ciation game or two. Intermittent spells of
artillery and trench mortar and gas shell bombardments of varying
severity disturbed the sector, but despite this the unit not only
immediately repaired any damage done, but considerably extended and
improved the system.

On the 9th of February the shelling became very heavy, culminating
towards evening in an intense bombardment on the sector lying to the
left of F1. At the same time an attempt was made to neutralise the
fire of the British batteries on the Ancre by gas shells. Intense
excitement prevailed in the Battalion, which was billeted in Aveluy,
in Brigade support, when it was called on to "stand to" and man the
bridge-head defences. Meantime the Hun carried out a raid on a part of
the line known as the Nab, which was occupied by the 2nd K.O.Y.L.I.
This point was occupied for half-an-hour or so by the enemy, who
picked up about eleven K.O.Y.L.I. prisoners and then retired. The
K.O.Y.L.I. suffered some sixty casualties in killed, wounded and
missing, so "B" Company and part of "C" of the 17th were rushed up
into the raided sector to reinforce the battered garrison, and stayed
there till morning.

Again the conditions stereotyped themselves into that nerve racking
ordeal known to the civilian public as "nothing to report"--the type
of warfare recognised by all who have any experience of modern active
service life as calling for all that is highest in regimental
efficiency and discipline, and individual initiative and grit. The
weather, taking it all over, was wet and stormy, causing endless work
in repairing the line and pumping the trenches clear of water. But the
bright star in this bloody, muddy firmament was the commencement of
leave, which opened about the 14th February. Even if your name was
well down the list, or not yet even on it at all, a new species of
keen counter-attraction was provided to the demands of war.

THE RAID.

_The "Red" Division--in the line at Authuille--Colonel Morton
wounded on March 21st--a raid postponed--carried out on
22nd--success of Lieut. Begg's party--congratulatory messages
and awards._

On 17th February, 1916, the 97th Brigade was relieved by the 96th
Brigade, and consequently the Battalion moved back for an expected
rest of some weeks. The 15th Lancashire Fusiliers took over the
Battalion Sector, and the 17th went into billets at Millencourt. Many
fatigues were carried out round about Albert, the princ