ks, the infantry set out on their long journey. The
men swept on, capturing the villages of Boyelles and Hamelincourt at
an early hour, without meeting much opposition or suffering undue
casualties. The day went well throughout and all objectives were
taken, and by nightfall, the vast machinery in the rear commenced to
move slowly forward. Batteries were advanced and supplied with
ammunition, by their echelons, ready for the next bout, and wagon
lines occupied the positions only just vacated by the guns. The attack
was continued on the following morning, which necessitated the (p. 084)
moving up of the guns once more, and the same thing continued day
after day. The enemy was slowly and relentlessly pressed back without
a pause or breathing space, and once this gigantic force was set in
motion it was exceedingly difficult to stop it, as our opponents were
soon to find out to their cost.

As the fight proceeded, our comrades on the left joined in, and
gradually the battle spread further north, assuming huge dimensions,
until it reached the river Scarpe. The enemy was caught napping before
Monchy, and the Dominion forces in one bound everywhere overwhelmed
their opponents, not only capturing the village but gaining ground to
the extent of two miles beyond it. By this time, Croisilles and St.
Leger had fallen into our hands, but the enemy made a most determined
stand in front of Ecoust, and a very stiff tussle took place for
several days before we eventually gained possession of it.

Some extraordinary incidents took place during the course of these
operations. The long-hoped for open warfare was upon us at last, and
the gunners' dream of galloping into action and firing with open
sights at close range was an accomplished fact almost before we were
aware of it. On one occasion, the whole Brigade, immediately at the
close of executing a creeping barrage, limbered up, and topping the
crest in front came face to face with the enemy, and dropped into
action alongside our advancing infantry. The enemy machine gunners
were lined up on a ridge some four hundred yards away, but on seeing
us they decamped with all speed, probably believing us to be a
regiment of cavalry. At any rate, if they had stood their ground and
manned their guns, they would have assuredly wiped us off the face of
the map almost before we could have opened fire on them. At the end of
another day's work, our battery position was scarcely two hundred
yards