add to the general comfort there
were practically no indications that the war was still on. The shelling
consisted at the most of half-a-dozen explosions daily, and generally
there was "nothing doing." The rations came up to Battalion Headquarters
by train, and the carrying parties lost their terrors.

After four days the Battalion moved out to the support area, which
consisted of billets in the deserted village of Chaudardes. Here concerts
were organised, there was bathing in the Aisne Canal, the band played
selections in the centre of the village, and it was even possible to do a
certain amount of training when the enemy's observation balloons were not
up.

The four days in support being finished, a return was made to the line,
this time on the right sub-sector, with the 8th Durham Light Infantry on
the left. The conditions were still good, and everything pointed to this
being a rest sector for the enemy also.

Nothing unusual occurred till the evening of the 26th May, when a message
was received to the effect that a prisoner had stated that after a
three-hours' bombardment the enemy was going to attack at 4 a.m. on the
27th. Observers also reported that towards dusk the roads behind the
enemy's line were black with troops. The situation appeared to be so
improbable that it was difficult to regard it as serious. The necessary
precautions were taken, however; reserves of ammunition were sent
forward, surplus personnel were sent down to the transport lines, and
everybody warned to be on the alert.

Promptly at 1 a.m. on the 27th the barrage came down, and it was such as
had never been experienced by the Battalion before. The enemy flooded the
whole area to a depth of about 3,000 yards with high explosive, shrapnel,
and gas shells. Even the stores and transport, as was afterwards
disclosed, were shelled out of Muscourt, which was many miles back, south
of the Aisne.

Communication with the forward companies was maintained by telephone, and
an occasional runner, and at 4.50 a.m. a message was received at
Headquarters from the front line stating that the enemy had attacked in
force and had overwhelmed the forward posts. An enemy tank was also
reported to be tearing up the wire. The next information came from Capt.
Lyon who, finding his Company (X) had been wiped out, reported at
Battalion Headquarters that the enemy was advancing rapidly. The reserve
company (Z), under Capt. R. Green, M.C., were in position close to