d joined up with the Hants, so that there was once more a continuous
line.

[Sidenote: =April 29th.=]

The London Rifle Brigade, having now become the second line, was moved
up on this night to relieve the 4th East Yorks. The latter, with the 4th
Yorks, were split up among the Battalions of the 11th Brigade, two
companies of the latter being attached to the London Rifle Brigade. (The
East Lancs had rejoined the Brigade by this time.)

[Sidenote: =May 2nd.=]

About 5 p.m., under cover of very heavy shell fire and gas, the Germans
advanced from the ridge beyond the Haanebeke stream into the dead ground
on the near side of the stream, where they dug in some 300 yards away,
though on the left they got up much closer under cover of the houses.

The London Rifle Brigade casualties were very heavy, especially on the
right, where the ground was more open.

Though the Battalion was affected by the gas for about 10 minutes, there
was sufficient wind to dissipate it before any serious damage was done.

_To face page 20._

[Illustration: MAJOR A. S. BATES.

_20th May, 1915._]

There is no doubt that, during their advance from about 1,000 yards till
they got into dead ground, the Germans suffered fairly heavy casualties
from the rifle fire of the two companies on the right, and this may
possibly have deterred them from trying to leave the dead ground. With
the assistance of the two companies of the 4th Yorks and one company of
the East Lancs, which was also attached to the Battalion, the damage to
the trenches was almost all repaired during the night, and all the
wounded were evacuated.

[Sidenote: =May 3rd.=]

On this night the line was readjusted, and the whole Brigade retired
through the new line in rear without a single casualty.

[Sidenote: =May 4th.=]

The actual withdrawal commenced at 12.45 a.m., commencing from the right
of Battalions. Wieltje was timed to be reached at 1.45 a.m.

The casualties over the period April 25th to May 4th were 16 officers
and 392 other ranks.

[Sidenote: =May 4th--8th.=]

These days were spent at various places in the woods behind Vlamertinghe
resting, reorganising, and dealing with accumulations of mail.

[Sidenote: =May 9th.=]

The Battalion moved early in the morning to the grounds of the Chateau
at Vlamertinghe. On this night and the next one it had to dig on the
east side of the canal on the north of La Brique.

_To face page 21._

[Illustration: OFFICERS.

_20t