W.R.

BION

WAR MEMOIRS

1917-19

Edited by
FRANCESCA BION

KARNAC BOOKS

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WAR MEMOIRS

Wilfred Bion
WAR MEMOIRS

1917-1919

Wilfred R. Bion

edited by
Francesca Bion

London
KARNAC BOOKS
First published in 1997 by
H. K a r n a c (Books) L t d ,
1 1 8 Finchley Road,
London N W 3 5 H T

Copyright © 1997 by the Estate of Wilfred R. Bion

The rights of Wilfred R. Bion to be identified as the author of this work have
been asserted in accordance with §§ 77 and 78 of the Copyright Design and
Patents Act 1988.
Crown Copyright photographs herein reproduced by kind permission.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a
retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic,
mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written
permission of the publisher.
British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data
Bion, Wilfred R. (Wilfred Ruprecht), 1897-1979
War memoirs
1. Bion, Wilfred R. (Wilfred Ruprecht), 1897-1979 — Diaries
2. World War, 1914^1918 — Personal narratives, British
I. Title Π. Bion, F. (Francesca)
940.4'8141
ISBN 9 7 8 1 8 5 5 7 5 1 5 3 8 (pbk)
ISBN 9 7 8 1 8 5 5 7 5 1 7 9 8 (hbk)
Edited, designed, and produced by Communication Crafts
Printed in Great Britain by BPCC Wheatons Ltd, Exeter
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
CONTENTS

EDITOR'S NOTE vii

DIARY
France, June 26,1917, to January 10,1919

INTRODUCTION / Francesca Bion 2

1917 5
1918 72

COMMENTARY

INTRODUCTION / Francesca Bion 198

1972 199

AMIENS

INTRODUCTION / Francesca Bion 214

Prelude 215
Fugue 217

AFTERMATH / Parthenope Bion Talamo 309

v
EDITOR'S NOTE

I
w i s h to express m y gratitude to Cesare Sacerdoti for m a k i n g
possible the publication of this b o o k of w a r memoirs to m a r k
the centenary of W i l f r e d Bion's birth. It is not o n l y especially
apt at this time but is also a valuable a d d i t i o n to the already
n u m e r o u s a n d w i d e - r a n g i n g B i o n writings, almost all of w h i c h
are n o w p u b l i s h e d u n d e r the K a r n a c imprint.
 DIARY
France
June 26, 1917, to January 10, 1919
This is Bion's factual record of his war service in France in the Royal
Tank Regiment between June 1917 and January 1919, written soon
after he went up to The Queen's College, Oxford, after demobiliza-
tion. Hand-written and contained in three hardbound notebooks, it
was offered to his parents as compensation for having found it impos-
sible to write letters to them during the war (see Commentary, p. 202).
It has none of the nightmare quality he so vividly depicted in The
Long Week-End; he would have been unable to express his very
recent painful experiences, especially to his parents. But it is evident
that he had them in mind throughout: detailed descriptions of tanks
and equipment, explanations of battle strategy, photographs and dia-
grams were included for their benefit—and 'bloody' became 'b y'
in deference to their disapproval of swearing, a by no means unusual
attitude at that time; Shaw's 'Pygmalion' had been first performed
only five years earlier, shocking audiences with Eliza's 'not bloody
likely'.

He writes in the immature style of a public-school boy of that period,

using 'awful', 'terrific', 'beastly', 'absolutely', 'frightfully' and a liberal
peppering of 'verys'. But one must remember that it was his first piece
of descriptive writing: he had entered the army at the age of eighteen
soon after leaving school; he was catapulted, like millions of others,
from schoolboy to combatant soldier in a few months. The horror of
that war inflicted on such young men did not contribute to their
maturity; it destroyed their youth and made them 'old' before their
time. Bion's remarkable physical survival against heavy odds con-
cealed the emotional injury which left scars for many years to come.
(It was clear that that war continued to occupy a prominent position
in his mind when, during the first occasion we dined together, he
spoke movingly of it as if compelled to communicate haunting
memories.) The nightmare to which he refers (p. 94) still visited him
occasionally throughout his life. He grew old and remembered.*
F.B.

*Laurence Binyon, 'Poems for the Fallen'.

^f%>fton. kid*
hlM fis** Ch<** J^L ..^^ .

F a c s i m i l e page from d i a r y .
1917

I
n w r i t i n g this, I cannot be absolutely accurate i n some
things, as I have lost m y d i a r y . In the m a i n it w i l l o n l y be m y
impressions of the various actions. I d o not i n t e n d to write
m u c h about life outside of action except i n so far as it w i l l give a n
i d e a of the life w e l e d . M y dates of events out of the line cannot be
accurate. A c t i o n s are, h o w e v e r , accurate as they are v e r y clearly
s t a m p e d o n one's m e m o r y ! I d o n ' t intend to write m u c h about the
general scheme of action except i n so far as it touched o n o u r
particular affair. F o r one thing, y o u can get that i n nearly any
report. F o r another, the general scheme touched one v e r y little,
a n d i n the action itself everything is s u c h terrific confusion that
y o u can o n l y tell w h a t is h a p p e n i n g i n y o u r o w n immediate n e i g h ­
b o u r h o o d . I shall try to give y o u o u r feelings at the time I a m
w r i t i n g of. A l t h o u g h n o w one sees h o w u n f o u n d e d some of o u r
fears were, yet at the time w e c o u l d not tell, a n d it was just the
uncertainty that m a d e things difficult to judge a n d unpleasant to
think about.

O u r battalion i n E n g l a n d was k n o w n as ' E ' Battalion. A s a

result, all names b e g a n w i t h ' E ' . A short time after w e got out,
the letters were abolished, a n d w e were k n o w n as the 5th Tank
Battalion.
W e h a d a g o o d d e a l of training, a n d I h a d a v e r y g o o d crew
i n d e e d . T h e crew consisted of the tank c o m m a n d e r , a first d r i v e r ,
a n d , since m y tank w a s a male tank, two 6-pounder gunners, two
loaders, a n d t w o gearsmen. T h e gearsmen were also second a n d
third drivers. T h e y w e r e s u p p o s e d to be able to d r i v e i n emer­
gency. T h e i r actual job was to help to steer the tank. T h e d r i v e of
the tank was connected to each track t h r o u g h w h a t w e r e called
secondary gears. T h u s if y o u w i s h e d to t u r n to the left, the left
gearsman or third d r i v e r p u t his gears i n neutral. T h e officer (who

5
6 WAR MEMOIRS

helps to drive) then puts the brake o n the left track, a n d the right
track then drives the tank r o u n d . W h e n y o u ' v e t u r n e d e n o u g h ,
y o u signal to the left gearsman, w h o puts the track into gear again.
T h a t , a n d l o o k i n g after the engine a n d seeing that n o t h i n g is g o i n g
w r o n g , is the gearsman's job. Y o u can see the positions of the crew
a n d the tank equipment generally f r o m the d i a g r a m (Figure 1). It is
of course a v e r y r o u g h one.
I w a s i n N o . 8 Section of 14 C o m p a n y (afterwards B C o m p a n y ) .
M y first d r i v e r was L / C p l A . E . A l l e n — a v e r y g o o d m a n b u t
slightly built a n d not very strong. M y second i n c o m m a n d w a s
Sergt. B. O ' T o o l e , a n Irishman w h o was a v e r y g o o d m a n i n d e e d .
H e w a s left gearsman a n d third driver. H e w a s a n o r p h a n a n d a
rather lonely fellow. H e was absolutely straight a n d conscientious
a n d a n excellent disciplinarian. H e was v e r y p o p u l a r w i t h the m e n
w h e n they got to k n o w h i m . I c o u l d always rely absolutely that he
w o u l d d o his job. If he h a d a complaint, he always let m e have it.
H e w a s a n extraordinarily m o o d y fellow i n some w a y s a n d w a s
not at all p o p u l a r w i t h the officers at first, as he was v e r y b r u s q u e
i n his m a n n e r a n d his outspokenness w a s m i s u n d e r s t o o d . B u t it
d i d not take people l o n g to realize his absolute w o r t h . H e w a s also
Section Sergeant. M y second d r i v e r a n d right gearsman w a s G u n ­
ner W . R i c h a r d s o n . H e was a n o l d m a n w h o h a d been a frightful
i n v a l i d before joining, but the a r m y m a d e all the difference to h i m .
O n parade he was v e r y nervous a n d always i n trouble for m a k i n g
mistakes. H e l o o k e d rather like Bairnsfather's ' O l d B i l l ' [Bruce
Bairnfather's trademark character, i n comic d r a w i n g sent f r o m
France d u r i n g the war] a n d was i n d e e d called ' B i l l ' , as his n a m e
w a s W i l l i a m ! H e was a v e r y kind-hearted fellow. Later, i n France,
w h e n I k n e w h i m better, he s h o w e d me photos of his 'missus' a n d
the k i d s . H e explained he w a s once a p a w n b r o k e r ' s assistant a n d
w e n t into l u r i d details of the trade! H e said h e ' d never go back to
the o l d life after the o p e n air of the a r m y . M y left g u n n e r was G n r .
A l l e n . H e w a s a P o r t s m o u t h chap a n d a n absolute b o y . H e w a s
absolutely street-bred really a n d rather a grouser. H e h a d very
little self respect, a n d he always seemed rather a weak spot. W i t h
h i m w a s G n r . H a y l e r . H e was a small farmer i n civilian life a n d the
reverse of A l l e n . H e was very independent i n spirit but always d i d
his w o r k conscientiously a n d w e l l . A t first he u s e d to talk a lot
about ' b a d officers' a n d so o n , a n d I was more than d o u b t f u l of
 DIARY 7

Positions of crew:
a. Officer
B. Driver
C. Left gunner
D. Left loader
E. Left gearsman
F. Right gearsman
g . R/ghf loader
H . Right gunner
Door 1. /.eft door / n
sponson
Door 2 . K/g/if door / n
sponson
Door 3. Rear door in roo/"
Door 4 . Rear door in side
The petrol tank is outside
the tank and heavily
armoured.

Figure 1
Male tank.

h i m a n d w o n d e r e d h o w he w o u l d turn out. M y right g u n n e r

was P. M . V . C o l o m b e . H e w a s a v e r y cheerful a n d g o o d fellow. H e
h a d gone to quite a g o o d school; h e w a s a clever m a n at h i s w o r k ,
a n d one c o u l d always rely o n h i m . H e f o r m e d a sort of c o m m o n ­
sense element i n the crew. W i t h h i m w a s L / C p l F o r m a n . H e w a s a
fellow w h o m I d i s l i k e d . H e d i d not d o his w o r k really w e l l a n d
always h a d a terrific o p i n i o n of himself. H e d i d a n e n o r m o u s
a m o u n t of talking. H e w a s , h o w e v e r , absolutely trustworthy.
T h e other officers i n the section w e r e 2nd Lieuts. D e s p a r d ,
B r o o m e a n d O w e n . B r o o m e w a s a foolish a n d rather hearty k i d .
O w e n w a s a g o o d fellow, a n d so w a s D e s p a r d . D e s p a r d w a s a
cheery I r i s h m a n — a b s o l u t e l y outspoken a n d v e r y p o p u l a r w i t h
officers a n d m e n . T h e section c o m a n d e r w a s C a p t . Bagshaw, a
8 WAR MEMOIRS

v e r y easy-going a n d hopelessly slack fellow w h o h a d been w i t h

the original tanks. H e was good-hearted b u t w e a k - m i n d e d a n d
incompetent a n d got i n the w r o n g set. C o h e n w a s i n another sec­
tion w h e n w e left, a n d Q u a i n t o n was i n N o . 7 Section w i t h h i m .
Sergt. R e i d , a Scotch fellow, was the second sergeant i n N o . 8
Section a n d i n D e s p a r d ' s crew. H e was a v e r y g o o d fellow i n d e e d ,
a n d a l t h o u g h he h a d a bullet i n his l u n g got passed fit for general
service.
T h e C o m p a n y C o m m a n d e r w a s Major de Freine. H e w a s v e r y
slack a n d incompetent, but good-hearted. O n the w h o l e w e d i d n ' t
fancy o u r chances as a section as o u r C o m p a n y C o m m a n d e r a n d
section c o m m a n d e r were notorious throughout the battalion as
hopelessly slack.
T h e Battalion C o m m a n d e r was Lieut. C o l . Barnett. H e was
thought a great deal of i n E n g l a n d but became v e r y u n p o p u l a r i n
France a n d lost his c o m m a n d after C a m b r a i .
T h e battalion as a w h o l e h a d a v e r y g o o d n a m e i n d e e d a n d h a d
a fine spirit, b u t the officers were, I thought, patchy. T h e r e were
g o o d ones there, a n d m o r e came out to the front w h e n w e got to
France. T h e others were largely m e n w h o h a d seen a g o o d d e a l of
fighting a n d h a d gone into Tanks to a v o i d it. Later, w h e n the T a n k s
got into action, their low morale etc. let t h e m d o w n , a n d they were
g r a d u a l l y w e e d e d o u t — p a r t i c u l a r l y after C a m b r a i . T h e m e n were
a v e r y fine lot i n d e e d . W e got a lot of training, a n d a g o o d deal w a s
expected of us f r o m the Staff at B o v i n g t o n C a m p . M y crew practi­
cally h e l d the record for efficiency i n their courses a n d h a d d o n e
two battle practices i n w h i c h they came out v e r y w e l l . T h e course
consisted of d r i v i n g over a field about three-quarters of a mile l o n g ,
w h e r e there were various targets. E a c h g u n n e r fired ten r o u n d s . In
the last a n d final test, i n France, over a rather harder course, m y
crew got the T a n k C o r p s record of 100% hits.
O n June 25th the battalion m a r c h e d out of c a m p i n full battle
order at 9 a.m. a n d entrained for S o u t h a m p t o n at W o o l . T h e w h o l e
c a m p — a b o u t 5,000 m e n — t u r n e d out a n d cheered us off. T h e b a n d
p l a y e d us out. T h e Brigadier saw us off at the station a n d shook all
the officers b y the h a n d . A s the train steamed out, the b a n d p l a y e d
' A u l d L a n g S y n e a n d ' H o m e Sweet H o m e ' . W e reached S o u t h ­
7

a m p t o n at about 2 p . m . a n d e m b a r k e d at about 5 p . m . o n the

Australind. W e steamed out a n h o u r later, a n d it was getting d a r k
 DIARY 9

as w e lost sight of land. W e h a d to lie d o w n where w e c o u l d b e l o w

decks. M o s t people were pretty miserable, a n d there was not m u c h
talking. W e h a d some b u l l y beef a n d biscuits a n d then got to sleep
as best w e c o u l d .
W e w o k e at about 2 a.m. a n d f o u n d w e were anchored outside
L e H a v r e . It l o o k e d a dirty, miserable place as w e ourselves were
not too h a p p y ! H o w e v e r , w h e n the daylight came a n d at last w e
got into the d o c k , w e felt better. W e d i s e m b a r k e d at about 3 p . m .
a n d a little later m a r c h e d u p to the rest c a m p . H e r e w e got quite
g o o d meals again a n d went off to sleep expecting to shift o n u p the
' l i n e ' shortly. W e , h o w e v e r , stayed at L e H a v r e a week a n d h a d a
v e r y g o o d time. W e h a d bathing parades every m o r n i n g . H e r e o u r
sergeant-major of the c o m p a n y got into trouble a n d was returned.
W e were t h o r o u g h l y g l a d to see h i m go, as he was a rotter. T h e
next one w e got was better, but he wasn't m u c h use.
A t last w e got orders, a n d one afternoon w e m a r c h e d to the
t o w n a n d o n to the station. H e r e our train was w a i t i n g . It consisted
of r e d cattle trucks a n d v e r y r e d third-class carriages for the offi­
cers. W e realized later that cattle trucks were better as y o u can lie
d o w n a n d get to sleep i n them, but can't d o that i n o r d i n a r y c o m ­
partments. W e m o v e d out at d u s k a n d passed t h r o u g h H a r f l e u r
just before nightfall. W e d i d n ' t k n o w where w e were going except
that w e were g o i n g u p towards the Tine'. W e tried to get to sleep
as w e l l as possible, but i n those days w e d i d n ' t k n o w the v a l u e of
getting to sleep w h e n a n d where y o u can, so some of us d i d n ' t
bother v e r y m u c h . Fortunately o n this occasion it d i d n ' t matter
very much.
A t about 2 a.m. w e reached A b b e v i l l e a n d here h a d hot tea,
w h i c h was m a d e i n large cisterns o n the p l a t f o r m for passing
troop trains. A t about m i d d a y w e reached o u r destination, w h i c h ,
w e f o u n d , was a s m a l l F r e n c h village called A n v i n . T h i s w a s
quite near St. P o l , the great r a i l w a y junction, a n d about thirty
miles b e h i n d the Tine'. It was a v e r y pretty place, a n d w e were
v e r y comfortable i n huts. There were an e n o r m o u s n u m b e r of
w i l d f l o w e r s i n the fields, a n d it was v e r y pretty. A s e v e n i n g came
o n a n d it got quieter, w e h e a r d the guns for the first time. T h e y
s o u n d e d just like v e r y heavy thunder i n the distance. W e often
h e a r d t h e m afterwards e v e n i n full d a y . W h e n the artillery o p e n e d
u p at a l l , it s o u n d e d just like the continuous but rather muffled
10 WAR MEMOIRS

roar of h e a v y transport over cobbles. O n these occasions the w i n ­

d o w s used to shake a n d s h u d d e r w i t h the concussion.
W e d i d a g o o d deal of drill a n d so o n at A n v i n a n d also went to
M e r l i m o n t Plage, the T a n k gunnery school, for battle practice
courses. W e h a d a very pleasant time there. W e left the battalion i n
g r o u p s of about four crews a n d stayed at M e r l i m o n t a week. T h e
parades were very short, a n d it was b y the sea. W h e n w e came
back f r o m M e r l i m o n t , w e d r e w tanks. F o r this w e w e n t to C e n t r a l
W o r k s h o p s at E r i n . Y o u were given a tank, w h i c h y o u l o o k e d over
a n d r a n a little to see it was all right. Y o u then d r e w all its e q u i p ­
ment—telescopes for the guns, periscopes, tarpaulins, tank
compass a n d a thousand other things. Y o u then l o a d e d u p y o u r
tank a n d d r o v e off.
A s s o o n as the w h o l e battalion h a d got tanks, w e p r e p a r e d to
go f o r w a r d . W e d r o v e our tanks to E r i n f r o m our p a r k a n d there
entrained them. Entraining is v e r y heavy a n d tiresome w o r k a n d
takes a n e n o r m o u s time until a battalion gets expert at it. Y o u first
have to p u s h i n the tank sponsons (gun turrets), a n d this is h e a v y
w o r k if y o u r tank is a male (with 6-pdr guns). If it is a female, y o u
h a v e far smaller turrets (for machine-guns only), a n d they are
h i n g e d a n d just close back into the tank, but b o t h k i n d s are liable
to stick. A t first w e used to batter them i n , but later w e u s e d to get
another tank to shove its nose against the turret a n d d r i v e it i n that
w a y . After y o u r sponsons are i n , y o u d r i v e o n to the train b y a n
e n d - o n r a m p , as per the d i a g r a m (Figure 2). T h e train is specially
constructed, a n d the trucks are 8'1" b r o a d . A s the tank is 8'Vi"
b r o a d , w e h a d to steer carefully. Y o u can, as a matter of fact,
o v e r h a n g quite a lot, but y o u must finish u p w i t h y o u r tank flush.
Y o u w i l l see i n a later picture h o w they s h o u l d be. Later the battal­
i o n got pretty expert, a n d f r o m the time w e were all ready to go o n
(sponsons i n etc.) to the time w e were all o n a n d chocked u p w a s a
little u n d e r two minutes.
W e set off at d u s k a n d arrived at our d e s t i n a t i o n — B e a u m e t z —
at about 1 a.m. T h i s w a s about ten miles f r o m the line, a n d w e
a r r i v e d just as a raid was g o i n g on. T h e w h o l e place shook f r o m
the heavier concussions, a n d the roar was terrific to our inexperi­
enced ears. V e r y lights [flares] a n d star shells, together w i t h the
g u n flashes, h e l p e d to light u p the h o r i z o n . T h e c o m p a n y (we came
i n a separate train f r o m the two other companies) detrained as fast
r$fr Tank trucks from above

Tank going along train to take up position

on end truck

End-on ramp. A slope of about 1 in 2

up which the tank climbed to get on the train

Figure 2
Entraining tanks.
12 WAR MEMOIRS

as w e c o u l d . T h a n k s to the absolute lack of arrangements b y either

battalion or c o m p a n y c o m m a n d e r , w e were v e r y tired. N o orders
h a d been sent b y the O . C . C o m p a n y w h o h a d gone o n ahead, a n d
so w e p r e p a r e d there a n d then to drive five miles to our camp. T h i s
w a s a frightful strain o n all as w e h a d h a d little experience of tanks
a n d none of night d r i v i n g . Everyone was tired. H o w e v e r , w e got to
W a i l l y , o u r c a m p , at about six. W e were absolutely tired out.
W a i l l y w a s at this time a tank corps d r i v i n g school. It was a n
o l d British front-line village, w h i c h the e n e m y h a d retired f r o m i n
the early part of the year. W e thus h a d actual o l d trenches to
practise o n . T h e o n l y thing was that, as it h a d been a peaceful part
of the line, there were few shell-holes.
O u r section h a d billets i n a n o l d r u i n e d house. W e were v e r y
w e l l off a n d quite appreciated it. W e were about four miles south
of A r r a s .
W e stayed at W a i l l y , d r i v i n g our tanks a n d so o n , for about a
fortnight. T h e w h o l e time was spent i n teaching o u r drivers h o w to
d r i v e a n d tinkering u p the engine so as to get the best possible
f r o m it.
It w o u l d be as w e l l here if I described the tank. A t this time w e
h a d the most m o d e r n tank there w a s — t h e M a r k IV. M o t h e r saw
one w h e n she was at W o o l . There were two types. T h e male h a d 6­
p d r g u n s a n d four L e w i s guns (machine-guns). T h e female h a d six
L e w i s g u n s only. T h e crew was the same n u m b e r i n each. T h e tank
w e i g h e d between 55 a n d 40 tons w h e n ready for action. Its fastest
w a s about 4Vi m . p . h . , a n d at night, o w i n g to difficulty of d r i v i n g , it
d i d about 19 yards a minute. Its slowest w o u l d be a n y t h i n g — a
barely perceptible movement. T h e a r m o u r plate w a s 3 / 8 " thick.
T h e male tank took 200 r o u n d s of 6-pdr a m m u n i t i o n into action
a n d a large quantity of .303. T h e female took i n .303 o n l y a n d , later,
s o m e a r m o u r piercer. T h e engine r a n d o w n the centre of the tank.
It w a s a 105-h.p. D a i m l e r sleeve-valve engine. There w a s just r o o m
to squeeze past the engine a n d the side of the tank i n the passage.
Y o u c o u l d not stand upright. Y o u looked through flaps i n the front
of the tank for d r i v i n g . Y o u can see these i n the picture (Figure 3).
W h e n i n action, these were shut d o w n , a n d y o u l o o k e d t h r o u g h
s m a l l flaps i n those flaps until y o u came u n d e r fire. T h e n y o u shut
d o w n e v e n these a n d p u t y o u r forehead against a leather p a d o n
the side of the tank a n d looked t h r o u g h three s m a l l p i n - p r i c k s to
 DIARY 13

^7
oi / I Inside view of small flap
/
showing
forehead leather padeye-holes
and small for
/ I •' £ J f I tt L

Figure 3
Tank flaps.

each eye. W h e n y o u d i d that, y o u got a s m a l l complete v i s i o n .

T h e r e was a L e w i s g u n m o u n t i n g between the front two flaps for
the officer a n d d r i v e r to fire f r o m . There was also a m o u n t i n g i n
each 6-pdr s p o n s o n , but this was not m u c h g o o d as y o u c o u l d n ' t
fire 6-pdr a n d L e w i s together. T h e n there was one i n the rear.
T h e female s i m p l y m o u n t e d the same but h a d two L e w i s guns
to each s p o n s o n instead of a 6-pdr. T h e picture (Figure 4) s h o w s a
female tank w i t h L e w i s guns m o u n t e d . T h e tracing p a p e r s h o w s
i m p o r t a n t points [see diagram]. A s the tank got r i m i n , the tracks
stretched a n d got loose. These h a d to be tightened u p b y the track
screws (in the photograph). If the tank got stuck, y o u ' u n d i t c h e d ' it
b y fixing the large oak u n d i t c h i n g b e a m to b o t h tracks. T h e tracks
16 WAR MEMOIRS

s l i p p i n g r o u n d then carried the b e a m u n d e r the tank u n t i l it

g r i p p e d a n d forced the tank f o r w a r d — l i k e a gigantic scoop. T h e
gear all told w e i g h e d nearly one ton. Y o u can imagine the terrific
force it h a d d r a g g i n g u n d e r the tank. Y o u w o u l d think the tank
w o u l d come out of anything.
T h e rear part of the inside of the tank w a s filled w i t h the r a d i a ­
tor. T h e r e w a s a large fan cooling this a n d s e n d i n g the hot air out
at the back. W h e n the tank was fully closed for action, it got v e r y
hot inside, a n d the petrol fumes were v e r y b a d at times. In this
respect, h o w e v e r , it was n o t h i n g like as b a d as later tanks. O n a
still night y o u c o u l d hear tanks about 1,000 y a r d s away. T h e later
tanks were noisier b y a l o n g w a y .
O n e v e r y great disadvantage of this tank w a s that w h e n e v e r
y o u w i s h e d to turn, y o u h a d to stop the tank a n d then t u r n — I
described the secondary gear system earlier. T h i s m a d e y o u a sit­
ting target, a n d sometimes, w h e n the gear took a l o n g time to get
i n , it w a s v e r y dangerous i n d e e d . W e l l , I think that is a l l I n e e d
e x p l a i n about the tanks at present.
A t last r u m o u r s began to g r o w about a b i g battle u p n o r t h , a n d
w e w e r e told w e s h o u l d be g o i n g u p . W e h a d one v e r y b i g a d v a n ­
tage b y o u r l o n g pause before g o i n g u p the Tine'. W e h a d got to
k n o w o u r m e n far better, a n d they h a d got to k n o w us m o r e . A l s o ,
the g r o u s i n g at s m a l l discomforts w a s d i s a p p e a r i n g as they saw
m o r e of w h a t they were c o m i n g towards. T h e stay at W a i l l y h a d
s h o w n t h e m artillery i n the distance, a n d they realized they c o u l d
be w o r s e off than they were. T h e n again, as each crew h a d a tank
of their o w n , they h a d learnt far more than i n E n g l a n d , a n d they
w e r e w o r k i n g together as a crew.
T w o companies ( A a n d C ) m o v e d off before u s , a n d then o n
July 30th w e entrained. W e k n e w w e were g o i n g n o r t h b u t d i d not
k n o w w h e r e . T h e picture (Figure 5) gives a g o o d i d e a of entrain­
i n g . T h e tanks h a v e been p u t aboard a n d covered u p . T h e l e a d i n g
tank i n the picture is a male. It w o u l d be about 5 p . m . T h e m e n
are w a n d e r i n g about i n greatcoats, a n d some are t r y i n g to get a
w a s h — t h e r e is one fellow u n d e r the nose of the front tank. T h e y
are all pretty tired a n d v e r y quiet as they k n o w they are g o i n g u p
the line a n d are far f r o m cheery. T h e y h a v e a tin of b u l l y a n d two
biscuits issued them, a n d that does for the d a y ' s rations. T e a is
m a d e just before the train goes. T h e y have just h a d theirs. Before
 DIARY 17

l o n g everyone w i l l get u p a n d lie u n d e r the tanks. Y o u can m a k e

yourself fairly s n u g w i t h the help of a tarpaulin. There are n o
trucks at all o w i n g to shortage. E v e r y o n e s i m p l y goes w i t h their
o w n tank. W e thought this a great h a r d s h i p at first! Y o u w i l l see
the tank does not rest o n the truck itself b u t is ' c h o c k e d u p ' . Y o u
d r i v e it first w e l l o n the front b e a m or 'chock' a n d then reverse it
onto the rear 'chock', w h i c h is s l i p p e d i n b e h i n d , a n d so s u s p e n d
the tank.
W e m o v e d off at about 6 p . m . a n d travelled all night. T h e train,
of course, w e n t at a snail's pace. T h e next d a y w e p u l l e d u p just
outside H a z e b r o u c k . W e were told that w e were g o i n g u p to Y p r e s
a n d that w e s h o u l d take n o part i n the first d a y of the battle. T h e
battle h a d b e g u n that m o r n i n g (July 31st). W e were to detrain that
night at a railhead that was frequently shelled. So w e were to get
o u r tanks off as s o o n as possible, a n d if shelling started w h i l e w e
detrained, the train w o u l d p u l l out again. Those tanks already off
were to make off as s o o n as possible away f r o m the r a m p . T h i s d i d
not m a k e us too cheerful. W e then went o n , a n d as w e went
t h r o u g h H a z e b r o u c k , w h i c h w a s then fourteen miles b e h i n d the
T i n e ' , w e h a d o u r first experience of shell-fire as the e n e m y w e r e
t r y i n g to hit the station w i t h a h e a v y long-range n a v a l g u n . W e
passed t h r o u g h all right as he was shooting b a d l y . N i g h t n o w
b e g a n to fall as w e a p p r o a c h e d the 'line', a n d progress w a s slower.
W e kept o n s t o p p i n g , a n d w e c o u l d hear the guns t h u n d e r i n g
away. It was, of course, terrific fire. B y this time it h a d b e g u n to
r a i n — t h e r a i n that was to w r e c k the w h o l e T h i r d battle of Y p r e s
a n d Passchendaele, although w e d i d not k n o w it then. T h e h o r i z o n
was s i m p l y lit u p w i t h g u n flashes a n d flares of all colours. A s
w e w e n t o n , w e passed a Casualty C l e a r i n g S t a t i o n — a sort of
a d v a n c e d h o s p i t a l — a n d w e smelt quite distinctly the anaesthetic.
It w a s a v e r y exciting business to one w h o d i d n ' t k n o w w h a t
w a r was. T h e older hands were, h o w e v e r , v e r y quiet a n d tried to
get to sleep. A t last w e reached o u r r a m p — a b o u t four miles f r o m
the front line. It was not b e i n g shelled, a n d w e got all o u r tanks off
as fast as possible. It w a s r a i n i n g quite h a r d b y this time, a n d
thanks to that w e got n o b o m b i n g . W e d r o v e o u r tanks into a w o o d
quite near called Oosthoek. H e r e w e h a d to camouflage u p . T h i s
consists of s u s p e n d i n g a net, w h i c h has rags painted b r o w n a n d
green tied o n it representing leaves, right over the tank. It c o m ­
20 WAR MEMOIRS

Figure 6
Camouflaged tank in a field.

pletely hides the tank f r o m aerial observation a n d i n a b l a n k field

looks just like a n innocent shrub i n an aerial p h o t o g r a p h . But y o u
m u s t be careful that n o part touches the tank, as that w o u l d f o r m a
h a r d line a n d give the s h o w away (Figure 6). T h e job w a s a v e r y
difficult one for us w h o were inexperienced. It was absolutely
p e l t i n g r a i n , a n d the m e n were wet t h r o u g h a n d half asleep. T w i g s
a n d roots got i n our w a y the w h o l e time. A t last w e got the job
d o n e . It w a s n o w about 3 a.m. a n d pitch-dark. O f course w e c o u l d
s h o w n o lights.
W e w e r e then told w e were to leave o u r tanks here w i t h one
m a n o n each for a g u a r d w h i l e the rest were to go to a c a m p about
five miles b y l o r r y . W e w e n t off at last a n d got into o u r c a m p .
A g a i n w e w e r e let d o w n b y the inefficiency a n d slackness of o u r
senior officers. N o one w a s there to meet us or tell us a n y t h i n g ,
a l t h o u g h the O . C . C o m p a n y h a d gone o n two days before w i t h a n
advance party. A t last w e f o u n d our c a m p . T h e tents were p i t c h e d
i n a w o o d — s o as to be safe f r o m aerial observation. N o b r u s h w o o d
h a d been cleared a w a y , so that stumps a n d thickets were sticking
u p i n the tent. T h e m u d , even inside, w a s almost ankle-deep. There
w a s n o tea or a n y t h i n g for us. There was n o t h i n g for us to d o b u t
s p r e a d groundsheets i n the m u d a n d get to sleep. It w a s about
5 a.m. n o w . W e got u p about 12 m i d d a y a n d h a d a m e a l of s o m e
sort. It w a s still r a i n i n g h a r d , but w e tried to get the c a m p into
s o m e sort of shape. T h e result of the w h o l e business was to confirm
us i n o u r ideas of the incompetence of our senior officers. T h e m e n ,
of course, thought that the officers cared about n o t h i n g so l o n g as
they were all right, a n d l o o k e d f o r w a r d to action less than ever. A s
T a n k c o m m a n d e r s , w e tried to d o our best. But the selfishness of
the senior officers was too a p p a l l i n g for w o r d s .
 DIARY 21

T h e rain continued practically without s t o p p i n g for about three

weeks. A l l fighting w a s stopped except for tentative attacks a n d
the r e p e l l i n g of e n e m y counter-attacks.
In the m e a n t i m e w e c o n t i n u e d to go d o w n to o u r tanks a n d
m a k e t h e m ready for action. W e loaded on our ammunition
a n d ' s w u n g ' o u r tanks—just as y o u ' s w i n g ' a ship for p u t t i n g the
compass right a n d a l l o w i n g for variations. W e spent o u r time tink­
e r i n g t h e m about. It was a bit of a nuisance m a r c h i n g f r o m o u r
c a m p at L a L o v i e to O o s t h o e k each d a y , but otherwise it w a s all
right. T h e m o r e w e saw of the p o o r blighters c o m i n g d o w n f r o m
the f i r i n g line for rests a n d so o n , the g l a d d e r w e felt that w e w e r e
not i n it, a n d the less w e g r o u s e d about our o w n particular little
troubles.
A t last w e got a spell of fine weather. R u m o u r s started that the
battalion w a s g o i n g into action. F i n a l l y , about the 20th September,
A a n d C C o m p a n i e s w e n t into action. T h e g r o u n d w a s hopeless,
a n d they all got stuck at once. Fortunately casualties were v e r y
few, b u t they lost nearly all their tanks. W e were naturally k e e n to
go i n n o w that they h a d been i n a n d w a n t e d to s h o w t h e m w e
c o u l d d o better. W e got o u r order o n the 23rd a n d were told w e
w o u l d be i n shortly i n a n attack o n Z o n n e b e k e . T h e attack w a s to
be o n a six-mile f r o n t — q u i t e a b i g affair r e a l l y — t o capture the
r i d g e i n front as a p r e l i m i n a r y for attacking Passchendaele. O u r
c o m p a n y w a s g o i n g i n alone w i t h the 3 r d (regular) D i v i s i o n a n d
the 8th B r i g a d e .
T h e c o m p a n y w a s n o w at Oosthoek, as w e h a d m o v e d o u r
c a m p there. T h a t afternoon (23rd) w e d r o v e o u r tanks to Reigers­
b u r g C h a t e a u a n d got there w i t h o u t m i s h a p .
In the m o r n i n g C o h e n a n d I w e n t u p to reconnoitre o u r route to
the front line. W e h a d to go to Reigersburg C h a t e a u (on the out­
skirts of Ypres) a n d then across the canal to E n g l i s h F a r m a n d f r o m
there to Spree F a r m , w h i c h was i n the front line a n d w a s about 100
y a r d s f r o m the starting-point of our attack.
T h e reconnaissance w a s fairly interesting for m e , a l t h o u g h I
w a s w o n d e r i n g h o w I s h o u l d t u r n out. T h e country u p to the canal
w a s s i m p l y a mass of m u d roads, paths, transport roads etc., a n d
the nearer w e got to the canal, the thicker got the guns. A l l over the
place there were 12" howitzers, 9.2" a n d so o n , firing m o r e or less
erratically as it was a quiet d a y . W e got to the canal a n d there
22 WAR MEMOIRS

entered o n complete desolation. T h e pictures (Figures 7 a n d 8) are

typical of the w h o l e countryside. L i g h t railways p u s h e d u p as far
as possible. T h e y took u p shells a n d brought back w o u n d e d . T h e r e
w e r e n o trees w i t h a leaf to be s e e n — a l t h o u g h the front line w a s
nearly four miles a w a y n o w . O l d houses were s i m p l y m o u n d s of
bricks. H e r e a n d there guns were firing. T h e stench w a s terrible i n
places, a n d every n o w a n d then y o u came across d e a d horses a n d
mules. S o m e h a d been scattered w i t h chloride of l i m e , a n d the
stink of chloride of l i m e w i l l always b r i n g the w h o l e business back
again.
W e reached E n g l i s h F a r m at last. There was n o t h i n g to see but
s o m e hedge. W e noted our route there carefully, as w h e n w e came
next it w o u l d be pitch-dark, a n d a mistake w o u l d m e a n that the
w h o l e lot w o u l d go to the w r o n g place, a n d that w o u l d m e a n
a w f u l confusion.
F r o m E n g l i s h F a r m w e p u s h e d o n again. W e were n o w w h e r e
the front line h a d been o n July 31st—the commencement of the
battle. T h e g r o u n d was absolutely torn u p , a n d roads were
b l o w n to pieces. N o signs of trenches r e m a i n e d at all. T h e shell­
holes w e r e filled w i t h stinking rain water. W e f o l l o w e d a r o a d
(so-called) k n o w n as A d m i r a l ' s r o a d , that led into Wieltje. T h i s h a d
b e e n a village but c o u l d o n l y be told o w i n g to the peculiar-shape
entry, onto the Wieltje-St. Jean r o a d , of the A d m i r a l ' s r o a d a n d
N o . 5 Infantry T r a c k . T h e r o a d was constantly shelled b y the
e n e m y , a n d m e n were e m p l o y e d the w h o l e time repairing it. E v e r y
n o w a n d then they h a d to lie d o w n as the e n e m y started shelling.
W e p u s h e d o n d o w n this r o a d v e r y fast. W e were w i t h i n a m i l e
of the T i n e ' n o w . E v e r y w h e r e the desolation was complete. Y o u
w o u l d see s m a l l parties of m e n h u r r y i n g over d u c k b o a r d p a t h s —
n o one loitered but tried to get out of the danger area as fast as
possible. W e were n o w g o i n g d o w n the Wieltje-St. Jean r o a d ,
w h i c h l e d to the Steenbeck. T h e r o a d was f o r m e d out of facines.
Facines w e r e b u n d l e s of b r u s h w o o d l a i d across the m u d . T h i s
f o r m e d a f o u n d a t i o n for traffic etc.
W e reached the Steenbeck at last. T h i s stream, w h i c h figured so
largely i n the battles, was s i m p l y a dirty little dribble t h r o u g h
shell-holes. It shifted about 40 yards a d a y , a c c o r d i n g to the h e a v i ­
ness of the s h e l l i n g — i f the g r o u n d got v e r y b a d l y c h u r n e d u p at
one part, this little stream of p u t r i d water used to trickle d o w n into
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this n e w channel. It w a s v e r y impressive to think that this t h i n g

h a d d o n e so m u c h to h o l d u p the attacks. O f course, it w a s the
absolute morass f o r m e d b y the original Steenbeck valley that w a s
the great obstacle. A t this p o i n t m a n y tanks were l y i n g about. T h e y
h a d been k n o c k e d out i n the first attack a n d lay there as they were.
T h e y w e r e a terrible sight. There w o u l d be one or m o r e holes
w h e r e shells h a d entered a n d the blackened r u i n of the tank itself.
N o one w o u l d go near as the e n e m y still shelled them at the slight­
est p r o v o c a t i o n . In any case, they were too horrible to look at. W e
n o w reached Spree F a r m . T h i s was i n the front line. It w a s o n the
e n e m y side of the Steenbeck a n d was a p p r o a c h e d b y this rising
r o a d . So w e were out of sight of the enemy, w h o were o n the other
side of the rise. T h e situation of the f a r m is important as it p l a y e d
a v e r y serious part later, w h e n w e came to commence the battle.
T h e r e w a s , of course, n o t h i n g left of the farm. T h e r o a d w a s
s u n k e n , w i t h walls of about six feet h i g h o n either side f o r m e d of
s l i p p e r y chalk. A t the p o i n t of the f a r m itself there stood gaunt,
shell-stricken trees p o i n t e d into the s k y — a v e r y g o o d l a n d m a r k .
T h e g r o u n d o n either side of the r o a d w a s impassable for tanks. If
y o u left it, y o u r tank w o u l d inevitably be stuck i n the deep m u d
a n d waterlogged shell-holes. T h e r o a d itself w a s b e i n g specially
constructed for us a n d w a s at this part o n l y nine feet b r o a d — j u s t
w i d e e n o u g h for a tank. It resembled n o t h i n g so m u c h as a sort
of s p r i n g b o a r d over a b a t h — t h e staff told y o u to go to the e n d of
it a n d then get to y o u r objective as best y o u c o u l d . T h e Boche,
of course, w a t c h e d the b u i l d i n g of the r o a d w i t h great interest.
B e y o n d occasionally shelling a too-daring w o r k i n g party, h o w ­
ever, he h e l d his h a n d — a n d to some effect as w e learnt to o u r cost.
A t Spree F a r m w e w e r e to t u r n to the right, climb the side of the

Figure 8
Y p r e s b a t t l e f i e l d ; D i c k e b u s h L a k e i n t h e d i s t a n c e . T h i s a g a i n is t y p i c a l o f
t h e d i s t r i c t . T h e w o o d is a g a i n s h a t t e r e d a l t h o u g h f a r b e h i n d t h e l i n e . It
is a v e r y g o o d p h o t o o f a s h e l l - b u r s t . N o t e t h e d e b r i s l y i n g a r o u n d —
c o i l s o f w i r e , e t c . T h e g r o u n d h a s n o t b e e n l a t e l y s h e l l e d a n d is c o v e r e d
w i t h thistles a n d w e e d o f all sorts. F o r a shell b u r s t i n g s o n e a r y o u w o u l d
h a v e t o l i e d o w n , a s it is v e r y d a n g e r o u s . S h e l l s p l i n t e r s f r o m a n i n s t a n ­
t a n e o u s f u z e can k i l l a t 8 0 0 y a r d s . N o t e t h a t t h e r e a r e v e r y f e w p e o p l e
knocking about.
26 WAR MEMOIRS

r o a d a n d start the attack diagonally across the front (see p l a n ,

F i g u r e 9).
W h e n w e h a d examined the g r o u n d , w e left for h o m e — v e r y
relieved, as each step took us a w a y f r o m the dangerous area.
W e got back later i n the afternoon, pretty exhausted. T h e tanks
h a d b e e n taken to the Reigersburg C h a t e a u , a n d a g u a r d h a d b e e n
left o n them. T h e next d a y w e d i d little. W e s t u d i e d o u r m a p s a n d
p l a n s a n d w e n t over to the infantry w e were to w o r k w i t h
a n d discussed things w i t h them. That night (24th-25th) w e w e n t to
R e i g e r s b u r g a n d d r o v e our tanks to E n g l i s h F a r m . H e r e w e h a d
to camouflage v e r y carefully i n d e e d , as there were bits of scrubby
hedge. W e again left a g u a r d of m e n w h o were not g o i n g into
action a n d returned to c a m p at Oosthoek again. O n the 25th w e
slept the w h o l e m o r n i n g . In the afternoon our pigeons a r r i v e d .
These w e r e to be carried i n the tank. T h e n , w h e n a message w a s t o .
be sent, y o u attached the chit to the pigeon's leg i n a s m a l l c o n ­
tainer a n d let it go. T h e y were the surest a n d best c o m m u n i c a t i o n
there w a s . T h e y c o u l d take a message back f r o m a battle v e r y fast.
It w a s generally reckoned that, if all w e n t w e l l , the b i r d w o u l d
deliver a message at its loft, a n d it w o u l d get sent o n to H . Q . five
miles b e h i n d the line i n less than two minutes f r o m the time the
b i r d w a s released.
W e w e n t over all our plans again. E v e r y o n e was v e r y quiet a n d
i n a h i g h state of excitement a n d nerves. It seemed to be a n i n c r e d ­
ible time before e v e n i n g came. W e h a d a hot m e a l at about 6 p . m .
M o s t of us c o u l d eat v e r y little. Later w e got so callous about these
things that w e u s e d to eat like a n y t h i n g before action.
A t 7.30 p . m . w e got o n b o a r d lorries a n d were to be taken to the
canal. T h e tension was b e g i n n i n g to break, a n d the m e n were v e r y
cheery a n d so o n , a n d were singing. G o i n g t h r o u g h Y p r e s shut
t h e m u p t h o u g h . W e were stopped a n d h a d to p u t o n our steel
helmets a n d wear the gas masks at the 'alert' position. T h e desola­
tion began to tell o n us all, a n d f r o m n o w o n v e r y few people spoke
at all. W e stopped at the canal as it was n o longer safe to go b y
l o r r y . It w a s a beautiful evening, a n d the s u n was just setting. W e
m a r c h e d b y crews to E n g l i s h F a r m a n d got there b y m o o n l i g h t .
W e were all g i v e n our r u m ration for each tank. W e c o u l d n ' t
take this before action t h o u g h , like the infantry, as it tended to p u t
m e n to sleep i n the heat of the tank. T h e mess h a d already d u b b e d
28 WAR MEMOIRS

r u m as 'canal-crosser', because it was s u p p o s e d to give y o u suffi­

cient courage to cross the Ypres C a n a l ! T h e n a m e stuck to it ever
afterwards.
B y this time, the usual nightly b o m b i n g started. E n g l i s h F a r m
w a s notorious as a pet spot, a n d tonight the Boche l i v e d u p to his
reputation. W e all lay d o w n scattered about the g r o u n d a n d got n o
casualties. T h e y fairly shook the place u p though.
W h e n they h a d finished, w e got aboard a n d set out. I was told
off to lead. T h e r e were six tanks of the c o m p a n y f o l l o w i n g me. T h e
senior officers weren't to be seen. Bagshaw (the section comander)
stayed w i t h the last tank. T h i s was quite right, as then he c o u l d
always turn u p if one of the tanks of his section w e n t w r o n g . There
were four tanks of his section a n d two of another (No. 7) a n d one of
another ( N o . 6). T h e m o o n went d o w n fairly early. I h a d a white
piece of p a p e r p i n n e d o n m y back so that L / C p l A l l e n (the driver)
c o u l d see to follow. T h e crews were all i n their tanks. W e got to
A d m i r a l ' s R o a d a n d then d o w n that to Wieltje w i t h o u t m u c h
trouble.
W h e n w e reached the Wieltje-St. Jean r o a d the trouble started.
A l t h o u g h orders h a d been g i v e n that this r o a d was to be left clear,
the place was b l o c k e d w i t h transport. M u l e s , guns a n d a m m u n i ­
tion were all g o i n g u p this very n a r r o w r o a d . T h e r e was o n l y just
r o o m to pass, but even then the tanks w o u l d touch the transport.
I leave y o u to imagine the position as w e l l as y o u can. It w a s n o w
pitch-black. T h e transport had to get u p a n d so h a d we, a n d it w a s
getting late. T h e j a m w a s apparently hopeless. M a n y of the trans­
p o r t w e r e hopelessly lost a n d were i n the u s u a l desperate state of
nerves a n d dejection. T h e y k n e w that if they were late, the infantry
to w h o m they h a d to give a m m u n i t i o n m i g h t be i n a v e r y d a n g e r ­
ous state. N o one k n e w w h a t was g o i n g o n ahead a n d w h a t h a d
occasioned the jam. A l l k n e w that at any m o m e n t the e n e m y m i g h t
b e g i n to shell the r o a d , a n d w e trembled to think of the result.
F i n a l l y w e d e c i d e d to p u s h past regardless of anyone else, as it
w a s n o w v e r y late a n d vitally important for us to get o n .
T h e r o a d was v e r y w i n d i n g a n d v e r y h a r d to steer o n . T h e
steering h a d to be v e r y delicate a n d c a r e f u l — a matter of inches, or
w e m i g h t stampede the mules a n d horses a n d k n o c k transport off
the r o a d .
 DIARY 29

After five h o u r s of this, w e got to Spree F a r m — a distance of

about a m i l e — s o y o u can see it was not fast progress. It w a s n o w
4.50 a.m., a n d w e were to start the attack at 6.20. A l l watches were
s y n c h r o n i z e d a n d the tanks were greased a n d o i l e d - u p a n d w e
tried to rest.
In the m e a n w h i l e Q u a i n t o n h a d stuck a n d got out w i t h great
difficulty. H e t u r n e d u p just i n time for the attack.
A l l o u r nerves were i n a n a w f u l state, a n d w e tried not to think
of w h a t w a s c o m i n g . T h e w a i t i n g was a w f u l a n d seemed to be
almost a p h y s i c a l p a i n — a sort of frightfully ' h e a v y ' feeling about
one's l i m b s a n d b o d y generally.
O u r g u n s o p e n e d u p at about 4.50 as there w a s to be a p r e l i m ­
inary b o m b a r d m e n t of the enemy's organization. T h i s , of course,
gave the s h o w away, a n d the Boche began to reply. W e d e c i d e d to
p u s h off to o u r starting-points at once, before he started to shell
our o w n road.
E v e r y o n e got i n the tanks except the tank c o m m a n d e r s , w h o
l e d t h e m outside. T h e section comanders H o m f r a y a n d Bagshaw
were i n the tanks as they d i d n ' t k n o w the w a y a n d were n o use
outside a n y h o w . C o h e n came u p i n front w i t h m e so as to m a k e
quite sure w e w e n t the right w a y , b u t w e were too late.
A s w e set off, the shelling began, but I got to the place w h e r e
w e w e r e to leave the r o a d w i t h o u t getting a shell near. A s w e
reached it, a shell burst right i n front, a n d the concussion k n o c k e d
m e over. I p i c k e d myself u p a n d r a n r o u n d to the right side of the
tank after s i g n a l l i n g to A l l e n to t u r n to his right. A s C o h e n a n d I
got to the right d o o r , another shell burst, a n d w e b o t h flattened out
b y the tank. T h e shell h a d k n o c k e d a lot of splinters off the tank, it
b u r s t so close, a n d h a d sent off a shower of sparks inside the tank.
W e b o t h got i n as fast as possible, as n o w w e c o u l d go o n w i t h o u t
b e i n g outside. A l l e n fortunately h a d the sense to d r i v e over the
crossing w i t h o u t further o r d e r s — i t was great presence of m i n d , as
the next shell c o u l d h a v e got us o n the crossing. W e then d r o v e to
o u r starting point, a n d C o h e n left us to go back to his t a n k — h e h a d
a s u p p l y tank, a n d his job was d o n e n o w , for he d i d not have to
c o m e into action.
W e shut off o u r engine w h e n w e got to the starting point. It
w a s n o w 5.30, a n d w e h a d forty m i n u t e s ' wait.
30 WAR MEMOIRS

In the m e a n w h i l e the rest of the tanks d i d not get o n so w e l l . It

w a s v e r y s l o w g o i n g , a n d they h a d to go d o w n the r o a d t h r o u g h
the shelling. T w o tanks got k n o c k e d out, a n d the crews became
casualties. Q u a i n t o n got a glancing hit, but it d i d n o m o r e than cut
about some of the crew. By this time the general b o m b a r d m e n t h a d
d e v e l o p e d , a n d i n the silence of the tank w e c o u l d hear the shells
screaming overhead f r o m our o w n guns, a n d b u r s t i n g near f r o m
theirs. T h e shelling was s i m p l y one continual roar. Y o u r o w n guns
s o u n d e d a sharp crack b e h i n d . Y o u c o u l d , of course, d i s t i n g u i s h
n o t h i n g . Y o u s i m p l y h a d the deep roar of the guns, w h i c h was
continuous, a n d i m p o s e d o n that was the shrill whistle of the
shells p a s s i n g overhead—just as if it was the w i n d w h i s t l i n g i n a
gigantic keyhole. O n e v e r y b i g G e r m a n shell that burst near us
c o u l d be distinguished above the rest. It s o u n d e d like a n express
train c o m i n g t h r o u g h a t u n n e l — a gradually increasing roar as it
came nearer. T h e n a deafening crash. A s the nearer shells burst,
the tank u s e d to s w a y a little a n d s h u d d e r . T h i s w a s v e r y beastly,
as one h a d p r e v i o u s l y felt that a tank w a s the sort of pinnacle of
solidity. It seemed as if y o u were all alone i n a h u g e passage w i t h
great doors s l a m m i n g all a r o u n d . I can think of n o w a y of describ­
i n g it.
A t 6.15 w e started u p our e n g i n e — w e h a d p r e v i o u s l y shifted a
little, t h i n k i n g w e were g o i n g to get a little a w a y f r o m a large shell
that kept b u r s t i n g v e r y near! A t 6.20 (zero hour) the real b o m b a r d ­
ment started, a n d the barrage came d o w n . T h i s s i m p l y excelled
e v e r y t h i n g that h a d gone before.
W e p u s h e d off steering b y compass. It was pitch-black still, a n d
w e c o u l d distinguish n o t h i n g outside. Unfortunately m y compass
w a s quite inaccurate. T h e shell that h a d burst i n front at Spree
F a r m h a d k n o c k e d it right out. So, w h e n I thought I w a s steering
d u e east to m y objective, I was g o i n g north.
A t last it got lighter, a n d I distinguished w h a t I thought to be a
w o o d . A s I got nearer, I f o u n d it was our infantry. W e were s u p ­
p o s e d to follow till they got h e l d u p a n d then to go ahead a n d clear
the w a y . I discovered f r o m m y m a p that I was n o w hopelessly lost
(see F i g u r e 10). I was following a ridge that I s h o u l d n ' t have been
o n . I d e c i d e d to h a n g o n a n d d o w h a t I c o u l d there till I got m o r e
certain. T h e g r o u n d w a s absolutely p l o u g h e d u p — l i k e fine flour.
»>> ••-•fr" Route taken by tank EDWARD

'mmmm*$ Front line before the action

Route tank EDWARD should have taken

Figure 10
(See Maps, p. 47)
 DIARY 33

W e n o w came o n a G e r m a n p i l l - b o x — y o u c a n see w h a t it is
like f r o m the p h o t o (Figure 11). T h e infantry were h e l d u p b y
cross-fire f r o m a pill-box o n m y left. A s I p u s h e d f o r w a r d , a b i g
shell hit near the base of the pill-box, a n d the w h o l e t h i n g s i m p l y
t u r n e d over o n its side. Y o u can get s o m e idea of w h a t the force of
a large shell is w h e n y o u realize that a pill-box is s o l i d concrete
a n d about six or m o r e feet thick. T h i s effectually cleared the place
i n front, b u t the infantry c o u l d not advance because of the cross­
fire.
A t about this time the s u n was getting u p , a n d I d e c i d e d to
steer straight into it. T h e tank, h o w e v e r , w a s i n v e r y serious diffi­
culties. T h e g r o u n d w a s so b a d , a n d so b a d l y shelled, that one g u n
(the left) w a s b e l o w the level of the g r o u n d a n d w a s simply
p l o u g h i n g t h r o u g h the earth. T h e tank was o n a slope a n d c o u l d n ' t
right itself, so w e w e n t o n like that. A t last she became p e r m a ­
nently stuck. W e fixed the u n d i t c h i n g b e a m , b u t this o n l y shifted
the tank a few inches each time it got right u n d e r n e a t h . W e trav­
elled literally n o m o r e than one foot to each r e v o l u t i o n of the
tracks. I left the tank at this stage a n d w e n t over to a b u n c h of
i n f a n t r y m e n i n a shell-hole to ask m y whereabouts. I d i d n ' t realize
I w a s u n d e r m a c h i n e - g u n fire, I w a s so d a z e d , a n d they s h o u t e d at
m e to get d o w n . F r o m t h e m I learnt, b y y e l l i n g i n each other's ears,
that w e were at M a r t h a L o u i s e F a r m . It h a d b e e n a f a r m b u t w a s
n o w a G e r m a n p i l l - b o x . I w e n t back a n d d e c i d e d to steer to the
right. W e s i m p l y kept the u n d i t c h i n g b e a m o n a n d so w e n t o n for
about a n h o u r , i n w h i c h time w e d i d about 200 y a r d s . In the m e a n ­
time the infantry w e n t o n as the p i l l - b o x o n the left w a s m o p p e d
u p . T h e G e r m a n guns n o w got o n to m y tank, a n d shells were
b u r s t i n g v e r y close i n d e e d . F i n a l l y w e h a d to shut o u r front flaps
for l u m p s of m u d a n d shell splinters that came i n . W e expected
a direct hit at any m o m e n t , b u t o u r slight m o v e m e n t apparently
baffled t h e m — t h e y were firing f r o m indirect observation. A t last
the g r o u n d got a little better, a n d here I took off the u n d i t c h i n g

Figure 11
German pill-box, captured on Sept. 26th 1917 at Ypres. Notice the
slight effect of shell-fire, although it had been the mark of many guns.
This pill-box was on my left in the Sept. 26th attack.
 DIARY 35

b e a m as w e c o u l d n ' t steer w i t h it o n . T h e b e a m is attached to b o t h

tracks, a n d so y o u cannot h o l d one w h i l e the other goes o n . B u t it
w a s hopeless, a n d w e h a d to fix it again. I d e c i d e d to go straight
a h e a d a n d d o w h a t I c o u l d where I was, but this p r o v e d too m u c h
for the engine. T h e steering brakes broke a n d the transmission
b r o k e . A s a direct hit w a s merely a question of seconds, w e a b a n ­
d o n e d the tank a n d f o r m e d a strong point w i t h the guns f r o m o u r
tank about 50 y a r d s i n front. A strong point is a k i n d of fort. H e r e
w e s t o p p e d . T h e e n e m y o p e n e d feeble rifle-fire o n us as w e got
out, b u t w e h a d n o casualties, although Sergt, O ' T o o l e h a d a v e r y
n a r r o w e s c a p e — a bullet struck the tank b y his h e a d as he got out.
I sent off the pigeons, reporting the situation.
It w a s n o w about 1 0 . 3 0 — I felt m o r e as if it was about 4 or 5 i n
the e v e n i n g . W e s i m p l y h u n g o n as w e were. I s a w a tank stuck o n
m y right; this w a s Q u a i n t o n ' s . A n d another o n m y left; this w a s
D e s p a r d ' s . H e came over to m e , a n d w e arranged s o m e p l a n to
stick to i n case of a n e n e m y counter-attack. H e was frightfully
cheery, a n d so w a s Sergt. R e i d w i t h h i m . A s far as w e c o u l d m a k e
out, all objectives were reached.
A t about 1.30 all w a s pretty clear. I checked the distress signal
to aeroplanes o n m y tank a n d stated the n u m b e r of the tank.
Several planes came over f l y i n g v e r y l o w a n d saw it. A bit later
s o m e e n e m y planes came over a n d fired o n us, but their shooting
w a s rotten. T h e shelling was still v e r y h e a v y , but o u r light guns
w e r e c o m i n g u p , a n d the e n e m y were w i t h d r a w i n g theirs. T h e y
tried a counter-attack, but n o t h i n g h a p p e n e d . A little later, as all
w a s clear, w e got permissions a n d w e n t back. D e s p a r d h a d w i t h ­
d r a w n earlier, as his tank, like m i n e , was a hopeless wreck. Y o u
c a n get s o m e i d e a of a stuck tank f r o m the photo of one of ours at
Y p r e s (Figure 12), o n l y m i n e w a s right u n d e r o n the left side, a n d

Figure 12
Tank after direct hit. Note how it has sunk into the ground. The holes are
very small as the shell has gone in and burst inside. The worst of it was
that the splinters would usually kill or wound the crew and set the tank
alight. The wounded often couldn't get out and simply were burned to
death. The petrol would catch at once and then the oil. After that the
ammunition kept on going up, as the sides are just honeycombed with
it. They look like large squibs going off when they are burning as you
get the continuous 'pops' of the 6-pdr shells.
36 WAR MEMOIRS

finally it d i s a p p e a r e d f r o m v i e w ! W e got back to N o . 5 Infantry

T r a c k safely. T h i s track w a s w e l l w r e c k e d b y the Boche a n d w a s
littered w i t h d e a d m u l e s a n d m e n a n d was a terrible place. W e got
back to Wieltje n o w comparatively s a f e — w i t h m u c h relief. H e r e ,
w e w e r e so dead-beat w e went to sleep. W e were l a d e n w i t h o u r
guns etc. as w e brought them back, a n d h a d p u t o u r 6-pdr guns out
of action.
W h e n w e awoke, it was about 4 or 5 p . m . W e p u s h e d back to
R e i g e r s b u r g C h a t e a u . H e r e w e reported to C o m p a n y H . Q . a n d
then w e n t b a c k to Oosthoek W o o d . W e h a d a hot m e a l a n d then
t u r n e d i n for the night. W e were all i n a fairly shaky m o o d . T h e
next d a y w e h e a r d w h a t h a d h a p p e n e d to the c o m p a n y . T w o tanks
h a d reached their objectives a n d done fairly w e l l . T h e r e m a i n d e r
h a d all h a d the same l u c k as m i n e . In our section B r o o m e a n d
O w e n h a d b o t h got shell-shock a n d were i n a fearful state.
D e s p a r d h a d b e e n k i l l e d b y a shell just after he left m e i n the
action. H e was a great loss to the section, as he was always cheerful
a n d k i n d l y . H e h a d said before g o i n g into action that he was sure
he w o u l d not c o m e back. But it d i d n ' t seem to w o r r y h i m at all.
In the m o r n i n g w e were interrogated b y the intelligence officer
a n d told o u r stories of the action.
A t about 5 p . m . they d e c i d e d w e w o u l d h a v e to fetch o u r tanks
b a c k f r o m the line if w e c o u l d . T h i s does not seem a great h a r d ­
s h i p , but it was. T h e crews h a d all been v e r y b a d l y s h a k e n u p , a n d
the effects were n o w at their height. A s I w a s the only tank c o m ­
m a n d e r left i n the section, the job fell o n me. T h e y d e c i d e d the o n l y
tank i n the c o m p a n y that c o u l d be fetched back was D e s p a r d ' s . I
w a s g i v e n Sergt. R e i d f r o m his tank, a b o y n a m e d Foster, C o l o m b e
f r o m m y c r e w — h e v o l u n t e e r e d — a n d H a y l e r . Foster h a d b e e n
v e r y b a d l y shaken u p b y the action. H e w a s o n l y 18 a n d h a d b e e n
i n France i n the infantry p r e v i o u s l y . H e h a d been w o u n d e d a n d
k n e w w h a t it meant. Sergt. R e i d told me it w a s better not to take
h i m . So I d e c i d e d to leave h i m , w h e r e u p o n he insisted o n b e i n g
b r o u g h t along. T h e result was that I h a d a v e r y w i l l i n g a n d g o o d
lot w i t h m e , a n d I felt I needed it. F o r the action I h a d felt m o r e or
less p r e p a r e d , but I d i d n ' t feel at all ready for this a n d f o u n d
m y s e l f i n s u c h a state that I d i d n ' t think I s h o u l d manage it.
W e set out at 9.30 p . m . T h e nightly air raids h a d just b e g u n . A s
w e left, two b o m b s fell i n the c a m p . T h e w h o l e time w e w e n t u p
 DIARY 37

the r o a d , the place w a s lit u p b y b u r s t i n g b o m b s a n d a m m u n i t i o n

d u m p s g o i n g u p . W e expected to be b o m b e d at a n y m o m e n t , as
they always h a d a few shots at r o a d s — e s p e c i a l l y Brielen at that
time.
W e reached the canal w i t h o u t m i s h a p . T h e n i g h t w a s p i t c h ­
black, a n d w e then began the r o u g h part of our journey. T h e nause­
ating stench of chloride of lime, d e a d mules etc. w a s everywhere.
W e w e n t a l o n g the St. Jean-Wieltje r o a d , w h i c h y o u can see
m a r k e d o n F i g u r e 9, a n d joined the route w e w e n t into action b y
at Wieltje. B u t here w e b r a n c h e d off a n d w e n t u p N o . 5 Infantry
T r a c k (the one w e came out of action by). B y this time w e w e r e
a m o n g s t the field g u n s again. W e simply stumbled through
shell-holes a n d over bits of b a r b e d w i r e that stuck u p i n the
g r o u n d — t h e remains of o l d entanglements that h a d s i m p l y been
t u r n e d into the g r o u n d b y b o m b a r d m e n t . It w a s v e r y tiring a n d
d e m o r a l i z i n g . W e came u p o n the remains of a n o l d strong point.
I w a s h o r r i f i e d to f i n d that w e were treading amongst m e n a n d
thought that s o m e t h i n g h a d k n o c k e d t h e m out. I then f o u n d they
were s i m p l y m a c h i n e - g u n n e r s w h o were l y i n g there i n the m u d
a n d shell-holes asleep, resting. W i t h t h e m w e r e s o m e artillery
m e n . I w a n t e d to m a k e sure of m y w a y , so I shook one fellow.
I c o u l d m a k e n o i m p r e s s i o n o n h i m for a l o n g time. A t last the
s h a k i n g h a d s o m e effect, a n d he sat u p . I asked h i m if it w a s
N o . 5 Infantry T r a c k , w h e r e u p o n he a n s w e r e d s o m e absolutely
un-intelligible gibberish, as if he was delirious. I never struck s u c h
a n i g h t m a r e i n m y life. B u t it gives y o u s o m e i d e a of the state of
infantry, g u n n e r s etc. i n the glorious T h i r d Battle of Y p r e s . A t last
I got a n officer. I t o l d h i m w h a t I w a n t e d , a n d he s a i d he w o u l d
s h o w me. T h e g u n s h a d n o w o p e n e d u p h e a v y fire, a n d the G e r ­
m a n s r e p l i e d . A s w e w e n t along, this officer said I s h o u l d never
get to the tank, as the G e r m a n s h a d counter-attacked a n d the p o s i ­
tion w a s uncertain. T h e y were o p e n i n g u p then, as there w a s great
restlessness a n d the situation seemed v e r y critical. A s it t u r n e d
out, he w a s right, a n d w e n e e d not h a v e bothered to go a n y
further. W e h a d n o w got onto d u c k b o a r d s , a n d there was little
chance of m i s s i n g the w a y . So I t u r n e d to thank the officer for his
k i n d n e s s ; as I t u r n e d , the m o o n shone out b e h i n d a c l o u d , a n d he
saw m y face a n d s a i d , ' G r e a t Scot! Is that y o u , Bion?' So I said
' Y e s , w h e r e u p o n he said he w a s Bonsey, a n d then I saw his face
7
38 WAR MEMOIRS

a n d recognized h i m as a n O l d Stortfordian. There was n o time to

say a n y t h i n g except g o o d b y e a n d g o o d luck. P o o r fellow! H e w a s
k i l l e d just a week afterwards. W e got back to M a r t h a F a r m a n d
then f o u n d w e c o u l d get no further. T h e b o m b a r d m e n t w a s v e r y
h e a v y , a n d it was foolishness to risk g o i n g o n . W e h a d been told
not to take risks, so after a bit I d e c i d e d to go back. T h e track w a s
n o w (as usual) b e i n g shelled, a n d w e w e n t as fast as w e c o u l d . It
w a s a frightful business.
I d o n ' t quite k n o w h o w w e got back to the canal, but at last w e
d i d . T h e crew were v e r y done, a n d it h a d p r o v e d too m u c h for m e
at least. A s w e went along a n d began to feel safer, a g u n b y the
r o a d was fired a n d p r o v e d the last straw for Foster. H e s i m p l y fell
d o w n o n the r o a d a n d struggled a n d fought, shouting, ' K e e p t h e m
off! F o r G o d ' s sake keep them off!' W e h a d to get his arms a n d
legs a n d carry h i m back to a dressing station. H e struggled like
fun, b u t w e tried to talk quietly a n d soothe h i m d o w n . W e left h i m
at the first dressing station w e f o u n d a n d then went o n to c a m p . A s
I w e n t along, I talked to Sergt. R e i d . H e was a Black W a t c h m a n
originally, a n d this was the first time I really got to k n o w h i m at
all.
W e were naturally thinking of o u r recent s h o w a n d o u r losses,
a n d so w e spoke chiefly of that. W e b o t h f o u n d w e were b y n o
means k e e n o n the w a r a n d its justice a n d glory a n d so f o r t h —
w h i c h is obvious a g o o d distance away, but not quite so o b v i o u s
close to the real thing. H e said he c o u l d see n o sense i n it a l l , a n d
w h e n I said that the usually accepted v i e w s of right a n d w r o n g
a p p e a r e d rather out of place w h e n c o m p a r e d w i t h the death of a
m a n like D e s p a r d , he startled me b y s a y i n g that it w a s really
rather h a r d not to believe that the conscientious objector was right,
w h i l e w e were all d e l u d e d fools. So y o u w i l l see that some, at least,
of the m u c h - m a l i g n e d T o m m i e s were not the brainless a n d i n ­
h u m a n automatons that the staff a n d British press l i k e d to paint
them.
W e got back to camp at last, a n d I reported. T h e y were quite
satisfied, a n d next day's battle reports c o n f i r m e d m e i n m y d e c i ­
sion.
W e h a d a few d a y s ' rest a n d were then sent d o w n w i t h skele­
ton crews—i.e. officer a n d d r i v e r s — t o d r a w m o r e tanks f r o m
E r i n to replace losses. I went d o w n w i t h C o h e n to E r i n . It w a s a
 DIARY 39

w o n d e r f u l change to get away f r o m our ghastly Y p r e s s u r r o u n d ­

ings. W e w e n t straight into the peace of the country. T h e trees h a d
all the l o v e l y a u t u m n tints, a n d it seemed quite strange to see trees
that were not shattered a n d leafless stumps.
I w i l l not bother y o u w i t h details of d r a w i n g tanks. W e came
back the next d a y , h a v i n g d r a w n our tanks a n d tested t h e m super­
ficially.
After w e got back to Oosthoek, we ran our tanks into c o n d i t i o n
a n d oiled a n d geared them. In about three days they were practi­
cally fit for action again.
T h e g r o u n d w a s still i n a ghastly c o n d i t i o n as rain h a d fallen
once m o r e , so y o u can i m a g i n e our surprise w h e n w e were told
that w e were to go into action again i n a last attempt of the 5th
A r m y to break t h r o u g h . M a p s were issued, a n d w e a p p e a r e d to be
operating u n d e r e v e n worse conditions than p r e v i o u s l y . A l l ranks
gave u p h o p e of ever d o i n g anything or of ever expecting c o m m o n
sense f r o m senior officers or general staff. H o w tanks c o u l d be
expected to operate seemed b e y o n d the c o m p r e h e n s i o n of a n y o n e
w h o h a d the vaguest i d e a of w h a t a tank was like. H o w e v e r , w e
p r e p a r e d for o u r s h o w .
A t the last m o m e n t they p r o p o s e d to give m e a rest. I m a d e a
r o w about it, but it was n o use.
T h e tanks shifted u p to the Pelcappelle r o a d , a n d then, just the
night of the action, the w h o l e action was w a s h e d out a n d the next
d a y the tanks were w i t h d r a w n to Oosthoek W o o d . W e were v e r y
relieved i n d e e d .
W e were then i n f o r m e d that the year's c a m p a i g n w a s over a n d
that o u r battalion was to go to W a i l l y for training a n d then into
winter quarters.
B y this time I discovered that I h a d a v e r y b a d tank. E n g i n e
trouble was v e r y frequent, one of the track rollers was defective, a
shaft twisted a n d h a d to be r e m o v e d , a n d it always overheated.
T h i s w a s to be a source of endless trouble.
W e entrained o n about the 7th of N o v e m b e r a n d w e n t to
W a i l l y . H e r e w e tried to get o u r tanks into t r i m a n d exercise o u r
drivers a n d crews. T h e defective roller was r e m o v e d a n d the e n ­
gine was tinkered u p , but it still overheated.
W h i l e w e were there, the 51st H i g h l a n d D i v i s i o n came a n d
practised w i t h us. T h e y were practically the crack d i v i s i o n o n the
40 WAR MEMOIRS

W e s t e r n Front. T h e y were all territorials but h a d a magnificent

staff, w o n d e r f u l discipline a n d tremendous esprit de corps. Y p r e s
h a d destroyed their faith i n tanks, a n d they were v e r y c o n t e m p ­
tuous of us.
W e carried out set-piece manoeuvres over the o l d trench sys­
tem at W a i l l y . After that w e were told that w e were g o i n g into a
n e w battle a n d that not a w o r d must be said about it. A t first w e
thought it was another s u i c i d a l show. But w e were issued w i t h
m a p s (without names on), a n d w e f o u n d the g r o u n d w a s to be
v e r y g o o d a n d practically unshelled. It seemed too g o o d to be true,
but w e b e g a n to get a little m o r e interested. W e then d i s c o v e r e d
that our battalion was to w o r k w i t h the 51st D i v i s i o n , a n d after
g o i n g to a lecture b y the brigadier of the brigade that B C o m p a n y
w a s to w o r k w i t h w e were quite enthusiastic. It was a fine lecture
a n d s h o w e d a grip of detail a n d conscientious h a r d w o r k that gave
us m o r e confidence than I can say. F o r the first time w e realized
w h a t g o o d 'staff w o r k c o u l d be. H e r e was a general, a n d he abso­
lutely k n e w w h a t the details of a p l a t o o n sergeant's w o r k w a s —
a n d he gave t h e m g o o d advice o n it too. After he h a d e x p l a i n e d
the p l a n of action, our colonel got u p . H i s 'lecture' w a s a striking
contrast—he didn't even know how many guns a tank had\ Practically
all o u r respect h a d gone for h i m b y then. W h a t little r e m a i n e d
w e n t a few d a y s later, w h e n he gave us a hectoring speech o n tank
w o r k . A p p a r e n t l y w e h a d not earned h i m e n o u g h glory at Y p r e s ,
a n d he n o w said that if any m a n or officer let h i m d o w n , he w o u l d
court-martial h i m , w h o e v e r he was. A worse thing to d o I can't
imagine. E v e r y m a n h a d done his best a n d that u n d e r hopeless
conditions. A l l fighting-men felt they h a d been let d o w n b y the
staff, a n d this fellow h a d the audacity to talk about letting him
d o w n . F r o m that time o n he w a s the hated m a n of the battalion.
W e met the officers of the 51st a g o o d deal so as to get u s e d
to w o r k i n g together. N o . 8 Section was w o r k i n g w i t h B C o m p a n y ,
of the 6th Seaforths. T h e c o m p a n y w a s c o m m a n d e d b y C a p t .
E d w a r d s , w h o came f r o m a Scottish village called L o s s i e m o u t h .
T h e C o m p a n y C o m m a n d e r of their A C o m p a n y came f r o m the
same village, a n d they h a d been boys together. T h e y w e r e terrific
rivals a n d h a d great arguments as to w h i c h c o m p a n y w o u l d reach
a n d take the G e r m a n guns b e h i n d Flesquieres village (as w e after­
w a r d s f o u n d the village was called)! E d w a r d s h a d w o n the D S O at
 DIARY 41

B e a u m o n t H a m e l o n the S o m m e , where he captured a G e r m a n

staff s i n g l e - h a n d e d . W e w e n t into every detail w i t h h i m .
A t last, o n the 12th, B C o m p a n y h a d orders to shift off. I h a d
orders to leave b y m i d n i g h t .
O u r C o m p a n y C o m m a n d e r , M a j o r de Freine, h a d just been
sent h o m e to E n g l a n d for r o w i n g w i t h the C o l o n e l . In his place
w e h a d a n e w m a n w e d i d n ' t k n o w , called M a j o r Bargate. H e w a s
w e a k - m i n d e d , u n d e r h a n d , incompetent a n d addicted to d r i n k . H e
w a s , h o w e v e r , well-intentioned a n d amiable. M y crew h a d been
w o r k i n g h a r d o n the tank all d a y a n d were v e r y tired. T h e y w o u l d
h a v e to w o r k h a r d all the time if they were to get off b y m i d n i g h t .
So, as o u r last tank d i d n ' t leave till 3 a.m., w h i c h w o u l d have g i v e n
t h e m a chance of rest, I asked to go last. T h i s was refused b y
Bargate, w h o seemed to think his authority was questioned if a n
a m e n d m e n t w a s suggested.
T h e m e n i n o u r c o m p a n y w e r e i n a v e r y b a d state. T h e y d i s ­
l i k e d a n d distrusted the senior officers a n d were consequently
liable to g r u m b l e the w h o l e time. I was l u c k y i n m y crew, a n d they
said v e r y little, a l t h o u g h they h a d g o o d reason to grouse.
A t m i d n i g h t w e left a n d trekked to B r i s l e u x - a u - M o n t , the r a i l ­
h e a d . T h e tank w e n t v e r y b a d l y a n d still overheated. W e reached
Brisleux at about 7 a.m. a n d entrained. T h e fact that o u r train w a s
not d u e out till 7 p . m . s i m p l y e m p h a s i z e d the lack of c o m m o n ­
sense consideration for the m e n . T h e y h a d been kept u p a n d tired
out all night for n o p u r p o s e at all.
O u r journey l e d across the devastated S o m m e region, a n d
w h e n w e stopped, w e f o u n d w e were at Plateau. W e detrained a n d
w e n t into the w o o d there. F o r once w e h a d a hot m e a l of stew a n d
tea o n arrival. It w a s n o w 2 a.m., a n d instead of t u r n i n g i n , the
crews h a d to go a n d fetch petrol. T h i s fatigue lasted till 3.30 a.m.,
w h e n all t u r n e d i n . T h i s was the first bit of sleep they h a d since the
night of the l l t h / 1 2 t h . I leave y o u to imagine h o w tired they were.
N e x t m o r n i n g (14th) w e h a d to be u p at 7.30, so w e o n l y h a d four
h o u r s ' sleep. M y tank h a d to be tinkered u p . T h e trouble h a d
s i m p l y been that the engine became red-hot i n about ten m i n u t e s '
r u n n i n g . T h e t u n i n g appeared to be correct, so w e c o u l d o n l y think
that the trouble w a s d u e to carbonization of the cylinders a n d
consequent pre-ignition. T h e tanks are so b a d l y constructed that to
take off the c y l i n d e r heads a n d exhaust, w e h a d to r e m o v e the roof
42 WAR MEMOIRS

a. Ordinary trench b. Deep trench with facine in place

c. Tank slipped back with tail d. Tank can't get tail stuck
stuck in deep trench and .*. crosses safely

Figure 13
The use of facines.

to get to the b o t t o m of the trouble. T h i s meant m o r e v e r y h e a v y

w o r k again. W e f o u n d a little carbonization, but not e n o u g h to
satisfy us that w e h a d got to the root of the trouble. W e h a d the
tank fitted u p again b y 5 p . m . A s s o o n as it was d a r k , w e d r o v e
into a n e i g h b o u r i n g field a n d there d r e w facines—large b u n d l e s of
w o o d b o u n d r o u n d b y chains.
T h e y w e i g h e d over a ton. T h e y were subsequently replaced b y
the skeleton facines y o u can see i n the later photos. These facines
w e r e to be carried i n front o n top of the tank. W h e n w e came to a
v e r y deep trench, they were released a n d d r o p p e d i n so that the
tank c o u l d cross m o r e easily. If y o u have a deep trench a n d d o not
d r o p i n a facine, the tank falls back into it as y o u cross, a n d the tail
sticks i n the bottom, m a k i n g it impossible to go o n . A facine p r e ­
vents the tail g o i n g to the bottom a n d s t i c k i n g — y o u can see f r o m
the d i a g r a m (Figure 13).
 DIARY 43

.._.,.f>
b. Tank travelling back in reverse
a. Tan/c with facine attached and carrying up the facine
to the track

c. Facine in position on top of the tank

Figure 14
Attaching a facine.

