The Tale of a Railway Cutting.
OUR illustration of a railway cutting on the French Nord Railway between
Arras and Lens may be remembered by many of our readers who served
on the Arras front during the Great War.
The cutting leads directly to Bailleul-sire-Berthoult and to the notorious wood
and village of Oppy, and formed part of a strongly-fortified German reserve line
until April, 1917. It was then captured after severe fighting, when the whole
British line from Givenchy to Croiselles swept forward, resulting in the capture of
Vimy Ridge and many other places of strategical importance.
During his Occupation of the railway cutting, the Bosche had constructed an
elaborate dug-out system extending half its entire length. An electric lighting
installation was only one of many evidences of his desire for security with comfort.
Strange tales were told by our men who in the advance and during the progress of
mopping up, found women's garments and stocks of choice wines; even a piano
was discovered in a beautifully-furnished apartment, evidently the headquarters of
a corps commander.
168 THE YPRES TIMES
By a Curious chance the bridge overhead was never completely destroyed, and
was much used by our troops carrying rations, wire and ammunition to the commu
nication trenches leading to Oppy and Gavrelle. In the quieter times that followed
the capture of Gavrelle by the 63rd (R.N.) Division, the cutting provided good
shelter for our troops, and became Divisional Reserve Line.
During this time the writer had the memorable task of welcoming Horatio
Bottomley to the railway cutting, on his tour of inspection of the trenches at Oppy.
He looked a curious figure in a black tail coat, with steel helmet and gas respirator
at the ready. He rode out from Arras on the light railway and was accompanied
by a bevy of staff officers, who appeared to be enjoying the trip and the honour of
escorting such a distinguished visitor.
