the line, as
he is probably taking it over from us in a few days, and I had to
wander right around all the emplacements again. After tea I went down
to see how our guns were getting on and found the infantry were very
pleased with them, as one gun had managed to destroy a Hun machine gun
emplacement, and the others must have done considerable damage, as
they so much raised the Hun's ire that he shelled them all
unsuccessfully.

We had a pleasant dinner, and the rest of the evening I have spent
worrying over returns, new emplacements, trench maps, &c., and so to a
well-earned rest.

I am beginning to find my way about a bit now, but there is a
veritable maze of nice white chalk trenches. We are in a sort of
valley, and in the middle of the valley is a slight rise on which the
village of La Boiselle once existed, and which now forms the German
salient.

Sunday, 28th, 1-0 a.m. Wakened up by Parker, of the Lincolns to tell
me that gas cylinders have been seen being taken in La Boiselle, and
that, as the wind is in the right direction, there may be a gas
attack. I hope not; however put on boots and puttees. I warned the
men, putting one sentry on duty, as also the servants. I have a
beastly headache, and I am very tired; I wish people wouldn't see such
things. They are very quiet, too, to-night, which looks suspicious.

May 29th. Awakened very tired about 8-0 o'clock, dressed by putting on
my boots, sponge bath, shaved while I had my breakfast in my dug-out.
Then I went with my sergeant to see about new emplacements. Started on
a new one with a corporal and four men working, also myself. In the
afternoon I received a scheme for construction of six new
emplacements, and I had to go to try and find positions. I managed
more or less to do so, and returned in time to start working out
ranges, compass bearing, angles, &c., only to find I had to go down to
two emplacements again to place them accurately by the map. Busy all
evening with indents, returns and chiefly with schemes for
emplacements. Bed at last--12 midnight.

Yesterday we worked on emplacements till about 2-0, when I returned
for lunch, and was strafed by the Divisional General for having my
guns in the firing line; afterwards a disturbed lunch, during which we
were shelled and our men's dug-out pushed in with a 5.9 howitzer,
though 16 men in the dug-out were unhurt. The Bosche was busy all day
with 5.9's, blowing most things in. In the afternoon I went up to