the wiring orders, having been told simply to follow the R.E., so he
ordered his platoon to collect all the bombs they could find and make
for the Redoubt. Serjt. G. Billings with 14 followed, and the half
Company entered the fight soon after "A" Company. Their fate was the
same. Serjt. Billings, with Corporals A. Freeman and T.W. Squires, were
all killed trying to use their bayonets against "N. Face," and the rest
were scattered and joined the various bomb parties. F. Whitbread and
A.B. Law found themselves in "Little Willie," and helped rush the enemy
along it, only to be forced back each time through lack of bombs.
Whitbread was particularly brave later, when he went alone over the top
to find out the situation on their flank. One other officer was
conspicuous, in the Redoubt, in our trenches, everywhere in fact where
he could be of use--Captain Ellwood, in charge of machine guns and
forward bomb stores, was absolutely indefatigable, and quiet and
fearless performed miracles of energy and endurance.

At 3 p.m., the German bombing attacks increased in vigour, and this time
a large part of our garrison of the German second line trench gave way
and came back to the original front line of the Redoubt--some even to
our front line. Who gave the order for this withdrawal was never
discovered, but there was undoubtedly an order "Retire" passed along the
line, possibly started by the Boche himself. Such a message coming to
tired and leaderless men was sure to have a disastrous effect, and in a
few minutes we had given up all except Point 60, a trench junction at
the N. end of "Big Willie," and the front line of the Redoubt. In this
last there were still plenty of men, and these, led by a few resolute
officers and N.C.O.'s such as 2nd Lieut. Tomson, C.S.M. Gorse, and
others, were prepared to hold it against all attacks. The original
parados was cut into fire steps, bomb blocks were built in "Little
Willie" and "North Face," and the garrison generally reorganized.