68
+
+   "    X.,    March the 21st,                73
+
+   "   XI.,    The Turn of the Tide,          78
+
+   "  XII.,    Through the Hindenburg Line,   83
+
+[Illustration: The "Grey Battery" at St. Omer, May 1917]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.                                                         (p. 001)
+
+Breaking Us In.
+
+
+On a morning early in August, 1915, the Brigade disembarked at Havre
+without mishap to man, horse, or material, and proceeded to a Rest
+Camp on the outskirts of the town. We were in France at last! The same
+evening the Batteries started to entrain, and every two hours a
+complete unit was despatched up the line--to an unknown destination.
+The men received refreshments at various Haltes, and the horses were
+duly watered and fed, but the journey was, on the whole, long and
+tedious. On one occasion only was the monotony broken, and that
+unwittingly, by the humour of one of the officers. In the course of
+the evening, the train stopped at a small station, and the compartment
+in which the officers were settled drew up in front of the Buffet.
+Some one asked where we were, and a subaltern, anxious to display his
+newly-acquired knowledge of French, replied, "Bouvette," which called
+forth no response. Shortly afterwards the train proceeded on its way,
+and the occupants of the carriage settled themselves down to sleep.
+All passed quietly for the next couple of hours--then the train
+stopped once more, and, as luck would have it, again our carriage came
+to a standstill directly opposite the buffet of the station. At once a
+question was asked as to our whereabouts. The same subaltern, shaking
+himself out of a deep slumber, stretched, roused himself, and, peering
+out of the window, exclaimed, "Good Lor', still at this beastly hole,
+'Bouvette'!" He expressed much surprise at the "unseemly mirth," as he
+described it, which followed!!
+
+After detraining, the Battery marched through beautiful country, which
+reminded one of the Borders, as it was not unlike the valley of the
+Tweed, and we were at once taken to the hearts of the inhabitants  (p. 002)
+of the good village of Seningham, which place was destined to be our
+home for the next few days. The officers were afforded spacious
+accommodation in the house of the Maire, whilst the men had comfortable
+billets in the neighbourhood. Time was spent making our unit shipshape
+after its travels by land and sea, and the "hairies" obtained as much
+grazing as possible, to make them fit for what was in store for them.
+It was wonderful how quickly the men adapted themselves to French
+ways, and much amusement was caused by their eager, if somewhat
+unsuccessful, attempts to master the language of our Allies.
+
+When it became known that the officers were anxious to increase their
+knowledge of the language of the country, the maidens of the village
+vied with one another to obtain posts as instructresses, and there was
+nearly a free fight amongst them for the possession of our worthy
+Senior Subaltern, whose taking ways did not fail to catch their
+attention!
+
+But, alas! our peaceful warfare was not to be for long! One morning
+sudden orders came through to prepare for the line in a couple of
+days' time. All was instant bustle, extra grooming was given to the
+horses, and finishing touches were put to the howitzers and vehicles.
+We were to be given a trial in action to show how we would comport
+ourselves before joining the "Feet" of our own Division, the Guards,
+who at that time were out at rest. For this purpose we were to be
+placed under the orders of the C.R.A. of an Indian Division, to
+reinforce the Batteries already in positions and receive instruction
+from them.
+
+At last the morning arrived to move off, the column, skirting the town
+of St. Omer, took the main road to Hazebrouck, and, as we passed
+through the village of Arques, we caught a first glimpse of our future
+infantry. They appeared equally keen on seeing their new artillery,
+and inspected us with a critical eye. The march was made in easy
+stages, and on the morning of the third day the Brigade arrived at
+Merville, a quaint old town in Flemish Flanders. After a hasty lunch,
+the officers rode ahead, in order to get into touch with the unit we
+were to support in the line, and another amusing incident happened _en
+route_. One of the Junior Officers owned a sturdy mare, whose
+reputation as a charger was apt to be ridiculed by his companions, as
+she was notorious for her slow gait. When the party had proceeded some
+distance at the trot, "Halting Hilda" was observed, to the astonishment
+of everyone, to be gradually taking the lead. This fact called     (p. 003)
+forth the remark from her master, "By Jove, she is pulling extraordinarily
+hard to day: what can be the matter with the animal?" It was then
+discovered that the rider had been at her mercy for the last couple of
+miles, the bit clanking merrily from side to side under her great jaw.
+In the hurry and excitement of departure, after lunch, the bit had not
+been replaced in her mouth!
+
+The afternoon was spent in reconnoitering the gun positions allotted
+to us, which were the alternative positions of the units already in
+line. As a rule, each battery makes a second or alternative gun
+position, in case it should be shelled out of its existing one, so
+that no delay takes place in getting into action again. When night
+fell there was subdued excitement in the wagon line as the time drew
+near to take the guns "in." This was actually the beginning of our
+first venture--would we have the luck to get there without being
+caught in the enemy's harassing fire? How would we behave under
+shell-fire: would we be steady or otherwise? All these and many other
+questions flashed through our minds, for a great deal depends, more
+than one would believe, on how a new and inexperienced unit receives
+its baptism of fire.
+
+At length a start was made, and the Battery moved off, and soon turned
+down the long, straight main road leading to La Bassee, the trees on
+either side showing signs of shrapnel scars, and even in the darkness
+it could be seen that the cottages were, for the most part, in ruins.
+It felt distinctly eerie as the small column proceeded silently on its
+way without showing lights of any description; the stillness and
+darkness broken now and again by the barking of a gun as we drew
+nearer the battery zone, and by an occasional Verey Light, which
+seemed to reveal us in all our nakedness. That long stretch of road
+seemed interminable--were we never going to reach our destination?
+However, all remained quiet throughout our progress, and at last we
+arrived at the entrance to the gun position, which was to be our home
+for the next fortnight. The guns were speedily unlimbered and
+man-handled into the pits awaiting their reception, the ammunition was
+unloaded from the vehicles, and the teams were returned to the wagon
+line.
+
+The following morning the pieces were "layed out" on our particular
+zone, and we had time to look round and take stock of our new      (p. 004)
+abode, which was a farmhouse standing in the centre of an orchard
+adjoining the main road. The building itself was by no means intact,
+although, as yet, habitable. It gave us enough shelter of a kind, and
+we soon adjusted ourselves to the prevailing conditions, and the
+outhouses surrounding it afforded ample accommodation for the
+detachments. The gun pits were cunningly concealed in the front
+portion of the orchard, special care having been taken against the
+prying eyes of hostile aeroplanes. We were fortunate in the choice of
+position made for our first time in the line, for two reasons,
+firstly, it was an interesting zone--including the village of Neuve
+Chapelle now immediately behind our front line--and, secondly, it was
+quiet. The country there is extremely flat, with the exception of
+Aubers Ridge, which, occupied by the enemy, overlooked us to a certain
+extent, although the many trees and woods prevented his having an
+uninterrupted view. Our tuition began at once, and we were conducted
+to the front line through innumerable communication trenches, which,
+at first, reminded one of a maze at an exhibition, the only difference
+being that numerous notice-boards directed our movements.
+
+There we were welcomed, with smiling faces, by men of a Ghurka
+battalion, their white teeth and flashing eyes showing up their brown
+skins. Now and then they would stop sharpening their deadly-looking
+kukris, their dearest possession, to allow us to pass along the
+trench. Nothing delighted these brave little men more than to be
+permitted to go on a silent raid at night, when they wormed themselves
+through the wire in "No Man's Land," and did as much damage on the
+other side as possible. They have been known to enter the enemy
+trenches without a sound, killing everyone within reach, and to return
+radiant, quite unscathed. When questioned as to why they had not
+brought in any prisoners for identification purposes, they would
+merely roll their eyes, shrug their shoulders, and say, "Enemy all
+quiet, he asleep," and calmly remove the still warm gore from their
+knives! Continuing on our way, we next struck a Highland regiment, the
+necessary complement of the one of stout little men just left behind.
+It was most interesting, as one had heard so much about the
+traditional good comradeship existing, in India, between Ghurka and
+Highlander, and here they were still side by side in France. Their
+mutual admiration is boundless and unconcealed, and it was most    (p. 005)
+amusing to watch the little men aping the ways of the big Highlanders,
+who look huge in comparison with them. The Ghurka regiments have their
+own pipe bands, and play them as if they, too, had been born and bred
+in the mountains and glens of Scotland.
+
+Soon we came to a fire bay, specially well placed to obtain a good
+view of the enemy trenches, which had been converted into what is
+known as an O.P., _i.e._, an artillery observation post. These O.P.'s
+are manned during daylight by the F.O.O. (Forward Observation Officer)
+and his signaller assistants. Their job is to keep a close watch on
+hostile trenches, watching for any unusual movement or for the
+appearance of new constructive works, such as machine gun emplacements
+or new saps. The O.P. has numerous wires leading into it, and these
+come from all the batteries in immediate support of that part of the
+line, which are jointly responsible for its defence. Our own signallers
+had been out early, and a wire had already been carefully laid and
+labelled from our gun position to the O.P., so we were now ready to
+register our howitzers on some definite object behind the enemy lines.
+A house, or some such landmark which is shewn on our trench maps, is
+usually chosen to calibrate upon. There is little trouble in effecting
+this, but, at first, there is some difficulty in following the rounds
+as they fall, through a periscope, owing to its small field of vision.
+It was, however, imperative to make use of that instrument, in this
+case, as an enemy sniper, watchful and on the alert, had already seen
+the top of it, and from time to time a bullet passed overhead
+unpleasantly close. This served to remind us to be discreet and to run
+no risks by exposing ourselves in the slightest degree above the
+parapet. Sometimes it is very difficult to restrain one's enthusiasm
+when there is an interesting shoot taking place.
+
+The pieces being duly registered, the Battery is now ready for any
+emergency, and theoretically we can engage any target in our arc of
+fire. It is then essential to learn the country in hostile territory,
+and one looks out for likely targets and for points at which one can
+inconvenience the enemy by keeping him under constant harassing fire.
+This work must necessarily be done from a point of vantage where a
+good wide view can be obtained, and, in most cases, a house, tree, or
+high piece of ground well behind the lines, is selected for a Rear
+O.P.
+
+In an incredibly short space of time every officer learns the      (p. 006)
+country off by heart, and can bring any gun to bear on a particular
+target at short notice. At first Junior Officers are allowed practice
+shoots on targets well behind the enemy lines, and as they gain
+confidence and experience, are entrusted with "close shoots," _i.e._,
+firing on hostile emplacements, etc., in the front line, a job which
+requires extreme caution and accuracy, as "No Man's Land" averages not
+more than 200 yards in width in most places. Batteries can always
+communicate with Battalion Headquarters in the line, a wire, usually
+buried, leading from there to our Brigade Headquarters, and each
+Battery has its own private wire to the latter place. In the same way
+one can be linked up with nearly every unit in a Division by means of
+an Exchange run by the Royal Engineers.
+
+A few days sufficed us to make ourselves quite at home, and officers
+went freely about "seeking whom they might devour," visited old
+established O.P.'s, and searched for new or better ones. It is a
+curious fact that the average subaltern is never fully satisfied with
+an O.P., and is always bent on discovering "something better,"
+although in few cases is his ambition realised! One officer favours
+this O.P., another that, and on this occasion the one which our worthy
+Battery Commander had a preference for was a most unpleasant place,
+commonly known as "The Doll's House," though why so called no one
+could tell. At any rate, it was an abode to be avoided on all possible
+occasions, and the subalterns were quite convinced it was the
+registering place of all the hostile batteries within range and
+vision. At any rate, we daily found less and less of the building,
+until one day the staircase was blown away as well as the perch on top
+which afforded us our view. Great was the relief when the B.C. at last
+declared the O.P. "out of action" until further notice.
+
+Nearly every O.P. has an appropriate name given to it, and so we
+repaired to "Stink Farm" after abandoning our old love! We put in most
+useful days of practice there, and the knowledge and experience gained
+was invaluable. Our thanks were due to the enemy for his consideration
+in allowing us to conduct our daily tasks almost unmolested: he showed
+himself to be most lethargic and sleepy, and did not waken up unless
+we were unusually energetic. Perhaps his chief reason for remaining so
+inactive was the absence of any heavy guns on our side. Our largest
+piece was a 60 pdr., and he may have thought mere Field Artillery  (p. 007)
+beneath his consideration. Nor was he more active in the air; his
+planes rarely passed over our lines, and when they did, it was at so
+great a height that it was quite impossible for them to gather
+information. However, one day, we were extremely fortunate in seeing a
+hostile plane, that had ventured to cross over our lines at a lower
+altitude, brought down in flames by a direct hit from an "Archie"
+battery lying in wait close behind our own position. It is a rare
+sight, for, to tell the truth, anti-aircraft batteries are not held in
+particularly high respect by anyone except by those of their own ilk,
+and on only two other occasions did we ever see the like again.
+
+Our fortnight soon sped by, and we were quite reluctant when the time
+came to go "out." We left our neighbours, who had befriended us so
+well, with the sincere hope that we would have the good fortune to
+meet and lie alongside of them again in the future. This hope,
+however, was not destined to be fulfilled. We retraced our steps
+through Merville and Aire to the same area from whence we came, to a
+village called Nielles, in order to concentrate as a Division, which,
+when formed, was designated the Guards Division.
+
+The inhabitants, as usual, extended a warm welcome to us and showed us
+every consideration, and we settled down to enjoy the peaceful
+surroundings bathed in the warm and pleasant September sunshine, while
+the Senior Subaltern availed himself of the opportunity of again
+laying siege to the hearts of his former conquests at Seningham close
+by. Our own C.R.A. came to visit us here, and the officers were
+severally introduced to him. He expressed satisfaction at the report
+which came to him from the line, concerning our conduct in action, and
+added that the high opinion formed of us at home had in no wise been
+diminished, and that our reputation merited the distinction conferred
+on us of being selected as the Artillery of the Guards from among the
+many units of the new Army.
+
+Thus we waited, confident in the belief that, whatever we were in the
+future called upon to do, we would at least put up a good show, and
+determined to be a credit to the Division of which we now formed a
+part. We had not long to wait, whispers passed round that we would be
+up and doing at no distant date, and these rumours proved to be well
+founded.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.                                                        (p. 008)
+
+Our First Battle.
+
+
+Our marching orders came within the next few days. Each unit was
+provided with portable bridges, which were carried under the wagon
+bodies, and this, and several other preparations, gave us a good
+indication that we were out for business. A couple of days trekking
+brought us to the village of Nedonchel, which proved to be another
+place of happy memory to our Senior Subaltern. Here we were given a
+rough idea of the part we were to play in the coming proceedings. Two
+army corps were to attack, on a six mile front, in the neighbourhood
+of Loos and, if the assault was successful, the corps in reserve,
+which included our Division, was to go through and exploit the victory
+to its fullest advantage. We were to take no part in the initial
+attack.
+
+Large masses of troops were being moved up behind the battle area,
+and, in order to screen our movements from hostile aircraft, the
+latter stages of the journey were to be made under cover of darkness,
+so the whole of the next day was spent in resting. At nightfall a
+diversion was caused by a Cavalry Division passing through the village
+on its way up, and a splendid sight it presented, as one famous
+regiment followed swiftly on another. It was now almost time for us to
+make a start, and the good lady of the house had remained out of bed
+to brew us hot coffee and see us off the premises. As we were about to
+depart she told us that her old mother, aged 88, who was in the next
+room, had expressed the desire to see us for a moment, and so we were
+conducted to the old lady's bedside. She was lying telling her beads,
+but sat up as we approached and beckoned to each officer in turn, who
+advanced, knelt, and received a blessing. The inhabitants knew well
+that a big battle was to be fought quite soon, as the little       (p. 009)
+village had been the scene of great activity during the past few days
+and, although it was a considerable distance from the line, the
+preliminary bombardment could be distinctly heard. The low muffled
+rumble was incessant, and, to-night, seemed, if anything, more
+intense. Shortly after midnight we set off and disappeared into the
+darkness, followed by words of good cheer from the villagers and
+shouts of "Bon chance, messieurs, bon chance."
+
+Passing through Bruay we arrived a few miles behind the battle front
+on the morning of the assault, which was delivered at an early hour,
+and soon the news came back that, so far, everything was going well;
+the village of Loos had already fallen into our hands. As the day wore
+on, however, and the expected orders to advance were not forthcoming,
+we suspected that all was not as it should be and our fears were
+confirmed soon afterwards by instructions being given to prepare to
+bivouac overnight on the ground close by. What actually happened was
+this:--The initial attack was successful in capturing and overrunning
+the enemy's front line trenches over the whole area, but, on advancing
+to the second trench system a great deal of wire was found to have
+been left unbroken or untouched by our artillery, and this held the
+infantry up at vital places. The attack, however, was pressed with
+great courage and determination, and in some places the flood of men
+swept on, but, unfortunately, in others, little or no progress was
+made. The line, consequently, soon presented a crooked, irregular
+shape, which made the situation difficult and obscure. The enemy,
+moreover, had anticipated the attack and had large reinforcements at
+hand which were at once thrown in, and after a ding-dong struggle
+throughout the day the advance came to an abrupt standstill. Two
+Divisions from the Reserve Corps were then sent in, and, on the
+following afternoon, the Guards attacked and helped to a large extent
+in straightening out a considerable portion of the line. It was not
+until nightfall of the third day that we entered the battle and took
+up a position immediately north of Vermelles Station in the back
+garden of a row of damaged villas. On our way "in," a couple of
+cavalry regiments, which had been holding Loos for the last two days
+and which had just been relieved, passed us. There passed also the
+remnant of one of the Scottish Divisions which had fought so valiantly
+and paid so heavy a price. Footsore, weary, and caked with mud from
+top to toe, with every sign of what they had been through upon     (p. 010)
+them, and heavily laden with "souvenirs" in addition to their full
+kit, the men could scarcely crawl along. However, just as one battalion
+came abreast of us, in such condition, the pipes tuned up and at once
+every head was erect and not a man was out of step as they swung past
+us; such is the moral force of the bagpipes. It was one of those
+moments in which a lump rises in the throat and a thrill runs down the
+spine.
+
+In our new position we speedily learnt what we could do and what we
+could not do. For instance, the signallers were able to introduce
+electric light into our abode by tapping a live wire which ran
+outside, from one fosse to the next, for we were now in the Lens coal
+district with mines dotted about here and there. On the other hand, we
+soon learnt to refrain from sleeping or showing lights in the second
+storey of our billet which was evidently under direct observation by
+the enemy, who did not take long to acquaint us with the fact.
+
+There was always a good deal of firing to be done each day, for,
+although the battle may be said to have finished after four or five
+days, there were several side-shows before the line was adjusted to
+our liking, and the enemy's fire was almost continuous. This bothered
+the F.O.O. parties considerably, and communication was difficult to
+maintain for more than a short time between the front line and
+Battery. The wire was frequently broken in numerous places, and this
+kept signallers and linesmen working at high pressure to repair the
+damage. The O.P.'s were moderately good, with the exception of one in
+"Gun Trench," where our men held a portion, then came a sand bagged
+wall occupied on the other side by our opponents which they were able
+to enter by a *T*-shaped communication trench, then another sand-bagged
+wall with our infantry beyond. Neither side could shell this trench
+for fear of injury to their own party, but this did not prevent a
+lively exchange of bombs, intermingled with various forms and sizes of
+"Minnies," which were hurled at frequent intervals. Sniping was also
+rampant, and periscopes, no matter how small, survived not longer than
+a few minutes. It was from this delightful spot that one of the
+subalterns arrived at the Battery one evening with his head swathed in
+bandages like a Sultan's turban. He had been trying conclusions with a
+"Minnie," and, as this was in the days before the introduction of the
+steel helmet, the latter had easily come out on top. When the wound
+was ascertained to be nothing like as serious as the size of the
+bandage seemed to indicate, he was removed to the wagon line amid  (p. 011)
+jeers from his brother officers, and a few days' rest sufficed to
+bring him back to duty again.
