ard positions. There were a number of these tracks all
leading out like arteries from the bases of organisation to the front
line. They were labelled at intervals with small boards bearing the
distinctive letter or number of the track painted in white luminous
paint so that they were equally legible by day or by night. These were
the only guides in this desolate waste, and woe betide the man who in
the night came across a spot where shelling had obliterated a good
portion of the track, for it was a difficult job to pick it up again,
and frequently a nerve-racking experience.

With the exception of a few bursts of 4.2's at intervals none of which
came uncomfortably close, the battalion were fortunate in having a
peaceful passage that night, and the relief of the 7th Lancs. Fus.
proceeded without incident. We were in support in old German positions
just in front of Cambridge Road, headquarters being established in the
shafts of a dug-out which had filled with water. Oh--how we longed for
the comfort of Havrincourt! But we never allowed this thought to cause
depression, for it was all in the game and other men had had much worse
things to do.

I think the dominant note of our stay in this sector was shelling. It
was an ever present serious factor, and a most disturbing one. Men were
killed and maimed "for doing nothing" so to speak. They were merely on
the spot, and there was nowhere else to go. Tactical reasons demanded
that they should be there, should scratch a little cover and remain, and
there they cheerfully remained--and waited. Officers moved about and
tried to get their men interested in their surroundings, in their
comfort, in their protection, and in the rigging up of a defensive
battle if necessary. The men understood and worked with a will, and
laughter and song rang out over the torn earth. But every man knew that
in a place like this almost anything might happen; however, the worst
would never happen to _him_--the other fellow perhaps, but not him.
That, I imagine, was one of the secrets of sticking it.

Undoubtedly the Boche was putting up a fight for this bit of ground, and
his guns never ceased, only in the grey hours of dawn was there any
semblance of peace along the front, and then one felt that he had just
temporarily put a hand over the mouth of the guns in a straining
attitude of watching and listening for a movement on our part. A sudden
withdrawal of that hand and they would all bark forth togeth