ointed places in readiness
for the coming fray, while the neighbourhood behind the lines bristled
with activity and also with new arrivals. We believed that probably
these preparations were being made in order to take the Henin Ridge in
front, and no one imagined that the coming operations would consist of
more than a local attack with a limited objective, as little or no
information had been given to anyone. It is true that rumours were
abroad, that our opponents were preparing to withdraw during the
coming winter to their defences in the Hindenburg Line, which meant
that we would be left most uncomfortably situated in the wilderness
throughout that season. Little did we dream, however, that this (p. 082)
was the commencement of a long series of hammer blows, lasting
over several months, and employing millions of men, and destined to be
the last and greatest battle the world has ever seen, ending with the
complete demoralisation of the enemy's forces. The turn of the tide
was at hand at last!

CHAPTER XII. (p. 083)

Through the Hindenburg Line.

Before the serious work ahead of us could be undertaken, it was
necessary to shear off an awkward little bulge in the enemy's line,
which included the ruined hamlet of Moyenneville. The corps on our
right were to take part in an assault two days previous to the
commencement of our own advance, so it was considered expedient to
accomplish the above task at the same time. Consequently, during the
big attack, delivered in the south on the 21st of August, which
brought our troops level with the Arras-Albert railway line, our small
side-show passed off successfully almost unnoticed. Desperate fighting
had also taken place in the neighbourhood of Morlancourt, just north
of the river Somme, in which the enemy troops had been driven back
after stubborn resistance. They thereupon evacuated the town of
Albert, as the place was getting too hot for them, and retired on
positions to the east of it. Our guns were now moved into their battle
positions, and on the eve of the attack everything was ready and in
order. For once in a way the weather was favourable, and this augured
well for the speedy advancement of the guns, which was essential for
the success of the operations.

At dawn, therefore, on the 23rd inst., without any preliminary
bombardment, but, preceded by a dense creeping barrage and supported
by innumerable tan