number of Tanks, the great Hindenburg line had been
breeched over a distance of from 6 to 8 miles, with the result that
the fall of Cambrai a centre of great importance to the Germans
appeared imminent.

However, after the first couple of days, the attack was not pressed
home as it might have been, for some reason or other, and the fight
came to an abrupt standstill, leaving our troops in a particularly
baggy salient. These were the conditions that prevailed when the
Division gradually moved nearer the scene of action.

In the beginning of the fourth week of November, we entered the
battle, taking over from a famous Scottish Division which had fought
with great distinction on the opening days.

The battery was placed in action to the north of Flesquieres, (p. 061)
well inside the salient facing Bourlon Wood, in a position only
recently completed by the enemy and which had not even been occupied
by him. There was plenty of accommodation for everyone in the deep
mined dug-outs prepared by him some thirty to forty feet below the
ground, and the officers' quarters were spacious and lavishly
constructed.

From this point the domes and the spires of the city of Cambrai could
be clearly distinguished; indeed, they appeared such a short distance
away, it looked as if a saunter would carry us into the heart of the
town.

It was most interesting and instructive studying the elaborate system
of the Hindenburg defences. First, there were three separate belts of
closely-entwined barbed wire, each being some thirty yards wide, and
behind them came a deep, narrow forefield trench that was only
intended to be lightly manned. Communication trenches led back to the
main Hindenburg trench some distance behind, in most cases being out
of immediate view from our lately occupied positions.

This trench was both deep and wide, being some twelve feet across and
duck-boarded throughout, raised on wooden stakes to prevent the water
reaching the level of the pathway. At short intervals shafts led down
to the spacious dug-outs beneath, which were all connected and linked
up with one another. In fact, practically speaking, one could walk
from one end of the line to the other below the surface of the ground.

Skilfully concealed, at frequent intervals, were emplacements for both
trench-mortars and machine-guns, all heavily concreted and covered on
top with turf.

The enemy must have thought himself very secure in this vast
stronghold