at part of the ridge
immediately behind it with the bayonet. Further progress was impossible
owing to machine-gun fire from defiladed positions on the main ridge,
while bombs and rifle grenades were freely used by the enemy. Our men
were able to hold on to the mound and make an effort at consolidation,
assisted by the Argylls, but they were soon forced back from the portion
of the ridge which they had occupied. They fell back to a slight nullah
where they were rallied and hurriedly reorganised. A second advance
and their bayonets retook part of the ridge, but only to be driven off
again. Another time and yet another did they return and capture the
ridge, only to find it untenable. Then Major Findlay decided that it was
useless to make a further attempt and that it was better to hold on to
the mound which had been to some extent consolidated and try to
establish a line running N.N.W. from it. But the enemy pushed his
machine-guns forward and concentrated all his fury on our precarious
position, which he enfiladed from the left and left rear. Gradually its
defenders were driven westwards along the west of the mound into the
depression behind, where they rallied and re-formed, and from which they
retook the position. After a game effort to hold on they were once more
compelled to retire. By this time the fog of battle had enveloped
everything. Major Findlay and Captain Townsend were dead on the top of
the hill. Major Brand and eight other officers were out of action; 190
men were dead or wounded. The remaining officers decided that it was
useless to make any further attack and withdrew to Battalion
Headquarters with the remainder of the men. The Argylls and the 6th
H.L.I. continued to hold a line farther south on the ridge, but out of
immediate touch with the enemy. The Turks still continued their heavy
rifle and machine-gun fire but made no attempt to advance. At midnight
their fire ceased entirely and shortly afterwards the 7th H.L.I.
relieved our Battalion, which moved back to a bivouac area near Herbieh.

[Illustration: AREA OF OPERATIONS.

7/8TH NOVEMBER, 1917.

SCALE 1 INCH TO A MILE]

This was the most severe of our night attacks and the most costly. There
must have been many individual acts of gallantry but the most
outstanding feature of the operations was the collective grit,
determination and bravery of the Battalion. Looking at the position next
day, with our dead lying where they fell, one wondered how any