+
+Now, in one portion of the zone which we were covering, "No Man's
+Land" extended some 1500 yards in depth, and midway, lying in the
+valley, were what appeared to be two derelict enemy guns partially
+camouflaged This aroused the curiosity of the Staff, who called for
+volunteers to go out and make an investigation and report as to the
+condition of the sights, etc. Our B.C. gallantly offered his services,
+in spite of the fact that he was over six feet in height, and
+presented a most conspicuous figure, and would not be deterred. He set
+off crawling through the long grass on his perilous journey, and there
+was a huge grin on his face when he returned. After his report went in
+we ascertained that the two pieces were nothing more than cleverly
+constructed dummies formed from cart wheels, telegraph poles and
+trunks of trees, but it was not until he almost came up to them that
+he made the discovery.
+
+The detachments meanwhile had settled down, making improvements to
+their billets and strengthening the gun pits, and were already proving
+themselves seasoned warriors. On one occasion a nasty accident
+happened, due to the explosion of a howitzer, caused, as was
+afterwards proved, by a faulty shell. The complete gun crew, with the
+exception of the No. 1 in charge, was wounded. Three of their number
+were temporarily buried by the earth thrown up by the explosion, and
+it was probably due to that fact that no one was killed. The pit
+naturally fell to bits and the debris was indescribable, but the
+Sergeant managed to disentangle himself, and, standing stiffly to
+attention, reported to the officer on duty, "No. 2 gun out of action,
+sir!" No time was lost in digging out the injured men, and it was only
+found necessary to evacuate three of the number to the nearest
+dressing station--the remainder flatly refusing to go. The layer, in
+particular, deserved great credit for his grit, for, in spite of
+having been buried, and having scarcely a hair left on his head and
+devoid of eyebrows, not to mention the shock to his nervous system, he
+was again serving his gun 24 hours later, on the arrival of the new
+piece. Some idea of the force of the explosion can be gathered from
+the fact that the barrel was found, in two pieces, some 150 yards
+away, having been blown over a railway embankment, while the       (p. 012)
+breech block, which weighs about a cwt., was discovered, after a 12
+hours' search, embedded in the ground six feet below the pit. At this
+period a considerable number of "prematures" were taking place, and,
+on one occasion, we ascribed this wounding of two gunners to this
+cause, but afterwards found out our mistake. An S.O.S. went up after
+dark, and, at the time of firing No. 3 gun, the layer and another
+gunner were both badly hit by what appeared to be a "premature" just
+outside the bore of the piece. Throughout this period we were firing
+nothing but high explosive shells. Great therefore was our surprise
+when, three weeks later, letters arrived from both men, who were in
+hospital, to say that in each case shrapnel bullets had been extracted
+from them! What had actually occurred was this: At the same time that
+the trigger was pulled and the shell discharged, a "pip squeak" must
+have burst in front of the mouth of the gun pit, driving the bullets
+through the entrance.
+
+Day after day passed in much the same way, neither side attempting to
+make an attack on any large scale, but on the morning of the 8th
+October, it was observed that the hostile shelling was not normal, and
+had increased in extent along the whole recently captured area.
+Preparations were therefore rapidly made to meet any eventuality, and,
+as the day advanced and his bombardment gained in strength, it was
+apparent to everyone that the enemy contemplated an attack. At noon
+orders were received to be ready, at any time, to lay down a
+destructive barrage on a certain zone. The Staff had happily
+anticipated the point of attack accurately, and, by the time the enemy
+concentrated his final burst of fire on his objectives, every gun in
+the neighbourhood which could bear, was trained on the vital spot
+ready to open out. When at last the time arrived, the bombardment
+ceased abruptly, and the enemy's infantry advanced to the assault wave
+upon wave, for the most part in mass formation and with arms linked
+together. Emerging from a wood, they had a considerable distance to
+cover across open ground before approaching our trenches, so both our
+infantry and artillery fire was at first withheld. This gave
+encouragement to the enemy, and, as his bombardment had been pretty
+severe, he expected more or less of a "walk over," and did not reckon
+on what was to follow. When he had advanced to within 200 yards    (p. 013)
+of our lines, suddenly rapid fire spurted out from our rifles and
+machine guns, and guns of every description spat H.E. and shrapnel,
+and his ranks were literally mown down. Then a curtain was put down
+behind--a solid wall of fire--which made it practically impossible for
+the troops to retire, and their plight was beyond all hope. While they
+were cogitating whether to come on or go back, they were slaughtered
+in heaps--raked by the deadly machine guns. Very few indeed survived
+to tell the tale, but one prisoner claimed to be most indignant with
+the whole proceedings, and expressed his opinion that we did not "play
+the game" by withholding our fire, and that they imagined they had
+only to walk into our trenches and take possession of them. This
+proved to be the last big hostile counter-attack attempted, and indeed
+both sides were content to remain in their own trenches. We made a
+smaller attack the next week, but it was also unsuccessful, and little
+or no ground was gained. The enemy artillery devoted themselves
+principally to counter battery work, and several British batteries,
+which were ill concealed, had a most unpleasant time. Free use was
+made of lachrymatory shell, our first taste of it. One clear,
+moonlight night the battery was firing at a slow rate, and apparently
+the enemy saw our flashes, for he speedily turned a 4.2 battery on to
+us, his shells landing just short of each gun pit. No casualties
+resulted, but a shell entered the window of one detachment's billet
+and exploded, completely wrecking the room and destroying the men's
+equipment. Soon afterwards instructions were issued to change
+positions, and this was effected without loss or mishap. The new
+position was more favourably placed, some little way in front of the
+Fosse at Annequin, and had been constructed by the French. We were now
+covering the Hohenzollern Redoubt of evil memory. Another O.P. was
+constructed on the railway embankment on the La Bassee-Vermelles line,
+which lent itself favourably to the construction of a shaft for
+protection, the soil, for the most part, being chalk, as indeed it was
+in all the surrounding neighbourhood. It was our misfortune at this
+position to say farewell to our Battery Commander, who left us to take
+up a Staff appointment with the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, and
+all ranks were sorry to lose a leader who had thus far shared all
+their joys and sorrows. At the same time we were fortunate in      (p. 014)
+securing in his successor one who quickly and tactfully took up the
+reins of office, and the Battery continued to run on equally smooth
+lines.
+
+It now became quite evident that operations would not resume the
+nature of a battle, and it was no surprise to receive intimation that
+the Division would shortly retire from the conflict. Nobody was sorry
+at the prospect of going out, although useful lessons had been learnt
+and considerable experience had undoubtedly been gained.
+
+The weather was beginning to break, and towards the end of the first
+week in November we withdrew to the village of Sailly, preparatory to
+marching into the nest area for which we were bound.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.                                                       (p. 015)
+
+"Peace Warfare."
+
+
+When it became known that our destination was to be the sector
+immediately adjoining the one we had already been in, facing Aubers
+Ridge, our delight knew no bounds, for all were well aware that that
+locality was considered a "cushy" spot which augured well for the
+coming winter.
+
+No delay was made in leaving Sailly, and, proceeding by way of Bethune
+and St. Venant, we arrived at a small hamlet midway between the latter
+town and Merville. The Battery remained in rest for a few days, while
+a couple of "subs." with a working party commenced construction on the
+new position selected by the B.C. This entailed a considerable amount
+of labour, for timber and all other material had to be carted from the
+R.E. dump at La Gorgue some distance away. With an eye to comfort as
+well as concealment, it was decided to dig the pits in an orchard,
+along some old assembly trenches which had been used by troops before
+the battle of Neuve Chapelle. Close by was a cluster of cottages and
+outhouses in a wonderful state of preservation.
+
+By the end of the week the guns were pulled in, although there still
+remained a lot to do on the position. The house in which the officers
+quartered themselves was intact, with the exception of a few slates on
+the roof and several broken window panes. Moreover, there was a little
+furniture left and there were some fine open fireplaces, so we had
+every reason to be satisfied. Within a short space of time the gun
+pits were completed and camouflaged in keeping with the nature of the
+ground, and great assistance was rendered us during this undertaking
+by an airman who flew over the position from time to time and pointed
+out the various deficiencies. At last when he reported that the
+position could not be seen from a height of 2000 feet we           (p. 016)
+concluded, rightly, that nothing was to be feared in that direction.
+Thus we settled down to a period commonly known as "Peace Warfare."
+This may be summed up as a time when one experiences the maximum
+amount of pleasure that is possible under war conditions, with the
+minimum amount of discomfort. The enemy were completely deceived as to
+our whereabouts, and took us to be in another vacant position some way
+down the road, which was liberally shelled by them whenever fire was
+opened by us, and we used to encourage this procedure by occasionally
+ceasing in order to lead him into the belief that he was doing us
+damage. At all events, the position was never shelled the whole time
+we were in possession of it--a somewhat unique experience for a
+battery in France.
+
+The infantry were also kept busy at the commencement of this period,
+as we had relieved another Indian Division, and on this sector the
+parapet had been built for the most part by Ghurkas, who, however
+stout fellows they may be at heart, have not the stature of Guardsmen.
+The result was the latter found their heads and shoulders showing well
+above the parapet, and this necessitated the immediate heightening of
+the same some two to three feet.
+
+The O.P. duties were divided equally between the subalterns, each
+doing a third daily. The wagon lines were situated east of La Gorgue
+within easy reach, and frequent visits were paid to them, although no
+officer remained there permanently.
+
+During our stay here the Battery came under the direct orders of the
+C.R.A. and was attached to no group in particular. Various tasks were
+alloted to us, and these were, as a rule, most interesting and
+instructive. To further increase our knowledge the B.C. gave the
+majority of these shoots to the Junior Officers, briefly explaining
+the orders and then leaving us to our own devices by departing for the
+rest of the day to the wagon lines on the pretext that he had a
+birthday to celebrate. He had many of them. This plan was much to our
+liking, and tremendous keenness was displayed by all. Great pains were
+taken to carry out everything to the letter, and the signallers also
+carried out their part with equal spirit. The gun detachments at this
+time rose to a high pitch of proficiency and could get 10 rounds a
+minute out of the howitzers, which, considering the double load and
+triple movement, was by no means a bad performance.
+
+A fine level field ran alongside of the position, and it was       (p. 017)
+speedily made use of as a recreation ground. Goal posts were erected,
+and often a hot contest at football would be interrupted by the shrill
+blast of a whistle summoning the men hastily to action. Their task
+completed, they would calmly return and finish the game.
+
+All kinds of mutual understandings existed between the opposing sides
+in this area, which we soon learnt and respected. For instance, the
+village of Aubers lay behind the enemy lines approximately at the same
+distance that Laventie did on our side. Both were used as Brigade
+Headquarters and filled with troops. Neither town was shelled unless
+the enemy accidentally dropped a shell into it, when instant
+retaliation was forthcoming. On one occasion the placid calm of
+Laventie was rudely shaken through the instrumentality of a young
+officer in one of our sister brigades who, unconscious of what he was
+doing, planted several shells into Aubers. The consequence was the
+following conversation took place over the telephone between
+Headquarters and the offending subaltern.
+
+"Hullo! Is that Ack Battery?"
+
+"Yes, sir. Just a moment, sir. I'll put you through to the mess, sir."
+
+"Right you are, but look sharp about it, please. Yes. Hullo! Is that
+an officer? Well, I say, have you been firing just now?"
+
+"Yes, sir. So-and-so is doing a practice shoot from the O.P."
+
+"Put me on to him at once."
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+A brief interval follows, in which various mutterings are overheard by
+the signaller in the exchange, who smiles to himself as he continues
+to listen.
+
+"Hullo! hullo!! Damn these young officers! Will they never learn to
+answer quickly? Slow, slow is not the word for it. Will have to go
+round and shake them up a bit. This is absurd. Hullo! there. Hullo! Is
+he never going to come? Exchange, can't you get him?"
+
+"Just a moment, sir."
+
+"Hullo! hullo!!"
+
+"Yes, sir. So-and-so speaking."
+
+"What the devil are you firing at, young sir?"
+
+"Well, sir, I was given permission to fire a few rounds----"
+
+"Where?"                                                           (p. 018)
+
+"At the cross roads, sir."
+
+"Seen any of them fall?"
+
+"Not as yet, sir."
+
+"Well, for God's sake stop firing at once, sir. Why, man, your shells
+are dropping in Aubers, and they are retaliating like the very devil.
+There goes another, just outside."
+
+"Very sorry, sir. Couldn't make out where the shells were falling."
+
+"Well, report to me as soon as you get back, remember. Have no time to
+listen to an explanation now."
+
+"Very good, sir. Good-bye, sir."
+
+An animated discussion now takes place in the telephone exchange, and
+the unanimous opinion is that poor So-and-so is "for it" and will
+perhaps even get the sack, and who will succeed to the Right Section
+if he leaves the Battery?
+
+In these days a walk along the front line was a delight, and nothing
+gave the F.O.O. greater pleasure than to take his morning
+constitutional from one end of our area to the other and to peer over
+the side at frequent intervals by means of a periscope. Sniping was
+sometimes indulged in, but a target rarely presented itself for the
+simple reason that the enemy was hardly ever in his front line
+trenches during daylight. From one O.P. we could often see one or two
+men running along the trenches with lighted torches kindling fires and
+causing smoke in order to lead us into the belief that the trenches
+were powerfully manned.
+
+Now, about this time, a number of hostile batteries, whose positions
+could not be located, gave us a certain amount of trouble, but a
+successful ruse was carried out which enabled us to discover them.
+Operations were undertaken in order to force the enemy to show his
+hand, and every indication was made by us that we were about to
+institute a raid. Wire cutting was done by one battery, and others
+registered strong points in rear behind the prescribed area. Then at
+dusk, known as flesh time, when batteries are most likely to give
+their positions away, all the O.P.'s were manned, spotting apparatus
+made ready, and our barrage was put down on this sector. The infantry
+had been provided with dummy figures, which they held aloft on poles,
+and in the semi-darkness this gave the impression that they were
+preparing to quit the trenches and go over the top, while high
+overhead hovered a number of our aeroplanes waiting to assist. The
+plan worked admirably, and in a few minutes the enemy's counter    (p. 019)
+preparation commenced. As the result of our efforts his positions were
+pin-pointed and dealt with by our 60-pdrs. the next day, after which
+we were not bothered by them to such a great extent.
+
+Soon after this episode there came upon the scene what were commonly
+known as "Cook's Tourists." These were officers whose units were still
+at home, and who were sent out to gain experience by being attached to
+batteries for a short period. At times the tourist laid himself open
+to being the victim of many practical jokes, and this certainly
+contributed to the liveliness of the mess. A certain officer was
+escorted down to the front line trenches one day, and, as usual, the
+party was armed with periscopes. All of a sudden he emitted a cry of
+delight, as, gazing through the instrument, he told us of how crowds
+of the enemy were walking along a road. Could we not get our guns on
+to them quickly? This seemed an incredible occurrence, as, in this
+sector, not a single German had been seen for days on end. The mystery
+was speedily solved, however. By some means or other, he had been
+holding the periscope so that it faced the opposite direction, and
+what he actually saw was a party of our own men walking leisurely
+along the road some way behind our lines. Needless to say, this
+officer came in for a considerable amount of chaff, and, in course of
+time, was solemnly presented with a paper medal, suitably inscribed,
+on which reversed periscopes figured prominently.
+
+The festive season was now drawing near, which necessitated the
+gathering of provisions, for the men were to celebrate the 25th of
+December by having a special dinner, and presently leave was opened to
+our unit and the first lucky ones departed for "Blighty." Some sort of
+gift was due the enemy on this occasion, and it took the shape of a
+sharp five minutes' bombardment, from every gun in the area, on the
+stroke of midnight on Xmas Eve. In spite of this gruelling, the enemy
+next morning showed signs of wishing to fraternise with our men in the
+front line, but strict orders had been issued in advance that this was
+not to be countenanced. The Germans showed themselves freely above the
+parapet, and one could see that they had been dressed up smartly for
+the occasion, probably in order to impress us with their appearance.
+However, there was "nothing doing." Little or no sniping took place,
+but the artillery went through their usual routine, in fact rather
+increased their fire that day. The men's dinner was a great        (p. 020)
+success, and all seemed pleased with their fare--pork and potatoes,
+vegetables, plum pudding and fruit, with plenty of beer or stout to
+wash it down. The Officers' Mess was lively also, and our first 'Xmas,
+under war conditions, was voted most successful. Next day the Padre
+turned up, and a service was held in one of the barns, but, in the
+middle of the address, on "Peace on earth, goodwill towards men,"
+there was a sudden call for "action." A rush was made to the guns,
+and, after a few minutes' argument with the enemy, we returned and
+finished listening to the discourse. Somehow or other one could not
+help feeling that the two happenings were incongruous!
+
+We had a notion that perhaps the enemy would make an attempt to
+retaliate on us at New Year for our little joke on 'Xmas Eve, and this
+proved to be correct. He made rather a feeble demonstration, and it
+was speedily squashed, as we were awaiting it. It was an extraordinary
+thing, but we always found our foe very slow in the uptake: it
+generally took him quite a week to think out some measure of
+retaliation, and when it came, it consisted, as a rule, in copying
+what we had done to him. We could usually count on that and
+consequently guard against it.
+
+One day instructions came through calling for a report on a new
+charge, for reducing the flashes when night firing, which was supposed
+to be in our possession. Our worthy Senior Subaltern was at that time
+in command, so he decided to have the trial the same evening and put
+in his report at once. The remaining officers were to "stand by" at
+the guns and first fire a salvo with the ordinary charge and then one
+with the new one, while he stood some distance in front to wait the
+results. All went well and the salvoes were duly fired, although, at
+the battery end, there did not appear to be any difference between
+them, which fact was unanimously agreed upon. However, that was not
+the opinion of the Senior Subaltern, who waxed eloquent on the "soft,
+velvety colour" of the new charge. This was all set down presently, in
+a lengthy dispatch covering, at least, two columns of "foolscap," and
+sent to the Brigade. Nothing further was heard for several days, then
+a telephone message came through which brought a smile to the face of
+everyone in the mess except the officer concerned. It ran as
+follows:--"Reference my B214 of the 9th inst. Report on flash      (p. 021)
+reducing charges is herewith cancelled. The production of same has not
+yet been issued to batteries in the field A.A.A." Both salvoes had
+been of the same nature!
+
+Our Right Section Commander had a mania for spy hunting, and it was
+true that spies were known to infest the neighbourhood and had
+sometimes actually been caught. On every available occasion this
+officer would set out to scour the countryside in quest of a suspect.
+One day this led to the waste of much energy on his part. Having
+followed hard on the scent of a suspicious character, from one end of
+our area to the other, the quarry suddenly doubled back along the La
+Bassee road and disappeared into a house. Our friend entered also, and
+found himself in a Brigade Headquarters, confronted by the "spy," who
+greeted him warmly, and asked him what service he could render him, at
+the same time calling for tea. He had shadowed none other than the
+chief Intelligence Officer of the Division the whole afternoon! There
+was nothing for it but to own up and apologise as best he could, to
+the vast amusement of the Staff Officer. After this incident, we were
+spared further wild-goose chases by this enthusiast, and the keenness
+hitherto shown by him for these quests somewhat abated.
+
+A good deal of excitement was caused, at this time, by the arrival of
+some heavy artillery in our neighbourhood, so much talk had come to
+our ears concerning them. The guns were duly placed in position, and
+on the afternoon on which they were to open fire a large turn out of
+F.O.O.'s collected in the O.P.'s to watch the enemy get a surprise.
+They did considerable damage, but, at the same time, were largely
+responsible for stirring up a veritable wasp's nest of hostile heavies
+which had been lying dormant for ages, and consequently our front
+again became active.
+
+While our F.O.O. was proceeding one day from the O.P. to the front
+line, he was caught in one of those bursts of hate and separated from
+the telephonists who accompanied him. On the conclusion of the shoot,
+a search was made for him, but he was nowhere to be found. They returned
+to the Battery and reported the circumstance to the B.C., who, much
+concerned, speedily organised a search-party, and set out for the
+scene of action. After a couple of hours weary tramping, they came
+upon a Company Headquarters in the front line, and there, comfortably
+ensconced in an easy-chair, with a large whisky-and-soda by his    (p. 022)
+side and a cigarette in his mouth, sat the missing officer. Much
+indignation was expressed and explanations followed, but, in future,
+it was only in the last extremity that search parties were instituted!
+
+Thus the days sped by, until it came to the minds of those in
+authority that the Division had vegetated quite long enough in this
+area, and, at the beginning of February, we were pulled out and
+transferred to another sphere of activity.
