days a walk along the front line was a delight, and nothing
gave the F.O.O. greater pleasure than to take his morning
constitutional from one end of our area to the other and to peer over
the side at frequent intervals by means of a periscope. Sniping was
sometimes indulged in, but a target rarely presented itself for the
simple reason that the enemy was hardly ever in his front line
trenches during daylight. From one O.P. we could often see one or two
men running along the trenches with lighted torches kindling fires and
causing smoke in order to lead us into the belief that the trenches
were powerfully manned.

Now, about this time, a number of hostile batteries, whose positions
could not be located, gave us a certain amount of trouble, but a
successful ruse was carried out which enabled us to discover them.
Operations were undertaken in order to force the enemy to show his
hand, and every indication was made by us that we were about to
institute a raid. Wire cutting was done by one battery, and others
registered strong points in rear behind the prescribed area. Then at
dusk, known as flesh time, when batteries are most likely to give
their positions away, all the O.P.'s were manned, spotting apparatus
made ready, and our barrage was put down on this sector. The infantry
had been provided with dummy figures, which they held aloft on poles,
and in the semi-darkness this gave the impression that they were
preparing to quit the trenches and go over the top, while high
overhead hovered a number of our aeroplanes waiting to assist. The
plan worked admirably, and in a few minutes the enemy's counter (p. 019)
preparation commenced. As the result of our efforts his positions were
pin-pointed and dealt with by our 60-pdrs. the next day, after which
we were not bothered by them to such a great extent.

Soon after this episode there came upon the scene what were commonly
known as "Cook's Tourists." These were officers whose units were still
at home, and who were sent out to gain experience by being attached to
batteries for a short period. At times the tourist laid himself open
to being the victim of many practical jokes, and this certainly
contributed to the liveliness of the mess. A certain officer was
escorted down to the front line trenches one day, and, as usual, the
party was armed with periscopes. All of a sudden he emitted a cry of
delight, as, gazing through the instrument, he told us of how crowds
of the enemy we