, a good deal of this fire was attracted
by the men, in disregard of repeated orders, foolishly exposing
themselves on the open spaces. At that time they had little knowledge of
distances, of the searching effect of shrapnel and machine gun fire, or
of the powers of observation possessed by the enemy. Moving about in
their blue cardigans--their khaki jackets being discarded when not in
the trenches--they afforded an easily distinguishable mark for the
hostile gunner. Later on wisdom, born of experience, preserved many
lives or limbs. Before leaving Egypt, the Brigadier had said, in a
manner that caused his audience some grim amusement, "No one doubts your
bravery, but you should not take unnecessary risks. If you do, you may
only get wounded and thus become a heavy expense to the Government."

About this period, the Corps Commander directed the commencement of
tunnelling operations at the Apex. It was intended to drive under the
enemy's works and, when the time was ripe, blow them and their occupants
into the air. As the 28th had many miners in its ranks, it was asked to
supply the labour which would be applied under the direction of the
Engineers. Lance-Sergeant E. A. Arundel, who had been a mine manager on
the Goldfields, was placed in charge of the party. The work was carried
on for many weeks before the party was relieved. Eventually, a mine was
blown here on the night of the final evacuation by the Australians.

The 22nd September also saw the return of Lieut. Davey's platoon from
Canterbury Slope, it having been replaced by one from the 25th
Battalion.

Next day the Battalion was interested in the arrival of the first
specimen of the "broomstick" bomb. No casualties resulted. Some activity
developed on the left of the IX. Corps front, where an artillery duel
continued for some time. The warships in the Bay joined in but
eventually the gunfire died down. Outbursts of firing would frequently
occur at night in the neighbourhood of Hill 60 and beyond. These could
be heard and witnessed from the Apex and it was generally understood
that the British were endeavouring to improve their ground or positions
by sapping forward. Occasionally a naval searchlight would illuminate
the area. At other times flares, made of oakum soaked in petrol and
secured to wooden contrivances, would be thrown out into No-Man's
Land--there, for a time, to burn merrily. Pistol flares were then only
just making their appearance and very few had