sh. Some were ignited by mechanical action and others by match or
portfire. Portfires were made by wrapping a piece of khaki drill tightly
around a thin strip of pine wood. One of these when once lit would burn
for hours.

Of Trench Mortars the Apex position possessed two--one a 3.7 inch and
the other, smaller, a Garland Howitzer. These threw light bombs a short
distance. Their effect was quite local and, except in case of a direct
hit on a person, hardly more than moral. One of these mortars was
located on either flank of the position. Private F. Congdon was placed
in charge of that on the right and Private J. B. Deering that on the
left. These soldiers soon learned to use their weapons so effectively
that the Turk was discovered, early one morning, to have placed a
protective wire-netting screen in front of and over the Blockhouse.

Later on the Battalion made the acquaintance of the Catapult. This
machine resembled a large "shanghai" fixed to timber, one end of which
rested on the parapet whilst the other--in the trench--was packed in a
manner to give the required elevation. A cricket ball or jam tin bomb
was placed in the pouch and the rubbers were then strained by means of a
crank handle winding up a wire attached to the pouch with a trip hook.
When the required tension was obtained one man lit the fuse and retired
to cover. The other, the expert, allowing the fuse to burn for a certain
time--to suit the range, pulled the string which released the trip. If
all went well the bomb sailed over towards the Turk. Sometimes, however,
the trip would fail, or the rubbers foul. Then the bomb would make a
very short flight and might not even clear the home trench. In
consequence of these possibilities, the local area was never overcrowded
with inquisitive people and the experts became expert also at taking
cover.

[Illustration: AT THE APEX.
Using the Periscope Rifle.
_Photo. lent by Mrs. H. Simm._]

[Illustration: "THE FARM."
Taken from No. 4 Post at the Apex.
_Photo. lent by Mrs. H. Simm._]

In some parts of the line bombing was carried on from "bombing bays."
These bays were small earthworks constructed, usually, in advance but
connected with the main trench. Two men were placed in occupation of
each. One man was an experienced thrower and the other, as the Turk had
the unpleasant habit of retaliating, held a half-filled sandbag which he
dropped upon any enemy bomb which happened to land within the bay. With
low p