It w a s a frightful business getting it o n . W e attached it to the

tracks as it l a y o n the g r o u n d a n d then reversed the tank so the
tracks carried it f r o m i n front of the tank u p onto the top (Figure
14). W e finished the job about 9.30 a n d got back to c a m p a n d
t u r n e d i n b y 10.30.
T h e next d a y (15th) the crews went o n w o r k i n g at the tanks,
b u t a l l tank c o m m a n d e r s h a d to leave a n d go b y l o r r y to the place
o u r battle w a s to start f r o m , so as to reconnoitre the positions
t h o r o u g h l y . I w a s v e r y g l a d to be r i d of m y tank a n d h o p e d s o m e ­
h o w that something w o u l d h a p p e n to the t h i n g to m a k e it go
before I saw it again.
W e arrived at o u r destination at 2 p . m . o n the 15th after a r i d e
t h r o u g h B a p a u m e a n d the devastated region. W e were to live i n
H a v r i n c o u r t W o o d , w h i c h w a s about 1,000 y a r d s f r o m the front
line. It w a s just i n front of the village of M e t z . O p p o s i t e us, i n the
e n e m y ' s lines, were the villages of H a v r i n c o u r t a n d (partly i n o u r
lines) Trescault.
T h a t same evening w e went u p to the front-line trenches. It w a s
a n extraordinary change f r o m Y p r e s . W e were n o w opposite the
famous H i n d e n b u r g line, a n d the country w a s h a r d l y touched. T h e
trenches were i n w o n d e r f u l condition. T h e villages l o o k e d as if
they h a d never h e a r d of the w a r except for those b e h i n d us, w h i c h
h a d , of course, been b l o w n u p b y the G e r m a n s i n their retreat.
44 WAR MEMOIRS

H a v r i n c o u r t W o o d was like a n o r d i n a r y w o o d i n E n g l a n d . T h e
front w a s v e r y peaceful. There w a s about 1,000 y a r d s between the
e n e m y trenches a n d o u r o w n , a n d h a r d l y a g u n fired. T h e great
question was, s h o u l d w e catch the e n e m y n a p p i n g ? I w i l l not
bother y o u w i t h the reconnaissances. W e d i d two m o r e o n the next
d a y (the 16th) over the same territory a n d one back to the r a i l h e a d
(about five miles f r o m H a v r i n c o u r t W o o d ) . T h i s place was called
Ytres, a n d w e were to meet o u r tanks there. T h e greatest p r e c a u ­
tions were taken to keep the e n e m y f r o m k n o w i n g w h a t was
happening.
O n the 17th w e d i d one more reconnaissance, a n d then that
e v e n i n g w e w e n t back to Ytres to meet our tanks. T h e y were d u e i n
at 7.30 p . m . A s I saw t h e m come i n , I w o n d e r e d if m y o l d tank w a s
all right, a n d m y first question was, Ts m y o l d tank g o i n g all right
at last?' T h e r e p l y was, 'She behaves like a perfect s w i n e ' .
T h a t p u t the finishing touch o n me for the time. I saw the crew
a n d f o u n d they were utterly fed u p . T h e great thing w a s to get it
the five miles to H a v r i n c o u r t .
W e l l , it is h a r d l y possible to describe the trip. E v e r y t h i n g w e n t
w r o n g . T h e o i l i n g system gave u p a n d w e h a d to m e n d it w i t h the
a i d of w h a t wits w e h a d left. She overheated every 200 y a r d s . T h e
d r i v e r w e n t to sleep ( L / C p l A l l e n ) as he d r o v e a n d r a m m e d a
house. I took o n d r i v i n g , but A l l e n seemed so t h i c k - h e a d e d he
c o u l d n ' t l e a d p r o p e r l y . Y o u can tell w h a t it w a s like w h e n I say w e
reached M e t z village four a n d a half miles off at 5.30 a.m. T h a t is to
say, w e took ten h o u r s for four a n d a half miles. W a l k i n g pace isn't
i n it! W h e n w e reached M e t z , the tank gave u p the ghost. T h e r e
w a s a terrific flash a n d an explosion, a n d she s t o p p e d . W h e n w e
recovered, w e took stock of the situation. W e were i n the m i d d l e of
the village street. D a y l i g h t was c o m i n g , a n d w e w o u l d be certain
to be spotted if a n aeroplane came over. T h e sight of a tank b e h i n d
the British lines w o u l d have g i v e n the w h o l e s h o w away. F o r t u ­
nately, another tank f r o m C came a l o n g at this stage. In c o m m a n d
w a s a fellow n a m e d W i l s o n . H e h a d v e r y little petrol a n d c o u l d
never h a v e t o w e d m e i n . But although it w a s v e r y late, he t o w e d
m e to the side of the r o a d . A s this enabled m e to h i d e the tank
f r o m aerial observation, I was more grateful than I can say. It took
h i m about three-quarters of a n h o u r to d o a n d meant a lot of extra
 DIARY 45

w o r k . H e w a s k i l l e d i n the battle a n d r e c o m m e n d e d for the V C b u t

d i d not get it.
W h e n w e got to the side, w e built a n imitation house over the
tank to h i d e it. T h e crew were so tired that I sent t h e m to sleep a n d
d i d n o m o r e . A t 11 a.m. (the 18th) w e started w o r k again. W e d i d
w h a t w e c o u l d , a n d that night started to get the tank to the w o o d .
It overheated hopelessly again, but w e got there s o m e h o w . The
crew got sleep f r o m 11 p . m . till 10 a.m. a n d so at last h a d a rest.
A c t i o n w o u l d h a v e been impossible w i t h o u t it.
A t 11 a.m. w e started a last despairing effort to get the engine
right. W e then discovered that the t i m i n g was w r o n g . T h e d e a d
centre w a s m a r k e d w r o n g o n the flywheel, so all o u r p r e v i o u s
t i m i n g h a d been w r o n g ! T h i s s m a l l mistake o n the part of the
makers h a d cost us h o u r after h o u r of h a r d w o r k a n d anxiety. W e
t i m e d it b y the cylinder heads a n d felt that w e h a d at last got to the
root of the trouble. W e spent the rest of the d a y (19th) o n r u n n i n g
out o u r 6-pdr guns a n d p r e p a r i n g for action. O u r facine again gave
us endless trouble. W e were all ready but for this b y 7.30 p . m . , a n d
zero w a s to be 6.50 the next m o r n i n g ( N o v e m b e r 20th).
Before g o i n g o n , I w i l l explain our orders a n d tell y o u w h a t w e
h a d to d o . A a n d C C o m p a n i e s h a d to f o r m the first w a v e a n d take
the trenches m a r k e d A (see d i a g r a m , F i g u r e 15). T h e y were to d r o p
their facines i n so w e c o u l d cross. W e h a d to f o r m the second w a v e
a n d go t h r o u g h t h e m o n to the trenches m a r k e d B , a n d take t h e m
u s i n g our facines to cross the B (or second-line system) trenches.
N o . 8 Section w a s o n the left, a n d I w a s the left section. I h a d to
d e a l w i t h the strong p o i n t a n d s m a l l w o o d at Flesquieres.
Ribecourt village was o n the right. T h e infantry a n d artillery all
came u p that night (19th/20th) i n lorries. T h e y h a d to fire b y the
m a p a n d c o u l d d o n o registering. Y o u see, the orders were all
fairly simple.
A t 9.30 I got the crew out, as w e h a d to start. H a y l e r w a s n o w
so i l l as to be useless, a n d a n e w m a n h a d to be p u t i n at the last
m o m e n t . H e w a s a y o u n g fellow called P e l l — a g e d about 18. H e
w a s a v e r y w i l l i n g a n d h a r d w o r k e r a n d most enthusiastic. After
v e r y great difficulty w e fixed the facine s o m e h o w , a n d at 12.30
w e set out. W e reached the starting-point b y 3 a.m. T h e crew were
v e r y tired a n d almost i n c l i n e d to be hysterical. T h e engine over­
Figure 15

 DIARY 47

heated the m o m e n t w e started, a n d it l o o k e d as if it w a s all u p .

T h e infantry w e r e w a r n e d that m y tank w o u l d n ' t be able to g o i n
after all.
W e started u p again, h o w e v e r , a n d to o u r surprise it w e n t like
a b i r d f r o m that time to the e n d !
A t the starting-point w e got out a n d rested o n the g r o u n d . It
w a s v e r y quiet a n d peaceful, a n d o n l y n o w a n d then a n e n e m y
m a c h i n e - g u n o p e n e d fire a n d w e h e a r d the bullets sail over. W e
w o n d e r e d if they suspected anything. A t 6 o'clock the guns s u d ­
d e n l y o p e n e d u p , a n d w e were afraid that they h a d f o u n d out, b u t
it d i e d d o w n . It w a s quite light b y 6.50, w h e n three shots w e r e
fired a n d s u d d e n l y the barrage came d o w n .
A l l the e n e m y trenches were outlined i n l o w - b u r s t i n g shrapnel.
It l o o k e d like c l o u d s of w h i t e w i t h g o l d e n rain i n the bursts. It w a s
very beautiful—and very deadly.
W e started off, a n d e v e r y t h i n g went like c l o c k w o r k . T h e r e
s e e m e d to be n o fighting at all a n d a n absolute surprise to the
e n e m y . W h e n I got to A , I h a d to tackle a m a c h i n e - g u n , but he gave
u p w h e n w e came near. It w a s the o n l y battle i n w h i c h I s a w
a n y t h i n g clearly, a n d it m i g h t have b e e n a m a n o e u v r e . T h e w h o l e
place s w a r m e d w i t h tanks a n d H i g h l a n d e r s . After a p a u s e at the

Maps
I have drawn rough maps of the action so as to save looking at the
original. The Marcoing 57.C. N.E. map I am sending is the identical map
I used on November 27th 1917, and that accounts for its battered and
stained condition. It was with me from start to finish. I therefore don't
want to mark it at all as it's rather a relic! But from it you will follow the
details clearly, and also get some idea of the very great accuracy of our
maps. The country was practically untouched, as I have pointed out,
and therefore there were trees in existence. You will notice that even the
trees are marked on the Grand Ravine. As I was the tank on the extreme
left of our battalion, I practically followed the line on the left, which
marks the left boundary of the battalion's activities. I therefore crossed
the Grand Ravine just to the left of the little bunch of four trees marked
on the map. So you see, an action was arranged in very great detail,
although of course you had to use your initiative at all times. The thing
was to disobey orders at the right time and in the right way. You will see
Villers Plouich marked—where we went later with Capt. Clifford [see p.
59]. [These maps are now lost. Ed.]
48 WAR MEMOIRS

G r a n d R a v i n e , w e went o n — n o w B C o m p a n y was i n the first w a v e

as A a n d C stopped o n the A line. Some of the kit o n b o a r d caught
fire, b u t w e c h u c k e d it overboard. W h e n I got w i t h i n 1,000 y a r d s of
Flesquieres, I o p e n e d u p s l o w fire o n the l o d g e — f i r s t the left g u n
a n d then the right (Figure 16).
I reached Flesquieres at about 9.10. T h i s was rather too early.
W e were greeted w i t h tremendous m a c h i n e - g u n fire. In the o r d i ­
n a r y w a y the noise is so terrific w h e n the engine is g o i n g that y o u
c a n hear n o t h i n g outside; but bullets hitting the tank s o u n d like
sledge-hammers against y o u r ear. A l s o they k n o c k off tiny pieces
of r e d - h o t metal. These fly off a n d cut y o u about. T h e first t h i n g I
k n e w w a s this frightfully d e m o r a l i z i n g r o w , a n d I h a d n o i d e a
w h a t to do. T h e worst thing was that bullets b e g a n c o m i n g i n
t h r o u g h the gaps i n the a r m o u r plate a n d ricocheted r o u n d the
tank. Some rivets were d r i v e n i n , thus leaving holes i n the a r m o u r .
B y s o m e mischance the left gunner Pell (the n e w man) got hit i n
the t h i g h b y a bullet that came u p the breach w h e n the w e d g e w a s
d o w n i n the g u n . A l l e n was then left. H e was d e m o r a l i z e d a n d left
the g u n . A s a result, a perfect storm of bullets came i n . I s h o u t e d
to t h e m to get back, w h e r e u p o n R i c h a r d s o n took the g u n a n d
m a n a g e d to get it into action s o m e h o w , w i t h the result that that
particular m a c h i n e - g u n shut u p . R i c h a r d s o n was hit i n the leg
d o i n g it.
P e l l then w a s transferred to the right side a n d h a d to lie o n the
floor w o r k i n g the gears w o u n d e d . By this time several m o r e tanks
came u p , a n d the strong point stopped fire as w e s i m p l y sat o n it.
But the infantry h a d not come u p . After a w h i l e the other tanks
w e n t off a n d I stayed o n . W e s i m p l y patrolled u p a n d d o w n .
S u d d e n l y there was a terrific crash, a n d a great c h u n k of stuff
ricocheted r o u n d a n d hit me o n the back. It was a piece of shell,
a n d w e h a d got a direct hit o n the right side of the tank b y the
gears. T h i s effectually p u t us out of action. T h e tank i m m e d i a t e l y
s h o w e d signs of catching fire, a n d as it was useless to stay i n — w e
m i g h t get another hit any m o m e n t — I d e c i d e d to evacuate. P e l l ,
w h o w a s b y the gears where the shell entered, h a d shell-shock,
a n d the rest of the crew were hit about. T h e piece of shell w a s
afterwards f o u n d near m y seat a n d g i v e n m e . It was the one I sent
home.
 Figure 16
Our tank route to the starting-point was as follows: Q 2 1 b, follow the
sunk road in the Trescault valley from there to where it crosses the
'enemy defence' line representing the communication trench called
Sherwood Avenue, Follow the 'Avenue' from there till it reaches the line
representing the left battalion boundary. Follow that to the front line
(Derby Trench), and there you are.
50 WAR MEMOIRS

U n f o r t u n a t e l y the e n e m y realized w h a t h a d h a p p e n e d a n d
o p e n e d fire o n our left door. O u r a m m u n i t i o n for the 6-pdr w a s
finished. W e tried to get out b y the right d o o r , b u t it w a s j a m m e d .
So w e h a d to get out b y the left. There seemed little chance of
getting out all right, but there was less of staying alive inside.
R i c h a r d s o n took a L e w i s g u n , l o a d e d it a n d then flinging the d o o r
o p e n t u m b l e d out. H e was hit t h r o u g h both legs d o i n g it b u t
o p e n e d fire a n d shut their g u n u p . A s a result w e got out safe,
d r a g g i n g Pell after us. W e got into the e n e m y trench near the tank
a n d p u t out o u r L e w i s guns. T h e e n e m y were u p one e n d ( m a r k e d
B i n F i g u r e 16). O u r position is at p o i n t A l . W e o p e n e d fire at once,
a n d the e n e m y shut u p again. Some m o r e of o u r tanks t u r n e d u p ,
a n d everything quieted d o w n again. I led one or two of t h e m to the
right corner of the w o o d i n front, s h o w i n g them where to go as all
s e e m e d all right where w e were.
W e h a d received o u r direct hit at 10.30 a.m., a n d the w h o l e
thing was over i n a second or two, although it seemed years. W h e n
these tanks cleared off, a couple of Seaforth H i g h l a n d e r s came u p
w i t h us a l o n g the trenches b e h i n d . So w e k n e w w e were g o i n g to
be s u p p o r t e d at last. But just at this time the e n e m y seemed to be
o p e n i n g fire o n us again f r o m all sides, a n d w e d i d n ' t quite k n o w
w h e r e they were. I was v e r y excited at this time. I h a d sent back
C o l o m b e a n d A l l e n w i t h Pell to get h i m out of the w a y .
I d e c i d e d the chief fire was c o m i n g f r o m the w o o d i n front
f r o m b e h i n d the w a l l . So I took m y L e w i s g u n w i t h two d r u m s of
a m m u n i t i o n (we o n l y h a d four left) a n d got o n top of the tank
b e h i n d the facine. F r o m here I c o u l d see over the w a l l . I o r d e r e d
F o r m a n to o p e n fire w i t h his g u n o n to the lodge to keep t h e m
f r o m hitting m e f r o m that side. I fired into the w o o d over the facine
a n d s a w the e n e m y b e g i n to r u n about a n d clear out. T h e y all
cleared out or stopped firing pretty q u i c k l y , a n d then m y g u n
j a m m e d a n d became too hot to h o l d .
A t this m o m e n t the e n e m y led a counter-attack t h r o u g h the
gap between the lodge a n d the w o o d . I o n l y saw a n officer r u n out
i n front w a v i n g a small stick a n d p o i n t i n g at me. I d e c i d e d it w a s
time to leave, a n d I came off that tank i n record time.
I f o u n d m y crew h a d r u n out of a m m u n i t i o n . I s h o u t e d to
t h e m to clear out, as I d e c i d e d to fall back to the trenches b e h i n d ,
 DIARY 51

w h i c h w e r e easier to h o l d . There were only five of us n o w . A s

w e r a n back, I got b e h i n d a fold i n the g r o u n d a n d tried to o p e n
fire again, b u t m y g u n w o u l d n ' t fire. So I h a r e d back a n d w e
finally got to Point A 2 (about 80 y a r d s behind). I f o u n d the Sea­
forths were already there. T h i s was a n i m m e n s e relief, as y o u can
imagine.
I met E d w a r d s there, a n d he said e v e r y t h i n g w a s g o i n g s p l e n ­
d i d l y . A m o m e n t later a sniper got h i m t h r o u g h the h e a d , a n d h e
d i e d a bit later. I thereupon took over the c o m p a n y — c h i e f l y s u p ­
p o r t e d b y a Seaforth sergeant n a m e d G r a y . T h e i r a m m u n i t i o n h a d
practically r i m out, so that w e were still i n a rotten position. I got
h o l d of a n e n e m y m a c h i n e - g u n , w h i c h w e h a d taken p r e v i o u s l y ,
a n d as there w a s a lot of a m m u n i t i o n , w e o p e n e d fire. T h e e n e m y
h a d stopped at Point B a n d along that line, a n d w e kept their
heads d o w n w i t h this fire. I subsequently took the lock out of this
g u n a n d that I also sent back to y o u .
A b o u t half an h o u r afterwards, the e n e m y counter-attacked the
Black W a t c h o n o u r left a n d d r o v e t h e m back, I got h o l d of the
sergeant, a n d he s a i d it w a s all O . K . , so w e h u n g o n — w e h a d
n o w h e r e to retreat to a n y h o w ! Fortunately the Black W a t c h h a d
not gone back far, so our flank was not exposed. A t last a n aero­
plane of ours came over, a n d w e lit o u r flares to s h o w w h e r e w e
h a d gone.
F r o m this time o n the position seemed to be stalemate. An
e n e m y aeroplane came over f l y i n g v e r y l o w , a n d w e o p e n e d fire
o n it. M o s t of o u r time was o c c u p i e d firing at their snipers i n the
trees opposite.
S o m e time later C o l o n e l M a c k e n z i e , the Seaforth c o m m a n d e r ,
c a m e r o u n d , a n d I was relieved b y another Seaforth officer.
M a c k e n z i e told m e to go back as ' y o u are n o g o o d w i t h o u t y o u r
b l o o d y tank'. N o t h i n g m o r e c o u l d be done that d a y . W e w e n t back
to o u r r a l l y i n g p o i n t — S e r g t . O ' T o o l e , L / C p l A l l e n , R i c h a r d s o n
a n d L / C p l F o r m a n . I discovered that all h a d gone w e l l except o n
o u r i m m e d i a t e front, a n d they h o p e d that w o u l d go s o o n as the
village w a s nearly s u r r o u n d e d .
B y the time I got back to H a v r i n c o u r t , it w a s 7 p . m . a n d a gentle
r a i n w a s falling. It w a s then that I discovered that m y face w a s
c o v e r e d w i t h b l o o d ! I got a n a w f u l shock but f o u n d it w a s o n l y the
52 WAR MEMOIRS

result of the s m a l l pieces of tank that h a d stuck i n m y face. These

little chips came out bit b y bit later o n . I got quite a large piece
f r o m m y right ear! M y right h a n d still has some v e r y s m a l l pieces
i n it; y o u c a n just see little blue spots u n d e r the s k i n .
Q u a i n t o n again h a d v e r y b a d luck. H i s tank r a n out of petrol i n
front of the G e r m a n guns, a n d he lost four of his m e n f r o m a direct
hit. H e w a s just i n front of a sunk r o a d , a n d b y p o u r i n g w h i s k y
into the carburettor a n d t h r o w i n g i n his clutch the engine started,
a n d he just t o p p l e d the tank into the r o a d safe f r o m direct fire! It
s o u n d s rather f u n n y , b u t I w o u l d n ' t have been i n his place for a n y
a m o u n t . C o h e n w a s k n o c k e d out a n d v e r y b a d l y w o u n d e d . I h a v e
n o t seen h i m since. Stokes was k i l l e d at the b e g i n n i n g of the battle
b y a direct hit. Greene also was killed. T h e battalion h a d about
twelve tanks left. T h e remainder attacked next d a y , a n d w e w e r e
left w i t h six u n d a m a g e d tanks b y the 23rd. T h e crews were c o m ­
pletely exhausted b y then.
T h e next d a y after the battle (21st), w e h a d o u r interview
w i t h the O . C . C o m p a n y (now Gatehouse, as Bargate h a d b e e n
w o u n d e d ) . W e gave o u r reports of the action; Gatehouse said m y
report w o u l d be confirmed a n d that I s h o u l d be r e c o m m e n d e d for
the M i l i t a r y C r o s s . I was, of course, v e r y s u r p r i s e d , as I expected a
r o w for losing m y tank. W e l l , they f o u n d out f r o m the Seaforths
w h a t h a d h a p p e n e d a n d confirmed m y report. T o m y surprise the
C o l o n e l called for me, a n d I h a d to give m y report again. H e c o n ­
gratulated m e o n it, a n d he said, 1 have d e c i d e d to r e c o m m e n d
y o u not for the M i l i t a r y Cross but the V i c t o r i a C r o s s ' . I was too
flabbergasted for w o r d s . I f o u n d subsequently that I h a d b e e n
m e n t i o n e d i n the infantry brigade report o n the battle, a n d that is
w h a t h a d settled the m a t t e r — C o l o n e l M a c k e n z i e h a d sent i n a
m o s t flowery report of the show!
It was n o w u n d e r s t o o d that w e were to go into rest. We
i m p r o v e d o u r camp a n d p o l i s h e d u p our buttons a n d so o n .
W e were all v e r y dirty, a n d as w e h a d h a d no change of clothes, w e
w e r e s o m e w h a t v e r m i n o u s as w e l l . A l t h o u g h the prospect of rest
pleased us, o u r nerves were v e r y m u c h o n edge, a n d w e h a r d l y
spoke civilly to each other! W e m a d e ourselves fairly comfortable
i n o u r c a m p , w h i c h was v e r y near our starting-point for the
action—just inside H a v r i n c o u r t W o o d . T h e s o u n d of the guns
 DIARY 53

w e n t further a n d further f r o m us, a n d w e c o u l d o n l y just hear the

e x p l o s i o n of o u r bigger guns.
O n the 28th w e were i n f o r m e d that the G e r m a n s w e r e g o i n g to
counter-attack. A feint attack w a s to be m a d e o n o u r right flank,
a n d the m a i n attack o n o u r left. N o danger was expected as w e
were well prepared.
N o t h i n g m o r e h a p p e n e d till the m o r n i n g of the 30th. W e then
h e a r d terrific gunfire i n front of us. T h i s d i e d d o w n after about a n
h o u r . A t about 10.30 a r u m o u r s u d d e n l y started that the e n e m y
h a d b r o k e n right t h r o u g h o n o u r right. W e of course l a u g h e d it off.
B u t a m o m e n t or two later o n the crest o n our right there appeared
a n A . S . C . w a g o n a n d horses b o l t i n g like m a d w i t h n o d r i v e r . T h i s
l o o k e d suspicious. T h e n another a p p e a r e d , a n d at the same time
o u r w o o d w a s shelled b y field guns. T h i s was u n c a n n y , as u p to that
time w e were at least four miles out of range. T h e situation w a s
o b v i o u s l y serious, a n d it seemed that the preposterous r u m o u r
w a s , after a l l , true. W h i l e w e were w o n d e r i n g w h a t c o u l d h a v e
h a p p e n e d , the order s u d d e n l y came to our c o m p a n y to stand to
arms.
T h e officers were h u r r i e d l y called together, a n d w e w e r e g i v e n
the f o l l o w i n g information. A p p a r e n t l y the left flank of the salient
h a d w i t h s t o o d the e n e m y s h a m attack. But the feint attack, thanks
to the l o w morale a n d p a n i c of two divisions, h a d g i v e n w a y , a n d
the e n e m y w e r e t h r o u g h (Figure 17). N o details were k n o w n ex­
cept that the G u a r d s h a d gone u p that m o r n i n g a n d the e n e m y at
that m o m e n t were a d v a n c i n g a n d were believed to be about 1,500
y a r d s i n front of us. T h e y h a d taken G o u z e a u c o u r t , w h i c h w a s
b e h i n d the front line, as it was o n N o v e m b e r 20th. W e were to
p r e p a r e o u r tanks (the three left i n our c o m p a n y — o n l y six were
left i n the w h o l e battalion) for action a n d m a k e u p crews to m a n
t h e m . T h i s w a s d o n e at once. T h e entire c o m p a n y w a s then p u t o n
to cart a m m u n i t i o n a n d so o n to the tanks. A l l was ready i n about
three-quarters of a n h o u r . T h i s was pretty g o o d w o r k , as w e h a d
not a single crew complete, but just h a d to m a k e t h e m u p some­
h o w . A l l the tanks were unfit a n d h a d to be p u t into order a n d
stocked w i t h a m m u n i t i o n . After the tanks were cleared for action,
w e f o u n d that w e h a d about six officers a n d 60 m e n w i t h n o t h i n g
to d o . W i t h o u t tanks w e were useless. It w a s d e c i d e d , therefore,
54 WAR MEMOIRS

that all ' u n e m p l o y e d ' m e n s h o u l d m a r c h back to Ytres a n d entrain,

as h a d b e e n arranged before the b r e a k - t h r o u g h o c c u r r e d . I w a s
told off to m a r c h back, a n d Q u a i n t o n was to r e m a i n as a tank
commander.
W e fell i n a n d m a r c h e d off. It was about 3 p . m . w h e n w e left
the w o o d , a n d , as w e d i d so, four G e r m a n aeroplanes came over
f l y i n g v e r y l o w d o w n the r o a d , firing their m a c h i n e - g u n s . N o n e of
o u r m e n was hit.
W e p i c k e d u p news as w e went. T h e G e r m a n s h a d apparently
got t h r o u g h so fast that they h a d captured o u r guns w h e r e they
fired. T h a t accounted for the s u d d e n cessation of the b o m b a r d ­
ment. T h e G u a r d s h a d m a r c h e d u p a n d just s t o p p e d the gap. B y
about 6 p . m . n e w s came t h r o u g h that the G u a r d s h a d not o n l y
s t o p p e d the G e r m a n s but h a d d r i v e n them back to L a V a c q u e r i e —
a place about 1,000 y a r d s i n front of our original front line o n the
right of the salient. In spite of this, the situation w a s v e r y critical
i n d e e d , a n d the w h o l e 3rd British A r m y was i n danger of b e i n g cut
off. W i t h this n e w s i n o u r ears a n d w i t h the sight of the V e r y lights
g o i n g u p i n front, w e lay d o w n i n a r u i n e d village a n d tried to
sleep. T h e demoralization amongst o u r troops e v e r y w h e r e was
apparent. T h e y were tired out after l o n g fighting.
O n e of the most d e m o r a l i z i n g things, w h i c h w e were to experi­
ence often i n the future, was the silence that f o l l o w e d the e n e m y
b r e a k t h r o u g h . H i t h e r t o w e always h a d felt that the cessation of
artillery fire meant the e n d of the show. N o w w e h a d learnt that it
m i g h t m e a n a complete b r e a k t h r o u g h — t h e capture of o u r guns
a n d the silence consequent u p o n the advance of theirs. T h e next
m o r n i n g w e m a r c h e d to a place near Ytres a n d entrained. W e
travelled back across the S o m m e battlefields to a place called
M e a u l t e about two miles f r o m A l b e r t a n d quite near Braye. It h a d
been a m i l e or two b e h i n d our lines before the 1915 S o m m e battle.
W e w e n t into a hut camp here. T h e r e was not m u c h r o o m , a n d the
huts w e r e v e r y b a d . T h e country was desolate, a n d it w a s v e r y
c o l d . But w e w e r e v e r y thankful a n d slept i n peace that night.
T h e next d a y w e were ordered to relieve the m e n w e h a d left
w i t h o u r r e m a i n i n g tanks i n the C a m b r a i salient. I was told off to
go i n the party w i t h m y crew: R i c h a r d s o n , w h o w a s pretty w e l l
all r i g h t — h e o n l y h a d flesh w o u n d s , C o l o m b e , L / C p l A l l e n , m y
 DIARY 55

**********— British original front

British line by Nov. 23rd

German advance to Gouzeaucourt on Nov. 30th

0* Line restored up to la Vacquerie by Guards Division

on Nov. 30th

Figure 17
Rough diagram of battles November 20th-30th.

d r i v e r , a n d F o r m a n . A l l e n , the left gunner, also came, b u t I k n e w

he w o u l d not be m u c h use.
T h e officer over us w a s C a p t . C l i f f o r d . H e was a d r e a d f u l i n d i ­
v i d u a l . H e b e h a v e d like a stable b o y , was quite u n s c r u p u l o u s a n d
blustered e n o r m o u s l y . Carter w a s the other fellow. H e h a d o n l y
joined o u r battalion recently—just before C a m b r a i , i n f a c t — a n d
h a d come to m y section. Bagshaw was not detailed, a n d I w a s the
o n l y officer f r o m 8 Section.
Carter was a most a s t o u n d i n g fellow. H e h a d k n o c k e d about
East all his life a n d h a d seen a lot of fighting. H e was aged about 45
a n d w a s a 2 n d L i e u t . I have never seen h i m e v e n look m i l d l y
p e r t u r b e d i n the hottest action a n d n o r h a d anyone else. H e w a s
a n agnostic a n d s u m m e d u p his p h i l o s o p h y for the w a r b y s a y i n g
that 'if it w a s a question of G e r m a n E m p i r e or British E m p i r e , h e
b a c k e d the British, a n d m o r a l issues be b l o w e d . F i g h t i n g w a s n ' t
C h r i s t i a n ever before, a n d certainly wasn't C h r i s t i a n n o w ' . H e w a s
a first-class m a n a n d absolutely straight a n d honest.
 DIARY 57

A f o u r t h m e m b e r of o u r party was a fellow n a m e d H a u s e r . H e

w a s about 20 years o l d , fussy, a n infernal nuisance to his superior
officers a n d a p l a g u e to his m e n . H e w a s never seen to l o o k fright­
e n e d or i n any w a y w o r r i e d i n a n action a n d w a s k i n d - h e a r t e d a n d
efficient. H e called himself a n agnostic a n d talked about the w a r
like the oldest inhabitant of the m o s t b o r i n g club i n L o n d o n . H e
w a s v e r y short a n d w o r e glasses like the portholes of a battleship.
I w i l l give y o u a story of h i m that is typical: w e were u p at Y p r e s
a n d o w i n g to the s h o c k i n g weather a n d conditions generally, h a d
b e e n told not to take o u r tanks out for the u s u a l d a i l y test. H a u s e r
s a i d the order w a s rot a n d took his tank out. H e spent half the
m o r n i n g m a k i n g his crew potter about the tank w h i l e he stood o n
the roof a n d swore at them. W h i l e he w a s n ' t l o o k i n g , he s t e p p e d
b a c k w a r d s off the tank a n d fell about 6 feet. T h i s d i d n ' t w o r r y
h i m , b u t it a m u s e d the m e n . A t last he d r o v e out. T h e place w a s
a q u a g m i r e , a n d it w a s about 12 m i d d a y . H i s d r i v e r w a r n e d h i m
continually they w o u l d get d i t c h e d . T d o n ' t care if w e d o . W e are
g o i n g out', w a s his c o m m e n t . T h e d r i v e r kept u p his complaints,
a n d at last H a u s e r lost his temper. H e got out a n d b e c k o n e d to the
d r i v e r to follow w i t h the tank. H e then l e d the tank s m a c k into a
gigantic q u a g m i r e . O p e n i n g the d o o r of the tank, h e b a w l e d out,
' N o w y o u jolly w e l l are stuck!' It took them till 2 p . m . to get out.

Figure 18
The village of Flesquieres. This photo was taken on Nov. 20th. Just
before this the 51st Division took it in their first attack in the morning.
The 6th Seaforths, who were following my tank, have remained in the
village, while other troops have gone forward, leaving them to rest. The
divisional artillery limbers are just going through Coutaing. It was at
the far end of the road that runs off the left side of the picture that the
Germans massed to make the counter-attack when I was on the top of
my tank (see below). Note how little the village is knocked about. This
shows how little shell-fire there was and what a surprise the attack was
to the enemy.

to Coutaing

to my end of the village

58 WAR MEMOIRS

T h e m e n got back, c u r s i n g a n d swearing, for their m a i n m e a l two

h o u r s late.
In spite of all this, he was respected for his absolute fearless­
ness i n action a n d the fact that he never gave a m a n a job to d o that
he w o u l d n ' t d o himself. H e was a useful fellow to have.
W e h a d all got clean clothes a n d were feeling cleaner, b u t
nevertheless v e r y sick at h a v i n g to go u p . W e entrained that night
a n d a r r i v e d next d a y at H a v r i n c o u r t W o o d . W e took over a line of
tanks. T h e y were stretched across the country about t w o - a n d - a ­
half miles b e h i n d o u r front l i n e — i n fact, o n just about the line that
our trenches took before the o p e n i n g of the battle. T h e tanks were
about 300 y a r d s apart a n d so f o r m e d a k i n d of line of s m a l l f o r t s —
like the G e r m a n pill-boxes at Y p r e s . If the e n e m y b r o k e t h r o u g h ,
w e were to allow o u r troops to pass t h r o u g h a n d were then to fight
a r e a r g u a r d action. S u c h were o u r v e r y v a g u e orders.
T h e troops w e relieved were D Battalion, w h o l o o k e d i n pretty
p o o r spirits a n d d i d n ' t cheer us m u c h . Since all our tanks were i n
the o p e n , they h a d camouflage nets over them. E v e r y night these
h a d to be taken off so the tank c o u l d get into action w i t h o u t c o n ­
f u s i o n / a n d at d a w n they h a d to be p u t o n again.
T h e crews took over their tanks a n d saw e v e r y t h i n g w a s cor­
rect. It w a s n o w 6 p . m . I h a d a tank opposite the extreme right of
our battalion front at the start of the N o v e m b e r 20th action. W e felt
a bit lonely i n o u r little bunches of eight scattered over the w i d e
front. W e ate s o m e b u l l y , m a d e a b i v o u a c close against the tank
a n d , after a r r a n g i n g sentry duties, w e n t to sleep. It w a s v e r y c o l d ,
a n d w e h a d not m u c h to keep us w a r m — a v e r y thin blanket each.
W e were w o k e n about 1 a.m. b y a b o m b i n g r a i d . T h i s is a v e r y
unpleasant thing to hear, especially w h e n y o u fear a b r e a k t h r o u g h .
It s o u n d s just like an artillery d u e l , b u t y o u d o n ' t get the scream of
the shells. It s o u n d s v e r y near. It e n d e d i n about three-quarters
of a n h o u r . (See m a p M a r c o i n g 57.C. N . E . T h e place w h e r e we
stationed o u r tanks was Q18 b.q.o. approximately. T h e trenches
w e sheltered i n to cook f o o d a n d a v o i d shells were o l d British ones
a n d therefore not m a r k e d o n this bit of front. T h e y were never p u t
i n unless of vital importance, a n d then only the s m a l l bit n e e d e d ,
e.g. at o u r j u m p i n g - o f f place for N o v e m b e r 20th.)
W e stayed like this for two or three days a n d b e g a n to feel
confident. T h e days were all c o l d a n d c l o u d y a n d the c o u n t r y
 DIARY 59

rather desolate. T h e r e is something u n c a n n y about b e i n g c a m p e d

o n a n o l d battlefield—particularly w h e n y o u yourself h a v e fought
over it quite recently. W e were not visited d u r i n g these days. C a p t .
C l i f f o r d r e m a i n e d b y one tank a n d w o u l d n ' t b u d g e . T h e f o o d w a s
p o o r — e t e r n a l c o l d b u l l y a n d biscuits. T h i s , c o m b i n e d w i t h the
strain of a b r e a k t h r o u g h at any m o m e n t — w h i c h always threat­
e n e d u s — a n d the c o l d , m a d e us very miserable.
T h e n s u d d e n l y w e received orders to m o v e f o r w a r d . It w a s
about 6 p . m . , a n d w e h a d just started getting ready some hot
tea. Unfortunately w e c o u l d not d o this job a n d have s o m e t h i n g
w a r m , as apparently the matter was urgent. C l i f f o r d p u t i n his first
appearance, a c c o m p a n i e d b y C o l . H a n k e y (later B r i g a d i e r — h e
n o w c o m m a n d e d the composite battalion of w h i c h w e were a
part). A p p a r e n t l y a b r e a k t h r o u g h was expected. T h e G e r m a n s h a d
massed e v e n m o r e troops, a n d the 61st D i v i s i o n , w h o were i n front
of us, felt they w a n t e d us to support them m u c h nearer their line. It
w a s n o w g r o w i n g d u s k . W e started u p our tanks, a n d the four that
w e r e u n d e r C l i f f o r d started to go f o r w a r d as soon as w e h a d c o l ­
lected. O u r task was easy, as w e c o u l d nearly see the place w e
were a i m i n g f o r — V i l l e r s P l o u i c h . W e arrived there at about 8 p . m .
a n d camouflaged our tanks. W e were about 1,000 yards f r o m the
front line a n d just out of sight of the G e r m a n lines. N o fires were
allowed.
O u r tanks were already p r e p a r e d for action, so w e s i m p l y gave
orders that m e n were to eat some b u l l y beef a n d biscuits a n d then,
after posting sentries, go to sleep. Clifford went to infantry brigade
H . Q . i n order to be i n touch w i t h the infantry. T h e m o m e n t a n
attack w a s o p e n e d , he was to come back to us (a distance of about
half a mile) a n d w a r n us. W i t h this news, he disappeared. Carter,
H a u s e r a n d I then w e n t to sleep i n a s m a l l hole i n the g r o u n d . T h e
m e n slept u n d e r the tanks. W e felt v e r y miserable, as w e h a d n o
i d e a w h a t w a s g o i n g to h a p p e n , a n d really felt quite useless if the
e n e m y d i d attack. W e d i d n ' t k n o w the country, w e h a d n o orders
as to the direction i n w h i c h w e were to retire i n the event of retreat,
a n d o u r tanks were quite useless for defence a n y h o w .
It w a s freezing c o l d that night a n d next d a y . A t 11 a.m. w e
m a n a g e d to get some hot stew g o i n g over a fire w e m a d e i n a
d i s u s e d trench. W e d e c i d e d this w a s safe f r o m v i e w a n d were
careful to use n o t h i n g d a m p . W i t h the a i d of large doses of petrol
60 WAR MEMOIRS

w e kept the fires smokeless. W e a l l , officers a n d m e n , collected

r o u n d this a n d s i m p l y s w a l l o w e d it. It was o u r first hot m e a l for
over 30 h o u r s a n d the first m e a l p r o p e r since m i d - d a y the d a y
before. W e felt absolutely changed after it! W e w a s h e d it d o w n
w i t h s c a l d i n g hot tea a n d felt w a r m a n d comfortable for the first
time that d a y . T h e sky was a grey, leaden colour a n d the air w a s
bitterly c o l d , so w e felt really grateful. In order to keep m e n f r o m
m o p i n g too m u c h , w e p u t them o n to the w o r k of d i g g i n g holes to
lie i n . T h e idea was that if w e were shelled, they w o u l d be safe
f r o m all but a direct hit. A l s o , they w o u l d be m u c h w a r m e r . T h i s
kept t h e m b u s y a n d m a d e them anticipate a g o o d night. T h e feel­
i n g of comfort a n d security d i d m u c h to i m p r o v e their spirits.
After d a r k w e d r o v e the tanks over the hole that h a d been d u g a n d
so m a d e a roof. T h i s unfortunately p r o v e d a v e r y dangerous thing.
W h e n w e a w o k e next m o r n i n g , w e f o u n d the crews apparently
d e a d u n d e r their tanks. W e h a u l e d them out a n d to o u r intense
relief they b e g a n to s h o w signs of life. W e broke s m a l l tubes of
v e r y strong a m m o n i a u n d e r their noses so they i n h a l e d it. T h i s
m a d e t h e m violently sick, but it d i d w h a t w e w a n t e d . A s s o o n as
they c o u l d s w a l l o w , w e p o u r e d a d i l u t e d dose of a m m o n i a d o w n
their throats. T h i s finally p u l l e d t h e m r o u n d , a n d two or three
h o u r s after they were all right. W h a t h a d h a p p e n e d w a s this: the
tank engine h a d been r u n a n d h a d s i m p l y p o u r e d petrol fumes
a n d carbon m o n o x i d e f r o m its exhaust into the hole it w a s over.
W h e n the m e n got i n to sleep a n h o u r or so later, these h e a v y
fumes h a d s u n k to the bottom of the holes a n d stupefied them.
A n o t h e r h o u r or two, a n d w e s h o u l d h a v e lost two crews. A s y o u
c a n imagine, w e were v e r y t h o r o u g h l y frightened b y this business
a n d took great precautions ever afterwards. T h e experience w a s
certainly v e r y valuable to me, as this particular f o r m of p o i s o n i n g
w a s to become a c o m m o n thing i n the later tanks. I n o w k n e w h o w
to cope w i t h it a n d was saved f r o m some v e r y a w k w a r d scrapes i n
1918 b y a p p l y i n g the same remedies to m e n w h o were apparently
d o n e for.
T h e rest of the d a y passed m o r e or less uneventfully except for
the fact that the Boche smelt a rat a n d started to shell o u r little
area. W e took cover a n d lost neither m e n nor tanks. W e s i m p l y h a d
the misery of e n d u r i n g a n h o u r a n d a half's desultory strafe f r o m
5.9's.
 DIARY 61

In the e v e n i n g w e were cheered b y the arrival of three artillery

officers w h o were g o i n g u p to observation posts to reconnoitre.
T h e y s t o p p e d to talk, a n d w e h a d the u s u a l flow of 'news'. T h e
artillery are notorious liars a n d always cheerful liars. T h e y assured
us the e n e m y w o u l d attack the next m o r n i n g a n d that they w o u l d
suffer hopeless defeat; K i n g G e o r g e h a d been assassinated a n d
H o r a t i o Bottomley h a d seized the throne; the G e r m a n s h a d s u e d
for peace, w h i c h w o u l d p r o b a b l y be signed w i t h i n three days.
W i t h this a n d earnest protestations of truthfulness they departed!
It's a f u n n y t h i n g , but cheeriness was every bit as infectious as
g l o o m , a n d these yarns, w i t h the m e t h o d of telling, quite set us u p
for the night. But w e were to h a v e a r u d e shock. C l i f f o r d h a d not
been near us since he h a d departed to Brigade H . Q . i n a state of
panic. W e h a d been left entirely to o u r o w n devices. A l l matters
of water, rations, orders for possible defence, routine orders etc.
h a d been settled b y Carter. Carter as senior officer s i m p l y carried
o n as c o m m a n d e r of the section. After o u r first m o r n i n g w e talked
things over a n d gave C l i f f o r d u p as hopeless. W e first sat d o w n
a n d d e c i d e d to d r a w u p , to the best of o u r abilities, a set of o p e r a ­
tion orders. It was a matter of v i t a l necessity that w e s h o u l d . If w e
d i d not, there w a s n o t h i n g to prevent o u r straggling e v e r y w h e r e
a n d l o s i n g touch hopelessly. W e thereupon arranged w h a t to d o if
the infantry h e l d fast a n d also w h a t w e s h o u l d d o i n the event of a
general retirement. W e m a p p e d out a line of retreat. W e then d r e w
u p routine orders a n d sent orders to the rear, g i v i n g particulars of
rations a n d so forth. T h u s , as far as w e were concerned, C l i f f o r d
m i g h t not h a v e existed, a n d w e forgot h i m .
T h a t n i g h t w e h a d just t u r n e d i n w h e n s u d d e n l y w e h e a r d a
great p u f f i n g a n d b l o w i n g , the tarpaulin was d r a g g e d off o u r hole,
a n d w e saw C l i f f o r d ' s face p e e r i n g at us out of the m o o n l i g h t ,
T say, y o u chaps' (puff-puff!) 'the G e r m a n s ' (puff-puff!) 'are g o i n g
to attack!' H e w a s nearly i n tears. Carter s l o w l y sat u p a n d l o o k e d
at h i m a n d then said ' W e l l , w h a t about it?' Immediately a n i n ­
coherent s h o w e r of w o r d s r u s h e d out as w e got u p . C l i f f o r d said
all the m e n w e r e to be t u r n e d out a n d tanks m a n n e d at once. T h i s
w e d i d . It was bitterly c o l d a n d a v e r y quiet night. W e all got into
o u r tanks a n d sat a n d s h i v e r e d . After a bit I w e n t r o u n d to Carter's
tank, a n d w e then w e n t o n to H a u s e r . H e r e C l i f f o r d w a s . Carter
t u r n e d to C l i f f o r d a n d s a i d , ' N o w that w e ' v e got all those p o o r
62 WAR MEMOIRS

devils o u r of their holes a n d frozen t h e m to death, w h a t orders

h a v e y o u for us?' C l i f f o r d said, T d o n ' t k n o w . H o w o n earth
s h o u l d I k n o w ? I only k n o w they are g o i n g to attack. Y o u k n o w as
m u c h as I d o / 'But aren't y o u going to issue any orders? W h a t are
w e to d o ? ' ' O h , I d o n ' t k n o w — j u s t keep amongst t h e m a n d shoot
' e m d o w n , shoot ' e m d o w n ' . W e then asked if he k n e w w h e n the
attack was s u p p o s e d to come off. T n the m o r n i n g or any time
between n o w a n d then probably'. W e s i m p l y c o u l d n ' t get a n a t o m
of sense out of h i m . T h e w h o l e time his teeth were chattering a n d
he w a s just w h i n i n g away. So w e just s h r u g g e d our shoulders
a n d p r o c e e d e d to go over the plans w e h a d p r e v i o u s l y thought out
together. After a little, Clifford attempted to assert himself but
w a s met w i t h a stern, ' W i l l y o u k i n d l y refrain f r o m s h o v i n g i n
y o u r oar?' f r o m Carter, so that e n d e d h i m . It's really rather f u n n y
l o o k i n g at it n o w , but it was far f r o m f u n n y then. W e were v e r y
c o l d a n d v e r y miserable. O u r orders were n i l , a n d if a n y t h i n g went
w r o n g w e s h o u l d be b l a m e d for it, as w e m a d e u p o u r plans
w i t h o u t considering C l i f f o r d . T h e enemy h a d apparently at last
d e c i d e d to attack. W e h a d a n absolute fool i n c o m m a n d . A d d e d to
this, the officers a n d m e n were not at all fit for s c r a p p i n g . W e were
all m o r e or less d e m o r a l i z e d , a n d personally I was fit for n o t h i n g .
W e stayed u p all night w a i t i n g for d a w n . N o t h i n g h a p p e n e d ,
a n d finally at m i d d a y w e were told the attack w a s n ' t c o m i n g .
C l i f f o r d cleared off to the H . Q . d u g o u t again, to our intense relief.
T h e rest of our stay here passed i n m u c h the same w a y as the
early part. W e c o u l d d o v e r y little m o v i n g about as the G e r m a n s
w o u l d shell us, so w e h a d to lie pretty tight. L / C p l A l l e n w a s
nearly killed. A shell l a n d e d near h i m a n d k n o c k e d h i m over w i t h
concussion. H e was fortunately not w o u n d e d but was struck d u m b
w i t h shell-shock. H e stayed some time i n E n g l a n d a n d then came
b a c k to the base i n France. A s he was n o g o o d , he w a s sent back to
E n g l a n d a n d was still stammering i n January 1919.1 haven't h e a r d
f r o m h i m since a n d cannot get into touch w i t h h i m . So I lost a jolly
g o o d m a n . A t the time, he was about the best tank d r i v e r i n the
battalion. H e w a s not strong physically, but he h a d a n y a m o u n t of
p l u c k , a n d he really k n e w his job v e r y w e l l . H e h a d been v e r y s l o w
a n d too careful w h e n he first came to France, but after the Y p r e s
action h a d g i v e n h i m experience he was v e r y g o o d i n d e e d .
 DIARY 63

A t last w e h e a r d w e were to be relieved. W e m o v e d back one

e v e n i n g to H a v r i n c o u r t W o o d , a n d o u r tanks were taken over b y a
section of the 4th Battalion. W i t h intense relief w e said g o o d b y e to
H a v r i n c o u r t W o o d a n d trained back to the rest of the battalion at
Meaulte.
W e spent about four days here w h e n again orders came that
o u r battalion h a d to send a detachment to m a n some tanks at F l i m s
i n Dessart W o o d . T h i s time Q u a i n t o n w a s to go u p a n d so w a s
H a u s e r a n d one or two others. I volunteered for the job as I w a n t e d
to be w i t h Q u a i n t o n a n d d r e w the line at k e e p i n g C l i f f o r d & co.
c o m p a n y at Meaulte. W e trained u p to the w o o d at F l i m s (a r u i n e d
village just b e h i n d the right flank of the original front of attack
o n N o v e m b e r 24th) a n d there took over f r o m 4th Battalion some
a w f u l o l d derelict tanks. W e were n o w s o m e two miles to the right
of H a v r i n c o u r t W o o d .
T h e w h o l e country was v e r y desolate a n d s n o w - c o v e r e d a n d
c o l d . T h e w o o d was not v e r y m u c h shelled. W e l i v e d i n tents a n d
were v e r y w e l l off. W e were about three miles b e h i n d the line. O u r
stay w a s uneventful. W e h a d to d r i v e our tanks to H a v r i n c o u r t one
d a y for a false a l a r m , but w e came back v e r y shortly afterwards.
W i n t e r h a d set i n h a r d , a n d there w a s little chance of a G e r m a n
attack. T h e w o o d w a s frequently b o m b e d b y aeroplane, b u t that
w a s really all the w a r w e saw. T h i s w a s a great relief to us as the
4th Battalion h a d to m a k e nightly expeditions to n o - m a n ' s l a n d to
h a u l 9.2 guns that h a d been lost i n the retreat a n d w e r e n o w l y i n g
between the trenches, back b e h i n d the lines. It w a s a b a d job, as
y o u h a d to d r i v e a tank into n o - m a n ' s l a n d o n a pitch-black n i g h t
a n d then get out, possibly u n d e r m a c h i n e - g u n fire, a n d m a k e these
terrific howitzers fast to a hawser. Y o u then cleared out u n d e r a
s t o r m of bullets etc. w i t h the g u n b u m p i n g along b e h i n d . I d i d n ' t
fancy the i d e a at all myself.
O n December 21st w e h e a r d w e were to go back to rest at l a s t —
the rest p r o m i s e d ever since October 10th! W e got o u r tanks ready,
a n d at last w e entrained o n the afternoon of D e c e m b e r 2 2 n d at
F l i m s . W e detrained at P l a t e a u — o u r halting-place f r o m W a i l l y to
C a m b r a i w h e n w e came d o w n to the N o v . 20th a c t i o n — a n d
started to trek to Meaulte. O u r tanks were hopelessly out of order,
a n d it took us the w h o l e d a y to get f r o m Plateau to M e a u l t e —
 DIARY 65

about four miles. T h u s w e got into c a m p at about 5.30 p . m . o n

the 24th D e c e m b e r . W h e n w e got i n , w e f o u n d all preparations
m a d e for C h r i s t m a s a n d m o s t p e o p l e feeling v e r y considerably
cheerier than they h a d d o n e p r e v i o u s l y . T h e r e w a s n o chance of
the battalion h a v i n g to go u p to the line again till the next year's
c a m p a i g n i n g o p e n e d . W e were really a n d truly i n w i n t e r quarters
at last. O u r battalion h a d h a d its first taste of w a r .
C h r i s t m a s D a y d a w n e d i n a h e a v y s n o w s t o r m , a n d I think it
w i l l be as w e l l to describe it to give y o u some i d e a of o u r h a p p y life
b e h i n d the lines a n d the morale of o u r battalion after its a d v e n ­
tures.
First, as to p e r s o n n e l : M a j o r de Freine, our C o m p a n y C o m ­
m a n d e r at Y p r e s , h a d gone a n d so h a d Bargate his successor. H e
h a d b e e n slightly s h o c k e d at C a m b r a i b u t w a s n o w b a c k again.
T h e C o l o n e l h a d b e e n v e r y strongly c o n d e m n e d b y the G . O . C . 51st
D i v . for his b e h a v i o u r at C a m b r a i a n d was almost certain to be
recalled, a l t h o u g h he fought h a r d against it. A a n d C h a d h a d
several changes i n officers. Gatehouse, o u r second i n c o m m a n d ,
h a d gone o v e r to c o m m a n d C C o m p a n y . B C o m p a n y w e r e left
w i t h Bargate i n c o m m a n d a n d C o o k second i n c o m m a n d — h e w a s
f o r m e r l y c o m p a n y reconnaissance officer a n d w a s a bit later i n
hospital. C l i f f o r d , B a g s h a w , H o m f r a y , a n d H a r r i s o n w e r e o u r
section c o m a n d e r s . T h e y w e r e a l l , except H a r r i s o n , r e g a r d e d w i t h
contempt a n d d e s e r v e d it all. H o m f r a y w a s Q u a i n t o n ' s section

Figure 19
British defence on Nov. 30th 1 9 1 7 . This picture shows the Villers
Plouich Front. The Germans have just been held up by the Guards
Division's counter-attack and are opening up with their guns. The front
line runs about 500 yards in front of the man taking cover here. This was
the part we were knocking round under Capt. Clifford. Our position
(which we took up some eight days later, when we came up) was over
the crest and about 500 yards in front of the man. Thus we were just
about where the front line was when this picture was taken. By then the
front line had gone on about 1,000 yards. The picture gives a good idea
of the deserted appearance of a show in recently 'inhabited' country.
The white chalk you see everywhere added to the cold, miserable look
of the place.
 DIARY 67

c o m a n d e r a n d w a s as w i l d l y incompetent as any m a n I ever

met. H e w a s so b a d that, i n order to get r i d of h i m , o u r c o m p a n y
w e r e d e t e r m i n e d to p r o m o t e h i m to s e c o n d i n c o m m a n d to a
c o m p a n y — s u c h p r o m o t i o n meant he w o u l d h a v e to go to another
c o m p a n y . In the e n d C C o m p a n y got h i m . B y A u g u s t 1918 they
h a d h a d e n o u g h of h i m , a n d he was p r o m o t e d to O . C . C o m p a n y i n
order to get r i d of h i m again. H e was thus transferred to the 1st
Battalion!
A l l these section c o m m a n d e r s w e r e v e r y little better t h a n
a n i m a l s i n talk, i n action or i n manners.
T h e m e n w e r e i n a fairly b a d w a y also. T h e y h a d h a d b a d
fighting a n d p o o r rations. T h e c a m p was o n top of a bleak a n d
desolate h i l l . T h e w h o l e district w a s o n the edge of the devastated
S o m m e area. T h e r e was n o t h i n g to d o . It was v e r y c o l d a n d b l o w ­
i n g h a r d the w h o l e time w e were there. S n o w u s e d to c o m e i n
t h r o u g h the cracks i n the huts a n d cover the floor about a n i n c h
deep.
T h e c o m b i n a t i o n of all these things p r o v e d too m u c h . T h e m e n
w e r e g i v e n u n l i m i t e d f o o d a n d beer. N o attempt w a s m a d e to
organize a n y t h i n g or d o a n y t h i n g decently. B y 10 a.m. C o o k (the
s e c o n d i n c o m m a n d of the c o m p a n y ) w a s carried to b e d d e a d
d r u n k . H o m f r a y was hopelessly m a u d l i n a n d collapsed a little

Figure 20
Tank breaking through German wire. This photo gives you some idea of
German wire. It is typical of the defensive wire at Cambrai. At Ypres the
wire had all been blown up by weeks of ceaseless bombardment. At
Cambrai they relied on tanks to crush paths through it for the infantry.
This is how we did it. You can also get some idea of the country at Ypres
when you realize that all this kind of stuff—sometimes belts 50 yards
thick—was all churned into the ground. You seemed to have barbed
wire sprouting out of the ground like weeds. In 1918, when we held
parts of the old Ypres battlefields, we simply stumbled through old shell­
holes overgrown with thistles and with the remains of this kind of wire
protruding to trip you up. Of that I'll write later, though. You get some
idea of the power of a tank when you realize that this wire, with its iron
knife-rests and so on, was simply squashed out flat without affecting the
tank in the very slightest!
 DIARY 69

later. B y about 11 a.m. Q u a i n t o n a n d I felt as if w e w e r e i n solitary

state. M e n were just s h o u t i n g about a n d l y i n g d r u n k r o u n d the
c a m p . N o one interfered.
T h e 4th Battalion, e n c a m p e d near us, were e v e n worse. It took
t h e m about a w e e k to get sober.
T h e w h o l e d a y w a s just spent i n an o r g y of eating a n d d r i n k i n g
a n d beastliness generally. Q u a i n t o n a n d I were about tired of it b y
6 p . m . a n d left c a m p to w a l k out i n the d a r k a n d s n o w , as that
s e e m e d considerably m o r e cheerful than staying i n c a m p . O n the
distant h o r i z o n w e c o u l d see the n e v e r - t i r i n g V e r y lights rise u p ,
flicker, a n d die a w a y again. W e came to a Y . M . C . A . hut a n d f o u n d
a service g o i n g o n . W e w e n t i n . T h e place was bare a n d feebly lit.
A b o u t twenty m e n were present, a n d all c r o w d e d u p at one e n d of
the hut. T h e service d r a g g e d o n . N o attempt w a s m a d e to s i n g
carols or C h r i s t m a s h y m n s — t h a t w o u l d have b e e n m o r e than w e
c o u l d stand. T h e s e r m o n c a m e — t h e text, 'Peace o n earth, g o o d w i l l
to m e n . It w a s p r o v e d , apparently to the satisfaction of
7
the
preacher, that this w a s i d e a l i s m — o u r real task was to hate e v i l a n d
so, p r e s u m a b l y , to hate G e r m a n s . W e sang a closing h y m n a n d
cleared out.
W e got back to c a m p , after t r u d g i n g t h r o u g h s n o w a n d s l u s h ,
at about 10 p . m . , a n d thus e n d e d o u r first C h r i s t m a s i n France.
H a d everyone gone m a d ?

Figure 21
Ribecourt on Nov. 20th. This was taken during the Nov. 20th attack. It
was on the right flank of our battalion and so did not affect me person-
ally. I have put it in as it was one of our landmarks and, more
particularly, because it gives you a very good idea of village fighting.
Note again that the village is hardly touched. When this photo was
taken, machine-gun bullets were coming down the street and one
grazed the camera. So you see that an advance was no fun. You can see
no enemy, and yet death may not be far off if you aren't careful. You just
creep round corners hoping for the best. As a matter of fact, in this you
can just see two Germans far up the street scuttling across the road.
Neither side shells the village as they don't know who's in it. The place
is very quiet except for the crack of machine-gun and rifle, and an
occasional tile that clatters down. I have put this in very largely as you
can get some idea from this of our 1918 fighting, which I will describe
later. All the points I have mentioned are typical of what we got then, so
when you read of our village shows of 1918, look at this.
 DIARY 71

S u c h w a s o u r battalion at the e n d of 1917—dazed a n d b r u t i s h

w i t h o u t h o p e or care. A n o t h e r year was c o m i n g , a n d w e all k n e w
it w o u l d be the m o s t desperate fighting yet. But 1918 w a s still far
o n the h o r i z o n . F e w thought of it, a n d few cared. But for those w h o
d i d , it w a s not a pleasant outlook. A hopeless set of officers i n
France a n d a country at h o m e that realized n o t h i n g — t h a t seemed
o u r s u p p o r t . A s for r e l i g i o n — w e l l , that was n o t h i n g to d o w i t h
war.

Figure 22
The devastated area. The old Somme battle resulted in the capture of
this country—after it was thoroughly destroyed by the enemy. It now
formed the 'rest' area for British troops.
1918

A
fter the battalion h a d recovered f r o m Christmas a n d N e w
Year, w e settled d o w n to o r d i n a r y c a m p routine. E a c h
c o m p a n y h a d a few tanks, all i n v e r y b a d c o n d i t i o n .
These were at a tank p a r k about a mile f r o m our c a m p . O u r chief
w o r k i n the v e r y c o l d weather w e were h a v i n g w a s to keep tanks
i n c o n d i t i o n . T h e y h a d to be r u n constantly to prevent freezing i n
the c o o l i n g system. A l s o they h a d to be m o v e d , as otherwise e v e n
the tracks froze! Y o u see, m u d always got i n between the actual
chain track a n d the rollers w h i c h the track r a n o n . T h i s m u d w o u l d
freeze a n d become like cement. T h i s was so p o w e r f u l that if y o u
started y o u r engine a n d tried to r u n the tank w i t h the tracks
frozen, all that h a p p e n e d was the complete destruction of the
transmission. W e h a d e n o r m o u s trouble w i t h this i n all o u r tank
s h o w s i n c o l d weather. A l l the time w e h a d been s t a n d i n g to be­
h i n d C a m b r a i it h a d been a constant source of anxiety, as y o u c a n
i m a g i n e , for w e were always s u p p o s e d to be ready for action, a n d
a n y mistake w i t h this w o u l d have meant possible disaster if a n
attack started.

T h e w o r k was d u l l a n d u s u a l l y carelessly a n d b a d l y done. A

section f r o m each c o m p a n y w o u l d go d o w n each m o r n i n g a n d
s i m p l y clean u p the tanks a n d break u p frost b y u s i n g i m p r o v i s e d
petrol flares. T h e remainder of each c o m p a n y was e m p l o y e d i n
s q u a d d r i l l a n d so o n . T h i s w a s the official side of o u r life. But off
p a r a d e was another thing. A m i e n s was quite w i t h i n reach of a car,
a n d a n occasional trip to A m i e n s u s e d to lighten the b u r d e n of
existence for the officers. Q u a i n t o n a n d I went i n once or twice a n d
h a d quite g o o d meals at the Restaurant d u C a t h e d r a l . T h e w h o l e
time w e were at M e a u l t e w e also w a l k e d to the officers' club at
A l b e r t — a b o u t two kilometres off.

72
 DIARY 73

T h e w h o l e battalion w a s i n rather a n unsettled state. T h e p e r ­

sonnel w a s c h a n g i n g a n d p r o m o t i o n s were i n the air. Jealousy a n d
w h i s p e r i n g became p r o m i n e n t as w e u n t h a w e d a n d b e g a n to r e a l ­
ize w e w e r e safe f r o m the e n e m y for a bit. C l i f f o r d , w h o h a d been
d u b b e d hero a n d a w a r d e d a n i m a g i n a r y m e d a l (the V . P . — f o r d i s ­
t i n g u i s h e d b r a v e r y at V i l l e r s - P l o u i c h ) began to fear he w o u l d not
be m a d e a captain, a n d w a s afraid Q u a i n t o n a n d I w o u l d , as I at
a n y rate h a d been p r o m i s e d a section. A t last Q u a i n t o n a n d I w e r e
sent o n courses. H e w a s to go to a tank d r i v i n g school at W a i l l y ,
the place w e w e r e at before w e m o v e d d o w n for the C a m b r a i
action. I w a s sorry for h i m , as it was a desolate spot a n d he w o u l d
be little better off there than at M e a u l t e . I w a s sent o n a n instructor
course to M e r l i m o n t , the place w h e r e w e h a d done o u r battle
practice before w e w e n t into the Y p r e s battle. A n officer n a m e d
J o h n s o n , a tank c o m m a n d e r i n 7 Section (under C l i f f o r d a n d w i t h
H a u s e r ) came w i t h m e . H e was a v e r y g o o d fellow, I f o u n d as I got
to k n o w h i m better. H e h a d b e e n i n the battalion a bit longer than
I h a d a n d w a s a bit senior to me. H e w a s v e r y slightly built b u t h a d
endless courage a n d c o u l d stick it like the best. H e w a s made
section c o m m a n d e r later. W e w e n t to M e r l i m o n t , w h i c h is o n the
coast about five miles n o r t h of Etaples, b y tender (a fast m o t o r
l o r r y for c a r r y i n g s m a l l spares etc.). W e f o u n d ourselves part of a
n u m b e r of officers sent f r o m each battalion. C u r i o u s l y e n o u g h , all
the p e o p l e seemed to be jolly g o o d fellows a n d not a rotter there.
W e h a d a house to ourselves a n d v e r y short h o u r s of w o r k . T h e
w h o l e time w e w e r e there w e h a d blue skies a n d g o l d e n sands,
a n d not a breath of w a r . It was s i m p l y magnificent. W e never
w o r k e d i n the afternoon, but just sat i n the shade o n the v e r a n d a ,
s m o k e d o u r pipes a n d w a t c h e d the sea.
A s the result of the e x a m , I was m a d e g u n n e r y instructor to the
4th T a n k Brigade. G e n e r a l H a n k e y , the brigadier, came d o w n once
or twice to see h o w b r i g a d e training was g o i n g o n . E v e r y w e e k a
c o m p a n y f r o m the 4th Brigade came a n d w e n t t h r o u g h a course,
w h i c h I m a p p e d out a n d s u p e r v i s e d . So he came d o w n to super­
vise m e ! H e s p o k e to m e two or three times a n d at last suggested
that I h a d h a d e n o u g h fighting a n d w o u l d d o better to take o n a job
as p e r m a n e n t b r i g a d e instructor at M e r l i m o n t . T h i s I refused. I
e x p l a i n e d that I thought it w a s a job for a fit m a n a n d not for m e ,
a n d he saw m y p o i n t a n d agreed. T h e first week a c o m p a n y f r o m
 DIARY 75

D Battalion came d o w n . It w a s c o m m a n d e d b y a C a p t a i n N i x o n ,
w h o was afterwards to be transferred to o u r c o m p a n y as second i n
c o m m a n d . I got o n quite w e l l w i t h them. T h e next w e e k , A C o m ­
p a n y f r o m o u r battalion came, a n d all went smoothly. Then
s u d d e n l y I was ordered back to the battalion. W e were g o i n g u p to
the Tine'. T h e rest was over. T h i s was about the e n d of F e b r u a r y .
W h e n I got back, I h a d the D . S . O . r i b b o n p i n n e d o n m e b y Ellis,
G . O . C . T a n k C o r p s i n France. I h a d been told p r e v i o u s l y that I h a d
b e e n a w a r d e d it.
T h e battalion then d r e w tanks a n d p r e p a r e d . Q u a i n t o n h a d
gone o n leave a n d w a s d u e back. But he d i d n ' t come, a n d I h e a r d
f r o m h i m to say he was d o w n w i t h shell-shock. T h i s was a b i g
k n o c k for m e , as I felt n o w that I was almost alone i n die battalion.
I k n e w v e r y few officers, a n d of those I d i d k n o w , the majority
w e r e rotten a n d v e r y unpleasant.
W e entrained a n d went u p — t h e same o l d business. A g a i n , as
w e a p p r o a c h e d w e saw the V e r y lights rise u p , flicker a n d d i s ­
appear. A s w e d r e w nearer a n d our train went slower, acute
depression a n d nerves settled o n us all. W h e n e v e r w e stopped
w e c o u l d hear the guns. O n c e , w h e n w e s t o p p e d , w e f o u n d it w a s
because of b o m b i n g . W e waited a n d saw b o m b s b e i n g d r o p p e d b y
the line i n front. T h e y came nearer, a n d s u d d e n l y w e f o u n d t h e m
d r o p p i n g r o u n d us. B y this time w e were all l y i n g o n the p e r m a ­
nent w a y . Fortunately, all fell at the b o t t o m of the b a n k , a n d w e
h a d n o casualties. T h e train went o n at last. W e a r r i v e d at T i n c o u r t ,
o u r destination, a n d d r e w o u r tanks u p to a w o o d about two miles
off.
O u r stay here was uneventful. W e were i n the 5th A r m y a n d i n
the devastated regions again. W e were five miles f r o m the front
line. T h e weather was a w f u l — s n o w a n d s l u s h e v e r y w h e r e — a n d
there was n o escape f r o m the devastation. W e l i v e d i n huts i n the
wood.

