There were no trenches, and the men lay out in the
open on the sloping ground east and south of the Ablainzevelle road,
with intent to dig in as soon as possible. "C" company were on the
right, and they were rather fortunate in being on the site of an old
camp, because in these days of modern war it is necessary to dig a hole
in a tent even, as a safe-guard against bombing. "C" company then
disposed themselves amongst these circular holes, and later found them
useful protection when the heavy shelling commenced. "B" company, in the
centre, were totally exposed, while "A" company on the left, in touch
with the 6th, were almost as bad, although two platoons were able to
make use of the sunk road. "D" company were behind in support and could
occupy portions of an old Boche trench running east and west.
Headquarters lay out in the Ayette road at first until an old Boche
dug-out, not completed, was found farther up the road, and then they got
into it. Platoons had barely been allotted their areas when clumps of
Huns began to appear on the ridge we had just vacated. They proved to be
teams of light machine gunners, and without preliminaries in the matter
of searching for cover, they promptly opened fire, and soon there was a
perfect hail of grazing bullets swishing over the battalion area. German
officers calmly walked about directing operations and the whole scene
resembled a "stunt on the pictures" rather than modern war. They had
made a mistake, though, and if they were seeking dramatic effect it was
only short lived. Our men were delighted at the perfect target they
presented on the skyline, and rat-tat-tatted merrily in reply to the Hun
swish. By this time also "D" company of the Machine Gun battalion had
taken up a position and they also joined in the conversation. The enemy
then considered the advisability of concealment, and he disappeared from
view. Small parties of his infantry meanwhile had dribbled forward,
considerably helped by old systems of trenches which extended down into
the low ground. Our men were ready, however, and met them with a heavy
fusillade whenever they showed themselves.

Between Logeast Wood and Ablainzevelle was a camp of Nisson huts, which
had been protected against bombing, in the usual manner, by thick walls
of earth round each hut. The enemy was now making the fullest possible
use of these, for they afforded him most excellent protection. Luckily
they were on a piece of ground fully exposed