would deliver a frontal attack upon the Turkish troops covering El
Arish.

It had been further decided that the 127th Brigade together with the 5th
East Lancashires would execute the first shock of the 42nd's effort, so
we had a feeling that once again the Fleur de Lys would be "in the
limelight." During the evening of December 29th there was a rapid and
wonderful concentration of troops of all arms in the hollow ground near
the railhead. The two infantry Divisions were there in force, whilst the
Australian L.H., and N.Z.M.R., together with the Yeomanry were simply
waiting for dusk to move off to their appointed stations. Behind all
this preparation there was a curious feeling that there was no enemy to
fight at all, and betting ran high as to whether we should find any
Turks near El Arish or not. It was suspected in high quarters that the
enemy had got quietly away a few hours before. However, we slept
peacefully until 3 a.m. and then Company Commanders were summoned to a
Conference with the C.O. to receive orders to get ready at once to
march--backwards not forwards! The Anzacs carefully reconnoitring in the
night had finally entered El Arish, and saw no one there except the
native villagers. So "the stunt was a wash-out," the bird had flown.

The 42nd marched back on December 21st to El Mazar, and faint rumours
began to drift about that day that we were to leave Egypt. General
Douglas commiserated with us for not having had the pleasure of a good
scrap! "But," he said, "never mind lads, you will get more than you want
very soon." Now, what did that mean? Profound speculation as to the
probabilities can easily be imagined. France, Salonica, trouble in
India, Mesopotamia and even an advance into Palestine (scouted as absurd
by most people) were freely discussed. The main consideration just at
present, however, was that the Christmas of 1916 was going to be spent