Figure 23
Cambrai front under snow. Preparing wire for the defences against the
March attack. The scene was very much like this when we were 'stand­
ing to' at the end of 1917 after Nov. 30th.
76 WAR MEMOIRS

A t last I got leave. I need not say m u c h about it, as y o u p r o b ­

ably r e m e m b e r it, M o t h e r . W h e n at last w e came u p to t o w n , w e
h e a r d the news of the start of the M a r c h battle. W e h a d been
w a r n e d it w o u l d start o n the 11th at first, so I k n e w it w o u l d not be
l o n g . T h e first news w e got was w h e n M o t h e r a n d I were w a l k i n g
i n H y d e Park. I b o u g h t a n e v e n i n g paper a n d saw '16,000 p r i s o n ­
ers taken b y the e n e m y ' , a n d above e v e r y t h i n g else m y eyes w e r e
attracted b y one passage. ' T h e e n e m y have taken T i n c o u r t a n d w e
are h o l d i n g h i m i n o u r battle positions.' N o w T i n c o u r t w a s o u r
c a m p . I also k n e w that there weren't a n y battle positions there.
W h e n I l e f t — a n d I f o u n d they were never touched a g a i n — t h e
trenches were just m a r k e d out b y flags, but they h a d not been d u g .
T h e r e s i m p l y were n o defences whatever at T i n c o u r t , a n d I k n e w
the t h i n g was a lie. A l s o , T i n c o u r t was five miles b e h i n d the T i n e ' .
T h a t is to say, the e n e m y h a d a d v a n c e d five miles o n our bit of
front alone a n d h a d passed all our defences. I never h a d s u c h a
shock i n m y life, a n d I k n e w w e were v e r y near disaster. I think
I told y o u , M o t h e r , that it was all right a n d so o n . But it w a s
almost incredible to me. W e saw ' C h o u - C h i n - C h o w ' , but of course
it meant n o t h i n g to me, a n d I've n o d o u b t it was the same for y o u ,
as I w a s to go back to France next m o r n i n g . I h a d h a d two d a y s '
leave extension to get m y m e d a l as it was, but even then I never
felt sure I s h o u l d go straight into action, a n d I k n e w the battalion
m u s t already have h a d its show.

I n e e d h a r d l y say that I d i d n ' t sleep that night. I s i m p l y w a l k e d

about the r o o m a n d d i d n ' t dare to think w h a t w a s h a p p e n i n g . A t
last I saw the sky g r o w grey a n d k n e w m y leave was over. I s h a v e d
a n d w e n t d o w n to the d i n g y early breakfast. I d o n ' t think any of
us w e r e v e r y lively! T h e cab came, a n d the d r i v e r m a d e a forced
attempt at b e i n g cheery b y s a y i n g , 'Back again s o o n , sir!' a n d off I
went. V i c t o r i a w a s the u s u a l s c e n e — m e n l y i n g asleep o n the plat­
f o r m , w o m e n r u s h i n g about, a n d k h a k i everywhere. B u t everyone
w a s frightfully cheery. A l l were c o n v i n c e d it was the e n d , a n d all
w e r e cracking jokes about g o i n g back to c a m p s a n d trenches n o w
miles b e h i n d the G e r m a n lines.
W h e n w e reached Boulogne, w e f o u n d all w e r e s t o p p e d f r o m
g o i n g u p the line, o w i n g to congestion. T h e rail services were
completely d i s o r g a n i z e d b y the e n e m y advance, a n d there w a s n o
k n o w l e d g e of the whereabouts of the units of most officers a n d
 DIARY 77

m e n . W e w e r e sent u p to the camps o n the h i l l outside B o u l o g n e ,

a n d there w e d i d o d d parades a n d things w h i l e w a i t i n g . M a n y
officers flouted all orders a n d left Boulogne b y v a r i o u s stratagems,
d e t e r m i n e d to rejoin their units b y h o o k or c r o o k — w o r k i n g their
w a y u p o n transport lorries a n d so o n . A t last orders came t h r o u g h
for T a n k C o r p s . W e h a d to report at depot. T h i s was at L e T r e p o r t ,
a n d there w e went. It was a v e r y fine c a m p , a n d v e r y finely o r g a n ­
i z e d . W e h a d v e r y little to d o there a n d spent most of the time
harassing the o r d e r l y r o o m for news of o u r units a n d p e r m i s s i o n to
rejoin t h e m .
O n the 7th A p r i l I h e a r d that o u r b a t t a l i o n — n o w called the
5 t h — w a s to be relieved. T h e y were i n the T i n e ' as infantry near
A m i e n s . O n the 8th they came out, a n d o n the 9th I rejoined t h e m
at rest i n a village near B l a u g y (where they h a d gone after M e a u l t e
a n d w h i l e I w a s at M e r l i n c o u r t ) . I f o u n d t h e m all v e r y cheery.
N e a r l y all the o l d stagers w e r e there, but nearly all the reinforce­
ments h a d been lost again. T h e tank c o m m a n d e r s h a d nearly all
gone, b u t most of the people w h o came out w i t h m e h a d been
acting section c o m m a n d e r s a n d so o n i n the battle a n d h a d m i s s e d
the w o r s t part of the s h o w — t r y i n g to save a tank w i t h engine
trouble f r o m a r a p i d l y a d v a n c i n g enemy. T h e y told m a n y a m u s i n g
stories of the retreat—most things are f u n n y w h e n y o u are safe.
P r o m o t i o n s h a d come t h r o u g h i n some cases, a n d w e all k n e w h o w
w e stood. I w a s not yet a captain b u t w a s a section c o m m a n d e r ,
a n d it w a s just a question of time before I got gazetted. A certain
F a i r b a n k s , w h o h a d led a v e r y checkered a n d s h a d y career as a
c i v i l i a n , w a s c o m m a n d e r of N o . 7. Bagshaw h a d b e e n sent off o n
s o m e safer a n d m o r e congenial job; a n d I h a d 8 Section i n his place.
C l i f f o r d w a s i n c o m m a n d of N o . 5 Section, a n d a n A m e r i c a n
n a m e d R o b i n s o n h a d N o . 6. H e spent most of his time talking. H e
w a s really harmless b u t w a s subsequently p u t u n d e r arrest for
s o m e t h i n g or other a n d lost his job. T h e m e n w e r e m u c h as before.
Carter h a d gone f r o m 8 Section to be c o m p a n y reconnaissance
officer, C o o k w a s still s e c o n d i n c o m m a n d a n d Bargate O . C . C o m ­
p a n y . O u r colonel w a s n e w — O ' K e l l y f r o m K i n g E d w a r d ' s H o r s e .
H e w a s a k i n d b u t v o l u b l e a n d excitable o l d liar, w h o w a s deter­
m i n e d to get the D . S . O . at all costs. H i s reputation, outside the
battalion, w a s terrific. T h e battalion c o m p l a i n e d bitterly that a l l
t h r o u g h the M a r c h battle he h a d dashed about i n absolute safety i n
78 WAR MEMOIRS

a car, offering to h o l d the ' l i n e ' everywhere a n d a n y h o w w i t h his

b a t t a l i o n — t h e troops of w h i c h he was too frightened to go near.
But these things were o n l y subjects for amusement, for w e c o u l d
o n l y see p r o l o n g e d rest ahead of us, a n d A m i e n s seemed to be
safe. In order to m i n i m i z e the effect of the e n o r m o u s casualties w e
w e r e h a v i n g , the battalion was arranged o n a n e w p l a n . A certain
n u m b e r of officers a n d m e n were to be e a r m a r k e d before each
action a n d kept b e h i n d as a nucleus o n w h i c h to b u i l d u p the
battalion f r o m reinforcements. T h i s gave scope for resting m e n
w h o h a d h a d h e a v y fighting, but i n practice y o u w a n t e d g o o d m e n
too m u c h to leave t h e m out. So as u s u a l the b r u n t fell o n the best.
W e l i v e d this h a p p y a n d contented k i n d of life w i t h o u t a care.
N e w s came of the G e r m a n b r e a k t h r o u g h u p N o r t h o n A p r i l 9th,
b u t w e r e m a i n e d c a l m a n d serene. But s u d d e n l y o n A p r i l 12th at
5 a.m. I w a s a w o k e n b y Parkins, m y batman. T h e battalion w a s to
p a r a d e at once.
T h i s d i d not look like amusement, a n d it wasn't. B y 6 a.m.
w e w e r e all out. T h e troops h a d to be inspected for action at once.
W e w e n t t h r o u g h all the w e a r y paraphernalia m e c h a n i c a l l y — g a s
masks, tin hats, i r o n rations, identity discs (the most suggestive of
all) a n d the rest. A t 8 a.m., as w e stood o n p a r a d e o v e r h a u l i n g
e v e r y t h i n g a n d d o i n g the h u n d r e d a n d one jobs that h a d to be
d o n e , a large staff car r o l l e d u p , a n d G e n e r a l Ellis got out. H e
m a d e n o inspection but a short speech. T h e situation i n the n o r t h
w a s , he s a i d , v e r y serious a n d critical. T h e e n e m y h a d b r o k e n
t h r o u g h a n d h a d not been stopped. T h e T a n k C o r p s h a d b e e n
called o n again a n d this time as infantry—there w e r e not e n o u g h
tanks r e a d y a n d n o scope for them if they were. O u r r e c o r d as a
battalion m a d e h i m confident w e w o u l d d o o u r best. O u r job w a s
to h o l d out i n s m a l l isolated posts a n d stay there e v e n if the e n e m y
got t h r o u g h . T h e n w e were to o p e n fire a n d cut t h e m off.
S u c h were the w o r d s of encouragement for us, a n d I s u p p o s e
they were the best that c o u l d be given. But n o n e of us was i n the
m o o d to cheer or feel w e h a d been done a great h o n o u r — t h a t time
w a s past.
B y 1 p . m . w e h a d sorted out the ' n u c l e u s ' , a n d the battalion
w a s ready. But w e h a d no rifles. W e were s i m p l y a r m e d as for tank
fighting (with L e w i s guns), b u t w e h a d n o tanks. W e h a d a m i d d a y
m e a l , a n d at 2 p . m . there d r o v e u p a large c o n v o y of lorries, bear­
 DIARY 79

i n g , as a s i g n , the r e d s u n o n a y e l l o w circle. It w a s the m a r k of the

G . H . Q . Reserve.
T h e s u n h a d gone i n , a n d it was n o w b e c o m i n g c o l d a n d miser­
able. W e c l i m b e d onto the lorries, w a v e d g o o d b y e to the l u c k y
blighters w h o w e r e to stay b e h i n d , a n d off the lorries went. T h e
j o u r n e y w a s v e r y dusty a n d beastly. W e lay d o w n i n the b o t t o m of
the lorries a n d b u m p e d about a n d tried to keep comfortable. A n d
o n w e went. A s it w a s getting d a r k w e arrived near H a z e b r o u c k .
B u t it w a s not the same b u s t l i n g t o w n w e k n e w i n 1917. Streams of
miserable p e o p l e trailed off along the roads, c a r r y i n g b u n d l e s . T h e
roads presented a w e i r d sight of misery a n d p o v e r t y .
A t last w e came i n sight of the t o w n . T h e flare of b u r s t i n g shells
c o u l d be p l a i n l y seen. T h e G e r m a n s m u s t have m a d e a tremen­
d o u s a d v a n c e , a n d this b r o u g h t it h o m e to us. W e were now
l o o k i n g d o w n onto H a z e b r o u c k . S o m e w h e r e amongst the trees
b e y o n d w e r e the e n e m y , a n d only the G u a r d s D i v i s i o n between
t h e m a n d the t o w n . But w e h a d not reached o u r destination.
H a z e b r o u c k m a r k e d the nearest point of the e n e m y — w e were
travelling across his front.
W e skirted H a z e b r o u c k to a v o i d the G e r m a n shelling a n d w e n t
o n . O n e h a d a c u r i o u s l y deserted feeling. Y o u felt y o u w e r e b e i n g
p u s h e d into the u n k n o w n — i n t o the terror all the inhabitants h a d
b e e n f l y i n g . But w e h a d passed even t h e m n o w . T o complete o u r
loneliness, w e saw, a l o n g the r a i l w a y , all the signals d o w n a n d n o
signs of life, b u t a v e r y h e a v y train d r a w n b y two i m m e n s e g o o d s
engines g o i n g a w a y f r o m w h a t was n o w the front line. I suppose it
w a s about the last train, s a v i n g a r m y stores, to get a w a y .
N i g h t h a d n o w come o n , a n d still w e f o l l o w e d roads parallel to
the front line. T h e stars w e r e out, a n d it was freezing c o l d . A t last
w e s t o p p e d . W e h a d reached a rifle d u m p . W e all got out a n d filed
past three piles. A t one w e w e r e g i v e n a rifle each, at the next a n oil
bottle a n d p u l l - t h r o u g h , a n d the last a bayonet a n d scabbard. After
a short pause w e c l i m b e d i n a n d went o n . A l m o s t half a n h o u r later
w e reached o u r destination a n d t u m b l e d out of the lorries.
O u r c o m p a n y , v e r y sleepy a n d tired, fell i n b y the roadside.
A f t e r a pause w e were m a r c h e d to a f a r m a n d allotted a b a r n . W e
p o s t e d sentries a n d went to sleep. It was about 2 a.m. A t 4 a.m.
orders came t h r o u g h to the c o m p a n y , a n d w e were a w a k e n e d . O u r
m e n w e r e to stand to arms at once.
80 WAR MEMOIRS

It w a s pitch-black, so w e tried to relieve the darkness by

candles. T h e h u g e b a r n just s h o w e d u p i n the d i m light as w e
p u l l e d t h r o u g h rifles, rolled u p puttees, tightened u p o u r e q u i p ­
m e n t a n d swore. It was p r o b a b l y a picturesque scene, b u t w i t h
t w o h o u r s ' sleep i n twenty-four a n d the i m m e d i a t e prospect of
action, w e let the artistic side look after itself. A s s o o n as the offic­
ers h a d p u l l e d themselves together, w e were assembled outside i n
the c o u r t y a r d a n d g i v e n m a p s . W e discovered then that w e w e r e
near Bailleul a n d i n w h a t h a d been perfectly peaceful country u n t i l
the e n e m y advance. So, for the first time, w e w e r e to h a v e fighting
amongst houses, gardens a n d green fields. Briefly, the p o s i t i o n
w a s this (Figure 24): the enemy, w h e n last h e a r d of, w e r e b e i n g
h e l d b y miscellaneous British troops s o m e two miles i n front of us.
T h e r e w a s n o shelling a n d n o signs of w a r , s i m p l y because we
h a d v e r y few guns a n d the e n e m y h a d not yet got theirs u p — t h e
a d v a n c e h a d b e e n too q u i c k for them. T h e y w e r e gathering t h e m ­
selves for the next s p r i n g . T h e position of the front line w a s
u n k n o w n . But w e were to reinforce at once as the urgent n e e d w a s
for troops—as troops came, so they were b e i n g f l u n g into the gaps.
W i t h this, the C o l o n e l gave us his blessing (by messenger a n d
not i n the flesh), a n d w e went off. W e d i d n ' t m a r c h , for the f o l l o w ­
i n g reasons. W e h a d h a d n o sleep. W e all carried (i.e. e v e r y o n e
b e l o w the rank of captain) a rifle, the full infantry kit, eight d r u m s
of L e w i s g u n a m m u n i t i o n per m a n a n d one L e w i s g u n per six m e n .
F u l l m a r c h i n g order was b a d e n o u g h , b u t this w a s hopeless.
W e trailed o n a n d o n a n d stumbled a n d cursed as d a w n s l o w l y
b r o k e o n us. W h a t w e were g o i n g into w e d i d n ' t k n o w a n d d i d n ' t
c a r e — w e h a d n ' t 'any b tanks a n y w a y , thank H e a v e n ' .
W e w e n t o n t h r o u g h peaceful a n d quite pretty country, a n d at
last s t o p p e d at a perfectly g o o d b a r n . W e m a d e tea a n d ate b u l l y
a n d tried to sleep. T h e s u n , w h i c h h a d come out earlier, w a s n o w
o v e r c l o u d e d , a n d the air grew chilly.
T h e second i n c o m m a n d of the c o m p a n y , C o o k , a n d the c o m ­
p a n y reconnaissance officer, B. Carter, w e n t to get into t o u c h w i t h
the infantry. T h e y f o u n d Brigade H . Q . a n d w e n t f r o m there to
Battalion H . Q . In the meantime w e p e r s u a d e d ourselves w e s h o u l d
not be w a n t e d i n action at all a n d lay o n the straw a n d stared at the
b a r n roof.
 DIARY 81

• ^ w m i f r i i > Direction of enemy attack April 9th 1918

British line (approx.) July 31st, 1917

^^HEN®** British line (approx.) April 13th, 1918

Figure 24
G e n e r a l p o s i t i o n after M a r c h ' 1 8 a n d A p r i l 9 t h — 1 3 t h attack. This r o u g h
diagram w i l l s h o w you what had happened. The enemy had broken
right t h r o u g h a n d m a d e Y p r e s the p o i n t of a terrific salient. W e w e r e
n o w fighting or a b o u t to fight in p l a c e s w h i c h w e r e m i l e s b e h i n d the
l i n e w h e n w e w e r e u p at Y p r e s in 1 9 1 7 .

A t last C o o k a n d Carter came back, a n d w e w a t c h e d t h e m

talking to Bargate a n d r u s t l i n g m a p s . T h i s d i d not l o o k h o p e f u l —
a n d it wasn't.
Carter came to m e a n d s a i d I w a s w a n t e d . I j o i n e d the confer­
ence a n d w a s i n f o r m e d that the infantry w a n t e d a section of L e w i s
g u n s at once—the rest of the c o m p a n y w o u l d f o l l o w at night. I w a s
the l u c k y section c o m m a n d e r for the job. So m y luckless section fell
i n , a n d w e w e n t t h r o u g h the o l d w e a r i s o m e e x a m i n a t i o n of kit all
82 WAR MEMOIRS

over again, h a d tea a n d p u s h e d off. W e were o n l y 800 y a r d s f r o m

the front line, so w e kept off the r o a d a n d w e n t over p l o u g h e d
fields etc. for safety, I halted the section after a time a n d left t h e m
b e h i n d a h e d g e w h i l e I went to Battalion H . Q . for orders. I d i s c o v ­
ered the C O . was C o l o n e l M c N e i l — k n o w n i n E n g l a n d as 'Sapper',
the writer of the short w a r stories. H e w a s c o m m a n d i n g the r e m ­
nants of a M i d d l e s e x pioneer battalion—they act as Engineers to
their b r i g a d e or d i v i s i o n as w a n t e d usually, but n o w h a d to h o l d
the ' l i n e ' . Briefly, the position was as follows: his m e n h e l d B (see
d i a g r a m , F i g u r e 25). O t h e r British troops were along C . H e w a n t e d
us to go to A a n d d o it at once. A n attack was expected at 3 p . m . , as
the e n e m y h a d got a g o o d m a n y guns u p n o w a n d w a s i n a h u r r y
to break t h r o u g h . It was 2 p . m . n o w a n d vitally important that w e
s h o u l d get there at once a n d stay there at all costs. T h e o n l y w a y
w a s to go there d o w n the m a i n r o a d — q u i c k e s t a n d easiest for
heavily laden men.
I left at once, a n d as I was g o i n g back, the e n e m y shells b e g a n
falling i n M e t e r e n . So he had got his guns u p — t h a t part of the
instructions was s o u n d e n o u g h at any rate!
W e w e n t d o w n the r o a d for all w e were w o r t h . W h e n w e got
into the village, I b r o k e the section into four p a r t i e s — m a k i n g one
L e w i s g u n each. W e then set off—a g u n team at a time to d o u b l e
t h r o u g h the village. I w e n t w i t h the first lot, a n d B r i d g e s — t h e
other officer i n the section—came w i t h the last. It was h a r d w o r k
w i t h all o u r kit. W e s t u m b l e d f o r w a r d as tiles a n d glass tinkled
d o w n all r o u n d . C o i l s of telegraph lines w h i c h h a d been shot
d o w n h e l p e d to trip us u p . After a n age (so it seemed), w e reached
D , d a s h e d t h r o u g h the house a n d lay d o w n p a n t i n g at the far e n d
of the back g a r d e n . In time the r e m a i n i n g lots a r r i v e d . B e h i n d
cover of the g a r d e n hedge, E , w e o p e n e d into extended order. W e
were just ready to d a s h f o r w a r d to A w h e n the e n e m y barrage
o p e n e d onto M e t e r e n p r o p e r l y a n d the village b e g a n to go u p i n
s m o k e . W e w e r e o n l y just i n time. I gave the signal, a n d w e got
t h r o u g h the h e d g e unseen a n d then d a s h e d f o r w a r d . A s w e r a n ,
the e n e m y o p e n e d u p h e a v y m a c h i n e - g u n fire, b u t they were v e r y
w i d e of the m a r k , till s u d d e n l y they began to hit u p the g r o u n d i n
front. But w e h a d practically reached A . O n c e b e h i n d the hedge,
w e fetched out entrenching tools a n d d u g s m a l l shallows to sit i n .
 nnju/M't Approx. enemy position, April 15th
• • Approx. British position, April 15th
No. 8 Section route to A
British front line April 16th evening
0**4* Our men April 16th evening

Figure 25
M e t e r e n p o s i t i o n . M e t e r e n w a s o n a hill a n d o v e r l o o k e d t h e e n e m y
p o s i t i o n . It w a s a b o u t 2 0 f e e t h i g h e r t h a n t h e s u r r o u n d i n g c o u n t r y a n d
v e r y i m p o r t a n t a s it c o m m a n d e d m a n y e n e m y p o s i t i o n s a n d s a f e ­
g u a r d e d B a i l l e u l . A t A m y g u n s c o u l d s w e e p r i g h t a n d left f r o m t h e left
o f B t o t h e r i g h t o f C . It w a s a v e r y f i n e p o s i t i o n . D w a s S e c t i o n H . Q .
w h e r e I w e n t , a n d a b o u t 2 0 yards f r o m A . Infantry Battalion H . Q . ( C )
w a s a b o u t 8 0 0 y a r d s f r o m A . N o s c a l e g i v e n a s it is n o t a l l t o s c a l e .
84 WAR MEMOIRS

So each m a n h a d a k i n d of h o l l o w to lie i n . After about a n h o u r w e

h a d each of us m a d e a place about one foot deep, a n d w e b e g a n to
feel safe. But at the same time w e h a d to d o some firing. W e h a d
o u r L e w i s guns posted i n the hedge, a n d w i t h these w e o p e n e d
u p o n s o m e of the enemy w e c o u l d see m o v i n g about b y F . T h e
shelling grew heavier a n d heavier, but none of it came o u r w a y . A t
last it d i e d d o w n , a n d everything grew quiet again. So the e n e m y
attack w a s not to come after all.
T h e s u n was out again n o w a n d just setting. B e h i n d our hedge
w e p r o c e e d e d to m a k e ourselves comfortable. It was a beautiful
e v e n i n g , a n d o u r business kept us f r o m thought or w o r r y . W e d u g
d o w n about two feet, a n d u p came water. So w e started to p u t u p
a k i n d of breastwork. It was like a pleasant little job i n s o m e b o d y ' s
b a c k g a r d e n . T h e sunset o n the green fields a n d the r e d tiled roofs
i n the distance l o o k e d too pretty to be a battlefield scene.
F o r reasons best k n o w n to themselves, C o m p a n y H . Q . insisted
the actual section was to be left at A u n d e r Bridges, m y second i n
c o m m a n d , w h i l e I went back a n d saw to arrangements generally.
A c t u a l l y the i d e a was not b a d — t w o officers to 16 m e n w a s a b s u r d .
But it a n n o y e d m e at the time, for I still h a d n ' t learnt to appreciate
g o o d l u c k w h e n I got it. A s a result I was w i t h d r a w n to C o m p a n y
H . Q . — t h e b a r n the section h a d started f r o m . I got back at about
8 p.m.
W h e n I reached H . Q . , I h a d two petrol cans of hot tea m a d e .
These were then p u t into infantry packs stuffed w i t h straw. A stew
w a s also m a d e , a n d this was similarly p u t into a petrol box, w h i c h
w a s p a c k e d w i t h straw.
I then w e n t u p w i t h four m e n , taking this to the section. W h e n
w e a r r i v e d , it was bright moonlight a n d bitterly c o l d . T h e tea was
absolutely b o i l i n g — t o o hot to d r i n k at f i r s t — a n d the stew was the
same. I felt v e r y p r o u d of myself, as this was about the o n l y part of
the line w h e r e m e n were not eating c o l d b u l l y a n d biscuits. I really
think it set the m e n u p p r o p e r l y , for it w a s bitterly c o l d that night.
W h e n I got back to H . Q . , I m a d e application for V e r y lights, S.O.S
signal lights a n d b a r b e d w i r e . W e c o u l d have none of them.
In this w a y the section really was left i n a b a d position. But
they were not the o n l y ones, for the rest of B C o m p a n y (minus the
superfluous officers) went into the 'line' that night. T h e y w e r e i n
the p o s i t i o n B l — B l . Bargate n o m i n a l l y was i n c o m m a n d . But he
 OOOO Our positions

Figure 26
Meteren position. This is a large scale of Figure 2 5 . The lettering is the
same as on Figure 2 5 .
86 WAR MEMOIRS

h a d s o o n r e d u c e d himself to a state of h a p p y insensibility b y fre­

quent applications to the bottle. Carter therefore d i d most of the
c o m m a n d i n g there was to be done, a n d if w e h a d only h a d e n o u g h
w h i s k y to keep Bargate dead d r u n k , the British a r m y w o u l d not
h a v e lost M e t e r e n . But of that later.
I w e n t u p to the section next m o r n i n g (15th) a n d stayed there
all d a y till 5 p . m . , w h e n I came back for orders. I also obtained
p e r m i s s i o n to stay at D (about 50 yards b e h i n d the section), so I
c o u l d be i n touch w i t h m y section a n d w i t h the rest of B C o m p a n y .
I took u p m y abode there at 8 p . m . , w h e n I received a message
from Bargate. H e said the enemy had broken through near
Bailleul, b u t that n o retirement w a s to take place o n o u r front. But
his part of the c o m p a n y was shifting to B 2 — B 2 , a n d his p o s i t i o n
w a s b e i n g taken over b y some M i d d l e s e x . So actually the p o s i t i o n
of British troops o n this front was as before, a n d w e h a d n o real
cause for anxiety. I was again ordered back. I d e c i d e d to return i n
the m o r n i n g .
A t about 4 a.m. Bridges came, s a y i n g that a n A r g y l e a n d S u t h ­
e r l a n d patrol h a d been out a n d f o u n d the British positions at
B l — B l unoccupied. T h i s news was almost incredible, as it meant
about 800 y a r d s ' gap i n the British line. T h e e n e m y c o u l d w a l k into
M e t e r e n w h e n they l i k e d . I d e c i d e d I h a d better report the situa­
tion at once, so I went back. I left Bridges the runners so he c o u l d
s e n d back messages if anything h a p p e n e d . I went back to Brigade
H . Q . (Infantry) as fast as I c o u l d a n d reported. T h e G e n e r a l at once
s a i d the situation was most serious a n d told me to take u p troops
at once if I c o u l d f i n d any. I collected a few m e n at o u r former
C o m p a n y H . Q . a n d started off. It was about 5 a.m., a n d so far I
h a d acted over the heads of m y immediate superiors. I was rather
frightened of them, but as I n o w h a d the General's orders, all was
well.
I started u p the same r o a d that the section h a d first taken. But
no sooner d i d I get o n the r o a d itself than a n e n e m y m a c h i n e - g u n
o p e n e d o n u s — f r o m M e t e r e n itself!
I i m m e d i a t e l y extended the few m e n I h a d so as to a v o i d c a s u ­
alties, a n d w e p u s h e d o n w i t h o u r left resting o n the edge of the
r o a d . W e were just i n front of G . A t this stage I c o u l d see i n front of
m e s o m e British troops. T h e y were our front line retiring. T h e y
s t o p p e d o n the dotted line (see d i a g r a m , F i g u r e 26) a n d h e l d the
 DIARY 87

e n e m y there. In the meantime w e took u p a p o s i t i o n where w e

w e r e , i n partially d u g trenches, a n d w a i t e d to go o n at once if w e
s a w the e n e m y attack. But as it grew darker the e n e m y fire d i e d
d o w n — t h e y h a d taken the first step towards Bailleul.
I n o w h a d time to take stock of the position. I h a d about 15
m e n , w i t h about four of Bargate's m e n a n d one of m y r u n n e r s —
B u c h a n a n . T h e latter h a d been sent back b y Bridges to say the
e n e m y w e r e attacking a n d h a d b u m p e d into us as w e w e n t u p . H e
k n e w n o t h i n g m o r e than that. It w a s clear that Bargate m u s t h a v e
left B l — B l before he h a d h a n d e d over the p o s i t i o n — a thing that
w a s expressly against all principles of w a r at all. A s it h a p p e n e d ,
the troops w h o s h o u l d h a v e taken over h a d n ' t a r r i v e d , a n d so his
mistake d i d not pass unnoticed b u t meant the loss of M e t e r e n . A s I
f o u n d out afterwards, this is exactly what h a d h a p p e n e d . T h e full
story, as told m e b y Garter, was as follows:
Bargate h a d left the trench a n d gone to the left before he w a s
relieved. T h a t m o r n i n g they s u d d e n l y f o u n d the e n e m y a d v a n c ­
i n g , a n d at the same time fire was o p e n e d o n t h e m f r o m b e h i n d b y
the e n e m y w h o h a d gone t h r o u g h the gap. H o p e l e s s c o n f u s i o n
f o l l o w e d , a n d they just cleared out a n y h o w , b e i n g shot d o w n as
they went. Carter rallied some, a n d they f o r m e d a defensive flank
B 3 — B 3 a n d so h e l d u p the e n e m y advance. F o r this he w a s g i v e n
a n M . C . In the meantime the rescue of the 33rd D i v i s i o n (the
A r g y l e a n d Sutherland H i g h l a n d e r s ) h a d centred the line o n our
side of M e t e r e n . T h i s finally h e l d the e n e m y advance. Bargate w a s
last seen w o u n d e d . H e h a d several shots that w e n t t h r o u g h the
s h r a p n e l helmet but missed his h e a d . In the e n d he got back to
E n g l a n d , a n d they kept h i m , I t h i n k — a n y h o w , he never came back
to us a n y m o r e .
I spent the d a y i n the trench b y fortifying our bit as best w e
c o u l d . It w a s v e r y harassing, as the e n e m y w e r e k e e p i n g u p a
fairly h e a v y a n d accurate 5.9 b o m b a r d m e n t o n o u r trench. W e
h a d n o casualties. B y m i d n i g h t w e were i n a pretty strong p o s i t i o n
a n d h a d fetched u p m o r e a m m u n i t i o n . A t 4.30 a.m. w e w e r e re­
l i e v e d a n d trailed back to C o m p a n y H . Q . (the o l d one). T h e relief
w a s absolutely unexpected, b u t w e were of little use, a n d they
p r e p a r e d to p u t i n a p r o p e r unit rather than have isolated detach­
ments all over the place. T h e y c o u l d afford it n o w , as apparently
F r e n c h troops h a d relieved the British o n the right a n d thus
88 WAR MEMOIRS

strengthened for the 33rd D i v i s i o n reserve. O n reaching C o m p a n y

H . Q . , w e halted for a short space.
W e then left a n d m a r c h e d back still further. W e were to be
billeted at the C o n v e n t des Trappistes o n M o n t des Cats. A s w e
m a r c h e d , it grew lighter, a n d w e c o u l d n o w see the l i n e ' as it w a s
o n o u r right where the F r e n c h were. For the first time w e saw s o m e
guns. T h e F r e n c h h a d their front s u p p o r t e d b y w h a t seemed a n
e n o r m o u s n u m b e r of 75's. O u r journey u p M o n t des Cats w a s
quite pleasant. T h e fact that w e were resting, the clear, fine m o r n ­
i n g a n d the cheery s o u n d of the 75's all h e l p e d to m a k e us cheerful.
W e reached the convent, after some delays, at about 10.30 a.m.
It w a s a b i g b u i l d i n g a n d i m p o s i n g i n appearance. W e h a d often
seen it a w a y o n our right rear f r o m L a L o v i e a n d Oosthoek. But it
w a s a jerry-built construction a n d offered s m a l l cover, as w e f o u n d
to o u r cost later.
T h e w h o l e battalion was w i t h d r a w n , a n d w e were assembled
together at the convent. In the afternoon w e were spread about the
b u i l d i n g i n the cellars for safety. But w e h a d not d o n e this l o n g
w h e n the e n e m y c o m m e n c e d shelling. W e watched his shells come
nearer, w h e n at last there was a terrific roar, a n d a 5.9 crashed
t h r o u g h the chapel roof, t h r o u g h the cloister floor, a n d burst i n
the cellar. N o v e r y great damage was done. C r a c k s appeared i n the
cellar roof, a n d one m a n h a d his leg v e r y neatly a m p u t a t e d . H e
w a s taken off calmly s m o k i n g a cigarette. H e w a s l a u g h i n g a n d
j o k i n g a n d seemed to feel n o p a i n at all. T h i s accident d i d not leave
us as confident a n d cheerful as w e h a d been. But there was n o t h i n g
to be d o n e . W e w a n t e d shelter, a n d w e were d e t e r m i n e d to stay
w h e r e w e were, as it w a s quite possible they w o u l d not shell the
convent for l o n g .
A f t e r rifles h a d been cleaned a n d w e were all ready for action
a g a i n w e t u r n e d i n . T h e m e n slept o n the floor, but the officers
d i s c o v e r e d great l u x u r y i n some m o r t u a r y boards, w h i c h w e u s e d
for beds.
T h e next d a y w a s spent i n kit inspection a n d so o n . S o m e time
d u r i n g that d a y H a u s e r , w h o was n o w u n d e r m e i n m y section,
a n d I h a d a talk. I m e n t i o n this conversation as it w i l l give s o m e
idea of the state of affairs i n our battalion. O u r battalion h a d , as a
w h o l e , d o n e v e r y w e l l at M e t e r e n a n d earned the praise of the
 DIARY 89

D i v i s i o n a l G e n e r a l . But that fact w a s d u e to C C o m p a n y a n d not to

ourselves. Our s h o w h a d been disastrous. I h a d lost the w h o l e of
m y section b u t one m a n , a n d a l t h o u g h it w a s h a r d l y m y fault,
I w a s not d o i n g m y d u t y at all as a section c o m m a n d e r b y b e i n g
so far f r o m m y m e n . I never let that mistake occur a g a i n a n d
subsequently fought the question out w i t h the O . C . C o m p a n y
w h e n h e w a n t e d m e far b e h i n d the m e n . T h e example set b y
Bargate w a s a p p a l l i n g , a n d the rot he h a d caused s p r e a d r a p i d l y
a n d w a s increased b y the i l l - b e h a v i o u r of C l i f f o r d , w h o h a d a g a i n
d i s t i n g u i s h e d himself. In short, the general effect of the action
w a s a l o w e r i n g of the morale of o u r c o m p a n y . T h i s w a s extremely
serious as at this time morale w a s all-important. H a u s e r a n d I
talked over all these matters a n d resolved to counteract these ten­
dencies as best w e c o u l d b y p r e t e n d i n g , i n future, to enjoy action
a n d to discourage i n mess a n d elsewhere all talk of ' w i n d u p ' a n d
that k i n d of thing. W e h a d seen already where casual joking i n that
w a y l e d to, a n d f r o m this time o n , whether as tank c o m m a n d e r s or
as section c o m m a n d e r s , w e never gave u p this p o l i c y . B y degrees
w e got n e w officers w h o came to d o the same, a n d , l o o k i n g back
o n it a l l n o w , I can see h o w the standard rose as a result. It w a s
n o longer f u n n y to talk of ' w i n d u p ' a n d 'beating it' a n d so o n . In
course of time p e o p l e d i s c o v e r e d that s u c h talk w a s not expected
of a n officer. B u t this all took time. There w a s little chance for
i m p r o v e m e n t till b a d senior officers like C l i f f o r d & co. were
cleared out. Later, as w e gained i n position, things became easier. I
really believe this w a s the start of a better fighting spirit i n the
battalion. I d o n ' t m e a n to suggest that we w e r e responsible for
courage or a n y t h i n g i n others. But I d o think that w e gave g o o d
officers w h o came to o u r c o m p a n y a chance to s h o w their mettle.
T h e y d i d not i m m e d i a t e l y have their spirit u n d e r m i n e d b y foolish
a n d beastly talk. W e also spoke to officers of o u r age i n A a n d B
C o m p a n i e s , a n d w e all w o r k e d m o r e or less together i n the matter.
Before this there w a s m u c h discontent, but w e were all too isolated
to d o a n y t h i n g . N o w w e felt that there were m a n y people b a c k i n g
us u p . A s I h a v e s a i d , this took time. A t this date things w e r e v e r y
b a d . It is v e r y difficult to stop i n a line for d a y s a n d expect a n
e n e m y attack at a n y m o m e n t . T h e strain o n the nerves is v e r y
great, especially w h e n y o u k n o w there is n o t h i n g between the
90 WAR MEMOIRS

e n e m y a n d the sea but y o u r line of troops. Idiotic jokes i n mess a n d

o p e n talk of fear all contributed to lower one's spirits, a n d , as y o u
w i l l hear, I w a s already i n a v e r y l o w state.
T h e night's rest a n d the g o o d f o o d m a d e us feel v e r y m u c h
better. W e were h a r d l y d i s t u r b e d b y the e n e m y ' s shelling of the
convent as his fire was erratic, a n d a l t h o u g h there were casualties,
they o c c u r r e d i n a different part of the b u i l d i n g .
A t m i d d a y w e h a d orders to m o v e , a n d the battalion m a r c h e d
out b y companies travelling n o r t h w a r d s . A s w e went, w e saw the
e n e m y shelling M o n t N o i r e a n d M o n t R o u g e o n o u r right. A s w e
w e n t along, orders were explained. T h e battalion w a s g o i n g i n to
s u p p o r t the 9th D i v i s i o n at Wytschaete. T h e remains of B C o m ­
p a n y were g o i n g into the 'line' that night, w h i l e A a n d C took u p
positions i n a n e w c a m p . B C o m p a n y remnants were to be c o m ­
b i n e d i n one section, as there were o n l y 36 m e n left. T h i s meant
w e c o u l d m a n six guns. These six guns were to be u n d e r m y
c o m m a n d . I w a s to take this section into the line a n d o c c u p y three
' f a r m s ' to the left of the great crater at Wytschaete (see F i g u r e 27).
W e w o u l d thus f o r m three 'strong points' w i t h two L e w i s g u n s i n
each a n d so strengthen the left of the 9th ( L o w l a n d Scottish) D i v i ­
sion. T h e distance between the left f a r m a n d the right f a r m w a s
about 1,000 y a r d s . I was to m a k e Section H . Q . about a quarter of a
m i l e b e h i n d the centre f a r m . A t this I objected a n d finally h a d the
distance r e d u c e d to 200 yards. T h i s was better, b u t still useless, as
it w a s too far to allow effective control i n action. S u c h control is
a l w a y s difficult. A distance of 200 y a r d s m a d e it almost i m p o s ­
sible. T h e r i d g e (the p l a n , F i g u r e 27, w i l l s h o w y o u the position)
l a y between us. T h e e n e m y ' s p o s i t i o n was not certain. Sometimes
he w a s o n o u r side of the crest a n d at others o n his side of it.
G e n e r a l l y s p e a k i n g the ridge was i n n o - m a n ' s l a n d . W h e n we
reached A a n d C C o m p a n y c a m p , they halted, a n d w e b o a r d e d
lorries a n d w e r e taken u p to a p o i n t some 1,000 y a r d s b e h i n d o u r
Tine'. Here we disembarked.
W e s l o w l y stumbled u p to the line, a n d after about half a n h o u r
o u r guides b r o u g h t us to the left ' f a r m ' . H e r e I left two guns a n d
w e n t o n to the second ' f a r m ' , a n d f r o m there to the third.
T h i s operation seems simple e n o u g h . In p o i n t of fact it is about
as s i m p l e a n operation as one is likely to get i n war. But there is
m o r e i n it than there seems. Imagine v e r y tired m e n a n d two v e r y
 DIARY 91

HI

*'»^j^»*»t... M" f f
'ii^

t x

|/| '^X'^' Enemy position

****** 6 Company Composite Section general front of 9th Division
j£k HP£ 6 Company position—9tf) Division—The three farms'

Figure 27
Wytschaete Ridge position.

tired officers all c a r r y i n g h e a v y loads. T h e c o u n t r y w a s s i m p l y a

w i l d e r n e s s . In front, w h e r e the e n e m y was, w e c o u l d see a r i d g e
w i t h a few stunted trees s t a n d i n g stark against the sky. T h e
g r o u n d w a s t o r n u p b y the shell-fire of the o l d battles of Messines.
T h e craters w e r e still there b u t w e r e n o w o v e r g r o w n w i t h r a n k
thistles a n d w e e d . T h e remains of o l d b u r i e d entanglements
s p r o u t e d t h r o u g h the earth a n d n o w a n d then h u r l e d s o m e o n e
h e a d l o n g as they caught his foot. T h e deeper shell craters w e r e
filled w i t h b l a c k i s h water, w h i c h stank.
T h e p h y s i c a l difficulty of g o i n g o n t h r o u g h this w a s not o u r
o n l y trouble. W e h a d just h a d a nasty k n o c k . Officers a n d m e n
w e r e m y s t i f i e d b y a k i n d of fighting they c o u l d not u n d e r s t a n d .
W e k n e w v e r y little of our w o r k , a n d here w e w e r e , s t u m b l i n g o n
to h e a v e n k n o w s w h a t , l e d b y a g u i d e w h o p r o b a b l y d i d n ' t k n o w
his w a y a n d w o u l d o n l y a d m i t it w h e n he h a d got us t h o r o u g h l y
lost. These worries harassed one the w h o l e time. So y o u m a y j u d g e
of o u r relief w h e n w e w e r e finally installed w h e r e w e h o p e d to be.
T h e farms were practically non-existent: o n l y one h a d a n y t h i n g
to s h o w for itself a n d that h a d the remains of a n o l d cellar.
 DIARY 93

There is nothing much to say about our stay here. We had no

fighting, and it is only important as it was one more step towards
misery and defeat. A t night I used to stumble across wire and
shell-holes from farm to farm—this was not possible in daylight.
(Imagine this occupation. The photo—Figure 28—will help you to
do so; see also Figure 27.) There were no trenches, and except on
our left and right, there were no troops other than our six gun
crews. I simply have a vague memory of painfully trudging my
800 yards and wondering whether I was going in the right direc­
tion for one farm or another, or whether I was just going straight
into the enemy lines. Now and then a Very light would flare up
fitfully and die away. At such times I stood still—not so much to
avoid being shot as because it seemed to be the right thing to do.
I used to do most of my work at night and usually stayed up at
one farm or another then. But in daytime I used to go back to
Section H . Q . according to orders in case anyone came round. The
days were fairly awful. There was a blazing sun most of the time,
and this used to beat down on the piece of elephant iron that made
my H . Q . and make the inside intolerably stuffy and hot. Here I

Figure 2 8
The Wytschaete position. A photo of the road in Figure 27. The left
'farm' of our position was about 100 yards up, on the right-hand side of
the road, as you see it here. We had to march up this and then turn to
our right and go down a path. The path, of course, was simply a track
running round the lip of the craters. The photo does not give a good idea
of the ridge. But the road dips into a valley a little further on, and from
this valley the ridge stood up quite clearly. As you can see the ridge
wasn't much of a thing—but it had held up the British Army.
This photo will give you some idea of our life in this sector. Imagine
this 'road' peppered with M.G. fire. Then imagine the shell-fire. And in
this district every gun and every shell echoed and re-echoed, until at last
the noise died away in weird booms and groans utterly unlike the
original sound. The sound was quite different from anything I know. If
anything was needed to complete the horror of that place, those echoes
did it; for it needed no great imagination to think of those shuddering
reverberations as the wails of spirits still tortured by the memories of
their misery, still lamenting the incredible folly that doomed their
successors to the same fate.
94 WAR MEMOIRS

u s e d to lie, tired out after the night, i n a k i n d of stupor, w h i c h

s e r v e d instead of sleep. It was a w e i r d business—the heat, a n d the
nightmares out of w h i c h one started u p s u d d e n l y i n a k i n d of
h o r r o r to f i n d the sweat p o u r i n g d o w n one's face. It was almost
impossible to distinguish d r e a m f r o m reality. T h e tat-tat-tat of
the G e r m a n machine-guns w o u l d chime i n w i t h y o u r d r e a m w i t h
u n c a n n y effect, so that w h e n y o u awoke y o u w o n d e r e d whether
y o u were d r e a m i n g . T h e m a c h i n e - g u n m a d e y o u think everything
w a s genuine, a n d o n l y b y degrees y o u recovered yourself to fall
into uneasy sleep again.
It d i d not take l o n g for interest i n life to die out. S o o n I f o u n d
m y s e l f almost hopeless. I u s e d to lie o n m y back a n d stare at the
l o w roof. Sometimes I stared for hours at a small piece of m u d that
h u n g f r o m the roof b y a grass a n d q u i v e r e d to the explosion of the
shells. T h e n s u d d e n l y one d a y I h e a r d that the South A f r i c a n s o n
o u r left were p l a y i n g the fool. T h e y u s e d to crawl out onto the r o a d
o n their left at night a n d try to get hit b y the G e r m a n m a c h i n e - g u n
that fired d o w n the r o a d . T h i s news h a d a curiously b r a c i n g effect.
I d o n ' t k n o w n o w whether the tale was true—certainly it h a d been
c o m m o n e n o u g h i n the earlier part of the w a r — b u t I felt things
n o w c o u l d get n o worse a n d that actually a g l e a m of h o p e h a d
a p p e a r e d — i t w a s always possible to get b a d l y w o u n d e d or per­
haps even killed.
T h i s m a y seem h a r d l y possible to y o u . But the fact remains that
life h a d n o w reached s u c h a pitch that horrible mutilations or
death c o u l d not conceivably be worse. I f o u n d myself l o o k i n g for­
w a r d to getting k i l l e d , as then, at least, one w o u l d be r i d of this
intolerable misery. These thoughts were u p p e r m o s t w i t h m e then
a n d e x c l u d e d all o t h e r s — a n d I think m a n y were i n the same state.
After all, if y o u get a m a n a n d h u n t h i m like a n a n i m a l , i n time
h e w i l l b e c o m e one. I a m at a loss n o w to tell y o u of o u r life. S u c h
w o r l d s separate the o r d i n a r y h u m a n ' s point of v i e w f r o m m i n e at
that time, that a n y t h i n g I can write w i l l either be incomprehensible
or w i l l give a quite w r o n g impression. Briefly, I felt like this: I
d i d n ' t care tuppence whether w e h e l d the T i n e ' or not. G e r m a n y ' s
v i c t o r y or defeat was n o t h i n g . Nevertheless, I w o u l d d o m y job b y
m y m e n as w e l l as I c o u l d , as there was n o t h i n g else to d o . I w a s n ' t
interested i n religion or w o r l d politics or any rot like that. I w a s
m e r e l y a n insignificant scrap of h u m a n i t y that was b e i n g intoler­
 DIARY 95

ably persecuted b y u n k n o w n p o w e r s , a n d I w a s g o i n g to score off

those p o w e r s b y d y i n g . A f t e r a l l , a m o u s e m u s t feel that it is one
u p o n the p l a y f u l cat w h e n it dies w i t h o u t m a k i n g a n y sport for its
captor.
W i t h this n e w i d e a before m e , I felt better. I d i d n ' t feel afraid
a n y m o r e , a n d I w a l k e d about d o i n g m y job feeling as if I h a d
scored off P r o v i d e n c e .
O u r section w a s m o v e d further to the right a few d a y s later (I
h a d lost all sense of time now). W e evacuated the farms a n d
m a n n e d C h i n e s e W a l l as one strong point (see F i g u r e 29). T h i s w a s
far m o r e satisfactory than before, f r o m a defensive p o i n t of v i e w ;
o u r isolated posts c o u l d h a v e d o n e n o t h i n g . W h i l e w e w e r e at
C h i n e s e W a l l , w e w e r e m u c h cursed b y e n e m y aeroplanes. T h e r e
w a s n o n e of ours to be seen. T h i s h a d a v e r y b a d effect o n o u r
m o r a l e , so one m o r n i n g I d e t e r m i n e d o n a demonstration. We
l o a d e d o u r six g u n s , a n d I gave instructions that, w h e n I gave the
signal, they were all to o p e n fire o n the next Boche that came over.
V e r y s o o n a l o w - f l y i n g aeroplane a p p e a r e d . A s he d r e w nearer, I
d r e w m y whistle a n d blew. A t once all o u r guns o p e n e d together.
T h e aeroplane i m m e d i a t e l y s w e r v e d off, a n d it l o o k e d as if several
pieces w e r e k n o c k e d out of it. I feel sure it w a s d a m a g e d , as w e
h a d n o m o r e visits that d a y . T h e great t h i n g w a s , the w h o l e s h o w
cheered the m e n w o n d e r f u l l y . T h e y felt they h a d at last got their
o w n back a bit. T h e C o l o n e l of the R o y a l Scots was v e r y pleased, as
he s a i d it h a d cheered his m e n too. T h i s colonel w a s a v e r y g o o d
chap. H e w a s about 42.1 u s e d to go a n d see h i m occasionally, a n d ,
to keep ourselves g o i n g , w e used to talk about A d d i s o n ' s essays. In
the evenings w h e n the e n e m y w o u l d o p e n u p w i t h his 5.9's, w e
u s e d to h o l d o u r literary meetings. H e w o u l d say he c o u l d n ' t stand
that infernal r o w — t h e e n e m y w o u l d be practically hitting o u r
breastwork (Chinese Wall) b y this t i m e — a n d so he w o u l d h a i l m e ,
a n d w e u s e d to stand b y Section H . Q . d u g o u t a n d w a t c h d e v e l o p ­
ments w h i l e w e talked h a r d about Sir Roger d e C o v e r l e y . P o o r
fellow! H e w a s k i l l e d a few d a y s later. H e seemed a v e r y s o u n d
fellow a n d stuck it out, a l t h o u g h y o u c o u l d see his nerves were
nearly gone.
A l t h o u g h w e n o w felt better than w h e n w e were scattered over
o u r three farms, the p o s i t i o n was not really satisfactory. O u r p o s i ­
tion at C h i n e s e W a l l w a s useless if the e n e m y attacked f r o m the
96 WAR MEMOIRS

German positions—all conjecture

O *m British

MM^fc .. Hedge

Figure 29
Chinese Wall position.

K e m m e l side (see d i a g r a m , F i g u r e 30). T h i s was the real fault of the

p o s i t i o n , a n d it w a s not a merely local defect. W h e n i n the e n d
these positions were taken, that is h o w they fell—the e n e m y took
K e m m e l a n d came d o w n f r o m the flank. But o u r o w n troubles
w e r e m a n y . T h e enemy swept o u r positions v e r y t h o r o u g h l y w i t h
machine-guns—especially f r o m blockhouse A . N o m o v e m e n t f r o m
C h i n e s e W a l l was possible—as soon as one left the shelter of the
breastwork, one w a s s n i p e d . A s the R o y a l Scots C o l o n e l s a i d , it
w a s a g o o d thing that sniper couldn't shoot. H e always potted, a n d
he never hit a n y o n e w h i l e w e were there. A d d e d to these little
difficulties, the e n e m y shelled us w i t h gas. W e slept at n i g h t w i t h
o u r gas m a s k tubes i n our teeth. T h e f o o d w a s quite g o o d , b u t
water w a s scarce. W h a t little w e h a d came i n b a d l y cleaned p e t r o l
tins a n d tasted filthy. O n e fellow c o m p l a i n e d that he felt like a
petrol lighter after a dose of water f r o m the s u p p l y .
O n the w h o l e w e spent our days i n greater comfort t h a n w e
m i g h t have d o n e . W e were pleased to note the arrival of a F r e n c h
mortar, w h i c h soon m a d e a mess of blockhouse A . T h i s d i d not e n d
 DIARY 97

Figure 30
A p r i l - M a y '18, general position, Wytschaete-Mt. Kemmel. Letters are
the same as on Figure 29.

harassing fire at n i g h t t h o u g h ; it earned, o n the contrary, a v e r y

h e a v y 5.9 b o m b a r d m e n t for us that night.
A t last n e w s came that w e were to be relieved. W e m a d e all
preparations for departure, but w i t h n o real h o p e , for w e h a d
already b e e n fooled b y that story. T h e section pessimist p r o p h ­
esied a n e n e m y attack before w e c o u l d leave.
A t about 6.30 p . m . , the e n e m y s u d d e n l y c o m m e n c e d s h e l l i n g
far o n o u r right. W e watched the bright w h i t e light of our guns
flickering across the s k y as o u r barrage answered theirs. T h e r e d
g l o w of their s h r a p n e l b u r s t i n g a n d c o l o u r e d lights of o u r S . O . S .
signals m a d e a w e i r d a n d terrible sight. But the unpleasant part
w a s the fact that the barrage zone seemed to be extending towards
us. Before m a n y minutes, the e n e m y barrage h a d o p e n e d u p o n
o u r i m m e d i a t e right, a n d I gave the order to stand to arms.
T h e sentries h a d to stay u p a n d w a t c h carefully all that h a p ­
p e n e d . T h e rest of the m e n kept at the b o t t o m of the trench, r e a d y
to s p r i n g u p as s o o n as the barrage lifted a n d the e n e m y a d v a n c e d .
98 WAR MEMOIRS

B y this time the barrage w a s o n to us as w e l l . T h e R o y a l Scots

C o l o n e l at once sent u p the S . O . S . — a r e d light over a green over a
y e l l o w . These lights are fired out of a pistol a n d float across the
fields tied together, l o o k i n g somewhat like a ship's r i d i n g lights.
W h e n the infantry send them u p , it is a signal to the artillery to
d r o p their barrage. It is v e r y w e i r d o n a quiet night to see the
S.O.S. s u d d e n l y soar into the sky. A l m o s t at once the w h o l e place
rocks a n d s w a y s to the roar of our g u n s — f o r the speed w i t h w h i c h
the barrage falls is most important i n defence. A peaceful n i g h t is
at once transformed into a scene of indescribable chaos. I h a v e n o
time here to go into the question of S.O.S. signals. T h e colours w e r e
frequently c h a n g e d so that the e n e m y d i d not k n o w them. E a c h
part of the line h a d its o w n colours.
In r e p l y to o u r S.O.S., our barrage came d o w n . W h i l e the
o p p o s i n g artilleries a m u s e d themselves firing at the o p p o s i n g i n ­
fantries, the o p p o s i n g infantries took as m u c h cover as they c o u l d
a n d swore gently to relieve their feelings.
W e w a i t e d a n h o u r or two like this w h i l e the S.O.S. w e n t u p
m o r e a n d m o r e o n o u r right. T h e r e seemed to be n o movement
o n o u r i m m e d i a t e front. A t about 9.30 the e n e m y fire slackened o n
o u r front, a n d w e began to feel that it was all over. But the fire
o n o u r right seemed, if a n y t h i n g , to have increased i n intensity.
A t 10.30 o u r relieving troops a r r i v e d , a n d w e w e n t out feeling
v e r y thankful. E v e n so, it was no night for relief. W e h a d to go over
roads that w e r e being shelled a n d t h r o u g h fields across w h i c h the
e n e m y w a s d r o p p i n g a shrapnel screen. It w a s noticeable at this
time that his shrapnel fire was a great d e a l m o r e accurate than it
u s e d to be.
A s w e trailed back, w e h e a r d the roar of the guns g r o w greater
a n d greater w h i l e the enemy's harassing fire o n o u r c o m m u n i c a ­
tions s e e m e d to have r e d o u b l e d . It w a s n o w quite clear that a v e r y
b i g attack w a s c o m i n g off.
After about t w o miles of v e r y toilsome m a r c h i n g , w e reached
lorries that d r o v e us back to camp. T h e place w h e r e w e e m b a r k e d
w a s i n the e n e m y ' s h a n d s a n h o u r a n d forty minutes later, for he
had taken Mt. Kemmel and swept down the flank of the
Wytschaete position.
So w e h a d m i s s e d the loss of K e m m e l b y the s k i n of our teeth.
Y o u can tell h o w fortunate w e were w h e n I e x p l a i n that the s u r ­
v i v o r s f r o m the R o y a l Scots n u m b e r e d one officer a n d two m e n ,
 DIARY 99

a n d , of the 84 m e n that relieved o u r 56, there escaped o n l y one

man.
These things w e r e not, h o w e v e r , k n o w n for s o m e days. A t
first the loss of K e m m e l w a s b y n o means certain. T h e F r e n c h h a d
been o n its right a n d the British o n the left. T h e F r e n c h c l a i m e d still
to h o l d the s u m m i t , a n d it w a s k n o w n that the C h e s h i r e s h a d
retaken K e m m e l village, w h i c h lay o n the e n e m y ' s side of M t .
K e m m e l . W h a t w e d i d not k n o w was that the F r e n c h h a d b e e n cut
off a n d the Cheshires cut to bits i n a disastrous attempt to retire
f r o m a p o s i t i o n that was too far i n advance to a d m i t of adequate
support.
O n the w h o l e , then, w e felt fairly pleased as w e t u r n e d into
c a m p that m o r n i n g . T h e b i g attack w e saw seemed to be h e l d —
a c c o r d i n g to all the news w e c o u l d get.
T h a t e v e n i n g w a s rather a pleasant one. T h e m e n w e r e pleased
w i t h life a n d h a d all h a d a change of clothes, decent f o o d a n d a
g o o d sleep, M y g r a m o p h o n e , w h i c h I b o u g h t at C h e l t e n h a m , h a d
a r r i v e d , a n d I lent it to them. In the officers' mess w e h a d a n
especially elaborate disguise for our b u l l y beef a n d also fresh meat
stew a n d a sweet. T h e r e w a s also s o m e beer f r o m the E . F . C . [Expe­
d i t i o n a r y Force Canteen]. So w e h a d a palatial m e a l a n d sat d o w n
r o u n d the fire of the f a r m house that w a s our billet to enjoy a really
g o o d s m o k e . O n e officer fetched out a v i o l i n a n d p l a y e d a c c o m p a ­
n i m e n t to songs a n d , occasionally, a solo. It was, I remember, w h i l e
he w a s p l a y i n g ' T r a u m e r e i ' that a messenger entered a n d h a n d e d
C o o k (now C o m p a n y C o m m a n d e r ) a chit f r o m the battalion. W e
p a i d little attention, for the m u s i c a n d the u n a c c u s t o m e d l u x u r y of
g o o d f o o d a n d a cheerful fire h a d t h r o w n us all deep into m e m o ­
ries a n d d r e a m s of our o w n . W h e n the m u s i c e n d e d , C o o k spoke.
'Sorry, y o u fellows, b a d news, I'm afraid; B C o m p a n y is to stand to
arms at once a n d p r o c e e d u p to the line. Lorries w i l l be at the c a m p
i n half a n h o u r to take y o u u p . I h a v e sent out to w a r n the m e n
already. A p p a r e n t l y the Boche h a v e got K e m m e l after a l l . '
W e got u p a n d l o o k e d at the pleasant r o o m a n d the cheery fire
a n d w o n d e r e d w h y w e h a d ever been s u c h fools as to believe they
w e r e real.
It w a s a b r i g h t starlight n i g h t a n d c o l d . W e inspected the m e n
as they stood there w i t h chattering teeth, a n d then w e got o n the
lorries. T h i s time H a u s e r a n d I w e r e to c o m m a n d a c o m p a n y
c o m p o s e d of two crews f r o m B C o m p a n y a n d two f r o m C . It w a s a
100 WAR MEMOIRS

composite section really. C o o k was to be i n c o m m a n d of the w h o l e .

A c t u a l l y , this meant that he was about 800 yards b e h i n d the line
a n d l o o k e d after supplies a n d so o n w h i l e H a u s e r a n d I l o o k e d
after the combatant side of the business.
H a u s e r a n d I sat i n front of the first l o r r y w h i l e C o o k went u p
w i t h Carter i n the bike a n d side-car. A s w e w e n t u p , the e n e m y
w e r e shelling the roads. It w a s v e r y unpleasant as y o u c o u l d not
hear the shells c o m i n g . First y o u w o u l d see a mass of hot little
sparks fly u p o n the left, a n d as y o u d r o v e past a second or two
later y o u w o u l d smell that peculiar w a r m earthy s m e l l w i t h a
t o u c h of acetylene gas. T h e n the same w o u l d h a p p e n o n the right.
Y o u w a i t e d to feel the splinters hurtle t h r o u g h the side of the l o r r y
and kill y o u .
A t last w e reached O u d e r d o m . H e r e w e d i s e m b a r k e d a n d e n ­
v i o u s l y w a t c h e d the l o r r y drivers turn r o u n d a n d go h o m e as fast
as they c o u l d .
W e p i c k e d u p our kit a n d t r u d g e d w e a r i l y u p the s h e l l - p o c k e d
r o a d . W e seemed to be m a r c h i n g straight to destruction, for i m m e ­
diately i n front the V e r y lights were flaring u p at intervals a n d w e
c o u l d see each other's faces i n the pale glare.
A t last w e reached a cross-roads called M i l l e k r u i s s e , a n d here
w e met Carter w i t h orders f r o m C o o k . C o m p a n y H . Q . w e r e about
100 y a r d s to the left of the cross-roads. Carter led us to a p o i n t
about 100 y a r d s i n front of the cross-roads. H e r e w e struck a
trench. T h i s w a s the left of o u r allotted section. A point 800 y a r d s
to the right w a s the right of o u r sector. I p u t one g u n o n the left
p o i n t , one o n o u r right, a n d the other two at g o o d points for cross­
fire between these two. H a u s e r was to look after the left a n d I the
right. But I w a s also i n c o m m a n d of h i m a n d his two guns. W e took
o v e r f r o m W i n d l e , a y o u n g C officer w h o was so d a z e d a n d idiotic
he c o u l d tell us n o t h i n g a n d d o n o t h i n g — a n d that w h e n there w a s
n o fire.
T h e sketch m a p (Figure 31) w i l l s h o w y o u our positions, a n d
F i g u r e 32 w i l l s h o w y o u where w e were i n relation to o u r C h i n e s e
W a l l position. I think y o u w i l l get the i d e a of our position fairly
w e l l f r o m the m a p , b u t I w i l l point out one or two i m p o r t a n t
features. Between the e n e m y a n d ourselves there w a s a ridge of
h i g h g r o u n d (see diagram). So w e were invisible to each other's
front-line troops. But i n our case w e were at a great disadvantage
for artillery fire, as the e n e m y h a d direct observation onto u s f r o m
 DIARY 101

Figure 31
M a y '18, Mt. K e m m e l .

M t . K e m m e l . T h e British c a m p I have m a r k e d w a s a n artillery

c a m p that h a d b e e n taken b y surprise b y the e n e m y advance. A s a
result a lot of horses h a d b e e n left i n it, a n d these were k i l l e d b y
artillery fire. T h e stench w a s a w f u l for the weather w a s hot.
T h e c a m p w a s a great nuisance, as the e n e m y u s e d to creep out
of their trenches a n d snipe us f r o m b e h i n d the huts. T h e K . O . L . I . s
[King's O w n L i g h t Infantry] o n our left returned the c o m p l i m e n t ,
b u t it w a s n o real consolation to us.
O u r trenches w e r e v e r y p o o r . T h e y w e r e not m o r e t h a n 4 feet
deep a n d d i d n o t a l l o w one m a n to pass another w i t h a n y ease.
T h e r e w a s a certain a m o u n t of water i n them. There w e r e n o
b a r b e d - w i r e entanglements, a n d n o w i r e c o u l d be obtained.
102 WAR MEMOIRS

Mt Kemmel

Figure 32
Enemy advance in capture of Mt. Kemmel
t
N o . 1 L e w i s g u n was i n a g o o d position, a n d so was N o . 2.
N o . 3 w a s v e r y b a d . There was little or n o protection, a n d water
w a s c o m i n g u p i n the trench. T h e only thing to d o w a s to b u i l d a
breastwork, a n d for this sandbags were necessary. I i n d e n t e d for
500 b u t c o u l d get n o m o r e than 50 a n d these only w h e n it w a s v e r y
late—almost too late to be any g o o d . T h e 4th L e w i s g u n p o s i t i o n
w a s g o o d . It was o n the railway a n d so c o m m a n d e d the cutting
a n d the g r o u n d to right a n d left.
Section H . Q . w a s i n the corner of a square of trenches about 20
y a r d s b e h i n d the actual line. There was one d u g - o u t i n this square
a n d that w a s o c c u p i e d b y s o m e infantry officers w h o c o m m a n d e d
the few troops i n the line w i t h us. T h i s w h o l e square of trenches
w a s v e r y clearly defined. A l t h o u g h it was a spot of n o great i m p o r ­
tance, it l o o k e d important, a n d as a result the e n e m y h a d it m a r k e d
out for destruction u n d e r the impression it was a strong point.
T h e troops i n the line w i t h us were the 21st D i v i s i o n . T h i s
d i v i s i o n u s e d to be a g o o d one, b u t it h a d b e e n far too k n o c k e d
about to be m u c h g o o d b y this time. O n our left w e h a d the
K . O . Y . L . I . s [King's O w n Y o r k s h i r e L i g h t Infantry], a n d actually
w i t h us there was the D u k e of C o r n w a l l ' s L i g h t Infantry B a n d , i.e.,
a s m a l l collection of y o u n g boys a n d unfit m e n w i t h no k n o w l e d g e
of arms or a n y t h i n g else. T h e i r officers were hopeless. O n o u r
r i g h t — b y the railway cutting—were a few of the 10th Cheshires.
O u r life here was d u l l . T h e weather w a s hot, a n d the place
stank. W e were usually shelled b y 5.9's at fairly regular h o u r s ,
a n d then w e took cover. F o r the rest of the d a y w e sat about a n d
 DIARY 103

listened to the desultory fire of o u r guns a n d the s u d d e n crash as

part of the tin roof came d o w n i n the o l d c a m p . These falling bits of
tin w o u l d set us w o n d e r i n g if the e n e m y were c r a w l i n g about, a n d
occasionally w e w o u l d give a m o r e than u s u a l l y suspicious spot a
burst of fire.
The enemy aeroplanes h e l d u n d i s p u t e d s w a y a n d d r o n e d
a w a y above us. T h e o n l y relief w e h a d came one d a y w h e n o u r
aeroplanes d i d a demonstration. C o m p l a i n t s h a d g r o w n so violent
about the e n e m y aeroplanes that the authorities sent over 36 aero­
planes one e v e n i n g . These s i m p l y cleared out every e n e m y for
miles a n d w e n t about b o m b i n g a n d d o i n g just whatever they
pleased. T h e effect o n o u r morale was really w o n d e r f u l . F o r the
first time w e felt as if w e w e r e top dogs. There's a n extraordinary
feeling of security that comes over y o u w h e n y o u see a s k y a p p a r ­
ently c o v e r e d w i t h aeroplanes a n d reflect that they are all y o u r s . It
is as if a c h i l d h a d flaunted a toy i n y o u r face, a n d for a l o n g time
y o u c o u l d d o n o t h i n g — t i l l one d a y y o u s u d d e n l y flaunt a far m o r e
magnificent toy i n his face. Y o u feel y o u h a v e scored a n d that all
past h u m i l i a t i o n s were w o r t h it.
T h e effect of this demonstration w a s most p r o n o u n c e d , not
o n l y o n us b u t o n the enemy. T h e y felt sure it w a s a great r e c o n ­
naissance p r e l i m i n a r y to a b i g attack. L e t us h o p e they felt suitably
depressed.
H a u s e r a n d I d i d w h a t w e c o u l d to b u i l d u p defences. B u t w e
c o u l d get n o V e r y lights, n o S.O.S. signals, n o b a r b e d w i r e a n d n o
sandbags. T h e situation really was a p p a l l i n g .
After about four days w e obtained 50 sandbags, a n d these w e
u s e d for N o . 3. g u n position, m a k i n g it v e r y m u c h better e v e n w i t h
these few.
B y this time the F r e n c h h a d taken over the territory o n o u r
right, so w e were n o w to see something of the w o r k of o u r allies.
T h e m o s t noticeable thing w a s their terrifying use of c o l o u r e d
lights. These they w o u l d send u p all d a y a n d all night. I a m i n ­
clined to t h i n k they d i d it for n o reason at all except to h o o d w i n k
the e n e m y — a t any rate, they d i d this most successfully. T h e d a y
after they a r r i v e d , they treated the e n e m y to a fireworks d i s p l a y
that, I s h o u l d think, was u n r i v a l l e d o n the British Front. I m m e d i ­
ately after breakfast they p u t u p showers of ' g o l d e n r a i n ' all a l o n g
the line a n d for about ten miles b e h i n d it. H a v i n g completely m y s ­
tified the e n e m y b y this, they opened u p a desultory a n d extremely
 104 WAR MEMOIRS

exasperating artillery f i r e — i t all s o u n d e d like the n e r v e - r a c k i n g

p e r f o r m a n c e of one of those irritating toy spaniels. T h e i r fire i n ­
creased i n v o l u m e , a n d then s u d d e n l y , w i t h o u t a n y w a r n i n g , all
fire s t o p p e d . T h i s s u d d e n silence w o r r i e d o u r orthodox friends
o v e r the w a y v e r y considerably. T h e y p r o m p t l y o p e n e d u p h e a v y
harassing fire o n lines of c o m m u n i c a t i o n . T h e F r e n c h m a i n t a i n e d a
d o g g e d silence.
M u c h the same h a p p e n e d later. It was b e c o m i n g d u s k w h e n
the F r e n c h b e g a n to p u t u p streams a n d streams of c o l o u r e d
lights. T h i s w a s a l l the m o r e mysterious as there w a s h a r d l y any
f i r i n g g o i n g o n o n either side. A l l was peace a n d quiet, a n d yet
the F r e n c h persisted i n s e n d i n g u p a series of signals w h i c h , if
they meant a n y t h i n g at all, must h a v e b e e n quite sufficient to
report a n entire battle. A s s o o n as the e n e m y recovered f r o m this
they d r o p p e d a really g o o d b a r r a g e — a n d the F r e n c h d i s c o v e r e d
w h a t they w a n t e d to k n o w — i . e . exactly w h e r e the e n e m y fire w a s
directed. T h u s , w i t h a h a p p y feeling that they h a d done their d u t y ,
o u r allies p a c k e d u p for the night a n d , let us h o p e , slept the sleep
of the just.
T h e next d a y w e h e a r d the g l a d n e w s that w e w e r e to be
relieved. I w a s thankful, as I w a s v e r y tired of M i l l e k r u i s s e a n d
s t a n d i n g to generally. F o r some time w e h a d b e e n unable to sleep
except i n full e q u i p m e n t . Unfortunately l y i n g i n y o u r full kit w i t h
revolvers etc. stuck all over y o u is b y n o means comfortable. T h e
first time I d i d it I w o k e w i t h a n a w f u l taste of b l o o d i n m y m o u t h ,
a n d y o u c a n i m a g i n e the effect of that o n a v e r y sleepy m a n w h o
has b e e n d r e a m i n g action.
T h e afternoon again w a s v e r y hot a n d beastly a n d m a d e us feel
all the m o r e pleased at the idea of relief. T h e r e w a s one v e r y
d i s q u i e t i n g feature about this d a y , h o w e v e r , a n d I h a d grave
d o u b t s that w e s h o u l d leave M i l l e k r u i s s e u n m o l e s t e d . T h e w h o l e
of that d a y the e n e m y h a d h a r d l y fired a shot—either artillery or
rifle.
It is a n extraordinary thing, but this ' s u l k ' is typical, a n d y o u
m a y b e sure that there is mischief afoot w h e n the e n e m y w i t h h o l d s
his fire. I h a v e not struck a n y b o d y yet w h o d i d not f i n d this silence
a s i g n of c o m i n g trouble.
M y fears were fully justified. A t 6 that e v e n i n g his 5.9's opened
o n o u r p o s i t i o n . T h e y w e r e firing i n t r i p l e t s — y o u o n l y hear the
 DIARY 105

first one c o m i n g , a n d the other two burst w h e n y o u d o n ' t expect it.

