THE YPRES TIMES
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While the 30th Division were advancing along the bottom of the valley, the 21st
Division attacked all along the high ridge of Henin Hill on our right flank. During
the last few days we had all reported time after time that the wire across the bottom
of the valley was quite untouched, and sure enough the infantry found this was the
case, and had to dig themselves in along a stretch of dead ground about 400 yards from
the wire. However, in spite of this attack failing, our losses were not heavy, and I
reallj' think that the wire was so dense and strong that the Germans could neither
see nor shoot through it from their front line.
The 21st Division did better and got through by two gaps on the extreme summit
of the hill, and disappeared from view. But while we, the right-hand pivot of the
attack, were being held up to some extent the divisons which had attacked earlier
in the morning to the north of us began to press down almost in the rear of the enemy
on our immediate frontfrom our perfect O.P. we could see great confusion on the
roads behind Heninel, and our set programme being over at 5 p.m. we were able to
engage some glorious targetsroads congested with gun limbers, retreating enemy
and vehicles of every sort, all went into the hash together. The Germans asked for
war, and now at last they were getting it in good measure, heaped up and overflowing.
3.50 a.m., 31st July, 1917Third Battle of Wypers.
The curtain rose at 3.50 a.m., accompanied by the usual racket, reek of H.E., and
rocket display by the Germans. On the whole our area was fairly peaceful, and Wilshin
arrived with gun limbers at 5.45, having made an easy advance. We were due to cease
firing and advance at 6.10 a.m., so at that hour the backs of the gunpits having been
previously pulled down, we started the heavy labour of manhandling the guns out
of their sunk pits. Luckily at that very moment a Highlander came down the ♦'rack
escorting 25 prisoners. I called to him to go into the cook-house and have some tea
and to hand over his rifle and the prisoners to my tender mercies. The enemy was
sending over some 8-inch shells, and when I ordered the prisoners to man the drag
ropes they started to argue that they ought not to be made to do it, but the argument
only lasted 30 secondsthe well-known sound (almost Esperanto of a rifle bolt
