ve been pulled out on the
previous night. Now, the enemy troops appeared to be as much surprised
at their success as we were, and continued advancing in a bewildered
kind of fashion, astonished at the little or entire lack of opposition
with which they met. Suddenly, however, they came face to face with
the full strength of the best disciplined troops in the world,
whereupon they paused, staggered, and at length commenced to fall
back, in confusion and disorder, with the result that the day was
saved just in the nick of time, and most of the ground was recovered,
in addition to some 50 guns.

Meanwhile the wagon lines were situated in the village of (p. 064)
Ribecourt, right inside the salient, and, although it was known that a
scrap was taking place, no one had any idea as to its stupendous
nature. The fact that the village lay in a valley, surrounded by
hills, prevented much noise of the conflict reaching those in it.
However, shortly after breakfast, it became apparent that something
was amiss, and the place became subjected to a heavy bombardment. The
horses and vehicles were evacuated as quickly as possible, without
suffering undue casualties, and collected on the hillside a short
distance away, facing Bourlon Wood, where they "stood to" awaiting
further orders.

Hostile aeroplanes put in an appearance, flying daringly low hither
and thither across the salient, endeavouring to pick up as much
information as possible, and sometimes dropping bombs. Many a tussle
took place between them and our airmen, who did not allow them
undisputed sway for long.

At noon instructions came through to be prepared to withdraw the guns
at any moment, but in the end this was found unnecessary. Even at this
time we were unaware that the enemy had penetrated our line to the
south, and the first indication we had that something unusual was
taking place, was the arrival of some reinforcements, who hurried
along the top of the hillside behind us, and took up positions facing
in the opposite direction! A short time elapsed, and then we were
astonished and horrified to see a creeping barrage roll along, top the
crest, and gradually draw nearer us from the rear. Fortunately, it
stopped before actually reaching us, for by this time the enemy had
attained his furthest point of penetration, and the counter attack had
already been launched. Throughout the rest of the day the wagon line
"stood to" ready for any emergency, and at dusk