W i t h i n about t w o minutes of the start his b o m b a r d m e n t h a d
reached its f u l l intensity. T h i s w a s a n attack for a certainty, a n d u p
w e n t o u r S . O . S . — r e d over r e d over r e d .
T h e peaceful d u s k h a d c h a n g e d i n a m o m e n t . T h e w h o l e
g r o u n d r o c k e d a n d s w a y e d , a n d the sky w a s h i d d e n b y a c l o u d of
dust a n d smoke. It seemed as if night h a d s u d d e n l y come u p o n us.
It w a s almost i m p o s s i b l e to distinguish a n y t h i n g i n the darkness.
T h e weirdness of it all w a s increased b y the sight of o u r three
reds as they floated calmly t h r o u g h the dust a n d smoke. There w a s
s o m e t h i n g v e r y m e n a c i n g a n d ghostly i n their s m o o t h progress
t h r o u g h that inferno of f l y i n g earth a n d fumes. W h e n the b o m ­
b a r d m e n t o p e n e d , H a u s e r a n d I were standing together. A s s o o n
as the S.O.S. w e n t u p , I d r e w m y revolver a n d l o a d e d it. (Hauser
said afterwards that there w a s s o m e t h i n g v e r y a m u s i n g about the
c a l m w a y I d i d this—as if I was g o i n g to shoot the fellow w h o h a d
disturbed m y afternoon!) W e then b o t h w a i t e d , c r o u c h i n g d o w n to
see w h a t w o u l d h a p p e n . It was quite clear that o u r attack w a s
c o m i n g — a n d incidentally quite clear that the e n e m y h a d some
g u n s concentrated onto o u r little square. W h a t w a s not clear w a s
the a m o u n t of s u p p o r t w e were to h a v e f r o m o u r artillery.
A few m o m e n t s after o u r S.O.S. w e n t u p w e received o u r
answer. T h e British artillery o p e n e d u p v e r y p r o m p t l y , a n d d o w n
c a m e o u r barrage. W h a t its effect w a s w e d i d n ' t k n o w , but there
seemed to be m o r e guns than w e h a d h o p e d for. A l l at once w e
noticed a n e w s o u n d i n the crack! crack! of o u r guns. T h e r e seemed
to be a v e r y short, sharp, tinny k i n d of bark i n it. W e b o t h k n e w
w h a t that m e a n t — w e were s u p p o r t e d b y the F r e n c h artillery, a n d
the short cracks w e r e s i m p l y the famous F r e n c h 75's i n action.
T h e defensive barrage w a s a fine one, a n d , as w e h e a r d after­
w a r d s , it w a s responsible for v e r y h e a v y casualties to the e n e m y .
H a u s e r a n d I stood i n o u r trench a n d peered out into the d a r k ­
ness. W e were g i v i n g u p h o p e of d i s t i n g u i s h i n g a n y t h i n g w h e n
s u d d e n l y , quite close to us, w e saw m e n r u n n i n g . T h e y w e r e Brit­
ish troops apparently clearing out.
H a u s e r a n d I d r e w o u r revolvers a n d b a w l e d at them. T h e y
d i d n ' t hear us, of course, b u t they saw us a n d our revolvers a n d
s t o p p e d . P o o r f e l l o w s — t h e y were out i n front a n d h a d received n o
orders, a n d the w h o l e thing h a d b e c o m e too m u c h . I suppose they
106 WAR MEMOIRS

got a bit p a n i c k e d . A n y h o w , they settled d o w n v e r y cheerfully

w h e n w e m a d e t h e m stop, a n d the m o m e n t they h a d orders they
s e e m e d quite p r e p a r e d to stick where they were a n d fight it out.
T h e w h o l e of this time w e saw none of the infantry officers.
H a u s e r a n d I n o w b e g a n to w o n d e r w h a t to d o . It seemed i m p e r a ­
tive that w e s h o u l d get to our m e n . F o r m y part, as I said before, I
cared too little about the w h o l e business to m i n d the i d e a of get­
ting k i l l e d . T h i s , a n d , I think, a curious k i n d of excitement that
u s e d to c o m e over us i n action, c o m b i n e d to influence me. I told
H a u s e r that I thought the only thing w e c o u l d d o if w e were to be
a n y use at all was to get out of o u r place a n d get w i t h o u r m e n . H e
agreed. I m a y as w e l l say n o w that f r o m the p o i n t of v i e w of sheer
unadulterated l u n a c y w h a t followed was the m a d d e s t a n d m o s t
dangerous t h i n g I ever d i d . I must have been v e r y nearly m a d to
d o it. But I never thought more clearly i n m y life.
H a u s e r cleared off towards the left, a n d I w e n t to the right.
T h e trench c o m m u n i c a t i n g w i t h the firing line was obliterated, so I
c r a w l e d out o n m y stomach. It seemed v e r y u n l i k e l y that I s h o u l d
get to the front line, as, literally, the w h o l e earth seemed to be
g o i n g into the sky. F i n a l l y I d e c i d e d it w o u l d be just as safe a n d
rather quicker to w a l k . So I got u p a n d was p r o m p t l y k n o c k e d
d o w n b y concussion. In this w a y I s t u m b l e d o n a n d h a d nearly
reached the line w h e n I got c h u c k e d into a piece of trench. I d i d n ' t
feel h u r t m u c h a n d p i c k e d myself u p feeling rather d a z e d , to f i n d
I w a s i n the remains of the front line. I remember feeling v e r y
t r a p p e d a n d stuffy i n the trench. I h a d a l o n g i n g to w a l k a l o n g the
top so I c o u l d see w h a t was h a p p e n i n g . So I got out a n d w a l k e d
a l o n g the top till I saw our m e n . T h e y seemed v e r y b e w i l d e r e d b u t
w e r e sticking to their post a n d h a d everything ready to o p e n fire.
I can tell y o u I felt v e r y p r o u d of t h e m w h e n I saw this. O n e reason
that d e c i d e d H a u s e r a n d myself was the fear that o u r m e n m i g h t
lose their heads as the few infantry w e saw c o m i n g back h a d
done.
I d e c i d e d that the best thing to d o was to stand o n the top of
the trench a n d talk to them. It was a w i l d l y foolish thing to d o ,
b u t I felt quite clearly that at this time a little foolhardiness w o u l d
l o o k w e l l a n d w o u l d p a y out of all p r o p o r t i o n . T h e y seemed v e r y
cheery, a n d I pretended w e c o u l d knock the stuffing out of the
 DIARY 107

e n e m y , a n d so o n , a n d I then went o n ; I w a s k n o c k e d over once or

twice as I went, b u t fortunately the e n e m y shooting w a s n o t h i n g
like so concentrated here as it w a s o n o u r little square of trenches
at Section H . Q . I felt as if I w a s i n absolute safety c o m p a r e d w i t h
the o l d place. A s I w a l k e d o n , I w a t c h e d to see all I c o u l d , a n d I
saw that f r o m the e n e m y line they were s e n d i n g u p r e d over r e d
all d o w n the line except just to our right, a n d there they w e r e
s e n d i n g u p t w o greens. N o w , the idea w e were g i v e n w a s that two
reds meant ' h e l d u p ' a n d two greens meant 'all's w e l l ' . So it
seemed that the e n e m y h a d come to grief o n o u r barrage nearly
e v e r y w h e r e . But I d i d not like that place w i t h two greens.
I w e n t o n d o w n to the right, a n d n o w I became v e r y w o r r i e d ,
for f r o m m y right a n d b e h i n d m e a m a c h i n e - g u n w a s firing.
T h i s g u n ' s bullets were hitting u p the g r o u n d near the trench. T h i s
mystified m e completely. It seemed to m e a n that the e n e m y h a d
got r o u n d b e h i n d us after b r e a k i n g t h r o u g h our right.
A t about this same time I smelt a sweet nauseating scent i n the
shell gases. T h e e n e m y were u s i n g their blue-cross gas shells. I p u t
the mouthpiece of m y gas-mask between m y teeth a n d breathed
t h r o u g h that. I d i d n ' t bother to p u t the m a s k right o n as the gas
w a s not v e r y strong a n d I w a n t e d to see as clearly as I c o u l d .
A t last I reached the 3 r d g u n . T h e y were v e r y w e l l off as the
sandbags protected t h e m v e r y w e l l a n d their defences were really
s o u n d . I talked to t h e m as I h a d to the others a n d went o n to the
right. I f o u n d this crew also v e r y cheery but somewhat anxious
about the m a c h i n e - g u n b e h i n d . I assured t h e m it was one of o u r
o w n d o i n g ' o v e r h e a d ' fire a n d explained that it w a s quite capable
of a i m i n g as b a d l y as that. A l t h o u g h I wasn't quite so confident
about it, I felt this was p r o b a b l y right as the g u n s o u n d e d too fast
for a G e r m a n . A f t e r w a r d s I discovered it was one of ours. T o m a k e
sure that all was w e l l , I crossed the r a i l w a y a n d s p o k e to the
Cheshires. T h e i r sergeant w a s v e r y w o r r i e d at m y s t a n d i n g o n top
of the trench. I talked some time to t h e m a n d assured t h e m m y
g u n s w e r e g o o d to stop d e a d any e n e m y attack, a n d i n the e n d
they assured m e they h a d l i c k e d the e n e m y before a n d w o u l d d o it
a g a i n n o w — s o I w e n t back to the 3 r d L e w i s g u n crew!
T o m y intense relief I n o w saw the two reds g o i n g u p all a l o n g
the e n e m y line. A l t h o u g h it was b y n o means certain that w e k n e w
the real m e a n i n g of these signals, yet I c l u n g to the belief that t w o
108 WAR MEMOIRS

reds meant failure. It is curious h o w one h o p e d for the best w h e n

one h a d the chance.
Unfortunately their failure meant the increase of their artillery
o n o u r line, a n d u p w e n t the earth m o r e than ever. I w e n t back to
the 2 n d g u n a n d talked to them some time. I then w e n t o n to see
h o w H a u s e r was getting o n o n the left. T h e shells were n o w break­
i n g u p lots of trenches. I f o u n d h i m w i t h the 1st g u n . H e h a d
s t o p p e d there as they were rather shaken u p ; they h a d h a d their
emplacement k n o c k e d to bits a n d their crew c o m m a n d e r C p l .
S m i t h k i l l e d right at the start. I exchanged notes w i t h H a u s e r , a n d
he came to the conclusion everything was g o i n g w e l l . I then w e n t
back to the 3 r d crew. I l o o k e d at m y w a t c h a n d f o u n d it was 10.30
p . m . So w e h a d h a d 4 /£ hours of it!
x

F r o m n o w o n the e n e m y fire d i e d d o w n , but far o n our right

the artillery kept at it h a m m e r a n d tongs. W e gave u p all h o p e of
b e i n g relieved that night as it seemed that it w o u l d be u n l i k e l y that
the F r e n c h w o u l d come u p u n d e r s u c h fire.
B u t they came after all. T h e y took over o u r line i n v e r y great
strength—at least 20 m e n to every one of ours. T h e y m a n n e d a
front line a n d s u p p o r t a n d seemed to d o everything i n the most
h a p h a z a r d w a y imaginable. A l l the same, they h a d those trenches
m a n n e d w i t h the least fuss a n d b a d e us g o o d n i g h t w i t h cheery
assurances that they w o u l d h o l d the line for ever. W e left t h e m
w i t h o u r blessing a n d departed w e a r y b u t v e r y pleased to be
going!
D u r i n g all this time A a n d C C o m p a n i e s h a d h a d their share of
fighting a n d h a d b o t h d o n e v e r y w e l l . Gatehouse, o u r o l d c o m ­
p a n y second i n c o m m a n d , w h o n o w h a d C C o m p a n y , d i d not
a l l o w that fact to pass unnoticed. F r o m this time o n the w a r be­
came p u r e l y a fight for decoration as far as he w a s concerned. N o t
a shell burst but one of C C o m p a n y officers h a d d o n e s o m e t h i n g
w o r t h a V . C . , a n d of course a c o m p a n y w i t h s u c h a gallant p e r s o n ­
n e l w a s b o u n d to reflect great credit o n the O . C . C o m p a n y . T h u s
b y degrees our c o m m a n d e r s learnt to write the c o n v i n c i n g r e c o m ­
m e n d a t i o n a n d h o p e d that their little essays w o u l d be duly
rewarded.
W h e n w e came out of the line, w e f o u n d the remains of A a n d
C i n c a m p already. O u r gallant colonel also reappeared a n d , like
 DIARY 109

the albatross, w a s w e l c o m e d as a sign of fair weather as far as

fighting was concerned. In fact it w a s n o w clear that the battalion
w a s g o i n g for a l o n g rest a n d was to d r a w tanks before it re­
a p p e a r e d to fight.
T h e u s u a l w r a n g l i n g broke out, a n d some of it touched o u r
c o m p a n y v e r y seriously. Since Bargate h a d d i s a p p e a r e d , C o o k ,
o u r s e c o n d i n c o m m a n d , h a d taken over the c o m p a n y a n d h a d
b e e n c o n f i r m e d as M a j o r b y H a n k e y o u r Brigadier. But C o o k w a s
v e r y junior a n d w a s hated for this. People began to p u l l strings,
a n d at last C o o k f o u n d that the higher p o w e r s refused to p r o m o t e
h i m o n account of his junior standing. Instead, they p r o m o t e d one
of the malcontents f r o m A C o m p a n y — o n e n a m e d A i t c h e s .
N o w , whatever faults C o o k h a d — a n d b e i n g h u m a n he h a d
m a n y — h e w a s at least competent, a n d he d i d d o his job fairly w e l l ,
e v e n i n action w h e n he w a s assuredly a funk. A l s o , he c o u l d be
trusted. H e d i d not treat y o u as a b a d lot w i t h o u t first telling y o u
he thought y o u were one. A i t c h e s , o n the other h a n d , w a s just a n
o r d i n a r y b l a c k g u a r d w i t h rather more than a n o r d i n a r y black­
g u a r d ' s share of cowardice. In E n g l a n d I h a d thought h i m rather
a c h a r m i n g a n d pleasant fellow. But i n France his reputation h a d
g r o w n steadily worse. H e tried to c u r r y favour w i t h everyone a n d
failed to g a i n favour a n y w h e r e . H i s b e h a v i o u r at L e H a v r e , w h e r e
h e h a d w o r n a S a m B r o w n e [officer's h e a v y leather belt w i t h
s h o u l d e r strap] l o a d e d w i t h the brightly p o l i s h e d partridges of
a n automatic revolver, m u s t have i m p r e s s e d the ladies as that of
the true soldier. But i n the battalion, where rather m o r e was d e ­
m a n d e d than the mere o u t w a r d s h o w , he failed to impress. It w a s
d i s c o v e r e d that h e w o r e b o d y a r m o u r u n d e r his tunic w h e n he
w a s still forty miles f r o m the line. W h a t he d i d w h e n he reached
the line w a s never quite clear. But b y 1918 his n a m e w a s a l e g e n d
i n the battalion for e v e r y t h i n g contemptible.
It w a s to this creature, w h o h a d p u t u p a n importunate w a i l
over C o o k ' s p r o m o t i o n , that the H i g h e r p o w e r s entrusted the lives
of a c o m p a n y of officers a n d m e n . T h e y disregarded the o p i n i o n of
the Brigadier a n d all other ranks w h o h a d met h i m a n d were best
q u a l i f i e d to k n o w his virtues, a n d thrust the c r o w n u p o n h i m . T h e
best c o m m e n t o n the p r o m o t i o n that I h e a r d w a s m a d e b y one of
the m e n w h o p a r o d i e d the h y m n a n d was h e a r d g o i n g off mutter­
110 WAR MEMOIRS

i n g , ' O h G o d , our h e l p ' — a n d then w i t h tremendous e m p h a s i s — ' i n

A i t c h e s past!'* P o o r fellow! I suppose really there were m a n y re­
d e e m i n g features i n his character. H e was always w i l l i n g to talk
about the Lanchester motor c o m p a n y if he felt y o u were b o r e d a n d
w a n t e d cheering u p .
T h e d a y after w e were relieved, w e h e a r d definitely that w e
w e r e to go back a n d d r a w tanks. T h i s w e d i d after the delay of a
couple of days. D u r i n g this time w e were v e r y comfortably off. T h e
e n e m y w e r e h e l d , a n d m a n y more troops h a d come u p . W e h a d a
little b o m b i n g a n d a little shelling. O n e shell decapitated the best
C o m p a n y C o m m a n d e r w e h a d a n d k i l l e d two other officers. T h i s
fellow, the O . C . A C o m p a n y , h a d o n l y just a r r i v e d w i t h the battal­
i o n . F r o m all accounts he was a really g o o d chap.
I d o not i n t e n d n o w to give y o u any details of our life u n t i l
A u g u s t (see F i g u r e 33). F r o m M a y 14th, w h e n w e left B e l g i u m ,
u n t i l A u g u s t 4th v e r y little h a p p e n e d that y o u can't fill i n for
yourself. W e d r e w n e w tanks a n d went u p to Berle a u B o i s — a
place s o u t h of A r r a s a n d three miles b e h i n d the front line. H e r e w e
w e r e i n the 6th C o r p s area a n d i n s u p p o r t of the G u a r d s D i v i s i o n .
T h e r e w e r e continual alarms of enemy attacks a n d a fair a m o u n t
of shelling. T h i s v e r y m u c h disturbed p o o r Aitches, w h o shifted
his tent nearly every other d a y u n d e r the f i r m conviction that
the e n e m y were t r y i n g to hit h i m . H e d i d no h a r m , a n d it kept the
troops a m u s e d .
I h a d quite a g o o d time as I was sent off for l o n g journeys b y
car to lecture to various a r m y schools. I went once to the 6th C o r p s
school, w h i c h w a s c o m m a n d e d b y a colonel of the Irish G u a r d s .
H e t o l d m e C a m p b e l l — t h e great bayonet fighting m a n — h a d b e e n
there lecturing the previous week. I w a s v e r y w o r r i e d to h a v e to
lecture after so famous a lecturer a n d felt that the w h o l e thing
w o u l d fall rather flat. But at the e n d the C O . told m e it was just the
k i n d of t h i n g that was w a n t e d . Some time later I met a n officer
f r o m that school, a n d he told me the colonel s a i d it was the best
lecture he ever h e a r d , w h i c h remark I felt to be extremely flatter­
ing!

* ' O h G o d , our help i n ages past, our hope for years to c o m e . . . ' : Isaac
Watts (1674-1748).
 Figure 33
Our position in relation to the rest of the British Front, June-July '18.
112 WAR MEMOIRS

W e w e r e n o w u s i n g a n e w pattern t a n k — t h e M a r k V R i c a r d o .
It w a s a w o n d e r f u l m a c h i n e a n d a great i m p r o v e m e n t o n the ones
w e h a d hitherto u s e d . T h e engine w a s far m o r e p o w e r f u l , a n d the
steering w a s s i m p l i c i t y itself: y o u merely p u l l e d u p a lever o n
the right of the d r i v e r ' s seat if y o u w i s h e d to go right, a n d to the
left if y o u w i s h e d to go left. T h i s w a s d o n e b y means of the e p i ­
cyclic gearing, w h i c h lay between the gears p r o p e r a n d the track.
T h e tank, h o w e v e r , h a d its disadvantages: sometimes the gears
for steering w o u l d slip a n d so n o p o w e r w o u l d be transmitted to
the track. (I w i l l not enter into a technical d e s c r i p t i o n , w h i c h
w o u l d take far too m u c h explanation). T h e tanks w e r e far hotter
t h a n the o l d ones a n d gave off a p o i s o n o u s g a s — p o s s i b l y c a r b o n
m o n o x i d e . B u t these defects w i l l , I think, become clear as w e g o o n .
T h e battalion as a w h o l e w a s i n g o o d state. T h e p r o l o n g e d rest
at Berle a u Bois b u c k e d us u p . O u r nearness to the line p r e v e n t e d
the o n c o m i n g of that weakness w h i c h always g r o w s i n great
safety. W e felt sure of g o o d infantry s u p p o r t i n case of a c t i o n — t h e
G u a r d s D i v i s i o n h a d a n a m e y o u c o u l d conjure w i t h . F i n a l l y w e
h a d h a d e n o u g h testing time for o u r tanks to s h o w us their g o o d
qualities. T h e i r great superiority to the o l d type m a d e us feel v e r y
m u c h m o r e confident. T h e c o m p a n y was w e l l satisfied as C o o k r a n
C o m p a n y H . Q . v e r y w e l l i n d e e d . H e was virtually C o m p a n y C o m ­
m a n d e r , a n d he d i d his job w e l l . M y section w a s g o o d . I h a d Sergt.
O ' T o o l e as section sergeant, a n d C p l . H a y l e r as section c o r p o r a l .
A s y o u c a n i m a g i n e , I b a c k e d these two for a n y t h i n g . L/Cpl
H a r r i s o n , Q u a i n t o n ' s o l d d r i v e r , w a s also i n the section.
F o r officers I w a s also w e l l off. M y second i n c o m m a n d w a s a
w e l l - m e a n i n g b u t hopeless ass called C a r t w r i g h t . I a m afraid I w a s
v e r y d o w n o n h i m , b u t one was far too harassed to tolerate a b a d
s e c o n d i n c o m m a n d i n those times. I tried h i m a l o n g time a n d
finally gave h i m u p as hopeless, a n d A s s e r w a s m a d e s e c o n d i n
c o m m a n d i n his place. A s s e r was a y o u n g fellow of 19%. H e h a d
n o t b e e n i n action before a n d w a s v e r y k e e n a n d enthusiastic. H e
w a s v e r y useful to m e i n d e e d a n d practically anticipated one's
orders. H e c o u l d be relied o n to the last a n d w a s a l w a y s cheerful,
h o w e v e r h a r d the circumstances. H e was the most l o y a l fellow I
ever h a d u n d e r m e .
T h e third officer was R o b i n s o n . H e w a s slightly built a n d not
v e r y strong. H e h a d been i n the infantry, w h e r e he was w o u n d e d ,
 DIARY 113

a n d w o n the M i l i t a r y M e d a l . H i s nerves were too far gone for h i m

to b e a n y real use, a n d his p h y s i q u e w a s not strong e n o u g h to let
h i m stand the strain of a n y real tank w o r k . B u t he w a s a g o o d
fellow a n d d i d all he c o u l d to d o his job p r o p e r l y .
I w a s n o w a captain w i t h seniority f r o m M a r c h 21st—one of the
m o s t senior captains i n the battalion. T h e section comanders i n
the c o m p a n y were H a u s e r , Johnson a n d R o b i n s o n . R o b i n s o n — a n
A m e r i c a n , as I said b e f o r e — h a d so far this year been e a r - m a r k e d
as a nucleus m a n . N o sooner h a d he rejoined us after the N o r t h e r n
s h o w than he started talking. Unfortunately he o v e r d i d it. H e w a s
o v e r - c a n d i d to A i t c h e s , a n d the w o r m t u r n e d . R o b i n s o n trans­
ferred his activities elsewhere after a court of i n q u i r y w h i c h almost
let h i m i n for a court martial.
H i s section w a s g i v e n to a n a w f u l l y g o o d chap n a m e d W h y t e .
H e h a d been i n C C o m p a n y a n d w o n the M . C . i n the M a r c h retreat.
H e w a s v e r y efficient, quiet a n d reserved. I think he w a s aged
about 20.
T h e hopes of continued rest w e r e b e c o m i n g faint. It seemed
incredible that the e n e m y w o u l d be passive m u c h longer. A t last
o n J u l y 15th he broke t h r o u g h i n C h a m p a g n e . I n e e d not describe
the subsequent F r e n c h counter-attack, as y o u k n o w as m u c h of it
as I d o . O n l y it h a p p e n e d that I k n e w of the m o v e m e n t of the 51st
D i v i s i o n to that sector a n d w a s p r e p a r e d for some of w h a t h a p ­
p e n e d . T h e effect of the F r e n c h victory was v e r y great o n us a n d , I
expect, o n the w h o l e British a r m y . W e felt that all w a s w e l l at last.
A l l the time w e were at Berle a u Bois, our battalion h a d b e e n
r e a d y for action at a m o m e n t ' s notice. A t m i d d a y o n A u g u s t 4th a
m e e t i n g of officers was called at C o m p a n y H . Q .
A t that meeting w e w e r e i n f o r m e d that o u r tanks m u s t be
ready to leave for a n u n k n o w n destination at 6 p . m . If asked w h e r e
w e were g o i n g , w e w e r e to answer that w e w e r e off for a practice
r u n . T h i s excuse w o u l d satisfy most troops v e r y w e l l , as w e h a d
often b e e n for them. T h e surprise w o u l d come w h e n they f o u n d
w e h a d not r e t u r n e d , a n d I felt particularly sorry for p o o r o l d
Sargent,* w h o w a s p a i n t i n g a picture of o u r tanks a n d h a d said he
w a s c o m i n g once m o r e ! A s y o u k n o w , he finished it, a n d I h a v e
since seen it.

*John Singer Sargent, painter (1856-1925).

114 WAR MEMOIRS

A t 6 p . m . I p a r a d e d the section. W e p a c k e d our c a m p a n d

m o v e d off at 6.30 p . m . — t h e time a p p o i n t e d for m y section. W i t h
A s s e r ' s help I h a d all arrangements w o r k i n g absolutely s m o o t h l y .
W e d r o v e to a w o o d s o m e five miles back a n d reached it w i t h ­
out m i s h a p b y 10 p . m . — a v e r y great change f r o m the o l d business!
W e then covered o u r tank tracks i n the m u d b y b r u s h i n g t h e m
over the w h o l e distance (to hide our movements f r o m e n e m y aero­
plane photography) a n d turned i n i n our i m p r o v i s e d quarters b y
midnight.
T h e next d a y w a s spent i n cleaning u p a n d fitting out o u r tanks
so that everything was as near perfection as possible. F o r there was
n o d o u b t at all that w e were i n for action. N e a r o u r c a m p was the
6th C o r p s Officers C l u b a n d E . F . C . T h i s was a v e r y fine club a n d
v e r y g o o d meals. O u r c o m p a n y d e c i d e d to go a n d h a v e a jolly
g o o d d i n n e r there that night, as it was our last chance for s o m e
time p r o b a b l y . W e collected k i n d r e d spirits i n A a n d C , a n d , after
all o u r w o r k was d o n e a n d the m e n were settled for the night, w e
set out. W e o n l y h a d to go across a couple of fields.
W e h a d a v e r y pleasant evening. T h e food was v e r y g o o d a n d
there w a s a b a n d p l a y i n g . W e h a d v e r y g o o d w i n e a n d e n d e d u p
w i t h g o o d cigars a n d a liqueur. It was rather s o l e m n to think of
w h a t w a s c o m i n g , as w e sat a n d listened to the b a n d . I think w e all
felt relieved rather than anxious, for n o w at last o u r time to attack
h a d come a n d the months of w a i t i n g were over.
W e sat a n d s m o k e d a n d talked till late, for w e were determined
to m a k e the best of our l u x u r y w h i l e it lasted. A t last w e w e n t out
into the c o l d starlight night a n d returned to c a m p to sleep.
T h e next d a y w e p u s h e d i n our tank sponsons a n d p r e p a r e d for
our trek. W e were to m o v e off to Santy to entrain at 4 p . m . , as w e
w e r e far e n o u g h b e h i n d the front line to m o v e i n d a y l i g h t w i t h o u t
g i v i n g the e n e m y m u c h indication of our movements. W e m i g h t
s i m p l y be entraining for a n o r d i n a r y relief. T h e train journey w a s ,
of course, m a d e at night. I propose o n l y to t o u c h n o w o n the
m a i n facts. Y o u m u s t fill i n the detail f r o m w h a t I h a v e s a i d
before. W h a t I w a n t y o u to note carefully are these two p o i n t s — t h e
extraordinarily short h o u r s of rest w e h a d (with consequent
exhaustion of personnel) a n d the absolutely vital n e e d for secrecy.
If y o u w i l l keep these two points i n m i n d a n d realize h o w they
acted o n one another, y o u w i l l get s o m e idea of the t r e m e n d o u s
 DIARY 115

strain that w a s p u t o n us all, a n d m o r e particularly o n those of us

i n authority.
H e r e are the facts. W e entrained a n d h a d e v e r y t h i n g d o n e b y 6
p . m . A t 8 p . m . the train m o v e d out w i t h officers a n d m e n l y i n g o n
the o p e n trucks u n d e r their tanks (for protection f r o m the n i g h t
air). A t m i d n i g h t w e a r r i v e d at our d e t r a i n i n g point. W e detrained
a n d d r o v e o u r tanks to a w o o d two miles off. T h e R . T . O . [Railway
T r a n s p o r t Officer] at the station told m e w e w e r e the second tank
battalion to detrain that night. It w a s m o r e than ever clear that
s o m e t h i n g v e r y b i g was c o m i n g . W e covered o u r tank tracks a n d
m a d e s n u g at about 5 a m . A t 9 a.m. w e h a d our m e a l a n d t u n e d u p
o u r engines. W e p u s h e d out o u r sponsons a n d cleaned all guns.
It w a s n o w about 8 p . m . o n A u g u s t 6th. A t d u s k w e m o v e d off
a g a i n a n d trekked about six miles. T h i s was a v e r y b i g business: n o
lights c o u l d be u s e d , a n d the only thing w e k n e w was that w e were
near A m i e n s ; it was p o u r i n g r a i n ; a large n u m b e r of m e n fainted
off t h r o u g h fumes, a n d here m y C a m b r a i experience came i n use­
ful a n d I p u t straight a g o o d m a n y m e n f r o m other corps as w e l l as
o u r o w n . W e u s e d all o u r m e n v e r y h a r d as w e m a d e t h e m cover
o u r tracks as w e went. O n e or two tanks broke d o w n just before
d a w n a n d caused fearful anxiety as the w h o l e s h o w w o u l d be
g i v e n a w a y if a tank w a s seen b y a n e n e m y aeroplane. Fortunately
the p o u r i n g r a i n s t o p p e d the e n e m y c o m i n g . But i n case of acci­
dents w e h a d a p o w e r f u l s q u a d r o n i n the air the w h o l e time. T h e i r
orders w e r e that n o e n e m y aeroplane was ever to get back to its
lines. In the e n d all the tanks of our c o m p a n y were i n b y 5 a.m.,
a n d the stray tanks of other companies got i n w i t h o u t observation.
It w a s n o w the m o r n i n g of A u g u s t 7th. O r d e r s were issued that
the m e n w e r e not to t u r n i n . T h e y w e r e at once set to cleaning u p
a n d greasing. T h e safety clips f r o m the shells w e r e r e m o v e d , a n d
all the S . A . A . [small arms a m m u n i t i o n ] w a s ' s i z e d ' for the L e w i s
g u n s . (This is d o n e b y d r o p p i n g each r o u n d into the g u n barrel
a n d f l i c k i n g it out again.) M y tanks h a d d o n e this a n y h o w , so all
w a s w e l l . B y the time the job w a s done, breakfast w a s r e a d y , a n d
the c a m p t u r n e d i n to sleep at 10 a.m.
T h i s unfortunately d i d not a p p l y to section c o m m a n d e r s . I w a s
first s u m m o n e d to Battalion H . Q . a n d told briefly that m y section
w a s to operate o n the extreme right of the British A r m y for the start
of the battle a n d was then to shift a little further to the right a n d
 116 WAR MEMOIRS

operate w i t h the F r e n c h . I then returned to C . H . Q . , a n d here I w a s

g i v e n detailed orders. T h e general p l a n was as follows. T h e allies
w e r e about to b e g i n their great offensive battles. A s a p r e l i m i n a r y
the 4th British A r m y a n d the 1st F r e n c h A r m y , u n d e r the p e r s o n a l
c o m m a n d of Sir D o u g l a s H a i g , w e r e to clear A m i e n s (see d i a g r a m ,
F i g u r e 34). B C o m p a n y were to b e o n the extreme right o f the
4th A r m y . N o . 8 Section were to keep i n the British zone u n t i l the
armies reached the A m i e n s - R o y e r o a d , a n d then 8 Section w e r e to
keep o n the right of the r o a d a n d help the F r e n c h to take V i l l e r s ­
aux-Erables. A C o m p a n y w o u l d r e m a i n o n the final objective line,
a n d the attack w o u l d then be carried o n b y the 1st T a n k Battalion.
O p p o s i t i o n w o u l d be stiff as the e n e m y were concentrated there
r e a d y to attack. W e were then issued w i t h barrage m a p s a n d o r d i ­
n a r y m a p s a n d told details of the terrain. T h e obstacle of the R i v e r
L u c e was greatly feared. T h e section c o m m a n d e r s were g i v e n g o o d
air reconnaissance photographs and dismissed with Aitches'
blessing. W e h a d one n e w thing to think over, a n d that was the
[German] A n t i - T a n k rifle (Figure 35). T h i s w e a p o n fired bullets

^i^j^mMii^^ German front line

French front line

British front line

Boundary line between attacking French and British Army zones

imitirWffti§&* Final objective of 5th Tank Battalion

Figure 34
 Figure 35
German anti-tank rifle compared with the British Infantry Rifle. It was
really, as you see, simply a huge rifle firing very big armour-piercing
bullets. It was fired on a tripod.
 DIARY 119

that c o u l d pierce o u r a r m o u r , a n d w e h a d apparently n o answer.

But i n the e n d , it t u r n e d out, w e were saved b y the e n e m y morale.
T h e y c o u l d not see that they w e r e d o i n g any d a m a g e , for if one
m a n w a s hit, the next one carried o n . But the biggest argument w a s
the fact that n o one likes to see a tank s u d d e n l y l o o m out of the
mist, a n d y o u can see f r o m the photo (Figure 36) that it is not a n
e n c o u r a g i n g sight f r o m the f r o n t — w h i c h is the e n e m y ' s v i e w .
M y job w a s not yet over, h o w e v e r . I was to meet M a j o r
H o t b l a c k f r o m the T a n k C o r p s staff, a n d he w o u l d take m e to the
F r e n c h D i v i s i o n a l H . Q . to finish off arrangements for V i l l e r s - a u x -
Erables a n d to look over the country. H o t b l a c k is a m a n w i t h a
reputation. H e is k n o w n throughout the British A r m y for coolness
a n d p l u c k . H e has the D . S . O . a n d bar a n d about five other d e c o r a ­
tions. H e h a d spent a lot of his time b e h i n d the e n e m y lines as a
s p y a n d w a s d r o p p e d there occasionally b y British aeroplanes.
W e set out at 11 a.m. a n d w e n t over v e r y h e a v y c o u n t r y for
about four miles. W e then reached F r e n c h H . Q . at about 12.30 a n d
spent twenty minutes s h r u g g i n g our shoulders, s p r e a d i n g out
o u r h a n d s a n d s m i l i n g like a p a r t y of d e a f - a n d - d u m b lunatics. I
w a s too tired to care m u c h or k n o w m u c h .
H o t b l a c k a n d I t h e n went over the L u c e b y a v e r y rickety a n d
s m a s h e d b r i d g e a n d c r a w l e d about o n o u r stomachs i n the l o n g
grass i n front of the F r e n c h position. A t the e n d I h a d a v e r y clear
i d e a of o u r route f r o m b e h i n d the F r e n c h lines to the British lines.
T h e weather h a d n o w t u r n e d hot a n d fine. O n e t h i n g resulted
at once f r o m o u r reconnaissance. It was clear that the b r i d g e A
(Figure 37) w o u l d have to be seen to a n d b u i l t u p before a n y tank
c o u l d cross it. It w a s d e c i d e d that I h a d better d o it. So I w a s finally
o r d e r e d to let A s s e r b r i n g o n m y section i n the e v e n i n g w h i l e I
w e n t ahead a n d s a w to the job.
W h e n I got back to c a m p , I gave m y tank c o m m a n d e r s all the
i n f o r m a t i o n I k n e w a n d a g o o d deal of advice that I h a d learned b y

Figure 36
Front view of a tank crossing a trench. This gives a good idea of your
observation from the tank and the enemy's observation from the ground.
Under M.G. fire the right-hand flap of the tank would be closed—thus
giving less observation still.
120 WAR MEMOIRS

practical experience. Especially I w a r n e d them that if a m a c h i n e ­

g u n o p e n e d fire o n the tank a n d sparks started f l y i n g off so as to
m a k e observation impossible, the only t h i n g to d o was to shut all
observation holes a n d steer the tank so that the sparks flew off i n
front of the officer's a n d d r i v e r ' s seats. B y this means y o u e n s u r e d
p u t t i n g the m a c h i n e - g u n out, for y o u k n e w y o u m u s t be d r i v i n g
straight o n to it. T h e tanks were to set out at 9 p . m .
A t 3.30 I h a d some M a c o n o c h i e stew a n d tea a n d t u r n e d i n . I
d i d n ' t sleep, of course. I s i m p l y watched the sky g r o w darker a n d
w i s h e d i n a d u l l k i n d of w a y that I c o u l d be s p e n d i n g that night
between clean sheets a n d u n d e r a decent roof.
A t 6 p . m . I got u p a n d p u t o n m y S a m B r o w n e . I p i c k e d u p m y
h e a v y w a l k i n g - s t i c k (I h a d g i v e n u p c a r r y i n g a revolver i n action
n o w ) a n d w a l k e d out. I saw A s s e r before I left.
I reached the b r i d g e at A (Figure 37) a n d f o u n d a party of m e n
f r o m a pioneer battalion already there. I told them w h a t to d o a n d
sat o n the parapet of the b r i d g e , p u f f i n g m y p i p e . I d i d not like the
job for these reasons. T h e F r e n c h h a d told m e the Boche shelled the
b r i d g e w i t h absolute regularity every evening. A t 9 p . m . our tanks
w o u l d set out, a n d the s o u n d of their engines c o u l d be v e r y clearly
h e a r d . Therefore, e v e n s u p p o s i n g the e n e m y d i d not d o his o r d i ­
n a r y e v e n i n g strafe, it was m o r e than likely that he w o u l d o p e n
harassing fire o n the bridge a n d roads as s o o n as he h e a r d u n u s u a l
m o v e m e n t s b e h i n d o u r line. O u r o n l y protection lay i n the fact
that a n attempt w a s b e i n g m a d e to screen the noise of o u r engines
b y f l y i n g H a n d l e y Page aeroplanes. These m a k e a noise v e r y like
tanks, so w e h o p e d the e n e m y w o u l d see t h e m a n d think they
w e r e responsible for the noise.
These considerations a n d the anxiety of m y job rather c r u s h e d
m e . I sat still a n d felt n u m b e d w i t h a n almost p h y s i c a l p a i n , w h i c h
s e e m e d to m a k e m o v e m e n t difficult. A t last 9 p . m . came, a n d I
h e a r d o u r tanks, five miles a w a y , starting u p . I d i d n ' t realize that
m y ear w a s w e l l trained to their noise a n d that I was alert a n d
expecting to hear it. It merely seemed incredible to m e that the
e n e m y c o u l d not hear it.
B u t the m i r a c u l o u s h a p p e n e d . T h e e n e m y d i d not shell that
b r i d g e till every tank h a d crossed it.
W h e n the job w a s finished, I w e n t back to meet o u r tanks,
w h i c h w e r e n o w d r a w i n g near. T h e y were n o w so near the line
 Figure 37

A u g u s t 8th, B a t t l e o f A m i e n s .
122 WAR MEMOIRS

that it w a s impossible to r i m the engines at h i g h p o w e r w i t h o u t

m a k i n g discovery a certainty. A l l were p u t into l o w gear, a n d the
rate of progression w a s 19 y a r d s to the minute.
It is impossible to convey any idea of the strain this p u t o n us
all. W e w a l k e d s l o w l y i n front of the tanks a n d w a i t e d for shells.
T h e strain h a d a v e r y curious effect; I felt that all anxiety h a d
become too m u c h ; I felt just like a s m a l l c h i l d that has h a d rather a
tearful d a y a n d wants to be p u t to b e d b y it^ mother; I felt c u r i ­
o u s l y eased b y l y i n g d o w n o n the bank b y the side of the r o a d , just
as if I was l y i n g peacefully i n someone's arms.
I went to the back of the c o l u m n a n d talked to Asser. A s w e
w e n t past F r e n c h H . Q . , I went i n a n d collected a couple of ex­
tremely t i r e d - l o o k i n g pigeons w i t h w h i c h to*send back i n f o r m a ­
tion to the F r e n c h . Whether they ever took a message back or not
I d o n ' t k n o w . W h e n I did release them, they l o o k e d m o r e like
m a k i n g a separate peace w i t h the e n e m y than a n y t h i n g else.
T h e w h o l e c o m p a n y crossed the bridge all right, a n d that w a s
one l o a d off m y m i n d . N o sooner w a s this d o n e , h o w e v e r , than
another stunt was p u t o n me. Frantic appeals for help came f r o m
A i t c h e s u p i n front. H e h a d d o n e n o reconnaissance, a n d Carter
h a d been far too b u s y drafting a n d issuing m a p s to get u p to the
line to d o it. T h e y h a d gone to the village a n d were not sure of the
w a y as a v e r y thick fog h a d arisen f r o m the R i v e r L u c e a n d h i d d e n
everything. I therefore p o i n t e d out to Aitches the w a y r o u n d b y
the r o a d . Unfortunately some tanks took the w r o n g route a n d
w e n t into a s w a m p against w h i c h I h a d w a r n e d Aitches. T h e y got
out v e r y late a n d after great h a r d w o r k .
After this m i s h a p I went i n front w i t h Aitches a n d Carter, a n d
w e w o r k e d o u r w a y f o r w a r d t h r o u g h the mist b y w h a t I k n e w of
the l a n d i n daylight. T h e r e was always the chance of getting too
near the river a n d thus d i t c h i n g all our tanks, a n d there was every
l i k e l i h o o d that w e s h o u l d not e n d u p opposite our a p p o i n t e d p o s i ­
tion. It w a s a v e r y great responsibility, a n d I hated s h o u l d e r i n g i t
A i t c h e s s h o u l d have done it, a n d he was m a d e a major precisely i n
order to take o n these responsibilities. W h e n w e h a d gone far
e n o u g h , as I thought, w e stopped a n d turned our tanks facing the
front (the section positions are m a r k e d b y a r r o w h e a d s i n F i g u r e
37). A s it t u r n e d out subsequently, these positions w e r e correct.
 DIARY 123

We s w i t c h e d off o u r engines a n d w a i t e d for zero. A t five

minutes to zero h o u r I o r d e r e d the crews of m y section into their
tanks a n d told t h e m to start u p . T h e r e was o n l y one comment: the
section w a g called out, ' T h o s e gentlemen w a n t i n g to go h o m e to
E n g l a n d o n leave fall i n here w i t h m e /
A t this m o m e n t w e saw d i m l y the figure of a British officer
f l y i n g past. ' G o o d l u c k y o u fellows! G o o d l u c k ! ' , it y e l l e d , a n d
d i s a p p e a r e d into the mist. It w a s Aitches g o i n g off back into safety.
H e w a s t a k i n g n o risks of b e i n g caught i n the barrage!
A t a m i n u t e to zero I o r d e r e d o u r tanks f o r w a r d . A s H a u s e r
a n d I stood together, w e c o u l d hear the h e a v y d r o n e of the tanks
for miles t h r o u g h the still night. T h e tanks all a l o n g the front h a d
c o m m e n c e d to m o v e f o r w a r d a n d o u r time h a d come.
H a u s e r a n d I w a l k e d f o r w a r d as nonchalantly as possible. B y
the time w e reached a n d crossed our front-line trenches, o u r
barrage w o u l d have opened. A t the m o m e n t the air was h e a v y w i t h
the deep d r o n e of h u n d r e d s of tanks, b u t there w a s n o other noise.
T h e n s u d d e n l y our barrage o p e n e d . O u r guns were firing f r o m
h i g h g r o u n d b e h i n d us, a n d as w e l o o k e d back the mist was
p i e r c e d w i t h g u n flashes a n d l o o k e d like a w a l l of fire. T h e earth
s h o o k as w e w a l k e d . B e h i n d us w e h e a r d the fierce crackling of
o u r guns like a great bonfire, a n d o v e r h e a d the shells w a i l e d a n d
s c r e a m e d — t h e same fearful tornado as ever. W e h a d b e e n p r o m ­
ised terrific gunfire, a n d this w a s it. O u r artillery w a s i n absolutely
o v e r w h e l m i n g strength, a n d it seemed incredible that the e n e m y
c o u l d live t h r o u g h o u r b o m b a r d m e n t .
A s w e w a l k e d o n , the air g r e w darker, for the British artillery
were firing s m o k e shells to screen the tank advance a n d the s m o k e
w a s b l o w i n g o n to us.
We wondered where the e n e m y barrage w o u l d fall and
whether w e s h o u l d get caught i n it. But his guns still r e m a i n e d
silent. T h e noise of o u r guns became w o r r y i n g a n d exasperating.
W h y o n earth d i d n ' t the e n e m y fire a n d e n d our anxiety?
S u d d e n l y I saw that one of o u r tanks i n front h a d s t o p p e d . W e
w e n t f o r w a r d a n d f o u n d it w a s A s s e r ' s tank. H i s petrol feed
(Autovac) h a d g i v e n out. It was impossible to i m a g i n e a n y t h i n g
w o r s e . There he w a s , stuck—just w h e r e the e n e m y guns m i g h t
d r o p their barrage. A s w e stood a n d waited for h i m to go o n ,
 124 WAR MEMOIRS

s u d d e n l y there was a roar a n d a flash a n d great clods of earth fell

all over us. T h e e n e m y barrage h a d o p e n e d .
It w a s n o w only two minutes since our barrage o p e n e d , a n d it
s e e m e d like years. A t this m o m e n t A s s e r b a w l e d out, ' A l l r i g h t ! ' ,
a n d his tank m o v e d f o r w a r d . It was just possible he h a d s a v e d
himself. W e s a w his tank m o v e o n a n d get s w a l l o w e d u p i n the
smoke.
It w a s n o w too d a r k to see as the smoke s w i r l e d r o u n d us a n d
h i d e v e r y t h i n g . H a u s e r a n d I w a l k e d o n b y compass. T h e first part
of the attack proceeded w e l l , apparently, for D o d o W o o d was
r e a c h e d , a n d great o p p o s i t i o n was expected there. W e reached
P o i n t C (Figure 38) a n d n o w discovered that the e n e m y h a d shifted
his barrage onto the r o a d there. T h e i r fire was so terrific that it
seemed impossible to go on. W e c o u l d see absolutely n o t h i n g . Y o u
w i l l u n d e r s t a n d h o w thick it was w h e n I tell y o u that as H a u s e r
a n d I sheltered u n d e r the r o a d b a n k at C , w e thought the tall
grasses o n the other side of the r o a d were the trees that l i n e d the
A m i e n s - R o y e r o a d ! T h e y l o o k e d just like tall trees i n the distance,
so y o u c a n tell h o w p u z z l e d a n d lost w e were.
W h i l e w e w e r e there, J o h n s o n came u p . H e lay d o w n w i t h us.
So n o w there were three section c o m m a n d e r s together a n d two
section runners.
A t last w e w o r k e d things out together a n d d e c i d e d w e h a d
better shift f o r w a r d s o m e h o w . But the shells w e r e b u r s t i n g all
r o u n d us a n d it seemed impossible to stand u p a n d yet live.
J o h n s o n a n d I l o o k e d u p for a m o m e n t , a n d the next t h i n g w e
k n e w w a s that a piece of shell h a d p i e r c e d his a r m . W e b o u n d it
w i t h tourniquet to prevent the b l o o d s p o u t i n g f r o m his artery, b u t
he w a s too b a d to go o n .
T h e next m o m e n t , as I a n d a r u n n e r n a m e d Sweeting c r o u c h e d
together i n one spot, a shell seemed to burst o n top of us, a n d I
h e a r d a g r o a n f r o m Sweeting. T h e left side of his tunic seemed
c o v e r e d w i t h b l o o d , a n d as I l o o k e d , I discovered that the w h o l e of
his left side h a d been torn a w a y so that the inside of the t r u n k lay
e x p o s e d . But he was not d e a d .
H e w a s quite a y o u n g b o y a n d was terrified, as he d i d not quite
realize w h a t h a d h a p p e n e d . H e tried to see w h a t h a d h a p p e n e d ,
b u t I w o u l d not let h i m . I pretended to bandage h i m , b u t of course
the field dressing was far too s m a l l a n d s i m p l y d i d n ' t come near to
 Figure 38

A u g u s t 8th battle.
 DIARY 127

c o v e r i n g the cavity. H e kept o n s a y i n g , ' I ' m d o n e for, sir! I ' m d o n e

for!', h o p i n g against h o p e I w o u l d contradict h i m . T h i s I d i d , tell­
i n g h i m it w a s n o t h i n g — b u t his eyes were already g l a z i n g over,
a n d it w a s clear that death was e v e n then u p o n h i m . H e kept
t r y i n g to c o u g h , b u t of course the w i n d o n l y came out of his side.
H e kept a s k i n g m e w h y he c o u l d n ' t c o u g h .
H e gave m e his mother's address, a n d I p r o m i s e d to write. T h e
b o m b a r d m e n t was n o w d y i n g d o w n , so I sent the other r u n n e r to
take h i m to the dressing station. H e actually w a l k e d there w i t h
their s u p p o r t a n d reached the dressing station before d y i n g . T h i s
incident upset H a u s e r a n d m e v e r y b a d l y , a n d w e were v e r y sick.
I m e n t i o n it i n s u c h detail, horrible as it is, because it h a d a
great effect o n m e . T h e l o o k i n his eyes was the same as that i n
the eyes of a b i r d that has been s h o t — m i n g l e d fear a n d surprise. I
d i d n ' t see then, a n d I d o n ' t see n o w , w h y that fellow a n d m a n y like
h i m s h o u l d h a v e been taken f r o m their E n g l i s h h o m e s (and their
G e r m a n hpmes) to die for a squabble they d i d n ' t u n d e r s t a n d a n d
c o u l d n ' t realize. It was s i m p l y the distrust, so frivolously s o w n b y
g r o w n - u p c h i l d r e n w h o w a n t e d to satisfy their c h i l d i s h ambitions,
that l e d to H e l l for us a n d m i s e r y for so m a n y homes. T h e sooner
p e o p l e realise the c r i m i n a l folly of their leaders the better.
T h e b o m b a r d m e n t h a d n o w practically d i e d d o w n , a n d w e
d e t e r m i n e d to p u s h o n . H a u s e r went off to the left to f i n d his
section. J o h n s o n h a d gone to the dressing station, a n d I w e n t o n
straight f o r w a r d alone.
T h e first t h i n g I came to was one of m y tanks b r o k e n d o w n .
T h i s b e l o n g e d to R i c h a r d s , w h o was quite a y o u n g b o y a n d h a d
o n l y just joined our battalion before action. A t the last m o m e n t he
w a s sent into the s h o w instead of R o b i n s o n . I left h i m to get o n as
best he c o u l d w h i l e I p u s h e d o n .
T h e next thing I came to was Cartwright's tank. H e h a d strayed
off the right track a n d w a s a bit i n the F r e n c h lines. I told his tank
b y one n u m b e r that s h o w e d . T h e r e was n o t h i n g else to tell it b y
because it h a d received a direct hit a n d w a s g o i n g u p i n flames.

Figure 39
The effects of a British shell-burst on a German Outpost party. The
photo was taken on a track leading off the Amiens-Roye road.
128 WAR MEMOIRS

T h e r e were n o survivors f r o m it. Cartwright, Sergt. O ' T o o l e a n d all

the rest of the crew h a d been b u r n t to death.
A g a i n I went o n a n d reached Point D (Figure 38). H e r e there
w a s another B C o m p a n y tank, b u t not i n m y section. T h i s w a s
m a n o e u v r i n g r o u n d just g o i n g forward w h e n it got a direct hit a n d
w e n t u p i n flames. O n e m a n half struggled out b u t d i e d before he
w a s quite out. T h e rest were burnt before I c o u l d get there.
I w e n t o n as I c o u l d not get near the tank. A l l the a i n m u n i t i o n
w a s g o i n g off, a n d every n o w a n d then a piece of the tank w o u l d
fly out as a shell went u p . It l o o k e d rather like a squib i n a fire­
works display.
A s I w e n t o n — I was about 60 y a r d s b e h i n d the infantry b y
n o w — I w a l k e d into gas. There h a d been a G e r m a n gas d u m p i n
the w o o d , a n d the British artillery h a d b l o w n it u p . A s a result the
w h o l e w o o d a n d the valley i n w h i c h it stood was one mass of gas.
I p u s h e d o n to f i n d Asser, as I p r e s u m e d he h a d gone o n to
h e l p the F r e n c h take Villers-aux-Erables. I passed the remains of a
G e r m a n battery at E (Figure 38). It was completely w r e c k e d , a n d
d e a d were l y i n g everywhere. T h e G e r m a n signal for hurricane fire
w a s still stuck u p b y the guns, a n d one w o n d e r e d w h a t it m u s t
h a v e b e e n like w h e n that signal w a s p u t u p w h e n o u r barrage
fell that m o r n i n g . I a r m e d myself w i t h a G e r m a n automatic a n d
pushed on.
I s o o n reached the front line of F r e n c h infantry a n d f o u n d they
w e r e stationary. T h i s was i n accordance w i t h the p l a n . T h e pause
w a s of ten minutes a n d was designed to give breathing space to
o u r troops. B y n o w the e n e m y fire h a d gone completely. O n l y his
infantry a n d machine-guns were fighting. Asser, so the F r e n c h told
m e , h a d gone o n to Villers-aux-Erables to clear u p any r e m a i n i n g
opposition.
So I s t o p p e d w i t h t h e m a n d waited. T h e d a y w a s n o w bright
a n d clear. O u r artillery was c o m i n g f o r w a r d , so there w a s little
or n o gunfire. A t last the F r e n c h p u s h e d o n a n d s i m p l y w a l k e d
through V i l l e r s - a u x - E r a b l e s without opposition. I discovered
A s s e r at o u r e n d of the village. H e h a d d o n e his job a n d r u n out of
petrol.
A l l o u r w o r k was d o n e n o w , so all that w a s left w a s to get
b a c k to o u r ' R a l l y i n g P o i n t ' (F, F i g u r e 38). After petrol h a d b e e n
fetched, A s s e r d r o v e back, a n d at F w e f o u n d R i c h a r d s .
 DIARY 129

A l t h o u g h o n l y one of m y tanks h a d d o n e a n y t h i n g , yet it

h a d been quite e n o u g h to d o the job allotted to the section. T h e r e
were h a r d l y a n y infantry casualties, all objectives had been
reached, a n d the second line of infantry a n d tanks were already
g o i n g t h r o u g h to carry o n the offensive. W e s a w the 1st Battalion
g o i n g f o r w a r d away o n o u r left—they were to take o n the w o r k w e
h a d started.
W e were absolutely tired out, so w e d e c i d e d to sleep at F ( F i g ­
ure 38) w h i l e w e awaited orders. O n e m a n w a s m a d e sentry to
g u a r d against gas a n d so o n , a n d i n about two minutes the rest of
us were fast asleep. I awoke to f i n d C o l o n e l O ' K e l l y h a d t i n n e d u p .
H e l o o k e d o n m e w i t h a watery eye a n d asked for i n f o r m a t i o n .
T h i s I gave h i m .
I asked for orders, a n d he told us the battalion w a s r a l l y i n g at
the w o o d ( G , F i g u r e 38) a n d that w e s h o u l d m a k e a c a m p there
a n d await orders.
T h i s w o o d w a s n o w clear of gas. W e fixed u p shelters w i t h o u r
tarpaulins, a n d before l o n g the c o o k i n g department a n d reserves,
generally of o u r c o m p a n y , h a d a r r i v e d a n d started operations. A
few m e n were told off to go a n d b r i n g the remains of v a r i o u s crews
that w e r e k n o c k e d out.
T h e advance h a d gone so w e l l that w e were n o w t w o or three
miles b e h i n d the line.
H a u s e r t u r n e d u p at about 6 p . m . I was v e r y pleased to see h i m
a g a i n as he w a s a g o o d m a n . B u t I h a d a g o o d deal to say to h i m .
H e w a s v e r y p e e v i s h at the time—chiefly n e r v e s — b u t I w o u l d n ' t
spare h i m . W e discussed the d a y ' s actions, a n d I told h i m I felt I
h a d been a n a w f u l fool a n d that neither of us h a d been v e r y b r i g h t
o n the r o a d ( C , F i g u r e 38). After a little talk w e m a d e v o w s not to
d o a n y t h i n g so feeble again, a n d w e then separated for o u r duties.
T h a t e v e n i n g w e fed a n d m a d e all arrangements b y sections (i.e.
not as a u n i t e d c o m p a n y ) . Aitches a n d C o o k came a n d exchanged
a few remarks. C o o k , w h o h a d been s u p e r i n t e n d i n g all s u p p l i e s
etc. as a second i n c o m m a n d has to d o , w a s v e r y fed u p a n d
c o m p l a i n e d bitterly that he h a d not realized h o w m a n y fools there
w e r e i n the British A r m y till that day. A i t c h e s w a s fretful a n d
l o o k e d v e r y n e r v y , a n d so were w e all.
W e were all v e r y tired b u t h a d to w o r k till about 10 p . m . ,
getting o u r tanks ready for action. W h e n that w a s over, w e t u r n e d
130 WAR MEMOIRS

i n to sleep. O u r w o o d was s o u n d l y b o m b e d that night, but o u r

c o m p a n y h a d n o casualties.
T h e weather at this time was curious; it was v e r y hot d u r i n g
the d a y a n d bitterly cold at night. T h e r e was not m u c h water to be
h a d to d r i n k , so the heat was a nuisance; at night w e o n l y h a d one
blanket so the c o l d got at us.
T h e m o r n i n g of the 9th burst o n us w i t h a large a n d v a r i e d
assortment of r u m o u r s . W e k n e w all about the victory, of course.
T h a t , h o w e v e r , d i d not m u c h w o r r y us. T h e real question w a s a
m o r e intimate one. H o w l o n g were w e g o i n g to be left i n peace?
A t 10 a.m. it was solved. I h a d to take f o r w a r d two tanks,
R i c h a r d s a n d A s s e r to act as a reserve i n case of accidents. W e
w e r e all assured it was the merest p r e c a u t i o n — n o chance of b e i n g
u s e d at all.
H a u s e r also was to come f o r w a r d w i t h two tanks, a n d at 10.30
w e left a n d p u s h e d u p b y the side of the A m i e n s - R o y e r o a d . W e
reached a village about two miles ahead (called Beaumont). H e r e
w e s t o p p e d a n d awaited orders. W e h a d o u r d i n n e r a n d h o p e d
everyone h a d forgotten where w e were. W e h a d some i n d i c a t i o n
of o u r advance at this time, for, as w e w a i t e d , a l o r r y t u r n e d u p
t o w i n g a n observation b a l l o o n t h r o u g h the air. T h i s w a s the u s u a l
m e t h o d of advance for the 'sausages' i n swift o p e n warfare, b u t
this w a s the first time I h a d seen it done. Instead of d r a w i n g the
b a l l o o n to earth a n d laboriously p a c k i n g u p , y o u s i m p l y started
the ' a n c h o r ' lorry a n d casually t r u n d l e d u p the r o a d .
T h e arrival of our friend meant that the e n e m y were at least
three miles ahead.
A t about 2 p . m . the colonel arrived i n his car. H e p o u r e d out a
f l o o d of instructions a n d s p e d back to his lair. W e c u r s e d bitterly.
A g a i n w e were to a d v a n c e — a l w a y s i n reserve, of c o u r s e — s t i l l n o
fear of action. W e p u s h e d off at about 3 p . m . b u t s o o n h a d to stop
as a n e n e m y 'sausage' h a d appeared a n d was w a t c h i n g . W e w e n t
o n at 6 p . m . I was i n c o m m a n d of the party.
W e were all v e r y tired i n d e e d — s o tired that w h e n the tanks
s t o p p e d for s o m e reason a n d w e leant against t h e m for rest, w e
f o u n d ourselves asleep i n about two minutes. It w a s bitterly c o l d
a n d v e r y d a r k l o n g before w e reached o u r destination. In the d i s ­
tance w e saw the r e d glare of b u r n i n g houses a n d d u m p s w h i c h
the retreating e n e m y h a d fired.
 DIARY 131

W e reached o u r w o o d v e r y late o w i n g to m a n y s t o p p a g e s — o u r
tanks w e r e not r u n n i n g so w e l l n o w as they h a d been. W h e n w e
h a d p a r k e d u p u n d e r a n avenue of trees, w e oiled a n d greased our
tanks so they were quite ready to go o n . T h e m e n were all so tired
that the w o r k w e n t v e r y slowly. A t 11.45 p . m . w e t u r n e d i n .
T h i s t u r n i n g i n w a s n ' t a v e r y comfortable business. W e h a d n o
blankets, a n d it w a s bitterly c o l d . T h e most important m e n were
the drivers. W e p u t t h e m i n the tanks so that they c o u l d sleep w e l l
b y the w a r m t h of the engines. There was n o r o o m for m o r e than
t w o , so the tank c o m m a n d e r s of each tank slept inside as w e l l .
These two people were the most important of us all n o w , as once i n
action e v e r y t h i n g d e p e n d e d o n them. T h e rest of us got u n d e r the
tanks a n d lay o n the g r o u n d . A t 2 a.m. I awoke to f i n d myself b e i n g
p u l l e d f r o m u n d e r the tank. I tried to resist this extraordinary
business, b u t f o u n d myself so stiff w i t h cold I c o u l d n ' t d o a n y ­
thing. I w a s remorselessly d r a g g e d out a n d f o u n d m y 'foe' w a s a n
officer. H e w a s b a w l i n g s o m e t h i n g i n m y ear, b u t for a l o n g time I
c o u l d n ' t m a k e out w h a t he said. A t last I 'came to' a n d d i s c o v e r e d
he w a s d e l i v e r i n g orders.

T h e r e w a s a h i t c h i n the advance. C C o m p a n y h a d gone ahead

a n d n e e d e d reserves. T h e y w e r e b e i n g reinforced b y some of A
a n d some of B C o m p a n y tanks. M y two tanks were to go f o r w a r d ,
a n d I w a s to h a n d t h e m over to a C a p t . L l e w e l l y n of A C o m p a n y ,
as they were to fight u n d e r h i m . I objected, s a y i n g I w a n t e d to
c o m m a n d m y m e n a n d that I was less tired than they were. It
w o u l d l o o k r i d i c u l o u s if I stayed out of action w h i l e they w e n t
i n . It w a s n o g o o d . It w a s a v e r y urgent business, a n d there was n o
time for argument. W e h a d to reach the starting-point b y 4 a.m.,
a n d there I w a s to ' h a n d over'. H a u s e r was to go into action w i t h
his two tanks a n d two of A C o m p a n y ' s .
W e h a d a n a w f u l time getting the crews awake. W e hit the m e n
about a n d p r o p p e d t h e m u p against the tank, b u t as s o o n as w e
h a d a w o k e n one a n d gone off to awake another the first w o u l d be
asleep.
In the e n d w e started the tanks s o m e h o w . O n l y the d r i v e r w a s
a l l o w e d i n the tank. W e m a d e the m e n w a l k to a w a k e n t h e m
t h o r o u g h l y . A s s e r a n d I w a l k e d i n front. I c o n d o l e d w i t h h i m a n d
tried to cheer h i m a n d so o n , b u t he really d i d n ' t n e e d it. I r e m e m ­
ber he said he s u p p o s e d it w a s all i n the g a m e , a n d one c o u l d n ' t
132 WAR MEMOIRS

g r u m b l e about h a v i n g to fight. Nevertheless it was v e r y b a d luck.

W e h a d all been w o r k e d off o u r feet, a n d the crews really w e r e not
fit for action.
W e d r o v e u p b y the side of the r o a d , a n d g r a d u a l l y the grey
d a w n a p p e a r e d . A s w e a d v a n c e d , o u r guns kept u p a n intermit­
tent fire a r o u n d us. W e h u r r i e d f o r w a r d as fast as our tanks c o u l d
go, for it w a s v e r y late.
A t last w e d r e w near o u r starting-point. W h e n w e w e r e w i t h i n
200 y a r d s of our place, the attack started. O n our right w e saw the
b l u i s h figures of the F r e n c h a d v a n c i n g . G e r m a n gas shells were
b u r s t i n g amongst them, a n d w e saw m e n totter f o r w a r d a n d fall;
here a n d there a w h o l e platoon w o u l d melt a w a y .
T h e e n e m y h a d got s o m e guns u p at last, a n d his shells were
falling fairly fast a n d especially o n the r o a d . O u r tanks d e p l o y e d
into line a n d sheered off the r o a d a little. Richards, A s s e r , a n d I r a n
f o r w a r d a n d met L l e w e l l y n . H e h u r r i e d l y shouted orders to
t h e m — a l l , of course, of the v e r y vaguest description. I said g o o d ­
b y e a n d got d o w n into a shell-hole a n d w a t c h e d t h e m get lost i n
smoke.
M y orders w e r e to report to C o m p a n y H . Q . as s o o n as I h a d
h a n d e d over. So after five minutes I cleared out for c a m p .
O n m y w a y back I saw one thing that is w o r t h m e n t i o n . I saw
the British artillery d o a n open-warfare m o v e m e n t — p r o b a b l y the
first since 1914.1 w a s g o i n g d o w n the r o a d w h e n a battery of field
artillery d a s h e d u p at the gallop a n d s w e r v e d s u d d e n l y off the
r o a d . I h e a r d the c o m m a n d e r shout ' A c t i o n F r o n t ' , a n d w i t h i n
about one m i n u t e the battery h a d o p e n e d fire. It w a s a n extraordi­
n a r i l y thrilling sight.
I reached c a m p at about 11.30 a.m. after a v e r y w e a r y m a r c h
back. T h e C o m p a n y H . Q . were still at the w o o d ( G , F i g u r e 38).
I reported a n d w e n t to sleep. T h i s was m i d d a y o n the 10th of
A u g u s t . A t 8 p . m . news of the action came through. There h a d been
n o advance. S o m e t h i n g h a d gone w r o n g . F i v e out of six tanks h a d
b e e n k n o c k e d out. T h e sixth tank was A s s e r ' s , a n d this h a d not
b e e n seen or h e a r d of since the start of the battle. R i c h a r d s h a d
b e e n b a d l y w o u n d e d a n d was evacuated. There w e r e not m a n y
survivors.
I w a s v e r y distressed at the n e w s of Asser. I still h o p e d he w a s
all right, since there w a s n o actual b a d n e w s of h i m .
 DIARY 133

T h e next d a y C o o k a n d I w e n t f o r w a r d to f i n d out w h a t w e
c o u l d . W h e n w e reached the line, w e f o u n d that the D i v i s i o n w i t h
w h i c h o u r tanks s h o u l d h a v e fought (the 32nd) h a d been r e l i e v e d
b y the 3 r d C a n a d i a n . These troops h a d completed the attack that
the 32nd h a d failed i n . So the line was about two miles further o n .
T h e scene of the ' a d v a n c e ' w a s curious.
In front of the line, as it w a s o n the m o r n i n g of the 10th, there
w e r e five tanks. A l l were facing the e n e m y i n a neat line except
one. T h i s apparently h a d been f o l l o w i n g another w h e n the one i n
front w a s k n o c k e d out. Immediately afterwards it h a d received a
direct hit, w h i c h k i l l e d the crew but d i d not, for a little w h i l e at any
rate, stop the engine. T h e tank h a d gone o n a n d c r a w l e d a little
w a y u p the one i n front.
A l l the tanks h a d carried g u n cotton. T h i s was to be u s e d to
b l o w u p the tank if the o n l y alternative w a s surrender. T h i s g u n
cotton h a d b e e n e x p l o d e d b y the direct hits, a n d the tanks were
thus left there l o o k i n g like burst toads—the roofs lifted off, the
sides b u l g i n g out. A s s e r ' s tank I c o u l d not see.
C o o k h a d gone off further to the r i g h t — o n the F r e n c h side of
the r o a d . After about a n h o u r he returned a n d s a i d , T ' v e f o u n d
A s s e r ' . I j u m p e d u p at once v e r y pleased a n d asked ' W h e r e ? ' a n d
w a s he all right? C o o k r e p l i e d that he h a d f o u n d h i m outside his
tank, l y i n g o n the g r o u n d w i t h a bullet t h r o u g h his heart.
W e w e n t b a c k v e r y miserable a n d tired.
O n the 12th, C o m p a n y H . Q . shifted u p to the w o o d w h e r e
A s s e r a n d I spent o u r last n i g h t together. T h e c o m p a n y was m a d e
into one section of four tanks, a n d I was p u t i n c o m m a n d . We
received orders to be p r e p a r e d for action against two v i l l a g e s —
D a m e r y a n d Parvillers. T h e details were hopelessly v a g u e , a n d
arrangements w e r e v e r y s l i p s h o d . In the meantime w e got m o r e
detailed n e w s of the action of A u g u s t 10th. It w a s all quite s i m p l e .
O u r six tanks left the line m o r e or less together at zero. A s s e r w a s
o n the British right, steered o n to the F r e n c h F r o n t b y accident a n d
w a s a c c o r d i n g l y lost to sight. T h e r e m a i n i n g tanks w e n t f o r w a r d
s l o w l y , expecting the infantry to follow according to p l a n .
A c t u a l l y , the infantry never left the front line. H a u s e r , w h o told
m e about it, said it w a s a m o s t extraordinary business. T h e r e w a s
n o danger, a n d he himself h a d f o l l o w e d the tank, (I learned after­
w a r d s f r o m one of the m e n that he d i d better—he w e n t i n sitting
 DIARY 135

o n the back of one!) W h e n he h a d gone a little w a y , h e f o u n d the

infantry w e r e not f o l l o w i n g so went back to see w h a t w a s u p . H e
f o u n d the colonel of the battalion, s u p p o s e d to be s u p p o r t i n g h i m ,
i n tears, a n d a lot of the m e n also. A p p a r e n t l y a k i n d of p a n i c h a d
seized them. A n y w a y , the C O . c o u l d n ' t get the m e n to b u d g e , a n d
the 52nd D i v i s i o n d i d n ' t a d v a n c e a foot a l o n g the w h o l e front. In
the m e a n t i m e the tanks h a d c o m e o n a G e r m a n field g u n , w h i c h
w a s b e h i n d a r i d g e . T h i s g u n s i m p l y p u t the tanks out of action,
one after the other.
T h e w h o l e action h a d been v e r y b a d l y m a n a g e d . T h e tanks
s h o u l d have b e e n screened b y smoke, b u t the Infantry G e n e r a l ,
u n d e r the i m p r e s s i o n that he k n e w m o r e about tanks than w e d i d ,
refused to give us a s m o k e barrage. T h e account of this action w a s
p r i n t e d a n d h a n d e d r o u n d b y order of M a r s h a l F o c h to all g e n ­
erals. A short note a d v i s e d that i n future all general officers s h o u l d
take the a d v i c e offered b y officers i n c o m m a n d of technical units.
T h e d a y w e a r r i v e d at o u r n e w H . Q . , w e received fresh orders
for a n e w attack. T h i s attack w a s to be o n the villages D a m e r y a n d
Parvillers. A t the last m o m e n t the attack was called off. I shall s e n d
y o u the m a p s w e were g i v e n for the action, as they are a g o o d
e x a m p l e of the v a g u e orders w e received f r o m n o w o n for the n e w
type of surprise warfare. R a p i d l y c h a n g i n g conditions a n d the
n e e d for s p e e d a n d secrecy p u t a n e n d to s u c h elaborate m a p s a n d
detailed instructions as w e received at Y p r e s a n d C a m b r a i . It is

Figure 40
Canadian infantry advancing through Dodo Wood on Aug. 8th. The first
line of infantry has already passed—these are the 'moppers-up' who
make sure none of the enemy are still holding out. Our tanks skirted
this wood as it is very dangerous for tanks to drive through woods. It is
very easy for a tank to get 'bellied' on a stump. The wood had not been
shelled before the battle. Nevertheless you will see it shows distinct
signs of bombardment. Actually an enormous number of shells are
needed to make any real impression on a wood. To one who knows
how little shelling affects a wood, this picture gives a good idea of the
intensity of the British bombardment. Note the men are wearing 'battle
order', i.e. no packs but just the bare necessities for fighting. At a time
like this the wood is saturated with the fumes of bursting shells—a smell
very like acetylene gas.
 DIARY 137

w o r t h w h i l e to c o m p a r e this m a p w i t h the one I was g i v e n as a tank

c o m m a n d e r at C a m b r a i (1917).
T h e same orders that called off the action o r d e r e d the entire
battalion to m o v e . T h e direction of o u r m o v e w a s a w a y f r o m the
front, a n d w e congratulated ourselves that this s h o w , at a n y rate,
w a s all over. T h e battalion h a d started w i t h 40 tanks, all b r a n d
n e w a n d i n fine condition. W e were n o w left w i t h six. But this w a s
not all. W h e n w e first w e n t i n , w e c o u l d m a n o u r tanks w i t h crews
of six m e n (instead of eight, as it s h o u l d h a v e been). W e also h a d a
few rescue m e n to fill gaps. N o w w e c o u l d o n l y muster crews of
five m e n for female tanks a n d six for male tanks. A s y o u see, o u r
n u m b e r s of m e n a n d tanks h a d fallen.
These six tanks were n o w i n b a d r u n n i n g order. T h e y h a d gone
v e r y far w i t h o u t a n y real o v e r h a u l i n g . T h e y were s u p p o s e d to be
capable of 112 miles (the 'life' of a tank). O u r estimated distance
w a s already 100 miles per tank. W e were guaranteed any a m o u n t
of engine trouble. Since w e w e r e g o i n g h o m e , this d i d not v e r y
m u c h w o r r y us.
O n the w h o l e w e were rather p l e a s e d w i t h ourselves. W e h a d
b e e n h i g h l y c o m p l i m e n t e d b y all the generals w i t h w h o m w e
w o r k e d , a n d Sir D o u g l a s H a i g specially c o m m e n d e d u s — a v e r y ,
v e r y rare distinction for a battalion. But the praise that really
c o u n t e d m o s t w a s that of the o r d i n a r y infantry private, a n d the
C a n a d i a n s c o u l d n ' t say too m u c h of us. O n e private actually s a i d
he thought every m a n w h o w e n t into action i n a tank d e s e r v e d a
V.C.!

