in the life of a gunner
subaltern.

Orders would be given that a certain hostile trench was to be
subjected to a severe, annihilating bombardment, and this necessitated
the laying out of a wire to a part of our front line, from which the
shoot could be registered, as the target could not be observed from
any other locality than the trench immediately opposite it. The F.O.O.
rises early in the morning, and sets out with his little squad of
telephonists and linesmen. He requires to post a signalman and
linesman at frequent intervals, called Relay Stations, in order (p. 034)
to preserve communication, as the wire is being continually broken by
hostile gun-fire. Progress, in a case like this, is necessarily slow,
and he has to pick his way among the shell-holes, seeking as much
protection, for the line, as circumstances will permit. The signallers
follow in his footsteps, staggering along under the weight of a large
reel of wire. All goes well until they reach the summit of a ridge,
when, suddenly, a barrage from a "whizz bang" battery is placed right
down on top of the party. There is nothing for it but to remain
crouched in a friendly shell-hole, which affords a little protection,
until the storm blows over or to risk the chances of being hit in the
open. The journey is then resumed, and much relief is felt when at
last the ground over a nasty dip is traversed without mishap, as this
is known to be a favourite target for hostile gunners. A muddy,
unkempt communication-trench is now entered, and the party proceed, up
a slope, towards the support system, and eventually arrive at their
destination--a post in the front line overlooking its objective.
Difficulty is experienced in preserving the wire from the unguarded
feet of infantrymen, who look askance at the party as it passes,
cursing the idiosyncrasies of each fire bay. The instrument is
connected with the end of the wire, and all hold their breath in order
to hear the answering buzz which tells them that they are through to
the battery. Several futile buzzes may be made by the telephonist, and
then, no response being forthcoming, a linesman is sent down the wire
towards the first relay station. A break in the wire is discovered and
speedily mended, the next attempt is successful, and the battery is
called to action.

During registration the wire often breaks, and serious delays occur,
but, at length, the last gun is duly pronounced O.K. by the officer.
Just in th