taking the form of comic dress contests.

The affair of "Wigan Copse," and the constant patrolling activity
exercised by ourselves and the 5th in that direction had induced a
lively interest in this spot, until finally it was decided to raid it,
and the 7th were selected to do the job. As this was the first effort of
this nature attempted in the division there was naturally a good deal of
anxiety as to the result. The 8th were to co-operate with a diversion on
"Dean Copse," and if possible, of course, they also were to obtain
prisoners. "C" Company (Capt. Townson's) were honoured by the C.O. in
having to supply the raiding party of 40 men, and 2nd-Lt. Hodge was put
in charge. His qualities as a leader, and his expert knowledge in
bayonet fighting left him undisputed as the officer most fitted for the
business. He took his men off to Ruyaulcourt, when we had gone into the
line again, and there trained them vigorously "over the tapes" for the
task in hand. Each time he took them "over" they were inspired to a
fiercer zest for the blood of Boche, so that when they returned to the
Slag Heap on the night of July 2nd every man was primed up like a
fighting cock.

Careful reconnaissance during the preceding nights, and long scrutiny by
day through telescopes and field glasses left no doubt as to the weak
spot in the Hun armour. He had placed low wire in front of the copse but
had no protection on the flanks. A track leading from the front line
showed how his men moved up to occupy this outpost position and also the
probable route taken by patrols. As it also seemed evident that the
copse was held at night only, the plan of the raid was obviously to give
the enemy ample time to settle down in the outpost, and then dispose the
raiding party so as to strike in on an exposed flank. The western side
was selected, because there was little or no danger from the canal, and
it left the 8th a free hand to deal with "Dean Copse." At the appointed
time our men filed quietly along and got into position across the track
without any alarm being raised. Lewis guns were posted at one or two
points to cut off retreating Huns. At 1.8 a.m. exactly, our guns opened
fire, not upon the copse of course, but upon the enemy main lines. A
remarkably good and accurate barrage was put down on the German front
line, which formed a crescent within which lay the two copses,
especially on known M.G. positions; while, by request, the Australian
heavy guns fro