F i g u r e 41
A direct hit. This photo ought really to be the Zonnebeke action of Sept.
26th 1917. This tank was knocked out there by a rather larger shell than
usual. To me it is a familiar scene—and still not without horror. Of
course, from a direct hit of this kind, it is quite inconceivable that any
man of the crew would escape. Even with an 18-pdr the chances of
escape were small—especially from a hit in the driver's or officer's seat.
But this shell must have been something like 9.2". It was this kind of
sight that met the eyes of the Canadian Infantry during the Aug. 8th
battle. It was fear of this that made tank work unpleasant. I felt, when­
ever I was going into action in a tank, that at any moment one of these
would come in. And the officer's seat felt more lonely and conspicuous
every moment!
138 WAR MEMOIRS

A l l this h a d its b a d side too. T h e T a n k C o r p s b a d l y w a n t e d

recruits. But our losses i n this action created a b a d i m p r e s s i o n
a m o n g s t the troops. T h e C a n a d i a n s particularly were not anxious
to j o i n a n e w C a n a d i a n T a n k Battalion that was b e i n g f o r m e d at
this time. T h e r e were two actions that chiefly contributed to this
besides the battle of A u g u s t 8th. O n e was o u r disaster o n the 10th,
a n d the other was a fearful s h o w the 1st Battalion were engaged i n .
I m e n t i o n e d that the 1st Battalion took o n the action o n o u r front
after w e s t o p p e d o n the 8th. T h e action was c o n d u c t e d b y one
c o m p a n y of the 1st Battalion, a n d the c o m p a n y proceeded i n a line
o n the left (British side) of the A m i e n s - R o y e r o a d . T h e i r ten tanks,
w h i c h were c a r r y i n g four infantry m e n each to m i n i m i z e casual­
ties, were all k n o c k e d out. There was not a single s u r v i v o r b e l o w
the r a n k of Major.
Unfortunately all these tanks were k n o c k e d out w i t h i n easy
sight of the r o a d . T h e shortage of m e n m a d e it quite impossible to
b u r y the d e a d , a n d for days these tanks r e m a i n e d w h e r e they were
k n o c k e d o u t — a fearful sight for every soldier w h o m a r c h e d u p
this m a i n r o a d into action. A s a result everyone was c o n v i n c e d that
the tanks were s i m p l y death traps.
T h e six tanks were f o r m e d into a composite c o m p a n y , a n d w e
started back. But w e d i d not go back v i a the A m i e n s - R o y e r o a d .
W e s u d d e n l y turned n o r t h w a r d . I asked where w e were g o i n g ,
a n d C o o k r e p l i e d laconically, ' A n o t h e r action, o l d s o n . ' I c u r s e d
h a r d , for I h a d h a d e n o u g h , a n d so h a d e v e r y b o d y else. It w a s not
l o n g before e v e r y b o d y spotted w h a t w e were u p to (see F i g u r e 42).
Briefly, o u r job was this. W e were l e a v i n g the p o i n t of the
salient w e h a d created a n d were m o v i n g n o r t h w a r d to attack at
the flank of the salient. O u r actual place of attack was not yet
k n o w n , b u t it was not v e r y far f r o m Villers-Bretonneux. We
s t o p p e d for the night at a small w o o d . T h e next d a y w e p u s h e d o n
as fast as w e c o u l d to a place called C o r b i e . H e r e w e came across
the Australians w h o h a d been the attacking troops i n this sector.
W e reached o u r destination, just outside the village, at about 2
p . m . It w a s a pleasant a n d peaceful spot near a lake. T h e rest of the
d a y w a s spent i n cleaning u p our v e r y d u d tanks a n d d o i n g all w e
c o u l d to p u t t h e m into fighting trim.
T h e composite ' c o m p a n y ' was p u t u n d e r A i t c h e s ' c o m m a n d .
B u t it w a s d e c i d e d that the six tanks s h o u l d be e m p l o y e d as a
 DIARY 139

IB?-

Approximate position of a 1st Battalion tank

Route of composite company of 5th Battalion

Approximate British front line

Figure 42
Movements after Aug. 10th battle.

section. T h a t is to say, they s h o u l d operate s i m p l y as if they w e r e

a n isolated section of one c o m p a n y a n d s h o u l d be c o m m a n d e d i n
action b y one section c o m m a n d e r . T h i s w a s o b v i o u s l y the right
t h i n g to d o , as it w a s useless to have two or three captains c o m ­
m a n d i n g s u c h a s m a l l force.
F i n a l l y they d e c i d e d that I w a s to c o m m a n d this section i n the
c o m i n g action. I w a s n ' t keen o n the job, b u t I c o u l d n ' t c o m p l a i n , as
I h a d n ' t d o n e v e r y m u c h u p to date. T h e y m a d e one m o r e altera­
140 WAR MEMOIRS

tion before the action. T h e y took two tanks out of m y c o m m a n d —

a s u p p l y tank a n d a wireless tank. These two were p u t u n d e r
H a u s e r ' s c o m m a n d . Neither of t h e m went i n the first line but
k n o c k e d about s o m e 800 yards b e h i n d , where they were quite as
useless as they w o u l d have been further u p . T h e wireless tank w a s
m o r e or less i n the nature of a sop to the H i g h e r C o m m a n d . N o one
r e g a r d e d it seriously, a n d I haven't h e a r d of a n occasion w h e n one
succeeded i n s e n d i n g a message. T h e s u p p l y tank s i m p l y carted
petrol a n d stuff about, a n d sometimes they were quite useful.
H a u s e r w a s rather i n d i g n a n t as b e i n g s a d d l e d w i t h these two b u t
treated it as a joke.
T h e next d a y I a w o k e w i t h a fever. I h a d caught the ' f l u . I lay
o n the g r o u n d the w h o l e d a y a n d let someone else s u p e r i n t e n d the
v a r i o u s jobs that h a d to be done. But the rest was not v e r y l o n g . A t
6 p . m . that e v e n i n g our six tanks m o v e d off—the four fighting
tanks i n front. W e trailed through Villers-Bretonneux v e r y s l o w l y
as there was a lot of traffic a n d , of course, lots of engine trouble.
Fortunately R e y n o l d s , the battalion w o r k s h o p s officer, w a s w i t h
us. H e w a s a n extraordinarily g o o d engineer, a n d he u s u a l l y p u t
things right i n less than n o time. F o r m y part, I was feeling v e r y i l l
a n d neither k n e w nor cared very m u c h w h a t was h a p p e n i n g . I was
v i o l e n t l y sick every half-mile or so.
T h e y s h o v e d operation orders into m e as w e went. W e were to
d o a n attack at the flank of the salient s i m p l y to prevent the e n e m y
f r o m retiring peacefully. It was n o w the 20th; o n the 21st there was
to be a b i g attack o n our o l d front, where w e were w i t h the G u a r d s
D i v i s i o n . O u r o w n attack was to be o n the 22nd, a n d o u r objective
w a s o u r o l d C h r i s t m a s C a m p at M e a u l t e (see F i g u r e 43).
T h e country l o o k e d quite g o o d , as, of course, it was little
s h e l l e d — a l l the fighting h a d been of a swift, surprise character,
a n d so the s h e l l i n g h a d not been great. W h i l e it lasted, it w a s as
intense here as elsewhere, but o w i n g to r a p i d advances y o u n o
longer h a d the a w f u l devastation of a place like Y p r e s or the
Somme.
Before l o n g the m o o n came u p . It was a c o l d a n d beautiful
night. B u c h a n a n , m y r u n n e r , w a l k e d w i t h m e a n d h e l p e d me
a l o n g . I w i l l not trouble to describe this trip, as it resembled most
of the others except for the fact that I was so violently sick that I
really d i d n ' t m i n d m u c h w h a t h a p p e n e d . I r e m e m b e r l e a n i n g u p
 Figure 43
Movements before Aug. 2 2 battle.
142 WAR MEMOIRS

against one of m y tanks a n d staring at the m o o n w h i l e the crew

sweated a w a y inside t r y i n g to m a k e it go. S u c h little things h a r d l y
w o r r i e d n o w — o n e either h e l p e d or d i d not h e l p , a n d it d i d not
s e e m to matter v e r y m u c h w h i c h . After a time the thing w o u l d be
sure to go o n . O r it w o u l d not, a n d that w o u l d m e a n another crew
safe a n d h a p p y .
A t about 1.30 m y section of tanks got into trouble. O n e of m y
tanks tried to help another that was stuck i n s o m e m u d a n d h a d
a defective gear so it c o u l d not get out. W e swore a n d cursed a n d
sweated for about a n h o u r a n d finally got the brute out.
A t 3.30 w e were w i t h i n a mile of c a m p a n d o n top of a r i d g e
o v e r l o o k i n g the e n e m y lines. W e travelled along this r i d g e — p a r a l ­
lel to the e n e m y lines a n d about five miles f r o m them. A t last w e
reached o u r destination, a n d after o u r u s u a l preparations t u r n e d
i n to sleep. It was about 6.30, a n d the great B a p a u m e attack u p
n o r t h of us w o u l d have been just b e g i n n i n g .
W e h a d about four h o u r s ' sleep, a n d then the crews p r e p a r e d
tanks for action, a n d I messed about r e a d i n g m a p s a n d so o n . I
m u s t have been a queer sight sitting o n the g r o u n d taking occa­
sional n i p s of c h a m p a g n e a n d r e a d i n g large m a p s , w h i c h lay
s p r e a d r o u n d m e . A t m i d d a y it w a s d e c i d e d that I h a d better go
f o r w a r d w i t h Carter a n d reconnoitre our route. A s there w o u l d
not be time for us to d o a full reconnaissance a n d get back,
it w a s d e c i d e d that w e s h o u l d see the place a n d then wait, at a n
a p p o i n t e d place near the r o a d , till the tanks w e r e b r o u g h t u p b y
Hauser.
So Carter a n d B u c h a n a n a n d I set out. B u c h a n a n carted s o m e
c h a m p a g n e for m e to keep m e g o i n g as I still was i n the throes of
'flu.
It w a s a b l a z i n g hot d a y a n d I felt absolutely beaten. I w a s
l i m p i n g w i t h a sore foot a n d I was hot, feverish a n d sick. Carter
c o u l d o n l y keep m e g o i n g b y swearing at m e a n d c u r s i n g m e u p
h i l l a n d d o w n . I kept o n w a n t i n g to sit d o w n a n d rest. H e m u s t
h a v e b e e n sick of m e b y the time h e ' d done!
W e l l , I remember v e r y little of all this. M y impressions are
m i x e d a n d are something like this: a tank route, w h i c h I w a s n ' t to
forget, whatever h a p p e n e d ; terrific heat a n d a grey desolate l a n d ­
scape w i t h w h i t e chalk diggings a n d o l d trenches s h i n i n g i n the
s u n ; a few shells b u r s t i n g v e r y near; a lot of d e a d horses a n d a few
 DIARY 143

O u r tank /ronf for attack

4 The pomt where Carter and I waited for the tanks
The tank route up to the front line
Front line Aug. 21st and 22nd (morning)

Figure 4 4

m e n , all v e r y d e c a y e d a n d reeking; some shell-shattered w o o d s ; a

b u r n i n g tongue a n d a v e r y sore heel; finally, l y i n g i n the l o n g grass
w a i t i n g for the tanks to come.
T h e attack w a s d u e to start at d a w n — a b o u t 6 a . m . , I think it
was. A i t c h e s w a s s u p p o s e d to lead the tanks to where Carter a n d I
were, a n d then w e w o u l d lead t h e m to the starting-point. A i t c h e s
w o u l d then give the order for us to go into action, a n d after that I
s h o u l d take over the c o m m a n d of the section—it w a s the o r d i n a r y
p r o c e d u r e for action.
A t about 10.30 the tanks a r r i v e d . A l l seemed to be g o i n g o n
all right. A i t c h e s , h o w e v e r , w a s not there. Carter a n d I m a d e
enquiries b u t c o u l d not f i n d h i m .
W e w e n t to the front of the c o l u m n of tanks a n d l e d t h e m
s l o w l y o n t h r o u g h the l o n g grass b e h i n d the w o o d till w e reached
B (Figure 44). H e r e w e s t o p p e d o u r engines a n d w a i t e d till A i t c h e s
or someone s h o u l d come along. T h e crews all got out of the tanks
a n d l a y o n the g r o u n d beside them. It was n o w about m i d n i g h t , as,
144 WAR MEMOIRS

of course, w e h a d been forced to travel v e r y s l o w l y for fear of

m a k i n g a noise. Carter a n d I h a d a discussion together o n the
question of A i t c h e s absence, as the matter was b e c o m i n g serious.
7

If he d i d not t u r n u p , it meant that w e s h o u l d have to take the

responsibility of c o m m e n c i n g the tank action o n ourselves. If a n y ­
thing w e n t w r o n g , our position w o u l d be far f r o m enviable. After
s o m e d i s c u s s i o n w e b o t h f o u n d it useless to h i d e w h a t w a s at the
back of o u r m i n d s , a n d Carter said b l u n t l y that he thought A i t c h e s
w a s s h i r k i n g the action t h r o u g h f u n k — i t was quite easy to f i n d a n
excuse for losing the w a y or r e m a i n i n g i n a d u g o u t . W e d e c i d e d
that if he d i d n ' t turn u p , w e w o u l d p u t h i m u n d e r a r r e s t — a v e r y
dangerous step for junior officers.
A t this stage o u r deliberations were interrupted. First a salvo
of shells came over a n d burst w i t h i n about 100 y a r d s . T h i s w a s
q u i c k l y f o l l o w e d b y m o r e shells, a n d i n less than n o time a regular
barrage h a d fallen all along our line. H a d the e n e m y d i s c o v e r e d
w e w e r e to attack? It certainly l o o k e d as if this was a harassing
barrage i n t e n d e d to destroy any preparation for a n attack o n o u r
part.
T h e r e was n o t h i n g for us to d o . W e o r d e r e d the crews into the
tanks a n d l a y o n the g r o u n d ourselves. T h e e n e m y w e r e u s i n g
their 'contact' shrapnel shells (Figure 45), a n d the pieces w e r e
m o a n i n g t h r o u g h the air a n d striking sparks off the sides of the
tanks w h i l e w e lay b y them. W e d i d n ' t altogether fancy s t a n d i n g
u p i n those circumstances!
W e spoke v e r y little but just clenched our teeth a n d fretted
beneath this roar of shell bursts a n d the w h i n i n g of the splinters.
A t about half a n h o u r before zero, the b o m b a r d m e n t suddenly
increased. It was quite clear n o w that they h a d got w i n d of o u r
plans. H i s artillery were n o longer d o i n g harassing f i r e — t h i s w a s
the real b o m b a r d m e n t .
T h e r e w a s still no sign whatever of Aitches. A t last I s h o u t e d
to Carter that I thought w e h a d better start w i t h o u t orders. H e
agreed, a n d w e b o t h ordered the crews to start their engines. I
o r d e r e d all tanks to follow the first one a n d ordered the first one to
follow m e . Carter's job was n o w over, a n d I took it for granted that
he w o u l d go back. I e n v i e d h i m thoroughly. H e r e I h a d to w a l k i n
front of these brutes for about 400 yards i n shell-fire that was m u c h
too h e a v y for m y l i k i n g , whereas he c o u l d either go back or stay
 DIARY 145

7T

Figure 45
This shell was a rather poor imitation of the British '106 fuse. It was
designed to burst immediately it touched the surface of the ground. As a
result the splinters would fly out sideways at a height of about three feet
from the ground. The crater made would be small, but the effect of such
a shell, bursting amongst infantry, would be very great.

w h e r e he w a s till things i m p r o v e d a n d then clear out. But I f o u n d

h i m w a l k i n g into action w i t h me. ' W h a t are y o u d o i n g ? ' I s h o u t e d
at h i m . H e c a l m l y r e p l i e d that he thought he ' m i g h t as w e l l c o m e
a l o n g ' ! I k n o w that if I a m really fit I can u s u a l l y go into a n action
s o m e h o w if I have t o — b u t I c o u l d certainly n e v e r h a v e taken his
choice o n that occasion. U n d e r circumstances like those the chance
of safety w o u l d be o v e r p o w e r i n g , to m e at a n y rate.
T h e w h o l e place seemed to rock a n d s w a y beneath us. I l o o k e d
at m y w a t c h a n d saw it w a s a m i n u t e to zero. W e were practically
o n the front line so that the ' t i m i n g ' h a d b e e n all right.
H e r e let m e give o u r orders as they finally stood: it w a s ex­
pected that after the attack o n the G u a r d s front o n the 21st h a d
taken place, the e n e m y w o u l d retire o n our front. O u r attack w a s
i n t e n d e d to harass their retreat. A few tanks f r o m D Battalion (4th
Battalion) were to attack the o l d C h r i s t m a s c a m p at M e a u l t e —
w e were to attack further to the right. O u r objective w a s the line
b e y o n d a r o w of trees (see d i a g r a m , F i g u r e 46). D a n g e r spots w e r e
the r o a d that passed M e a u l t e c a m p a n d the v a l l e y k n o w n as
H a p p y V a l l e y — a s i n g u l a r l y ironical title. A t Y p r e s , i n 1917, it h a d
b e e n the e n e m y p o l i c y to shell the tops of hills a n d h i g h g r o u n d
generally. B u t n o w they concentrated fire o n the valleys. So that if
w e took the v a l l e y as i n t e n d e d , it w a s extremely u n l i k e l y that the
troops i n it w o u l d describe it as ' h a p p y ' .
T h e British artillery w e r e to use a little s m o k e — e s p e c i a l l y over
H a p p y V a l l e y . T h e rest of the barrage w a s to be ' o n e - t h i r d
thermite'. T h i s meant that one third of the barrage w e r e to be
 i

Line of trees

Final objective

My route during action

Original British line

Knocked-out tanks

Points at which I took cover

A ditch

Figure 4 6
 DIARY 147

i n c e n d i a r y shells. T h e 'thermite' shell burst o n contact a n d b u r n t

a n y t h i n g near it, so it w a s quite effective against troops l y i n g o n
the g r o u n d . I never really discovered if it actually d i d any great
d a m a g e — i t certainly must have d o n e if it fell a m o n g troops i n
mass.
After the ' g r e e n ' line (Figure 46) h a d been consolidated, w e
w e r e to f i n d out if the infantry w a n t e d us a n y longer. If they d i d
not, w e were to rally o u r tanks a n d go back to c a m p . W e all h o p e d
the e n e m y had retired. But it w a s quite clear n o w that his g u n s ,
at a n y rate, h a d not retired. T h e i r shells were falling fast, a n d all
hopes of a w a l k - o v e r were dispelled. I signalled to the l e a d i n g tank
that they were not o n the line of attack, a n d Carter a n d I lay d o w n
i n a shell-hole a n d watched the four go past a n d disappear into the
smoke.
Carter then left me, a n d I w e n t o n i n the hopes of seeing s o m e ­
thing of w h a t the tanks d i d . I w a s v e r y sick a n d g r o g g y a n d d i d n ' t
m i n d m u c h w h a t h a p p e n e d to m e or m y tanks.
I a m really rather at a loss to describe the rest of the action.
I o n l y r e m e m b e r incidents a n d cannot r e m e m b e r h o w I got f r o m
one place to another. I think the best thing I c a n d o is s i m p l y to
give y o u a series of incidents i n the order i n w h i c h they came (as
far as I k n o w ) . T h e dotted line o n the sketch m a p (Figure 46) gives
y o u some i d e a of m y w a n d e r i n g s , b u t I a m afraid it is v e r y i n a c c u ­
rate. It m e r e l y represents the best-connected i d e a I c a n give of a n
action that w a s b l u r r e d a n d indistinct to m e e v e n w h i l e it w a s o n .
M y first i m p r e s s i o n w a s c o m i n g u p w i t h the infantry, w h o
w e r e h o l d i n g a line of v e r y b r o k e n trenches. A s far as I r e m e m b e r ,
I stayed s o m e time w a t c h i n g a n d w a i t i n g for something to h a p p e n .
T h e s u n w a s bright, a n d it was already getting hot. M o s t of the
g u n - s m o k e h a d b l o w n a w a y , a n d y o u c o u l d see the landscape
quite clearly, as I h a d seen it the p r e v i o u s d a y o n reconnaissance.
T h e m e n w e r e l y i n g u p against the remains of the f o r w a r d slope of
the trench a n d w a t c h i n g for a n enemy counter-attack. T h e flies
w e r e v e r y troublesome a n d especially w o r r y i n g a y o u n g b o y i n
front of me. H e w a s , h o w e v e r , almost past caring, as he h a d a b a d
w o u n d i n his stomach. There w a s nothing to be d o n e for h i m , as h e
w a s b e y o n d h o p e . I remember feeling half fascinated b y it all: the
heat, the flies, the o m i n o u s l u l l i n the battle a n d the p o o r b o y w i t h
his face deathly white a n d half-shut eyes. I c o u l d see n o t h i n g of m y
 DIARY 149

tanks. Later, w h e n the infantry h a d a d v a n c e d again, I w e n t rather

to the left of o u r f r o n t — t o w a r d s E (Figure 46).
T h e g r o u n d here was l o w - l y i n g a n d rose g r a d u a l l y towards the
enemy. T h e trees were o n the h i g h part of the ridge, a n d the 'green'
line w a s o n the d o w n w a r d slope again.
A s I a p p r o a c h e d , I saw that the e n e m y were concentrating fire
o n a spot of g r o u n d i n front of m e (E, F i g u r e 46). T h e l u l l was still
o n , b u t one g u n seemed to have a particular dislike for this place.
E v e r y 20 seconds or so y o u w o u l d see a great r e d c l o u d burst u p
f r o m the g r o u n d a n d roll out sideways, like s o m e h u g e flower
u n f o l d i n g . It m u s t h a v e been a n o l d house once, for y o u o n l y get
r e d like that w h e n brick dust is g o i n g into the air. I a p p r o a c h e d
the place to see if a tank was there, but f o u n d n o t h i n g . I lay o n the
g r o u n d for s o m e time a n d w a t c h e d the performance It was c u r i ­
o u s l y m o n o t o n o u s — t h e same roar, the explosion a n d h i s s i n g of
the splinters, a n d then the 'flower'.
T h e next t h i n g I remember was tottering off towards the
right. T h e g r o u n d was v e r y s c r u b b y — s h o r t furze bushes, thistles
a n d d r i e d - u p grass or b a k e d m u d . T h e artillery fire w a s g r o w i n g
fiercer again.
It w a s n o w that the extent of o u r losses became apparent. E v e r y
here a n d there m e n were l y i n g about w o u n d e d . T h e w o u n d s w e r e
practically all shell w o u n d s . T i m e a n d again I h e a r d someone
s h o u t i n g a n d w e n t over to f i n d a m a n l y i n g c r u m p l e d u p . T h e y all
w a n t e d help a n d w a n t e d to be taken back. I, of course, l i e d a n d
s a i d I w o u l d send help s o o n a n d that they w e r e all right. But I
c o u l d always see they k n e w it w a s nonsense.
I f o u n d m y s e l f l y i n g i n a k i n d of s m a l l d i t c h g r o w n over w i t h
thistles a n d scrub. T h e r e were three or four i n f a n t r y m e n w i t h a
L e w i s g u n b y me. W e h a d to keep o u r heads d o w n as o d d bullets

Figure 47
The attack, Aug. 22nd. Tanks are out of sight in a hollow on the left
front. The enemy are counter-attacking, and British reinforcements are
going up. The shell-bursts don't appear distinctly, but with care you can
pick them out. Of course at this stage of the battle the fire was distinctly
slacker than it had been earlier.
150 WAR MEMOIRS

kept c o m i n g over a n d sometimes y o u h e a r d the unpleasant 'flick'

of a near one.
It seemed fairly clear at this stage that the battle was over. M o s t
objectives seemed to be reached, artillery fire was not v e r y h e a v y ,
a n d everyone seemed to be w a i t i n g for something to h a p p e n .
O u r wait was enlivened b y some enemy aeroplanes. W e h e a r d
d r o n i n g a n d saw four or five aeroplanes come towards us f l y i n g
v e r y l o w . A m o n g s t the others there was one painted bright r e d —
the colour u s u a l l y believed to be affected b y Richthofen [celebrated
G e r m a n pilot, n i c k n a m e d the R e d Baron]. T h e y saw us a n d b l a z e d
off s o m e r o u n d s of m a c h i n e - g u n at us, d r o p p e d a couple of b o m b s
a n d cleared off. N o n e of their efforts met w i t h any success.
After s o m e time I w a l k e d f o r w a r d to B. T h i s was a tank I s a w
w h e n I w a s at the ditch. It h a d m a d e n o m o v e m e n t , so I p r e s u m e d
it h a d been k n o c k e d out. W h e n I reached it, I f o u n d a hole i n the
side a n d the n a m e A N C R E written o n it. It was a n o l d tank that
h a d been used i n the S o m m e battle of 1916.1 h a d h a r d l y time to see
it w h e n a shell came over. T h e e n e m y was determined to keep
p e o p l e a w a y f r o m it.
F r o m here I just saw one tank o n m y right a n d i n front of me.
It w a s g o i n g u p i n flames a n d was i n front of the British front line.
I got into touch w i t h the infantry battalion H . Q . a n d f o u n d out
that o u r objectives h a d been reached but w i t h h e a v y casualties.
T h e e n e m y infantry seemed to have been w i t h d r a w n , but their
guns h a d done great damage. T h e y h a d practically w i t h d r a w n all
H o w i t z e r s , a n d short-range weapons generally, a n d p o u n d e d us
w i t h guns.
I d e c i d e d to go back further left to see if I c o u l d f i n d a n y t h i n g
o u t about m y other two tanks. I h a d reached the d i t c h again ( C ,
F i g u r e 46) w h e n I saw a tank c o m i n g back. I went towards it a n d
f o u n d it w a s a 4th Battalion tank. H e told m e he h a d seen four
tanks g o i n g u p i n flames o n his right a n d that he thought they
w e r e all 5th Battalion tanks. I assumed he h a d seen m y three g o i n g
u p . I asked h i m if he h a d h a d any orders or k n e w a n y t h i n g . H e
told m e all objectives were reached a n d that all 4th Battalion tanks
h a d b e e n told to go h o m e .
I then d e c i d e d I ought to go back to the front line. There seemed
n o t h i n g to d o w h e n I got there b u t — i f anything went w r o n g a n d
 DIARY 151

questions were asked, it w o u l d be safer to be d i s c o v e r e d l o o k i n g

for lost tanks i n the front line than three miles b e h i n d it.
Just at this m o m e n t one of m y runners a r r i v e d to say that all
m y tanks h a d b e e n k n o c k e d out b u t w e h a d lost no m e n . H e said
the crews h a d been g i v e n p e r m i s s i o n to leave (by the respective
infantry battalion commanders), a n d , as they w e r e useless w i t h o u t
tanks, they h a d d o n e so a n d rallied at the p r e - a r r a n g e d point.
Carter h a d sent the r u n n e r off to tell me.
I t h a n k e d m y stars a n d told the 4th Battalion officer, ' H o m e
J o h n ' , a n d off w e went. A s w e t r u n d l e d along, w e were h a i l e d b y
n u m b e r s of w o u n d e d w h o called to be carried back. T h e p o s i t i o n
w a s a difficult one. T a n k s were expressly f o r b i d d e n to take back
w o u n d e d if l i m b s were b r o k e n . In a p r e v i o u s action they h a d been
o r d e r e d , o n c o m i n g out of action, to carry back all they c o u l d . T h e
result w a s a tragedy. A t the e n d of half a n h o u r ' s r i d e , after a n
otherwise perfect performance, every w o u n d e d m a n that h a d been
p i c k e d u p w i t h b r o k e n bones was f o u n d to be d e a d . N o w all the
w o u n d e d here were m e n w i t h b r o k e n bones. T h e shelling h a d
s i m p l y s m a s h e d legs or arms i n nearly every case. A bullet u s u a l l y
m a d e a clean w o u n d , but a shell almost i n v a r i a b l y makes a mess.
T h e result w a s w e were forced to refuse these p e o p l e o u r h e l p . It
w a s a n incredible business. T h e y of course saw a tank as their great
chance of safety. T h e y saw us h a p p i l y g o i n g h o m e a n d clutched
desperately at this s u d d e n v i s i o n of h o p e , o n l y to hear us refuse
help. I repeated the stale f o r m u l a , ' F u l l u p , but w i l l send a stretcher
bearer', a n d w e w e n t o n — p r o b a b l y cursed b y m e n w h o h a d never
before k n o w n one soldier refuse another soldier his help.
A t D (Figure 46) w e passed a w h o l e g r o u p of b a d l y hit m e n .
W e b o u n d t h e m u p as best w e c o u l d but n o m o r e . T h e y were i n a
helpless a n d d r e a d f u l state a n d l o o k e d at us queerly w h e n w e
w e n t o n w i t h o u t them.
W h e n w e reached the original British line, I told some v e r y
w e a r y a n d o v e r w o r k e d stretcher-bearers the positions of these
m e n . T h e y l o o k e d helplessly at m e a n d said they w o u l d fetch
t h e m — w h e n they c o u l d .
T h a t w a s the e n d of the action as far as I was concerned. A s
s o o n as I got to c a m p , a leave warrant was h a n d e d to me, a n d I w a s
told to meet a b o x - b o d y F o r d at a cross-roads just about 400 y a r d s
152 WAR MEMOIRS

b e h i n d the front line f r o m w h i c h the m o r n i n g battle h a d started. I

w a s v e r y s u r p r i s e d a n d pleased, as I h a d not expected leave till
v e r y m u c h later—for two or three months, at least.
I d a s h e d off d o w n to the r e n d e z v o u s a n d was s u r p r i s e d to f i n d
m y s e l f g o i n g d o w n a r o a d that was b e i n g quite h e a v i l y shelled.
Imagine it if y o u c a n — a m a n w i t h harassed nerves, a t o u c h of f l u ,
a leave w a r r a n t i n his pocket a n d a beastly strife o n a r o a d he has
to take. T h e leave warrant was the most d e m o r a l i z i n g part of it. It
makes y o u so careful w h e n y o u feel y o u are so near safety as that.
I reached the r e n d e z v o u s — a b r o k e n c h u r c h — a n d w a i t e d . T h e
car w a s late, of course. It was d u e at 6 p . m . , a n d at 6.05 the e n e m y
started to shell the village. W h a t were they u p to? W a s it a counter­
attack? A n d w h a t was that fool of a d r i v e r doing? O f course they
w o u l d shell the c h u r c h . I'd p u t that fool of a m a n u n d e r arrest as
s o o n as he appeared. A t 6.10 I d e c i d e d it w o u l d save unnecessary
c e r e m o n y if I shot h i m off-hand. A t 6.15 the c h u r c h started g o i n g
u p , a n d I e d g e d into the street a n d bit m y nails a n d cursed the
A . S . C . [ A r m y Service Corps] a n d their w o r k s . W h y c o u l d n ' t they
be punctual? A m i n u t e later there was a w h i r l of dust, a terrific
screech of b r a k e s — a n d there stood a dear little F o r d b o x - b o d y
w i t h a m o s t impertinent look o n its face. I shot into it like a rocket
a n d b a w l e d out, ' B o u l o g n e — a n d d r i v e like h e l l . ' H e d i d .
W e raced d o w n the roads like d e m o n s , a n d s l o w l y desolation
c h a n g e d to green fields a n d daylight to dusk. B y m i d n i g h t w e
w e r e still careering m a d l y o n ; but n o w the m o o n w a s u p , a n d
it w a s a peaceful a n d glorious night. A t 4 a.m. w e raced into
B o u l o g n e , a n d I got a stuffy little b e d i n a stuffy little r o o m a n d
w a s o n l y prevented f r o m thinking I was d r e a m i n g it all b y the only
too o b v i o u s fact that I wasn't asleep. O n l y those w h o k n o w w h a t
central heating i n a F r e n c h hotel i n A u g u s t means can appreciate
the f u g I e n d u r e d for those few hours.
A t 8.301 w a s o n b o a r d s h i p , a n d at 4.30 p . m . I w a s l y i n g i n the
H a m m a n Baths i n J e r m y n Street, r e a d i n g about a battle there h a d
b e e n o n the W e s t Front. British troops h a d attacked near M e a u l t e
a n d h a d taken a place called H a p p y V a l l e y , it appeared. A t 5 p . m .
the e n e m y h a d counter-attacked a n d d r i v e n back o u r advance
troops i n s o m e places. T h e enemy's losses were heavy. A man
leant across to m e — ' N i c e little s h o w that, eh, w h a t ? ' he s a i d . ' O h ,
very!' I replied.
 DIARY 153

That e v e n i n g I went to see ' T h e B o y ' . I h a d f o u n d out there w a s

n o train to L u s t l e i g h w h e r e M o t h e r was until 10 a.m. next m o r n ­
i n g , a n d I thought this w o u l d be a g o o d w a y of clearing the w a r
out of m y m i n d . W . H . Berry was the chief m a n , a n d v e r y inane
a n d silly the w h o l e s h o w was. T h e r e were lots of lights, brilliant
scenes, nice b a n g i n g m u s i c , l o u d - v o i c e d a n d shrieking actors a n d ,
i n short, e v e r y t h i n g to m a k e for a n unintelligent a n d expensive
e v e n i n g w i t h o u t any u n d u e effort o n m y part. I sat back a n d
w a t c h e d the s h o w a n d w o n d e r e d at it all. R i d i c u l o u s o l d m e n sat
about a n d l a u g h e d at silly jokes. Electric light a n d n o i s e — t h a t w a s
all there was, as far as L o n d o n w a s concerned. But I w a s too fresh
f r o m France, a n d the w h o l e time I saw, i n place of the scenes a n d
silly fools, H a p p y V a l l e y , a n d m e n asking to be carried back. It was
not a successful s h o w for me. T h e contrast of wartime L o n d o n w i t h
'out there' w a s too great. That L o n d o n s h o w w a s a nightmare, a n d
France w a s a n i g h t m a r e — b u t the latter w a s positively healthy
i n c o m p a r i s o n . T h e next m o r n i n g L o n d o n was b e h i n d m e , a n d at
about 3.30 p . m . I w a s at L u s t l e i g h .
T h e remains of ' f l u a n d a t o u c h of p o i s o n gas kept m e rather
seedy. A doctor gave m e some stuff that seemed to d o m e g o o d
a n d visited m e frequently. H e refused all p a y m e n t for he w a s a n
e x - a r m y doctor a n d w o u l d n ' t hear of b e i n g p a i d b y a soldier. It
w a s just a little o r d i n a r y friendly h e l p , he explained. I h a v e since
f o u n d out that it w a s a p o i n t of h o n o u r w i t h all doctors w h o h a d
been i n the a r m y to give m e d i c a l help freely to service m e n .
I Will not say a n y t h i n g of leave. O n September 6th I w e n t back
to France. I w a s i n a v e r y cheerful frame of m i n d . T h e last time I
h a d gone o n leave I seemed to be g o i n g back to a n a r m y faced w i t h
o v e r w h e l m i n g disaster. T h i s time w e seemed to be w i n n i n g . T h e
D r o c o u r t - Q u e a n t battle w a s a success, a n d the 'impenetrable w a l l
of the W e s t F r o n t ' seemed to be c r u m b l i n g at last. O n e d i d n ' t quite
like to think about peace; but, at a n y rate, a Great British V i c t o r y
generally seemed to be f o l l o w e d b y a slight G e r m a n retreat—a
feature that h a d been absent i n most of o u r victories since 1914.
A l s o , there seemed to be a fair chance that the A l l i e s really w o u l d
definitely w i n the w a r s o m e d a y .
I got b a c k to the battalion to f i n d things i n a queer state. T h e y
were a l l peacefully ensconced at B l a u g y , a n d p e o p l e were u p to
their u s u a l t r i c k s — s o m e w o n d e r i n g w h y they h a d n ' t got D . S . O . ' s ,
154 WAR MEMOIRS

others w o n d e r i n g w h y they h a d n ' t got majorities. It was fairly

a m u s i n g so l o n g as y o u felt there was n o chance of b e i n g p u t u n d e r
c o m m a n d of a n absolute fool. B C o m p a n y r e m a i n e d c a l m , as a n y
change i n a c o m m a n d e r c o u l d o n l y be for the better.
There was one disquieting feature—a persistent r u m o u r that
the battalion was g o i n g into action again.
I a r r i v e d i n the C o m p a n y M e s s at about 2.30 p . m . to f i n d a d i s ­
consolate-looking i n d i v i d u a l e n d e a v o u r i n g to d e a d e n the bitter­
ness of a r m y l i m e juice w i t h copious additions of ration sugar. H e
gave m e the news.
C o l o n e l O ' K e l l y was g o i n g or h a d gone. H i s place was taken b y
a n o l d R . H . G . [Royal H o r s e G u a r d s ] officer w h o h a d been O . C . A
C o m p a n y . A C o m p a n y were c o m m a n d e d b y M a j o r H u n t l a t c h , a
decent, easy-going o l d soul w h o h a d n o intention of taking the w a r
too seriously. C C o m p a n y were still c o m m a n d e d b y Gatehouse,
w h o h a d got r i d of C a p t . H o m f r a y (or rather h o p e d to d o s o — b y
p u s h i n g h i m for p r o m o t i o n to C o m p a n y C o m m a n d e r , major). O u r
c o m p a n y was i n a queer position. It was still c o m m a n d e d by
A i t c h e s , b u t he w a s m o v i n g heaven a n d earth to get to E n g l a n d to
join the cadre of a n e w battalion that was to be formed. C o o k h o p e d
s o o n to get to E n g l a n d as a C o m p a n y C o m m a n d e r i n this same
battalion. C a p t . N i x o n , w h o h a d been a major i n the 4th Battalion,
w a s n o w second i n c o m m a n d to our c o m p a n y . H e h a d b e e n re­
d u c e d to his temporary rank (he h a d been 'acting' major) as a result
of a n injudicious quarrel i n the 4th Battalion. H e was s o m e w h a t
sore a n d d i s g r u n t l e d as a result. I h a d met h i m at M e r l i m o n t w h e n
I w a s there as instructor at the b e g i n n i n g of the year. H e h a d then
s e e m e d v e r y efficient b u t somewhat overbearing.
Carter a n d H a u s e r gave me m u c h the same n e w s a n d also told
m e about the last action. A s a result of that s h o w , the battalion h a d
finished off all its r e m a i n i n g tanks. N e a r l y all were w o r n out be­
fore the s h o w a n d so h a d d e v e l o p e d engine trouble before getting
out. T h e crews h a d f o r m e d 'strong points' r o u n d them, a n d i n any
case the tanks h a d been destroyed a little later b y direct hits. O n c e
they were stationary, they h a d presented too easy a target to be
m i s s e d . A s a result w e only h a d one casualty, a l t h o u g h all six
r e m a i n i n g tanks h a d been destroyed b y direct hits. Carter h a d
reported Aitches for his performance a n d h a d a d d e d that I c o u l d
 DIARY 155

substantiate his evidence. T h e brigadier h a d a d v i s e d h i m to say n o

m o r e a n d not carry the t h i n g t h r o u g h , as he saw m e a n s for getting
A i t c h e s out of the w a y w i t h o u t a n y f u s s — p r e s u m a b l y b y s e n d i n g
h i m h o m e to E n g l a n d . T h e 5th Battalion w a s n o w a v e r y f a m o u s
b a t t a l i o n — i t h a d been p r a i s e d o p e n l y to the rest of the C o r p s b y
Sir D o u g l a s H a i g , a n d they thought it better for the reputation
a n d m o r a l e of the battalion to get r i d of d u d s quietly. I agreed
w i t h C a r t e r that this seemed the wisest p l a n . T h e m a i n t h i n g w a s
to clear out A i t c h e s , a n d this seemed to be assured i n the near
future.
O n about September 20th the battalion d r e w fresh tanks, a n d
u p the line w e went. C C o m p a n y , u n d e r M a j o r Gatehouse, h a d
b e e n to Paris after A u g u s t 8th to give demonstrations to v a r i o u s
staff officers of the F r e n c h a n d British armies. T h e y h a d h a d a v e r y
g o o d time a n d w e r e i n anticipation of g o o d things still to come.
Gatehouse, w h o w o u l d h a v e g i v e n his s o u l for a D . S . O . , h a d p u t
practically his entire c o m p a n y i n for s o m e t h i n g or other. C o l o n e l
O ' K e l l y h a d as g o o d as told h i m he w a s i n for a D . S . O . for his
h a n d l i n g of the c o m p a n y o n A u g u s t 8th, a n d all l o o k e d m e r r y a n d
bright. Indeed, the w h o l e battalion consoled themselves s o m e w h a t
b y the h o p e of pretty ribbons i n the near future. In the m e a n t i m e ,
h o w e v e r , this action business w a s certainly a bit of a bore.
We detrained at Roisel ( w h i c h h a d been i n e n e m y hands
about ten d a y s before), s o m e ten miles b e h i n d the line, w i t h the
calmness a n d d i g n i t y of true soldiers. In actual p o i n t of fact that
railhead w a s not quite the innocent spot it l o o k e d ; w h i l e w e peace­
fully t r u n d l e d off o u r tanks, a n ingenious little arrangement of
w i r e s , a c i d , etc. d i d its w o r k equally peacefully s o m e 20 feet u n ­
d e r g r o u n d . F o r the m o m e n t we w e r e the i m p o r t a n t personages at
R o i s e l ; b u t o u r little friend h a d his t u r n later, a n d o n October 28th
or thereabouts, 30 soldiers, a n a m m u n i t i o n train, two tank trains
a n d R o i s e l r a i l w a y station, all d i s a p p e a r e d into the blue. T h a t w a s
a long-suffering a n d patient m i n e — b u t it h a d its r e w a r d .
W e p u t u p i n a w o o d near the station. W e spent the next d a y i n
t i n k e r i n g about once m o r e — t h e o l d r o u t i n e — a n d i n the e v e n i n g
w e p u s h e d f o r w a r d again. W e w e r e n o w w i t h i n five miles of the
front line, a n d it was the night 2 6 / 2 7 t h September. A s d a w n b r o k e ,
the earth s u d d e n l y b e g a n to tremble, a n d the air w a s filled w i t h
156 WAR MEMOIRS

the t h u n d e r of o u r guns; o n a front of thirty miles the British

artillery h a d o p e n e d u p h u r r i c a n e fire. T h e last great battle for the
H i n d e n b u r g Line had commenced.
A s the grey m o r n i n g light filtered t h r o u g h the trees, I s t o o d
a n d w o n d e r e d w e a r i l y h o w l o n g the accursed business would
last. I c o u l d almost see the p o o r devils i n the T i n e ' — e a r t h a n d
filth f l y i n g e v e r y w h e r e a n d chaos unutterable. T h e future c o u l d
g i v e n o consolation. T h e G e r m a n s were i n the last d i t c h , a n d there
c o u l d be n o t h i n g b u t the bitterest o p p o s i t i o n . It w a s true that
the w a r - c o r r e s p o n d e n t s h a d noticed a slackening i n the G e r m a n
s p i r i t — t h e i r m o r a l e , they s a i d , w a s gone. But most of the fighting
m e n I h a v e s p o k e n to h a d not r e m a r k e d this. Perhaps the u n f o r t u ­
nate Boche f o u n d it easier to face a British T o m m y than a British
war-correspondent.
I regretted heartily m y refusal to g o back to E n g l a n d a n d join
a n e w battalion. T h e r e w a s one t h i n g that was b e c o m i n g v e r y
c l e a r — I h a d lost m y nerve. E v e r y t h i n g I d i d w a s difficult; i n action
I h a d to force myself to d o m y mere job. I became m o r e or less
p a r a l y s e d at the thought of action, a n d m y b r a i n w o u l d not w o r k .
T h e r e a l w a y s h a d been the traces of this trouble—after the b r e a k ­
t h r o u g h of N o v e m b e r 30th 1917, at M e t e r e n i n A p r i l '18, a n d o n
A u g u s t 8th ' 1 8 — o n all these occasions I seemed unable to shake off
a k i n d of sluggishness a n d terror that threatened to c r u s h all life
out of m e . I h a d reached the stage that m a n y h a d reached before
m e — t h e B . E . F . [British E x p e d i t i o n a r y Force] m a n w h o w a s 'not as
g o o d as h e h a d been'.
M y rather unpleasant thoughts were interrupted b y N i x o n ' s
a p p r o a c h . I asked h i m if the troops were attacking that m o r n i n g .
H e t o l d m e they w e r e not. T h e British h u r r i c a n e b o m b a r d m e n t —
1/3 thermite a n d c h l o r i n e — w a s to continue for 48 h o u r s . ' W e ' v e
j o i n e d the right a r m y this time' he s a i d , a n d I heartily agreed.
A n h o u r later a message came t h r o u g h to say that o u r battalion
w a s reserved to follow t h r o u g h a n d not for the first assault. T h a t ,
at a n y rate, gave us one m o r e d a y , e v e n if it meant that w h e n w e
d i d go i n o u r orders w o u l d be s c r a p p y , incomplete a n d chaotic.
T h e d a y w a s spent i n preparation for action. T h e u s u a l n e r v o u s
dejection a n d m i s e r y w a s enlightened b y two e v e n t s — o n e , the
d e p a r t u r e of s o m e officers a n d m e n to f o r m n e w battalions i n
E n g l a n d . A m o n g others, H a r r i s o n a n d C o o k went, a n d B u c h a n a n ,
 DIARY 157

m y r u n n e r , a jolly g o o d fellow I was sorry to lose. T h e other event

caused flutterings i n the dovecote e v e n at this j u n c t u r e — d e c o r a ­
tions a n d p r o m o t i o n s h a d c o m e t h r o u g h ! I h a d been a w a r d e d the
Legion d'Honneur!
T h i s decoration needs e x p l a i n i n g . It was g i v e n , ostensibly, for
gallantry i n action o n A u g u s t 8th. In actual p o i n t of fact it was
practically arranged before that action that I s h o u l d get something
out of the l u c k y b a g . T h e Brigadier h a d said that a D . S . O . alone
l o o k e d l o n e l y a n d m i s e r a b l e — a t o u c h of colour b y its side w o u l d
i m p r o v e things n o e n d , he declared. T h e C o l o n e l said that I n e e d e d
a n extra to m a k e u p for m i s s i n g a V . C . O n e or two company
officers said that I deserved it for h a v i n g served u n d e r A i t c h e s so
l o n g . T h e m e n were past b e i n g s u r p r i s e d at a n y t h i n g .
T h i s decoration was p u t into the shade b y m a n y others. T h e
O . C . A C o m p a n y got a n M . C . for gallantry i n l e a d i n g his c o m p a n y
into action over a heavily shelled b r i d g e o n A u g u s t 8th. T h e c o m ­
p a n y s w o r e bitterly he h a d been n o w h e r e near the place a n d that
a C a p t . L l e w e l l y n h a d d o n e the job. T o d o h i m justice, the O . C . A
C o m p a n y agreed w i t h them!
M a j o r Gatehouse h a d w o n an M . C . ! — f o r magnificent h a n d l i n g
of his c o m p a n y o n A u g u s t 8th a n d subsequently. T h e comments
o n this were m a n y a n d diverse. A C o m p a n y were i n c l i n e d to be
ironic a n d w o n d e r e d w h y he h a d n ' t m a d e it a V . C . w h i l e he was at
it. C C o m p a n y kept their thoughts to themselves, a n d B C o m p a n y
s a i d he t h o r o u g h l y deserved i t — f o r h a n d l i n g his c o m p a n y so w e l l
that he got t h e m into Paris. Gatehouse c o n f i d e d his o p i n i o n to m e .
W i t h amazement I h e a r d h i m say, 'Infernal scandal, these d e c o r a ­
tions!' H a d I m i s j u d g e d h i m ? W a s he really modest a n d retiring
after a l l ? — a n d then he c o n t i n u e d — ' T h e o l d d e v i l swore h e ' d p u t
m e i n for a D . S . O . ! I a n d here I a m w i t h this d i r t y little M . C . ! Y o u
can't trust these Irishmen a n i n c h ! I'll get even w i t h the o l d
s w i n e yet!' But, alas, O ' K e l l y was out of reach. H e h a d suffered
m u c h f r o m Gatehouse (and confided as m u c h to C o o k ) . H e h a d
p r o m i s e d a D . S . O . , b u t as he w o u l d be safe i n E n g l a n d w i t h a n e w
battalion b y the time h o n o u r s came o u t — o n e can o n l y guess the
rest! P o o r o l d Gatehouse! T h e r e he stood, w i t h a c r o w d of eager
y o u n g faces r o u n d h i m — a l l his b e l o v e d officers—pressing near to
congratulate their O . C . , a n d not one of the blockheads s e e m e d
to realize h o w miserably unappreciated his services h a d been!
 DIARY 159

T h e O . C B C o m p a n y — M a j o r A i t c h e s , to w i t — h a d not passed
u n n o t i c e d . H e was a w a r d e d the M . C . for magnificent reconnais­
sance w o r k before A u g u s t 8th, a n d for his gallantry i n l e a d i n g the
c o m p a n y tanks over a perilous b r i d g e a n d so into action beneath a
s t o r m of shells.
T h i s w e c o u l d not s w a l l o w . A l l officers d e c i d e d not to c o n ­
gratulate h i m or, i n d e e d , to notice the thing. A i t c h e s w a s a b o r n
fool. H e w a s as pleased as p u n c h a n d r a k e d u p f r o m goodness
k n o w s w h e r e a piece of M . C . r i b b o n . H e t u r n e d u p at o u r s i m p l e
e v e n i n g repast w i t h a half-inch-broad r i b b o n s e w n to his tunic a n d
w i t h a r e a d y smile p r e p a r e d to receive homage. P o o r chap! H e w a s
g e n u i n e l y p r o u d of the rotten thing, a n d I d o n ' t believe he ever
u n d e r s t o o d w h y none of his officers said a w o r d .
T h e r e is one other decoration a n d p r o m o t i o n that I w i l l m e n ­
tion n o w , as it h a p p e n e d to concern m e later. A y o u n g b o y n a m e d
W i n d l e , w h o h a d a certain c h a r m of m a n n e r a n d was p o p u l a r w i t h
Gatehouse, was a w a r d e d a n M . C . a n d m a d e a captain to c o m m a n d
a section. H i s M . C . w a s for a n alleged brilliant piece of w o r k (on
A u g u s t 8th), w h i c h I k n e w h a d not taken place (as I h a p p e n e d to
be there). Gatehouse h a d h i m p r o m o t e d for this same t h i n g a n d
then p r o p o s e d that he s h o u l d go to B C o m p a n y as a section c o m ­
m a n d e r . A s s o o n as I h e a r d this, I d a s h e d off to N i x o n a n d A i t c h e s
a n d a d v i s e d t h e m o n n o account to take h i m . I a r g u e d that W i n d l e
was a b a d officer. I h a d seen h i m at M i l l e k r u i s s e at the b e g i n n i n g
of the year a n d h a d taken over trenches f r o m h i m . H e w a s then
useless a n d r i d i c u l o u s as a n officer. I h a d b e e n o n the spot o n
A u g u s t 8th w h e n W i n d l e h a d been alleged to d o his great s h o w .
H e h a d not d o n e it. I declared that he h a d merely b e e n p r o m o t e d
a n d petted b y Gatehouse, a n d that if Gatehouse p r o m o t e d h i m , he

Figure 48
Moving forward for action. A photo of the 5th Battalion tanks moving
forward in the mist of the morning of Sept. 29th. Note the officer and
man following the tank. Whenever it was just a case of follow my leader
this was the inevitable procedure. You only put enough men to work the
tank inside, and the rest would follow with hands thrust deep into
pockets and slouching tread. It was curious to watch the little ribs of the
tank track-plates continually climbing up and up the back of the tank.
160 W A R MEMOIRS

o u g h t to keep h i m . He thought h i m g o o d e n o u g h for a section; we

d i d not—therefore Gatehouse s h o u l d have h i m . I said a b a d sec­
tion c o m m a n d e r i n our c o m p a n y meant m o r e w o r k for the other
section c o m m a n d e r s a n d a b a d section to boot.
F o r the present m y arguments p r e v a i l e d , a n d N i x o n assured
m e he w o u l d keep Aitches u p to scratch. Y o u w i l l see later h o w
true m y w o r d s were.
T h e 27th a n d 28th passed w i t h o u t further interest, a n d w e
s i m p l y s m o k e d , talked a n d d i d o d d jobs w h i l e the guns t h u n d e r e d
i n the distance.
O n the m o r n i n g of September 29th the entire battalion m o v e d
f o r w a r d . T h e final assault o n the H i n d e n b u r g line h a d c o m m e n c e d
that same m o r n i n g . W e trekked s l o w l y o n . O n l y the C o l o n e l a n d a
few officers k n e w where w e were going. N o one k n e w yet w h a t w e
s h o u l d be called u p o n to d o . T h e m o r n i n g mist w a s c o l d a n d
w r a p p e d us r o u n d until the leading tanks l o o k e d quite ghostly i n
the distance. T h e air was filled w i t h the drone of o u r engines a n d
the t h u n d e r of the battle w h i c h was r a g i n g a w a y i n front of u s .
W e ate o u r b u l l y beef a n d biscuits for l u n c h as w e went. I
o r d e r e d m y section to tie petrol cans filled w i t h water onto the
exhaust pipes o n the roof—so that w e s h o u l d later have b o i l i n g
water for tea.
T h e d r i v e seemed almost interminable. A t 6.30 a halt w a s
called, a n d I o r d e r e d tea at once for m y section. W e just sat r o u n d
o u r tanks a n d s w i l l e d hot tea a n d ate m o r e biscuit. N i x o n came
a l o n g , a n d I asked h i m for news. H e c o u l d tell m e little. H e d i d n ' t
k n o w whether w e s h o u l d be needed next m o r n i n g or w h e r e w e
w e r e g o i n g ; he o n l y k n e w that the o p e n i n g stages of the attack h a d
b e e n fairly successful.
A t 7.30, just as w e were b e g i n n i n g to despair of orders, w e
w e r e s u d d e n l y told to go o n , a n d the w e a r y trek b e g a n again. It
w a s n o w getting dark, a n d I remember w e seemed to be p a s s i n g
rather w e i r d country. W e were travelling along the b e d of a v a l l e y ,
a n d the noise of our engines a n d the occasional back-fires set u p a
k i n d of m u t t e r i n g echo that s o u n d e d like a ghostly battle.
A t last night fell, a n d still w e went o n . But our journey became
less s m o o t h . E v e r y n o w a n d then the tanks i n front w o u l d c o m e to
a standstill, a n d w e w o u l d wait patiently w h i l e the w e a r y m i n u t e s
s l i p p e d b y . A t last w e w o u l d start f o r w a r d again, b u t o n l y to stop
 Figure 49
The park on night of Sept. 29th/30th.

i n the same w a y a little later. Messages kept p a s s i n g u p a n d d o w n

the line for certain officers to go to the h e a d of the c o l u m n , or for
i n f o r m a t i o n about the tail c o m p a n y . If w e h a d been sufficiently
interested, w e m i g h t h a v e w o n d e r e d w h e r e w e were g o i n g .
A t 10 p . m . w e f o u n d ourselves o n a r o a d . N o t far i n front w e
c o u l d see V e r y lights a n d the r e d g l o w of b u r s t i n g shells. T h e r e
w a s a l u l l i n the battle.
A t 10.30 p . m . w e reached a fork r o a d a n d a crucifix. I asked
N i x o n w h e r e w e were, a n d he told m e w e were n o w o n the
Bellenglise r o a d . H e told m e the e n e m y h a d been d r i v e n out of
Bellenglise that m o r n i n g a n d that his p o s i t i o n was uncertain. In­
stead of g o i n g o n d o w n the Bellenglise r o a d , w e t u r n e d u p the
fork r o a d a n d after travelling about a mile w e p a r k e d u p just off
the r o a d u n d e r the shelter of s o m e trees (see F i g u r e 49). T h e m e n
w e r e v e r y tired i n d e e d , a n d most of us were n e r v y . T h e trek h a d
b e e n v e r y l o n g a n d just a repetition of the o l d s t o r y — h a l t s , engine
trouble, u n c e r t a i n t y — u n t i l w e were all t h o r o u g h l y w o r n out w i t h
it all.
 162 WAR MEMOIRS

I t o l d m y people to h u r r y u p a n d get camouflaged a n d t u r n i n

as fast as possible, a n d it certainly d i d not take t h e m v e r y l o n g . I
l o o k e d at m y w a t c h a n d f o u n d it w a s m i d n i g h t . W h a t e v e r the next
d a y h e l d i n store for us, it at least l o o k e d as if w e were to get s o m e
sleep that night. I was just congratulating myself o n this w h e n I
h e a r d s o m e o n e calling for ' C a p t a i n B i o n ' . 'Yes', I shouted at h i m . A
r u n n e r p r o m p t l y appeared. ' Y o u ' r e w a n t e d b y the C o l o n e l at once,
please, sir', he s a i d .
I left the tanks a n d w e n t u p the side track onto the r o a d . H e r e
I s a w the C o l o n e l ' s car standing b y the ditch. I w e n t u p to it a n d
f o u n d the C o l o n e l w a i t i n g for m e b y the d o o r . 'I w a n t y o u to take
a section of tanks into action, B i o n ' , he said. I asked h i m w h e n . T o
m y surprise he said zero h o u r was at 5.45 that m o r n i n g — i t w a s
n o w about 12.30. I asked h i m where, a n d he p o i n t e d out a spot
about three miles away. I told h i m it was quite impossible. It
w o u l d take quite three h o u r s , w i t h o u r m e n as tired as they were,
to get o u r tanks there—quite apart f r o m arranging the action. But
at this he h a d a n o v e l suggestion. A t first he seemed somewhat
embarrassed, a n d then after some hesitation he told m e he d i d not
w a n t m e to take m y tanks into action. N o — t h e r e w a s already a
section of tanks r e a d y to d o the job, a n d they were o n l y about two
m i l e s — r a t h e r l e s s — f r o m the starting-point.
T h i s seemed suspicious. I was very tired, d i d n ' t w a n t the s h o w ,
a n d , for the first time, I said so. I asked if there wasn't s o m e other
m a n w h o c o u l d d o it if the p r o p e r section c o m m a n d e r was unfit.
' O h n o ; the real section c o m m a n d e r isn't unfit. Y o u see, w e ' d w i l l ­
i n g l y get a n o t h e r — b u t this s h o w is v e r y unexpected, a n d w e w a n t
a really experienced m a n to d o it. There's n o t h i n g i n it, b u t as it's
so h u r r i e d y o u m u s t h a v e a m a n w h o can be relied o n . If the plans
w e r e all c u t - a n d - d r i e d , of course anyone c o u l d d o it, b u t as it is . . .
w e l l , it's far too difficult. It needs a really good m a n . '
T h e c o m p l i m e n t w a s n o doubt v e r y gratifying; b u t it w a s lost
o n m e . ' W h o is the section c o m m a n d e r ? ' I asked; a n d as I d i d so I
half expected the answer I got. ' O h ' r e p l i e d the C o l o n e l , 'It's C a p ­
tain W i n d l e — C C o m p a n y . '
I w a s furious about it. I w o n ' t detail m y feelings about this
n o w — b u t I d i d then. It was the best possible example that c o u l d
h a v e been g i v e n to bear out the argument I b r o u g h t f o r w a r d before
A i t c h e s a n d N i x o n p r e v i o u s l y . I asked the C o l o n e l w h y he h a d
 DIARY 163

b e e n p r o m o t e d , a n d I told h i m I thought the w h o l e t h i n g disgrace­

ful. T h e C o l o n e l w a s a w e a k m a n , or he w o u l d never h a v e a l l o w e d
m e to talk like that. Instead of p u t t i n g m e u n d e r arrest, h e a p o l o ­
g i z e d a n d flattered profusely.
I asked h i m for orders. I was to go to infantry b r i g a d e H . Q . T h e
b r i g a d e w a s , I think, i n the 3 r d Regular D i v i s i o n — I w a s to f i n d out
f r o m the brigadier w h a t the infantry operations were a n d then
s i m p l y to use m y tanks o n m y o w n initiative. T h e r e w a s n o time
for detailed co-operation.
I w a s then presented w i t h a g u i d e w h o h a d c o m e f r o m this
b r i g a d e H . Q . It w a s his job to lead me to the G e n e r a l .
W e set out at once, a n d after g o i n g d o w n the r o a d towards the
crucifix w e s u d d e n l y t u r n e d sharp to o u r right. W e were n o w o n
h i g h g r o u n d , a n d , as far as I c o u l d judge i n the d a r k , w e were o n a
k i n d of plateau. It was a pitch-black night, a n d there w e r e n o signs
of life a n y w h e r e .
N o w , it doesn't matter h o w intelligent a m a n m a y be, b u t if
ever y o u m a k e h i m into a ' g u i d e ' , he loses all sense, initiative a n d
resource a n d falls into the groove c o m m o n to all ' g u i d e s ' that h a v e
b e e n since the w o r l d began. E v e r y ' g u i d e ' w h o prides himself o n
b e i n g a m e m b e r of the fraternity behaves i n the same w a y . H e sets
out w i t h tremendous confidence a n d sets a pace that makes it
impossible for a n y troops w h o m a y be f o l l o w i n g to keep t o u c h .
After a m i l e he begins to falter but assures y o u , w i t h the c o n f i ­
dence of a b o r n actor, that he k n o w s the place like the ' p a l m of m e
' a n d , sir'. After about half a n h o u r of this he is still f u l l of c o n f i ­
dence, but his conversation is based o n the a s s u m p t i o n that he has
p r e v i o u s l y a d m i t t e d himself lost—e.g. 'Shan't be l o n g n o w , sir;
this looks like o u r path. K n o w where I am n o w ' , etc. etc. If y o u are
wise y o u ' l l shoot h i m o n the spot, before he can d o more h a r m , a n d
try to disentangle the mess yourself. If not, another half-hour w i l l
b r i n g the a d m i s s i o n , 'Please, sir, I ' m lost'—this last uttered i n the
tone of a m a n w h o has been the u n w i t t i n g v i c t i m of sorcery.
M y g u i d e w a s n o exception to the rule; w e were l o s t — a n d it
w a s already v e r y late w h e n w e started.
Fortunately, after a little casting about, w e p i c k e d u p s o m e
telephone wires a n d f o l l o w e d them u p till w e came to a n R . E .
[Royal Engineers] d u g o u t , w h i c h was the 'exchange'. W e asked
t h e m for o u r brigade H . Q . , a n d they p u t us onto the w i r e l e a d i n g
164 WAR MEMOIRS

to it. W e g r o p e d a l o n g the g r o u n d feeling for this w i r e , a n d at last

w e s a w a c h i n k of light c o m i n g u p f r o m a trap-door affair at o u r
feet. W e o p e n e d it a n d w e n t d o w n some steps to a d u g o u t about 60
feet b e l o w the surface.
H e a d q u a r t e r s presented the u s u a l sight at s u c h a time. T h e air
w a s stale, a n d s m o k e f r o m a fire h u n g about the roof. M e n w e r e
l y i n g about the floor rolled u p i n their blankets. In the m i d d l e of
the d u g o u t stood a table a r o u n d w h i c h there were seated v a r i o u s
officers w h o were p o r i n g over a m a p a n d trying to make out de­
tails b y the d i n g y light of a s m o k y oil l a m p that h u n g above them.
I r e p o r t e d to the G e n e r a l , a n d he gave m e a seat b y his side. H e
then e x p l a i n e d the action.
T h e G e r m a n s were h o l d i n g out o n our side of the canal o n a h i l l
called T a r a H i l l (see F i g u r e 50). A s far as c o u l d be seen, there were
not m a n y of them. It was i n t e n d e d to m a k e a one-brigade attack
(three battalions) encircling the hill. T h e tanks were to render any
assistance that m i g h t be necessary. T h e brigadier then y a w n e d ,
stroked his two d a y s 7
g r o w t h of b e a r d , a n d asked if I h a d any
suggestions to m a k e . I l o o k e d at m y w a t c h a n d saw the time w a s
3 a.m. I h a d not realized h o w late it was. I told the Brigadier there
w a s not time to carry out any suggestions a n d that I was afraid
that, as it was, w e s h o u l d be late. ' O h , that's all right', he s a i d , T
d o n ' t expect there w i l l be any o p p o s i t i o n — o n l y just to encourage
the troops, y o u k n o w ' , a n d w i t h that I went. A t the top of the
d u g o u t I met Peter B a r r — t h e c o m p a n y reconnaissance officer. H e
h a d b e e n sent to meet m e there a n d take m e to W i n d l e ' s tanks.
H e h a d b e e n g i v e n m a p s for us b o t h a n d h a d s t u d i e d out a route
for the tanks v e r y carefully i n the time he h a d . T h e c o l d n i g h t air
struck us s h a r p l y after the thick atmosphere of the d u g o u t , a n d
w e stepped out smartly. A t 3.30 w e reached the tanks. T h e y were
not quite r e a d y for action, a n d w e seemed to delay a n age.
A t last w e set out. T h e tanks r a n v e r y b a d l y , a n d w e h a d e n d ­
less trouble. F i n a l l y one gave out altogether, a n d w e left the crew
to shift for themselves. W e h a d n o time to spare, a n d if w e c o u l d n ' t
h a v e three tanks, w e h a d to d o w i t h two. A s w e went, I s t u d i e d the
m a p . T h e route the infantry were d u e to follow was a l o n g a s p u r
that r a n out f r o m the h i g h g r o u n d f o r m i n g the present British
position. T h e s p u r e n d e d i n a blob k n o w n as T a r a H i l l — t h e place
w e expected most resistance. After s t u d y i n g the m a p , I d e c i d e d
3 Direction

Probable
of British

enemy
attack

positions

It H Capt Windle's tanks

Figure 50
166 WAR MEMOIRS

that the best p l a n w o u l d be to go for the r i g h t - h a n d slope of the

s p u r . I d i d this as it seemed to m e the tanks w o u l d then be p r o ­
tected f r o m G e r m a n gunfire. T h e spur w o u l d shelter t h e m f r o m the
C a n a l d e N o r d side. I anticipated n o trouble f r o m the right, as n o
guns c o u l d be so near the British front line as to attack us o n that
flank. O u r m a i n danger seemed to m e to be f r o m the left a n d front.
W e pressed o n as fast as w e c o u l d , c l i m b i n g steadily towards
the British front line. E n g i n e trouble h e l d us u p the w h o l e time; the
tanks seemed to be i n fearful condition. A t last it b e g a n to g r o w
light; it was certain n o w that w e s h o u l d be late for the action. Barr
a n d I were about thirty yards ahead a n d were steering straight
across c o u n t r y b y compass. I l o o k e d at m y w a t c h a n d saw it w a s
5.45 a.m. A t the same m o m e n t a few guns o p e n e d u p a desultory
k i n d of fire. ' T h e action', said Barr, 'appears to have c o m m e n c e d ' .
A b o u t twenty minutes later w e a r r i v e d o n the front line a n d
f o u n d ourselves approximately w h e r e w e w a n t e d to be. The
trenches of o u r front line were deep a n d c r u m b l i n g . O w i n g to this
a n d to t h o r o u g h l y b a d d r i v i n g , both tanks at once became h o p e ­
lessly d i t c h e d . T h i s was too m u c h . I fetched those crews out a n d
m a d e t h e m d i g as they h a d never d u g before. In twenty minutes
w e practically levelled those trenches out, but I was taking n o
chances. I m a d e t h e m fix the u n d i t c h i n g gear a n d . . . out came
b o t h tanks. T h e u n d i t c h i n g gear was replaced, a n d w e w e n t o n .
Forty minutes late.
In the meantime there seemed to be n o signs of the action. T h e
guns h a d ceased fire, a n d the infantry appeared to be v e r y w e l l
concealed. It l o o k e d as if the British A r m y h a d reached the R h i n e
w h i l e w e h a d been fooling about.
W e pressed o n as fast as w e c o u l d , a n d at last w e got to T a r a
H i l l . H e r e w e f o u n d the infantry. T h e y were sitting o n v a r i o u s tree
s t u m p s , s m o k i n g their pipes, a n d cleaning their rifles. I f o u n d a n
officer a n d asked for news. 'Was there to be a battle here this
m o r n i n g ? ' I asked, 'or was it only a r u m o u r ? ' 'Yes', he told m e ,
'there was to be a n action; only our staff m a d e a mess of it. T h e y
forgot to w a r n H i n d e n b u r g , a n d as a result there weren't any
G e r m a n s left here to fight us. T h e dear o l d Boche h a d gone off to
the V a t e r l a n d years before w e a r r i v e d . '
I o r d e r e d the tank c o m m a n d e r to d r i v e h o m e . N o sooner h a d
they started than one fool got stuck. I p u l l e d out m y p i p e , sat o n a
 DIARY 167

s t u m p a n d s m o k e d peacefully w h i l e the crew w a n d e r e d aimlessly

r o u n d . T h e y w e r e t h o r o u g h l y incompetent, a n d I d i s c o v e r e d they
w e r e o n l y a scratch lot got together a n y h o w . W i n d l e w a s not re­
sponsible for their i d i o c y a n y w a y .
S u d d e n l y the engine b a c k - f i r e d . T h e r e w a s a m o m e n t ' s silence,
a n d a sheet of flame shot out of the c o n n i n g tower. T h e d r i v e r w a s
the o n l y m a n inside w h e n it h a p p e n e d , a n d he came out of the tank
i n less t h a n n o time. H e w a s slightly scorched. W e squirted p y r e n e
at the tank, b u t it w a s n o use. It b u r n t like a torch, a n d the a m m u ­
n i t i o n w a s s o o n b l o w i n g out all over the place. W e all sat r o u n d
a n d w a t c h e d . O n e less tank to take back, thank H e a v e n !
I w o n ' t trouble y o u w i t h details of the rest of this s h o w . I
got b a c k a n d reported the action. W i n d l e w a s left to collect his
scattered section. T h i s w a s not difficult. T h e b u r n t tank w a s so
c o m p l e t e l y w r e c k e d as to be useless a n d w a s h a n d e d over to the
Salvage D e p a r t m e n t . T h e tank that h a d s u r v i v e d the 'action'
reached the p a r k w i t h o u t m i s h a p , a n d the third tank, the one w e
left b e h i n d before g o i n g i n , was p u t straight a n d rejoined the same
d a y ! F o r myself, I h a d lost a night's rest, cost the G o v e r n m e n t
£10,000 b y loss of a tank a n d a c c o m p l i s h e d precisely n o t h i n g . I was
o r d e r e d to report to battalion 'details' for 'rest'. I got there at about
5 p . m . a n d w e n t to sleep till goodness k n o w s w h e n next d a y . I then
cleared out a n d rejoined the c o m p a n y , w h o w e r e still w h e r e I left
them originally.
O u r time w a s n o w spent i n cleaning u p tanks a n d g o i n g
t h r o u g h the u s u a l tests. It d i d n ' t matter h o w m u c h w e h a d d o n e
this p r e v i o u s l y — w e h a d since then travelled m a n y miles, a n d the
w h o l e w o r k was to be d o n e again. N o m a n i n his right senses ever
took a n y risks w i t h his tank. A l l d i d their best to h a v e the t h i n g i n
first-rate r u n n i n g order.
I spent one d a y i n w a n d e r i n g about w i t h Barr. T h e r e seemed to
be n o i m m e d i a t e prospect of action, but w e d e c i d e d to get o u r
bearings and look about the place. W e wandered down to
Bellenglise, a n d here w e saw the R o y a l Engineers feverishly b u i l d ­
i n g a b r i d g e over the C a n a l d u N o r d . T h e G e r m a n s h a d , of course,
b l o w n u p the o r i g i n a l b r i d g e .
W e w a n d e r e d past Bellenglise a n d still kept to the canal bank.
A t last w e reached the territory w e h a d ' c a p t u r e d ' i n the last s h o w .
W e w e n t o n s o m e w a y a n d at last came to w h a t seemed a regular
 Figure 5 2
The Canal du Nord. This is a photo of the part
along which Barr and I walked. There is, as you
see, water in this piece, and the banks are not
very steep.

Figure 51
The bridge at Bellenglise. The photo shows R.E.'s beginning work on the
bridge and artillery limbers crossing the canal by driving through it—an
ordinary artillery limber would go up or across anything if only you had
something to pull it. This sort of thing was a common sight along the
Canal banks until the Engineers had built fresh bridges.
 DIARY 171

battle. A screen of gas a n d H . E . [high explosive] shells w e r e falling

about 100 y a r d s i n front of us, a n d it l o o k e d as if w e h a d gone far
e n o u g h . W e w e r e not g o i n g to have a private battle if w e c o u l d
h e l p it, a n d w e t u r n e d back.
It h a d really been v e r y careless of us to come so far, a n d w e
w e r e r e m i n d e d of our foolishness as w e w a l k e d back a l o n g the
h i g h b a n k of the canal. A H . E . shell fell some 60 y a r d s a w a y , a n d
w e d i d not, of course, d o d g e for it. But it m u s t have hit s o m e t h i n g
v e r y h a r d a n d burst o n the surface, for the next m o m e n t there w a s
a scream, a mass of sparks u p f r o m the mettled p a t h a n d a v e r y b i g
piece of shell flashed into the u n d e r g r o w t h . I t u r n e d to Barr a n d
f o u n d his h a n d b l e e d i n g f r o m a slight w o u n d a n d that w a s all. But
it w a s quite e n o u g h .
W e reached c a m p w i t h o u t m i s h a p a n d f o u n d there w a s still n o
news. A a n d C C o m p a n i e s h a d gone u p to the line, a n d there w a s
a chance that B C o m p a n y w o u l d follow the next m o r n i n g .
T h e next m o r n i n g f o u n d the r u m o u r c o n f i r m e d . B C o m p a n y
h a d to m o v e f o r w a r d . T h e orders came t h r o u g h at 9 a.m., a n d
b y 10 w e h a d b r o k e n u p c a m p (except for a k i n d of H . Q . w h i c h
w a s left to d e a l w i t h documents, rations etc.) a n d were m o v i n g
f o r w a r d . A fairly h e a v y mist h u n g over the g r o u n d , a n d it w a s
difficult to see v e r y far ahead. T h e u s u a l drone of o u r engines filled
the air as the line of tanks m o v e d along. W e were travelling to­
w a r d s the C a n a l de N o r d , a n d , of course, the country was littered

Figure 53
Tanks moving forward for attack. This photo shows the 8th Tank Battal­
ion moving forward for attack. They were on our left, and the photo
gives you a good idea of our situation the same morning—the infantry
watching rather interestedly, the leading tanks enveloped in mist, and
the new kind of steel and beam 'facine' which we now carried instead
of the clumsy affair we had in the Nov. 20th, '17, battle at Cambrai. The
tanks on the left are supply tanks. The troops in the photo are Austral­
ians (9th Army Corps). Note the field telephone wires on the ground.
The R. Engineers used to curse tanks bitterly, as we almost invariably
destroyed their lines (and that of course just before battle—which was
very serious). So long as we drove straight across all was well, but if we
turned while we were actually on the wires, of course we snapped
them.
 Figure 5 4
T h e b a n k s o f the C a n a l d u N o r d . T h e s e t w o p h o t o s w i l l g i v e y o u s o m e
i d e a o f the d e p t h a n d steepness o f the c a n a l b a n k s . T h e left gives s o m e
idea of depth and the right of its steepness. Yet tanks went down these
and up the other side: The troops are the 73rd Infantry Brigade (who
took this piece).
 DIARY 175

w i t h signs of the battle that h a d passed over it. E v e r y w h e r e there

were a b a n d o n e d G e r m a n guns. These h a d become so c o m m o n
n o w that regiments d i d not bother to c l a i m t h e m as captured b y
themselves. Instead, w e saw facetious inscriptions a v e r r i n g that
they w e r e taken b y the A . S . C . or the R . A . M . C . or the W . A . A . C / s .
A t last w e reached the C a n a l de N o r d at the p o i n t w h e r e it
w e n t u n d e r g r o u n d . T h i s h a d been the scene of h a r d fighting, a n d
that for m a n y seasons. First a n d foremost, the w h o l e canal h a d
b e e n feared as a most formidable obstacle. T h i s tunnel was the
o n l y crossing that the e n e m y really c o u l d n ' t b l o w u p . But he h a d
d o n e his best. T h e British h a d p o u r e d over this gap (about a m i l e
w i d e ) a n d swept r o u n d to the right i n a n encircling m o v e m e n t that
w a s to take the canal i n the rear a n d thus assist the troops w h o
were m a k i n g a frontal attack (24th D i v i s i o n ) . T h i s gap h a d b e e n
m i n e d a n d p u t i n as fine a defensive state as possible. T h e l a n d ­
scape w a s littered w i t h k n o c k e d - o u t tanks. But the greatest
n u m b e r of casualties seem to have been G e r m a n . If y o u look at the
photos (Figure 54), y o u w i l l g a i n s o m e idea of the obstacle the
canal f o r m e d . These photos were taken at one of the steeper places
o n the b a n k s of the canal a n d s h o w the troops that took it. A s a
matter of fact, the capture w a s not as difficult as they expected, for
reasons I w i l l c o m e to later.
W h e n y o u consider the d e p t h a n d steepness of the canal b a n k s
a n d then l o o k at the p h o t o (Figure 55) a n d see the w a y the b a n k s
w e r e h o n e y c o m b e d w i t h d u g o u t s a n d galleries, y o u w i l l get a n
i d e a of h o w m u c h anxiety w a s aroused b y the contemplation of a n
attack o n it.
T h e r e w a s yet another difficulty. T h e tunnel itself was k n o w n
to be o c c u p i e d b y G e r m a n troops. There was consequently great
fear of b e i n g taken i n the rear. A c t u a l l y all w e n t w e l l o n the d a y of

Figure 55
The Canal banks near the tunnel entrance. Note how they are honey­
combed with dug-outs and underground galleries. 'Mopping up' meant
clearing these nests of enemy troops who might come out and cut off
the front-line troops when they had passed. This is not the steepest part
but will give a good idea of the average depth and appearance of the
shrub-covered sides.
 DIARY 177

the attack. T h e p h o t o (Figure 56) shows y o u the entrance to the

tunnel. T r o o p s were sent d o w n it, a n d they b o m b e d a n d h a c k e d
their w a y t h r o u g h . It cannot have been v e r y pleasant. T h e electric
lights were s w i t c h e d out (or went out) quite early i n the battle, a n d
this unearthly fighting h a d to go o n i n p i t c h darkness.
I said the capture h a d been m a d e m o r e easily than w a s ex­
pected. T h a t w a s the result of the artillery b o m b a r d m e n t . F o r 48
h o u r s the G e r m a n positions h a d been shelled, a n d m a n y prisoners
said n o f o o d h a d reached t h e m i n that time. T h e effects of the
b o m b a r d m e n t were still visible w h e n w e a r r i v e d , a n d they were
ghastly e n o u g h then. T h e chlorine h a d t u r n e d the leaves of the
shrubs o n the canal banks quite yellow. T h e tangled u n d e r g r o w t h
held some g r i m surprises. T h e G e r m a n s had placed many
m a c h i n e - g u n posts amongst the shrubs. It w o u l d h a v e been a diffi­
cult t h i n g to f i n d these m e n a n d a difficult t h i n g to advance i n face
of a w i t h e r i n g fire that came f r o m n o one k n e w where. But that fire
w a s never o p e n e d , a n d the pale leaves h i d m a n y a ghastly sight
f r o m o u r eyes u n t i l at last health d e m a n d e d a systematic search
over those terrible banks.
I felt glad w e h a d missed the first d a y ' s fighting at any rate.
O u r trek w a s uneventful. There was little engine trouble, a n d o u r
o n l y obstacles w e r e the trenches of the H i n d e n b u r g line. These
were all crossed w i t h o u t m u c h difficulty. A t about 5 p . m . the tanks
w e r e s t o p p e d i n a s u n k r o a d b y a w o o d . H e r e they were c a m o u ­
flaged a n d p a r k e d u p . W e h a d n o idea w h e n w e s h o u l d be w a n t e d
or w h e r e .
It w a s w h i l e w e were here that I was sent back to the c a m p w e
h a d just left. I w a s told I s h o u l d not be n e e d e d i n the next action,
that N i x o n h a d to go f o r w a r d i n case Aitches was k n o c k e d out a n d
he h a d to take his place, a n d that I was to act as second i n c o m ­
m a n d to the c o m p a n y w h i l e he was absent. I h a d got past the stage
of i n q u i r i n g too deeply into the mercies of the d a y . T h e r e h a d been
a time w h e n I felt the w o r l d h a d gone w r o n g w h e n I was left out of
a n action. O n this occasion I collected m y b a t m a n a n d left the
c o m p a n y before a n y o n e h a d time to change h i s m i n d .

