THE YPRES TIMES After three days of this we handed over the guns to another battery and then went forward with another set of guns. We came into action in some partially- made open positions along the shell-battered valley of the Broombeek. The objective for which the men in front of us were fighting was an advance in the region of Houthulst Forest, but though some progress was made the operations wefe frustrated by the weather. Here our Battery did not possess a friendly pill-box or dug-out in which to shelter. During the ten days I spent at this position I was never able to have an hour's sleep or even get my feet and clothing dry. Six of us lived in a shell-hole, [Imperial War Museum, Crown Copyright HAULING A FIELD GUN OUT OF THE MUD ON THE PILCKEM RIDGE Photo] our only cover being a canvas trench shelter which we have carried on the gun through the foresight of the sergeant. As the historian has recorded, Such fighting was the last word in human misery, for the country was now one irreclaim able bog, and the occasional hours of watery sunshine had no power to dry it." We were sustained by the thought of our duty to the men in front. I remember on one occasion standing to the guns in readiness for the S.O.S. as the Germans were expected to counter-attack. We got the call to action, and no sooner had we commenced to fire than the enemy guns began to shell our position. Not a man flinched, in fact, we were so eager to serve the guns that we had no time to think of danger. We came through the ordeal with a few minor casualties.

HISTORISCHE KRANTEN

The Ypres Times (1921-1936) | 1934 | | pagina 13