THE YPRES TIMES
235
To permit such boldness with impunity was not to be tolerated and orders were
given for its immediate capture. But this was easier said, than done.
Torrential rains had made a quagmire of the trenches; in which the men wallowed
around up to their waists. Nepean Avenuethe main communication trenchcon
tained four feet of water and the deepened ditch along the edge of the Messines
road was equally impassable.
Added to this, the Douve
had risen and both flanks
of the barricade rested on
the flooded river. Such
were the conditions under
which hasty plans were
prepared.
The attack was made in
the early morning of Dec
ember 4th but proved
abortive.
General Staffs worked
overtime in calling for and
digesting reports on the
situation. The advanced
post, if allowed to remain
would have menaced the
lives of our listening pat
rols and wiring parties and
generally weakened the de
fensive system.
Another, unsuccessful,
move to drive the enemy
out and pull down the
barrier was made by Lord
Strathcona's Horse on the
night of 8th/9th December.
On that occasion some
twenty Germans swarmed
out and showed open fight
and a sharp bombing action
ensuedresulting in eleven
casualties to the attacking
party.
By this time the news
chateau :de la hutte. had reached the 2nd Bri
gade, in corps, reserve, and
the 5th Battalion volunteered to return forthwith and make a further determined effort
to capture and destroy the stronghold. Accordingly, on 9th December, they moved
up to Bulford camp and the following night took over their old position in the line.
The scouts went out to make a reconnaissance but their presence was soon made
known to the German garrison when they stumbled upon a carefully concealed trip
wire which exploded a series of bombs.
