reabouts was pleasant country with excellent sea bathing.
Petite Synthe was left on the 19th for Dunkirk where they entrained
and proceeded east along the sand dunes to Coxyde and, on the
following day, into the coastal camp of Kuhn. Coxyde and Kuhn were
French built camps and very good, with vegetable gardens attached to
them.

Until 10th July the Battalion stayed in this vicinity, and despite
spells of shelling, trench mortar and aerial bombardments,
considerable patrolling and wiring work, the stay on the sand dunes
about Nieuport was heaven after the endless mud and horror of the
winter on the Somme. The very mention of Nieuport to a man who was
there in the first week of July, 1917, makes a marked impression on
his countenance. Since detraining at Coxyde on 20th June, things had
been comparatively quiet and the weather ideal. Working parties were
supplied for the roads during the day and smaller parties were engaged
on the breastworks in the front line at night. The quietness was
absolutely awful. But the presence of civilians in Oost Dunkirk and
Les Bains gave an air of security and quietude to the place which was
very soothing to the heart of the soldier. It is true that aerial
activity was disquieting at times, but several successful attacks on
the "Vultures of the Kaiser" made these items of interest, rather than
causes of alarm. The Germans seemed to pay greater attention to
something well on the left of the Battalion and towards the sea, than
to anything that concerned them particularly. The appearance of the
roads from Oost Dunkirk to Nieuport was most assuring and their great
beauty and undisturbed tranquillity were all that could be desired.

A large amount of work was attempted during this period on the Brigade
Front, in order to obtain sufficient cover for protection against
retaliation after our artillery bombardments began, prior to an
intended attack on the sea-coast by the 4th Army, in conjunction with
the 5th and 2nd Armies from Ypres. The enemy, before our artillery
came in, greatly increased his artillery force, and daily destroyed
any work done by night. These destructive shoots were afterwards found
to be part of his barrage programme for the attack on the 10th July.

OPERATIONS ON THE COAST.

_Enemy hurricane bombardment--enemy attempt frustrated--attack
abandoned--visit to H.L.I.--sports--visit of Dr. Kelman--patrol
work by Corpl. Wilson--listening post raided--departure