worse even than our Brigade. Starting from their second line, they were
more exposed to machine gun fire from all sides, and very few reached
even their own front line, whilst row upon row were wiped out in their
gallant effort to advance.

In case of failure and the consequent necessity of holding our original
front line against strong counter attacks, it had been arranged that our
machine guns should take up permanent positions in this line. This was
done, and Lieut. Wollaston was supervising the work of his teams and
improving their positions when he saw that a considerable number of men
were coming back from the Redoubt. Their officers and N.C.O.'s killed,
they themselves, worn out by the exertions of the past 24 hours, half
gassed by the chlorine which still hung about the shell holes, shot at
by machine guns from every quarter, had been broken by bombing attacks
from every trench they attacked and now, having thrown all their bombs,
were coming back. The situation was critical, and Lieut. Wollaston,
deciding to leave his guns now that they were in good positions, made
his way along the trench and tried to rally the stragglers. Many were
too badly shaken to go forward again, but some answered his call and
collecting some more grenades the little party started back towards the
Redoubt. Lieut. Wollaston was knocked down and wounded in the back by a
shell, but still went forward, and, reaching the first German line,
turned left towards "Little Willie," which the Boche was still holding
in force. At the same time General Kemp ordered two of our Companies to
be sent up to assist, and Colonel Jones sent word to "B" and "A" to move
up. One message from the Redoubt which reached Colonel Jones at this
time said "Please send bombs and officers."

Captain Langdale decided to advance in line, and leaving their trenches
the four platoons started off in that formation. The platoon commanders