+
+Everyone regretted leaving this peaceful spot, and the period we spent
+there was always looked back upon as the brightest and happiest time
+of our sojourn in France.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.                                                        (p. 023)
+
+In "The Salient."
+
+
+It soon became known that we were bound for Ypres. This town will,
+without doubt, be the Mecca in France of the British soldier for all
+time. This place, above all others, was always mentioned with a voice
+of reverence and awe, and is hallowed by the presence of the gallant
+dead who helped in its defence. It was truly the most ill-favoured
+sector on the whole of the front held by our armies.
+
+Proceeding by way of Hazebrouck and Cassel, we entered the area
+immediately behind the Salient and took up our quarters near the
+village of Arneke, for we were not yet due for our spell of duty in
+the line. At this time the weather was most unpropitious, and rendered
+training in any shape or form out of the question. The ground was
+covered with snow to the depth of several inches, and the roads were,
+for the most part, frost-bound. A Divisional Artillery Horse Show was
+organised, however, and great keenness was displayed by all the
+batteries, who spent most of their time horse coping until the day of
+the event, which was held at Zeggers Capelle. Our Right Section
+Commander, with a team of fine little blacks, managed to secure the
+second prize in the principal event.
+
+Several days afterwards we relieved the Division who were holding the
+left centre of the Salient, and took up our position on the northern
+extremity of Ypres itself, close to the Dead End of the Canal, a short
+distance from "Salvation Corner." Here a short description of the
+position is imperative, in order to give some idea of the awkward
+nature of this sector and of the conditions attaching thereto. The
+distance between the jaws of the Salient was some five miles
+across--from the banks of the Yser Canal at Boesinghe on the north to
+the neighbourhood of St. Eloi on the south, while the ground held by
+us extended about two-and-a half miles east of Ypres in a semi-circle.
+Nearly everywhere the enemy was established on rising ground and   (p. 024)
+overlooked our territory, and, with few exceptions, all that was
+visible to us was his first line system. The enemy was thus enabled to
+detect any movement behind our line, while we were more or less
+"blind."
+
+Owing to the confined space through which an entrance into the Salient
+could be effected, great difficulty was experienced in the matter of
+transport, as there was only one main artery, namely, the
+Ypres-Poperinghe road. Every evening at dusk this thoroughfare was
+crowded with all manner of vehicles, an endless stream, coming and
+going throughout the night, and from Vlamertinghe onwards the road was
+subjected to constant shelling, and was enfiladed from either side.
+Piles of wreckage were always to be seen on the following morning,
+which told the tale of the previous night's work, and this long,
+straight piece of road holds more sentiment for the British soldier
+than any other.
+
+It was soon quite evident that the enemy was acquainted with our
+location, and it was imperative to prepare an alternative position. A
+site was chosen across the road, in the garden of a private villa,
+well sheltered by shrubs and trees. As soon as the work was completed
+and a communication trench constructed, covered with turf and plants,
+we commenced moving the guns. This was done without interference from
+the enemy until the last gun was in the act of being placed in
+position, when, as luck would have it, a shrapnel shell burst in front
+of the party, mortally wounding one layer and injuring another. Our
+B.C., also, who was assisting, received a bullet through his arm, and
+was forced to leave us. This was the second mishap we had suffered
+during the course of the first few days, as the Right Section
+Commander had already been lost to us. Having an insatiable thirst for
+knowledge, this Officer had left the O.P. with his telephonist in
+order to explore the front line, which, as everyone who knows the
+Salient will readily own, was somewhat difficult to recognise in
+places, especially by a newcomer. Suffering as he did from acute
+absent-mindedness, it was not surprising that this zealous officer
+awakened suddenly from his day-dreams to discover that something was
+wrong, and found himself standing with his companion waist high in a
+shallow disused trench, which, on further investigation, appeared
+uncommonly like "No Man's Land!" After a brief consultation, they
+decided to retrace their steps. Alas! all too late: a hostile sniper,
+reserving his fire in the hope that they would continue to walk    (p. 025)
+into the enemy trenches, on seeing them turn about, and thus being
+baulked of his prize and the prospect of a fortnight's leave in his
+own country, fired a bullet which passed through the thighs of both
+men one after the other. A party of our infantry, unable to attract
+their attention and put them right in time, had witnessed this little
+drama, and proceeded, at great personal risk and at the expense of at
+least one of their number being wounded, to extricate the two
+unfortunates and convey them to the nearest dressing station. It was
+not until a late hour that night that word came to us at the Mess that
+the missing party had been passed through the prison at Ypres, on
+their way to a C.C.S. Now, our Battery Commander, after great trouble,
+had lately gained possession of an improved type of periscope, which
+he had been persuaded to lend the F.O.O. on that day, and, on receipt
+of this news, his first thought was for the safety of his precious
+instrument. The fact that two valuable casualties had resulted did not
+seem to weigh with him in the least compared with its loss, and he was
+not to be consoled until it was ascertained that the periscope was in
+safe keeping. Only then could he be persuaded to make enquiries as to
+the nature of their wounds and express his sorrow at their misfortune.
+
+The Infantry found the trenches in an appalling state, and forthwith
+proceeded to repair them, but the enemy would not allow this to go on
+long, and, after a few days' work had been spent on them, a couple of
+hours' bombardment would suffice to demolish anything that had been
+done. As it was a case of labour lost, all attempts at building on a
+large scale were soon abandoned.
+
+Many interesting excursions were made in and around the town. There
+was a certain amount of splendour about the ruined place. The high
+battered remains of the Cloth Hall Tower stood up in proud defiance in
+the centre of the stricken city, while the ancient ramparts
+surrounding it gloried in their battle scars and showed a dauntless
+front to the enemy.
+
+A good deal of annoyance was caused in getting about from place to
+place through the uncongenial presence of a couple of hostile high
+velocity guns which were commonly known as "Quick Dick" and "Silent
+Sue," his consort. They were so named on account of the rapidity with
+which the shells arrived, and there was little or no warning of their
+coming. Their chief object was to harass the neighbourhood, for    (p. 026)
+they appeared to have no definite target but just dropped a shell
+here and there, trapping the unwary and doing considerable damage, as
+well as effectively raising a certain amount of "wind"!
+
+As conditions suited the enemy admirably, many raids were made by him,
+and, on one occasion, he launched four simultaneously, one on each
+sector of the Salient, after a sharp and heavy bombardment. He
+attacked us between Wieltje and Potijge, but was unsuccessful in his
+endeavour to obtain an identification. The attempt was frustrated, and
+the only result was that he left a number of prisoners in our hands.
+
+About the middle of May, the Division came out and returned to the
+area behind Poperinghe. There was an unexpected treat in store for the
+Brigade, for it was shortly sent down to the coast for a change of
+air. A two days' march brought the Battery to Cap Gris Nez, while the
+other batteries were distributed along the small villages between
+Calais and Boulogne. It was a real holiday for us, and a better part
+of the year could not have been chosen. All that was expected of us
+was to exercise the "hairies," which we did by taking the guns a walk
+along the hard sand in the early mornings.
+
+A large field was secured, and for several hours daily the horses were
+put out to grass, and, if ever animals showed signs of joy, they
+certainly did, and their antics were most amusing to witness. It was
+expected that some difficulty would be experienced in catching them
+again, but, after the first day, a trumpet call was all that was
+required. On hearing the sound, they would throw up their heads, and
+then slowly wander towards the entrance, where the drivers awaited and
+secured them.
+
+The main feature of the day was, undoubtedly, the bathing parade,
+enjoyed equally by man and beast. The horses knew at once what was in
+store for them when they were led down to the beach. The men stripped,
+and, mounting the eager horses, a wild dash was made for the water,
+and quite a number of the animals proved themselves excellent
+swimmers, many remaining a considerable time in deep water. On leaving
+the sea, they would gallop along the sands, showing every sign of
+contentment, and we were glad that, at last, they were receiving some
+reward for their patient devotion and faithful service, for we were
+all fond of our four-legged comrades.
+
+Amusements were instituted for the men--all manner of sports by    (p. 027)
+day and concerts in the evenings. The officers lived out of doors,
+attracted by the cliffs, from which Dover was visible on most clear
+days, and everyone voted this peaceful place the next best thing to
+home leave.
+
+It was, therefore, with much regret that, at the end of twelve days,
+we retraced our steps to Arneke, where we were to remain for the
+latter portion of the rest.
+
+We had no sooner arrived at this place than the enemy started making
+himself unpleasant in the southern portion of the Salient, and,
+attacking the Canadians from Hooge as far as St. Eloi, succeeded in
+driving them back some distance before he was finally held up. It was
+quite imperative to retake the ground lost, as he had captured
+important points of observation overlooking the Salient. A counter
+attack was set on foot, and we were suddenly called upon to help in
+the preliminary bombardment and cover the assaulting troops, which
+included a Brigade of Guards. Just before setting off, our B.C.
+rejoined us once more, and at two hours' notice we made a beeline for
+the scene of our future activity. At dusk we entered the ruins of
+Ypres, and, without delay, proceeded to dig ourselves "in," behind a
+convent, not far from the south side of the Cloth Hall.
+
+Owing to the number of extra batteries assembled for the operations,
+we found ourselves without a billet until the genial Commander of a
+Pioneer Battalion, affectionately known to the entire Dominion Forces
+as "Big Jim," and credited with innumerable deeds of "daring do," took
+pity upon us, and invited us to share his hearth and home. This offer
+we gratefully accepted, and accommodation was also provided for the
+detachment, and all were made most comfortable.
+
+The bombardment continued for three days, and it became clear, from
+the enemy's counter preparations, that he was not going to give up his
+newly acquired gains without a struggle. A most stubborn resistance
+was offered, and the infantry were forced to fight hard for every foot
+of ground that was eventually recovered. The bombardment grew in
+intensity as the zero hour approached. Shortly after midnight, the men
+went over, and, by breakfast time, had gained all that was required of
+them, except at one or two points, which were taken without much
+trouble later.
+
+By the time affairs had settled down normally again, the Division was
+due in the line, so the Battery pulled out for one night, before   (p. 028)
+transferring to our new zone, which was in the most northerly sector,
+adjoining the one in which we had already been, and which had an even
+worse reputation for unpleasantness.
+
+After crossing the Yser Canal, the ground gradually rises towards
+Pilkem Ridge, and the enemy was ensconced thereon in a kind of
+stronghold known as the High Command Redoubt. Our trenches lay beneath
+them, which gave us the feeling of being in a cup encircled round the
+brim by our foes. During this particular tour, the Battery was split
+up for the purpose of forming two forward sections, and the greater
+part of the firing was done by the left section, whose position was
+well inside the Salient. Its chief object was to harass a certain
+portion of a hostile trench which was taken in enfilade by it! In
+order to accomplish this successfully, the guns were placed in an old
+disused position in a field, near La Brique, on the backward slope of
+a hill, and the low gun-pits were completely covered with tufts of
+growing grass. The centre pits were occupied by the two pieces and the
+outside ones were speedily converted into habitations for the men.
+
+When the trenches were not being subjected to hostile shelling, the
+enemy devoted most of his time in endeavouring to destroy the numerous
+O.P.'s dotted about here and there. These were constructed for the
+most part of reinforced concrete, but the particular one used by us,
+called "Frascatis," had not yet been discovered, so we were free to
+carry out shoots to our heart's content.
+
+A favourite diversion was sniping with one of our pieces, which was a
+particularly accurate one, and several points of observation and
+snipers' posts were carefully registered. Then we would lie in wait,
+observe some movement, and let fly one round only. This method
+exasperated and annoyed the enemy exceedingly.
+
+One of the enemy's principal forms of amusement was to blow parts of
+our front parapet away and train a machine gun on the space left
+vacant, and snipe at any unsuspecting person who happened to pass
+along. On many occasions we were able to bring assistance to the
+harassed infantrymen, by spotting the offending snipers, and by, in
+turn, sniping at them with our "How." till we finally silenced them.
+
+At dusk the enemy invariably harassed all roads of communication, and
+dropped innumerable shells of large calibre into the stricken      (p. 029)
+city; and we made a habit of sitting at the entrance to the little
+shack, used as the officers' mess, smoking our evening pipes,
+interested spectators, while the shells screamed overhead, and
+alighted somewhere in the town, sending up columns of brick dust.
+
+All the batteries in the line were now busy constructing new battery
+positions, while fresh O.P.'s were also erected, and it was thought
+that these preparations were preparatory to making an attack to enable
+us to improve our position by the capture of Pilkem Ridge, but,
+although the work was completed, nothing further developed.
+
+Soon there were whispers of an impending gigantic attack away down in
+the south, and for several days before the opening of it our shelling
+was considerably increased, while the infantry made a series of raids.
+This was done throughout the whole length of the front, in order to
+keep the enemy from guessing the exact point of eruption, and we had a
+warm time in consequence. For a long time after the battle had
+commenced, we continued making demonstrations, which undoubtedly
+helped to prevent the removal of many reserves from the locality.
+
+But we were not content to remain here. There was a great scrap taking
+place elsewhere, and were we going to be left completely out of it, to
+eat our heads off, in Flanders? It seemed very unlikely that the
+Division would not be called upon on such an occasion, and great was
+the joy when one day orders came through that we were soon to proceed
+to the scene of action. Within two days we pulled out to our old
+resting place, where preparations were completed for our transference
+to the battle area.
+
+Our first acquaintance with the dreaded Salient was at an end, and,
+although the time spent there was always strenuous and difficult, we
+were not what could be called uncomfortable, and our casualties
+happily did not exceed expectations.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.                                                         (p. 030)
+
+On the Somme.
+
+
+At the beginning of August, the Division detrained in the
+neighbourhood of Doullens, and, proceeding in a southeasterly
+direction, the Brigade established itself near the small village of
+Couin. In a few days' time we went "in," and the Battery took up a
+position on the southern outskirts of Hebuterne, overlooking the enemy
+stronghold at Serre. This portion of the front was now in a normal
+state once more, as, on the opening day of the great battle, the
+British assault from Hamel, northward to Gommecourt, had met with no
+success, and the attack was not further pressed. The enemy was content
+to remain quiet, and most of the firing was carried out by us. A
+considerable number of hostile "Minnies" made conditions somewhat
+unpleasant for the infantry in the trenches, and during the night the
+battery position was subjected to indirect machine-gun fire, which
+necessitated a certain amount of caution in moving about. The O.P.'s
+were well placed, and afforded us an excellent view, for we overlooked
+the enemy's lines, and could see some distance beyond them. We were
+now on the fringe of the battle, and away half right, on clear days,
+we could see the struggle progressing, as a considerable dent had
+already been made. The sight was a very grand one, especially after
+dark. The Verey Lights and various S.O.S. rockets, which were
+frequently sent up by our opponents, made a fine spectacular display,
+far finer than any firework exhibition we had ever witnessed in our
+own country in pre-war days.
+
+Gradually the Division was side-slipped to the south, and our next
+position was close to the station of Mailly. We did not remain there
+long, however, as the time had now arrived for us to put in an
+appearance in the battle itself. We spent one night close to       (p. 031)
+Amiens, and availed ourselves of the opportunity to hold a dinner
+there, which was attended by all the original officers in the
+Brigade--a last night of fun and merriment before the long, stiff
+fight ahead of us, for who knew how many would survive the ordeal. The
+next day brought us to Vaux, on the River Somme, and, in the first
+week in September, we found ourselves immersed in the battle. We took
+up our first position in the lately captured second line German
+system, facing Montauban and covering Guillemont, which had just been
+taken by an Irish Division.
+
+Very stiff lighting was in progress on this sector, as we were now
+nearing the summit of the Ridge, the possession of which would be
+invaluable, as the enemy's territory would be laid bare to us, and he
+would lose his observation over us. It was not surprising, therefore,
+that he fought with the courage of despair and initiated
+counter-attack upon counter-attack, all of which we had to meet with
+great determination. The weather was extremely hot, which added much
+to the discomfort: and, as progress had been very slow for some time,
+it was impossible to clear up the battlefield, and the stench was
+almost insupportable. At length the village of Guinchy was captured,
+and, with our men installed on the further side of the slope, the
+fighting for position came to an end. We were now entering on the
+third stage of the great battle, which had commenced more than two
+months previously. An attack, on a large scale, was planned, the
+object being to drive the enemy down the slope of the hill into the
+low-lying country beyond. Field batteries were moved up into forward
+positions, in order to assist the infantry, by placing a creeping
+barrage--a new and most successful invention, afterwards employed on
+all occasions--in front of the advancing waves of men: and the
+"heavies," of which, for the first time, we possessed a preponderance,
+pounded the enemy communications far behind his lines.
+
+The assault was delivered over a wide area, early in the morning of the
+15th of September, but in no way did it come up to expectations--in
+fact, it might almost be counted a reverse. Some divisions did well,
+and took their objectives, but others were completely held up, at
+certain strong points, which necessitated the withdrawal of the
+remainder, in order to keep the line uniform. The Guards met with
+instant success, and took their final objectives, only to discover
+that the Division on each side of them had made little progress    (p. 032)
+and could get no further. They were reluctantly forced to return, and
+it was while doing so that heavy casualties were inflicted on them, as
+they were raked with fire from the sides as well as in front. During
+the withdrawal, a party of machine-gunners occupied a trench, and
+attempted to screen the retirement of the main body of troops, by
+holding the enemy at bay. In order to use this machine-gun to the best
+advantage, the piece was placed on top of the parapet, exposed to the
+full view of the oncoming hordes, but our men never wavered in serving
+it, and, as soon as one gunner dropped at his post, another instantly
+took the vacant place, although it meant certain death within a few
+moments.
+
+Next day they were pulled out to refit, and, as they marched back to
+rest, a very touching sight was witnessed. A certain battalion, a mere
+remnant, swung along, headed by its band. All the officers had become
+casualties, and the Battalion Sergeant-Major was in command, but as
+many of the dead officers as could be recovered were brought back on
+stretchers and placed each in his proper position. Headed by the body
+of their late Commander, the column proceeded on its way, the men
+marching at attention, and, although covered with mud and
+blood-stained, they might have been proceeding down the Mall. Such is
+the discipline of the Guards, and every tribute of respect was paid
+them by the troops through whom they passed.
+
+The next battle was timed for the 25th inst., and our infantry came
+back to the line a couple of days before that date. There was much
+suppressed excitement and curiosity, for the mysterious Tanks were to
+participate on this occasion for the first time, and it was thought
+that the secret had been so well kept that they would come as a
+complete surprise to the enemy. This proved to be the case, and the
+attack was a great success. What was known as the Flers line was
+everywhere penetrated, and all gains were held. The Tanks did splendid
+work. They advanced well ahead of the infantry, and battered down
+barbed wire, overran trenches, smashed machine-gun emplacements,
+killing the gun crews, and even waddled as far as the village of
+Gueudecourt. There they effected much execution and caused great panic
+among the enemy reserves, which were concentrating for the inevitable
+counter attack.
+
+Thus the battle continued, sometimes breaking out into fierce fights
+and at other times reduced to isolated scraps, but all the time    (p. 033)
+the enemy was being gradually and relentlessly pushed down into
+the valley, and the villages of Morval, Les Boeufs, and Gueudecourt
+fell into our hands.
+
+It was almost uncanny the way in which villages would completely
+disappear. For instance, at the time when these hamlets first came
+within our vision, on our reaching the crest of the hill, they appeared
+almost intact, but a few days rendered them unrecognisable--they had
+become merely so many heaps of rubble. There are many places on the
+Somme which have literally not one brick standing on top of another,
+and one would never imagine for a moment that a prosperous little
+village had ever existed there.
+
+Many changes of battery positions were made, and, whenever possible,
+we burrowed down into the ground, as the enemy's heavy pieces were out
+after our blood. The great concentration of guns and the few suitable
+localities for placing them in action added to our difficulties, and
+we were thus rendered an easy target for the hostile counter
+batteries. Innumerable brigades were huddled close together, in what
+was known as the Death Valley, for the simple reason that there was no
+other suitable spot wherein to place them, and heavy casualties
+resulted. We had the good fortune, however, to be somewhat isolated
+from the others, and occupied a forward position, where the guns were
+hidden in an old German communication trench. The enemy never found
+it, but subjected us, now and again, to a general burst of harassing
+fire: his main volume of hate passed us by far overhead.
