action here and there and falling back as the
circumstances required, until at the end of a week, the line became
more or less stationary. The front line now ran through Mercatel, (p. 075)
Boisleux and Moyenneville and thence, in a south westerly direction,
towards Serre. Thus the Germans were again almost back on the line
they had held, prior to the big retreat on the Hindenburg line in the
spring of 1917.

It seemed a great pity to vacate the Henin Ridge, for the opposing
sides found themselves facing each other in a hollow, with rising
ground on either side, which made battery positions difficult to
conceal. So many disused trenches, which had previously formed part of
the old German line system, helped to shelter us, to a great extent,
for we were at this point nearly two miles east of the permanent line
of a year ago.

Everyone feverishly sat about digging and constructing new trenches,
and an enormous amount of work was accomplished in a comparatively
short space of time, for it was felt that the enemy had by no means
expended all his strength, and would endeavour, in the near future, to
resume active operations. There could be no doubt that he would be
dissatisfied to remain where he was, especially as, so far, he had
little to shew on this particular part of the front for his gigantic
effort and huge loss of men.

It was no surprise therefore when, at the beginning of the second week
in April, after a short sharp bombardment, the enemy made a strong
attack from Monchy, north to the Vimy Ridge, with the object of
seizing Arras and the heights before mentioned. The result was a
costly failure, as he was everywhere held up in our forefield system,
and the British Divisions opposed to him had the time of their lives.
We were very interested to hear about this battle, as, of course, it
was fought over the sector in which we had lately spent a number of
happy months and where we had done such an amount of work. It was
distinctly gratifying, too, when a wire was received from the Division
who took over from us thanking our Division for the wonderful
defensive construction made by us. It was due to that work that they
were enabled to bring the enemy so quickly to an abrupt standstill.

They had seemingly experienced a veritable field day and thoroughly
enjoyed themselves on that occasion.

After this unsuccessful effort, the enemy evidently gave up the
attempt to gain possession of Arras and Vimy by a frontal att