THE YPRES TIMES
239
roads have been remade. The writer, who was in the Salient almost continuously
from October, 1914, to September, 1917, found little difficulty in identifying localities
by the buildings, it was easier in 1933 than in 1917It was far harder to realize
what a great change in visibility has taken place. In October, 1914, trees were tall
and still in leaf. Hedges were high and thick, garden and field crops added their
screen of foliage. In fact, in 1914, observation in any direction was remarkably
limited, whereas to-day the eye travels without hindrance over broad acres of almost
treeless cultivation. It requires an effort of the mind to realize how much obstruction
to the view there was in 1914, and to understand how it was that the Germans were
able to penetrate unseen through gaps in our thin lineand how events in one part
of the field could take place unknown to those only a few hundred yards to a flank.
In 1914, the field of fire of the rifle was very restricted; now, it is difficult to under
stand how any troops could advance over such open country in the face of small
arm and machine-gun fire, except by night or under the cover of mist or smoke. Then,
artillery observers had the greatest difficulty in finding any place from which to
direct fireto-day, any small rise in the ground will provide an excellent observation
post.
From Kruiseik we moved to Gheluvelt, and there made a detailed study of the
stirring events that took place in and around that village on October 31st. The
reader does not need to be reminded that this was the critical day of the battle,
perhaps of the whole war. The story of the famous counter-attack of the 2nd
Battalion of the Worcesters has been written, and thrills the reader. To stand on
the ground itself, to be told the story again by one who was there, is more fascinating
than any reading can possibly be.
Eighteen years in a man's life is a long spell, and the memory is apt to become
dull, but the writer has recollections of that amazing day which will never fade. He
may therefore be pardoned if he recalls only two.
The scene of the first is a battery position not far from the Chateau which was
on that day the Headquarters of the 7th Division, and which was afterwards known
as Stirling Castle. It was then a white, square, stone building surrounded by tall
trees. Now there is a smaller red-tiled house on the bare side of a low rise.
Some time on the morning of October 31st three figures appeared in the battery
position, coming wearily from the direction of Gheluvelt. Two were Guardsmen,
a Corporal and another man, the third a private of the Gloucester Regiment. All were
incredibly muddy and bloodstained, but not with their own blood. All three had that
peculiar stare that a man has who has recently been through heavy fire. The Corporal
approached an officerthey had been blown out of their trenches, had lost their way,
could we tell them where were Headquarters?
We gave them hot tea and rum, and some food. They sat awhile chatting to
the gunners, while we made fruitless inquiries as to the whereabouts of their regiments,
or even of their brigade headquarters.
Presently the Corporal stood up, thanked us for the tea, and saluted as though
on the barrack square at Chelsea. Then, turning to his companions, he said, "Come,
lads, let's get back again." So they went, back to the line, and out of our lives, but
not, I am certain, out of the memory of any one of us who saw them go, with
heads up.
It is a few hours later. The battery has been ordered out of its position and is
standing just off the Menin Road, near Hooge, facing towards Ypres. It is waiting
for an opportunity to join the double line of traffic moving slowly eastwards. None
of us have any doubts about the seriousness of the situation. The stream of transport
coming from the front line, the wounded and stragglers, the set faces of officers,
the nearer sound of rifle fire and shelling, all tell the same tale. There is a tenseness
in the air that can almost be felt, as before a thunderstorm. Across the road is a