+
+And, meanwhile, what of our friend the F.O.O.? In those days his lot
+was by no means an enviable one, and it was a task of no mean
+magnitude to keep communications going between the trenches and the
+guns. However, it had to be done, or at least attempted, and the
+following is a brief account of a typical day in the life of a gunner
+subaltern.
+
+Orders would be given that a certain hostile trench was to be
+subjected to a severe, annihilating bombardment, and this necessitated
+the laying out of a wire to a part of our front line, from which the
+shoot could be registered, as the target could not be observed from
+any other locality than the trench immediately opposite it. The F.O.O.
+rises early in the morning, and sets out with his little squad of
+telephonists and linesmen. He requires to post a signalman and
+linesman at frequent intervals, called Relay Stations, in order    (p. 034)
+to preserve communication, as the wire is being continually broken by
+hostile gun-fire. Progress, in a case like this, is necessarily slow,
+and he has to pick his way among the shell-holes, seeking as much
+protection, for the line, as circumstances will permit. The signallers
+follow in his footsteps, staggering along under the weight of a large
+reel of wire. All goes well until they reach the summit of a ridge,
+when, suddenly, a barrage from a "whizz bang" battery is placed right
+down on top of the party. There is nothing for it but to remain
+crouched in a friendly shell-hole, which affords a little protection,
+until the storm blows over or to risk the chances of being hit in the
+open. The journey is then resumed, and much relief is felt when at
+last the ground over a nasty dip is traversed without mishap, as this
+is known to be a favourite target for hostile gunners. A muddy,
+unkempt communication-trench is now entered, and the party proceed, up
+a slope, towards the support system, and eventually arrive at their
+destination--a post in the front line overlooking its objective.
+Difficulty is experienced in preserving the wire from the unguarded
+feet of infantrymen, who look askance at the party as it passes,
+cursing the idiosyncrasies of each fire bay. The instrument is
+connected with the end of the wire, and all hold their breath in order
+to hear the answering buzz which tells them that they are through to
+the battery. Several futile buzzes may be made by the telephonist, and
+then, no response being forthcoming, a linesman is sent down the wire
+towards the first relay station. A break in the wire is discovered and
+speedily mended, the next attempt is successful, and the battery is
+called to action.
+
+During registration the wire often breaks, and serious delays occur,
+but, at length, the last gun is duly pronounced O.K. by the officer.
+Just in the nick of time, too! for the enemy commences a sharp
+retaliation on the portion of the trench occupied by the little party.
+Refuge is sought in an old enemy shaft close by, and there it awaits
+the time for the "show" to commence. Several other batteries also take
+part in the shoot, and it is quite impossible to pick out the shells
+which belong to each one as they fall. Complete success crowns the
+effort, but on the particular day here described the F.O.O. and party
+failed to see the end of the bout, as they were subjected to very
+heavy fire, and were all blown down the mouth of the shaft by the
+explosion of a shell. Luckily, though badly shaken, all escaped
+without injury.
+
+Meanwhile the wire has been broken in many places and is beyond    (p. 035)
+repair, but it has already served its purpose, and, when fire has died
+down, the party starts on the return journey. On arriving at the first
+relay station, the telephonist on duty is found dead at his post, the
+receiver still clutched in his hand and held to his ear. A nasty gash
+in the forehead reveals the place where he has been hit and instantly
+killed. His companion is nowhere to be found, although bloodstains
+denote that he has at least been wounded, and, on investigation, it is
+ascertained that the linesman has been hit, picked up by passing
+comrades, and taken to an aid-post. The journey is resumed, the party
+carrying the dead with them, and presently another hostile barrage is
+encountered. Again the men lie low until it ceases, and then pick up
+the remaining linesmen, and return to the battery utterly exhausted.
+Many questions are asked, and it frequently happens that the F.O.O. is
+cursed by his Battery Commander for not keeping the wire going, and
+even the Brigade joins in the chorus. The young officer pays little
+heed, and inwardly reflects that they should be extremely thankful
+that communication was established at all, and that those of the party
+who returned did so in safety. So, in spite of everything, he consumes
+a hearty dinner and retires to bed, sleeping the sleep of the just,
+and soon becomes oblivious of all his little worries and sombre
+surroundings.
+
+Towards the middle of October the weather broke, and conditions became
+intolerable. The roads, which had been partially repaired, were still
+soft and broken, and developed into quagmires--mud and water to a
+depth of two and three feet made vehicular traffic almost out of the
+question. All ammunition had to be transported to the guns by means of
+horses carrying pack saddles, a slow and tedious method, which took a
+lot out of men and beasts alike. As yet no decca-ville railways had
+been constructed as far as battery positions. Very heavy work thus
+fell on those at the wagon lines, who were kept busy most of the day
+and night. Although the distance to the gun position was under five
+miles there and back, the journey rarely took less than ten hours to
+accomplish. If a horse fell down in this sticky mud, heavily laden as
+it was, attempts at rescue proved unavailing, except on rare
+occasions, even with the aid of drag-ropes, and the unfortunate animal
+had to be "dispatched." Was it a sense of humour that prompted those
+in authority to send the subalterns, in turn, to the wagon lines for a
+"rest"? Anyhow, it was considered anything but that by the poor    (p. 036)
+unfortunates who went, and right glad they were when the time came
+round for their next period of duty with the guns!
+
+As the weather rapidly became worse, operations came to a standstill,
+and all proceeded to dig themselves in for the coming winter. Every
+endeavour was made to make our quarters water-proof, as well as
+shell-proof, and some attempts at mining were commenced, but the
+condition of the ground was all against such an undertaking, and the
+work was abandoned. Then whispers spread abroad that we were to be
+relieved for a short rest, and, after ten weeks of incessant fighting,
+we were withdrawn from the line and marched to a little village named
+Hangest, a few miles west of Amiens. There we were glad to find
+ourselves installed in billets with a roof covering us once more. A
+week of leisure helped greatly to restore our spirits, and again we
+set out for the line. Our destination this time was Combles, and we
+took over a battery position from the French, who politely made us
+acquainted with our new surroundings. Our allies, who had been
+fighting side-by-side with us on our right flank throughout the great
+battle, were then withdrawn, and the British front was extended to the
+south as far as the banks of the River Somme. Evidence was speedily
+forthcoming to convince us of the severe nature of the recent fight.
+The ground was strewn with wreckage and material of all descriptions,
+and many hostile guns were found abandoned or lying where they had
+been put out of action by the irresistible dash of the Poilus.
+
+The country, in this part, was undulating, and better suited to the
+concealment of battery positions, and nowhere was the enemy able to
+overlook our territory. Our area included the defence of the joint
+villages of Sailly-Saillisel, situated on commanding ground, which the
+French had recently bravely stormed. Combles, too, which lay in a
+basin shaped hollow, was interesting as having been the centre of
+supplies for the southern portion of the German Army operating in the
+battle, and much booty was discovered in the huge catacombs which ran
+underneath the town.
+
+'Xmas passed in much the same way as in the previous year. A smart
+bombardment was carried out in the morning in order to advise the enemy
+that anything in the way of fraternising would not be countenanced by us.
+At mid-day the men partook of their 'Xmas fare, which had been     (p. 037)
+fetched from Amiens, and a short service was conducted by the Padre in
+one of the gun-pits. A slight disturbance took place at dusk, when the
+S.O.S. went up from the front line and all batteries immediately
+opened out. It seemed a rather extraordinary occurrence, as the
+evening was unusually quiet, and, presently, it was discovered to have
+arisen through an error, due to the fact that the enemy had put up a
+coloured light in between two ordinary Verey lights which constituted
+our own S.O.S.
+
+About this time the enemy caused considerable annoyance to a certain
+Battalion Headquarters, situated in a quarry close behind the lines,
+by occasionally dropping a shell right into it, the position having
+probably been discovered by his aircraft. Retaliation tactics were
+adopted, which consisted of subjecting the hostile trenches to a sharp
+half-hour's bombardment from eight batteries, firing a total of 2,000
+rounds. The enemy was well known to be very thick-skinned, but these
+measures met with instant success, and it was only necessary to remind
+him once again that we were not to be trifled with in this way.
+
+After the New Year, a severe spell of frost set in, with an occasional
+heavy fall of snow, and we were somewhat annoyed when orders came
+through to sideslip our position further south, as we had made our
+quarters fairly comfortable by this time, and expected to remain
+undisturbed throughout the winter. The new position was situated
+behind the ruined village of Rancourt, facing St. Pierre Vaast wood,
+and was one of the worst and most disagreeable localities it was ever
+our lot to occupy, as we were, more or less, water-logged the whole of
+our time there. Much difficulty was experienced by both friend and foe
+in entering their respective front line, so much so that, by common
+consent, sniping by rifle fire was discontinued until parapets were
+constructed and made fit for occupation. However, sniping was still
+indulged in by the artillery, and no parties of any size were
+permitted to go about freely near the front line under observation.
+Affairs continued thus until the middle of February, when it became
+apparent that something unusual was taking place in enemy territory,
+and great explosions were heard, after which volumes of smoke were
+seen to rise in large columns. These, as was afterwards proved, were
+due to preparations being made by the enemy to evacuate the low-lying
+country, into which they had reluctantly been forced, as the result of
+the battle of the Somme, prior to falling back upon the great      (p. 038)
+prepared defences known as the Hindenburg Line.
+
+Instantly every one was on the alert for further signs of evacuation,
+and one morning a patrol reported that the enemy had vacated their
+front line. Further patrols were at once pushed out, through St.
+Pierre Vaast wood, in order to maintain contact with the retreating
+foe. Every precaution had to be taken, as it was soon discovered that
+many forms of booby-traps had been cunningly laid by him in his wake,
+and progress was necessarily slow. Added to this, there was great
+difficulty in manoeuvring the guns over the innumerable trenches
+which existed in the neighbourhood, and the pieces sank up to their
+axles in the clogging mud, and were only extricated after hours of
+labour. The enemy retired slowly and most methodically, destroying
+everything of value and wantonly reducing the small villages and
+hamlets to mere shells, by means of incendiary bombs. The inhabitants
+also were removed beforehand, and, when the troops advanced, they
+might have been traversing a wilderness, so complete was the ruin and
+desolation on all sides.
+
+The time had now arrived for the Brigade to have a much-needed rest
+and also to refit, so, at the end of March, we were withdrawn from the
+contest. Marching westward, we arrived at the village of Morlancourt
+in the first week of April, well content at the prospect of returning
+to civilization for a protracted period.
+
+[Illustration: Division from Brigade R.F.A. Guards Division.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.                                                        (p. 039)
+
+Messines.
+
+
+It was not long before those in authority discovered that the
+neighbourhood of Morlancourt was peculiarly favourable for the
+carrying out of manoeuvres, with the result that a period of
+"intensive training" set in. Drill orders took place four days a week,
+and batteries were specially trained in the methods of open warfare,
+while many hours were devoted to tactical schemes.
+
+At this time units were reorganised, all batteries were increased to
+six guns, and there was plenty of work to keep everyone busy. The
+narrator of these rambling notes, after a period of two years' service
+with the Brigade, here transferred his allegiance to the sister
+howitzer battery of the Division, known as "The Grey Battery," from
+the fact that all the horses were of that colour. Sentiment ran strong
+for his "old love" and those he was obliged to leave, but he was
+already well acquainted with both officers and men of his new unit,
+and soon settled down happily amongst them.
+
+All guns were carefully calibrated on a range due west of Peronne, and
+the "hairies" picked up rapidly in condition, owing to the good care
+and attention that was bestowed upon them. The big battles of Vimy
+Ridge and Arras were now in full swing, and it seemed unlikely that we
+would be called upon to take any part in them so late in the day.
+
+Many forms of amusement were created for the men, and football
+matches, both "rugger" and "soccer," were freely indulged in between
+batteries and brigades, while the full regimental band of one of the
+Guards' regiments was kindly lent to the Divisional Artillery. It gave
+many a fine entertainment in the evenings.
+
+Time thus sped by at an amazing rate, and various visits of inspection
+paid us by officers from the C.R.A. up to the Army Commander made  (p. 040)
+it very apparent that we were undoubtedly being "fattened up"--but for
+what? The question was more than we could answer, but speculations
+were rife as to our possible destination, for we knew that the Somme
+would see us no more--in the meantime, at all events.
+
+Six weeks had come and gone, and yet we remained inactive in this
+peaceful village; then sudden orders were issued for us to be ready to
+entrain at short notice, and, in the second week of May, the Battery
+glided out of the station at Meulte prepared for anything. A long and
+circuitous route was taken _via_ Amiens, Abbeville, Etaples, Boulogne,
+Calais, St. Omer, and at length we arrived at Arques, near which we
+remained, in billets, for some considerable time. It was while we were
+there that we learnt that it was the intention of the British
+Commander to gain possession of the great Messines Ridge, which
+towered over our lines, and was a stronghold of inestimable value to
+the enemy.
+
+As long as he held this ridge, which was the keystone of his armies in
+Flanders, he was immune from any vulnerable attack on our part, and
+was free to launch any offensive operation from it by using it as a
+stepping-off place. Added to this, the northern end of the heights
+afforded him an uninterrupted view of the southern portion of the
+Ypres salient, which was a source of great annoyance to our forces on
+that part of the front. It was vital, therefore, for the future
+operations of the British Armies, that this important ridge should be
+captured and kept in our hands.
+
+Preparations were accordingly set on foot, and artillery of all
+calibre was silently concentrated from all parts, and proceeded to dig
+itself in for the coming fray. For a long time this sector had been
+free from any serious operations, and was considered a kind of resting
+place for exhausted troops, but soon the peace and quiet of the
+neighbourhood was to receive a rude awakening, when the tide of battle
+broke out upon it once more.
+
+Proceeding through Hazebrouck and Bailleul, the Brigade arrived at its
+wagon lines, a short distance west of Neuve Eglise, and immediately
+each battery sent work parties to the scene of action, in order to
+construct emplacements and make its position habitable. The spot
+allotted to our battery was in a little hollow close to the cut roads,
+near the small ruined village of Wulverghen. Our front line was placed
+on the top of an undulating rise, with the ridge itself beyond.
+
+Our principal business was to avoid attracting the attention of    (p. 041)
+the enemy to our preparations, and in this we were aided by the
+fact that there was a considerable amount of cover beside us, in the
+form of trees and undergrowth, the foliage of which was now in full
+leaf.
+
+Row upon row of batteries were placed in position behind hedges, or
+artificially concealed, the barrels of the pieces peeping out from all
+imaginable lurking places. The Divisional Artillery was situated in
+the most advanced position, the 18 pr. batteries ranging from within
+600 to 1,000 yards of the front line, with the howitzer batteries
+immediately behind them. On account of our proximity to the enemy, the
+two brigades had orders to remain silent until the day of the show,
+and we were only allowed to fire enough rounds to enable us to
+carefully register the pieces, and this was completed without giving
+away any of the positions.
+
+All ammunition was conveyed to the guns by night, and was distributed
+in small quantities near to them. Before long the enemy became alive
+to the fact that we were contemplating some move, and consequently
+increased his devastating fire by night, with the result that many
+dumps in the vicinity were exploded by him. He was bound to hit
+something, the countryside was so packed with all manner of
+ammunition. He had no idea, however, of the magnitude of our coming
+effort, and firmly believed his position to be impregnable, and that
+it was beyond our power to free ourselves from his grip.
+
+He contented himself with drenching our little valley with chemical
+shell whenever conditions were favourable, but so accustomed were the
+men to their gas masks that no serious consequences resulted, although
+it was distinctly unpleasant to have to pass each night enveloped in
+these stuffy contrivances, especially as the weather remained hot and
+oppressive.
+
+The Battery had more than their average share of good fortune
+throughout these operations, and it is worthy of putting on record
+that the unit did not sustain a single casualty to either man or
+horse. This was all the more remarkable as the engineers had
+constructed a wide plank road, which passed through the centre of our
+position, and could not be concealed from our foes, who lavishly
+besprinkled it with shrapnel after dark. Many casualties were caused
+to the transport, and the Officers' Mess virtually became an aid-post,
+where every assistance was rendered the wounded men.
+
+Our sister howitzer battery was lined up alongside of us, and,     (p. 042)
+when the two positions were first inspected, much chaff ensued as to
+which had the better place, and the men of our battery were certainly
+all of the opinion that, had the selection devolved upon them, we
+would unanimously have plumped for the other one. They had no
+landmarks likely to attract hostile fire, and thus occasion them the
+unpleasant sensation of living on top of a volcano, while we were
+slap-bang in the middle of a conspicuous cross road, with a constant
+stream of traffic coming and going through: yet, so strange and fickle
+are the fortunes of war that, while we escaped unharmed, our comrades
+next door suffered a heavy gruelling.
+
+The preliminary bombardment commenced, and continued throughout five
+days, but, in order to deceive the enemy as to our weight of
+artillery, not more than fifty per cent. of the guns in the line were
+allowed to take part at one time. A row of O.P.'s had been constructed
+on Hill 65, which overlooked the valley and town of Messines. A fine
+sight was witnessed as that stronghold was gradually reduced to a mere
+shell by our heavies, which effected extraordinarily good work in
+smashing the elaborate structures of the enemy's defence.
+
+The preparations were all that could be desired, and everything was
+carefully worked out to the minutest detail: not a stone was left
+unturned to render the operations a complete success. The labour and
+expense was well rewarded too, for surely no battle ever ran so
+smoothly from first to last, and it will always be looked back upon by
+the British soldier as a model of triumphant organisation. The battle
+only lasted a single day, but in that time the formidable network of
+trenches was neatly and clearly shorn off, and the enemy, who relied
+so much on the security of these positions, found himself suddenly
+pushed down the slope into unsuitable ground, where he could no longer
+be a menace to us.
+
+The "feet" of our Division were not in the line, being held in
+reserve, and, as it turned out, they were not called upon at all at
+this juncture, so well did the course of the battle progress. We were
+covering the infantry of an English Division, and, on the evening
+previous to the attack, the troops passed us noiselessly and in
+perfect order on their way to their various points of assembly. All
+were in excellent spirits, which augured well for the next day, and a
+feeling of calm confidence appeared to prevail amongst them. A     (p. 043)
+stream of gas and tear shells was maintained by the foe throughout
+the night, but it was mostly directed on the zone which contained the
+battery positions, consequently the infantry was caused little
+inconvenience.
+
+Early the following morning, shortly before dawn, the attack was
+heralded by the explosion of the mines, which had been in course of
+preparation for months beforehand. This was the sign for the guns to
+open out, and the assault was launched from north of St. Eloi in the
+Salient to the neighbourhood of Ploegsterte in the south, the men
+following close in the wake of the now familiar and popular creeping
+barrage.
+
+The force of the explosions was terrific, and the vibration was felt
+far and wide; even strong concrete "pill-boxes" were swung to and fro,
+and the occupants were tossed from side to side as if they were on
+board ship in a rough sea. Some indication of the colossal nature of
+these upheavals may be gauged from the fact that the craters were, in
+some cases, more than 200 ft. in diameter, and that the earth thrown
+up obliterated every hostile trench in the vicinity, completely
+burying the unfortunate garrisons who manned them.
+
+At the same moment the sky was lit up by all manner of S.O.S. lights
+and the innumerable flashes from our guns, which were now showing
+their maximum strength for the first time. They belched forth
+concentrated death, the roar reached such a deafening crescendo that
+conversation was entirely out of the question--indeed it was
+impossible to hear one's own voice. However, the scene was truly
+impressive, and the grandeur was beyond anything hitherto seen.
+
+As daylight crept in, the infantry were observed to be making rapid
+progress, although, here and there, stiff opposition was encountered.
+Soon the summit of the ridge was gained, and the men swept on and
+disappeared over the crest, leaving the mopping-up parties to complete
+their work. The Tanks bravely waddled up after them, in a vain effort
+to keep up, for the attacking infantry went so fast, in the first
+stages, that they easily outstripped those ponderous giants and left
+them far behind.
+
+Meanwhile the field batteries which had been in position farthest in
+the rear, and so were already out of range, limbered up and dashed
+into action in front of our Brigade. As soon as the next row was also
+out of action, they too galloped past and took up their place      (p. 044)
+again in "No Man's Land," while the Engineers worked at their highest
+pressure to pull down trenches and prepare the way for the gunners.
