ehind them. The consolidating party
followed up quickly, and covered by a protective screen who lay out well
in front in the vicinity of Red Cottage, they dug L.G. positions, fire
steps for riflemen and placed coils of wire out in front and on the
flanks. A good deal of the C.T. was also dug--quite sufficient at any
rate to enable a careful man to crawl down to the new post in daylight.
It was a good night's work, and earned a well-deserved M.C. for Lieut.
Edge and M.M's. for Sgt. Banahan and three others.

Next day, brigade considered the necessity for careful consolidation of
the ground gained by the 6th and 7th, but Capt. Creagh intimated that he
wished to make his position more secure by capturing the Triangle, a
strong triangular redoubt which lay in the grounds of La Signy Farm, and
which dominated the post we had just taken. Permission was granted to
carry out this enterprise, and once more preparations were rushed
forward and orders made out for the operation to be accomplished that
night. This time "D" company, temporarily commanded by Lt. Douglas, was
selected to provide the attackers. They were back in reserve, close to
Batt. H.Q., and on suitable ground for carrying out a quick rehearsal.
Also it was decided that the best method of clearing the Boche would be
by bombing. The battalion bombing officer was Lieut. Gresty, who
belonged to "D" company, and he was put in command of the attacking
party, 2nd-Lt. Gorst, at his own request, being detailed to assist him.

The post captured the previous night was the "jumping off" place, and
the plan was to work along the enemy trench to the right, clear it by
bombing, and so get to the Triangle. The whole operation was a huge
success, and never did the eager fighting qualities of the Fleur de Lys
show up to prouder advantage than in the display given by "D" company
that night. The unexpected direction of approach took the enemy
completely by surprise, for our men had not proceeded far before they
caught a working party out in the open. There was a short scrap, but
most of the poor Jerries had no weapons handy, and they ran off
squealing and chattering like a lot of monkeys, leaving their dead and
wounded behind. Our men pushed on quickly, anxious to make the fullest
possible use of the surprise element, until the northern corner of the
Triangle was reached. Here they split up into two parties, Gresty
continuing the original direction, and Gorst turning along to the rig