eased, while the infantry made a series of raids.
This was done throughout the whole length of the front, in order to
keep the enemy from guessing the exact point of eruption, and we had a
warm time in consequence. For a long time after the battle had
commenced, we continued making demonstrations, which undoubtedly
helped to prevent the removal of many reserves from the locality.

But we were not content to remain here. There was a great scrap taking
place elsewhere, and were we going to be left completely out of it, to
eat our heads off, in Flanders? It seemed very unlikely that the
Division would not be called upon on such an occasion, and great was
the joy when one day orders came through that we were soon to proceed
to the scene of action. Within two days we pulled out to our old
resting place, where preparations were completed for our transference
to the battle area.

Our first acquaintance with the dreaded Salient was at an end, and,
although the time spent there was always strenuous and difficult, we
were not what could be called uncomfortable, and our casualties
happily did not exceed expectations.

CHAPTER V. (p. 030)

On the Somme.

At the beginning of August, the Division detrained in the
neighbourhood of Doullens, and, proceeding in a southeasterly
direction, the Brigade established itself near the small village of
Couin. In a few days' time we went "in," and the Battery took up a
position on the southern outskirts of Hebuterne, overlooking the enemy
stronghold at Serre. This portion of the front was now in a normal
state once more, as, on the opening day of the great battle, the
British assault from Hamel, northward to Gommecourt, had met with no
success, and the attack was not further pressed. The enemy was content
to remain quiet, and most of the firing was carried out by us. A
considerable number of hostile "Minnies" made conditions somewhat
unpleasant for the infantry in the trenches, and during the night the
battery position was subjected to indirect machine-gun fire, which
necessitated a certain amount of caution in moving about. The O.P.'s
were well placed, and afforded us an excellent view, for we overlooked
the enemy's lines, and could see some distance beyond them. We were
now on the fringe of the battle, and away half right, on clear days,
we could see the struggle progressing, as a considerable dent had
already been made. The