Figure 56
The entrance to the tunnel. Fighting went on down this tunnel.
178 WAR MEMOIRS

Figure 57

Life at C o m p a n y H . Q . w a s p l a c i d . Rations a r r i v e d , w e r e ex­

a m i n e d a n d sent f o r w a r d . I was a k i n d of glorified grocer a n d
e y e d potatoes w i t h s u s p i c i o n a n d b u l l y beef tins w i t h the air of a n
expert. A t night, b o m b i n g aeroplanes came over, b u t as w e w e r e
near a n anti-aircraft battery w e considered ourselves safe. Not
because the anti-aircraft w o u l d fetch t h e m d o w n — o h dear, n o ! —
 DIARY 179

b u t s i m p l y because it was considered g o o d l u c k to h a v e a n A . A .

battery near. T h i s , of course, w a s a delicate w a y of s a y i n g that y o u
thought the A . A . the safest job i n the w a r . Y o u never told p e o p l e
y o u thought t h e y ' d hit o n a g o o d thing. T h a t w a s b a d f o r m . Y o u
s i m p l y h i n t e d i t — a s u n m i s t a k a b l y as possible.
W e slept a n d l i v e d ( m u c h the same t h i n g at that time) i n a b e l l
tent. O n e night m y rest was b r o k e n b y some fool w h o a p p e a r e d
to be t r y i n g to trip over as m a n y ropes as possible. I listened w i t h
interest as his h a n d s g r o p e d over the surface of the tent. A t last he
f o u n d the o p e n i n g , the flap w a s t h r o w n back a n d . . . Ts Captain
B i o n here?' s a i d a hoarse voice. I felt m y heart s i n k i n g . W h a t d i d
the m a n w a n t at this time of night? I p r e t e n d e d I was asleep.
It was n o g o o d . T h e voice grew l o u d e r a n d hoarser, a n d I gave
i n . ' W h a t d o y o u w a n t ? ' I asked h i m w e a r i l y . ' Y o u ' r e w a n t e d u p
the " l i n e " at once, sir' came the answer.
I h a d n ' t the heart to swear. There w a s n o chance of snatching
another delicious two minutes i n b e d — a n o t h e r two minutes of
the l u x u r y I h a d b e e n taking so l i g h t l y — f o r all the joy h a d gone
out of life, a n d e v e n b e d c o u l d have n o enchantment u n d e r s u c h
circumstances. I p u l l e d myself out of m y flea-bag a n d reached for
m y clothes. H o w stale they felt! There seemed to be s o m e t h i n g v e r y
dirty about p u t t i n g o n these clothes I h a d just taken off. A n d then
I w a s n ' t g o i n g to w a s h . E v e r y t h i n g was i n a mess. T h e two spare
officers w h o were i n the tent w i t h m e were l y i n g there w i t h o u t
s h o w i n g any s y m p a t h y . H o w w e l l I k n e w w h a t they felt! T o t h e m
b e d h a d s u d d e n l y become m o r e precious as they realized w h a t
m i g h t h a v e h a p p e n e d to them.
A s I dressed b y the light of a guttering candle, I c o u l d hear the
r u n n e r ' s teeth chattering as he stood outside the tent a n d w a i t e d
for me. I w a s s o o n r e a d y a n d f o u n d myself s t a n d i n g outside the
tent g a z i n g u p at a bright starlight night. I y a w n e d a n d l o o k e d at
m y w a t c h . It w a s 1.30 a.m.
W e w e n t u p to the 'line' b y a different route f r o m the one taken
b y the c o m p a n y tanks. W e crossed over the canal b y Bellenglise
a n d then struck across c o u n t r y at right angles to the canal. I asked
the r u n n e r w h a t it w a s all about a n d w h y I h a d b e e n so urgently
sent for. H e said he d i d n ' t k n o w b u t thought it w a s for a n action.
W e t r u d g e d o n i n silence. W e were b o t h b o r e d a n d tired. We
reached C o m p a n y H . Q . a n d the tanks at 3 a.m. or thereabouts.
Figure 58

 DIARY 181

N o b o d y seemed to be v e r y interested i n o u r arrival, so I got d o w n

a n d w e n t to sleep o n a b e n c h .
A t 10. a.m. orders were explained. B C o m p a n y were w a n t e d
for a n attack o n the last remains of the H i n d e n b u r g line. C C o m ­
p a n y were g o i n g into action o n our left, a n d together w e were to
attack the F o n s o m m e line, as it was called. T h i s system of defences
w a s o n l y half c o m p l e t e d . It consisted of h a l f - d u g trenches a n d a
little w i r e — t h e y were i n practically the same c o n d i t i o n as our
trenches were, five miles b e h i n d the line, o n M a r c h 21st. If w e
c o u l d clear t h e m f r o m this line, all the defences of the famous
H i n d e n b u r g L i n e w o u l d h a v e been passed. A s far as was k n o w n ,
there were n o m o r e trenches between this a n d the R h i n e .
T h e i m m e d i a t e objective of B C o m p a n y was the village of
Sequehart (see F i g u r e 58). T h i s village h a d been taken b y the
British two or three times just p r e v i o u s l y . But the F o n s o m m e line
(of w h i c h Sequehart was a part) w a s of s u c h importance that the
fighting w a s bitter a n d the G e r m a n s h a d w o n the place back each
time. It w a s for this reason that they h a d d e c i d e d to use tanks. It
w a s m o s t important that the a r m y s h o u l d get t h r o u g h before the
e n e m y h a d time to d i g more defences.
B C o m p a n y were to be u s e d as two sections—one under
H a u s e r a n d the other u n d e r myself. Carter h a d reconnoitred the
B C o m p a n y p o s i t i o n a n d said it w a s easy to see everything. O f
course I k n e w Carter w e l l or I s h o u l d n ' t have b e l i e v e d a w o r d of
it. But he assured m e that, f r o m the p o i n t of v i e w of direction a n d
so o n , there w a s no difficulty—Sequehart stood o n a h i l l a n d c o u l d
not be mistaken. Peter Barr, as c o m p a n y reconnaissance officer,
h a d the job of l e a d i n g us to the place w h e r e w e were to start
f r o m — t h e u s u a l 'starting-point'. T h e c o m p a n y o n l y consisted of
six tanks, so H a u s e r a n d I each h a d three u n d e r us.
T h e tanks m o v e d off at about 7.30 p . m . W e left the r o a d a n d
d r o v e across u n d u l a t i n g grass country. T h e tanks were r u n n i n g
v e r y w e l l , a n d w e seemed to have n o t h i n g to d o b u t b o w l a l o n g
m e r r i l y into action. A c t u a l l y the light was too g o o d , a n d w e h a d to
m a k e several stops.
A t about 11 p . m . w e reached a w o o d a n d were o r d e r e d to p a r k
u p o u r tanks b y its side. A s s o o n as this w a s d o n e , the m e n lay
d o w n b y their tanks a n d tried to seize a few h o u r s ' sleep. T h e
officers collected together to hear a few final instructions a n d then
182 WAR MEMOIRS

rejoined their crews. It w a s a fine evening, but the stars were

h i d d e n b y thin c l o u d . F o r m y part I spent the time before action i n
m y u s u a l w a y . It was impossible to shake off the feverish anxiety to
h a v e the battle over a n d d o n e w i t h . T h e quietness of the w h o l e
front o n l y a d d e d to one's uneasiness. A t about 2 a.m. the silence
w a s b r o k e n b y desultory shell-fire f r o m the enemy. H e c o m m e n c e d
shelling o u r w o o d w i t h light 'contact' shrapnel, a n d the rest of our
stay w a s m a d e e v e n m o r e miserable b y the irregular shell bursts
a n d their a c c o m p a n i m e n t of m o a n i n g shell splinters that often
e n d e d their flight b y a vicious 'flick' against the side of the tanks.
T h e attack was timed to start at 6.30, a n d at 4.45 o u r tanks
m o v e d f o r w a r d . Before w e left, H a u s e r a n d I were told there w a s
n o n e e d to d o any more after w e left our tanks at the starting-point;
w e were o n l y to keep a look-out a n d send back information of the
battle. T h i s , of course, h a d a v e r y u n n e r v i n g effect. W h a t were w e
to do? O f course, w e d i d n ' t w a n t to get k i l l e d , a n d if w e c o u l d stay
at the starting-point w e s h o u l d be safer. O n the other h a n d , these
orders w e r e clearly contrary to the spirit of our job. H a u s e r a n d I
d e c i d e d to carry o n as if they h a d not been given.
T h e starting-point was about a mile i n front of us; the g r o u n d
w a s level a n d s l o p e d d o w n gently towards the valley i n front of
Sequehart. T h e front line lay i n this valley.
A t 6 a.m. w e reached our starting-point. It w a s just g r o w i n g
grey i n the east, a n d before l o n g w e c o u l d d i s t i n g u i s h each others'
faces i n the pale light. W e ordered our crews into the t a n k s — n o w
d r a w n u p i n l i n e — a n d waited.
A s the light grew, w e c o u l d make out various features of the
landscape. T h e r i d g e o n w h i c h Sequehart stood h a d already b e e n
visible s o m e time; w e c o u l d n o w distinguish the outlines of the
village itself. H a u s e r a n d I stood a n d p i c k e d out as m u c h of
the place as w e c o u l d . T h e w h o l e field of operation was easily
taken i n f r o m w h e r e w e were, a n d this i n spite of the fact that our
o n l y light was a grey uncertain d a w n . In the distance a m a c h i n e ­
g u n o p e n e d u p a slow tat-tat-tat a n d a m o m e n t later w e h e a r d the
shrill flight of bullets h i g h overhead. A l m o s t as if i n answer, the
British barrage came d o w n a n d the darkness of the village was
s u d d e n l y stabbed b y the r e d bursts of our shells. O u r tanks started
f o r w a r d to the attack.
 DIARY 183

W i t h the d a w n there came a breeze, w h i c h b l e w softly into o u r

faces a n d set the l o n g grasses w a v i n g about our feet. F o r a m o m e n t
the relief that came w i t h the start of the battle a n d the e n d of o u r
anxious w a i t i n g seemed to fill one w i t h a curious feeling of peace.
But it w a s not l o n g before this was shattered; the pleasant m o r n i n g
haze, w h i c h h a d been so refreshing but a m o m e n t before, now
b r o u g h t w i t h it the acrid smell of b u r s t i n g shells.
F o r a m o m e n t H a u s e r a n d I hesitated; the information that w e
'need n o t ' go f o r w a r d h a d a peculiar force just then. I m a n a g e d
to screw u p a g r i n a n d p o i n t e d towards the village. H a u s e r g r i n n e d
back, a n d w e p u s h e d off after our tanks. A s he p o i n t e d out, w e
s h o u l d p r o b a b l y be safer further f o r w a r d , as the e n e m y ' s practice
at this time w a s to shell valleys v e r y heavily. A s w e w a l k e d for­
w a r d , the sxm came u p b e h i n d Sequehart. It w a s a magnificent
sight a n d one I shall not forget. T h e miserable greys of d a w n were
s u d d e n l y shot w i t h g o l d . T h e sun's beams were a n angry b l o o d ­
r e d , a n d its rising b e h i n d the village gave the w h o l e scene a n
unrealistic appearance. T h e village, w i t h its tall s p i r e d c h u r c h i n
the centre, stood out clear-cut a n d black, like a c a r d b o a r d m o d e l .
Every now a n d then the outline w o u l d be b r o k e n as some
part of the village w a s w h i r l e d into a c l o u d of sun-shot dust. T h e
c h u r c h spire r e m a i n e d u n t o u c h e d as if b y a miracle, a n d not o n l y
n o w , b u t throughout the action, it stood i m m o v a b l e a n d stark,
p o i n t i n g resolutely to the skies as if it w i s h e d to distract attention
f r o m the a g o n y of bursting shells a n d c r u m b l i n g m a s o n r y that
s u r r o u n d e d it.
A s w e went f o r w a r d , the e n e m y barrage o p e n e d . It seemed to
be half H . E . a n d half blue-cross gas shell. W e h a d to suck air
t h r o u g h o u r gas masks at times, b u t for the most part w e were not
troubled b y it. A s u s u a l , the heaviest b o m b a r d m e n t was i n the
v a l l e y , a n d w e m a d e haste to climb the slope of Sequehart.
In the v a l l e y , at the foot of the slope, there was a r o a d that w a s
partly s u n k e n i n places. O u r front line was p u t out of action here.
T h e tank w a s c o m m a n d e d b y a 2nd Lieut. R e i d of m y section, a n d
just as it reached the r o a d a n d was c l i m b i n g out, a shell struck it
a n d ricocheted off to b u r y itself i n the slope d o w n w h i c h w e h a d
travelled earlier that m o r n i n g . It was a d u d ; b u t it h a d d o n e its
w o r k . W e s a w the tank h a d stopped, a n d w h e n w e a p p r o a c h e d w e
184 WAR MEMOIRS

f o u n d the left side h a d been torn i n two at the 'nose' of the tank
a n d f l u n g back. So w e h a d one useless tank right at the start.
Fortunately none of the crew was hurt. T h e y were p l a c e d i n front
of the tank about 40 yards i n advance of the r o a d , a n d there they
h a d to stop w i t h their guns to f o r m a strong point.
H a u s e r a n d I w a n d e r e d aimlessly about the bottom slope of the
r i d g e . T h e battle was not g o i n g w e l l . W e were not faced b y a n y
crack G e r m a n t r o o p s — i n fact, there were h a r d l y a n y infantry
there. But w e were faced b y the G e r m a n m a c h i n e - g u n n e r s , a n d
their d e m o r a l i z a t i o n was not quite so apparent to us d u r i n g the
action as it was to the newspaper gentlemen after it. T h e fighting
i n Sequehart was v e r y bitter. O n e of m y tanks I saw disappear,
w e l l ahead of the infantry, over the top of the ridge. It d i d g o o d
w o r k a n d r a n out of a m m u n i t i o n finally. But I saw little or n o t h i n g
of it, a n d so I w i l l dismiss it n o w w i t h a few w o r d s . It crossed the
ridge to the south of Sequehart a n d there spent a v e r y hot time
w e l l i n front of our infantry, d o i n g m u c h the same thing as I h a d
d o n e before m y tank was k n o c k e d out at C a m b r a i . H e h a d n o
infantry s u p p o r t , for although they c o u l d see h i m , they c o u l d not
reach h i m . H e d i d a lot, but the place was h o n e y c o m b e d w i t h
m a c h i n e - g u n s , a n d it w a s really too m u c h for one tank. In the e n d ,
h o w e v e r , the infantry got u p to h i m , but his a m m u n i t i o n was
finished a n d he h a d to w i t h d r a w — t h e crew were t h o r o u g h l y ex­
hausted a n d p r o b a b l y c o u l d not have done m u c h m o r e , e v e n if
they h a d h a d the a m m u n i t i o n .
W h i l e this was g o i n g o n , the third tank i n m y section met
w i t h disaster. A s it was c l i m b i n g the slope w i t h the infantry, it
w a s hit b y a gas shell that exploded inside. N o w a gas shell
has o n l y e n o u g h explosive i n it, as a rule, to crack the shell a n d
a l l o w the gas to escape. T h i s was of that k i n d . C o n s e q u e n t l y none
of the crew was w o u n d e d , but, as they h a d v e r y little time before
the tank was completely filled w i t h gas, they were most of t h e m
slightly gassed before they h a d their helmets [gas masks] o n .
H a u s e r h a d left m e b y this time to go further n o r t h to see if he
c o u l d get a n y news of one of his tanks. A s s o o n as I h a d seen this
tank of m i n e stop, I approached alone. A s I d r e w near, I saw smoke
o o z i n g f r o m the joints a n d guessed w h a t h a d h a p p e n e d . I p u t o n
m y gas helmet ready to get i n w h e n the d o o r o p e n e d a n d out
t u m b l e d one of the crew. I got i n a n d h e l p e d out the remainder.
 DIARY 185

W e o p e n e d u p the tank w e l l to get the gas cleared out. T h e officer

a n d d r i v e r h a d escaped most of the i l l effects, b u t the rest of the
crew were b a d . I h a d h o p e d that it w o u l d be possible to start the
tank a g a i n a n d r u n it into action w i t h a depleted crew. But a few
m i n u t e s s h o w e d m e that this w a s impossible. T h e r e w e r e o n l y
three of us fit for a n y t h i n g , a n d it w a s d o u b t f u l if the other t w o
c o u l d stand a n action. W e tried to t u r n over the starting crank to
restart the engine. T h i s u s u a l l y took three or four pretty strong
m e n . But as it w a s , the gas h a d got into the c y l i n d e r a n d m a d e the
oil sticky like glue. W e c o u l d n o m o r e t u r n the crank than if the
engine h a d b e e n completely seized u p . I gave it u p as hopeless a n d
o r d e r e d the officer a n d d r i v e r to join R e i d ' s crew. H e r e I thought
they m i g h t be some use, for it w a s obvious that they c o u l d not b y
themselves d o any g o o d w h e r e they were.
I got out of the tank a n d rather d r e a m i l y w a t c h e d the crew
r o l l i n g about o u t s i d e — s o m e c o u g h i n g , some g r o a n i n g a n d one
m a n l y i n g almost still e n o u g h to be d e a d . I felt rather n u m b e d a n d
c o u l d n ' t think p r o p e r l y . T h e infantry were n o w o n the crest o n
w h i c h Sequehart stood, a n d w e were not u n d e r fire w h e r e w e
were. O n e of m y tanks w a s useless o n the s u n k r o a d , the other h a d
gone goodness k n e w w h e r e , a n d n o w the third h a d lost its crew.
I w i s h e d I c o u l d leave the rotten t h i n g there a n d go b a c k — e i t h e r
that or else that the infantry w o u l d gain g r o u n d so fast as to leave
us safe b e h i n d . S h o u l d I p u t the m o s t conscious m e n i n charge a n d
go off i n search of the other tank? T h a t really seemed the best thing
to d o . But first I d e c i d e d to d o w h a t I c o u l d to m a k e the crew
h a p p i e r . I s m a s h e d the s m a l l a m m o n i a capsules a n d h e l d t h e m
u n d e r the noses of the w o r s e cases. T h o s e w h o c o u l d s w a l l o w I
d o s e d w i t h dilute doses of a m m o n i a . In the meantime o u r artillery
b o m b a r d m e n t d i e d d o w n somewhat. But the e n e m y barrage w a s
still concentrated fiercely i n the valley a n d a l o n g its r o a d not far
b e h i n d us. It w a s that a w k w a r d stage i n the battle w h e r e a t e m p o ­
r a r y pause a l l o w e d one's nerves to relax. I remember, for the first
time that action, feeling acutely conscious of p e r s o n a l danger. T h e
sky w a s overcast, a n d the landscape w o r e that desolate grey c o l ­
o u r that h a d p r e c e d e d the d a w n . I w a s h u n g r y a n d c h e w e d s o m e
b u l l y a n d biscuits as I w e n t r o u n d d o s i n g one after the other of
the m e n . After a time e v e n the e n e m y barrage b e g a n to die d o w n .
It w a s n o w possible to hear the crack of rifle a n d m a c h i n e - g u n o n
186 WAR MEMOIRS

the top of the crest. T h e l u l l i n the battle was as complete as a n y I

experienced; the front m i g h t have been i n its n o r m a l peacetime
state. I l o o k e d at m y w a t c h a n d saw it was o n l y 9.20 a.m. W h a t a n
age it seemed!
T h e worst case i n the crew w a s a C o r p o r a l Short. H e was quite
a y o u n g b o y a n d n o r m a l l y i n c l i n e d to be lazy. But he h a d great
p l u c k a n d endurance a n d was a serious loss. I spent m o s t of m y
time k n e e l i n g over h i m a n d d o s i n g h i m .
S u d d e n l y a change came over the battle. T h e e n e m y barrage
o p e n e d w i t h a n e w a n d violent intensity onto the valley r o a d . T h e
chatter of m a c h i n e - g u n s a n d rifles was d r o w n e d i n the t h u n d e r
that echoed a n d re-echoed d o w n the valley. I l o o k e d back to see
the cause, as I i m a g i n e d the e n e m y h a d possibly p u t the barrage
d o w n to stop the advance of reinforcements. But I c o u l d see
nothing.
M y nervousness increased as I c o u l d get n o information. T h e
British guns d i d not seem to be firing. Sequehart w a s left i n peace,
a n d this seemed to indicate that both sides were i n the village. I
w a t c h e d the crest i n front anxiously for a n y signs of life. I h a d not
to w a t c h l o n g . After a few seconds I saw three or four figures
silhouetted against the sky a n d then lie d o w n o n o u r side of the
crest. A m o m e n t later another batch of m e n — q u i t e a large one this
t i m e — c a m e helter-skelter over the ridge a n d lay d o w n . T h e y were
British troops retiring.
I collected the crew u n d e r the lee of the tank a n d c o n t i n u e d
to dose t h e m w i t h a m m o n i a . A s I was b e n d i n g over Short, I h e a r d
a shout. T w o T o m m i e s were l y i n g b e h i n d a fold of g r o u n d a n d
s h o u t i n g , ' T a n k s ! T a n k s ! T a n k s ! ' I yelled back. T h e y shouted again,
' W e w a n t y o u ! W e w a n t y o u ! Counter-attack! Counter-attack!'
T h i s w a s hopeless. I got u p a n d started to go over a n d explain.
A s I stepped f r o m b e h i n d the tank, the d r u m s of m y ears seemed
to be shattered b y crack! after crack! of a m a c h i n e - g u n . I was d o w n
o n m y stomach quicker than can be i m a g i n e d . E v e n so the hst! hst!
of v e r y close bullets seemed to have missed me b y inches. I k n e w
that l o u d crack! v e r y w e l l . W h e n a g u n or rifle is p o i n t i n g m o r e or
less at y o u , the crack of its shot sounds i n c r e d i b l y close. Y o u m a y
locate its direction but never its distance. It was quite clear that
these shots w e r e c o m i n g f r o m the direction of Sequehart (at this
 DIARY 187

time rather o n o u r left front). So the e n e m y w e r e back there once

more.
I c r a w l e d to the m e n a n d y e l l e d at them, ' C r e w out of action!
C a n ' t d o a n y t h i n g ! ' a n d they w e n t back. I then w o r m e d m y w a y
back a n d once m o r e h a d the pleasure of h e a r i n g the bullets flick
r o u n d . It seemed a particularly d i r t y trick. After all, I w a s n ' t t r y i n g
to h u r t h i m .
I stood u p u n d e r the lee of the tank a n d p u l l e d at my
p i p e t r y i n g to think w h a t to d o . I felt v e r y b o r e d w i t h the w h o l e
business b u t not really frightened. W h a t e v e r I d e c i d e d o n w o u l d
p r o b a b l y be not m u c h use. O f course, one thing w a s clear. If I w a s
really the fire-eating, w a r - l o v i n g a n i m a l I s h o u l d h a v e been, m y
job w a s to get a few T o m m i e s to h e l p m e start the engine a n d then
r u n the tank into action myself a n d d o something to stop the rot. In
actual p o i n t of fact this might h a v e been d o n e — b u t not b y a m a n
w h o h a d seen a n y fighting. T h e i d e a o c c u r r e d to m e , b u t b y this
time the two i n f a n t r y m e n h a d rejoined their unit i n front.
I w a i t e d w h a t s e e m e d a n age to see h o w things w o u l d go i n
front. A n increase of rifle a n d m a c h i n e - g u n fire o n the tank m a d e
u p m y m i n d . It was useless staying here w i t h the m e n , a n d I
d e c i d e d to get t h e m out of h a r m ' s w a y . But first I took precautions
i n case the tank fell into e n e m y h a n d s . I c l i m b e d into the tank a n d
r e m o v e d the p l u g of the magneto a n d the contact breaker. I then
w e n t to the H o t c h k i s s guns a n d took out all the firing pieces. T h i s
just d i s a b l e d the tank f r o m a fighting point of v i e w , a n d I h a d time
for n o m o r e if I was to get the crew a w a y alive. T h e m a c h i n e - g u n
fire h a d increased i n intensity a n d was spattering the side of the
tank.
I got out a n d w e n t over to the three m e n w h o w e r e fittest.
I shouted to t h e m (for the noise h a d n o w g r o w n terrific) to get
b a c k as best they c o u l d . I then s t o w e d a w a y all the parts I h a d
r e m o v e d f r o m the tank i n various pockets a n d took charge of the
two r e m a i n i n g m e n . O n e c o u l d nearly w a l k , so I got h i m to p u t his
a r m r o u n d m y neck a n d I clasped h i m r o u n d the waist. C o r p o r a l
Short I practically h a d to carry. A n d so w e left the shelter of o u r
tank.
W e staggered b a c k to o u r r o a d ; m y i m p r e s s i o n is that w e w e r e
not m u c h fired at—at any rate, the three of us all escaped w i t h o u t
188 WAR MEMOIRS

b e i n g hit. W e got back some 100 y a r d s , a n d here I s t o p p e d to rest

a n d take stock of things. T h e m a c h i n e - g u n h a d ceased fire, a n d the
desultory s n i p i n g was so inaccurate as to be h a r d l y noticeable. T h e
w o r s t passage lay before us.
I h a v e already m e n t i o n e d the e n e m y barrage a l o n g the b o t t o m
of the v a l l e y ; as w e l o o k e d towards it, w e c o u l d n o longer see the
opposite slope clearly. C l o u d s of s w i r l i n g dust a n d s m o k e arose
f r o m the barrage area. I almost gave u p h o p e of getting t h r o u g h
w h e n there was a perceptible decrease i n fire. H a v i n g r e g a i n e d
breath, w e p u s h e d o n .
A l t h o u g h the barrage seemed less intense, it was regular. I
d e c i d e d to risk it, for it seemed absurd to leave the m e n so near the
front line i n their condition. In a m o m e n t or two the shells w e r e
falling r o u n d us. A s w e a p p r o a c h e d the r o a d , they fell m o r e
thickly. It w a s clear that the barrage line lay o n the r o a d itself.
A l l a p p e a r e d to be g o i n g w e l l w h e n the earth seemed to o p e n u p
almost at o u r feet. I f o u n d myself l y i n g o n the g r o u n d still c l u t c h ­
i n g C o r p o r a l Short, b u t the other fellow I c o u l d not see for a
m o m e n t . ' A r e y o u hurt?' I yelled to Short. T o m y surprise he
g a s p e d out a ' n o ' . A l m o s t at the same time I saw the other fellow
l y i n g b y m y side. H e too was u n h u r t . H o w w e all three escaped I
don't know.
It was quite clear that the quicker w e got a w a y f r o m the r o a d
the better. F o r a w h i l e I c r a w l e d a l o n g the g r o u n d m o r e or less
d r a g g i n g the other two w i t h me. W e were crossing r o u g h g r o u n d ,
a n d I think that h e l p e d to protect us. It was o n l y afterwards that I
d i s c o v e r e d w e were also c r a w l i n g t h r o u g h nettles!
W e crossed the r o a d safely a n d then h a d to stop. T h e exertion
h a d b e e n rather too m u c h for the two m e n , so I got t h e m into a
shell-hole, a n d w e spent some time there w h i l e I d o s e d t h e m w e l l
with ammonia.
A s s o o n as they h a d recovered e n o u g h w e p u s h e d on—the
shell-hole w a s not exactly healthy. A few m o r e minutes, a n d the
fire decreased. W e were nearly out of the barrage area. W e c o u l d
see the slope i n front quite clearly a n d it was not l o n g before w e
w e r e w e l l the other side of the barrage.
T h e exertion h a d h a d a b a d effect again, a n d I m a d e the two
m e n lie d o w n quietly. Occasionally I gave t h e m another sniff of
ammonia.
 DIARY 189

W h e n they h a d sufficiently recovered to look after themselves,

I w e n t off to see h o w R e i d w a s getting o n . T h e barrage h a d n o w
d i e d d o w n , a n d the shelling w a s merely desultory. I f o u n d h i m
a n d his crew a l l right b u t v e r y b o r e d . T h e y w a n t e d to k n o w w h e n
they c o u l d go. I d e c i d e d there w a s n o t h i n g they c o u l d d o , a n d as
far as I c o u l d see they m i g h t as w e l l go h o m e . So I w e n t off to get
s o m e i n f o r m a t i o n f r o m the infantry. A l l was quiet at Sequehart,
a n d I s o o n d i s c o v e r e d that the troops h a d retaken Sequehart
a n d g a i n e d all objectives. It w a s n o w 1 p . m . , a n d the last of the
H i n d e n b u r g defences h a d fallen.
I t o l d R e i d h e c o u l d go back b u t that he m u s t leave a g u a r d of
one m a n a n d a n N . C . O . till others c o u l d be sent f r o m the c a m p to
relieve them.
W e returned together a n d p i c k e d u p the gassed m e n o n the
w a y . C o r p o r a l Short h a d to be carried back.
W h e n w e got back, I w e n t to sleep u n d e r a tarpaulin. I w a s
tired a n d n e r v y a n d also v e r y dissatisfied. It h a d been a n unsatis­
factory s h o w from m y p o i n t of v i e w — a section commander
s e e m e d m o r e useless than ever i n a n action. If one was s u p p o s e d
tofight—then the task was almost impossible. If one w a s merely to
c o n t r o l — t h e n the w o r k s i m p l y became one of s h o u l d e r i n g the
i n g l o r i o u s responsibility for o r d e r i n g retreat f r o m action. Perhaps
I s h o u l d h a v e felt h a p p i e r if I h a d k n o w n that m y last action was
over. M y share of the G r e a t W a r was finished.
T h e next d a y a p a r t y w a s sent off to see w h a t c o u l d be d o n e
for the d i s a b l e d tanks. R e i d ' s w a s h a n d e d over to salvage, a n d ,
after s o m e h a g g l i n g , the same w a s d o n e for the tank that was hit
b y a gas shell. T h e e n e m y were b y then some miles a w a y f r o m
Sequehart, a n d the British w e r e p u s h i n g o n s l o w l y .
I h a d s o m e trouble over the gassed tank: A C C o m p a n y offic­
e r — D a w s o n — h a d seen it o n the w a y back f r o m his s h o w (on our
left). H e c o u l d see n o t h i n g w r o n g w i t h it a n d accordingly reported
that h e f o u n d a B C o m p a n y tank, apparently i n g o o d order, de­
serted. C o n s e q u e n t l y A i t c h e s w a n t e d to see m e a n d told m e the
situation w a s v e r y serious as, of course, I h a d deserted a tank i n
the face of the enemy. I told h i m not to be a fool a n d e x p l a i n e d the
situation. H e tried to l o o k serious as he o b v i o u s l y w a n t e d to i m ­
press m e w i t h the importance of the occasion. I told h i m he h a d
190 WAR MEMOIRS

better order a court of i n q u i r y if he wasn't satisfied, a n d the affair

f i z z l e d out.
W e stayed i n the battle area for s o m e time to give h e l p if
n e e d e d . W h i l e w e w a i t e d , Aitches, H a u s e r a n d other officers left
for E n g l a n d to take u p n e w posts. So Aitches at last h a d achieved
his heart's desire a n d p r i d e d himself, let's h o p e , o n the success
of his efforts. But E n g l a n d was not v e r y safe after all. Three d a y s
after his arrival he was d e a d .
P o o r A i t c h e s ! H e got ' f l u o n arrival; he fast grew worse, a n d it
was all over before anyone realized his illness. It seems queer n o w ,
b u t at the time I think there were few of us w h o weren't a m u s e d
o p e n l y at his death. W e m a d e allowances for n o one, a n d I d o n ' t
think anyone c o u l d n o w appreciate the ' f u n n y ' side of w h a t w e
then r e g a r d e d as a really a m u s i n g joke. In the same w a y , any
impartial m a n r e a d i n g this w o u l d say I h a d been grossly unfair to
A i t c h e s , a n d , of course, I have, for m y judgements a n d the j u d g e ­
ments of others w e r e i l l - i n f o r m e d a n d harsh. But I p u t t h e m d o w n
to s h o w our attitude of m i n d . A n d if y o u think m y criticisms of
h i m are unjust, n o w I agree—but w i l l a d d that if I h a d seen
these criticisms d u r i n g the w a r , w h e n m u c h m i g h t d e p e n d o n the
quality of the c o m p a n y c o m m a n d e r , I s h o u l d have said they were
not h a r s h e n o u g h . It is one thing to talk academically of not j u d g ­
i n g one's fellows—another to p u t the principles into practice
w h e n y o u r life a n d the lives of others d e p e n d o n a w e a k a n d
c o w a r d l y m a n . After all, his nerve h a d been shattered b y the w a r ,
a n d he suffered as m a n y before h i m h a d suffered. T h e fault m a y
not h a v e b e e n his, but w e c o u l d not trouble about 'trifles' like that
then.
After a d a y or two's w a i t we went f o r w a r d so as to be w i t h i n
distance of action if w a n t e d . T h e entry of o u r troops into B o h a i n
was a curious business. Peter Barr a n d I went f o r w a r d to m a k e
arrangements for our c o m p a n y ' s m o v e m e n t f o r w a r d a n d saw the
place s o o n after its capture. T h e village lay b e y o n d the F o n s o m m e
line, a n d w e skirted Sequehart i n our reconnaissance. T h e village
w a s b a d l y battered a n d full of d e a d . T h e r o a d to B o h a i n w a s g o o d
as it h a d been little shelled—the advance h a d been far too r a p i d for
that.
A s w e d r e w near the village, w e saw m a n y d e a d horses that
l o o k e d just s k i n a n d bone. H e r e a n d there they h a d been cut u p as
 DIARY 191

meat for the F r e n c h inhabitants. O n e s u c h horse h a d b e e n c o m ­

pletely s t r i p p e d of all flesh except at the h e a d . T h i s one lay i n the
entry to B o h a i n a n d h a d apparently b e e n the f o o d for the village.
W h e n w e entered B o h a i n , the village h a d just b e e n taken b y
o u r troops, a n d w e c o u l d hear o d d crashes of rifle fire f r o m the
other side. A few minutes after o u r arrival a British b a n d a r r i v e d
a n d p l a y e d the Marseillaise. A few p e o p l e , w h o h a d till then b e e n
h i d d e n i n cellars, a p p e a r e d a n d l o o k e d o n i n a d a z e d w a y . B u t n o
signs of joy s e e m e d to light u p their faces. I d o n ' t t h i n k they quite
b e l i e v e d they h e a r d aright. Later I was told that w h e n e v e r the
b a n d p l a y e d , the enthusiasm w a s terrific.
Barr a n d I stood a n d w a t c h e d for some time. T h e people l o o k e d
c a r e w o r n a n d miserable a n d v e r y o l d . T h e y h a d , it a p p e a r e d , suf­
fered m a n y restrictions w h i c h p e o p l e i n larger towns escaped. I
think they i m a g i n e d the e n e m y w o u l d retake the place; they c o u l d
not believe they w e r e free.
A s Barr a n d I w a t c h e d , o u r attention w a s s u d d e n l y attracted
b y a y o u n g g i r l w h o came out of a house a n d crept across the
street. W e w e r e b o t h h o r r i f i e d ; for a l t h o u g h she w a s clearly about
16, terror seemed s t a m p e d o n her face. I h a d never seen, a n d never
w a n t to see a g a i n , s u c h misery a n d h o r r o r disfigure a n y face. She
w a l k e d h a l f - w a y across the street, l o o k e d fearfully at us, a n d then
d r a g g e d herself into a d o o r w a y opposite. W e stared after her a n d
then w a l k e d a w a y q u i c k l y . W e h a d b o t h seen terrible things be­
fore, b u t there h a d always b e e n s o m e relieving feature—fearful
mutilations at least meant escape f r o m w a r , a n d death w a s n o
h a r d s h i p . But f r o m her m i s e r y there seemed to be n o release. S o m e
d a y s after this she gave b i r t h to a G e r m a n b a b y , but w h a t h a p ­
p e n e d to her I d o n ' t k n o w . I can't see that the suffering w r i t t e n o n
her face c a n be accounted for b y a n y system of ethics. I o n l y h o p e
she d i e d , for I can't i m a g i n e the possibility of her r e g a i n i n g life or
happiness.
T h e tanks w e r e b r o u g h t u p to a place just outside B o h a i n , a n d
Barr a n d I d i d o u r last reconnaissance. W e stood o n a slight rise of
g r o u n d s o m e t w o miles b e y o n d B o h a i n a n d there l o o k e d over the
c o u n t r y over w h i c h w e s h o u l d have to attack the next d a y . A c t u ­
ally w h e n w e got back w e f o u n d orders s a y i n g the attack w a s off
a n d that the battalion w a s to go b a c k to rest. But w e d i d not k n o w
this then.
 192 WAR MEMOIRS

It w a s e v e n i n g , a n d i n front of us lay flat, u n e n c l o s e d l a n d

c o v e r e d w i t h green grass. A b o u t a m i l e i n front of these m e a d o w ­
l a n d s w a s the edge of the great forest before Valenciennes. T h e
landscape l o o k e d curiously peaceful a n d lovely. W e w e r e not u s e d
to the fresh green of the trees a n d grass. T h e r e w e r e n o troops to
be seen. O u r m e n l a y out i n the m e a d o w s i n front of the forest,
b u t w e d i d not k n o w w h e r e the G e r m a n s were. A s w e finished o u r
e x a m i n a t i o n of the l a n d , a few g u n s o p e n e d fire, a n d r e d splashes
a p p e a r e d over the d a r k green mass of the w o o d s . A few stars
a p p e a r e d i n the sky, a n d the c o l d n i g h t w i n d b l e w gently i n o u r
faces. T h e r e was another burst of g u n fire; a n d as the reverbera­
tions r o l l e d over the flat m e a d o w s , w e t u r n e d o u r backs o n the
front line. W e h a d seen o u r last shells fired.
O n our r e t u r n w e h e a r d the g o o d n e w s that w e were to g o back
to rest areas to get n e w tanks a n d refit. A few d a y s later w e w e r e at
B e a u m e t z — t h e former railhead for W a i l l y . A n d so w e entered o n
o u r u s u a l r o u t i n e — t r a i n i n g reinforcements, d r a w i n g n e w tanks
a n d so o n .
I a m c o m i n g to the e n d of the d i a r y n o w a n d w i l l not d w e l l
l o n g o n the rest. O u r arrival at Beaumetz was h e r a l d e d b y a r m i ­
stice t a l k — r u m o u r s that the G e r m a n s w o u l d accept any terms a n d
so o n . These w e r e i m m e d i a t e l y contradicted b y A r m y O r d e r s as
G . H . Q . d i d not w a n t the troops to be w e a k e n e d b y p r e m a t u r e
h o p e of peace. T h e general p o l i c y of officers a n d m e n , as far as I
c o u l d judge, was s i m p l y that the time w a s ripe for a just p e a c e — a
peace that w o u l d m a k e w a r impossible. T h e r e w a s n o feeling or
desire of any k i n d for revenge. W i l s o n ' s 14 Points seemed just a n d
reasonable a n d p r o m i s e d the k i n d of settlement that w o u l d give
C h r i s t i a n i d e a l i s m a place i n international affairs.
T o w a r d s the e n d of the m o n t h the battalion b e g a n to p r e p a r e
for action. O n e c o m p a n y was to go u p to the f r o n t — a composite
c o m p a n y f r o m the w h o l e battalion. Gatehouse w a s i n c o m m a n d of
it, a n d four tanks f r o m m y c o m p a n y were to join it. T h e c o m p a n y
w a s to entrain o n the 11th N o v e m b e r .
O n the e v e n i n g of N o v e m b e r 9th wireless messages came
t h r o u g h s a y i n g that the G e r m a n courier was lost, or h a d not
reached G e r m a n H . Q . at any rate. O n S u n d a y , late i n the e v e n i n g ,
w e p i c k e d u p wireless s a y i n g the G e r m a n s h a d s i g n e d the terms. I
 DIARY 193

d o n ' t think w e really b e l i e v e d this. It certainly m a d e v e r y little

impression.
A t 10.30 next m o r n i n g as I sat i n the c o m p a n y office—I was
n o w c o m m a n d i n g B C o m p a n y a n d h a d d o n e since A i t c h e s d e p a r ­
7

t u r e — a w i r e a r r i v e d . I o p e n e d it a n d f o u n d it w a s a general w i r e to
all troops of the British armies. A l l troops were to stand fast i n
their positions a n d cease fire at 11 a.m. that m o r n i n g . So the w a r
w a s over.
T h e n e w s d i d not create m u c h of a sensation. I d o n ' t k n o w
w h y . I suppose w e were all too n u m b e d to appreciate it. D r i l l w e n t
o n as u s u a l , a n d n o one seemed to k n o w quite w h a t to d o . In the
e v e n i n g the officers messed as u s u a l , a n d a few of us speculated
pleasantly o n the prospect of sleeping i n b e d s for ever a n d ever
a n d never getting u p to see ' d a w n ' again. T h e m e n — m o s t l y re­
i n f o r c e m e n t s — d i d n ' t realize their luck. O n e or t w o h a r d y spirits
w e r e u n d e r the i m p r e s s i o n that they w e r e n o w free f r o m the hated
necessity of r e v e r i n g their officers any longer, a n d spent the w e a r y
n i g h t watches i n the G u a r d R o o m . These m e n w e r e all n e w to the
battalion a n d d i d n ' t f i n d themselves at all p o p u l a r i n the c o m p a n y .
L i f e after the armistice consisted chiefly i n d r i l l a n d games.
T h e r e w a s a g o o d deal of discontent as e v e r y o n e w a n t e d to get
d e m o b i l i z e d at once a n d the f o o d w a s b a d — t h r e e or four potatoes
to a n entire c o m p a n y w a s a frequent occurrence. B u t w h e n it w a s
p o i n t e d out that the food they d i d not get w a s b e i n g g i v e n to the
p o p u l a t i o n of the liberated areas, g r o u s i n g d i e d d o w n a lot. S o m e
c o m p a n i e s h a d serious trouble—there w a s almost a m u t i n y i n
C C o m p a n y , b u t w e h a d n o trouble.
A s time w o r e o n , w e became m o r e accustomed to the idea of n o
m o r e w a r . C h r i s t m a s seemed to m a r k the t h a w i n g - p o i n t w i t h us
all. W e n o w h a d a n e w C o m p a n y C o m m a n d e r . I reverted to m y
p o s i t i o n of second i n c o m m a n d , a n d a M a j o r C r a i g took over. H e
w a s a first-class fellow. In v e r y little time he w a s i m m e n s e l y p o p u ­
lar w i t h officers, N . C . O / s a n d m e n . H e m a d e o u r C h r i s t m a s a n d
N e w Y e a r a really g o o d s h o w , a n d I shan't forget either i n a h u r r y .
I never s a w a n y o n e really d r u n k the w h o l e time. But I think a n y
outsider w o u l d h a v e thought us all either d r u n k or m a d .
O n January 3 r d Carter, n o w d e m o b i l i z a t i o n officer, told m e I
w a s to leave for d e m o b i l i z a t i o n the next d a y . A few m e n f r o m the
194 WAR MEMOIRS

battalion were g o i n g as w e l l , a n d at 2 p . m . o n the 4th, after w e h a d

s a i d o u r farewells, w e m o u n t e d o u r l o r r y a n d d r o v e off. It w a s a
c o l d w i n t e r afternoon, a n d as w e d r o v e off t h r o u g h the mist I
c o u l d h a r d l y believe it was all over.
A s w e d r o v e out, C o r p o r a l Short a n d another m a n chased us
a n d c l a m b e r e d onto the front of the lorry. T h e y w a n t e d to say
g o o d b y e to m e a n d m u m b l e d out thanks for m y h a v i n g p u l l e d
t h e m out of the last action w h e n they w e r e gassed. T h e y j u m p e d
off, a n d the c o m p a n y c a m p was s o o n lost to sight i n the w i n t e r
mists.
I w i l l miss out the journey to E n g l a n d . It was uncomfortable
a n d miserable. A r r a n g e m e n t s were b a d , a n d food was b a d . T h e
staff w h o h a d to see to the d e m o b i l i z a t i o n were inexperienced a n d
discontented because they were not b e i n g d e m o b i l i z e d t h e m ­
selves. O n the m o r n i n g of January 11th w e sailed f r o m D u n k i r k i n
a r o u g h sea. E v e r y o n e was too pleased to be sea-sick. W e l a n d e d at
Folkestone a n d here f o u n d the arrangements excellent. W e w e r e
each, officers a n d m e n , p r o v i d e d w i t h biscuits a n d a large c u p
of tea. W e then m a r c h e d u p to Shorncliffe c a m p . I think to s o m e
extent w e were depressed b y the lack of w e l c o m e . N o one took
a n y notice of us, n o one seemed to k n o w w e h a d been fighting a n d
w e r e g l a d to be back. W e s i m p l y trailed u p to c a m p — a b o u t 1 , 0 0 0
of us f r o m all parts of the British Front a n d f r o m every conceivable
u n i t — a n d n o one e v e n d e i g n e d to look at us!
T h e r e w a s one exception. A n d the sensation it caused s h o w e d ,
I think, that the m e n h a d missed a welcome. A s w e m a r c h e d u p the
steep r o a d to the c a m p , a n o l d l a d y came out of her d o o r a n d ,
w a v i n g a s m a l l U n i o n Jack, said ' W e l c o m e h o m e , b o y s , w e l c o m e
h o m e ' , i n a q u a v e r i n g deep voice. O f course she l o o k e d rather
r i d i c u l o u s — b u t no one m i n d e d that then, a n d as the troop
m a r c h e d past they cheered a n d b l e w her kisses! P o o r o l d s o u l ! She
l o o k e d v e r y p l e a s e d — a n d i n d e e d she h a d d o n e m o r e to thank us
t h a n the great British G o v e r n m e n t ever d i d .
B y 6 p . m . w e were free m e n — f r e e to d o w h a t w e l i k e d a n d
go w h e r e w e w o u l d . T h e special train left the c a m p station for
L o n d o n at 6 . 3 0 p . m . a n d w e were to journey u p as civilians. W e
h a d got o u r release—but it m i g h t have been the sack, as far as the
G o v e r n m e n t was concerned. T h e last scene o n the station w a s
curious. T w o trains were at the p l a t f o r m — o n e a civilian express to
 DIARY 195

t o w n a n d the other o u r special. T h e civilian train w a s lit u p

p r o p e r l y , b u t o u r s — t h r o u g h some official carelessness—was in
darkness. T h e m e n greatly resented it, a n d one Boer W a r m a n ,
w h o w o r e the D . C . M . for this w a r , got o n a carriage roof a n d aired
his feelings. These were his w o r d s : ' W e were b heroes i n
the Boer W a r a n d so m u c h dirt w h e n it was finished. In this w a r
we were b heroes a g a i n — t i l l it's all over. N o t h i n g too g o o d
for the dear b o y s w h i l e it lasted—but now—well, we're so m u c h
dirt again. T h a n k y o u , k i n d ladies a n d gentlemen, for y o u r patient
h e a r i n g . ' W i t h this he took off his cap, b o w e d elaborately to the
assembled c r o w d of e x - T o m m i e s a n d civilians, a n d clambered off
the roof to the p l a t f o r m . T h e station staff then bustled r o u n d a n d ,
after s o m e delay, lit u p the train. A n h o u r or so later w e steamed
into L o n d o n to separate a n d disappear again into that obscurity
f r o m w h i c h the w o r l d ' s most astonishing armies h a d e m e r g e d .
COMMENTARY

In the early 1970s I decided to make a typescript of Bion's diary to

facilitate any future reading of it and as an insurance against any
possible loss of the original—somewhat late in the day, its having
already survived many house removals in the '20s and '30s, London
bombing raids in the '40s, further house removals in the '50s and
'60s, and a voyage of six thousand miles to California in 1968. That
typescript tempted Bion to read the account for the first time since he
wrote it fifty years earlier and to make some revealing comments on
his reactions. As he rightly observes, 'I am amazed to find I wrote like
an illiterate when I had already been accepted at Queen's'.

The commentary is written in the form he used in A Memoir of the

Future, although here the conversation is between two characters
only: BION, the inexperienced young man of twenty-one, and MYSELF,
the wise old man of seventy-five. Memories come flooding back,
reinforcing his dislike of his personality and poor opinion of his
performance as a soldier. He says, ' . . . I never recovered from
the survival of the Battle of Amiens. Most of what I do not like about
you [MYSELF] seemed to start then'. Fortunately this lack of self-esteem
was offset by his pride in his family and his work as a psycho­
analyst—the two areas of his life that were of greater importance to
him than any other.
F.B.
1972

L
y i n g beneath the stars, w r a p p e d w a r m l y i n o u r blankets,
m y friend a n d I discussed the w o n d e r f u l news. T really feel
almost sorry for the G e r m a n s . T h e y haven't a chance w i t h
France a n d ourselves against them. T h e y have really gone too far
this t i m e /
It w a s A u g u s t 1914. T h e d i a r y was written i n 1919 at T h e
Q u e e n ' s C o l l e g e , O x f o r d . Since I wrote it I have not referred to it
again till n o w , sixty-three years later. I write this u n d e r C a l i f o r n i a n
skies.

* * *

I h a v e c h a n g e d s o m e names as a w a y of a v o i d i n g h u r t i n g those
w h o m i g h t recognize someone l o v e d a n d n o longer able to d e f e n d
themselves. Nevertheless, I k n o w that v e r y little effort w o u l d be
r e q u i r e d to l i n k the battles, the units engaged a n d the people w h o
took part. I rely o n the inertia of those w h o m i g h t m a k e cruel use of
w h a t I say, to protect myself a n d others f r o m unnecessary p a i n .
T h e r e is n o criticism that I m a k e of others w h i c h c o u l d not w i t h
e q u a l justice be a p p l i e d to me.
T h e r e is one spirit f r o m the 'vastie deepe' [Shakespeare, Henry
IV] that I can conjure u p . H e r e he is: p o w e r f u l l y built, i n c l i n e d to
fat b u t otherwise, superficially at least, p h y s i c a l l y fit; somewhat
s u r l y , t h o u g h rarely g i v e n to outbursts of laughter; it is noticeable
that he does not smile. H i s best friend at T h e Q u e e n ' s College once
told h i m , w i t h s h r e w d a n d k i n d l y acuteness, ' Y o u d o rather retire
f r o m the college a n d s u l k / H i s name is BION.

199
200 WAR MEMOIRS

MYSELF [today]: Let's look at y o u r ' d i a r y ' n o w . H a v i n g r e a d it, I feel

it is interesting a n d w o r t h p u b l i s h i n g as it stands. D o y o u m i n d
if I cut out the ' v e r y s ' a n d superlatives? Y o u h a d a ' v e r y ' b a d
attack of the ' v e r y s ' , v e r i l y v e r y v i r u l e n t l y . T h e y m a k e it diffi­
cult to r e a d .

BION [age 21]: N o , of course not. But I d o n ' t w a n t it to appear

that I was better educated than I was, I f i n d it salutary to be
r e m i n d e d of these disconcerting facts that I h a d forgotten.

MYSELF: W e l l , t h e n — o u t w i t h the ' v e r y s ' a n d superlatives, b u t

otherwise the u n v a r n i s h e d ' B i o n ' . A f t e r a l l , it has to be ' M y s e l f
unvarnished.

BION: But apart f r o m that?

MYSELF: A l t e r n o t h i n g .

BION: I a m g l a d y o u f o u n d it g o o d e n o u g h . . .

MYSELF: O h , no: interesting e n o u g h , but certainly not g o o d .

BION (abashed): O h . T h e n m a y I ask w h y y o u think it w o r t h p u b ­

lishing? W h a t ' s w r o n g w i t h it?

MYSELF: T h a t is difficult to answer. I think the best t h i n g w o u l d be

to go t h r o u g h it together, a n d I w i l l tell y o u m o r e precisely a n d
i n detail m y appreciation (positive or negative).

BION: L o o k i n g at it again, I a m a m a z e d to f i n d I wrote like a n

illiterate w h e n I h a d already been accepted at Q u e e n ' s .

MYSELF: Y O U h a d i n fact been accepted before y o u r w a r service, a n d

h a d h a d n o education f r o m that time o n . It is a s u r p r i s e —
t h o u g h it makes m e fear I a m n o m o r e a d v a n c e d n o w .

BION: W h y is that? W h a t have y o u been u p to?

MYSELF: T h a t is a l o n g a n d interesting story. I think it w o u l d d e ­

press y o u . Let's leave it for the present. H o w d i d y o u get to
Tanks?

BION: I d o n ' t remember, I was extremely anxious to see these n e w l y

i n v e n t e d things, a n d j o i n i n g seemed the o n l y w a y of seeing
them. But I cannot remember h o w I w o r k e d it. I w a s b e c o m i n g
less of a g r e e n h o r n b y that time. O n the w a y u p to the c a m p
f r o m W o o l station, there at last m y a m b i t i o n w a s a c h i e v e d —
there w a s a T A N K !
 COMMENTARY 201

MYSELF: Let's l o o k at y o u r ' d i a r y ' again. W h y are y o u so d o w n o n

the officers?

BION: I fear I w a s a n a r r o w - m i n d e d p r i g . I often think m y fellows

m u s t h a v e h a d a g o o d deal to p u t u p w i t h .

MYSELF: F r o m w h a t I remember, that is true. Indeed, f r o m w h a t I

h a v e l e a r n e d since, I a n d m y closest friends d i d not stand u p to
the r i g o u r s of w a r v e r y w e l l .

BION: O f course w e d i d not k n o w that, t h o u g h I w a s a l w a y s afraid

I w o u l d not. I think e v e n the d i a r y s h o w s that as it goes o n ,
t h o u g h at O x f o r d I was still too a s h a m e d to a d m i t it. A n d v e r y
g l a d of the o p p o r t u n i t y that O x f o r d gave m e to be s e d u c e d into
a m o r e self-satisfied state of m i n d . But I never quite got r i d of
the sense that all was not w e l l .

MYSELF: T h a t ultimately d r o v e m e into psycho-analysis.

BION: S O , that is w h a t y o u have b e e n u p to. D o y o u f i n d it interest­

ing?

MYSELF: Yes, finally I d i d — a f t e r m a n y years of h a t i n g it. But let's

get o n w i t h y o u r w a r ; later I m a y tell y o u w h a t I h a v e d o n e to
us b o t h since. Y o u were e x p l a i n i n g y o u r p r i g g i s h s u p e r i o r i t y .

BION: It w a s not that o n l y , but also ignorance of the strain to w h i c h

combatants h a d b e e n exposed i n p r e v i o u s fighting.

MYSELF: I thought y o u r c o m m e n t that they h a d gone into T a n k s to

a v o i d fighting [p. 8] w a s quite breath-taking i n its d i s p a r a g i n g
insolence. D o y o u still m e a n it?

BION: L e t it s t a n d , like m y lack of culture, as a m o n u m e n t to m y

effrontery. I a m a s h a m e d a n d w o u l d like to cross it out.

MYSELF: A S l o n g as it serves as a r e m i n d e r of w h a t w e are really

like, a n d not as a slur o n ' t h e m ' .

BION: I fear that m u c h of the d i a r y w i l l appear, o n this r e a d i n g , to

be a n exercise i n sheltering m y c o m p l a c e n c y f r o m the c h i l l i n g
blast of truth.

MYSELF: It does r e a d like that. Y o u r reference to the b o y as 'street­

b r e d ' [p. 6] a n d a ' g r o u s e r ' makes m e w o n d e r if the w a r a n d
O x f o r d h a d g o n e to y o u r h e a d . I h o p e not, b u t then it is d i s c o n ­
certing to t h i n k s u c h 'street-bred' superiority is a basic quality.
202 WAR MEMOIRS

M a y b e at twenty-one y o u h a d not g r o w n past adolescence.

T h a t p o o r b o y later s h o w e d what I learned to call ' s c h i z o ­
p h r e n i c - t y p e reaction'.

BION: Y o u r e m i n d m e of m y senior officers, t h o u g h I d o n ' t k n o w

m u c h about y o u r competence. I was aware that I was not c o m ­
petent, particularly as I was so scared a n d that d i d not seem to
fit i n w i t h b e i n g a soldier. I c o u l d not e v e n be sure of w h a t I
w a s frightened. Death? N o . Being terribly mutilated? Perhaps;
I k n e w a bit m o r e about the possibilities later. G o i n g m a d ? N o .
W h a t e v e r I thought of, it d i d n ' t seem to be right. A n y h o w , I
w a s right about our senior officers.

MYSELF: I d o n ' t think y o u were, a l t h o u g h there w e r e certain p l a u s ­

ible, superficial qualities that were reprehensible. Y o u r failure
to write h o m e was reprehensible a n d not superficial.

BION: I c o u l d not. I agree—I k n e w — i t was reprehensible. But I

c o u l d not d o it. I wrote once, after C a m b r a i .

***

BION: T h e S u n d a y before w e were to leave B o v i n g t o n [p. 8], the

p a d r e preached a s e r m o n to the w h o l e battalion. H i s text was,
'Soldiers, be content w i t h y o u r wages'. I d o n ' t remember w h a t
he s a i d , but he r e m a r k e d smoothly that some of us m i g h t think
his choice peculiar.

MYSELF: Y O U o b v i o u s l y d i d , but h o w o d d that it is the o n l y part y o u

remember.

BION: I was p r o b a b l y h o p i n g I w o u l d not r u n away. I k n o w I feared

it before I k n e w w h a t action was. I was not awake to m u c h of
the next d a y ; w e m u s t have m a r c h e d d o w n to a stirring military
time w h o s e n a m e I forget.

MYSELF: 'Bollocks, B o l l o c k s — a n d the same to y o u . '

BION: T h a t was not what it was called. ' M a r c h e M i l i t a i r e ' , perhaps.

I say, it's a bit o d d y o u r r e m e m b e r i n g w o r d s like that after all
these years a n d a n O x f o r d education, isn't it?

MYSELF: O n e ' s early priggishness wears off. O r perhaps it s i m p l y

becomes socialized as p o r n o g r a p h y .
 COMMENTARY 203

B I O N : I hated the b a n d p l a y i n g ' A u l d A c q u a i n t a n c e a n d ' H o m e ,

7

Sweet H o m e ' . M y mother stayed i n her cottage i n W o o l , or I

w o u l d h a v e hated her too.

M Y S E L F : I h a d forgotten the Brigadier shook h a n d s w i t h all the

officers; I suppose y o u were right?

B I O N : O h yes. It w a s a bit e m b a r r a s s i n g — ' m a n l y gesture' a n d a l l

that, y o u k n o w , I w o n d e r if that w a s w h a t m a d e t h e m so r u d e
to H e n r y V before A g i n c o u r t . It w a s a b l o o d y night o n the
Australind.
M Y S E L F : A l l I remember about L e H a v r e [p. 9] is the astonishment of
a waitress o n being asked b y Greene, i n his best French, to b r i n g
s o m e teacake 'avec la vitesse de Yantelope'.

B I O N : I d i d n ' t think it w o r t h m e n t i o n i n g . I w a s f o n d of Greene, a n

officer i n A C o m p a n y — a l w a y s cheerful a n d a m u s i n g . A barris­
ter a n d w i t . A s w e m a r c h e d t h r o u g h L e H a v r e the b a n d p l a y e d
the 'Marseillaise', a n d the people seemed s u r p r i s e d to see s u c h
a large b o d y of large m e n . I h e a r d one or t w o say, as they s a w
our regimental badges, 'Mitrailleurs', as w e h a d M a c h i n e - G u n
C o r p s insignia i n those d a y s — ' H e a v y M a c h i n e - G u n s ' w a s the
, term, to a v o i d advertising ' T a n k s ' .

M Y S E L F : I suppose it s o u n d s cynical to say that the G e r m a n s must

h a v e been amongst the most interested a n d i n f o r m e d part of
the audience. If not, w h y not? O n e of the great armies of the
w o r l d cannot surely have omitted to keep a capable b o d y of
spies at s u c h key places as the ports.

B I O N : I d o n ' t think w e believed it i n spite of all the 'Taisez vous:

Mefiez vous' i n the w o r l d , t h o u g h w e h a d a p r o f o u n d belief i n
our o w n Secret Service.

M Y S E L F : W i t h s o m e reason, I think. Unfortunately w e also h a d some

reason later for bitter a r m y gibes about the R N as the 'Silent
Service'. W e d i d n ' t see the positive side—that n o t h i n g h a d i n ­
terfered w i t h o u r o w n crossing.

* **
B I O N : These cliches [pp. 10,11] d o n o t h i n g to convey a n i m p r e s s i o n
to a n y o n e w h o h a d n o t h a d the experience, b u t to m e — s i x t y
204 WAR MEMOIRS

years later—their v e r y banality recalls that i m m e n s e l y e m o ­

tional experience. T h e behaviour, facial expression, a n d p o v ­
erty of conversation c o u l d give a n i m p r e s s i o n of depression
and e v e n fear at the prospect of battle. Fear there certainly w a s ;
fear of fear was, I think, c o m m o n to all—officers a n d m e n . T h e
inability to a d m i t it to anyone, as there was n o one to a d m i t it to
without b e i n g guilty of spreading a l a r m a n d despondency, p r o ­
d u c e d a curious sense of b e i n g entirely alone i n c o m p a n y w i t h
a c r o w d of mindless robots—machines d e v o i d of h u m a n i t y .
The loneliness was intense; I can still feel m y s k i n d r a w n over
the bones of m y face as if it were the m a s k of a cadaver. T h e
occasional w o r d s exchanged echoed like a conversation h e a r d
f r o m afar. ' W i p e r s , 'Yes, the Salient.' ' G u n s s o u n d a bit frisky.'
7

' A w f u l — b u t cheer u p — y o u ' l l s o o n be d e a d . ' ' Y o u ' v e s a i d it.'

* * *
MYSELF: I h a d forgotten these details [p. 52]. I r e m e m b e r e d the e p i ­
sode as a r e c o m m e n d a t i o n f r o m the C o m p a n y C o m m a n d e r . I
h a d been c o r r e s p o n d i n g l y u n c o m f o r t e d — h a v i n g a d d e d to m y
disillusions the fear that I must have grossly mis-represented
m y y o u t h f u l escapade.

BION: I w a s anxious at the time, a n d troubled at m y g o o d fortune i n

c o m i n g out unscathed where C o h e n , Stokes a n d , to a lesser
extent, Q u a i n t o n h a d suffered disaster. I d i d not k n o w how
b a d l y Q u a i n t o n h a d suffered till l o n g after.

MYSELF: I remember meeting h i m , quite b y accident, years later i n

O x f o r d . H e w a s changed f r o m a cheerful, frank fellow w h o m
I h a d e n v i e d for his easy capacity for deep friendliness, into
a t i m i d , cautious a n d scared a p o l o g y for a m a n . I c o u l d not
penetrate his reserve, a n d he w o u l d say n o t h i n g of w h a t h a d
h a p p e n e d to h i m i n the w a r , or since he left the M a u d e s l e y .

BION: O f course, I d i d not k n o w that the Q u a i n t o n I k n e w w a s o n l y

s u r v i v i n g as a p h y s i c a l representation of himself.

MYSELF: N o w y o u have r e m i n d e d m e of it, I think his story of u s i n g

w h i s k y to topple the tank into safety is probably a fabrication of
an already d i s o r d e r e d personality. Incidentally, I think the V C
c o u l d h a v e t o p p l e d you into a b r e a k d o w n ' . Y o u were l u c k y not
to get it.
 COMMENTARY 205

BION: M o s t p e o p l e got killed trying to deserve the a w a r d later. I

o n l y k n e w one, a n d he seemed to be insensitive to a n o r d i n a r y
conversation. O f course, he m a y have been like that before.

MYSELF: W h o knows? I suppose awards for v a l o u r d o stimulate the

i m p u l s e to be valorous. I think professional soldiers m a y be
able to s u r v i v e t h e m u n h a r m e d better than people w i t h fewer
years of discipline. A n d y e t . . . those brave rows of ribbons: I
often w o n d e r w h a t they p o r t e n d . I see y o u m e n t i o n that y o u
w e r e all v e r y n e r v y , w h i c h I h a d forgotten.

BION: I felt embarrassed to meet m y crew. It seemed so r i d i c u l o u s

that I s h o u l d be singled out. I was able to recommend
R i c h a r d s o n for a M i l i t a r y M e d a l , w h i c h he obtained. I i n d u l g e d
i n a shuffling a p o l o g y ; they k n e w I h a d been r e c o m m e n d e d for
s o m e t h i n g — m e r c i f u l l y , they d i d not k n o w for what.

* **

MYSELF: O u r senior officers were not inefficient [p. 20], but w e c o u l d

not k n o w that o u r w o r l d h a d reached its N i a g a r a . W e were bits
that betrayed the accelerating speed of the flood.

BION: T h e o n l y flood w e k n e w came d o w n i n sheets f r o m the grey,

shell-shattered skies a n d u p f r o m the s o d d e n , glistening m u d .
I d i d not k n o w of a n y officer or m a n w h o d i d not a d m i r e o u r
staff a n d preferred t h e m to L l o y d G e o r g e , A s q u i t h or C u r z o n ,
and s u n d r y v e r y important snoopers w h o came out to h a v e a
cosy s h u d d e r of patriotism. Y o u forget that w e c o u l d see for
ourselves w h a t o u r i m m e d i a t e seniors were. I k n e w o n l y too
w e l l that if I relaxed m y g r i m , d e t e r m i n e d jaw, m y teeth w o u l d
chatter.

MYSELF: D o n ' t y o u think y o u r immediate seniors h a d fears that

likewise h a d to be masked? T h e y too h a d seniors i n rank a n d
time.

BION: T h e y d i e d ; w e were k i l l e d .

MYSELF: S o m e h o w , I a m not sympathetic. Perhaps I a m too c o m ­

fortable a n d too forgetful; y o u r self-pity does not leaven; it is
flatulent.

BION: A t O x f o r d , w h e n I wrote the account, w e were not so critical.

I d o n ' t think it w a s because it w a s against orders, b u t because it
206 WAR MEMOIRS

w a s less a w f u l to think all was w e l l than to believe o u r bigger

e n e m y w a s w h a t y o u later called . . .

MYSELF: . . . the Establishment. C e r t a i n gross w o r d s w o u l d have

b e e n — s t i l l a r e — m o r e appropriate.

* * *

MYSELF: T h e r a i n continued practically w i t h o u t s t o p p i n g . . / (p.

21). I r e m e m b e r this as peculiarly horrible. W e u s e d to go for
apparently aimless route marches, b u t I suppose they w e r e
i n t e n d e d to keep us physically fit. I remember one that e n d e d
u p i n d a r k n e s s — d a n k , steamy, wet. O n the w a y back w e h e a r d
a r a i d — a n d saw i t — l i g h t i n g u p the sky. O u r guns m a d e the sky
a w h i t e , bright backcloth against w h i c h the ' h i l l s ' of the salient
w e r e silhouetted. T h e light was continuous but p u l s e d . It w a s
p u n c t u a t e d b y spots of red fire; these were the e n e m y shells
b u r s t i n g i n reply. I suppose w e must have initiated the r a i d —
they w e r e o n l y r e p l y i n g . I heard a m a n mutter, 'struth' as w e
stared at this terrifying spectacle. It seemed the only c o m m e n t
possible as the sight struck chill i n one's heart. H o w the i n ­
fantry stood it I cannot even n o w i m a g i n e — a n d they w o u l d
h a v e to lie i n the m u d a n d wet all night.

BION: I remember. O f course, I d i d not k n o w then w h a t I k n e w later

about straying f r o m N o . 5 Infantry Track.

MYSELF: C o u l d any amateur a r m y like ours have s u r v i v e d ? Surely

that, a n d the S o m m e before it, m u s t have k i l l e d the heart of o u r
soldiers, o u r initiative.

* * *

BION: H O W w e l l w e were p r e p a r e d [p. 53]! W e h a d not been p r e ­

p a r e d for the victory; w e h a d not been p r e p a r e d to take seri­
o u s l y the information o u r intelligence services h a d g i v e n us.

MYSELF: T h i s is i n n o w a y different t o d a y — o r ever was. T h e success

of the First W o r l d W a r was t h r o w n away, the g o o d fortune of
o u r s u r v i v a l at the e n d of the Second was likewise frittered
away.

BION: A r e y o u not b l a m i n g the Staff a n d the Establishment, as y o u

call it? It sounds as if y o u are g r o u s i n g as m u c h as y o u say I a m .
 COMMENTARY 207

MYSELF: It does; but I d o not b l a m e the Establishment. It is us I

b l a m e — a l l of us. V i c t o r y seems to be r e g a r d e d b y us as desir­
able because it leads to a n o p p o r t u n i t y to s i n k into s l u m b e r
again.

* **

MYSELF: T h e part I remember, that i m p r e s s e d m e most [pp. 53-54],

w a s the sight of the G u a r d s D i v i s i o n a d v a n c i n g i n o p e n order
a n d i n formation so perfect it m i g h t have been a p a r a d e - g r o u n d
exercise. T h e y took G o u z e a u c o u r t a n d s w e p t o n to Ribecourt.

BION: Yes, n o w y o u r e m i n d me. I forgot it as s o o n as I saw it

because w e w h o were left w i t h o u t arms to 'stand to' h a d to
m a r c h back i n the afternoon. T h e G u a r d s set u p a 'prisoner-of­
w a r ' cage into w h i c h they s h e p h e r d e d the fleeing remnants of
the infantry d i v i s i o n . T h i s was d o n e b y their c a m p details w h i l e
the m a i n b o d y c o n t i n u e d their advance. I hated the m a c h i n e ­
g u n n i n g f r o m the air, t h o u g h it d i d n ' t seem to d o any h a r m .

MYSELF: I seem to remember that t h o u g h w e h a d L e w i s g u n s , w e

d i d the planes n o h a r m either.

BION: W e l l , they came so fast a n d so s u d d e n l y .

MYSELF: Y O U c o u l d h a r d l y expect t h e m to w a l k , or give y o u notice.

Y o u w e r e o n the o p e n r o a d , a n d a battle h a d b e e n r a g i n g for
about fifteen hours.

BION: T h e y d i d n ' t come back, so w e h a d n ' t a second chance.

MYSELF: S e c o n d chances are rare; second, e v e n t h i r d , thoughts are

possible, b u t choice of w h i c h thought to transform into action
has to be instant a n d not dependent o n second chances.

BION: I certainly felt d e m o r a l i z e d ; so m u c h so that I d o not re­

m e m b e r b o t h e r i n g about m y threatened decoration. I loathed
h a v i n g to go back a n d take over the tanks w e h a d left i n charge
of Q u a i n t o n a n d others.

MYSELF: I h a d h a r d l y a n y m e m o r y of g o i n g back to M o u l t a n d the

r e t u r n till y o u r e m i n d e d me.

BION: I a m not s u r p r i s e d . I forgot it as fast as I c o u l d . A t O x f o r d ,

w h e n I was w r i t i n g the d i a r y , I u s e d to have a recurrent d r e a m
of c l i n g i n g to the s l i m y b a n k of a torrent that r u s h e d b y s o m e
208 WAR MEMOIRS

twenty feet below. A s I was s l i p p i n g , I tried to d i g m y finger­

nails into the m u d . But as I became tired I m o v e d to ease m y ­
s e l f — a n d this meant a further slither. T h i s vast r a g i n g torrent
w a i t i n g for m e b e l o w w a s the Steenbeck. I have described the
trickle of dirty water that was the geographical fact.