+Thus we were able to give the fullest possible support to the infantry,
+and the fire never ceased, while the men always found the creeping
+barrage laid down in front of them.
+
+Early on in the fray prisoners came dribbling back in a more or less
+dazed condition, and, as they passed the array of guns, they paused
+and gazed in evident wonder at the huge concentration--probably
+realising how fortunate they were in escaping the fate of so many of
+their comrades.
+
+Now, the enemy, although he knew an attack was imminent, had failed to
+anticipate the correct zero day, with the result that, on several
+portions of this front, various reliefs were in process of taking
+place at the actual time of the assault. The consequence was his
+defence was thrown into a state of confusion, while the extra numbers
+in the trench offered a double prey for the bayonets of our men, who
+were not slow in seizing the chances thus afforded them.
+
+The whole of the first objectives were quickly in our possession, as
+well as the villages of Messines and Wytscheate, and there was a
+slight pause to give a breathing space to the infantry, and to allow
+time for the field guns to take up their allotted positions beyond the
+recently captured enemy trenches, before entering upon the second and
+final stage of the battle. When the creeping barrage, which had
+remained stationary during this period, went forward once more, the
+infantry encountered stronger opposition, but by this time the Tanks
+were well up in support, and were instrumental in breaking up the
+machine-gun nests and thus enabling the men to proceed up to schedule
+time.
+
+The enemy lost a number of field artillery pieces, but had taken the
+precaution to withdraw most of the heavy ones several days before,
+when our bombardment commenced. His shooting, therefore, was rather
+wild and erratic, as he evidently had not had sufficient time to
+register his guns properly in the new positions. The result was that,
+fortunately for us, most of his energy was misplaced, and, for a
+battle of this magnitude, the casualties were not as heavy as might
+have been expected.
+
+By early afternoon the final objectives were everywhere in our     (p. 045)
+hands, and the work of consolidating the fruitful gains that the
+last few hours had yielded was immediately begun.
+
+Several counter-attacks were attempted by the enemy, but were not
+pushed with much vigour, and no success was secured in that direction:
+our infantry remained firm and could not be dislodged.
+
+Trenches were swiftly constructed, the work proceeding without
+intermission, and by evening the men were, more or less, securely "dug
+in," except in a few places where the line was slightly irregular, and
+which was afterwards rectified by means of a small operation.
+
+By the time the battle had finished we found ourselves the farthest
+back Brigade in the line, the immense number of batteries which, at
+the beginning, had been in our rear were now well in front of us, and
+on this sector the Divisional Artillery were the only two Brigades who
+did not move forward during the course of the fight. Moreover, by this
+time we were firing almost at extreme range close to the enemy's new
+front line, which gives some idea of the distance our men covered.
+
+The day had been an exhausting one for the gunners, and, in order to
+give some indication of the work and labour they had been called upon
+to do, our battery alone fired over 4000 rounds of ammunition. This
+was by no means a bad performance when one takes into consideration
+that each shell weighs 35 lbs., and necessitated a goodly amount of
+manhandling, but the men all had their "peckers well up," and
+displayed much determination throughout.
+
+For a few days following the battle there were a number of small
+isolated scraps for positions, and one or two enemy counter-attacks,
+before the new front settled down into something like normal
+conditions again. Decca-ville and light railways were pushed up
+smartly by the R.O.D., and the Engineers constructed new roads, while
+Labour Battalions were busily employed repairing the old ones and
+clearing up the litter of the battlefield.
+
+Ever since we came into action it had been no secret that our stay in
+this area would be of short duration, and that we were only to be
+employed in the battle itself, and were only to remain as long as our
+services were really required. It was no surprise when, five days  (p. 046)
+later, orders came through for us to withdraw from the line. We pulled
+out back to our wagon line, and from there proceeded through Bailleul
+to the little hamlet of Borre, a few miles east of Hazebrouck, where
+we remained pending removal to our next destination. We all had the
+feeling that our recent tour had been a great success, and were well
+satisfied with the part we had taken in the operations, for this was
+the first occasion on which we had witnessed a battle go smoothly,
+without a hitch from start to finish, and was a great contrast to any
+previous one in which we had participated.
+
+A few days in rest sufficed to put the Brigade shipshape once more,
+and we were now ready for the next bout. No delay was made in
+transferring us to another neighbourhood, and we set out in a
+northerly direction, which boded little good, for we knew that
+unpleasant events were developing in that quarter.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.                                                       (p. 047)
+
+Ypres Again.
+
+
+In the middle of June the Division arrived in the neighbourhood of
+Ypres, and at once took over from the Belgians from just below
+Boesinghe northwards. We were thus back on familiar ground, as we had
+occupied the next sector to the south in the previous year. Although
+we were not actually in the Salient itself, we were situated at the
+northern re-entrant to it. The Yser Canal constituted "No Man's Land,"
+the eastern bank of which was held by the enemy and the western by
+ourselves.
+
+The battery positions on this occasion were placed a considerable
+distance behind, mainly around the village of Elverdinghe, as the
+enemy had close observation and overlooked us from Pilkem Ridge. We
+did not take long to discover that our opponents were well acquainted
+with the situation of our new homes, for the majority of the batteries
+were subjected at once to an avalanche of shells as soon as they
+opened fire in order to register the guns. It became imperative for us
+to build alternative positions or go elsewhere, while other sections
+moved forward and undertook most of the firing. We had not been
+settled more than a few days when the enemy suddenly conceived a
+violent attraction for the house occupied by the officers' mess, and,
+after several direct hits had been made on it, we decided that the
+place was becoming too hot, and searched round for a more suitable
+abode. We packed up, made a hasty flight, and secured accommodation in
+a house which was strengthened by concrete, but even there we had to
+be wary, especially at night, for we were very close to a road fork,
+beloved by the enemy gunners.
+
+The majority of the O.P.'s were also obvious to the keen eyes of the
+foe, who paid them much attention on every possible occasion, and it
+was just as well for the occupants that they had been strongly     (p. 048)
+constructed with steel girders and concrete. On one occasion an
+officer, doing a night O.P. duty, along with his telephonist, was
+subjected to a full hour's bombardment by two hostile batteries, which
+fired salvoes regularly every minute. Next morning there was nothing
+left of the house except the skeleton, with the O.P. structure
+standing out defiant in bold relief in the midst of it.
+
+These then were the conditions on this sector at the time of our
+taking it over, and it will be seen that the enemy did more or less
+what he chose, and was undoubtedly top dog as far as gunnery was
+concerned. However, this was not to remain long so, as almost
+immediately preparations were set on foot for the coming offensive,
+which had already been decided upon.
+
+A host of new O.P.'s were erected, new roads and light railways
+constructed, while large working parties prepared fresh gun pits in
+advanced positions, and all were carefully camouflaged where they were
+exposed to enemy view. Every day new units arrived, and the country
+appeared to be overrun with troops. Most of the forward work had to be
+done during the night, and, as each position was completed, the guns
+were silently concentrated. While this was in progress, the Divisional
+Artillery only were maintained for the defence of the line, as it was
+not advisable that the enemy should know until the last possible
+moment that anything unusual was afoot. The scheme was a much more
+ambitious one than that in which we had recently taken a part, and, if
+everything went forward according to plan, it meant that we would be
+on the go for a considerable time, and there even appeared to be a
+chance of getting a taste of the long-talked-of open warfare.
+
+About this time a most amusing episode was witnessed by one of our
+Subalterns who was doing a liaison with the infantry at a battalion
+headquarters. This place was situated most unpleasantly, and was well
+known to the enemy, consequently accommodation had to be sought
+underground as much as possible. While the F.O.O. and his companion,
+the Intelligence Officer, were performing their ablutions early one
+morning outside the mouth of the cellar, a Brigadier with his Staff
+suddenly appeared on the scene to pay a visit to the Commander. The
+two Staff Officers remained outside, and opened conversation with  (p. 049)
+them. The Intelligence Officer, being something of a wag, brandished
+his shaving brush in one hand and with the other jocularly shoved the
+Staff Captain down the steps into their retreat, and asked him what he
+thought of the bedchamber. The other officer, although much amused,
+stood aghast, and, after the visitors had departed, he asked his
+companion to whom he had been speaking. He replied that he did not
+know, for, although the Captain's features appeared familiar, he could
+not "place" him, though he was a jolly sort of chap anyhow. On being
+told that it was none other than the Prince of Wales that he had been
+familiarly digging in the ribs for the past quarter of an hour, he was
+incredulous, and exclaimed, "And to think I nearly killed the
+youngster down these stairs!"
+
+At length preparations were completed, and the two Brigades of the
+Divisional Artillery took up new advanced positions alongside the
+reinforcing batteries already in line, while the heavies were thickly
+aligned close in the rear. The preliminary bombardment broke out about
+the middle of July, and at first it was keenly resented by the enemy,
+who perceived that we were gradually wrestling the initiative from
+him, but when, day after day, our fire continued unabated, he
+apparently resigned himself to his fate. Hurricane shoots by field
+batteries soon began to make a difference in the appearance of his
+trenches, and the heavies, by means of aerial registration, demolished
+his strongholds far back over the crest, and destroyed many of his
+battery positions. Several thick woods were facing us across the
+canal, and these grew thinner, and yet more thin, disclosing cunningly
+concealed pill-boxes, which were then dealt with by the heavies, until
+at last only a few stumps remained to indicate that a wood had ever
+existed there. The enemy's alarm grew daily, and soon our aeroplanes
+reported that the hostile batteries were being withdrawn further out
+of danger, and that work was proceeding feverishly upon new defences
+far behind his lines. By this time we had complete control of the air,
+and the heavens were alive with our aircraft, though the enemy tried
+his best to equalise matters by bringing along his famous "travelling
+circus" to the scene of action, and many thrilling fights were
+witnessed. The batteries were subjected to much chemical shelling
+during the night, and the enemy were known to bring forward special
+guns under cover of darkness for this purpose, and to withdraw     (p. 050)
+them out of range again before daybreak.
+
+It was during this period that he introduced the new mustard gas for
+the first time, and it must be admitted that he surprised and
+inflicted considerable casualties on us at first by this latest
+specimen in his assortment of poison.
+
+Our initial attack had to be postponed for several days, as the
+French, who came in immediately on our left, were delayed in putting
+in their appearance, consequently they had many hours' bombardment to
+make up, but, when it did commence, it was no uncertain one, and the
+noise was terrific. In the meantime our bombardment was continued
+also, though in a lesser degree, and the destruction of the enemy's
+lines was, as far as we were able to judge, thorough and complete.
+
+This delay proved a blessing in disguise to the Guards, who were to
+deliver the assault on our sector. The problem of effecting a crossing
+of the canal was a most serious and difficult one, and it had been
+arranged to send the men over on floating mats, as a good deal of
+water still remained in parts of the bed. In others so much mud and
+slime were encountered, while carrying out a series of raids, that it
+was almost impossible to cross without some such assistance, and it
+will be readily understood that it was imperative to waste no time in
+this manoeuvre, especially as the foe was awaiting them on the further
+bank. Whether it was that the enemy could not maintain communications
+between his front line and the rear, on account of our intense
+bombardment, or whether, as has been suggested, he suspected a
+repetition of Messines, and that we had mined underneath the canal
+bed, at all events three days before the attack he evacuated the canal
+bank and retired just over the crest of the hill some 800 yards
+beyond. This movement, however, had not been carried out unperceived
+by our valiant airmen, who, flying at a low altitude, returned and
+reported the situation. Immediately strong patrols crossed the canal
+and pushed up the slope on the other side, in order to remain in
+contact with the enemy and gauge his whereabouts. A series of posts
+were thus established 500 to 600 yards east of the canal, and orders
+were given to hold them at all costs, so that on the day of the battle
+our infantry could start off from there without having any serious
+obstacle in their way. Many men crossed the canal by means of hastily
+constructed foot bridges or floating rafts made of biscuit and petrol
+tins ingeniously lashed together.
+
+On this occasion we will follow the fortunes of the F.O.O.'s       (p. 051)
+detailed to accompany the infantry on their journey over the top on
+the first day of the battle. The party consisted of two officers and
+fourteen signallers and linesmen from the Brigade, who, during the
+past fortnight, had received full instructions as to their duties.
+Every detail had been carefully worked out beforehand: the men had
+been divided into several groups, each armed with telephones, reels of
+wire, flags, and Lucas lamps, all these things being necessary for the
+provision of each relay station. One of the officers was to accompany
+the attacking waves of infantry with his staff, consisting of a
+telephonist, linesman, and signaller, while the duty of the other was
+to work in conjunction with him and to maintain, as far as possible,
+uninterrupted communication with the Brigade after laying down the
+wire. The morning before the battle, the wire was laid out over the
+canal as far as the series of outposts, in order to save time on the
+following day. The same evening, at sunset, the party set out, after
+receiving wishes for the best of good luck from those who had been
+fortunate enough to escape being detailed for this arduous task.
+Officers and men proceeded to their appointed places in the front
+line, or rather in what had once been an enemy support trench, though
+now it was scarcely recognisable as such, owing to the effects of our
+bombardment, there to remain for the night and await coming events.
+
+Now, in consequence of the enemy's premature retirement over the
+crest, he lost most of his observation on us, but he was aware we had
+effected a crossing and held posts on his side of the canal. He
+therefore lavishly besprinkled this area with all manner of high
+explosive shells--one here, one there: never two in the same
+place--and the members of the party began to wonder whether they would
+survive to witness the fortunes of the battle. It always appears to be
+a matter of conjecture as to what are the real feelings of an F.O.O.
+about to take the plunge, so perhaps it might be of interest in this
+case to acquaint ourselves with them. As he lies out there with his
+men, where are his thoughts? Are they of his home, his parents, wife,
+or children? Will he ever see their dear faces again? No--! all that
+agony has been fought out over and over again long ago, during the
+previous fortnight or so, since he has been detailed for this
+particular job. Then, what does he think about? If the truth be told,
+he is rapidly running over in his mind all the little things which
+may perhaps, at the last moment, have been omitted or forgotten.   (p. 052)
+He questions Gunner "So-and-so" to make certain that that extra piece
+of wire has been brought along, and asks what the h--l Gunner
+"Somebody else" is doing standing there without a "tin-hat" on, and
+enquires of the Bombardier if he has adjusted the Lucas lamp properly,
+which has been giving some trouble previously. These and a
+hundred-and-one other such questions flash through his brain as he
+lies on the ground with his little party, all vigorously puffing pipes
+or cigarettes. The hours go by very slowly, and conversation on any
+old topic is attempted from time to time, sleep being entirely out of
+the question, as everyone is much too excited for anything of that
+nature. Meanwhile the bombardment continues without intermission, and
+the night becomes intensely cold and eerie. Will the darkness never
+pass and let us get started on the job?
+
+Soon after midnight the infantry, who are to make the assault, arrive
+at their places of assembly, full of quips and jests, a sure sign that
+they are cheery and in good form for the coming fray. Rum is served
+out, and the men lie down in little bunches, either to snatch a few
+minutes' sleep or else to resume their constant arguments and
+bickerings on every subject under the sun except anything connected
+with the war. Zero hour at last draws near, and everyone grows more
+restless, for this period is much the most trying time to endure, and
+all topics of conversation have long since been exhausted. Then a
+short, sharp order passes down the line, and the answering shouts
+announce that all are present and ready--the "quarter to zero" has
+arrived. Another crisp order comes along, and there are a series of
+ominous clicks as each man adjusts his bayonet to the rifle, then the
+men line up in perfect extended order, ready for the word to go. A
+faint grey appears in the sky to the east, but only the next man is
+visible to his neighbour, as the darkness is still upon us. The
+F.O.O.'s and party are also up and ready, final instructions being
+rapidly given to the signallers, who nod assent that everything is
+prepared and understood. Then suddenly the guns bark out afresh, and a
+creeping barrage drops down like a curtain in front of the men, who
+follow after it at an easy walk. Fortune attends the little party, as
+the wire has only been cut in three places, and these are speedily
+repaired; and, as soon as the second wave of men is clear of the
+trench, the line is laid out as rapidly as possible behind them. The
+ground is difficult to traverse, being full of deep craters, so    (p. 053)
+the party progresses more slowly than the infantry, and presently
+the third wave gains on and passes it by. At first the enemy puts down
+a nasty barrage, just beyond our stepping-off place, but most of his
+heavy stuff falls on the canal bank, and, as the majority of the
+troops have already crossed, the damage is not severe. By this time
+the party has gained the top of the crest, and, after establishing a
+relay station in a pill-box lately occupied by their opponents, the
+remainder proceed on their way. Many are the temptations to dawdle,
+instead of getting on with the work, so much of interest is taking
+place around them, including the amusing, and at that time not too
+frequent, sight of scores of the enemy, with uplifted hands, emerging
+from pill boxes, where they must have been packed like sardines.
+
+An auxiliary wire tapped into the main F.O.O. line is led to another
+pill-box, now to be used as a new infantry headquarters for the time
+being, and the party comes under the fire of a hostile machine gun
+emplacement, which necessitates their lying in a shell-hole for a
+while. On arrival there, the "mopping up" party is found still at
+work, but it soon completes its grim task. The officer who has
+proceeded with the infantry now sends his first message through to the
+effect that the first objectives are taken, the wire fortunately
+holding out well at the moment, every sound being clear and distinct.
+The Lucas lamp is then fixed on top of the relay station, and
+communications established in case the wire goes, but the morning
+dawns in mist, and signalling by this method is unsatisfactory.
+
+After a short pause, the infantry proceed on the second stage of their
+adventure, the F.O.O. and party following up and laying out wire close
+behind them. More messages are sent through to Brigade, and the wire
+breaks on several occasions, but is speedily dealt with by the
+linesmen, who are kept busy patrolling up and down the line.
+Meanwhile, items of extreme interest are taking place around the
+pill-pox of the Central Relay Station. Numerous batches of prisoners
+are drifting back, for the most part unattended, composed entirely of
+youths of nineteen and twenty years of age, the Guards having refused
+to kill these babies, only "despatching" the older men, for the
+Division up against them was very mixed, and may best be described as
+a "dud" lot, and it did not put up much of a fight. The lads all look
+weary and mud-stained, although there is an expression of relief   (p. 054)
+on their faces, as they steadily munch the bread that has been
+good-naturedly handed to them by their captors, for they have been
+starving for the past three days or so, no food having reached them on
+account of the terrific bombardment. An aid-post is hastily placed in
+a huge shell-hole close by, and the wounded straggle back; those who
+are but slightly hit and can walk help each other along, while the
+others are carried on stretchers. Here, a man, ghastly wounded, minus
+one leg and with the other almost severed, lies on a stretcher, calmly
+puffing at a cigarette given him by the bearers, and attempts to raise
+himself on his elbow that he may gaze at the curious scenes taking
+place around him. Others just stagger along, their pinched faces
+showing signs of suppressed pain, yet all have a quip or a jest on
+their lips as they smoke the inevitable cigarette. The sight is truly
+a wonderful one! The courage and calm that these wounded display in
+the midst of their sufferings is beyond words, but they are
+"Greatheart's all." Reinforcements are passing all this time on their
+way up to the battle line, ready to throw themselves into the conflict
+when their time arrives.
+
+Again the infantry move forward to the third and final objective,
+under cover of the friendly barrage, and, by the time they arrive at
+their allotted destination, an advance of some three miles from the
+canal bank has been effected since morning. The wire is linked up, and
+the F.O.O. selects a good point of vantage, and makes himself and his
+staff as comfortable as possible, and then proceeds to gather as much
+information as he can obtain to send back over the line. The infantry
+are now busy digging themselves in, and are being subjected to heavy
+shell-fire, but they stubbornly resist all efforts to dislodge them.
+By this time the batteries have all limbered up and advanced to new
+positions, mostly out in the open, and an order comes over the
+telephone from the B.C.'s for the F.O.O. to register the guns afresh:
+so he at once picks up some dependable landmark, and with much
+difficulty observes the rounds as they fall, and thus gives the
+necessary corrections.
