d and marched to "Irish Camp."

On the afternoon of the 23rd a start was made for the Passchendaele
front line system, the route taken by the Battalion being for the
greater part over the duck board walks "Mouse Trap Track," which
covered ground won in the recent big push at Passchendaele. The
take-over was not completed without casualties, but these were
comparatively few considering the dangerous nature of the going, which
was in the open over shell-pitted ground. The Battalion relieved by
the 17th was the 1st Northamptonshire Battalion. During the night the
17th captured its first prisoner in this area--a corporal of the 315th
Regiment. According to his statement he had been out on patrol when he
lost one of his boots in the mud and in trying to find it he had
strayed into our lines and been taken. During their initial tour of
the Passchendaele system much heavy work was done in converting the
shell-hole defence line into trenches, and patrolling. Several
casualties were reported each day and the mud was thick and sticky. On
the 26th the Battalion was relieved and proceeded to Dambre Camp in
the Vlamertinghe area where everybody rested and completed the
preparations for the forthcoming offensive at Passchendaele.

It may be said at the outset that the element of surprise intended in
the Passchendaele attack failed entirely, as the enemy were aware of
the British intentions and fully prepared. In addition, the fact that
the artillery barrage proper did not open until zero plus eight
minutes, allowed the enemy entire freedom of action in his front posts
with rifles and machine guns.

The Battalion moved into the line on the evening of December 1st in
conjunction with the other Battalions of the Brigade--2nd K.O.Y.L.I.;
16th H.L.I.; 11th Border Regiment; and the 15th Lancashire Fusiliers
(attached). The 16th Northumberland Fusiliers of the 96th Infantry
Brigade were attached to the 97th Infantry Brigade as counter-attacking
troops to be used in the event of a strong hostile counter-attack on
the Brigade front. The frontage taken over by the Brigade was one of
1,850 yards approximately along the Passchendaele Ridge. There were
two objectives to be taken, of which sections were detailed as the job
of the 17th--a slice which included two formidable "pill-boxes" known
as the "Vat and Veal Cottages."

The Battalion assembled on a frontage of 400 yards and at Zero Hour
(1.55 a.m.) moved forward to the attack. Companies de