Under French's command

CHAPTER V

Norman peered to the east across this trench lined by our gallant fellows to where Neuve Chapelle lay, its red roofs flashing dully in the morning rays. Not a German was visible, not a gun sounded from the enemy’s position, while not so much as a single British soldier was in evidence. Only to right and left were those guns, their muzzles alone showing, for wheels and carriages and breaches were hidden from sight in the pits dug by the gunners. But wait! Over one of those pits, trailing away from the muzzle of one solitary gun, was a thin Avisp of smoke, while far in advance, a little to the left of Neuve Chapelle, a billowing white cloud was break¬ ing into smaller particles as a shrapnel shell burst itself asunder. Then, as he looked, guns roared to the right and left of him, the ground shook, and the atmosphere vibrated with the detonation of so many cannon. In a moment, as it were, that hitherto peaceful ioth of March was being dis¬ turbed by the most terrific cannonade that any of the British troops had as yet experienced. True, during the first battle of Ypres and on many an¬ other occasion our fine soldiers had crouched in their trenches for hours, and had listened to the roar of German guns and to the thunderous blasts

CHAPTER VIII

than mere excitement. He had that dash, that brilliant dash which has proved to be the common property of all our men, from whatever part of the Empire they come, and whether they be home-born Britons, or Canadians, or Australians, or New Zealanders, or Indians. Who can deny that the courage and dashing fighting qualities of our brave fellows have been superb? What nation can point to more heroic endurance, to more gallant conduct than that displayed in the opening movements of this world war; in that battle of Ypres, when the Kaiser threw the full force at his disposal against our all-too-thin lines; and later still, within a month of the commencement of this heroic struggle at Neuve Chapelle, when Colonials and their brothers from England vied with one another in the mad dash with which they forced a landing on Gallipoli and beat back the Turk and his German master? Few nations can show such an example. Not one, we trow, will ever surpass such magnificent bravery.

CHAPTER XIII

those gallant men ; and when this second battle of Ypres was some hours older they once more covered themselves with glory.

CHAPTER XIII

“ There’s been a big fight near Ypres. You must have been with the Canadians, and - ”

CHAPTER V

Norman peered to the east across this trench lined by our gallant fellows to where Neuve Chapelle lay, its red roofs flashing dully in the morning rays. Not a German was visible, not a gun sounded from the enemy’s position, while not so much as a single British soldier was in evidence. Only to right and left were those guns, their muzzles alone showing, for wheels and carriages and breaches were hidden from sight in the pits dug by the gunners. But wait! Over one of those pits, trailing away from the muzzle of one solitary gun, was a thin Avisp of smoke, while far in advance, a little to the left of Neuve Chapelle, a billowing white cloud was break¬ ing into smaller particles as a shrapnel shell burst itself asunder. Then, as he looked, guns roared to the right and left of him, the ground shook, and the atmosphere vibrated with the detonation of so many cannon. In a moment, as it were, that hitherto peaceful ioth of March was being dis¬ turbed by the most terrific cannonade that any of the British troops had as yet experienced. True, during the first battle of Ypres and on many an¬ other occasion our fine soldiers had crouched in their trenches for hours, and had listened to the roar of German guns and to the thunderous blasts

CHAPTER VIII

than mere excitement. He had that dash, that brilliant dash which has proved to be the common property of all our men, from whatever part of the Empire they come, and whether they be home-born Britons, or Canadians, or Australians, or New Zealanders, or Indians. Who can deny that the courage and dashing fighting qualities of our brave fellows have been superb? What nation can point to more heroic endurance, to more gallant conduct than that displayed in the opening movements of this world war; in that battle of Ypres, when the Kaiser threw the full force at his disposal against our all-too-thin lines; and later still, within a month of the commencement of this heroic struggle at Neuve Chapelle, when Colonials and their brothers from England vied with one another in the mad dash with which they forced a landing on Gallipoli and beat back the Turk and his German master? Few nations can show such an example. Not one, we trow, will ever surpass such magnificent bravery.

CHAPTER XIII

those gallant men ; and when this second battle of Ypres was some hours older they once more covered themselves with glory.

CHAPTER XIII

“ There’s been a big fight near Ypres. You must have been with the Canadians, and - ”

CHAPTER V

Norman peered to the east across this trench lined by our gallant fellows to where Neuve Chapelle lay, its red roofs flashing dully in the morning rays. Not a German was visible, not a gun sounded from the enemy’s position, while not so much as a single British soldier was in evidence. Only to right and left were those guns, their muzzles alone showing, for wheels and carriages and breaches were hidden from sight in the pits dug by the gunners. But wait! Over one of those pits, trailing away from the muzzle of one solitary gun, was a thin Avisp of smoke, while far in advance, a little to the left of Neuve Chapelle, a billowing white cloud was break¬ ing into smaller particles as a shrapnel shell burst itself asunder. Then, as he looked, guns roared to the right and left of him, the ground shook, and the atmosphere vibrated with the detonation of so many cannon. In a moment, as it were, that hitherto peaceful ioth of March was being dis¬ turbed by the most terrific cannonade that any of the British troops had as yet experienced. True, during the first battle of Ypres and on many an¬ other occasion our fine soldiers had crouched in their trenches for hours, and had listened to the roar of German guns and to the thunderous blasts

CHAPTER VIII

than mere excitement. He had that dash, that brilliant dash which has proved to be the common property of all our men, from whatever part of the Empire they come, and whether they be home-born Britons, or Canadians, or Australians, or New Zealanders, or Indians. Who can deny that the courage and dashing fighting qualities of our brave fellows have been superb? What nation can point to more heroic endurance, to more gallant conduct than that displayed in the opening movements of this world war; in that battle of Ypres, when the Kaiser threw the full force at his disposal against our all-too-thin lines; and later still, within a month of the commencement of this heroic struggle at Neuve Chapelle, when Colonials and their brothers from England vied with one another in the mad dash with which they forced a landing on Gallipoli and beat back the Turk and his German master? Few nations can show such an example. Not one, we trow, will ever surpass such magnificent bravery.

CHAPTER XIII

those gallant men ; and when this second battle of Ypres was some hours older they once more covered themselves with glory.

CHAPTER XIII

“ There’s been a big fight near Ypres. You must have been with the Canadians, and - ”