+
+Then the wires break on account of the shelling, and some time is lost
+before communications are again established. The enemy has now
+recovered somewhat from the initial shock of the attack, and displays
+much determination to recover lost ground--counter attacks are
+launched without success. The F.O.O. now has an important message to
+convey, but, when the telephonist endeavours to send it through,   (p. 055)
+there is no answering buzz. Thereupon the linesman is despatched as a
+runner, and, on reaching the first relay station, he transfers the
+written message to another linesman, who immediately sets out for the
+next relief, and so on, until the message duly arrives at
+headquarters.
+
+Thus the day wears on: sometimes direct communication is possible, and
+at others the wire is "dished," but, on the whole, a good deal of
+information is passed through. The relay posts are constantly shelled,
+and the bombardier in charge is wounded, while one runner was killed
+in his gallant endeavour to pass through a heavy barrage with an
+important communication. In the evening the party, much exhausted with
+the strenuous and never ending work of the day, is relieved by a fresh
+group of officers and signallers, who take over from them, and the
+little party wind their way homewards profoundly thankful to find
+themselves back with their unit safe and sound.
+
+The situation, at the end of the opening day of the battle, was
+roughly this:--In the north all had gone well, and most of the
+objectives aimed at were successfully taken, but, such stiff
+resistance was met with further south, that the assaulting troops were
+held up after they had gained only about half of those allotted to
+them, and, although they fought stubbornly and determinedly, they were
+unable to make further ground. Thus the left wing was forced to mark
+time while the troops on the right made a series of attacks in order
+to straighten out the line, otherwise the army to the north would have
+found itself enclosed in a nasty salient. The artillery, over the
+whole battle front, also encountered great difficulty in advancing the
+guns, the ground was so ploughed up by the effects of the long
+preliminary bombardment. Even the horse gunners, who were detailed to
+move up in immediate support of the infantry, were unable to proceed
+further than a few hundred yards on the other side of the canal. Huge
+craters, placed lip to lip, met them in all directions, and an advance
+was found to be out of the question till new tracks were prepared and
+the road cleared of debris. This naturally took some time to
+accomplish, and, meanwhile, all the field batteries were advanced as
+close to the canal bank as possible, but even then they were much too
+far behind, and were firing at almost extreme range.
+
+No serious attack could be delivered, therefore, for some ten      (p. 056)
+days, until sufficient time had elapsed to enable the gunners to
+occupy new positions some way across the canal, and, on this occasion,
+Langemarke fell into our hands, as well as the line of the Broombeke.
+Progress remained slow further south, consequently our front became
+stationary. Now, it so happened that most of our batteries were in
+extremely awkward positions, as we had expected to be moved forward at
+any time. They were right out in the open, devoid of any cover, and,
+for the most part, placed in shell holes which had been hastily
+converted into pits. Here we were subjected to the most "gruelling"
+time that was ever our lot to endure, and the battle developed into a
+gigantic duel between batteries, in which our position was no worse
+than the others. We lived in shell holes, scantily covered with
+corrugated iron and a layer or two of sand-bags, scarcely splinter
+proof, nor had we any means of making ourselves more secure. The
+enemy's heavy counter batteries swept and searched over the slope
+where the majority of our batteries were congregated, and never before
+or after were they seen to reach such a pitch of efficiency.
+
+Never a day passed without casualties, and often a number of gunners
+were buried as the result of an explosion, and had to be hastily dug
+out, and early on we lost one of our subaltern officers, who was borne
+away to the dressing station with no less than a dozen wounds on him.
+It was with great difficulty that the battery was kept in action
+sometimes, and, though we soon shifted our position to a flank, this
+did not relieve the situation. A 60 pdr. battery not far behind us
+developed the fatal habit of becoming particularly active during
+"flash time," and, as its flash was notoriously conspicuous, it was
+not surprising that its location was promptly pin-pointed by the
+enemy, who proceeded to knock it out: and this they succeeded in doing
+without much delay. During this particular contest we always got the
+short rounds, and, as they were not peas that were coming over, but 8"
+and 11" shells, the atmosphere was unpleasant, to say the least of it!
+
+We considered ourselves lucky if we could keep 50 per cent. of the
+guns in action at the same time, while every nerve was strained to dig
+out the remainder, and it was a very heartless job, as a gun had no
+sooner been recovered and set up in position than it was knocked   (p. 057)
+out again almost immediately. One morning, after a wild night of
+shelling by the enemy, on going to ascertain the damage, we found one
+gun with its barrel buried deep in the ground, the trail standing
+perpendicular pointing towards the sky; another completely turned over
+on its back pointing in the opposite direction, while a third had been
+blown right out of the shell hole in which it had been placed, and
+hurled a considerable distance away. Casualties to our establishment
+mounted at a most alarming rate, and one night our B.C. was mortally
+wounded by a high explosive shell, and, although such assistance as it
+was possible to give was rendered, he did not survive long after
+reaching the casualty clearing station. His loss was much felt, not
+only by reason of his own cheerful personality, but also on account of
+the way in which he inspired all those under him to do their utmost,
+especially in times of stress and danger, when he always proved
+himself a true leader. The Captain now succeeded to the command of the
+battery, and the Senior Subaltern became second-in-command. It soon
+became evident that we could not carry on much longer under these
+conditions, and in the last week of September we were pulled out to
+refit, and remained near the village of Herszeele for a few days
+before again entering the fray.
+
+Meanwhile a subaltern with a working party was busily occupied
+preparing new emplacements for our reception, and on the day of their
+completion he was wounded while riding his bicycle back to his billet:
+thus we lost yet another officer. But, try as we would, it was
+impossible to escape the vigilant eye of the enemy, who engaged
+battery positions one after another, and the number of guns knocked
+out was prodigious. Through a lucky chance it had been decided to take
+the guns "in" at dawn, instead of during the night, and by reason of
+this we escaped a most violent hostile bombardment which was directed
+against the position, and which damaged at least two of the pits and
+completely destroyed several dug-outs which the work party had
+recently striven so hard to build. We set to work and repaired most of
+the damage, and, whether or not it was the enemy thought he had
+disposed of us thereby, at all events he did not repeat the
+performance beyond subjecting us to the ordinary night harassing fire.
+
+Another attack was impending, which again necessitated the forward (p. 058)
+movement of all batteries, and this time we were more fortunate in the
+selection of a site, and had several German pill-boxes in which to
+live and take refuge. Owing to the congestion on the one and only good
+road in the neighbourhood and the hostile shelling thereof, it was a
+matter of luck to find ourselves safely installed behind Abri Wood,
+and we immediately set out preparing for the new fight. Unfortunately,
+the weather again came to the assistance of our foe, and a spell of
+rain and wind made conditions extremely difficult for both infantry
+and gunners. However, the battle was proceeded with, and the result
+was an advance over the mud and slime of the river Broombeke as far as
+the outskirts of Houthoulst Forest, a distance of about two miles; our
+French allies, on the left, keeping in step with us throughout this
+operation. Then the inevitable forward move of the batteries was
+resumed, and this time we occupied positions down the further slope of
+the hill immediately across the rivulet of the Steenbeke. In
+consequence of torrents of rain, which continued daily, the low-lying
+ground became flooded, and it was all we could do to prevent the guns
+sinking in the sodden earth, and they frequently disappeared in the
+mud up to their axles. Dry accommodation was nowhere to be found
+except in a great pill-box, which we added to and strengthened, and it
+was popularly called the "Rabbit Hutch," for the obvious reason that
+it held the majority of the four batteries of the Brigade.
+
+Now, our last attack had advanced us considerably further than the men
+on the right, who throughout the past month had encountered very stiff
+opposition, so we had perforce to remain stationary and mark time,
+while the battle continued to the south. On several occasions we
+rendered assistance by putting up what is commonly known as a "Chinese
+barrage," _i.e._, the artillery carries out the ordinary programme
+preceding an attack, but no action follows on the part of the
+infantry. Conditions were equally disagreeable at the wagon lines,
+which speedily developed into quagmires, and it was almost impossible
+to walk about the lines unless attired in waders, and, even then,
+there was always the possibility of completely disappearing in the
+mud. Over and above that, the wagon lines were subjected every now and
+then to the attentions of a high velocity gun, as well as frequent (p. 059)
+visits from hostile night bombing machines, which were following the
+example set by our airmen and were endeavouring to pay us back in our
+own coin. Much damage was done in and around the neighbourhood, but
+our lines escaped exceedingly lightly. The question of ammunition
+supply became acute, and the use of pack saddles was again
+necessitated, and, because of the great distance between wagon lines
+and gun position, the round journey sometimes took eighteen hours to
+accomplish, and naturally the strain eventually told greatly upon both
+men and horses.
+
+The battery positions were not long in being located by the enemy, who
+expended great quantities of ammunition in his attempts to destroy
+them: and he made much use of chemical and mustard shell, which in
+time saturated the low-lying ground on which the guns were placed. In
+this way he effectively gassed the B.C., a subaltern, and several of
+the men, who were all despatched to the wagon line, and the Captain
+assumed command for the time being and brought up reliefs with him. By
+this time the Battery was again in a very bad way, and a rest was
+promised on several occasions, only to be held up time and again with
+the exhortation to hold out yet a little while longer. Winter was
+rapidly approaching, and it was necessary to adjust our line before
+fighting came to a standstill: and a considerable distance had yet to
+be traversed before the goal--Passchendaele and the ridge on which it
+was situated--could be reached.
+
+The battery, meanwhile, waited on in patience. All the remaining
+officers were affected by the mustard gas, as well as the majority of
+the gunners, and a sorry sight we presented when, in the first week in
+November, an incoming battery took over from us. We then proceeded to
+the new wagon lines, near Proven, in an utterly exhausted condition.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.                                                      (p. 060)
+
+Cambrai.
+
+
+Everyone thought that our long-expected rest was now forthcoming, so
+it was a great surprise when we were ordered to hold ourselves in
+readiness for a long march.
+
+What did it all mean? Were we marching into our new area and having
+our rest there or were we to be pitchforked into another scrap?
+
+No indication of our destination was given, and everything seemed most
+mysterious: and, when the Brigade arrived in the neighbourhood of
+Merville, there did not appear to be any sign of a definite halt. At
+all events the journey was being performed in easy stages, as if we
+were filling in time, and we were always making further south, till,
+passing behind Bethune, the vicinity of Arras was reached. Here news
+of the surprise attack at Cambrai first reached our ears, the secret
+of which had been kept so well, and, heading in the direction of
+Bapaume, we were acquainted with the fact that we were again "for it."
+
+Now, the initial attack, which came as a complete surprise to the
+enemy, had met with instant success, and, with the aid of a
+considerable number of Tanks, the great Hindenburg line had been
+breeched over a distance of from 6 to 8 miles, with the result that
+the fall of Cambrai a centre of great importance to the Germans
+appeared imminent.
+
+However, after the first couple of days, the attack was not pressed
+home as it might have been, for some reason or other, and the fight
+came to an abrupt standstill, leaving our troops in a particularly
+baggy salient. These were the conditions that prevailed when the
+Division gradually moved nearer the scene of action.
+
+In the beginning of the fourth week of November, we entered the
+battle, taking over from a famous Scottish Division which had fought
+with great distinction on the opening days.
+
+The battery was placed in action to the north of Flesquieres,      (p. 061)
+well inside the salient facing Bourlon Wood, in a position only
+recently completed by the enemy and which had not even been occupied
+by him. There was plenty of accommodation for everyone in the deep
+mined dug-outs prepared by him some thirty to forty feet below the
+ground, and the officers' quarters were spacious and lavishly
+constructed.
+
+From this point the domes and the spires of the city of Cambrai could
+be clearly distinguished; indeed, they appeared such a short distance
+away, it looked as if a saunter would carry us into the heart of the
+town.
+
+It was most interesting and instructive studying the elaborate system
+of the Hindenburg defences. First, there were three separate belts of
+closely-entwined barbed wire, each being some thirty yards wide, and
+behind them came a deep, narrow forefield trench that was only
+intended to be lightly manned. Communication trenches led back to the
+main Hindenburg trench some distance behind, in most cases being out
+of immediate view from our lately occupied positions.
+
+This trench was both deep and wide, being some twelve feet across and
+duck-boarded throughout, raised on wooden stakes to prevent the water
+reaching the level of the pathway. At short intervals shafts led down
+to the spacious dug-outs beneath, which were all connected and linked
+up with one another. In fact, practically speaking, one could walk
+from one end of the line to the other below the surface of the ground.
+
+Skilfully concealed, at frequent intervals, were emplacements for both
+trench-mortars and machine-guns, all heavily concreted and covered on
+top with turf.
+
+The enemy must have thought himself very secure in this vast
+stronghold, but in a way this very fact contributed, in a great
+measure, to his undoing; for, it is common knowledge that the more one
+frequents deep dug-outs the less inclination there is to emerge from
+them when a scrap is taking place.
+
+Finally, some 500 yards in the rear, a support line ran along, which,
+though not constructed with the same strength, was formidable enough
+in itself.
+
+To judge by the indescribable mess, and by the mass of material left
+littered about, the enemy must indeed have beat a hasty retreat. The
+dug-outs were filthy to the last degree, and there was no sign of any
+system of sanitation having been used by these people, who         (p. 062)
+considered their "Kultur" to be superlative, and who desired to impose
+it on the rest of mankind. All through the campaign, whenever one had
+the opportunity of inspecting hostile trenches and billets, one always
+found the same thing, filth and lack of sanitation.
+
+Now, for some little time our hold on Bourlon Wood had been
+precarious, so a further attack was initiated, and the Guards went in
+to straighten the line. They swept through the Wood, taking the
+villages of Bourlon and Fontaine, but a gigantic counter attack
+pressed them back again owing to reinforcements being late in arriving
+to render assistance. They were so badly mauled and cut up that it was
+necessary to withdraw them from the line to refit, and infantry from
+an "Old Contemptible" Division took their place. Bourlon Wood became
+so saturated with gas that, after a great tussle, neither side was
+able to tenant it any longer, and so withdrew, leaving a screen of
+outposts to prevent any surprise attack.
+
+This was the situation when dawn broke on the 30th of November, a day
+which proved to be one of ups and downs for us, and caused many
+misgivings to arise in the old country. The object of the enemy was to
+pinch either side of the jaws, and, if his attack on the north had met
+with equal success with that on the south, there would have been
+little hope for the troops in the salient, who undoubtedly would have
+been surrounded and cut off. However, as events turned out, our men
+held out and remained firm. Moreover, it was afterwards discovered
+from captured documents that the enemy's scheme was a large and
+ambitious one. Not only was it his intention to retake the whole of
+our recent gains, but to press on further through Havrincourt Wood,
+and establish himself on a line beyond it.
+
+The Germans employed the same tactics as we used on the opening day of
+the battle--there was no preliminary bombardment, and their troops
+advanced under cover of a heavy mist and preceded by a creeping
+barrage. They put an overwhelming number of troops into the fight, the
+odds against our men being something like three to one, but our
+infantry in the north fought valiantly, although they were forced to
+give ground step by step in the initial stages. As the day wore on and
+the mist rose, we were able to see the hostile infantry advancing in
+masses, but they were paying a heavy toll at the hands of our machine
+gunners, who cut many a line in their ranks.
+
+The situation became tense when the enemy succeeded in driving     (p. 063)
+our men across the Bapaume-Cambrai road, and were seen to be
+approaching Anneux and Graincourt. The 18 prs. batteries which were
+lying alongside of us dragged their guns out of their pits on to the
+crest in front, and proceeded to rake the enemy, firing as rapidly as
+they were able, through open sights, the gunners stripped to the
+waist, toiling and sweating in their endeavour to stop the oncoming
+tide. The fight swayed backward and forward throughout the whole day,
+but finally the enemy was held in check without gaining further
+ground, and he incurred very heavy casualties.
+
+In the south the situation was very obscure, and somehow or other the
+enemy broke a gap in the defences between La Vacquerie and
+Gouzeaucourt, capturing the latter place as well as the village of
+Gonnelieu, and commenced streaming through. He had advanced a
+considerable distance before the importance of his move was fully
+realised, consequently most extraordinary incidents occurred, stories
+of which are now familiar to everyone. Battery positions were rapidly
+overrun, and even wagon lines were captured, while Labour companies,
+working on the roads far behind the front, on looking up, discovered
+the foe almost on top of them.
+
+There were no reserves in immediate support, and affairs were taking
+on a most serious complexion. Something had to be done and that right
+speedily! Therefore the Guards, who had only two days previously been
+withdrawn from the fight, were again called upon. They were lying in
+rest around Bertincourt, Ytres and Ruyaulcourt, and were hurriedly
+conveyed in 'buses and motor lorries to Metz, where they formed up and
+set out on their big counter-attack, supported by our sister Brigade
+and another gunner unit which chanced to have been pulled out on the
+previous night. Now, the enemy troops appeared to be as much surprised
+at their success as we were, and continued advancing in a bewildered
+kind of fashion, astonished at the little or entire lack of opposition
+with which they met. Suddenly, however, they came face to face with
+the full strength of the best disciplined troops in the world,
+whereupon they paused, staggered, and at length commenced to fall
+back, in confusion and disorder, with the result that the day was
+saved just in the nick of time, and most of the ground was recovered,
+in addition to some 50 guns.
+
+Meanwhile the wagon lines were situated in the village of          (p. 064)
+Ribecourt, right inside the salient, and, although it was known that a
+scrap was taking place, no one had any idea as to its stupendous
+nature. The fact that the village lay in a valley, surrounded by
+hills, prevented much noise of the conflict reaching those in it.
+However, shortly after breakfast, it became apparent that something
+was amiss, and the place became subjected to a heavy bombardment. The
+horses and vehicles were evacuated as quickly as possible, without
+suffering undue casualties, and collected on the hillside a short
+distance away, facing Bourlon Wood, where they "stood to" awaiting
+further orders.
+
+Hostile aeroplanes put in an appearance, flying daringly low hither
+and thither across the salient, endeavouring to pick up as much
+information as possible, and sometimes dropping bombs. Many a tussle
+took place between them and our airmen, who did not allow them
+undisputed sway for long.
+
+At noon instructions came through to be prepared to withdraw the guns
+at any moment, but in the end this was found unnecessary. Even at this
+time we were unaware that the enemy had penetrated our line to the
+south, and the first indication we had that something unusual was
+taking place, was the arrival of some reinforcements, who hurried
+along the top of the hillside behind us, and took up positions facing
+in the opposite direction! A short time elapsed, and then we were
+astonished and horrified to see a creeping barrage roll along, top the
+crest, and gradually draw nearer us from the rear. Fortunately, it
+stopped before actually reaching us, for by this time the enemy had
+attained his furthest point of penetration, and the counter attack had
+already been launched. Throughout the rest of the day the wagon line
+"stood to" ready for any emergency, and at dusk the limbers were sent
+up to the position, and the guns were withdrawn the same night and
+placed in action in the railway cutting immediately behind the ridge
+to the south of Flesquieres.
+
+It became evident, after the experiences of the previous day, that, as
+long as we remained in this awkward salient, we would undoubtedly be
+exposed to further attacks at the hands of the enemy. The Germans
+meanwhile had concentrated huge forces in the vicinity, so a
+continuation of our advance was now out of the question, and a
+modification of our front was decided upon. The infantry           (p. 065)
+constructed a new line running north of Flesquieres Ridge, and, as
+soon as it was completed, our troops fell back on it under cover of
+darkness, unperceived and therefore unmolested by the enemy, who only
+made the discovery on the following day, and then cautiously followed
+up until they came in contact with us once more. The salient presented
+a curious aspect at night to those inside it, and we seemed to be
+almost surrounded by Verey lights, as indeed we were, except where the
+narrow neck led out towards Metz.
+
+The enemy did not, as was expected, attempt any further operations on
+a large scale, but contented himself with making things very
+uncomfortable for us. In spite of our withdrawal, the line was still
+saggy to a large extent, and he could bring his guns to bear on any
+part of the salient and enfilade it. He also paid much attention to
+bombing, and his planes came over at dawn and dusk and caused a good
+deal of damage. The wagon lines came in for their share of
+unpleasantness, and in the course of a fortnight we were forced to
+quit no less than three positions in turn. The battery was specially
+handicapped by the colour of its horses, and was evidently easily
+spotted by hostile aircraft, for we had more than our share of ill
+fortune at this period. To take the worst case that befell us, one
+night the wagon line lost 35 horses. A covey of enemy planes had been
+over at daybreak, and apparently made a mental note of our location,
+as they returned the same evening and dropped several bombs, though,
+strange to say, no damage was effected. However, towards midnight, a
+4.2 battery suddenly opened fire with instantaneous fuse action, and
+many casualties were inflicted before the horses could be removed,
+owing to difficulties in the pitch darkness.
