Portuguese if they should be attacked, for they lay on the left of the
42nd. This entailed a careful reconnaissance of all the ground behind
their positions, and the siting and construction of defended localities
in that area. So the battalion found itself digging and wiring once more
in new soil.

The 55th division, having recovered from the severe handling they had
received in the enemy reply to "Cambrai," eventually took over the line,
and on February 12th the 7th marched back to Burbure, near Lillers. The
end of the 42nd's tour of duty in this sector had been marked the
previous night by a highly successful raid by the 9th Manchesters which
had taken the Boche completely by surprise, and had furnished quite a
number of prisoners and machine guns. The warning rumblings of the
German offensive storm now steadily increased to a marked degree. His
guns were growing in number, range and activity, and what had once been
peaceful back areas were steadily becoming more uncomfortable. This was
displayed all along the front, so that it was impossible to deduce from
that fact alone where his blow would fall. There was a good deal of
suspicion, however, about the Portuguese front, and the duties of the
42nd, as 1st Army reserve, were clear if the attack took place there.

Eventually the division, without having to move again, became G.H.Q.
reserve, which meant that we were liable to be sent to any part of the
British line when Germany commenced to strike. With the aid of motor
buses, parties of officers and men made reconnaissances of the defended
localities behind the Loos and Hulluch sector, so that by now we were
more or less conversant with the larger part of the 1st Army front. The
divisional commander lectured officers and N.C.O's. of all brigades
concerning the work of defence, and it was about this time that he
instituted the divisional motto:--"Go one better"--which was taken up
and acted upon with such popular enthusiasm by everyone connected with
the 42nd. In fact, if a coat of arms of the East Lancashire Division had
been designed in 1918, the following three features would have stood out
clearly:--

[Illustration]

During the month of February the drain upon the manpower of the British
Empire caused by the war made itself apparent. It was found to be
impossible to maintain in the field four battalions per brigade, and a
reduction to three was ordered. Then took place the solution of a most
confusing Chinese puz