of Sir
Reginald Hart.

"On November 30th, when the Germans, in their heavy surprise
attack, pierced our line to the south of my sector, the enemy
entered the village of Les Rues Vertes, a suburb of Masnieres,
which town was my right flank. It was the Guernsey Light Infantry
which recovered this village twice by counter-attacks, and which
maintained the southern defences of Masnieres for two days against
seven German attacks with superior forces and very superior
artillery. When we were ordered to evacuate Masnieres on the night
of December 1st, it being a dangerous salient, with the enemy on
three sides, it was the Royal Guernsey Light Infantry which covered
the withdrawal. Guernsey has every reason to feel the greatest
pride in her sons, and I am proud to have them under me fighting
alongside my staunch veterans of three years' fighting experience.

"Many officers and men greatly distinguished themselves, among whom
I may first mention Le Bas, and after him Stranger, Stone and
Sangster.

"I enclose a copy of Special Order, and feel that Guernsey should
participate in the pride we all feel in having done our duty. I
regret the casualties of the Battalion were heavy, a further proof,
if any were needed, that they fought magnificently."

IX

DECEMBER-JANUARY, 1918

HOUVIN

Detraining at a railroad the small force of Normans swung away upon a
long march to billets in Houvin, partaking at last of the rest that had
for so long been their dire need.

The plentitude of food, ample sleep, clean clothing, and the wholesome
cleanliness of pure water in which the body could be purified of a war's
protracted stagnations, acted visibly upon the spirits. They had had
access to papers portraying to the full how much had depended upon their
stand in those critical days, and now it was over they marvelled at how
they had done it.

From their connection with the 29th Division, in the previous September,
there had been borne upon them from friendly contact with brother
Battalions, the subtle esprit de corps permeating a Division who had won
fame at Gallipoli, who inspired when transferred to France a fear of
their arms in the Hun mind, and won from the recalcitrant foe eulogy in
the form of "The Iron Division."

A strong mutual respect was apparent between them and the remaining
regiments of the 86th Brigade. Ea