+
+The most wonderful fact in the whole proceedings was that, although
+there was little or no cover for the men, who were ensconced in
+bivouacs, except a few who were in an old disused trench close by,
+only a couple of them were hit. The officers were rudely awakened by
+large splinters entering their tent, and only just missing their heads
+as they lay on their valises, while the sergeants had a most
+miraculous escape. They had formed a Mess in a bay of the trench, the
+sides supported and heightened by some of the Q.M.S.'s stores, and
+covered on top by a large tarpaulin. A shell dropped practically on
+top of them, fortunately detonating instantly against several      (p. 066)
+boxes of iron rations, which undoubtedly contributed to saving their
+lives. An officer arrived on the scene immediately afterwards, and
+found them all lying unconscious as the result of the explosion, but
+they soon revived and took a stout part in rescuing the horses. The
+construction was completely wrecked, and the clothes they wore were
+stripped into ribbons, but only one of them had a scratch on him.
+
+No delay was made in attending to the wounded horses, and in conveying
+the remainder to a place of safety. The drivers were all splendidly
+cool and collected under the trying circumstances, but many of the
+poor beasts were beyond human aid, and had to be destroyed.
+
+The scene next morning was a gruesome one, and it was a most pathetic
+sight to watch the drivers, with tears running down their cheeks,
+bidding a last farewell to their lost charges before burial, for the
+men become exceedingly attached to their four-legged comrades,
+especially when they have had charge of them for a considerable time.
+No time was lost in selecting a new locality, as it was considered
+wise to get out of the salient altogether, and thus avoid the risk of
+incurring further unnecessary casualties; so the wagon lines were
+removed to the vicinity of Ruyaulcourt.
+
+A spell of hard frost set in, with an occasional fall of snow, which
+added to our difficulties as well as to our discomforts, for it must
+be remembered that both battery position and wagon line were occupied
+at a moment's notice, and no time could be spent in making any
+preparations beforehand for our reception. Affairs were now settling
+down for the winter, and nothing unusual was taking place beyond a
+good deal of artillery activity on both sides, consequently we were
+only awaiting orders to withdraw from the line. These came through in
+a few days' time, and the Brigade pulled out in the middle of December
+to the ruined village of Beaulencourt, situated south east of Bapaume.
+On the following day a long march was undertaken, and we proceeded by
+way of Achiet-le-Grand, Ayette, and Beaumetz to the village of
+Montennescourt, due west of Arras, a distance of 25 miles.
+
+It says much for the battery that it accomplished this long trail with
+no less than 43 horses below establishment, and without any outside
+assistance, in spite of the heaviness of the roads. The guns       (p. 067)
+were pulled by six-horse teams, and the vehicles and other baggage
+wagons by four-horse teams, made up by requisitioning all the
+available outriders, yet none of the horses suffered to any great
+extent from the extra strain imposed on them.
+
+It was with feelings of great gratification that we learnt that at
+last we were going to have our long-delayed rest, and that it would
+fall to our lot to spend the coming Christmas-tide and New Year season
+in more congenial surroundings than had been the case in the two
+previous years. All were prepared to enjoy themselves on this
+occasion, as it was felt, on reviewing the past six months, during
+which time we had been fighting incessantly in "pukka" battles, in
+which we had acquitted ourselves not badly, that we had thoroughly
+earned a week or two of complete rest and quiet.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX.                                                        (p. 068)
+
+At Arras.
+
+
+The next fortnight was spent under most happy conditions, and all
+ranks had an enjoyable time. As Christmas approached, active
+preparations were made to excel anything we had ever had before in the
+way of festivities, and this was possible now that we were out of
+action. Quarter-Master-Sergeants, puffed out with importance, were to
+be seen strutting hither and thither, returning with mysterious sacks
+and parcels, presumably filled with good cheer.
+
+Plucked geese and turkeys appeared in large numbers, suspended from
+the ceilings of billets, and several large barrels arrived on the
+scene, and were duly placed under lock and key in the canteen,
+awaiting the auspicious day. Much competition took place between
+batteries for the possession of the only two live pigs in the village,
+which eventually went to the highest bidders, while the remainder
+procured their joints in the form of pork from Doullens. One of the
+batteries meanwhile grew so attached to its prospective Christmas fare
+that it was almost decided to spare his life and adopt him as a
+mascot. His fate was sealed, however, when one day it was discovered
+that he had disposed of several parcels of food which had,
+inadvertently, been placed within his reach by some of the men.
+
+Concerts were arranged, and the village school-room was kindly lent
+and artistically decorated for these occasions. The weather was all
+that could be desired now that we were safely lodged in billets, and
+it was a typical old-fashioned yule-tide, with a plentiful fall of
+snow followed by hard frost. The little village was in a sheltered
+hollow, and a small rivulet passed through it on its way down the
+valley, while the scenery might have been that surrounding any hamlet
+in the south of England.
+
+An open air service was conducted by the Padre, for the Brigade, on
+'Xmas morning, and the rest of the day was given over to sports and
+concerts, and the climax of enjoyment was reached at night when    (p. 069)
+the men partook of their dinner. Gramaphones were well to the fore,
+but all kinds of musical instruments took part in the gaiety which
+followed.
+
+A certain amount of latitude was given the men for a few days after,
+in order that they might recover from the orgy, for indeed they had
+never had such a gorge since their arrival in France. All were in
+excellent spirits, and these were by no means diminished when it
+became known that our next area was in front of Arras. It was
+recognised to be an enviable part of the line to be situated in,
+especially during the winter months. It was also a locality with which
+we had not as yet made acquaintance, and it was always interesting to
+visit a new portion of the front, as we disliked being too long in the
+same surroundings without a change of scene.
+
+The day following New Year, the Division entered on its period of duty
+in the sector north of Monchy to the vicinity of Gavrelle, with the
+heights of Vimy, which had fallen into our hands in the previous
+spring on its left.
+
+The battery position was reached by following the Arras-Plouvain road
+along the valley of the river Scarpe, and we took over from a Scottish
+Division. The enemy lines were everywhere overlooked, consequently he
+wisely refrained from showing much activity.
+
+A magnificent view was obtained from the rear O.P. on the heights
+facing Vitry, and, on a clear day, Douai was plainly visible and even
+the country far beyond it.
+
+Our front line ran along at the bottom of the slope, having the ruined
+piles of Roeux, which was the scene of such furious fighting in the
+latter stages of Arras battle, immediately in its rear. Half right, to
+the south of the river Scarpe, what remained of the village of Monchy
+stood out like a sentinel on the top of the hill. This point afforded
+a splendid view in all directions and was the veritable keystone of
+the whole position. Four of our pieces were placed in a quarry, a few
+yards off the road leading through Fampoux, on its western extremity,
+while the other two guns were moved forward, east of the same village,
+behind a bank, and carefully camouflaged. As this sector was
+extraordinarily quiet and there was not sufficient work to keep
+everyone occupied, the Battery Commander decided to commence
+construction and endeavour to make our position a model one. Two pits,
+which were already in existence, were pulled down and rebuilt,     (p. 070)
+and two others were constructed alongside, and all of them were placed
+just as near the front bank of the quarry as would permit of the guns
+clearing the crest. The whole position was completely camouflaged, as,
+it will be readily understood, a quarry made a conspicuous target for
+the enemy at any time, and if he suspected the presence of a battery
+therein, there would have been little peace or quiet for us. However,
+as things turned out, we had evidently made a good job of our work,
+and to our surprise, not a single shell dropped in the quarry during
+our period of occupation.
+
+Walls were white-washed and ammunition and charge shelves elaborately
+painted, the platforms were neatly tiled or bricked with material
+taken from the surrounding ruins, and all manner of "eye wash" was
+employed in making the pits look well. A communication trench was dug
+from one extremity to the other, rivetted and duck-boarded throughout,
+and led to the men's quarters. These when completed were palatial, and
+put in the shade any headquarter unit in the line.
+
+The near side of the quarry, which consisted of chalk, was easily and
+rapidly mined, and, in the course of three weeks, the men had
+comfortable quarters. Beds made of wire netting stretched on wooden
+frames, a spacious dining hall, telephone pit, cook house, and they
+even possessed a moderate sized bath room, which was highly valued and
+put to great use. The officers' quarters were no less sumptuously
+fitted out. Each had sleeping accommodation, in cellars of the ruined
+houses, running along the main street close to the quarry, nicely
+lined with wood and canvas to keep the damp out, while the Mess itself
+was a work of art.
+
+The latter was built entirely by the officers and their batmen, under
+the personal supervision of our energetic B.C.
+
+The floors, walls and roof of the cellar were lined with three inch
+timber, and one day a subaltern, who had been out exploring, came back
+triumphant, bearing in his arms a huge roll of wall paper found buried
+under some rubbish, at a spot which probably denoted the one time
+existence of a decorator's shop. The Mess was therefore duly papered,
+with frieze complete, and with the addition of easy chairs, book
+shelves, a stove and gramaphone, there was nothing left to wish for,
+and the place was most cosy and snug. The entrance, too, was the
+admiration of everybody, nicely tiled and decorated with fancy
+carvings from the utterly destroyed church. Iron girders, beams,   (p. 071)
+and countless bricks to the height of several feet rested on top of
+our home. It is not to be wondered at, then, that this model position
+was frequently visited by high personages, brought hither by our
+Brigade-Commander or C.R.A., who appeared almost as proud of the place
+as we were ourselves. Moreover, as we were in such close proximity to
+the road leading up to the front line, it was only natural that
+officers should drop in to this half way house and rest and regale
+themselves before resuming their journey, so before long our Mess was
+known as "The Pub" throughout the Division.
+
+The forward position was treated in the same fashion, and never before
+had both officers and men had such comfortable quarters. Thus we
+settled down to a life of ease, such as we had not known since the
+Laventie days of two winters ago, and proceeded to thoroughly enjoy
+ourselves.
+
+Frequent trips were made into Arras, either on horseback or by river,
+for there was a steamboat service, running daily on the Scarpe, which
+landed one close to the Officers' Club, a large wooden erection
+similar to a Y.M.C.A. hut, run by the Expeditionary Force Canteen.
+
+The town had not been irreparably destroyed, and in most parts the
+inhabitants had returned, and were carrying on their usual routine,
+while many shops were re-opened and doing good business. The Cathedral
+was badly damaged, as well as other prominent buildings, but, on the
+whole, the town had escaped wonderfully considering how close the
+enemy had been to it for so long. Now, of course, the enemy was over
+six miles away, and the city could not be reached by any other than
+his high velocity guns, and they seldom troubled to shell the place,
+and when they did so, from time to time, the fire was chiefly directed
+on the railway station and sidings in the vicinity.
+
+An equally peaceful time fell to the lot of those who were at the
+wagon lines. They were situated just off the main Arras-Souchez road,
+within easy reach of the former place. Accommodation for Officers and
+men was provided by Nissen huts, containing stoves, while the horses
+had good covered-in standings, with mud walls surrounding them for
+protection against bombing raids.
+
+The transport of ammunition to the guns was easily conducted, as
+excellent roads ran the whole way, and every care was taken to     (p. 072)
+keep the horses up to condition. The frost did not continue and
+in the early months of the year the weather was wonderfully bright and
+mild, and many a good gallop could be had in the neighbourhood, as
+there was a fine stretch of open ground close to the wagon line.
+
+The horses undoubtedly had a better time than it is usually possible
+to give them during the winter months. The war horse is an
+extraordinarily intelligent animal and appreciates anything done for
+him in the way of comfort. He also becomes very cute and cunning, and
+always knows the routine of the day, and can tell his time of feeding
+almost to the minute, and, if allowed, would go by himself
+automatically to the water troughs and return to his own particular
+standing in the stable.
+
+One horse familiarly known by the name of "Shrapnel," owing to several
+wounds of that kind which refused to close up, and completely heal,
+knew at once when he was "warned" for the line. Now, he disliked going
+out at nights, and consequently was in the habit of "scrimp-shanking,"
+and proceeded forthwith to go lame. At first he managed to fool
+everybody, but on close investigation it was discovered that nothing
+at all was the matter with him.
+
+Another fine beast, which at one time must have been ill-treated, when
+he came to us had a bad rope gall on his near hind, and was extremely
+nervous at being touched. After hours of coaxing he allowed his
+section officer and driver to handle him, and, at length, showed great
+affection to them both, but woe betide any other member of the
+battery, who attempted to go near him, back went his ears and out went
+his feet at once!
+
+About the middle of February, a feeling of uneasiness evidently
+entered the minds of those in authority. It was known that the enemy
+was transferring large numbers of troops, which had been released by
+the collapse of Russia, to the Western front. Consequently every unit
+got busy at once, the Infantry dug new trench systems in rear of their
+existing ones, constructed strong points, and mile upon mile of barbed
+wire was laid down.
+
+The gunners prepared new battle and reinforcing positions, in case a
+retiral should be necessary, and filled them with ammunition against
+all eventualities.
+
+In a little more than a month everything was completed, and during the
+third week of March, the troops were warned of an impending great
+enemy offensive, and became fully on the alert.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X.                                                         (p. 073)
+
+March the 21st.
+
+
+The morning of the 20th broke calm and the enemy did nothing to
+indicate that anything out of the ordinary was about to take place,
+but this did not deceive us, as it was known to our Command that the
+blow was going to fall on the following morning. Silence reigned
+supreme, except for the ordinary harassing artillery fire, up till
+midnight, but shortly afterwards the German guns opened out their
+annihilating fire, and drenched our forward system and battery
+positions with a severe gas bombardment.
+
+In this area the majority of batteries had, at the last moment, taken
+the precaution to change their positions, as these were known to the
+enemy, and thus avoided being entirely demolished by the heavy
+concentration which poured all manner of shell into those they had
+lately vacated.
+
+At dawn, which, unfortunately for us, broke in a thick mist, after a
+sustained bombardment of some four to five hours' duration, the enemy
+launched his gigantic attack over an area of fifty miles, from
+Guenappe, immediately below Monchy in the North, to the neighbourhood
+of La Fere in the south. Under cover of the mist, he congregated large
+numbers of field guns, which were able to accompany and closely
+support the attacking waves, while at some places he employed his new
+Tanks. These, however, though rendering some assistance to him, by no
+means came up to expectations, and were ponderous and clumsy, in spite
+of the fact that he had previously captured several of ours from which
+to copy, but they proved to be far behind ours, both in construction
+and usefulness.
+
+A "Chinese barrage" was put down by the enemy on our sector, but no
+attack developed. The same evening the Division was hurriedly
+withdrawn from the line, and heading in a southern direction arrived
+in the neighbourhood of Tilloy and prepared for instant action.
+
+In spite of the favourable conditions, our foes made little or no  (p. 074)
+ground, throughout the day, on the whole of the Army front, and were
+held in our forefield. Further south, much the same thing happened,
+although they penetrated further in some places, but nowhere had they
+broken through, so the news on the whole was good and reassuring.
+
+The German attack was renewed on the following day, and still the
+Northern Army remained firm, but they succeeded in effecting a serious
+breech in the Army to the south, where the British had lately taken
+over from our French allies. So swift was the enemy's progress at this
+point that our troops on either side of this bulge soon became
+endangered, and a general retirement was immediately necessary in
+order to keep the line straight.
+
+This applied to the Northern Army also, but not to anything like the
+same extent. The Division again moved south, and took up positions
+behind the Henin Ridge, between the village of that name and St.
+Leger, for the purpose of covering the retirement.
+
+The whole line thus became mobile, and, for several days, a stiff
+rear-guard action was fought, which resulted in very heavy casualties
+being inflicted on the enemy. He was by this time flushed with his
+success further south, and attempted to advance as if he were already
+the conqueror, which led to his own undoing, as virtually he was only
+permitted to gain ground at our time and will. It cannot be denied,
+however, that the days were anxious ones and the infantry were kept
+very heavily engaged and became much exhausted. However, they made the
+most of their opportunities, and had hitherto rarely found such ready
+targets, and their machine guns effected great execution on the enemy
+ranks as the men came along laden with full packs. A story is told,
+and is believed to be true, of one machine gunner that, in the course
+of his morning's work, he slaughtered over 200 German's single handed
+with his weapon, after which he became a raving lunatic and had to be
+forceably removed.
+
+The infantry, too, admitted that they were getting tired of killing
+Boches, and the casualties inflicted on our men were a mere nothing as
+compared with those suffered by our foes. The gunners were equally
+busy dropping into action here and there and falling back as the
+circumstances required, until at the end of a week, the line became
+more or less stationary. The front line now ran through Mercatel,  (p. 075)
+Boisleux and Moyenneville and thence, in a south westerly direction,
+towards Serre. Thus the Germans were again almost back on the line
+they had held, prior to the big retreat on the Hindenburg line in the
+spring of 1917.
+
+It seemed a great pity to vacate the Henin Ridge, for the opposing
+sides found themselves facing each other in a hollow, with rising
+ground on either side, which made battery positions difficult to
+conceal. So many disused trenches, which had previously formed part of
+the old German line system, helped to shelter us, to a great extent,
+for we were at this point nearly two miles east of the permanent line
+of a year ago.
+
+Everyone feverishly sat about digging and constructing new trenches,
+and an enormous amount of work was accomplished in a comparatively
+short space of time, for it was felt that the enemy had by no means
+expended all his strength, and would endeavour, in the near future, to
+resume active operations. There could be no doubt that he would be
+dissatisfied to remain where he was, especially as, so far, he had
+little to shew on this particular part of the front for his gigantic
+effort and huge loss of men.
+
+It was no surprise therefore when, at the beginning of the second week
+in April, after a short sharp bombardment, the enemy made a strong
+attack from Monchy, north to the Vimy Ridge, with the object of
+seizing Arras and the heights before mentioned. The result was a
+costly failure, as he was everywhere held up in our forefield system,
+and the British Divisions opposed to him had the time of their lives.
+We were very interested to hear about this battle, as, of course, it
+was fought over the sector in which we had lately spent a number of
+happy months and where we had done such an amount of work. It was
+distinctly gratifying, too, when a wire was received from the Division
+who took over from us thanking our Division for the wonderful
+defensive construction made by us. It was due to that work that they
+were enabled to bring the enemy so quickly to an abrupt standstill.
+
+They had seemingly experienced a veritable field day and thoroughly
+enjoyed themselves on that occasion.
+
+After this unsuccessful effort, the enemy evidently gave up the
+attempt to gain possession of Arras and Vimy by a frontal attack and
+turned his thoughts elsewhere.
+
+Unfortunately, however, in the course of these operations, Monchy  (p. 076)
+had to be evacuated by the British, which enabled the Boche to gain
+observation on the city which, thereafter, came in for a good amount
+of shelling, and again the inhabitants were forced much against their
+will to leave the stricken place.
+
+All manner of heavy shell fell in the town, and the damage caused was
+considerable, and it was no longer the haven of rest for the troops
+which it had been a few months previously. Our wagon lines, meanwhile,
+had not escaped undamaged, and were forced to change positions on
+several occasions until, at last, comfortable quarters were obtained
+in the little village of Bretencourt, where the houses still had roofs
+covering them, as the hamlet was just outside the devastated area.
+When affairs settled down once more, the battery positions were
+gradually advanced, and we dug a new position east of Ficheux, where
+the guns were meanwhile situated.
+
+A forward section was established ahead in the railway cutting of the
+Arras-Albert line, and we subjected the enemy to as much
+unpleasantness as it lay in our power to devise.
+
+We were not, however, any length of time in this sector, and were
+removed to the adjoining one immediately to the south.
+
+The line required rectifying in several places, and in a brilliant
+minor operation, the village of Ayette was carried and remained firmly
+in our hands.
+
+Our new position was situated on the high ground to the north of
+Adinfer Wood, immediately behind the village of the same name, but the
+neighbourhood was much more peaceful than that which we had recently
+quitted, as everywhere we had observation over the enemy, and
+naturally he never created trouble under such circumstances.
