uns on our side. Our largest
piece was a 60 pdr., and he may have thought mere Field Artillery (p. 007)
beneath his consideration. Nor was he more active in the air; his
planes rarely passed over our lines, and when they did, it was at so
great a height that it was quite impossible for them to gather
information. However, one day, we were extremely fortunate in seeing a
hostile plane, that had ventured to cross over our lines at a lower
altitude, brought down in flames by a direct hit from an "Archie"
battery lying in wait close behind our own position. It is a rare
sight, for, to tell the truth, anti-aircraft batteries are not held in
particularly high respect by anyone except by those of their own ilk,
and on only two other occasions did we ever see the like again.

Our fortnight soon sped by, and we were quite reluctant when the time
came to go "out." We left our neighbours, who had befriended us so
well, with the sincere hope that we would have the good fortune to
meet and lie alongside of them again in the future. This hope,
however, was not destined to be fulfilled. We retraced our steps
through Merville and Aire to the same area from whence we came, to a
village called Nielles, in order to concentrate as a Division, which,
when formed, was designated the Guards Division.

The inhabitants, as usual, extended a warm welcome to us and showed us
every consideration, and we settled down to enjoy the peaceful
surroundings bathed in the warm and pleasant September sunshine, while
the Senior Subaltern availed himself of the opportunity of again
laying siege to the hearts of his former conquests at Seningham close
by. Our own C.R.A. came to visit us here, and the officers were
severally introduced to him. He expressed satisfaction at the report
which came to him from the line, concerning our conduct in action, and
added that the high opinion formed of us at home had in no wise been
diminished, and that our reputation merited the distinction conferred
on us of being selected as the Artillery of the Guards from among the
many units of the new Army.

Thus we waited, confident in the belief that, whatever we were in the
future called upon to do, we would at least put up a good show, and
determined to be a credit to the Division of which we now formed a
part. We had not long to wait, whispers passed round that we would be
up and doing at no distant date, and these rumours proved to be well
founded.

CHAPTER II.