the

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 m

their positions, as these were known to the enemy, and thus avoided being entirely demolished

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 renderi

he same evening the Division was hurriedly withdrawn from the line, and heading in a so

e Army front, and were held in our forefield. Further south, much the same thing happened, although they penetra

n 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

he Division again moved south, and took up positions behind the Henin Ridge, betwee

ly 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 effe

sy 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, Boisleux an

on either side, which made battery positions difficult to conceal. So many disused trenches, which had previously formed part of the old Ger

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 wou

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

eritable field day and thoroughly

ve up the attempt to gain possession of Arras and Vimy

which enabled the Boche to gain observation on the city which, thereafter, came in for a good amount o

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

ting of the Arras-Albert line, and we subjected the enemy

in this sector, and were removed to the

d in a brilliant minor operation, the village of A

of the same name, but the neighbourhood was much more peaceful than that which we had recently quitted, as e

to the small village of Gaudiempre, where one might have imagin

billets, while the horses were well off also, as opportunit

ere turned in that direction, but everyone held the opinion that, sooner

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 u

e, and although we were not in any urgent need of a rest, we were not disinclined for it,

lines, marched the following day to Humbercour