MYSELF: Y o u r ' d r e a m ' , as y o u call it, sounds a better description of

the 'facts' than the facts. T h e crossing of the Steenbeck s w a l ­
l o w e d u p m a n y a n E n g l i s h s o l d i e r — f o r what?

BION: I remember the corpse i n the shell-hole that sheltered us

b o t h — h i s bluey-green skin stretched tight over the bones of his
face, his m o u t h p u l l e d o p e n b y the contraction of death.

MYSELF: I r e n e w e d the acquaintance i n the dissecting r o o m .

BION: W e h e l d Y p r e s .

MYSELF: N O . Peace broke out w i t h its customary virulence. W i t h

h e a v y i n d u s t r y idle, workers rotting for lack of w o r k , w e ' p r e ­
p a r e d ' to fight another w a r without arms, w i t h o u t training,
w i t h o u t spirit. W e d i d N O T 'keep o n ' h o l d i n g Y p r e s . A n d n o w
w e slither to o u r N i a g a r a . T h i s time it is not a d r e a m .

BION: It w a s n o d r e a m at Meaulte. W e w e n t back after one stint

w i t h the s u p p o r t i n g troops. M e r r y C h r i s t m a s to y o u all.
Q u a i n t o n h a d a marvellous fur coat, w h i c h , he declared
p r o u d l y , excited the Colonel's envious eyes—as w e l l it m i g h t .
But the future was h i d d e n f r o m both: no comfort c o u l d keep
out the chilly blast of the future.

* * *

MYSELF: Y o u r description of Meaulte [pp. 65-71], w h i c h was a d m i t ­

tedly a horrible c a m p , a horrible Christmas, a n d a p e r i o d of l o w
morale i n the troops, is certainly evocative, but I a m disagree­
ably i m p r e s s e d b y y o u r sanctimonious p r i g g i s h n e s s — n o t o n l y
i n the a r m y , but at O x f o r d where y o u wrote y o u r account. I
cannot believe that y o u r a r m y friends were as b a d . If so, it w a s
not s u r p r i s i n g that C o o k , H o m f r a y , a n d C l i f f o r d d i s l i k e d y o u
as m u c h as y o u d i d them.

BION: I think the ' d i a r y ' is a fair e n o u g h reflection of me.

 COMMENTARY 209

MYSELF: It m u s t h a v e b e e n y o u r athletic skills that s a v e d y o u at

Oxford.

BION: I c o u l d not w o r k , a n d t h o u g h I s w a m a n d p l a y e d rugger, I

d i d not k n o w w h a t enjoying games meant. V e r y occasionally a
friend took m e r o u n d to the r o o m s of another Q u e e n ' s m a n
w h o p l a y e d the p i a n o a n d sang to us. H e w a s c h a r m i n g a n d
unpretentious; sometimes I secretly w i s h e d I c o u l d be released
f r o m m y athletic p r o w e s s . But I c o u l d n o t — i t w a s too i m p o r ­
tant a lifebelt for m e to be able to let go m y h o l d of it.

MYSELF: Like your DSO?

BION: I s u p p o s e so, b u t i n fact I d i d not f i n d that c o m p e l l i n g . I

forgot it, a n d r e m e m b e r one occasion at least w h e n it w a s quite
a shock to be r e m i n d e d of it b y a friend.

MYSELF: I r e m e m b e r that.

BION: T h e n p e r h a p s y o u w i l l not be s u r p r i s e d that I w o u l d h a v e

b e e n s h o c k e d h a d I k n o w n w h a t I s h o u l d become if I s u r v i v e d
the w a r .

MYSELF: W h a t upsets y o u most?

BION: Y o u r success, I think. I hesitate to say it, because it s o u n d s

ungrateful. I cannot i m a g i n e w h a t was w r o n g , b u t I n e v e r re­
c o v e r e d f r o m the s u r v i v a l of the Battle of A m i e n s . M o s t of w h a t
I d o not like about y o u seemed to start then.

MYSELF: A s y o u h a d not realized it then, I a m s u r p r i s e d that y o u say

so little about events that i n retrospect s e e m utterly h o r r i b l e .

BION: I s h o u l d h a v e thought that there was n o t h i n g material ex­

cluded.

MYSELF: Possibly. It m a y not have struck y o u as dramatic e n o u g h to

m e n t i o n the time, l o n g before Y p r e s , w h e n y o u w e r e asleep o n
the stone floor of a farmhouse that h a d b e e n l e v e l l e d i n p r e ­
v i o u s fighting. T h a t sickly, sweet stench of corpses w h i c h . . .

BION: . . . w e c o u l d n ' t locate. I r e m e m b e r perfectly. W h a t about it?

MYSELF: N o t h i n g : that w a s w h a t was so a w f u l . Y o u were not e v e n

frightened. B y the time y o u got to O x f o r d , y o u h a d 'forgotten'
i t I d o n ' t r e m e m b e r it, b u t m y gut does. I w a s a n d a m still
210 WAR MEMOIRS

scared. W h a t about? I d o n ' t k n o w — j u s t scared. N o , not e v e n

'just' scared. Scared.

BION: T h a t 'sweet smell of the d e a d ' I remember. It was p e r v a s i v e .

W h e r e w a s that? I k n o w it was before w e h a d tanks.

MYSELF: A n d h o w c o u l d y o u have been s u c h a d a m n e d fool as to

let that Boche d r a g y o u to the d u g - o u t where his d e a d p a l was?
O n A u g u s t 8th it was.

BION: I remember. A s s e r w a s about to d i e — r e f u s i n g to surrender.

H e c o u l d have been fighting for something of w h i c h I c o u l d not
be aware. But his death killed me. A t least, it m a d e m e feel I
c o u l d never be a m a n w i t h s u c h intensity that I w o u l d k n o w ­
i n g l y embrace certain death.

MYSELF: Years after, m a n y years after, I learned that I c o u l d h a r d l y

c l a i m to l o v e a w o m a n because the w o m a n ' s love i n c l u d e d
her love of the father of her children. I d o not k n o w . I c a n o n l y
aspire to s u c h love a n d suffer the uncertainty that it is o n l y a n
aspiration of w h i c h I fall short.

BION: I h a d n o d o u b t — d o not ask m y w h y , but I repeat no d o u b t —

that A s s e r , nearly a year y o u n g e r than I, was s u c h a m a n . I d o
not feel that about y o u , w h o I have s u r v i v e d to become.

MYSELF: I certainly d o not c l a i m it. I a m still ' b e c o m i n g ' , t h o u g h . It

d e p e n d s if death forestalls m y growth. I can h a r d l y c l a i m m o r e
time as of a right.

BION: W h a t else surprises you?

MYSELF: Y o u r enthusiasm to go into battle a n d the fact that it

seemed to e n d u r e .

BION: I recognize a quality that y o u m i g h t mistake for e n d u r a n c e ,

b u t I d o not remember any b e h a v i o u r I w o u l d call enthusiasm.
O n c e , p e r h a p s twice, I felt enthusiasm w h e n I s a w the g u n s
i n the field near school, a n d w h e n I saw the N o r t h M i d l a n d
Division marching.

MYSELF: Before y o u w e n t to w a r , y o u h a d w h a t I think of as a

m o r b i d change-and-decay-in-all-around-I-see religiosity.

BION: T h a t w a s shared b y all m y contemporaries; it was i n d i s t i n ­

guishable f r o m the Headmaster's sexual pi-jaws [pious talk;
 COMMENTARY 211

p u b l i c school slang]. I h a d a v a g u e sense of i m p e n d i n g i l l ­

defined D O O M m i x e d u p w i t h ' p o i s o n i n the f o o d ' — a n o t h e r of
his s o l e m n a n d terrifying p l o y s . I also h a d a v a g u e feeling that
I w o u l d be k i l l e d for a pleasurable s i n — p r o b a b l y masturbation.

MYSELF: I d o not remember y o u r ever feeling that abstinence w o u l d

confer i m m u n i t y .

BION: N O , I c o u l d h a r d l y achieve that degree of stupidity. Facts of

action c o u l d not fail to penetrate. After C a m b r a i it was o b v i ­
o u s — n o t a single one of m y personal friends w a s i n existence.

MYSELF: Except C o h e n a n d Q u a i n t o n .

BION: Both were recognizable o n l y i n the w a y that an insect's

chitinous sheath c o u l d be recognized as something f r o m w h i c h
the p u p a h a d emerged.

MYSELF: W h a t about Hauser?

BION: H e d i d not b e c o m e a friend, but a fellow officer for w h o m I

d e v e l o p e d a n i m m e n s e a n d e n d u r i n g respect.

MYSELF: H i s comment o n y o u r stolid a n d u n h u r r i e d l o a d i n g of y o u r

revolver after M o n t K e m m e l h a d fallen impressed y o u .

BION: It m u s t have done, but I d i d not realize it at the time. I w a s

o n l y aware of a sense of utter emptiness. I thought the infantry
officers w h o saw m e w a l k i n g to m y m a c h i n e - g u n crews re­
g a r d e d m e as some sort of pathological case.

MYSELF: I think they were right. After all, y o u h a d not the back­
g r o u n d of training a n d discipline of a real soldier.

BION: I d o n ' t suppose they h a d either; w e were all amateurs

w i t h o u t a n amatory tie w i t h a w a r l i k e profession. T h e G u a r d s
D i v i s i o n at H a z e b r o u k , at Cambrai—they c o u l d stand u p to a n y
troops i n the w o r l d .

MYSELF: I still feel the a d m i r a t i o n that w a s b o r n then.

AMIENS

As Bion writes in the Prelude to this unfinished narrative, memories

were aroused by our train journey in France on August 3rd 1958.
I remember his being visibly moved as he talked of his painful
recollections; I became heavy-hearted, thinking of the lost generation
of young men and those who were left to carry with them the burden
of bitterness and disillusionment throughout their lives.

He writes in the third person and becomes the story-teller, attributing

some of his own actions and experiences to other characters. It is a
solemn chronicle of tired men grown cynical after years of futile
losses and dashed hopes, unable to feel any enthusiasm now that the
tide has turned in their favour and an end to fighting is at last a
possibility. The only relief from the atmosphere of anxiety and fear is
in the wry, ironic picture he draws of Major de Freine, although at the
time, as he told me, he (transposed to Cook) found it impossible to
see the 'funny side' of that living caricature of a cavalry officer of the
'old school'.

The account ends in mid-sentence—other more pressing commit­

ments intervened. He was working on Learning from Experience at
the time (1960), followed by four more books published by 1970. I
know he did not read my typescript, which was filed and half forgot­
ten by me over the ensuing thirty years until recently, when publica­
tion of the diary became a possibility. I have edited it, as I did many
of his writings, in the way of which he approved. The titles, Prelude
and Fugue, are my choice, the latter meaning 'loss of one's identity,
often coupled with disappearance from one's usual environment'
(OED).

F.B.
 [ A u g u s t 3 rd 1 9 5 8 ]

Prelude

T
he train w a s n o w travelling at speed. T h e sideways gentle
oscillation of the coaches b l e n d e d r h y t h m i c a l l y w i t h the
t h u n d e r i n g f o r w a r d surge of the train itself. It was hot. T h e
m e n w o r k i n g i n the fields were bare to the waist. W e c o u l d see
t h e m toiling over the vast r o l l i n g expanses of c o r n l a n d that the
train w a s n o w p a s s i n g through.
Francesca sat opposite to me, l o o k i n g as u s u a l cool, neat, b e a u ­
tifully t u r n e d out, w i t h her sweetly s m i l i n g face. She s t u d i e d the
m e n u , a n d i n a m o m e n t or two the waiter came u p to us, a n d w e
o r d e r e d o u r cocktails, w h i c h arrived i n glasses already frosted
w i t h the contrast of their contents a n d the w a r m , h u m i d air of this
hot s u m m e r ' s d a y .
T h e fields d i s a p p e a r e d as w e a p p r o a c h e d the outskirts of a
t o w n , a n d s o o n w e were threading our w a y t h r o u g h the network
of rails a n d points that m a d e u p A m i e n s station. Amiens—so
that e x p l a i n e d it. S o m e twenty minutes earlier w e h a d passed a
peculiar configuration of the g r o u n d about w h i c h Francesca h a d
questioned me. I h a d recognized at once the signs of shell-holes
o v e r g r o w n w i t h w e e d . T h e y p o c k - m a r k e d the g r o u n d r o u n d about
s o m e m a r s h y pools, where the w i l l o w trees h u n g green a n d grace­
f u l i n the bright sunlight. Still they seemed to be ineradicable, to be
v e r y little older than the shell-holes h a d been i n the w a r , where
one m a r v e l l e d at the speed w i t h w h i c h they were covered u p
w i t h w e e d a n d w i l l o w h e r b i n the p e r i o d of the w a r itself. W h a t
s u r p r i s e d n o w was that so little further disguise h a d taken place.
A s the train s p e d t h r o u g h the complex of lines, I said to
Francesca that it seemed strange that it was almost forty years ago
to the d a y w h e n I h a d last been here, a n d i n s u c h v e r y different
circumstances. It was a d r e a m for her to be sitting opposite to

215
216 WAR MEMOIRS

m e — a girl so beautiful, so l o v i n g , so near to a d r e a m that I h a d

a l w a y s thought c o u l d never, never come to pass for m e .
T h e train, freed of the marshalling yards, h a d settled d o w n into
the steady r h y t h m of its speedy r u s h towards the sea. W a s it not
Julian Grenfell w h o wrote, T h e n a k e d earth is w a r m w i t h s p r i n g " ?
I think it w a s i n that p o e m that he spoke of the m a n ' w h o dies
fighting has increase' ['Into Battle', p u b l i s h e d i n The Times, 27 M a y
1915].
I w o n d e r . But what a n a r m y it was. C a n there ever b e collected
together again so m a n y m e n of s p l e n d i d m i n d s a n d s p l e n d i d
p h y s i q u e ? A n d is it possible that, if they were collected together
again, they c o u l d be suffused w i t h so fantastic a d e v o t i o n to w a r ,
so m y s t i c a l a n d o v e r w h e l m i n g a belief that it w a s the cure for all
the ills of the w o r l d — ' a s s w i m m e r s into cleanness l e a p i n g ' , as
R u p e r t B r o o k e h a d it ['Peace', 1914], speaking of his entry into the
war? T h e w o n d e r f u l experiences of peacetime were really n o t h i n g ;
or rather h a d i n them the seeds of some k i n d of disease that w o u l d
be p u r g e d a w a y b y the actual process of w a r itself.
There were n o t m a n y of those left b y 1918, a n d yet there w e r e
some. I remember A s s e r — A s s e r , w h o w a s o n l y nineteen a n d w h o
joined our battalion w i t h all the freshness, enthusiasm a n d y o u t h ­
ful belief that he w a s joining i n some w o n d e r f u l a n d glorious
adventure. H e d i d not g r o w o l d , 'as w e w h o are left g r o w o l d '
[Laurence B i n y o n , 'Poems for the Fallen'].
Fugue

I
n the early e v e n i n g of A u g u s t 7th, 1918, C a p t a i n B i o n , D S O ,
h a d been ordered to rest before the battle, since he h a d been at
w o r k f r o m early d a w n after several days of p r o l o n g e d p r e p a ­
ration of his tanks for action. H e lay d o w n o n a r u g o n the grass of
a h i g h plateau o v e r l o o k i n g the valley of the R i v e r L u c e . Before h i m
w a s a screen of trees of the w o o d i n w h i c h the tanks of his battalion
w e r e concealed f r o m e n e m y observation. T h e green leaves h u n g
h e a v i l y i n the hot e v e n i n g air, their colour touched w i t h b r o n z e
i n the rays of the d e c l i n i n g s u n . H e w a s twenty years o l d , a n d he
c o m m a n d e d a section of the 3 r d C o m p a n y of the 5th T a n k Battal­
i o n . S h a r i n g the r u g w i t h h i m was 2 n d Lieutenant A s s e r , aged
eighteen, just n e w l y joined w i t h the battalion. T h e time w a s a p ­
p r o x i m a t e l y 14.00 hours. T h e battalion was d u e to take u p its
positions for action, c o m m e n c i n g the march-to-battle positions at
18.00 h o u r s . T h e 3 r d C o m p a n y was to lead the battalion, a n d
Bion's section w a s the last one i n the order of route. H e a n d his
c o m p a n i o n c o m p o s e d themselves for sleep.
T h e m o v e to the f o r w a r d area h a d c o m m e n c e d four days p r e v i ­
ously, w h e n the battalion, l y i n g some twenty miles b e h i n d the
front line already p r e p a r e d , h a d been o r d e r e d f o r w a r d to entrain
a n d then p r o c e e d to A m i e n s where they were to start the f o r w a r d
m o v e i n their vehicles. T h e journey, w h i c h h a d to be p e r f o r m e d i n
the utmost secrecy, h a d been extremely arduous. T h e first stages of
the a p p r o a c h to the entraining-point h a d been over u n t o u c h e d
country, w h i c h w a s therefore particularly likely to take the i m p r i n t
of the tank tracks. So it h a d been necessary, i n a d d i t i o n to the u s u a l

217
218 WAR MEMOIRS

ardours of an a p p r o a c h m a r c h , for parties w i t h brooms to cover u p

the tracks, so that they w o u l d not be visible to the e n e m y aerial
photographers. T h i s b u r d e n s o m e task h a d e m p l o y e d at least half
of each tank crew. E v e r y f o r w a r d m o v e , i n c l u d i n g the journeys b y
train, h a d to be p e r f o r m e d after night h a d fallen. T h e d a y s w e r e
accordingly spent i n greasing the tanks, o i l i n g , filling w i t h petrol,
a n d general maintenance duties. In this w a y it h a d been possible
for few to obtain any rest at all, nor h a d there been a n y time for
speculation as to w h a t the n e w m o v e m i g h t p o r t e n d . It was,
h o w e v e r , v a g u e l y k n o w n that the i m p e n d i n g battle was to be ex­
tremely important for the fate of the w h o l e Western Front. S o m e
details were k n o w n to the c o m p a n y c o m m a n d e r s , but b e l o w that
r a n k the information d i d not go. E v e n c o m p a n y c o m m a n d e r s a n d
h i g h e r officers were still kept i n the dark r e g a r d i n g the actual
location of the c o m i n g battle.

T h e battalion arrived at railhead before d a w n o n A u g u s t 6th;

the tanks were detrained w i t h the greatest possible r a p i d i t y a n d
d r i v e n into a n e i g h b o u r i n g copse for shelter. T h e n before light
came the tracks were again obliterated b y the same laborious p r o ­
cess as before. It was then that B i o n h a d the idea of attaching a
large h u r d l e to the back of his tank a n d , telling the m e n w h o s e
d u t y it was to obscure the tracks to stand o n this h u r d l e , d r a g g e d it
b e h i n d the tank a n d so saved a great deal of unnecessary labour.
F o r this B i o n w a s c o m m e n d e d b y his C o m p a n y C o m m a n d e r .
S u c h c o m m e n d a t i o n was for h i m not u n u s u a l ; as his r i b b o n of the
D S O s h o w e d , he h a d the reputation of being a courageous officer
i n battle i n spite of his extreme y o u t h .
H i s second i n c o m m a n d , Asser, h a d o n l y been a p p o i n t e d to
that p o s i t i o n o n Bion's representations to the C o m p a n y C o m ­
m a n d e r o n the d a y o n w h i c h the f o r w a r d m o v e h a d been i n a u g u r ­
ated. H e h a d displaced a n officer some two years older than B i o n ,
n a m e d C a r t w r i g h t , o n the g r o u n d s that he was not a suitable
officer for that position. In Bion's v i e w he was l a c k i n g i n courage
a n d initiative a n d was too m u c h disposed to m i x o n over-familiar
terms w i t h the. m e n of his crew; furthermore, he s h o w e d a great
lack of discretion i n his attitude a n d manner w h e n addressing
his subordinates a n d was disposed to behave as if he f o u n d
their c o m p a n y more congenial that that of his fellow officers. B i o n
considered A s s e r , although only n e w l y a r r i v e d f r o m E n g l a n d , far
 AMIENS 219

m o r e suitable for the post, qualified both b y his natural d i s p o s i ­

t i o n — o n e of a cheerful cast of m i n d — a n d b y his general grasp a n d
aptitude for the duties he h a d to fulfil. H e h a d taken his p r o m o ­
tion, w h i c h i n v o l v e d n o official recognition i n the a r m y lists, w i t h
m o d e s t assurance a n d pleasure b u t w i t h o u t any u n d u e elation.
C a r t w r i g h t , o n the other h a n d , as m i g h t h a v e been expected, be­
came still further d i s g r u n t l e d a n d even m o r e d i s p o s e d to speak
a n d behave i n a m a n n e r that w a s considered to be u n w o r t h y of a n
officer. It w a s a s s u m e d , h o w e v e r , that his crew, a g o o d one, w o u l d
not c o m e to m u c h h a r m f r o m this b e h a v i o u r except that w h i c h
arises t h r o u g h not b e i n g able to h a v e a great deal of confidence i n
the officer i n w h o s e hands they were p l a c e d .
W h e n all the tanks of the battalion h a d been safely m o v e d into
the positions p r e - o r d a i n e d b y the advance party i n the w o o d , they
w e r e further camouflaged for additional precaution, a l t h o u g h they
w o u l d seem to be a m p l y h i d d e n b y the leaves of the trees. W h e n
this w a s c o m p l e t e d , the officers tried to tidy themselves, to shave
a n d carry out s u c h ablutions as were possible w i t h hot water they
obtained t h r o u g h s t r a p p i n g water-filled petrol cans onto the sides
of the exhaust vents of the tanks. M e n a n d officers then h a d their
early m o r n i n g m e a l . Since n o fires were permitted, this consisted
of c o l d water, b u l l y beef a n d ration biscuits. After the m e a l the
m e n set about their routine tasks of tank maintenance, b u t the
officers, d o w n to the most junior taking part i n the battle, w e r e
s u m m o n e d to a conference to be h e l d i n a tent pitched i n the w o o d .
T h i s conference w a s to brief them o n their orders a n d to explain to
t h e m the nature of the a p p r o a c h i n g operation.
O n arrival at the tent, B i o n a n d his officers, A s s e r , C a r t w r i g h t ,
B r o o m a n d H a u s e r , all tank c o m m a n d e r s , were issued w i t h their
m a p s . B i o n , as section c o m m a n d e r , h a d n o tank but proceeded into
action o n foot i n the front ranks of the l e a d i n g infantry. O n o p e n ­
i n g their m a p s , they discovered that they h a d been allocated a
sector, a front of advance l y i n g to the right of a straight r o a d ,
w h i c h r a n f r o m A m i e n s to R o y e . A m i d s t excited but s u b d u e d talk
a n d the r u s t l i n g of the m a p s b e i n g u n f o l d e d , there entered the
C o r p s C o m m a n d e r w i t h the G S O l a n d his brigadiers. T h e noise
w a s h u s h e d as all the officers stood to attention. T h e C o r p s C o m ­
m a n d e r a n d his staff m o t i o n e d to t h e m to sit d o w n , a n d they took
their seats at a n i m p r o v i s e d dais.
220 WAR MEMOIRS

' C h r i s t , this looks like the b i g stuff, said B r o o m , w h i s p e r i n g to

H a u s e r , w h o sat there, short-sighted, almost bat-like, d i s g r u n t l e d ,
famous w i t h officers a n d m e n alike for his u n i q u e perversity of
disposition.
H a u s e r , w h o spoke w i t h a habitual snuffle, looked caustically
towards the exalted officers o n the dais a n d replied i n not too soft
a w h i s p e r , ' W i t h all these b i g guns here, they s h o u l d be able to
p r o d u c e a bigger b a l l s - u p . '
B r o o m was shocked. H i s excited eyes seemed to p r o t r u d e f r o m
the p i n k m o o n of his face. ' Y o u d o n ' t m e a n that', he said.
' Y o u w a t c h ' , hissed H a u s e r briefly, for the C o r p s C o m m a n d e r
w a s already speaking.
H i s speech at least belied H a u s e r ' s g l o o m y prognostications.
H e was precise, he w a s accurate; he appeared to k n o w m i n u t e l y
the orders he w i s h e d to communicate. H e h a r d l y ever referred to
notes except i n matters of m i n o r detail, a n d then o n l y to c o n f i r m
w h a t he h a d said, never to m a k e a correction. H e b e g a n b y ex­
p l a i n i n g that for reasons of security he p r o p o s e d o n l y to d e a l w i t h
the i m m e d i a t e front, w h i c h concerned the battalion a n d its n e i g h ­
b o u r s o n either flank. H e said that the battle was to be a major one
a n d w o u l d p r o b a b l y decide the fate of the w a r .
H a u s e r , r e d u c e d to silence b y the importance of the occasion,
thought that he h a d heard this before, like the last battle, a n d the
one before that, a n d the one before that, a n d the one before t h a t . . .
he reflected bitterly.
T h e C o r p s C o m m a n d e r continued: u p to the present there
w a s n o sign that the enemy was aware of what was going o n o n his
front. Secrecy h a d apparently been entirely successful; the latest
reports f r o m our agents indicated that there were n o extra troop
m o v e m e n t s o n his front. Nevertheless, he e m p h a s i z e d , the e n e m y
were i n great strength because it was their intention to l a u n c h
a n attack w i t h i n the next few d a y s that was designed to capture
A m i e n s a n d so break a n important hinge o n the front of the allies.
T h i s front was the point at w h i c h the F r e n c h a n d British armies
joined. O u r attack was intended not only to forestall the e n e m y
m o v e , but to be a major contribution to his total defeat.
Bion's heart sank. ' W h y the h e l l ' , he thought to himself, 'do
w e always have to choose the point at w h i c h the e n e m y is most
powerful?'
 AMIENS 221

T h e attack w a s to be carried out, the C o r p s C o m m a n d e r c o n ­

t i n u e d , b y two d i v i s i o n s of the British a r m y , b y the C a n a d i a n
A r m y C o r p s , b y the A u s t r a l i a n a n d N e w Z e a l a n d A r m y C o r p s
a n d b y the First F r e n c h A r m y . S o m e of the battalion's tanks w o u l d
be operating w i t h troops of the First F r e n c h A r m y . H e s h o w e d o n
a map a line that m a r k e d the respective fronts of the right
flank of the attacking British, a n d of the left flank of the First
F r e n c h A r m y . A t s o m e 3,000 metres f r o m the front line this l i m i t ­
i n g line joined the A m i e n s - R o y e r o a d , w h i c h , f r o m that p o i n t o n ­
w a r d , w o u l d p r o v i d e the frontier separating the British A r m i e s ,
the F o u r t h A r m y a n d the First F r e n c h A r m y . After he h a d s p o k e n
i n fairly general terms, he sat d o w n a n d h a n d e d over to his C S O l ,
w h o then gave detailed instructions to the companies a n d sections
that w e r e to operate.
In tense silence all the officers f o l l o w e d the instructions w i t h
the a i d of their maps. B i o n a n d his officers became tense w h e n
they h e a r d the orders that affected them as a section. It a p p e a r e d
that they were to be o n the extreme right of the British A r m y , that
they w o u l d start operating w i t h troops of the C a n a d i a n A r m y
C o r p s , a n d then, w h e n the A m i e n s - R o y e r o a d was reached, they
w o u l d be t a k i n g over the protection of the F r e n c h N a n c y D i v i s i o n .
T h i s d i v i s i o n w o u l d consist of the F o r e i g n L e g i o n , the C h a s s e u r s
Alpines a n d —
'It's the F r e n c h Iron D i v i s i o n ' , w h i s p e r e d H a u s e r , m o m e n t a r i l y
d r o p p i n g his attitude of disillusionment.
T h e staff officer went o n to say that the utmost precaution m u s t
be taken to preserve secrecy; there m u s t be no risks taken w h a t ­
soever. U p to the present, he s a i d , there h a d o n l y been one aero­
p l a n e over o u r lines, a n d that h a d been shot d o w n . There were
s o m e ironical m u r m u r s at this point as g r o u n d troops h a d v e r y
little faith i n the m a r k s m a n s h i p of the anti-aircraft batteries. H e
e x p l a i n e d that, since the e n e m y were not anxious to s p r i n g a s u r ­
prise u p o n us, it w a s quite likely that they w o u l d not risk s e n d i n g
out any reconnaissance planes m o r e than they c o u l d help for fear
of a r o u s i n g o u r suspicions. O n e of the difficult p r o b l e m s , he c o n ­
t i n u e d , w a s h o w to keep the e n e m y f r o m b e i n g suspicious w h e n
o u r tanks m o v e d f o r w a r d into battle position. It h a d therefore been
a r r a n g e d that flights of H a n d l e y Page bombers w o u l d take place
over the front lines at the time w h e n o u r tanks started f o r w a r d
222 WAR MEMOIRS

before the battle. It was h o p e d that the noise of the aeroplane

engines w o u l d mask the s o u n d of the tanks, a n d that the s o u n d of
the tank engines w o u l d be explained to the listening e n e m y as
b e i n g m a d e b y the H a n d l e y Page bombers, w h i c h they themselves
c o u l d see.
Detail f o l l o w e d detail for something over an h o u r ; then came
the questions, terse a n d tensely d e l i v e r e d . A s a matter of course,
n o b o d y less exalted than a c o m p a n y c o m m a n d e r c o u l d ask the
questions. T h e n the C o r p s C o m m a n d e r rose, indicated that
the conference w a s at a n e n d , a n d w i t h his fellow staff officers
left the tent. T h e officers of the battalion broke u p into s m a l l
g r o u p s , discussing the information they h a d been g i v e n . B i o n ' s
officers kept together.
' T h i s means C r o i x de G u e r r e for all of us', said B r o o m . ' Y o u can
n e v e r go into action w i t h i n ten miles of the F r e n c h w i t h o u t b e i n g
s h o w e r e d w i t h the things.'
T f the Boche are so s t u p i d that they can't tell the difference
between a tank a n d a H a n d l e y Page b o m b e r , I w o n d e r w h y w e
have to fight them at a l l ' , said H a u s e r .
Tt w i l l be too late b y then, a n y w a y ' , said B i o n .
' O h n o , it w o n ' t ' , said H a u s e r . ' W h a t about that G e r m a n major
fellow at C a m b r a i ? H e c h e w e d us u p pretty thoroughly then if y o u
remember. Y o u ' v e o n l y got to give these chaps a little bit of notice,
a n d they sit there w i t h their guns nicely trained w a i t i n g for us to
s h o w our snouts over the top.'
' D o n ' t be s u c h a wet blanket', said B i o n s o m e w h a t uneasily.
' Y o u k n o w v e r y w e l l that w e w i l l have a v e r y h e a v y barrage p u t
d o w n on him.'
Asser, w h o h a d been silent all this time, absorbed with
thoughts of excitement about his first battle a n d the thrill of seeing
so m a n y important officers whose names were legends to h i m ,
n o w b r o k e i n . T think there s h o u l d be far too b i g a barrage for it to
be possible for any G e r m a n major to be firing over o p e n sights at
o u r tanks. After a l l , y o u have heard what they said about G r e e n ­
w o o d C o p s e : he said the Boche h a d sixteen m a c h i n e - g u n s i n there,
a n d they were turning five 9.5 H o w i z e r s o n to it for that part alone.
T h a t ought to finish them off if anything s h o u l d . '
' R u b b i s h ' , said H a u s e r acidly, ' y o u k n o w perfectly w e l l that
w h e n e v e r one of those idiotic guns fires, all that h a p p e n s is that
 AMIENS 223

the Boche is presented w i t h a huge crater. H e s i m p l y shoves a little

bit of b a r b e d w i r e r o u n d the top, puts a few m a c h i n e - g u n s i n it,
a n d there y o u a r e — a perfectly g o o d strong p o i n t — a n d he hasn't
e v e n h a d to bat a n e y e l i d d i g g i n g one single spadeful of earth out
of this m u c k y s o i l /
T see y o u ' r e i n v e r y g o o d f o r m , H a u s e r ' , said B i o n . After m a n y
months of fighting, he k n e w H a u s e r was one of the stoutest­
hearted officers i n the battalion. H e covered u p whatever feelings
he m i g h t have b y a perpetual flow of acid c o m m e n t about the
w o r l d i n w h i c h he was l i v i n g . It was not u n a m u s i n g , a l t h o u g h it
sometimes h a d a v e r y irritating effect, b o t h o n his colleagues a n d
o n his m e n . H i s m e n , h o w e v e r , i n between intervals of h a t i n g h i m ,
really w o r s h i p p e d h i m , because they k n e w he was utterly reliable,
that there was no chance of his ever failing t h e m i n battle, or
neglecting a n y detail at all that c o u l d m a k e for their comfort a n d
care.
T h e Battalion Intelligence Officer, C a p t a i n Carter, a p p r o a c h e d
the group. 'Tell Captain Bion that he is w a n t e d by Major
Hotblack/
M a j o r H o t b l a c k w a s standing s o m e few yards a w a y , a n d w h e n
B i o n approached h i m , he said that he w o u l d be g l a d to take h i m u p
to the front to have a look at the R i v e r L u c e . ' W e m i g h t as w e l l
have a l o o k r o u n d if y o u feel like it first thing t o m o r r o w m o r n i n g ,
I think. Perhaps have a peep into n o - m a n ' s l a n d /
B i o n d i d not m u c h relish the prospect at all, a l t h o u g h he was
not able to say so, for H o t b l a c k w a s a m a n w i t h a legendary r e p u ­
tation for his actions b o t h i n battle a n d i n the Secret Service, w h e r e
he w a s r e p u t e d to have carried out some extraordinary feats be­
h i n d the G e r m a n lines. T h e r e was n o t h i n g to d o but to agree w i t h
h i m . ' B u t ' , said B i o n , T have to be back i n time to go to the H . Q . of
the Iron D i v i s i o n . '
'Yes, I k n o w ' , said H o t b l a c k , 'but I think w e shall h a v e p l e n t y
of time before then just to have a little look at o u r friend over the
way.'
T h e y arranged to meet at the bridge over the R i v e r L u c e just
before d a w n o n the f o l l o w i n g d a y .
224 WAR MEMOIRS

II

It w a s after this reconnaissance a n d the conference at F r e n c h D i v i ­

sional H . Q . that B i o n h a d n o w h a d his first chance of a rest.
S o m e t h i n g about the m o r n i n g ' s w o r k h a d clearly upset h i m . H e
a p p e a r e d to be n e r v o u s a n d anxious, rather pale a n d not b y a n y
means the self-assured p e r s o n that one w o u l d h a v e expected f r o m
s o m e b o d y w i t h as g o o d a reputation as his. H o w e v e r , he a n d
A s s e r w e r e n o w at last able to lie d o w n a n d snatch a few h o u r s of
sleep before the battle—if they c o u l d . F o r A s s e r the m a i n obstacle
to sleep w a s u n d o u b t e d l y his excitement a n d pleasure at the
thought of his first battle. M i x e d w i t h it, of course, there w e r e also
fears a n d anxieties, as m i g h t w e l l be s u p p o s e d . Y e t for B i o n the
state of affairs was different a n d m u c h m o r e complex: he h a d been
frightened; he d i d not like being o n this reconnaissance, a n d h e
d i d not like b e i n g i n c o m p a n y w i t h a person w h o s e courage was so
outstanding that he w o u l d find it easy to detect i n B i o n signs of the
fear, the deterioration as a soldier that B i o n felt he w a s o n l y too
w e l l aware of himself but d i d not w i s h to c o m m u n i c a t e to others.
S o m e t h i n g h a d h a p p e n e d o n the reconnaissance, yet f r o m a certain
p o i n t of v i e w n o t h i n g c o u l d h a v e been m o r e peaceful.

T h e two of t h e m h a d met at the a p p o i n t e d time at the s m a l l

b r i d g e over the R i v e r L u c e a n d h a d then gone f o r w a r d w i t h o u t
any difficulty, o n a glorious m o r n i n g , towards the front-line p o s i ­
tions. T h e r e they h a d finally d e c i d e d , u n d e r a burst of m a c h i n e ­
g u n fire a n d w i t h the advice of the infantry o n w h o s e front they
w e r e , to proceed m o r e cautiously, going into a stooping p o s i t i o n
a n d finally c r a w l i n g f o r w a r d as best they c o u l d , m a k i n g use of any
cover they c o u l d f i n d i n order to advance towards the enemy
w i t h o u t b e i n g detected or r u n n i n g , as H o t b l a c k said, ' a n y u n d u e
risks'. Nevertheless B i o n h a d felt extremely frightened. W h e t h e r
he w a s m o r e frightened of the e n e m y or of Major H o t b l a c k it
w o u l d be difficult to say, but the upshot of it w a s that at one
p o i n t he h a d become so extremely p a n i c k y that he h a d h a d to
resort to taking a w h o l e series of compass bearings of the p o s i t i o n
that he said he h a d to occupy w i t h his tanks that evening. H o t b l a c k
seemed to be somewhat a m u s e d at this, b u t at the same time he
d i d not raise any objections; he d i d not appear e v e n to be u n d u l y
impatient about it. Yet to B i o n his w h o l e attitude was sinister; it
 AMIENS 225

s e e m e d incredible that a n y b o d y with Hotblack's experiences

c o u l d fail to observe the t r e m b l i n g of his h a n d , the tenseness of his
expression a n d m a n n e r , his inability to converse clearly. F u r t h e r ­
m o r e , there seemed to be absolutely n o excuse for taking the c o m ­
pass bearings. 'Just to be o n the safe side', he h a d said. B u t the safe
side of what? H o t b l a c k d i d not v i s u a l i z e there w o u l d be a n y n e e d
for these bearings at all; the l a n d m a r k s were clear, the position w a s
easy, there w a s n o t h i n g whatever to suggest that w h e n the time
c a m e i n the e v e n i n g to lay d o w n the tapes for the tanks to be
l e d into p o s i t i o n , there w o u l d be any difficulty. N o , there w a s n o
d o u b t about i t — i t m u s t be o b v i o u s to H o t b l a c k that the compass
bearings h a d v e r y little i n d e e d to d o w i t h the i m p e n d i n g action
b u t a great d e a l to d o w i t h B i o n ' s need for camouflage to h i d e his
true feelings.
A s B i o n h a d h o p e d , H o t b l a c k finally said that he w a s g o i n g
f o r w a r d a little bit, as there was something that he f o u n d attractive
a n d interesting, a n d that he w o u l d rejoin B i o n w h e n his observa­
tions w e r e complete. T h i s gave B i o n the m u c h - n e e d e d respite he
w a s seeking; it w a s w i t h great relief that h e c o n t i n u e d to observe,
to take bearings, to scribble i n his notebook, t r y i n g m o r e a n d m o r e
to feel that w h a t he w a s d o i n g w a s justified b y the m i l i t a r y needs
of the situation a n d that his m a n n e r i n d o i n g it s h o w e d n o t h i n g
b u t that of the c a l m , collected, wise a n d p r u d e n t officer. B y the
time H o t b l a c k h a d returned, he felt that he h a d t h o r o u g h l y re­
stored the situation. Nevertheless he w a s uneasy. H e fancied that
H o t b l a c k l o o k e d at h i m queerly as if he suspected something.
T h e pair w e r e back again n o w at the L u c e b r i d g e f r o m w h i c h
they h a d started. H o t b l a c k said he w o u l d w a l k w i t h B i o n s o m e of
the w a y towards the D i v i s i o n a l H . Q . because it lay o n his p a t h ,
a n d then he w o u l d go o n his w a y w h i l e B i o n w e n t b y himself to
the D i v i s i o n .
' W h a t d o y o u think of the n e w officers y o u recently h a d out
f r o m E n g l a n d as reinforcements?' asked H o t b l a c k .
' T h e y seem to m e to be quite first-class', s a i d B i o n .
'Sincerely, t h o u g h , d o y o u really think they are u p to the o l d
standard?'
' Y e s ' , s a i d B i o n , 'Indeed, I think that one I h a v e just h a d i n m y
section is p e r h a p s one of the most efficient officers I h a v e c o m e
across. H e h a d all the keenness a n d enthusiasm w e u s e d to h a v e at
226 WAR MEMOIRS

the b e g i n n i n g of the w a r — a t least, perhaps I s h o u l d say at the time

I first came into the a r m y m y s e l f /
' W e l l , that's v e r y g o o d n e w s ' , said H o t b l a c k , 'but y o u k n o w ,
I ' m not sure that this experience of y o u r s is altogether typical. I
k n o w the Brigadier is v e r y w o r r i e d about some of the reports he
has h a d . O f course, y o u can't expect the c o u n t r y to be p r o d u c i n g
the same n u m b e r of first-class officers n o w as they c o u l d i n the o l d
d a y s w h e n w e h a d the p i c k of the p u b l i c schools. S o m e of the
p e o p l e w h o h a v e been p r o m o t e d f r o m the ranks cause u s a great
d e a l of trouble a n d distress.'
' Y o u m e a n ' , said B i o n , 'that y o u feel they lack a g o o d d e a l of
p o l i s h a n d so forth?'
' O h n o , not at a l l ' , said H o t b l a c k , 'that w o u l d be a m i n o r
matter. I d o n ' t think a n y b o d y m i n d s v e r y m u c h about that. W h a t
is m u c h m o r e serious is if their lack of m a n n e r s — o r ' p o l i s h ' , as
y o u call i t — r e a l l y shows the v u l g a r i t y or indifference of their
m i n d s . T o o often, it seems to m e that these p e o p l e h a v e any
a m o u n t of personal a m b i t i o n a n d d r i v e , b u t v e r y little i d e a that
they m a y h a v e obligations to fulfil w h e n they reach positions of
importance.'
'Yes, I see w h a t y o u m e a n ' , said B i o n , 'but I d o n ' t think officers
h a v e b e e n l a c k i n g i n the past w h o h a d just the same defects a n d
i n d e e d s o m e that were e v e n worse. I r e m e m b e r one m a n w e h a d
w h o , I think, got his c o m m i s s i o n because the h e a d of his f i r m h a d
a certain a m o u n t of p u l l ; w h y he s h o u l d h a v e been c o m m i s s i o n e d
as a n officer otherwise I cannot possibly imagine. H e h a d neither
m a n n e r s n o r p o l i s h n o r any sort of courage.'
A t this p o i n t B i o n became s o m e w h a t anxious a n d t r o u b l e d . H e
w a s not feeling that he was a v e r y g o o d officer himself, n o r w a s he
at all sure that if he spoke too l o u d l y a n d too clearly i n his criticism
of others, expressing thereby his belief i n his o w n w o r t h , he m i g h t
not invite criticism, silent t h o u g h it m i g h t be, f r o m H o t b l a c k . In­
d e e d , he h a d b e g u n to feel that H o t b l a c k w o u l d realize he was just
exactly one of these undesirable officers about w h o m he h a d so
m a n y misgivings.
A t last they h a d reached the p o i n t at w h i c h H o t b l a c k h a d to get
back to C o r p s H . Q . , a n d B i o n went o n b y himself. ' Y o u ' l l f i n d t h e m
quite a nice lot', said H o t b l a c k i n parting. ' T h e y are a v e r y fine
d i v i s i o n — t h e y ' v e h a d a g o o d deal of battling.'
 AMIENS 227

B i o n ' s m o o d w a s not h e l p f u l to h i m w h e n he at last f o u n d

himself at D i v i s i o n a l H . Q . H e w a s i n t r o d u c e d to the senior officers
there, particularly the Battalion C o m m a n d e r s w h o s e troops his
tanks w e r e to cover. W h e n they f o u n d that he was unable to speak
F r e n c h — t y p i c a l of the British, the F r e n c h seemed to t h i n k — t h e y
lost all interest i n h i m , a n d t h o u g h this gave h i m a n o p p o r t u n i t y to
s t a n d rather to one side a n d w a t c h the strange spectacle of F r e n c h
H . Q . at w o r k , it intensified his feelings of b e i n g basically a n out­
sider a n d one w h o w o u l d be recognized as s u c h if his true w o r t h
w e r e k n o w n , as o p p o s e d to the appearance he m a n a g e d to project
of h i m s e l f a n d w h i c h i n s o m e respects he felt w a s projected onto
him.
It w a s a large d u g o u t . T h e r e seemed to be a general air of
confusion, of telephones. Seated at a table w a s a senior officer,
certainly not the D i v i s i o n a l C o m m a n d e r , b u t p r o b a b l y the e q u i v a ­
lent of the G S O l ; at another table there w e r e three junior officers,
a n d at still another there were d r a w n u p a few chairs w h e r e the
C o l o n e l s w e r e s t u d y i n g their m a p s a n d were to hear f r o m B i o n
a n account of his proposals. These orders he then attempted to
e x p l a i n i n E n g l i s h . T h e F r e n c h officers listened for a w h i l e , then
w e a r i l y l a i d aside their m a p s a n d gave u p any pretence to be
u n d e r s t a n d i n g w h a t w a s said. It seemed to be u n d e r s t o o d that his
tanks w o u l d he there, a n d the F r e n c h c o m m a n d e r s d i d not expect
to receive any v a l u a b l e help b e y o n d possibly h a r b o u r i n g the h o p e
that B i o n ' s tanks w o u l d not o p e n fire o n the F r e n c h troops.
A o n e - a r m e d officer came u p a n d offered B i o n a d r i n k , w h i c h
he took m o r e because he c o u l d think of n o t h i n g else to d o than
for a n y other reason. T h i s officer w o r e the r i b b o n of the L e g i o n
d ' H o n n e u r a n d the C r o i x de G u e r r e ; he w a s pale a n d seemed to he
a n extremely sick m a n . B i o n c o u l d not help w o n d e r i n g whether he
h a d completely recovered f r o m his w o u n d .
T h e r e w a s a n atmosphere of starkness, of bitterness, one m i g h t
say, alien to the s o m e w h a t schoolboyish, football-playing e n t h u s i ­
a s m of the British armies, a n d even alien to the rather irresponsible
inconsequent cheerfulness of the F r e n c h troops s u c h as B i o n h a d
seen o n the retreat f r o m M o n t K e m m e l , w h e n they h a d relieved his
o w n battalion.
A s s o o n as he conveniently c o u l d , he escaped f r o m the H . Q .
a n d w o r k e d his w a y back again to his o w n c o m p a n y lines, feeling
228 WAR MEMOIRS

v e r y m u c h worse for his w h o l e m o r n i n g ' s w o r k , a n d i n particular

a p r e y n o w to the feelings of anxiety a n d d r e a d lest his deteriora­
tion, as he felt certain it was, s h o u l d s h o w itself i n some spectacu­
lar m a n n e r i n the o n c o m i n g battle. Indeed, i n some respects he felt
a fear that it w o u l d not be a n y t h i n g spectacular but s i m p l y the sort
of terrible decline that he h a d so often seen i n others. H e r e m e m ­
b e r e d w i t h w h a t astonishment he h a d h e a r d the n e w s of C a p t a i n
Yates.
Yates w a s a m a n he h a d not l i k e d , a m a n w h o , w h e n he a r r i v e d
at the battalion as a n e w l y joined subaltern just c o m m i s s i o n e d ,
s e e m e d to o c c u p y a great position because he h a d been present
at the G a l l i p o l i landings. E v e n then he appeared to be d r i n k i n g
too m u c h , to be hectically over-cheerful, ostentatiously b a w d y a n d
s o m e w h a t assertive. O n one occasion s o m e b o d y h a d joked to h i m
about his w e a r i n g the holes i n his r a n k tabs for far senior r a n k to
that w h i c h he h e l d at the time. T o this he h a d r e p l i e d that he h a d
already h e l d that rank, b u t his m a n n e r was disgruntled a n d assert­
i v e , as if he felt he s h o u l d still h o l d the rank. Nevertheless he
p a s s e d as a m a n of experience far superior to the y o u t h f u l s u b a l ­
terns; yet w h e n it h a d come to the first action of the battalion, n e w s
h a d r a p i d l y s p r e a d that w h e n he h a d been ordered to go f o r w a r d
to a reconnaissance, he h a d at a certain point b r o k e n d o w n , taken
shelter i n a d i t c h b y the side of the r o a d a l t h o u g h there were no
s o u n d s of gunfire a n d a l t h o u g h they were m a n y miles f r o m the
front line, a n d h a d refused to go f o r w a r d any more. H e h a d burst
into tears a n d r e m a i n e d h u d d l e d u p i n the d i t c h , w i t h the u n f o r t u ­
nate subaltern b y his side t r y i n g to encourage h i m to continue w i t h
their task. B i o n w a s then too y o u n g to s y m p a t h i z e w i t h Yates, but
he h a d been able to take i n w h a t seemed to h i m the horrible d i s ­
grace of this s i t u a t i o n — a situation i n w h i c h an officer to w h o m
h a d been attributed so m u c h courage a n d bravery, w h o h a d h a d
s u c h a d i s t i n g u i s h e d w a r service, s h o u l d s u d d e n l y be r e d u c e d to a
p o i n t w h e r e it w a s o b v i o u s that he w a s far less use than the most
inexperienced a n d recently joined subaltern. It is clear that the
spirit of m a n cannot contend w i t h years of inanimate f l y i n g steel
a n d bullets; sooner or later the morale goes; that was the thought
that w a s h a u n t i n g B i o n at this time. H e himself was b y this time a
veteran of s o m e eighteen months of w a r f a r e — n o m e a n life for an
officer i n a tank regiment.
 AMIENS 229

H e c o m p o s e d himself to rest, p u l l i n g over h i m a grey service

blanket. It is nice of the a r m y , he thought, to p r o v i d e these w i t h o u t
any further charge for the b u r i a l of the d e a d ; extraordinarily g e n ­
erous of the British nation to allow a m a n w h o dies i n battle to be
b u r i e d i n his service blanket as his w i n d i n g sheet, n o charge m a d e
against the relatives for the expenses i n c u r r e d i n the loss of the
blanket.
In the m e a n w h i l e w o r k w a s p r o c e e d i n g at Battalion H . Q . i n
a m a n n e r that seemed to be b o t h desultory a n d feverish. T h e
C o l o n e l was not present, but the Battalion Intelligence Officer,
C a p t a i n Carter, was. H e h a d m u c h to d o a n d was engaged i n
conversation w i t h v a r i o u s c o m p a n y reconnaissance officers w h o
h a d the task of l a y i n g d o w n the tapes that were to lead the tanks
into position. N o n e of this c o u l d be d o n e u n t i l after d a r k , lest the
e n e m y s h o u l d send over a plane that w o u l d be able to detect the
tapes o n the g r o u n d a n d thereby deduce that something w a s afoot.
T h e clerks were b u s i l y engaged i n various minutiae of a d m i n i s t r a ­
tion, filling u p forms a n d so forth. E v e r y n o w a n d then a n e w
officer w o u l d come i n to raise some point that seemed to have been
neglected or, it w a s feared, h a d not been p r o p e r l y attended to
already. M a j o r C o o k was also present there.

T h e C o l o n e l came i n for a few minutes. H e seemed to be

abstracted a n d to be at a loss to k n o w w h a t it w a s he w i s h e d to
f i n d . Ts M a j o r M o r g a n about?' he said at last. M o r g a n w a s called
for, a n d the C o l o n e l then discussed w i t h h i m some points about
the operation o n the left flank, where the battalion w o u l d be c o n ­
tacting the A u s t r a l i a n a n d N e w Z e a l a n d A r m y C o r p s .
' W h a t about C a p t a i n Bion?', he asked ' H a s he been to see the
D i v i s i o n a l H . Q . ? ' N o b o d y seemed to k n o w . T h e n a Lieutenant
G r e e n e , a n e w l y joined officer, spoke u p a n d said that he thought
C a p t a i n B i o n h a d been out w i t h Major H o t b l a c k but that they h a d
returned. O n e of the orderlies said that he felt quite sure that
C a p t a i n B i o n h a d been to the F r e n c h D i v i s i o n a l H . Q . , b u t b y this
time the C o l o n e l ' s attention seemed to h a v e w a n d e r e d , a n d he
once m o r e spoke to Major M o r g a n about some detail of the 1st
C o m p a n y ' s dispositions.
S u c h were the comings a n d goings throughout the course of
the afternoon. ' W e m o v e off at 18.00 h o u r s ' , said the C o l o n e l u n ­
necessarily, to n o b o d y i n particular.
230 WAR MEMOIRS

'Yes, sir', said Carter, taking u p the theme as if he felt that

p r e s u m a b l y it was he w h o was b e i n g addressed. 'I think every­
thing is ready, sir. It ought to be a g o o d s h o w . '
' Q u i t e ' , said the C o l o n e l , ' Q u i t e . I think it ought. I ' m not v e r y
h a p p y , t h o u g h , about our right flank. I d o n ' t trust these F r e n c h
p e o p l e a bit. I think they m a y not start at all. H a s C a p t a i n B i o n
b e e n told that the C o r p s C o m m a n d e r thinks it is quite likely that
w h e n zero h o u r comes, the F r e n c h m a y not even m o v e f r o m their
trenches? Y o u k n o w what the blackguards d i d at M o n t K e m m e l ,
don't you?'
'Yes, sir. I was talking to C a p t a i n B i o n about this m y s e l f — w e
w e r e discussing that event. H e p r o p o s e d to leave one tank b e h i n d
to p a t r o l o n o u r right flank so as to f o r m a defence against any
possible counter-attack d o w n the flanks f r o m the e n e m y if the
French don't move.'
' G o o d . Excellent idea. That's s p l e n d i d . H o w is C a p t a i n Bion? Is
he all right?'
' O h yes, sir. I think he's quite all r i g h t /
Greene then interposed to say that he h a d been talking to C a p ­
tain B i o n a n d that he felt that the w h o l e question h a d been gone
into v e r y thoroughly.
T a m g o i n g to m y tent n o w to get some rest', said the C o l o n e l ,
t u r n i n g to Carter. ' Y o u k n o w where to f i n d me. If there is a n y t h i n g
y o u w a n t , send M r Greene along w i t h a message a n d I shall deal
with it/
H e h a d h a r d l y left w h e n Greene observed to Carter that the
C o l o n e l was extremely jittery. H e h a d n o hesitation at all i n m a k ­
i n g s u c h a n observation about his senior officer, although Carter,
as one of the o l d school, w o u l d scarcely be likely to a p p r o v e of
s u c h b e h a v i o u r . H o w e v e r , he was perhaps m o r e reconciled at
this stage to the aberrations of the n e w l y joined officers. Greene
himself was an ex-ranker. T think at any rate that he's a v e r y g o o d
colonel', said Carter.
' W e l l ' , said Greene, 'he needs to be. T h e last one, w h o d i d n ' t
e v e n k n o w h o w m a n y machine-guns a tank has got, seemed to m e
not quite u p to the job of c o m m a n d i n g officer of a tank battalion.'
T d o n ' t think y o u s h o u l d talk like that, M r Greene', said Carter
severely a n d left h i m i n order to deal w i t h some documents that a n
o r d e r l y h a d just b r o u g h t to h i m for signature.
 AMIENS 231

Q u i t e u n a b a s h e d , Greene m o v e d a w a y , a n d w h e n Carter h a d
finished his signatures, he f o u n d that H a u s e r h a d a r r i v e d to talk
to h i m . A queer k i n d of s y m p a t h y existed between these two.
A l t h o u g h H a u s e r was o n l y about twenty-five years of age, he
nevertheless h a d a certain r o u g h , neurotic, obstinate maturity,
w h i c h c h i m e d i n w e l l w i t h that of Carter, w h o was a m a n g r i z z l e d ,
v i g o r o u s , about forty years o l d , h a v i n g spent most of his life i n
Malaya.
H e gave H a u s e r a pleasant smile a n d s a i d , ' W e l l , h o w are
things going?'
' O h , all right', said H a u s e r . T think it's pretty w e l l complete
w h e n y o u consider all things. I think w e ' v e got them taped u p this
time, d o n ' t y o u ? '
'Yes', said Carter, 'I think w e h a v e . '
'Nevertheless', said H a u s e r , T d o n ' t like this silence.' A t that
m o m e n t a battery of o u r guns o p e n e d fire.
' B l o o d y fools', muttered Carter. ' T h e y have been told not to
loose off a n y t h i n g at a l l — t h e orders are strictly that o n the w h o l e
of this front there m u s t be n o registering of guns whatsoever, so
that the e n e m y doesn't suspect anything's afoot.'
'Exactly the same as at C a m b r a i , I suppose', said H a u s e r .
'Yes, that's the idea. A n d n o w they d o that.'
H o w e v e r , n o t h i n g further h a p p e n e d . T h e r e was n o a n s w e r i n g
r e p l y f r o m the e n e m y , a n d the flurry of gunfire m i g h t have b e e n
just a routine d u t y r o u n d s u c h as w i l l shake the quiet of the most
peaceful front.
T d o n ' t like the w a y the Boche are so quiet', s a i d Carter T
w o n d e r whether they s m e l l a rat. Y o u always k n o w they are u p to
s o m e mischief w h e n they are as w e l l b e h a v e d as they are n o w . '
'Just w h a t I h a d been t h i n k i n g myself', said H a u s e r . T n the
w h o l e of the a p p r o a c h here w e h a v e been left s i n g u l a r l y free
f r o m a n y k i n d of molestation at all. A n d w h a t is more, w h e n I w a s
talking to s o m e of the other reconnaissance officers at our confer­
ence yesterday, n o b o d y seemed to have h a d a n y experience of a n y
activity at all f r o m the Boche. It's altogether too g o o d to be true.
W h a t does the C o l o n e l think about it?'
' H e ' s i n extremely g o o d f o r m ' , said Carter. ' H e ' s quite c o n ­
v i n c e d that this is IT, that we're g o i n g to break right t h r o u g h a n d
e n d the w a r . '
232 WAR MEMOIRS

' A h , yes', said H a u s e r bitterly, 'this w a r , like the last w a r , is to

be the w a r to e n d w a r ; a n d the next w a r , like this w a r , w i l l be a
w a r to e n d w a r , a n d so o n a d i n f i n i t u m . A n d all the breakthroughs
are the last possible breakthroughs w h i c h break t h r o u g h e v e r y ­
thing of course, n a t u r a l l y /
'I see y o u are i n v e r y g o o d f o r m too—sarcastic as u s u a l . Still, I
s y m p a t h i z e w i t h y o u . I can't honestly say that I believe that this is
g o i n g to be the last w a r , a n d i n fact I think it w o u l d be a d a m n e d
b a d t h i n g if it was.'
H a u s e r snorted. ' Y o u h a d better be careful h o w y o u say that
k i n d of thing to the C h r i s t i a n contingent. I d o n ' t think I s h o u l d be
inclined to air y o u r views too m u c h to B i o n a n d his pals if I w e r e
you.
' N o ' , said Carter, 'I d o n ' t think I w o u l d . Still, they're not a b a d
lot i n their w a y . T h e trouble about these d a m n e d Christians is, of
course, that a l t h o u g h they're so full of h i g h ideals, a n d so p a c k e d
w i t h enthusiasm, a n d so determined that right w i l l t r i u m p h , they
fail to appreciate some of the m o r e seamy sides of this business.
T h e n w h e n at last it does get t h r o u g h to them, they h a v e a nasty
w a y of cracking u p — i n m y o p i n i o n . I remember one p o o r d e v i l .
W e u s e d to think the w o r l d of h i m , but he just went west w h e n he
d i s c o v e r e d his colonel was trying to d o a bit of graft o n h i m a n d
h a d thwarted his possibilities of p r o m o t i o n s i m p l y because the
colonel himself w a s afraid that if he p r o m o t e d s u c h a p r o m i s i n g
officer, his o w n job w o u l d be jeopardized. H e became unstuck, a n d
the next t h i n g he d i d was to have a k i n d of b r e a k d o w n . T h i s h a d
the effect of p r o v i n g that the C o l o n e l was quite right, w h e n i n fact
he w a s quite w r o n g . W h a t ' s the time?'
' 5 . 3 0 ' , r e p l i e d Greene, w h o h a d w a n d e r e d back to the g r o u p
again.
'In that case I'd better go a n d see w h a t m y lambs are u p to',
said H a u s e r , a n d off he went to visit his crew, w h o m he rarely left
i n peace for v e r y l o n g .
' W h a t ' s the weather forecast, Greene', asked Carter.
'Set fair', said Greene, 'days a n d days of fine weather.'
'It's an absolute sitter', said Carter. ' T h e g r o u n d ' s as h a r d as a
rock, none of that d a m n e d m u d w e h a d at Y p r e s . It's m u c h m o r e
like C a m b r a i . There s h o u l d n ' t be a tank stuck o n the w h o l e of the
 AMIENS 233

front, I s h o u l d i m a g i n e — n o t unless it catches a packet f r o m one of

their field guns. O t h e r w i s e I can't see there's a n y t h i n g whatever to
stop us. It's absolutely perfect, n o dangers of any sort at a l l . '
' A h , yes, n o b o d y ever c a n ' , said Greene, 'but t h e y ' l l be
there all right. V e r y interesting to see w h a t h a p p e n s this e v e n i n g ;
between n o w a n d t o m o r r o w m o r n i n g at d a w n there is sure to be
s o m e a l m i g h t y b a l l s - u p as u s u a l . I've never k n o w n a n y t h i n g else
i n this r u d d y a r m y , h a v e y o u ? '
Carter r e m a i n e d silent. H e d i d not like this k i n d of talk. It w a s
not the sort of t h i n g that w a s d o n e i n M a l a y a . H e wishes to d i s ­
courage G r e e n e f r o m his irreverent observation, but G r e e n e w a s
not so easily deterred.
H e c o n t i n u e d , ' W e n e e d a great m a n y m o r e professional offic­
ers. N o n e of y o u r peacetime officers, none of y o u r p u b l i c school
boys. W h a t y o u w a n t is a few m o r e m e n like m e , w e people w h o
h a v e h a d to learn h o w a m a c h i n e - g u n w o r k s , h o w to fire a rifle;
also w e p e o p l e w h o k n o w a thing or two about l y i n g , detention
barracks a n d t h i e v i n g . W e ' r e not fighting O l d Etonians o n the
opposite side. T o be a jolly g o o d officer, y o u n e e d to be a jolly g o o d
liar, a scrimshanker, a m a n w h o keeps out of the w a y of a n y d i r t y
job, the k i n d of m a n w h o unhesitatingly hits s o m e b o d y else b e l o w
the belt, yes, a n d stamps o n his face w h e n he's got h i m d o w n . '
' O h , for C h r i s t ' s sake, shut u p ! ' s a i d Carter, a n d t u r n e d a n d
walked away.
' A l l right', s a i d Greene after h i m , 'but y o u ' l l see I ' m r i g h t . '
D e p r i v e d of his audience, Greene then turned to his corporal, w h o
h a d come u p to take a message f r o m h i m , a n d let h i m h a v e the
benefit of the r e m a i n d e r of his observations. ' Y o u see, C o r p o r a l ,
these fellows d o n ' t k n o w w h a t they're talking about. E v e n i n
peacetime the best of o u r regular a r m y officers were fellows w h o
h a d b e e n taught at S a n d h u r s t a n d elsewhere h o w to take absence
w i t h o u t leave, h o w to go off u p to t o w n w h e n they weren't s u p ­
p o s e d to. T h e best of t h e m w e r e always the ones w h o u s e d to d o a
certain a m o u n t of w o r k , a little bit of p l a y a n d the rest of it cheat­
i n g a n d l y i n g i n one f o r m a n d another, I d o n ' t believe that these
so-called gentlemen really exist. A n d a n y h o w , w e d o n ' t w a n t
a n y gentlemen i n the a r m y . G o o d o l d fifth-form louts of the p u b l i c
school, s o m e of those were some use; otherwise they are n o g o o d at
234 WAR MEMOIRS

all, none of them. I d o n ' t believe y o u want a n y t h i n g except a h a n d ­

ful of officers w h o obey orders inside out—that's the business of
the private soldier, not the officer. T h e p r o b l e m for the officer is
h o w to be insubordinate, h o w to be i n a state of rebellion, a n d
h o w not to be caught at it—that's w h a t I say. W h y , if s o m e of o u r
politicians h a d been like that instead of talking about s t a n d i n g u p
for b l o o d y little B e l g i u m a n d h o n o u r a n d right, w e s h o u l d n ' t be
here, none of us; w e s h o u l d be sitting s n u g i n E n g l a n d , letting the
o l d Boche fight the F r e n c h a n d anyone else he l i k e d , k e e p i n g o u r
n a v y a n d a r m y intact. Y o u can d o almost a n y t h i n g w i t h a n a r m y
or a n a v y p r o v i d i n g y o u don't use it, y o u k n o w . '
'Yes, sir', said the corporal dutifully.
' Y o u got a fag?' said Greene.
T h e c o r p o r a l h a n d e d h i m one w i t h o u t further comment. ' C a n
y o u tell m e , sir, w h a t a r m y w e ' r e i n here?'
'Yes, 4th A r m y . G o o d G o d : D o y o u m e a n to tell m e y o u d i d n ' t
k n o w that? Y o u ' l l be saying y o u d o n ' t k n o w w h o the a r m y c o m ­
m a n d e r is n e x t /
' W e l l , sir, I d o n ' t k n o w w h o the a r m y c o m m a n d e r is.'
' R a w l i n s o n . W h e r e v e r were y o u brought u p ? '
' R a w l i n s o n , sir? I never heard of h i m /
' N e v e r h e a r d of h i m ? ' It was n o w Greene's turn to be scan­
d a l i z e d . A s a n o l d e x - a r m y ranker, he was quite familiar w i t h the
names of the senior officers—Plumer, A l l e n b y , B y n g , H o m e — t h e y
w e r e all people of w h o m he h a d h e a r d , albeit i n junior rank. M u c h
of this was, of course, exaggerated b y h i m ; he h a d every facility for
g i v i n g the i m p r e s s i o n that he was quite familiar w i t h the b i g
n a m e s i n the w a y described b y Shakespeare i n Henry V [IV. iii].
' W e l l , to tell y o u the truth, sir', said the corporal, T d o n ' t m u c h
m i n d w h a t a r m y w e ' r e i n so l o n g as it isn't the T h i r d A r m y . I've
got n o use for a n a r m y i n w h i c h the Q Staff are so b a d that y o u
can't get p r o p e r grub a n d rations. G i v e m e all the grub a n d rations
I w a n t , a n d for all I care the a r m y can be c o m m a n d e d b y Jesus
Christ himself/
' Y o u ' r e b e i n g blasphemous, C o r p o r a l ' , said Greene, but not
w i t h a n y particular sincerity. 'Still, there is something i n w h a t y o u
say. I can't say that I think y o u r theology matters v e r y m u c h , b u t I
think that f r o m a military point of v i e w y o u r ideas are c o r r e c t — i f
 AMIENS 235

y o u give the troops the food they need, y o u needn't w o r r y about

a n y t h i n g else.'
' W o m e n too?' asked the corporal e m b o l d e n e d b y his officer's
friendliness.
' N o ' , said Greene, 'I d o n ' t k n o w that I w o u l d agree w i t h that. I
think they're a bit of a nuisance sometimes; f r o m all I've h e a r d tell
of the Peninsular W a r , they used to carry their w o m e n w i t h them,
b u t they got i n the w a y as m u c h as a n y t h i n g . Still, not that I ' m
averse to a bit of stuff myself if I can get a twenty-four h o u r . . . '
H e broke off as all the officers a n d m e n stood to attention at the
entry of the A d j u t a n t .
H e w a s a clean-shaven, rather h o r s e y - l o o k i n g m a n of about
thirty, sparely built; he w a s u n k i n d l y described b y those w h o were
not friendly d i s p o s e d to h i m as h a v i n g all the smartness of the
jockey. Nevertheless he h a d the reputation amongst all ranks of
the battalion of b e i n g efficient, courteous a n d agreeable, a l t h o u g h
there were m a n y w h o were g i v e n the i m p r e s s i o n that he felt h i m ­
self to be socially superior to them. H e h a d h a d m a n y years of
experience i n the editorship of a s m a l l paper i n the provinces a n d
p r i d e d himself o n his e r u d i t i o n a n d e d u c a t i o n — a p r i d e that w a s
not altogether m i s p l a c e d . H e h a d w i t h a l a pleasing w i t of w h i c h he
m a d e g o o d use o n occasions, s u c h as mess nights, w h e n he h a d
c o m p o s e d s o m e entertaining rhymes b r i n g i n g i n the names of
v a r i o u s officers a n d hitting off their characteristics i n a few s i m p l e
a n d entertaining phrases.
' H o w are things getting o n , Sergeant-Major?' he asked. ' N o
fresh messages? I suppose everything is all right? T h e battalion
w i l l h a v e to be m o v i n g off w i t h i n the next four or five minutes. I
s u p p o s e e v e r y b o d y has their orders clear.'
' O h , yes, I think so, sir', said the Sergeant-Major. ' W e have h a d
one or two queries here. There's one lot come i n f r o m B Section
H . Q . Rear. T h e y w a n t to k n o w about the return . . . '
' O h never m i n d about all that stuff n o w , for heaven's sake.
W e ' v e got s o m e t h i n g else to d o . I d o n ' t k n o w w h y it is that e v e n
w h e n y o u ' v e got a battle o n y o u r h a n d s , y o u have to be cluttered
u p w i t h h e a v e n k n o w s w h a t r u b b i s h f r o m the rear.'
'Latrine s t u f f — b u m p h , sir', said Greene, d e c i d i n g to be w i t t y ,
b u t he w a s s i m p l y i g n o r e d for his pains.
236 WAR MEMOIRS

'Better just send u p the runners to c o m p a n y commanders,

Sergeant-Major. There's not m u c h point i n i t — t h e y all k n o w w h a t
to d o — b u t just to m a k e sure of the job. A n d see they all get started
o n time.'
' V e r y g o o d , sir', said the Sergeant-Major.
' O v e r t u r e a n d beginners', said the corporal w h o p r i d e d himself
o n his theatrical experience, h a v i n g spent some weeks of his life i n
a s m a l l t o u r i n g repertory c o m p a n y .
' Y o u h a d better tell the b a t m a n to get the C o l o n e l ' s a n d m y kit
m o v i n g too. F r o m n o w o n w e shall be i n the f o r w a r d H . Q . , as y o u
know.'
'Yes, sir', said the sergeant-major, 'the orders have already
b e e n g i v e n , a n d the m e n have started m o v i n g things f o r w a r d . '

Ill

B i o n a n d A s s e r were m o v i n g uneasily i n their sleep as the d e c l i n ­

i n g s i m b e g a n to touch the tops of the trees. F i n a l l y B i o n w o k e u p
w i t h a start a n d w o k e his c o m p a n i o n .
' T i m e w e were getting m o v i n g , o l d boy. It's just about a quar­
ter to six. Better see that all the tanks get started u p , because w e
o u g h t to be o n the r o a d . A s y o u k n o w , our section h a v e to be the
first over the bridge. I d o n ' t k n o w about y o u ' , he a d d e d , 'but I
can't say I feel I've h a d m u c h of a rest. I always hate this sleep
before action; one gets the most a p p a l l i n g dreams, a n d then w h e n
y o u w a k e u p y o u don't k n o w whether it w o u l d n ' t have been better
to go o n sleeping. T h e dreams are so m u c h nicer than the actual
reality w e h a v e to face n o w /
'Just w h a t I was t h i n k i n g , sir' said A s s e r l a u g h i n g . 'I h a d a
m o s t f o u l d r e a m , but I m u s t say I feel m u c h h a p p i e r awake than to
go o n sleeping w i t h that. Blue trains—that's w h a t I was d r e a m i n g
about/
T can't see v e r y m u c h w r o n g w i t h that', said B i o n . ' F r o m w h a t
y o u told m e of y o u r experiences o n the continent before the w a r ,
Blue trains ought to m e a n something v e r y pleasant to y o u .
'So they d o , but Blue trains i n dreams are a different p r o p o s i ­
t i o n ' , s a i d Asser. ' A n y h o w , I suppose w e h a d better get o n w i t h
this stuff n o w . ' H e went off to the w o o d to his tanks.
 AMIENS 237

B i o n , after m a k i n g one or two adjustments to his e q u i p m e n t —

his b a t m a n h a v i n g a r r i v e d w i t h his harness, his revolver a n d
a m m u n i t i o n — s t a r t e d off a few minutes later. H i s was not i n a n
enviable state of m i n d : he still felt filled w i t h his uneasy sleep a n d
d r e a m s , a n d he h a d w o k e n to a consciousness of the unpleasant
anxieties that he h a d h a d i n his reconnaissance with Major
H o t b l a c k that m o r n i n g . I f o n l y I c o u l d p r a y ' , he thought bitterly,
'but s o m e h o w I d o n ' t seem to get any consolation f r o m r e l i g i o n
n o w i n the w a y I c o u l d w h e n o l d Q u a i n t o n was here.'
Q u a i n t o n h a d been a g o o d friend, a m a n w h o a p p e a r e d to
possess a p l a c i d a n d c a l m outlook, a n d a deep religious faith,
w h i c h B i o n h a d thought a s o l i d foundation that c o u l d not possibly
b e shaken u n t i l Q u a i n t o n h a d gone o n leave to E n g l a n d a n d h a d
then written back a letter that seemed, to B i o n , to be entirely i n ­
credible; he h a d been d r i v i n g a car, h a d h a d a s u d d e n b r e a k d o w n
a n d h a d d r i v e n the car into a ditch. W h i l e he himself was u n i n ­
j u r e d , the doctors h a d seen h i m , p r o n o u n c e d h i m suffering f r o m a
n e r v o u s b r e a k d o w n , a n d told h i m he c o u l d not return to the front.
T h e w o r s t of it was that he h a d written a similar letter to B r o o m , of
all p e o p l e , a man who c o u l d not possibly have been felt by
Q u a i n t o n to be a friend. B r o o m h a d m a d e the most of it, not c o n ­
cealing i n the least his belief that Q u a i n t o n h a d w o r k e d the w h o l e
t h i n g as a m e t h o d of escaping f r o m the w a r . H e s h o w e d , i n the
m o s t u n d i s g u i s e d m a n n e r , his belief that Q u a i n t o n was n o t h i n g
m o r e or less than a c o w a r d a n d , b y i m p l i c a t i o n , so were the
other officers w h o were friends of his, s u c h as B i o n himself. A s he
b u c k l e d o n his belt, w a l k i n g s l o w l y towards the copse i n w h i c h the
tanks were w a i t i n g , he suffered sensations of nausea a n d fear a n d
w a s filled w i t h feelings of i m p e n d i n g disaster.
Carter caught u p w i t h h i m as he was g o i n g a n d w i s h e d h i m
g o o d luck. ' A s far as I c a n see, o l d b o y , it's a sitter. I d o n ' t think the
Boche expects a thing. E v e r y t h i n g is absolutely taped out, a n d I
think w e ' v e got the most marvellous g r o u n d o n w h i c h to operate.
B y the w a y , y o u ought to be able to get a C r o i x de G u e r r e out
of this at the v e r y least. I think e v e n the C o l o n e l expects he's g o i n g
to get a m e d a l for agriculture, or something of the sort, out of the
French.'
' W e l l , let's h o p e it w o n ' t be for m a n u r i n g the g r o u n d w i t h o u r
d e a d ' , said B i o n g l o o m i l y .
238 WAR MEMOIRS

