triangular redoubt, with the base resting on the
river and having an artificial moat through the middle and on its other
two sides. It had been built many years ago to defend Nieuport and in
this war had played its part. The enemy had paid a good deal of
attention to it with heavy shells so it was considerably knocked about.
Most of the concreted dug-outs, however, were still intact, and they
served to house a good portion of the 7th in their support position.
Headquarters inhabited the ever famous Indiarubber House. This resembled
an innocent barn in appearance, and the Hun had hit it hard many many
times, but his shells had only bounced harmlessly off the solid
concealed concrete--hence its name. The French, in the quiet days, had
"done themselves well" here, and we thanked them for the excellent
supply of electric light which they had handed over.

It was when we took over the front line, however, that the real meaning
of the Nieuport sector was revealed. The ground was torn and devastated
like the Salient, but here the destruction and misery was increased by
floods, ever present in a greater or less degree. It had been impossible
to dig in the low ground, so the defences consisted of breastworks which
had been very much battered since the enemy had established his
superiority here in guns. Over this area the Boche had uninterrupted
observation from the ruins of Lombaertzyde, which lay on slightly higher
ground just within his lines. It was thus practically impossible to move
about by day, for the sight of khaki brought down a hurricane of whizz
bangs, special batteries being apparently told off for sniping of this
nature. Further, as we lay in a very sharp salient just here our men
could be plainly seen behind the breastworks by the enemy on their right
rear, and these people indulged in long range machine gun sniping.
Since our purpose was a "peaceful" one in this sector, we could see no
value in inviting the enemy to indulge in artillery and M.G. target
practice on us, so we lay "doggo" during the day. Everything had to be
done at night, and runners to the companies found this their busiest
time, wading thigh-deep through stretches of water, and picking their
way amongst innumerable shell holes in search of Company Headquarters.
This front also lent itself to heavy trench-mortar work by the Hun, and
"minnies" were constantly stealing over with evil intent to batter down
our flimsy breastworks. Battalion H.Q. and t