he Sa

all time. This place, above all others, was always mentioned with a voice of reverence and awe, and is hallowed by the presence of

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

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-

vening 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 fro

t 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 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

his to go on long, and, after a few days' work had been spent on them, a couple of hours' bombardment would suffice to demolis

d place. The high battered remains of the Cloth Hall Tower stood up in proud defiance in the centre of the stricken c

nt 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 neighbourho

h sector of the Salient, after a sharp and heavy bombardment. He attacked us between Wieltje and Potijge, but was unsuccessful in his en

hange 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,

tics 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 a

ting 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 gall

ngs. The officers lived out of doors, attracted by the cliffs, from which Dover was visible

of twelve days, we retraced our steps to Arneke, wher

e 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 b

, 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 t

tubborn 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 approa

ulled out for one night, before transferring to our new zone, which was in the most northerly sector, a

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 su

he numerous O.P.'s dotted about here and there. These were constructed for the most part of reinforced concrete, but the partic

eral points of observation and snipers' posts were carefully registered. Then we would lie in wait, obse

vacant, and snipe at any unsuspecting person who happened to pass along. On many occasions we were able to bring assistance to the h

en city; and we made a habit of sitting at the entrance to the little shack, used as the officers' mess, smoking our evening pipe

rected, and it was thought that these preparations were preparatory to making an attack to enable us to improv

antry 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

anders? 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 so

e time spent there was always strenuous and difficult, we were not what could b