+
+The wagon lines were again moved, this time much further behind, to
+the small village of Gaudiempre, where one might have imagined one was
+completely out of the war area, it appeared so quiet.
+
+The place was intact and all were ensconced in snug little billets,
+while the horses were well off also, as opportunities for grazing were
+afforded round about the neighbourhood.
+
+Then the enemy's second great offensive opened on the Lys, and all
+eyes were turned in that direction, but everyone held the opinion
+that, sooner or later, he would be brought to a standstill, which
+proved to be the case.
+
+In fact, throughout the whole of this trying period, the           (p. 077)
+confidence among all ranks was extraordinary. No one had the feeling
+that we were going down and under, and it would have done the pessimists
+at home a world of good to have caught a glimpse of conditions out in
+France and of the cheery optimism that prevailed there. There was even
+disappointment, in some quarters, that the enemy had not attempted to
+attack us on this front, but he evidently thought discretion was the
+better part of valour, for the defences were, by this time, very
+strong, and it would have been strange if he had managed to penetrate
+to any depth.
+
+About the middle of May, it was the will of those in authority to rest
+the Division a while, and although we were not in any urgent need of a
+rest, we were not disinclined for it, as the season of the year was
+favourable, and we pictured all manner of good times in store.
+
+The Brigade, therefore, withdrew to the wagon lines, marched the
+following day to Humbercourt, the village appointed for our resting
+place.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI.                                                        (p. 078)
+
+The Turn of the Tide.
+
+
+It invariably happened, when the Brigade came out for a period of
+rest, that expectations of a real holiday were never fully realized,
+and although the time passed pleasantly enough and we were favoured
+with fine weather, all ranks were kept pretty busy. Many tactical
+schemes were practised, and we had always to hold ourselves in
+readiness to render assistance, at short notice, to the troops who
+were in the line, for our Command was taking no risks and had not
+entirely given up the possibility of a hostile attack on this area.
+
+It must be admitted, however, that in the end everybody enjoyed
+rehearsing these schemes, and we would have been well acquainted with
+our duties had the emergency arisen. Our resentment, also, at being
+called upon to partake of violent exercise so early in the morning,
+completely disappeared after a while, the country looked so beautiful
+at dawn, and we usually returned in time for breakfast, with
+well-whetted appetites, after some three or four hours in the saddle.
+
+Unfortunately, at this time, the scourge known as "Flanders Grippe,"
+which had been prevalent throughout the Army, developed in our
+Brigade. For a considerable time this epidemic paralysed us, more or
+less, as about half our number was down with the disease at the same
+time. Although it passes after taking its three days' course, one is
+left very weak and groggy for some time, and several of the men were
+very seriously ill.
+
+Inevitable inspections by Corps Commanders and minor officials passed
+off without incident, but, of course, much labour and "eye-wash" was
+expended as is always the case on these occasions. The Divisional
+Horse Show, held towards the end of our rest, was undoubtedly the
+principal diversion of our time out, as each unit naturally did its
+utmost to outshine all others. The battery entered a gun team
+complete, consisting of six dapple-grey horses, and we succeeded in
+securing the second prize in the gunner's Derby. Curiously enough, (p. 079)
+the winners, our sister howitzer battery, won with five, out of six
+horses which had been shown, over two years previously at Zeggers
+Capelle, in Flanders, and who then carried off second prize in the
+competition with a team of blacks. H.R.H. The Duke of Connaught
+afterwards inspected the prize-winners, and evinced much interest on
+being told that ours was a complete battery of grey horses.
+
+Paris leave opened for both officers and men as a consolation for home
+furlough being stopped, and many availed themselves of the opportunity
+of having a few days' enjoyment in the "Gay City."
+
+In the first days of June the Division returned to the line and
+occupied the sector we had already been in prior to moving to Adinfer.
+The area had become very quiet with one or two exceptions, and the
+enemy did not subject our infantry to much shelling, and contented
+himself with occasionally annoying them with trench mortars. But if,
+at any time, he discovered the location of a battery position, that
+unit had a most unhappy time. Four of our guns were placed in the
+railway cutting, where we had previously had a forward section, and
+the remainder were again detached some distance away. Mine shafts,
+which were already in existence, were enlarged and the men had plenty
+cover on top of them.
+
+Some little time afterwards certain indications pointed to the fact
+that the enemy contemplated business once more on this front, and as
+our guns were situated awkwardly where it would be impossible to
+withdraw them quickly, we were directed to construct a new position
+further behind. The work proceeded briskly, and, when completed, four
+of the pieces were withdrawn and placed there, the other two remaining
+in the railway embankment. The main position was a long way back, and
+the guns could only just reach the enemy support trenches,
+consequently they were only to be fired in case of a general S.O.S.,
+and all the shoots were accomplished by the forward section. Much time
+was spent in making our new quarters shipshape, and the ground was
+well suited for mining, as it consisted principally of chalk, and
+eventually all ranks were comfortably installed in spacious underground
+quarters, although, at the moment, they were quite unnecessary, and
+many lay out in the open during the warm summer nights. The principal
+thing to do now was to make sure that the officers and men did not
+stagnate for lack of occupation and to find means to keep them     (p. 080)
+hard and fit. Physical exercises were indulged in during the morning,
+and sports of all kinds were organised, both at the battery positions
+and at the wagon lines--the latter having taken up their quarters at
+the village of Baillemont.
+
+A modified kind of base-ball, introduced by an energetic and
+enthusiastic Canadian subaltern, became very popular with the men,
+while the corps ran a polo-club of sorts for the officers. A fairly
+level patch of ground was selected which possessed a certain amount of
+grass, and the numerous shell holes were filled in and levelled off by
+fatigue parties, with the result that it became moderately good. The
+polo ponies, however, left something to be desired, and it was no
+uncommon sight to see a young officer appear mounted on a stalwart
+wheeler, the best he could do for himself from among the horses in his
+section. Possibly the explanation was that he had found a horse which
+he could suitably "rein in".
+
+Meanwhile the enemy's third big offensive had come and gone and the
+British Commander-in-Chief's famous "back to the wall" order of the
+day to his armies. Still we waited, but nothing unusual happened; then
+in the middle of July the French were heavily attacked, and once more
+the clouds appeared on the horizon. There was great enthusiasm when it
+became known that our Allies had counter-attacked, and were driving
+the enemy out of the Marne pocket, and when the daily bulletins
+arrived there was always a scramble among the men to read them. Then
+the British stroke fell south of the river Somme at Villers
+Brettonneux, and excellent news, as to our progress, came through,
+which raised everyone's hopes to a high degree. Our artillery fire was
+increased daily, and affairs became more lively, while flying was in
+full swing and continued night and day. Both sides paid much attention
+to bombing, and our Airmen freely besprinkled enemy territory with
+their bombs by day, whereas the foe rarely attempted raids over our
+lines during daylight. However, after dusk, the air was filled with
+the planes, as the weather was particularly favourable, and the hum of
+the machines coming and going was incessant throughout the whole
+night. At times one could scarcely get any sleep for the continual
+drone they made, like the hum of gigantic bees around their hives. One
+thing certain was that we had almost complete control of the air and
+both out-numbered and out-witted the enemy to a marked extent.     (p. 081)
+It was most unpleasant to hear the noise of the hostile planes drawing
+nearer, for one could not mistake the beat made by the German machines.
+The amount of bombing experienced by us was quite bad enough in all
+truth, but we used to smile when contemplating what our foes must be
+suffering at the hands of our Airmen, as truly it was ten times worse.
+
+During this period the two counter offensives were progressing
+favourably in the south, and we suspected that something would be
+doing on our front before long, as the din of battle was creeping
+further north. It came as no surprise, therefore, when serious
+fighting commenced north of the Somme, and the enemy retreated from
+Serre and later withdrew in error from Ablainzevelle. As soon as he
+discovered his mistake he attempted to retake it, but, by that time,
+our men were firmly lodged there and could not be shifted from the
+village.
+
+In the middle of August, to everyone's satisfaction, it became known
+that we were to be up and doing at no distant date, and preparations
+were immediately and silently set on foot. Throughout each night a
+continual stream of teams and wagons conveyed thousands of rounds of
+ammunition up the line to battery positions, and fresh dumps were
+placed in forward localities. New battle positions were constructed in
+advanced positions and stocked with shells, and we only awaited the
+order to occupy them. Instructions were issued to wagon lines that all
+surplus kit and stores were to be left behind, as a strenuous time was
+in store for us, and all ranks responded with a will to the hard work
+these preparations necessitated. Drivers were elated at the prospect
+of a change from their humdrum existence, and their enthusiasm knew no
+bounds. New reinforcing batteries appeared like mushrooms during the
+night, and lay safely ensconced in their appointed places in readiness
+for the coming fray, while the neighbourhood behind the lines bristled
+with activity and also with new arrivals. We believed that probably
+these preparations were being made in order to take the Henin Ridge in
+front, and no one imagined that the coming operations would consist of
+more than a local attack with a limited objective, as little or no
+information had been given to anyone. It is true that rumours were
+abroad, that our opponents were preparing to withdraw during the
+coming winter to their defences in the Hindenburg Line, which meant
+that we would be left most uncomfortably situated in the wilderness
+throughout that season. Little did we dream, however, that this    (p. 082)
+was the commencement of a long series of hammer blows, lasting
+over several months, and employing millions of men, and destined to be
+the last and greatest battle the world has ever seen, ending with the
+complete demoralisation of the enemy's forces. The turn of the tide
+was at hand at last!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII.                                                       (p. 083)
+
+Through the Hindenburg Line.
+
+
+Before the serious work ahead of us could be undertaken, it was
+necessary to shear off an awkward little bulge in the enemy's line,
+which included the ruined hamlet of Moyenneville. The corps on our
+right were to take part in an assault two days previous to the
+commencement of our own advance, so it was considered expedient to
+accomplish the above task at the same time. Consequently, during the
+big attack, delivered in the south on the 21st of August, which
+brought our troops level with the Arras-Albert railway line, our small
+side-show passed off successfully almost unnoticed. Desperate fighting
+had also taken place in the neighbourhood of Morlancourt, just north
+of the river Somme, in which the enemy troops had been driven back
+after stubborn resistance. They thereupon evacuated the town of
+Albert, as the place was getting too hot for them, and retired on
+positions to the east of it. Our guns were now moved into their battle
+positions, and on the eve of the attack everything was ready and in
+order. For once in a way the weather was favourable, and this augured
+well for the speedy advancement of the guns, which was essential for
+the success of the operations.
+
+At dawn, therefore, on the 23rd inst., without any preliminary
+bombardment, but, preceded by a dense creeping barrage and supported
+by innumerable tanks, the infantry set out on their long journey. The
+men swept on, capturing the villages of Boyelles and Hamelincourt at
+an early hour, without meeting much opposition or suffering undue
+casualties. The day went well throughout and all objectives were
+taken, and by nightfall, the vast machinery in the rear commenced to
+move slowly forward. Batteries were advanced and supplied with
+ammunition, by their echelons, ready for the next bout, and wagon
+lines occupied the positions only just vacated by the guns. The attack
+was continued on the following morning, which necessitated the     (p. 084)
+moving up of the guns once more, and the same thing continued day
+after day. The enemy was slowly and relentlessly pressed back without
+a pause or breathing space, and once this gigantic force was set in
+motion it was exceedingly difficult to stop it, as our opponents were
+soon to find out to their cost.
+
+As the fight proceeded, our comrades on the left joined in, and
+gradually the battle spread further north, assuming huge dimensions,
+until it reached the river Scarpe. The enemy was caught napping before
+Monchy, and the Dominion forces in one bound everywhere overwhelmed
+their opponents, not only capturing the village but gaining ground to
+the extent of two miles beyond it. By this time, Croisilles and St.
+Leger had fallen into our hands, but the enemy made a most determined
+stand in front of Ecoust, and a very stiff tussle took place for
+several days before we eventually gained possession of it.
+
+Some extraordinary incidents took place during the course of these
+operations. The long-hoped for open warfare was upon us at last, and
+the gunners' dream of galloping into action and firing with open
+sights at close range was an accomplished fact almost before we were
+aware of it. On one occasion, the whole Brigade, immediately at the
+close of executing a creeping barrage, limbered up, and topping the
+crest in front came face to face with the enemy, and dropped into
+action alongside our advancing infantry. The enemy machine gunners
+were lined up on a ridge some four hundred yards away, but on seeing
+us they decamped with all speed, probably believing us to be a
+regiment of cavalry. At any rate, if they had stood their ground and
+manned their guns, they would have assuredly wiped us off the face of
+the map almost before we could have opened fire on them. At the end of
+another day's work, our battery position was scarcely two hundred
+yards behind our front line, where the infantry had installed
+themselves.
+
+The wagon lines were now well over late enemy territory, on the ground
+where his batteries had been situated, and the mess was almost beyond
+description. In some cases his positions were entirely obliterated,
+which spoke volumes for the accuracy of the fire of our heavies,
+directed by our gallant airmen, and if it had not been for the
+quantities of ammunition and dead horses littered around, it would
+have been impossible to have known that positions ever existed there.
+Mine shafts had been entirely closed up by the explosion of the great
+shells, and a conglomeration of huge craters marked their          (p. 085)
+locality. There was no rest for anyone these days, and no men were
+called upon to perform more strenuous work than our little drivers,
+whose untiring and never failing energy was worthy of the highest
+praise and admiration: not only had they to care for their pair of
+horses, but were incessantly on the go twixt gun positions, dumps, and
+wagon lines under the most trying and difficult circumstances, and, at
+the same time, the latter were changing positions frequently. However,
+they never faltered or grumbled, and had always a cheery smile on
+their faces, even when they returned in the middle of the night dead
+beat. For days on end it was impossible to get out of one's clothes,
+and sleep was almost an unknown quantity: however, what did it matter
+as long as we continued to advance, and in spite of everything--this
+was a long way better than the monotonous routine of trench warfare.
+Everybody looked upon it in this light, and the excitement and never
+ending novelty of the experiences under which we were living, carried
+us on through thick and thin.
+
+The corps on our left, meanwhile, had by a superhuman effort
+penetrated the great Drocourt-Queant switch of the Hindenburg line,
+and firmly maintained their grip on the ground to the east of it, and
+all counter attacks made by the enemy, to dislodge them, proved
+unavailing. The troops to the south had also effected good progress,
+and the ill-fated town of Bapaume had again changed hands and passed
+for the last time into the keeping of the Allies. Thus it came about
+that the enemy troops, in spite of their very determined resistance in
+the neighbourhood of Ecoust and Mory, found themselves in a most
+perilous position, as the Dominion forces were now well in their rear,
+and were carrying out a turning movement from a northerly direction.
+Therefore, they were forced to do something, without further delay,
+which resulted in a swift retirement on to the Hindenburg line some
+six miles to the rear.
+
+It was a most interesting and instructive chase, and the enemy
+retreated so fast that it was with the greatest difficulty that we
+could keep up and maintain contact with him. The battery had
+reluctantly to abandon a captured German field gun which had been
+doing valiant work as the seventh gun for several days against its
+late owners, for we had neither time or the means to convey        (p. 086)
+surplus equipment along with us. It was the kind of day that one reads
+about in "Field Artillery Training" or even endeavours to imitate
+while manoeuvring out in rest, but for the first time we were doing
+it in reality. The battery dropped into action on innumerable
+occasions during the course of the day, and had only time to fire a
+few rounds before the enemy had decamped out of range. Then we would
+limber up with all speed, the teams waiting the orthodox two hundred
+yards in rear and to the flank, and gallop forward and take up a new
+position right out in the open, and help the enemy on his way with a
+few reminders that we were up and after him, and that he would do well
+to hurry.
+
+By evening our foes had snugly entrenched themselves behind the great
+Hindenburg barrier, and we again came face to fare with this
+formidable obstacle. The line had, meanwhile, been kept in an
+excellent state of preservation, and it was quite out of the question
+to make a frontal attack on it without first cutting the belts of
+broad wire and treating the emplacements to a prolonged bombardment.
+Another formidable hindrance in our way and placed between us,
+moreover, was the famous Canal Du Nord, which was entirely dry in most
+places. It was a considerable breadth across, and could obviously not
+be bridged as long as the enemy kept watch over it from the opposite
+side, and it varied from forty to seventy feet in depth. Thus, for the
+time being, the line settled down stationary until this task could be
+accomplished, for it was not the intention of our Command that we
+should sit down for the winter before this great fortress, as our
+enemies wished and expected us to do.
+
+Our opponents were too busily engaged removing their heavy pieces of
+Artillery back to a place of safety to subject us to a great amount of
+annoyance, and, as the weather remained good, the work of bringing our
+heavies up was accomplished quickly and effectively. The battery took
+up a position in our former front line facing Bourlon Wood, with the
+ruined village of Mouevres immediately ahead, while the forward
+section was placed in part of the Hindenburg line itself, south-east
+of Pronville. Wire cutting was undertaken and carried out by all field
+batteries, and the heavies pounded enemy emplacements and
+communication trenches in the rear.
+
+Bombing by aircraft became intensive on both sides, and the enemy
+adopted new tactics by coming over after dark, and, waiting for    (p. 087)
+the gun flashes, proceeded to drop bombs on the batteries. A fine
+spectacle was witnessed two nights in succession in the form of a
+super-Gotha bombing machine brought down in flames. Our small fighting
+planes were in the habit of flying at a high altitude, keeping watch
+over our lines and lying in wait for these monsters. As soon as one of
+them was picked out in the rays of a searchlight, others would
+concentrate at once on it, whereupon the archies immediately opened
+fire. Then far above a light would twinkle out several times, which
+was a sign for the anti-aircraft batteries to cease fire. Everything
+remained still for a while, the searchlights always focused on their
+prey, which endeavoured to dodge out of the brilliant light, but in
+vain, owing to its unwieldiness. Then suddenly from out of the
+darkness a little object shot alongside the giant plane and spat
+tracer bullets into it, whereupon it instantly caught fire, and slowly
+heeling over commenced its downward journey to destruction.
+
+Fierce fighting continued to the south, and by a series of brilliant
+operations our troops had everywhere come in contact with the
+Hindenburg Line, and commenced pounding its defences for the further
+advance. At the beginning of the fourth week in September preparations
+were almost complete for the coming assault, which would require all
+the energy and fortitude we could display. The Division was
+side-slipped down to the neighbourhood of Havrincourt, as it was
+familiar ground to us, after our experiences in November and December
+of the previous year. The policy at this juncture was, as far as it
+could be carried out, to place Divisions in localities with which they
+had already become acquainted. Our battle position was situated on the
+outskirts of the small hamlet of Demicourt, and we were to cross the
+canal a few hours after zero by means of a ramp already prepared and
+carefully camouflaged at a point where it passed through our lines. If
+all went according to expectations we were to follow a line due east,
+and, passing to the north of Havrincourt, take up a position, already
+known to us, on the railway cutting south of Flesquieres, although as
+yet it was in enemy possession.
+
+The great battle opened on the morning of the 27th inst., under
+excellent conditions, and it is now known to everyone how the crossing
+of the canal was effected by means of scaling ladders, and, in some
+instances, by the use of life-belts.
+
+From first to last the day went smoothly and well, and by          (p. 088)
+nightfall the great Hindenburg Line, upon which the enemy depended so
+much and in which he had such faith, was everywhere behind us, and we
+were through, at last, to open country beyond!
+
+It only remained for the Allies' great Commander-in-Chief to deliver
+the final knock-out blow at his own time and discretion.
+
+At this time the writer was reluctantly forced to leave the Battery on
+account of ill health, and was sent home, and it is a source of keen
+regret to him that on that account he missed the closing weeks of the
+great campaign.
+
+It is now a matter of history how our Armies, after hot and incessant
+fighting, swept the enemy divisions out of France.
+
+On Armistice Day, the Division was in possession of Maubeuge, and thus
+the Guards found themselves on territory which they had occupied in
+the early days of the War, prior to the retreat from Mons.
+
+After three and a half years of strenuous warfare, the Battery is now
+lying at rest in Cologne, where it keeps its silent "Watch on the
+Rhine."
+
+
+
+
+THE END.
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's Three years in France with the Guns:, by C. A. Rose
+
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