' Y o u ' r e i n a n extremely cheerful state of m i n d , I must say', s a i d

Carter. 'I d o n ' t see w h y y o u think w e s h o u l d have any casualties at
all. W e ' v e got the most terrific g u n barrage, I d o n ' t m i n d telling
y o u . Y o u remember w h a t the C o r p s C o m m a n d e r s a i d , but I k n o w
for a fact that e v e n then he wasn't telling y o u everything. It's the
biggest concentration of gunfire I think w e ' v e ever h a d . '
' T h e gunfire at C a m b r a i d i d n ' t d o us m u c h g o o d ' , said B i o n .
' T h e gunfire at C a m b r a i was chicken-feed c o m p a r e d w i t h this
lot. T h a t w a s just a trial r u n . I tell y o u , the Staff learnt s o m e t h i n g
then. T h i s time w e ' v e got ten guns to every one w e h a d at that
s h o w , a n d y o u k n o w it wasn't s u c h a b a d b o m b a r d m e n t e v e n so.'
' A s l o n g as the g u n s knock out the e n e m y a n d d o n ' t just fire
short a n d get o u r tanks, or p l o u g h u p the g r o u n d so m u c h that w e
can't get t h r o u g h , I don't m i n d ' , said B i o n .
W e l l , it isn't Y p r e s ' , s a i d Carter. ' A t Y p r e s they certainly m a d e
the place into a frightful mess; i n fact, it was s u c h a frightful mess
before w e ever started that n o tank c o u l d possibly live i n it, b u t
this time w e ' v e got g r o u n d that's as h a r d as iron. E v e n if they went
o n w i t h a b o m b a r d m e n t for a fortnight, I d o n ' t think it w o u l d
m a k e a great deal of difference to the w a y our tanks go. W e l l ,
g o o d - b y e for the present—I shall see y o u d o w n there before zero
h o u r I expect, a n y w a y ' , a n d Carter strode off.
B y this time the air was electric w i t h excitement. There was still
every n e e d for precautions; it h a d been i m p r e s s e d o n the entire
battalion that there must be n o let-up whatsoever until the actual
m o m e n t of zero h o u r . N o fires, not even cigarettes were to be lit
unless i n s o m e concealed spot so that the flame of the m a t c h c o u l d
not be visible to the e n e m y , nor s h o u l d there be a n y u n d u e noise
lest his listening posts s h o u l d p i c k it u p a n d interpret it as a s i g n of
the i m p e n d i n g attack. In spite of this suppression there c o u l d be
felt the excitement i n the m e n as they bustled to a n d fro, f i n d i n g
their tanks, m a n n i n g the starting handles a n d checking u p i n the
last few m o m e n t s the v a r i o u s gauges that s h o w e d the petrol a n d
oil s u p p l y . T h e shelter of the w o o d a l l o w e d for s o m e relief f r o m
the restraint that everyone felt h a d been i m p o s e d u p o n t h e m a n d
w h i c h , i n any case, the d r e a d of battle imposes even w i t h o u t the
orders for caution. T h e cool a n d bustle of the w o o d contrasted
v i v i d l y w i t h the h e a v y silence a n d heat outside the shelter of the
leaves.
 AMIENS 239

A l t h o u g h a certain u n i f o r m i t y h a d been i m p o s e d u p o n the bat­

talion for its starting time since it was imperative that the order of
m a r c h s h o u l d be p r e s e r v e d o n the restricted a p p r o a c h routes, it
w a s not felt to be desirable that all tanks s h o u l d start at the same
m o m e n t as that w o u l d p u t too h e a v y a l o a d u p o n the camouflage
arrangements that h a d been m a d e to disguise the noise of the tank
engines. Therefore the v a r i o u s i n d i v i d u a l tanks w o u l d start freely
i n their o w n time, w h i l e e n s u r i n g o n l y that they w o u l d get o n to
the m u d tracks i n their right order at a p p r o x i m a t e l y the right
starting h o u r .
B i o n ' s visit to the tanks w a s o n l y short, as he w a s d u e to go
d o w n to the R i v e r L u c e i n order to repair the b r i d g e that s p a n n e d
it at the crossing-point for the tanks of his c o m p a n y . After a w o r d
or two w i t h C a r t w r i g h t a n d then w i t h A s s e r , w h o l o o k e d at h i m
w i t h u n d i s g u i s e d a d m i r a t i o n , he went to collect his s m a l l p a r t y of
troops w i t h p i c k s a n d shovels a n d then m a r c h e d t h e m d o w n the
slope f r o m the h i g h plateau to the R i v e r L u c e i n the v a l l e y b e l o w .
F o r the sake of safety he t o l d the c o r p o r a l i n charge to keep the
m e n i n single file a n d scattered, t h o u g h they w e r e not to lose t o u c h
w i t h each other; also that it w o u l d be better if they a v o i d e d the dirt
track, i n case the e n e m y w e r e m a k i n g observations. It w a s i m p e r a ­
tive that n o t h i n g at all s h o u l d be done to arouse s u s p i c i o n , e v e n
the m a r c h i n g of a s m a l l b o d y of m e n s u c h as this was.
B i o n w e n t o n ahead i n d e p e n d e n t l y . T h e b r i d g e w a s o n l y a
m i l e a n d a half f r o m the copse i n w h i c h the tanks w e r e concealed.
It was n o t h i n g m u c h m o r e than a s m a l l culvert across a stream
that c o u l d h a r d l y be called a stream. A d i r t y trickle of water w e n t
t h r o u g h the centre of the shell-holes, for this particular p o i n t
w a s subject to m u c h b o m b a r d m e n t as the e n e m y w e r e anxious to
destroy the b r i d g e a n d to d e n y its use to the British troops. T h e
b r i d g e itself w a s a r u i n of stonework that h a d fallen into the b e d of
the v i r t u a l l y d r y stream. It h a d been d e c i d e d that it w a s unneces­
sary to m a k e any attempt at r e b u i l d i n g the b r i d g e , b u t rather that
the passage s h o u l d be e n s u r e d b y filling the stream w i t h facines
of w o o d . T h e s e w e r e h u g e b u n d l e s of faggots, tied p o w e r f u l l y
together w i t h w i r e rope, that w e i g h e d a n y t h i n g u p to about 15 cwt
each. It was a n a r d u o u s job t r u n d l i n g t h e m into the stream f r o m
the d u m p w h e r e the l o r r y h a d p l a c e d t h e m earlier i n the d a y , a n d
the task was not m a d e a n y m o r e pleasant because it w a s w e l l
240 WAR MEMOIRS

k n o w n that about this time every e v e n i n g the e n e m y w o u l d o p e n

fire o n this spot as a routine matter, seeing to it that any repair
w o r k that h a d been d o n e was efficiently d e m o l i s h e d the same d a y .
B i o n , w h o h a d really n o t h i n g to d o b e y o n d the n o m i n a l s u p e r ­
v i s i o n of w h a t w a s essentially a task i n v o l v i n g n o brains at a l l ,
d i d n o t feel he w a s i n a p o s i t i o n to keep at a safe d i s t a n c e — w h i c h
h e w o u l d v e r y m u c h like to have d o n e . H e therefore, s o m e w h a t
ostentatiously, sat u p o n the remains of s o m e rubble o n the actual
site of the crossing a n d s m o k e d .
S o m e of these jobs, he thought to himself, m i g h t just as w e l l be
d o n e w i t h a d u m m y stuffed w i t h straw. I w i s h I w a s a d u m m y
stuffed w i t h straw n o w . Unfortunately, if I'm hit it hurts, a n d I
hate b e i n g hurt. I d o n ' t think a n y b o d y k n o w s h o w m u c h I a m
afraid of p h y s i c a l p a i n . If I c o u l d be sure that I s h o u l d be k i l l e d , I
d o n ' t think I w o u l d m i n d , b u t the ghastly a n d terrible t h i n g , the
a w f u l thought of one's shins c r u m b l i n g u p i n s i d e one's legs at
the burst of a shell a n d the flying splinters, is m o r e than I can
stand. W h y a m I s u c h a d a m n e d fool as to sit here a n d t h i n k about
it then, I w o n d e r .
N o t for the first time, he felt that he h a d n o m o r a l e left. H e felt
confident that there w e r e m a n y soldiers w h o r e g a r d e d h i m as
b e i n g a p e r s o n of s o m e consequence a n d courage, but he h i m s e l f
r e m e m b e r e d o n l y too v i v i d l y the earlier part of the year, w h e n the
e n e m y were attacking the Messines R i d g e , w h e n he h a d felt for
s o m e terrible h o u r s , i n a s m a l l tin shelter, the full force of passivity
i n the face of i m m i n e n t death, w h e n there s e e m e d to be n o c o u r ­
age, n o resource, n o reservoir of courage o n w h i c h it w a s possible
to d r a w . O n that occasion he h a d thought, 'If the e n e m y come over,
I k n o w that I shall automatically p u t u p m y h a n d s . I cannot fight. I
w a n t o n l y to be r e m o v e d f r o m this ghastly h e l l of m u d a n d shell­
holes a n d corpses.' It w a s all v e r y different n o w , b u t he d i d n ' t feel
particularly different. T h e British armies w e r e n o w o n the offen­
sive, the w h o l e Western Front i n flame ever since the F r e n c h attack
at Soissons earlier i n the year. T h e allies were attacking, the e n e m y
w e r e f i n i s h e d , they were o n the r u n — t h a t was the official story.
Y e s , that m i g h t be true for armies as a w h o l e ; it m i g h t be true for
the nations gathered together to administer the death b l o w to the
G e r m a n forces, but it w a s not true for the i n d i v i d u a l s . H e felt that
there w a s n o t h i n g i n front of h i m except steady decline. T h e r e
 AMIENS 241

w a s n o c o r r e s p o n d i n g excitement or pleasure i n h i m as he h e a r d
of further advances, of battles successfully fought i n w h i c h the
e n e m y w a s t h r o w n back. It was n o thrill to be told he w a s n o w
participating i n one of the major battles of the w a r . T h e o p t i m i s m
a n d cheerfulness were appropriate to m e m b e r s of the Staff, of
those w h o s e chances of death were m i n i m a l a n d then restricted
to the few occasions w h e n they were right u p i n the f o r w a r d areas.
A s for h i m , he h a d been i n battle after battle i n w h i c h o n l y two
out of every three w h o took part i n the tank w a r s u r v i v e d to tell
the tale w i t h i n twenty-four h o u r s of the start of the action. T h i s
w a s not a matter, then, for a n y o p t i m i s m ; it w a s not e v e n a matter
of fighting; it seemed to be s i m p l y a question of statistics a n d the
laws of chance.
T h e m e n sweated a n d grunted a n d swore, w o r k i n g sullenly,
w i t h depression a n d heaviness s h o w i n g i n every movement
they m a d e w i t h the h e a v y , recalcitrant facines that w o u l d not r o l l ,
c o u l d not be lifted a n d c o u l d o n l y be steered w i t h the greatest
difficulty a n d b y the exercise of sheer brute force o n the part of the
tired m e n . B i o n l o o k e d at his w a t c h . H a l f a n h o u r h a d passed.
T h e r e were yet another two h o u r s to go before the tanks w o u l d
be starting the a p p r o a c h m a r c h , a n d at a n y m o m e n t the e n e m y
shelling, their e v e n i n g routine fire, w o u l d o p e n . B u t it h a d not
h a p p e n e d so far, a n d the e n e m y were r e p u t e d to be v e r y regular
here, as always. T h e y s h o u l d h a v e o p e n e d fire half a n h o u r before;
B i o n reflected uneasily that there was plenty of time yet because it
w o u l d take at least until zero h o u r before the river c o u l d be effec­
tually filled i n . T h i s operation h a d been t i m e d to be c o m p l e t e d
before the first tank a r r i v e d ; it h a d not been feasible earlier, be­
cause it w a s necessary to m a k e it as late as possible i n order not to
arouse the e n e m y ' s suspicions. In any case, a n y repair that h a d
been d o n e before six o'clock w o u l d be likely to be d e m o l i s h e d b y
the six o'clock strafe.
A s time passed a n d n o shells fell, the m e n b e g a n to be m o r e
cheerful. T h e c o r p o r a l came u p to B i o n . 'It looks, sir, as if w e ' r e
g o i n g to be l u c k y . ' T hope so, sincerely', said Bion. T h e m e n ' s w o r k
became m o r e animated; instead of the h e a v y , silent slogging, there
w e r e exchanges of comment, banal e n o u g h i n all conscience, b u t
still it w a s comment. It w a s n e r v e - r a c k i n g w o r k ; there w a s n o t h i n g
to be afraid of, there was n o t h i n g h a p p e n i n g — j u s t p h y s i c a l strain,
242 WAR MEMOIRS

a n d yet at any m o m e n t the w h o l e operation m i g h t be t h r o w n into

complete chaos b y the d r o p p i n g of a few shells. After a time the
v e r y silence of the enemy batteries began to be a source of unease.
O n c e again the thought o b t r u d e d itself—why were they so quiet?
W h y d i d they not fire? It was notorious that w h e n they were most
quiescent a n d most well-behaved, they were u p to something. T h i s
was a c o m m o n l y accepted part of the story throughout the British
A r m y , a n d i n d e e d seemed to have m u c h substance i n it.
E v e r y train of thought B i o n took u p was soon d r o p p e d ; it
w a s impossible to p u r s u e any to its logical conclusion. Just as one
anxiety broke u p , another took its place.
T h a t ' s about it, sir', said the corporal. B i o n l o o k e d at the w o r k ,
inspected it thoroughly a n d agreed that it seemed to be sturdy a n d
a m p l e for the task it h a d to fulfil, formidable t h o u g h the crossing
of s u c h a stream was b y a n u m b e r of v e r y heavy vehicles.
' G e t the m e n a w a y f r o m the bridge as far as y o u can, then,
C o r p o r a l . O v e r there, about four h u n d r e d yards back, w i l l d o . W e
d o n ' t n e e d to go back, w e can wait here for the first tanks to
a r r i v e / H e l o o k e d at his w a t c h a n d saw ten minutes to nine. T h e
crews w o u l d shortly be starting their engines.
H e joined his m e n s o m e four h u n d r e d yards f r o m the b r i d g e ,
a n d all lay d o w n o n the grass b y the side of the track. It was a
l o v e l y e v e n i n g , n o w turned d a r k so that there w o u l d be n o risk of
the tanks b e i n g seen b y aerial observation. T h e air was c a l m a n d
h e a v y , scented w i t h the s u m m e r smells of the c o u n t r y s i d e — a most
u n u s u a l experience for those w h o h a d been used to fighting i n the
m u d of Y p r e s a n d other battlefields so fought over that trees w e r e
non-existent a n d the song of birds completely u n k n o w n .
' G o o d G o d ! ' exclaimed G u n n e r H a r r i s o n , 'hark at that!' It was
the s o u n d of a tank engine starting u p .
A t this distance, e v e n a mile a n d a half a w a y f r o m the w o o d ,
the s o u n d of the engine r o a r i n g into life seemed completely to
shatter the peace of the entire front. H o w o n earth, they thought
as they listened to this infernal d i n , c o u l d a n y b o d y possibly fail
to hear that row? A t the same time the H a n d l e y Page bombers
w e r e h e a r d d r o n i n g overhead. T h e s o u n d , to people expert i n tank
warfare, was absolutely unmistakable; there c o u l d be n o confusion
of the two noises. T o B i o n , H a u s e r ' s comment w h e n the project of
c a m o u f l a g i n g the noise of the tanks b y H a n d l e y Page bombers h a d
 AMIENS 243

first been raised, h a d been entirely apposite: it w a s inconceivable

that a n y b o d y c o u l d be deceived b y it. But whether it was that
nerves were o n edge or for w h a t other reason, the starting of the
other tank engines seemed h a r d l y perceptible. T h e characteristic,
r h y t h m i c throb became m e r g e d i n that of all the other engines
a n d settled d o w n to a d u l l , steady m u r m u r , w h i c h w a s far m o r e
capable of camouflage than h a d been the s o u n d of the single tank.
T think, C o r p o r a l ' , said B i o n , 'that w e m i g h t just as w e l l stroll
back gently to meet them c o m i n g . '
And so the p a r t y got up and gradually and informally
straggled a l o n g the p a t h w a y towards the w o o d .

IV

T h e final c h e c k - u p tended to be a s o m e w h a t desultory affair:

t h r o u g h o u t the w h o l e of the a p p r o a c h m a r c h to the battle area, the
tanks h a d been fully maintained. N o matter w h a t the fatigue of the
crews, the orders were strict—before they went to attempt any rest
whatever, the tanks were to be fully greased a n d oiled. In a d d i t i o n ,
the a m m u n i t i o n h a d been s i z e d — t h a t is to say, every r o u n d of
s m a l l - a r m s a m m u n i t i o n carried b y the tanks h a d been tested to
see that its fit w a s perfect for the barrels of the m a c h i n e - g u n s b y
d r o p p i n g each single r o u n d into the breach a n d extracting it a n d
replacing it i n its clip. T h i s a r d u o u s task h a d been m a d e necessary
because it was w e l l k n o w n that there w a s m u c h defective a m m u ­
n i t i o n , i n particular that s u p p l i e d f r o m the U n i t e d States. T h i s h a d
n o w b e e n w i t h d r a w n a n d w a s u s e d o n l y for practice p u r p o s e s ; it
w a s useful for training i n rectifying stoppages i n m a c h i n e - g u n s
w h i l e they were firing. Nevertheless there w e r e still anxieties that,
b y s o m e chance, defective a m m u n i t i o n existed, a n d a stoppage of
a m a c h i n e - g u n i n battle was too serious a matter to be r i s k e d
t h r o u g h a n y negligence i n preparation.
A s A s s e r saw over his tank a n d talked to his c o r p o r a l , C o r p o r a l
S m i t h , he n o t e d the v a r i o u s items that h a d to be i n order, a n d then
passed o n to have a w o r d w i t h other tank c o m m a n d e r s , chatting to
m e m b e r s of the crews a n d occasionally to the officers. H e w a s at
some p a i n s to talk to C a r t w r i g h t , w h o , he k n e w , m u s t be v e r y sore
244 W A R MEMOIRS

at h a v i n g b e e n displaced b y h i m . It is d o u b t f u l whether a m o r e
experienced officer w o u l d h a v e w o r r i e d to d o this, because it w a s
quite clear that C a r t w r i g h t was suffering not m e r e l y f r o m c h a g r i n
at b e i n g d i s p l a c e d , but w a s already a seriously d e m o r a l i z e d m a n .
H o w e v e r , the desultory exchange of c o m m e n t w e n t o n a n d then
A s s e r m o v e d over to talk to H a u s e r , w h o , as u s u a l , w a s fussing
a r o u n d w i t h his crew a n d c o m p l a i n i n g bitterly of s u p p o s e d d e ­
fects i n their preparations.
' A r e y o u l o o k i n g for s o m e b o d y ? ' A s s e r asked Carter, w h o
c a m e u p at this m o m e n t .
'Yes. W h e r e ' s Bion?'
' H e ' s d o w n at the b r i d g e carrying out the repair, y o u k n o w ' ,
said Asser.
' O h , I h a d forgotten. I think it m i g h t be a g o o d p l a n if I go
d o w n there to see h o w he is getting o n . Is e v e r y t h i n g all right
here?'
'Yes, I think so', said Asser.
' H o w ' s o l d Cartwright? H e l o o k e d a bit blue about the gills',
s a i d Carter.
A s s e r l a u g h e d . ' W e l l , I think he's all right', he said s o m e w h a t
sheepishly. ' H e seems to have got his tank into v e r y g o o d order,
a n d our other tanks are all ready to m o v e off at a n y time n o w . '
' Y o u ' v e got another half-hour to go yet', s a i d Carter, "but I
think I shall be m o v i n g off to see if I can f i n d B i o n d o w n there.'
A t last the time came to start. A s s e r collected his crew, a n d they
s w u n g the engine, w h i c h then roared into action. T h e w h o l e 75 h p
of these p o w e r f u l machines filled the air w i t h a throbbing p u l s a ­
tion. O n e b y one they started, a n d then A s s e r ' s crew m o v e d their
tank out of the w o o d onto the dirt track. T h e orders were to p r o ­
ceed i n top gear for the first mile. After that they w e r e to d r o p into
l o w gear a n d go o n w i t h the v e r y m i n i m u m of p o w e r possible,
so that there s h o u l d be h a r d l y a n y noise f r o m the engines, w h i c h
w o u l d then be w i t h i n close reach of the f o r w a r d listening posts of
the G e r m a n a r m y .
E v e r y t h i n g w e n t smoothly, a n d A s s e r h a d just g i v e n the order
for his tank to d r o p into l o w gear w h e n they came u p o n B i o n
a n d his party. It was not u s u a l for m o r e than two m e n to r e m a i n i n
the tank w h e n they were c a r r y i n g out the a p p r o a c h m a r c h . O n l y
the d r i v e r a n d one other to help h i m were i n each tank, the re­
 AMIENS 245

m a i n d e r w a l k i n g at ease b e h i n d the machines, r e a d y for d u t y if

they w e r e called u p o n b y the two inside.
B i o n h a i l e d A s s e r , asked h i m if all w a s w e l l , a n d i n t u r n r e ­
p o r t e d o n the b r i d g e . ' E v e r y t h i n g is perfectly all right. W e ' v e got it
absolutely b u n g e d as full of facines as it possibly c o u l d be. E v e n if
y o u stray off the n a r r o w p a t h , it w o n ' t matter. W e ' v e got it b r o a d
e n o u g h to take t w o tanks abreast at least, I s h o u l d think. A n y h o w ,
there's n o water i n the stream w o r t h talking about. It's just a little
trickle a n d that's about all. I d o n ' t k n o w really w h y w e bothered
to h a v e a b r i d g e , t h o u g h of course the real trouble w o u l d be that
w e ' d c h u r n the w h o l e lot into complete m u d s o u p if w e h a d n ' t
b o t h e r e d b u t h a d d r i v e n straight t h r o u g h it.'
'It's a w o n d e r f u l l y clear e v e n i n g ' , said A s s e r .

* **
[Three pages m i s s i n g here; the f o l l o w i n g extract has been inserted
f r o m The Long Week-End for continuity.]
N o one h a d m e n t i o n e d the fog. T h e r e c o u l d not be a fog; the
river, the banks, the l o w g r o u n d , all were as d r y as a bone. I m y s e l f
h a d seen it. W h y , o h w h y , h a d I not reported back f r o m the r e c o n ­
naissance that there w a s a danger of fog? I h a d c u r s e d the fools
w h o acted as if forty tons of steel c o u l d float o n Y p r e s m u d . Yet
here w a s I....
I c o u l d see the report: ' A n experienced T a n k C o r p s officer h a d
b e e n sent f o r w a r d to examine a n d report o n the suitability of the
terrain for tanks. U n f o r t u n a t e l y he thought of absolutely e v e r y ­
t h i n g a n d e v e n noticed that there w a s n o water i n the r i v e r b e d ,
b u t still failed to see the o b v i o u s p o i n t that since the water h a d
a b a n d o n e d the river, it m u s t h a v e take to the air.' T h e r e it w a s —
thick, s o l i d , impenetrable.
' N o w w h a t ? ' said Carter. I h e a r d m y o w n voice talking. 'Let's
go a n d h a v e a l o o k . ' W e w a l k e d d o w n a n d came to the w a l l . T h e
next step a n d w e w e r e t r y i n g to see o u r h a n d s . A t a r m ' s length
they w e r e out of sight.

* **
If I h a d n ' t b e e n i n s u c h a terrible f u n k , he thought, I m i g h t h a v e
d o n e those compass bearings p r o p e r l y , a n d n o w w o u l d be the time
to use t h e m . I d o n ' t e v e n k n o w if they are a n y use at all. I w a s
 246 WAR MEMOIRS

s p e n d i n g m y time t r y i n g to d o them s i m p l y so as to keep m y

h a n d s f r o m trembling a n d to prevent H o t b l a c k f r o m seeing
m y state of m i n d . H e w o n d e r e d whether he s h o u l d tell C a r t e r that
he h a d got the compass bearings. It w o u l d be so m u c h s i m p l e r to
leave it u n s a i d . T h e responsibility, after all, was not his, a n d he h a d
n o reason at all to place any particular reliance o n the bearings he
h a d taken w i t h s u c h meticulous care since he felt that he h a d not
really b e e n concentrating o n the w o r k itself.
T s u p p o s e ' , said Carter, ' y o u d i d n ' t b y a n y chance take the
directions w h e n y o u were d o w n there w i t h H o t b l a c k this m o r n i n g . '
' W e l l ' , s a i d B i o n , his h a n d forced, 'as a matter of fact, I d i d , b u t
I really d o n ' t k n o w whether they are v e r y m u c h g o o d . Y o u k n o w
I'm not a n a w f u l lot of use at this k i n d of t h i n g . '
' M y dear c h a p , it doesn't matter a d a m n if y o u ' r e m u c h use at
it or not. It's those compass bearings of y o u r s or n o t h i n g . W e shall
n e v e r get a n y tapes d o w n to lead these tanks into action unless w e
get the routes taped out a n d the tank positions for them. I've got
m y m e n all ready here; let's have a look at them. C a n ' t y o u leave
A s s e r i n charge of the section?'
'Yes, that's easy e n o u g h ' , said B i o n , T h a v e n ' t a n y d o u b t that
he w i l l m a n a g e the job perfectly easily. W o u l d y o u like m e to come
with you?'
'Indeed, I w o u l d ' , said Carter w i t h great relief.
Since the pace of the tanks was so s l o w , there was a m p l e time
for B i o n , a n d Carter w i t h his m e n , to go f o r w a r d to the b r i d g e a n d
to set about the task of p u t t i n g out the t a p e s — o r w o u l d h a v e b e e n
a m p l e time for t h e m to d o so if it were not for the fog, w h i c h w a s
so intense. H o w e v e r , B i o n a n d Carter h u r r i e d f o r w a r d , a n d as they
w e n t the fog s w i r l e d u p to meet them. In a m o m e n t or two e v e r y ­
t h i n g w a s absolutely blotted out i n p i t c h darkness, w i t h the mist
s w i r l i n g t h r o u g h lungs a n d throats a n d b l i n d i n g everyone's eyes.
' W e ' l l h a v e to start w o r k i n g b y compass n o w before ever w e
get to the b r i d g e ' , said Carter. ' Y o u d i d n ' t b y any chance take
bearings f r o m here?'
'Yes, I think s o — I think I've got them. In a n y case, I k n o w this
bit w e l l e n o u g h ' , said B i o n .
B y s l o w degrees they went f o r w a r d a n d f o u n d the b r i d g e
easily a n d q u i c k l y . F r o m that p o i n t o n it w a s a matter of B i o n
s t u d y i n g his field service notebook a n d r e a d i n g out the compass
 AMIENS 247

bearings to Carter, w h o passed o n the instructions to his sergeant

a n d m e n . T h e r e w a s n o t h i n g for it but tense, concentrated atten­
tion to the w o r k i n h a n d , a n d s o m e h o w or other the task was
ultimately f i n i s h e d ; the positions were taped.
By this time the l e a d i n g tank, w h i c h was A s s e r ' s , h a d reached
the fascine b r i d g e a n d p i c k e d u p the tapes that h a d been l a i d
d o w n . O n e after another the tanks crossed a n d s w u n g left to f o r m
u p b e h i n d the front line of the infantry, w h i c h at this point lay
s o m e 200 y a r d s i n advance. B i o n a n d Carter w o r k e d their w a y
back to the b r i d g e b y means of the tapes, exchanging w o r d s a n d
p a s s i n g o n instructions to the tank c o m m a n d e r s as they came u p
w i t h their machines. A t the point w h e r e the tanks s w u n g left, they
w a i t e d , for at this p o i n t they h a d a r e n d e z v o u s w i t h the C o m p a n y
C o m m a n d e r s a n d the Battalion C o m m a n d e r w h o h a d arranged
beforehand that they s h o u l d station themselves here. It w a s not
B i o n w h o s h o u l d have been there, but i n v i e w of his compass
bearings he r e m a i n e d w i t h Carter, leaving the c o m m a n d of his
section to A s s e r .
A t the r e n d e z v o u s , they w a i t e d . ' I ' m jolly grateful to y o u ,
B i o n ' , Carter said. (

' Y o u wait till y o u k n o w the results of the bearings', s a i d B i o n . T

wasn't b a r g a i n i n g for this, a n d w i t h all these tanks about the place,
goodness k n o w s what sort of distortion the compass has. I think
they're all right, but I really d o n ' t k n o w . '
' H e r e ' s the C o l o n e l . G o o d evening, sir.'
T h e C o l o n e l shook h a n d s w i t h Carter w h o m he h a d not seen
for s o m e time. ' T h i s is a pretty mess. I d o n ' t think I've ever seen a
fog a n y t h i n g like it. Is y o u r c o m p a n y i n position all right?'
' Y e s ' , s a i d M a j o r de Freine, w h o h a d come u p at this m o m e n t ,
'it is, sir. W e ' v e got the tanks out i n their p r o p e r positions.'
'But A a n d B C o m p a n i e s are not out i n theirs—they d o n ' t k n o w
w h e r e they are at all. T h e r e have been n o compass bearings taken.
B i o n , I think y o u h a d better go a n d help t h e m get it all sorted out.
Y o u ' v e got the compass bearings, haven't y o u ? '
' N o , sir, I h a v e n ' t ' , said B i o n . I ' v e o n l y got those for my
section. I h a d to extend t h e m to get the w h o l e c o m p a n y positions /
'Yes, b u t surely to G o d , m a n , y o u can d o better than that, can't
y o u ? Is there a n y difficulty at all about extending it as far as the
e n d of the C a n a d i a n D i v i s i o n a l front?'
248 WAR MEMOIRS

' N o , s i r — b u t I o n l y d i d the bearings for m y o w n s e c t i o n /

T h e C o l o n e l was n o w v e r y angry indeed. ' A r e n ' t y o u able to d o
a bit m o r e than the barest m i n i m u m of y o u r job? A s a section
c o m m a n d e r I expect y o u to be able to take full c o m m a n d of the
c o m p a n y if n e e d arises, a n d here y o u are telling m e that y o u d o n ' t
k n o w h o w to extend y o u r compass bearings p r o p e r l y /
' E x c u s e m e , sir, I d i d n ' t say that. I said that I d o n ' t k n o w
w h e t h e r I can extend t h e m p r o p e r l y /
' W e l l , d a m m i t m a n , go a n d try' said the C o l o n e l , absolutely
furious b y this time.
Bion's state of m i n d became angry a n d further depressed b y
this n e w b u r d e n thrust u p o n h i m .
' H a r d l u c k , o l d b o y ' , said Carter. 'After all, it's not y o u r fault. If
a n y b o d y is to b l a m e for this, it is really m y s e l f as the battalion
reconnaissance officer. T h e C o l o n e l has got the w i n d u p p r o p e r l y .
I d o n ' t k n o w that I b l a m e h i m — a f t e r all is s a i d a n d d o n e , it is
his battalion that is i n action; it covers the w h o l e of the C a n a d i a n
D i v i s i o n , a n d w e ' r e responsible for the tanks of the F r e n c h D i v i ­
s i o n as w e l l . So if he hasn't got the tanks p r o p e r l y p o s i t i o n e d for
the battle, he m i g h t w e l l h a v e the w i n d u p . I can see myself getting
a court martial out of all this. I'm not at all sure that the C o l o n e l
doesn't see himself getting o n e /
T think it's m u c h m o r e l i k e l y ' , said B i o n , 'that he's t h i n k i n g
he is g o i n g to get a D S O out of it. I w i s h s o m e b o d y w o u l d give it to
h i m . These d a m n e d people always w a n t i n g to get a r u d d y d e c o r a ­
tion are m o r e than a pest w h e n it comes to real battle.'
' W e l l , o l d b o y , y o u o u g h t to k n o w ' , s a i d Carter. ' Y o u ' v e got a
D S O out of it, a n y h o w . '
'Yes', s a i d B i o n , 'but that w a s a n accident.'
' O h , d o n ' t be so b a n a l — e v e r y d a m n e d fool w h o h a d got a
decoration always talks rot like that. Y o u k n o w perfectly w e l l that
if a n y b o d y deserves a decoration i n action y o u d o . N o t that I h o l d
any brief for the things myself. I s u p p o s e w e ' v e got the right tape',
he a d d e d i n a n undertone, g r o p i n g o n the g r o u n d to p i c k u p the
markings.
F r o m that time o n there w a s silence as they grunted a n d felt
their w a y f o r w a r d u n t i l at last they came to A s s e r ' s tank. F r o m
there B i o n extended his researches still further to f i n d the rest
of the c o m p a n y , a n d f r o m that p o i n t o n he a n d Carter p r o c e e d e d
 AMIENS 249

laboriously to w o r k out further bearings for the remainder of the

battalion b e y o n d the A m i e n s - R o y e r o a d to the left of the d i v i s i o n a l
flank, w h e r e it joined u p w i t h the A u s t r a l i a n a n d N e w Z e a l a n d
A r m y C o r p s . E v e n t u a l l y , after Carter a n d B i o n h a d p u t the r e m a i n ­
der of the battalion into their battle positions, they f o u n d o n
rejoining H a u s e r that there were o n l y a couple of h o u r s left before
zero h o u r .
T gather', said H a u s e r , 'that y o u have done something to
m o d i f y w h a t appears to be a first-class b a l l s - u p . F u n n y t h i n g ' , he
c o n t i n u e d h a p p i l y , 'they always manage to get a b a l l s - u p s o m e ­
h o w . N o b o d y seems to have h e a r d of the River L u c e p r o d u c i n g a
fog u n t i l tonight, a n d yet it m u s t have done so every e v e n i n g for
years a n d years a n d years. Let m e congratulate y o u . It takes some
d o i n g to stop the British Staff once they get into f o r m . '
T h e y spoke i n w h i s p e r s i n the pitch darkness w h i l e the fog
s w i r l e d r o u n d them.
T really believe it's thicker than ever', said Carter.
'Yes', said H a u s e r , T w i s h I c o u l d see w h a t I'm d o i n g . It's
d a m n e d serious not b e i n g able to see a thing y o u d o . '
' W e l l , w h a t are y o u d o i n g ?' asked Carter.
' I ' m t r y i n g to shave, d a m m i t ' , said H a u s e r . It appeared that he
h a d o r d e r e d hot water to be p r e p a r e d o n the tank exhaust s i m p l y
so that he s h o u l d be able to d o this. H e was most meticulous that
his appearance s h o u l d be correct a n d precise before g o i n g into
action.
' D o y o u m e a n to say', said B i o n , 'that y o u m a k e y o u r p o o r
d e v i l of a b a t m a n u n d o y o u r s h a v i n g kit at this time i n the m o r n ­
i n g before y o u start off a battle?'
' W e l l , of course I d o . Y o u d o n ' t expect m e to go about l o o k i n g
like a tramp all the time, d o y o u ? '
A r u n n e r came f u m b l i n g along the tapes. 'Is C a p t a i n B i o n
here?' 'Yes', r e p l i e d Bion.
' M a j o r M o r g a n wishes to see y o u , sir', said the orderly.
B i o n then turned a n d f o u n d his w a y w e a r i l y to the extreme left
flank of the battalion. I w o n d e r w h a t the d e v i l he wants n o w , he
thought. W h e n he reached M o r g a n , he f o u n d that he w a s s i m p l y
anxious to ask whether B i o n w a s quite sure that the bearings were
correct. F u n n y , thought B i o n , fetching m e all this distance at this
time of d a y , as if I h a d n o t h i n g whatever to d o w i t h m y o w n
250 WAR MEMOIRS

section, to ask m e d a m n e d silly questions like that. H e reassured

M o r g a n , w h o seemed to be d i s p o s e d to be chatty a n d w i s h e d to
w a l k a l o n g the tapes checking u p w i t h his tanks a n d to h a v e B i o n
w i t h h i m . A t last B i o n m a n a g e d to take his leave a n d f i n d his w a y
back to his o w n section o n the g r o u n d s that he h a d urgent w o r k to
d o w i t h his o w n m e n .
A s he w o r k e d his w a y a l o n g the line, he came across g r o u p
after g r o u p of officers at various points along the tape, all talking
i n w h i s p e r s exchanging views about the u n c a n n y silence of the
e n e m y . N e a r l y all the officers a n d m e n were alike disquieted b y
this p h e n o m e n o n .
Tt w o u l d be something of a lark if w e f o u n d that the e n e m y
attacked at the same time as w e d i d . It w o u l d be a real m e s s - u p ,
I ' m b o u n d to say', said one of the A C o m p a n y section c o m m a n d ­
ers.
T think w e ' v e got a pretty fair m i x - u p already', said M o r g a n ,
w h o w a s a c c o m p a n y i n g B i o n o n his journey u p to the e n d of his
o w n c o m p a n y front. T d o n ' t think I have ever k n o w n s u c h a fog
as this. It's worse than a n y t h i n g w e have ever come across. E v e n
before w e start, the place seems to be absolute chaos. Y o u still can't
see y o u r h a n d i n front of y o u r f a c e — l o o k ' , a n d he h e l d u p his
h a n d . T can't distinguish a single finger f r o m this distance.'
Tt certainly gives y o u a pretty r u m feeling, sir', said one of his
tank c o m m a n d e r s . Tt makes y o u feel as if y o u were w r a p p e d u p i n
cotton w o o l . . . '
' . . . cotton w o o l of a v e r y frightening k i n d ' , said M o r g a n . T
d o n ' t like cotton w o o l w i t h bullets concealed i n it f l y i n g about the
place.'
T w i s h there were a few m o r e , sir. I think a few p i n g i n g over­
h e a d a d d s a pleasant sensation of liveliness. But this is absolutely
d e a d — y o u can't see a n y t h i n g , y o u can't hear a n y t h i n g , y o u ' r e just
w r a p p e d in silence/
' T h e m o r e silence, the better', said M o r g a n . ' P u t that light out',
he r o a r e d as s o m e b o d y lit a m a t c h t r y i n g to light a cigarette. ' Y o u
tell these d a m n e d m e n they mustn't s h o w a light a n y w h e r e — o h ,
I b e g y o u r p a r d o n , I d i d n ' t realise it w a s y o u , Carter.'
' V e r y sorry, sir, I forgot m y s e l f /
Before l o n g the w a n d e r i n g of senior officers ceased. T h e y took
u p their positions i n the H . Q . , w h i c h they h a d arranged to o c c u p y
 AMIENS 251

i n the early stages of the battle so that all w o u l d k n o w to w h a t

p o i n t messages w e r e to be sent as soon as the action s t a r t e d —
or before, s h o u l d the e n e m y b e g i n action first. F r o m V i l l e r s
Brettoneux o n the left to the F r e n c h First A r m y o n the right, the
tanks were all i n their battle positions, or so it was h o p e d i n so far
as c o u l d be told, thanks to the a l l - p e r v a d i n g fog. S m a l l g r o u p s of
officers c o n t i n u e d to chat w i t h each other i n the increasing anxiety
a n d tension as the time for zero h o u r d r e w near. A b o v e all there
w a s the silence, occasionally b r o k e n b y the chatter of a m a c h i n e ­
g u n i n the distance. Sometimes there w o u l d be the S h e r m a n g u n ,
noticeable for its s l o w a n d h e a v y m o v e m e n t ; then the a n s w e r i n g
chatter of the L e w i s g u n or the British M a x i m .
Carter w a s p a s s i n g m e t h o d i c a l l y f r o m each g r o u p of officers
to the next i n order to check w i t h t h e m the exact time; all watches
h a d to be s y n c h r o n i z e d at the last m o m e n t . A s he came to each
g r o u p , he w o u l d count out the seconds, ten ... n i n e ... e i g h t . . .
seven . . . six . . . until at last everyone h a d precisely the same h o u r ,
w h i c h he h i m s e l f h a d i n t u r n obtained f r o m the B r i g a d e H . Q . T h e
tank crews stood b y the side of the doors of their tanks, getting
the last breath of fresh air before they shut themselves i n for they
k n e w not h o w m a n y h o u r s of the stifling, c a r b o n - m o n o x i d e - l a d e n
air of the tanks.
' D o y o u k n o w — t h a t short-arsed little runt w a n t e d his s h a v i n g
water a g a i n today. H e always does it, he doesn't seem to m i n d if
there's a battle or not. H e ' s got to h a v e it hot, or y o u catch it hot.'
T d o n ' t care', another m a n was saying, ' w h o r e or n o w h o r e , she
d o n e it for ' i m free, a n d that's w o t caused all the trouble.'
N o w orders w e r e b e i n g g i v e n to the tank crews to m a n their
tanks a n d start their engines. T h e officers w h o w o u l d be i n battle
o n foot instinctively t u r n e d back to look i n the direction f r o m
w h i c h the tanks h a d come, back over the p o s i t i o n w h e r e the R i v e r
L u c e o u g h t to be, towards the heights of the plateau w h e r e the
copses h a d been u s e d to shelter the tanks f r o m aerial observation.
' W h a t w o u l d n ' t I g i v e ' , said H a r r i s o n to his second i n c o m ­
m a n d , 'to be back there. N o t h i n g so comfortable as those l o v e l y
w o o d s , a sort of paradise c o m p a r e d w i t h this h e l l — o r the h e l l
that's g o i n g to be here i n another m i n u t e or t w o . '
T h e attack w a s t i m e d to start at d a w n , b u t the thick fog m e a n t
that all w a s still b a t h e d i n darkness, as if it w e r e still night. T h e
252 WAR MEMOIRS

British g u n s massed for the b o m b a r d m e n t were i n positions s l o p ­

i n g f r o m the heights of the plateau d o w n the gentle slope all the
w a y to the front line itself, where the lighter 6-inch H o w i t z e r s
w e r e i n p o s i t i o n . N o t h i n g of the plateau or its slopes c o u l d be seen
f r o m the v a l l e y because of the a l l - p e r v a d i n g fog, w h i c h h a d not
lifted or abated to the least extent.
A s the h a n d s of their watches reached zero h o u r , the officers,
staring back towards the top of the plateau f r o m w h e n c e they h a d
c o m e , saw it s u d d e n l y stabbed w i t h w h i t e flashes of light. T h e
b o m b a r d m e n t h a d started. F o r a m o m e n t or two it seemed as if
there w a s s o m e vast w a l l of fog i l l u m i n a t e d f r o m w i t h i n b y these
ghostly explosions. It was a w a l l , h o w e v e r , i n w h i c h the officers
felt themselves e m b e d d e d ; at one a n d the same m o m e n t gun
flashes seemed to be at a distance a n d yet to be u p against their
v e r y eyes a n d faces.
A t first all was a silent fiery curtain, a n d then came the s o u n d ,
a r u s h i n g , p u l s a t i n g s o u n d w h i c h came i n gusts against the s k i n of
face a n d h a n d s as w e l l as ears. ' T h e y l o o k i n g back, all the eastern
side b e h e l d / O f Paradise, so late their h a p p y seat,/ W a v ' d over b y
that f l a m i n g b r a n d , the G a t e / W i t h d r e a d f u l faces t h r o n g e d a n d
fiery a r m s ' [ M i l t o n , Paradise Lost, B o o k xii].
B i o n , w h o was i n Asser's tank b y his side, s a i d , ' L e t her go,
a n d g o o d l u c k to y o u ' , then t u m b l e d out into the o p e n to stand
w a t c h i n g w i t h others the w a l l of fire b e h i n d . F o r a time n o t h i n g
h a p p e n e d . W h y d i d n ' t the G e r m a n guns reply? A m i n u t e passed,
t w o minutes, t h r e e — a n d still n o t h i n g h a p p e n e d . T h e n s u d d e n l y
the earth a r o u n d r o c k e d a n d s w a y e d w i t h the falling shells. B i o n
t u r n e d towards the front to w a l k s l o w l y forwards t r y i n g to judge
his pace so that he w o u l d keep at the distance of some thirty y a r d s
b e h i n d the line that his tanks were s u p p o s e d to be f o l l o w i n g ; w i t h
one h a n d he h e l d his r u n n e r , Sweeting, b y the belt to his side, as
w i t h the other he h e l d his compass.
A large shape s u d d e n l y l o o m e d i n front. It was a tank, s t o p p e d .
B i o n w e n t r o u n d to the front flap a n d s h o u t e d at the top of his
v o i c e t h r o u g h it to the tank c o m m a n d e r inside. H e c o u l d not hear
the r e p l y , but w e n t r o u n d to the d o o r , w h i c h was o p e n e d for h i m
to enter w h i l e Sweeting lay d o w n b y the side of the tank sheltering
f r o m the shell-fire. Inside he f o u n d the tank w a s C a r t w r i g h t ' s .
W h a t h a d h a p p e n e d ? T h e petrol feed h a d gone, came the r e p l y .
 AMIENS 253

T h e c o r p o r a l d r i v e r , Stone, was already b y the side of the feed

apparatus, l o o k i n g at it helplessly, stonily, w h i l e the tank w o b b l e d
i n the blast of shell-fire.
W h a t ' s the matter w i t h it? T h i n k , C o r p o r a l , think. H e a r w h a t
comfortable w o r d s y o u r sergeant instructor, B r o o m b a c k , said. It is
a hot s u m m e r ' s d a y at B o v i n g t o n camp. T h e hut is silent b u t for the
b u z z i n g of a bluebottle, w h i c h drifts d r o w s i l y about, h y p n o t i z i n g
the hearers. O u t s i d e the w i n d o w s can be seen, s w i m m i n g i n the
heat, the r h o d o d e n d r o n s flaming w i t h fire. W h a t is it? W h a t is it?
T h i s feed p i p e , says the instructor, is m u c h superior to the o l d ­
fashioned p u m p . T h a t w a s v e r y efficient i n some r e s p e c t s . . . . O h ,
d o get o n w i t h it m a n , get to the point. W h a t d o y o u d o w h e n y o u
h a v e a n engine o n y o u r h a n d s , w h e n y o u h a v e forty tons of steel
i m m o v a b l e i n a barrage, w h a t d o y o u do? T h e o l d - f a s h i o n e d feed
w a s one that h a d great merits i n that it never b r o k e d o w n , b u t
s h o u l d the tank be hit b y a shell, then at once the tendency w a s for
flames to be fed b y the sprays of petrol still u n d e r pressure. Yes,
yes, that is so, but I w a n t to get o n to the p o i n t where y o u k n o w
w h a t y o u s h o u l d d o w h e n the feed fails. L i s t e n to the bluebottle,
keep awake, C o r p o r a l Stone, keep awake. L i s t e n to it. Yes, it w i l l
be pleasant to go into B o u r n e m o u t h this afternoon. But listen to
w h a t y o u r instructor is saying. D o n ' t stare helplessly at it. M y G o d ,
are these tanks m a d e of jelly? W h y d o these walls w o b b l e so? N o t
bluebottles n o w , but H a n d l e y Page bombers. N o t bluebottles, n o ,
but c r u m p s ; great things that hurtle t h r o u g h the sky like express
trains, as the soldiers always say. A h , at last he is c o m i n g to it. T a p
the sides of the container gently w i t h the k n u c k l e . Yes, gently
w i t h the k n u c k l e , not w i t h a 95 H o w i t z e r shell. G e n t l y , w i t h the
k n u c k l e . Filter, gently, n o t h i n g happens. S w i n g her again. N o t h i n g
h a p p e n s . S w i n g her again. N o t h i n g h a p p e n s . Filter. N o w try her
once m o r e . N o t h i n g h a p p e n s . Filter. A h , yes, that's right. Filter.
T a k e out the filter. G o o d heavens, it looks as if the b i r d s h a v e been
nesting i n it. A h , that's it, b l o w t h r o u g h it, that's right. T h e beauti­
f u l f l a m i n g r h o d o d e n d r o n bushes i n the hot sunlight. L i s t e n ,
C o r p o r a l , listen. H e p u t back the filter. S w i n g her a g a i n — t h i s time
the engine b r o k e into a roar. B i o n d r o p p e d out of the back d o o r ,
lay flat w h i l e the tank m o v e d f o r w a r d .
S u d d e n l y its sides seemed to o p e n like a flower, a sheet of
flame shot above it, a n d there lay the tank w i t h its sides b u l g e d
254 WAR MEMOIRS

o p e n a n d its roof gone. T h e e n d of Sergeant O ' T o o l e , yes, a n d the

w h o l e crew. In the reeking fumes B i o n c o u l d see some bodies flung
over the top of the n o w b u l g i n g walls f r o m where the roof ought to
have been. It l o o k e d like the guts of some fantastic a n i m a l h a n g i n g
out of a vast g a p i n g w o u n d .
Sergeant O ' T o o l e is d e a d , thought B i o n g l u m l y as he w e n t
steadily forward with his hand still g r i p p i n g tightly onto
Sweeting's belt. S u d d e n l y he felt that the nature of the g r o u n d h a d
altered. H e stooped d o w n a n d noticed that it seemed to be s o m e
sort of track, m a y b e metalled. H e a n d Sweeting threw themselves
into a shell-hole a n d sheltered, w a i t i n g , as they were i n a d v a n c e
of their time. B i o n felt sick. H e w a n t e d time to think. Sweeting
pressed himself as h a r d as he c o u l d against B i o n , w h o then real­
i z e d h o w frightened the y o u n g b o y was; certainly there w a s reason
for fear. T h e shell bursts were incessant; there was n o pause be­
tween one a n d another, a n d it was n o w impossible to d i s t i n g u i s h
the s o u n d of any g u n s — i t was lost i n one colossal s t o r m of
sound.
H e tried to think: there was this r e n d e z v o u s . . . he h a d to get
to Berle a u Bois . . . he h a d got to get to the estaminet at Berle a u
Bois . . . he m u s t be at Berle a u Bois b y 10.15 . . . there he w a s to
meet A s s e r . . . A s s e r ' s tank . . . there he was to meet A s s e r ' s tank
a n d to give further orders. H e tried to think. H e tried to keep u p
against the battering of t h u n d e r i n g pressure of the w i n d of the
explosions against his b o d y . W h a t was he d o i n g here? W h y s h o u l d
he be here? Surely, C a p t a i n B i o n , y o u ought to k n o w that a
metalled r o a d , if that is what it is, is not the place i n w h i c h to rest.
Surely y o u ought to k n o w better than this. H a v e y o u not been told
never to w a i t b y a l a n d m a r k , something o n w h i c h the e n e m y g u n s
c a n easily register. D o y o u not k n o w that shell-fire is always most
intense at a point that is w e l l m a r k e d o n a m a p ? W h a t are y o u
w a i t i n g for? T h e shell-fire is too heavy, I can't m o v e . It's better to
w a i t here. If I try to go f o r w a r d out of the shelter of this hole, then
I s h a l l be b l o w n to bits. I can't m o v e . W h a t are those trees there?
H e w a s l o o k i n g across the w a y he h a d come, a n d there i n the
distance it seemed, t h r o u g h the lifting fog, that there w a s this r o w
of p o p l a r s , a l o n g straight line of poplars. W h a t c o u l d it possibly
mean? T h i s l o n g straight line of trees? O b v i o u s l y it c o u l d o n l y be
one r o a d . Surely it m u s t be a m a i n r o a d . It was the A m i e n s - R o y e
 AMIENS 255

r o a d . But w h a t was it d o i n g there? W h y w a s it i n this peculiar

p o s i t i o n then? T h e terrible truth came to h i m : he must have got his
compass bearings w r o n g . H e was sure then that s o m e terrible
b l u n d e r h a d o c c u r r e d . If that w a s the case, this r o a d w o u l d be
l e a d i n g straight into the enemy's lines, a n d he h a d l a u n c h e d the
battalion tanks not towards the enemy, but across the British Front.
H e c o m p e l l e d Sweeting to look back a n d see the r o a d . H e asked
h i m w h a t it meant. Sweeting agreed that it m u s t be the A m i e n s -
R o y e r o a d . It c o u l d be n o t h i n g else. N o t h i n g o n earth c o u l d look so
like a dead-straight h e a v y r o a d , l i n e d w i t h these tall p o p l a r s as he
k n e w the A m i e n s - R o y e r o a d to be. Pale w i t h fear, Sweeting a g a i n
b u r i e d himself as deep as he c o u l d into the shell-hole, clutching
closely to Bion's side for further shelter.
B i o n w a s aware that Sweeting w a s t r y i n g to talk to h i m . A b o v e
the s o u n d of the barrage it w a s impossible to hear a n y o r d i n a r y
speech. B e n d i n g his ear as close as he c o u l d to Sweeting's m o v i n g
lips, he h e a r d h i m say, ' W h y can't I c o u g h , w h y can't I c o u g h , sir?
W h a t ' s the matter/sir? S o m e t h i n g has h a p p e n e d . '
B i o n t u r n e d r o u n d a n d l o o k e d at Sweeting's side, a n d there he
saw gusts of steam c o m i n g f r o m where his left side s h o u l d be. A
shell splinter h a d torn out the left w a l l of his chest. T h e r e w a s n o
l u n g left there. L e a n i n g back i n the shell-hole, B i o n began to v o m i t
unrestrainedly, helplessly. T h e n , somewhat recovered, he saw the
b o y ' s lips m o v i n g again. H i s face was d e a d l y pale a n d b e a d e d
w i t h sweat. B i o n bent his h e a d so that his ear came as near as
possible to Sweeting's m o u t h .
' M o t h e r , M o t h e r , write to m y mother, sir, w o n ' t y o u ? Y o u ' l l
r e m e m b e r her address, sir, w o n ' t you? 22 K i m b e r l y A v e n u e , H a l i ­
fax. W r i t e to m y m o t h e r — 2 2 K i m b e r l y R o a d , Halifax. M o t h e r ,
Mother, Mother, Mother.'
' O h , for C h r i s t ' s sake shut u p ' , shouted B i o n , revolted a n d
terrified.
' W r i t e to m y mother, sir, y o u w i l l write to m y mother, w o n ' t
you?'
'Yes, for C h r i s t ' s sake shut u p . '
' W r i t e to m y mother, mother, mother. W h y can't I c o u g h , sir?'
Gusts of steam kept b i l l o w i n g out f r o m his b r o k e n side. ' W h y can't
I cough? Y o u w i l l write to her, sir?' H i s voice began to g r o w faint.
' Y o u w i l l write to her, M o t h e r , M o t h e r . '
256 WAR MEMOIRS

H e fell l i m p l y into Bion's arms, n o w n o longer attempting to

press himself into the hole. H i s face, ghastly white, t u r n e d u p to
the s k y . T h e fog s w i r l e d as thickly as ever a r o u n d them. E v e r y
m o m e n t they seemed to be bathed i n showers of bright sparks of
red-hot steel f r o m the bursting shells.
N e v e r have I k n o w n a b o m b a r d m e n t like this, never, n e v e r —
M o t h e r , M o t h e r , M o t h e r — n e v e r have I k n o w n a b o m b a r d m e n t
like this, he thought. I w i s h he w o u l d shut u p . I w i s h he w o u l d die.
W h y can't he die? Surely he can't go o n l i v i n g w i t h a great hole
torn i n his side like that.

A s s e r elected to take over the d r i v i n g of his tank himself. H e let

i n the gears a n d o p e n e d u p to full throttle, the engine r e s p o n d i n g
w i t h a tremendous roar as the tank m o v e d f o r w a r d . T h e e n e m y
b o m b a r d m e n t h a d not yet o p e n e d , a n d there was o n l y the s o u n d
of British guns, formidable though that was. Filled w i t h exultation,
he d r o v e as fast as he possibly c o u l d .
H i s d r i v e r said, ' T h i s ' l l make ' e m think there are tanks i n
action all right, sir.'
'Yes, I m e a n to make them think just that. I h o p e b y the time
I've finished w i t h them they'll notice us', said A s s e r , l a u g h i n g
happily.
W i t h i n a few moments the o p e n i n g G e r m a n barrage b e g a n to
h u r l clods of earth against the side of the tank.
' T h i s thing wobbles like a jelly', said Asser. T used to think
tanks were pretty solid affairs till w e began to rock about like this.'
B y this time it was necessary to talk i n shouts if there was to be
any c o m m u n i c a t i o n whatever. T h e d r i v e r caught the infection of
excitement f r o m his officer, a n d this i n t u r n seemed to permeate
the crew i n a mysterious w a y , although they c o u l d not hear the
conversation taking place i n the front.
'I think w e h a d better shut d o w n the flaps slightly', said A s s e r .
' T h e r e seems to be just a bit too m u c h stuff f l y i n g i n here, a n d
a l t h o u g h I like to see where I'm going, since I can't see a n y w a y w e
m i g h t just as w e l l have a bit more safety.' T h e front flaps were
p u l l e d d o w n , leaving o n l y a slight slit.
 AMIENS 257

T think the light is c o m i n g t h r o u g h , d o n ' t y o u , sir?' said the

driver.
' W h e r e ? ' said A s s e r .
' L o o k , over there, that's the h i g h g r o u n d i n front, isn't it, sir? It
seems to be quite bright above the h o r i z o n there.'
' Y o u i d i o t ! " said Asser. ' D o n ' t y o u realize w h a t that is?'
' N o , sir.'
'That's the s h i n i n g of the lights f r o m b e h i n d . S w i t c h t h e m off.'
H i s d r i v e r r e s p o n d e d , a n d at once the s u p p o s e d d a w n d i s ­
a p p e a r e d . It w a s only the reflection o n the front flap of the lights of
the tank itself.
After a w h i l e A s s e r s a i d , T suppose w e ' r e g o i n g i n the right
direction. I k n o w w e are o n the right compass bearing a c c o r d i n g to
o u r compass, b u t I d o n ' t s u p p o s e for a single m o m e n t the t h i n g is
all right b y this time. N o t that I care m u c h where w e are g o i n g , so
l o n g as w e ' r e g o i n g somewhere. I h o p e w e see some Boche sooner
or later.'
A h a i l of sparks came off the front of the tank. ' T h a t ' s a bit
better', said A s s e r , 'that's s o m e b o d y firing at us, I think.'
'Yes, I h o p e it's the Boche a n d not o u r people t h o u g h , sir.'
' O h , I d o n ' t think it's likely to be o u r people, d o y o u ? I h a v e n ' t
seen a n y of t h e m . '
T haven't seen a n y t h i n g of a n y b o d y , sir, if it comes to that. I
can't see a thing. It seems to m e to be just pitch-black.'
A t that m o m e n t a bullet came i n t h r o u g h the front flap a n d
splashed o n the tank engine cover b e h i n d the d r i v e r .
' P u l l d o w n that flap a bit m o r e ' , said Asser. T d o n ' t think y o u
o u g h t to go s h o v i n g y o u r snout out just n o w . ' A m o m e n t later,
' H e l l o , what's this? Tree trunks? O h n o , I see they're m e n . M u s t be
ours. W e ' v e caught u p w i t h our front line, I d o believe. I think it's
all rot this business of o u r staying b e h i n d the infantry. I ' m g o i n g to
go right t h r o u g h them. W e can always say they got h e l d u p a n d
w e h a d to go i n front. After all, what is the g o o d of tooling a r o u n d
here as if w e were carrying d r i n k s for the troops? I'm all for h a v i n g
a bit of a scrap if w e can, aren't y o u ? '
T h e d r i v e r assented t h o u g h w i t h not quite the same degree of
enthusiasm. A s it h a p p e n e d , there was n o need for A s s e r to d i s ­
obey orders. T h e m e n i n front, w h o still seemed to be s h a d o w s ,
b e g a n to d r o p a n d then one of them w a v e d agitatedly to the tank,
258 WAR MEMOIRS

p o i n t i n g i n a certain direction. A s s e r d i d not have time to notice

that the fog m u s t have lifted considerably for h i m to be able to see
a n y m e n at all. H e d r o v e straight f o r w a r d a n d then, t u r n i n g the
tank m o r e or less i n the direction the m a n h a d indicated, he s o o n
f o u n d the m a c h i n e - g u n bullets again spattering off flakes of r e d ­
hot sparks f r o m the front of his tank.
' S h u t the flaps', he ordered. T think w e can deal w i t h this all
right. A l l w e have to d o is to keep o n d r i v i n g so that the sparks
keep c o m i n g off i n front of y o u a n d me. T h e n we're b o u n d to r u n
d o w n the s o d sometime.'
'But he m a y shut u p firing', said his driver, ' a n d then w e w o u l d
go over h i m a n d not k n o w anything about it.'
'That's true—better o p e n the flaps slightly. I'll o p e n m y flap
a n d keep a look-out. After all, it w o u l d be a bit of a fluke if a bullet
came t h r o u g h the flap.'
'I've k n o w n it h a p p e n though, sir', said the driver, a n d i n d e e d
he h a d .
' A n y h o w , n o b o d y can say w e ' v e got any d a m n e d infantry i n
front of us n o w ' , said Asser. Peering t h r o u g h the chink, the fog
s u d d e n l y d i s a p p e a r e d , a n d he f o u n d himself i n bright sunlight.
' G o o d G o d , what's h a p p e n e d n o w ? A n absolute transformation
scene', he said to his driver. ' Y o u have a look.'
H i s d r i v e r cautiously opened his flap. There was n o d o u b t
about i t — a s far as either of them c o u l d see t h r o u g h this restricted
slit, they were right out into the o p e n country a n d o n rolling grass­
l a n d . In front there was a little scrabble of white stuff that l o o k e d
like chalk.
'That's p r o b a b l y the c h a p ' , said Asser. 'It seems to m e s o m e ­
b o d y has been d i g g i n g something there. It can't just be rabbits.'
T h e y d r o v e h a r d at the spot a n d were r e w a r d e d b y seeing a
frightened-looking G e r m a n machine-gunner putting u p his hands,
partly unable to stifle his curiosity at seeing a tank at s u c h close
range.
' W e l l , w h a t d o w e d o w i t h h i m n o w ? W e can't stop a n d take
h i m prisoner. I think w e h a d better wait here just a m o m e n t cover­
i n g h i m w i t h o u r guns until the infantry come u p /
'Yes, sir, but all the same w e h a d better keep o n the m o v e
because they m a y have a field g u n trained o n us.'
' Y o u think of everything', said Asser.
 AMIENS 259

' W e l l sir, I've h a d plenty of chance to d o it. I've been i n action

n o w for about a year one w a y a n d another. I k n o w most of their
little tricks. T h e o n l y t h i n g I d o n ' t k n o w is d r i v i n g a tank over this
k i n d of c o u n t r y where tanks ought to be u s e d . It's a novelty that
u n h i n g e s m e slightly, sir.'
T h e y h a d a r r i v e d at a s m a l l strong point consisting of a few
trenches i n w h i c h there were p r o b a b l y two or three m a c h i n e - g u n s ,
a l t h o u g h the gunners were not visible to the m e m b e r s of the crew.
A s s e r passed the w o r d back that they were to keep their g u n s
trained o n this patch of torn earth a n d trenches, a n d that he w a s
g o i n g to circle the tank r o u n d it until the infantry were able to
come u p . It was not m a n y minutes before they saw a n infantry
sergeant w h o came w i t h his m e n a n d took over the G e r m a n p r i s ­
oners w h o were getting out of their trenches, starting to w o r k their
w a y back w i t h their h a n d s above their heads.
' N o w I think w e can get o n ' , said A s s e r . T h o p e this compass is
right. I've got to get us onto our line again. W e ' r e miles before o u r
time,'
' F o r G o d ' s sake, d o n ' t r u n into any field guns, sir. I h a d m y
b e l l y f u l of that at C a m b r a i . W e came across that G e r m a n major
c h a p — y o u k n o w , the fellow w h o k n o c k e d out so m a n y tanks. H e
got o u r tank, b u t he o n l y got it i n the tail. E v e n so, w e h a d to get
out pretty q u i c k before the flames s p r e a d . '
' H e l l o , w h a t does this chap want?' s a i d Asser.
A n infantry lieutenant h a d appeared at the flap a n d w a s shout­
i n g t h r o u g h it. It was extremely difficult to m a k e out w h a t he w a s
s a y i n g because of the d i n of the engine a n d the v e r y h e a v y b o m ­
b a r d m e n t outside. A s last A s s e r got the message.
' C a n ' t y o u take y o u r b l o o d y tank a w a y ? ' said the officer.
' T h e y ' l l start shelling us to hell here if y o u d o n ' t . '
A s s e r felt extremely i n d i g n a n t a n d w a n t e d to r e p l y that this
w a s his battle a n d he h a d just taken the position. Instead of that, h e
s a i d , ' A n y w h e r e else y o u w a n t us to d o s o m e m o r e jobs for y o u ? '
'Yes, lots', said the officer, 'but d o get a w a y f r o m here. Y o u
k n o w perfectly w e l l that the Boche start shelling a n y w h e r e they
see a tank, a n d if they see y o u sitting here they w i l l k n o w that the
p o s i t i o n has been lost a n d they d o n ' t bother v e r y m u c h about
shelling their o w n m e n once they h a v e b e e n taken prisoner. G e t
over there, about four h u n d r e d yards over to the left. I think y o u ' l l
260 WAR MEMOIRS

f i n d there are s o m e shrubs there that seem to be g i v i n g a lot of

trouble. W e ' r e getting fire f r o m that, a n d several of our chaps have
been d r o p p e d . '
B y this time it was a glorious day. T h e s u n beat d o w n b r i l ­
liantly o n a n entire w i d e plateau that they h a d reached, a plateau
standing over the valley of the L u c e i n the w a y that the plateau at
the starting-point h a d done. A half-mile to the left of A s s e r ' s tank
the A m i e n s - R o y e r o a d stretched out i n a straight line, the p o p l a r s
w a v i n g i n a stiff breeze. E v e r y w h e r e else the g r o u n d w a s grass­
covered. Far a w a y o n the right front was a village m a r k e d b y w i r e
that stuck like a slender finger into the d a r k blue of the sky.
'My G o d , I believe w e ' v e got right t h r o u g h ' , said Asser.
'There's n o t h i n g between us a n d the Rhine, if y o u ask m e . '
A t that m o m e n t a h e a v y burst of m a c h i n e - g u n fire w i t h bullets
spattering t h r o u g h the louvres i n front of A s s e r a n d the d r i v e r
caused h i m to shut d o w n h u r r i e d l y .
'It seems I ' m a bit premature', he said. T think it m u s t be this
d a m n e d bit of scrub.'
W i t h that he turned the tank so as to b r i n g the f l y i n g sparks off
the sides a n d o p e n e d u p full throttle.
'Steady o n , sir', s a i d his driver. 'There are p r o b a b l y trenches
there, a n d if y o u go like this y o u ' l l f i n d yourself completely
d i t c h e d i n the m i d d l e of i t /
'It seems to m e ' , said A s s e r , 'that y o u h a d better c o m m a n d this
tank/
'Sorry, sir.'
' N o t at all, I'm afraid y o u really ought to be r u n n i n g it. Y o u
chaps h a v e seen a great deal m o r e action than I have.' A s s e r felt
quite contrite.
H e h e a r d his sergeant s h o u t i n g i n his ear, 'There's something
w r o n g w i t h our r i g h t - h a n d g u n , sir. I d o n ' t k n o w w h a t it is, but w e
can't get it to fire at all. It doesn't seem to be a n o r m a l s t o p p a g e /
'There never is a n o r m a l stoppage', said A s s e r . ' L o o k t h r o u g h
the rear port a n d see if y o u can see a n y t h i n g f r o m o u t s i d e /
In a m o m e n t the sergeant was back again. 'It looks as if the cat
has b e e n at it, sir. It's all c h e w e d to ribbons. I never saw a n y t h i n g
like i t /
T h e d r i v e r broke i n , T k n o w w h a t it is, sir. It's the m a c h i n e - g u n
fire w h i c h has cut the g u n off f r o m outside. W e h a d it like that at
 AMIENS 261

C a m b r a i i n o u r tank. W h e n they o p e n u p a h e a v y burst like that, it

shears right t h r o u g h the g u n cover a n d cuts it to ribbons.
T h e r e w a s a s u d d e n crash, a n d A s s e r a n d his d r i v e r were b o t h
t h r o w n v i o l e n t l y against the front edge of the tank, receiving cuts
o n the foreheads w h i c h began to bleed profusely.
' L o o k out, sir', said the driver. A s s e r at once stopped the engine
a n d reversed. ' M u s t be a w a l l or something.'
T h e y o p e n e d the flap v e r y cautiously a n d saw that they h a d
i n d e e d d r i v e n full tilt into w h a t appeared to be a piece of m a s o n r y .
' L o o k s like a sort of p i l l b o x to m e ' , said A s s e r , ' o n l y it's m a d e of
brick.'
A t p o i n t - b l a n k range the 6-pdr guns o p e n e d u p o n the b u i l d i n g
f r o m w h i c h they h a d b a c k e d a w a y a few y a r d s . Before v e r y l o n g ,
e n e m y b e g a n to appear w i t h their h a n d s above their heads, r u n ­
n i n g towards the a d v a n c i n g infantry to give themselves u p .
A s s e r s u d d e n l y felt depressed a n d frightened. ' M y G o d , I've
forgotten the t i m e — I ' v e got to be i n Berle a u Bois for the r e n d e z ­
v o u s . ' H e l o o k e d at his watch. N o , w e are still o n time, he thought
w i t h relief. ' W e h a d better start off to get over to that c h u r c h spire
there—that's Berle a u Bois, I'm absolutely certain.'
' V e r y easy to see n o w , sir', said his d r i v e r . 'It's not like that fog
w e ' v e been h a v i n g — i t ' s not like a n y of the battles w e ' v e h a d so
far. T h i s time y o u c a n really see something o n the g r o u n d that
looks w h a t it's s u p p o s e d to l o o k like o n the m a p . '
B y this time the first driblets of the infantry h a d a r r i v e d at the
position, a n d as s o o n as A s s e r h a d satisfied himself that they d i d
not n e e d his help any longer a n d were f i r m l y i n possession of the
trench system that lay h i d d e n i n the scrub, together w i t h the l o w
p i l l b o x - l i k e structures—into one of w h i c h he h a d just d r i v e n the
t a n k — h e t u r n e d half-right i n order to face towards the direction of
the c h u r c h spire.
T think w e h a d better p u t i n o u r spare guns here to take the
place of those that have been shot a w a y ' , he said.
'Yes, sir, if w e can get t h e m out of the hole. It's v e r y difficult
sometimes to w i t h d r a w these guns t h r o u g h the ports because of
the spattering of the outer casing.'
' W e l l , a n y w a y , w e ' v e got to d o it', said A s s e r , 'because we're
c h a n g i n g over into the F r e n c h sector, a n d w e d o n ' t e v e n k n o w if
they h a v e started. T h e y were certainly m a k i n g a h e l l of a r o w this
262 WAR MEMOIRS

m o r n i n g w i t h their star shells a n d the rest of it, a n d I think it's

likely they got off the m a r k at the same time as w e d i d , b u t w e
can't afford to take any risks. Better be careful, too, not to shoot
d o w n any of the F r e n c h — t h e y w o u l d n ' t like it a bit.'
O n the e v e n g r o u n d Asser was able to keep the tank i n top gear
w i t h the engine at full throttle, w h i c h meant that it was m a k i n g
v e r y g o o d pace, presenting a frightening spectacle to any of the
e n e m y — a n d perhaps some of their o w n t r o o p s — w h o m i g h t see its
career.
W i t h i n a few minutes he passed the e n e m y g u n position. ' M y
G o d , look at that!' he said. Scattered a r o u n d the deep trench w o r k
i n w h i c h the G e r m a n field guns h a d been p l a c e d w e r e m e n l y i n g
i n m a n y different a n d grotesque positions. Some of t h e m e v e n
w o r e pyjamas, s h o w i n g the completeness of the surprise that h a d
o v e r w h e l m e d t h e m w i t h the onset of the British b o m b a r d m e n t .
'What d o y o u think of that? It seems that our guns have
got their range right f r o m the v e r y start. A l l the Boche guns are
u p s i d e - d o w n as far as I can see. N o n e of these m e n seem to h a v e
h a d a chance.' A s s e r d r o v e o n , feeling somewhat sick i n the pit of
his stomach.
H e w a s still d r i v i n g across the a d v a n c i n g front a n d w o n d e r i n g
w h a t s i g n he s h o u l d look for to s h o w h i m w h e n he h a d actually
reached the line of d e m a r k a t i o n between the British a n d F r e n c h
armies, w h e n he s u d d e n l y saw groups of troops sitting about i n
b u n c h e s of two or three. T h e line seemed to stretch away far to the
right, a n d he saw that they were w e a r i n g F r e n c h u n i f o r m s .
' T h i s looks like it', he s a i d . ' Y o u h a d better p u t out our signal
f l a g / T h i s w a s p u s h e d t h r o u g h the top p o r t of the tank, a r e d a n d
y e l l o w flag, the pre-arranged signal w i t h w h i c h to identify t h e m ­
selves.
T h e F r e n c h troops s h o w e d a m i l d interest i n the proceedings,
a n d one of the officers w a l k e d over to the tank.
' L e g i o n Etrangeres, he said t h r o u g h the w i n d o w .
' A r m e s Britannique', said A s s e r , airing his F r e n c h w i t h o u t any
particular embarrassment at the hazards of a foreign language,
w h i c h he treated w i t h the same cavalier spirit as he treated the
e n e m y . 'Je vais abimer les Boches Berle a u Bois', he s a i d i n a n
atrocious accent a n d p r o n u n c i a t i o n , but the F r e n c h m a n o b v i o u s l y
u n d e r s t o o d the tone of the message a n d g r i n n e d b r o a d l y , w a v i n g
 AMIENS 263

A s s e r o n i n the direction of the spire, w h i c h rose out of a c l u m p of

trees some four h u n d r e d y a r d s distant.
' T h e estaminet ought to be just opposite the c h u r c h ' , said A s s e r .
T w o n d e r if w e can get a d r i n k t h e r e /
T f it's a n y t h i n g like the places u p at Y p r e s , sir, y o u w o n ' t e v e n
be able to f i n d i t /
'Yes, but y o u can see the c h u r c h there already. Y o u ' r e a bit
f o n d of Y p r e s , aren't y o u ? ' said A s s e r , not w i t h o u t a hint of jeal­
o u s y a n d e n v y i n his tone of his driver's k n o w l e d g e of warfare.
T f there's been any d r i n k there i n the last three years', said the
d r i v e r , T bet the Boche w i l l have h a d it, sir.'
A s s e r o p e n e d u p the front flaps fully. T h e gunfire h a d d i e d
d o w n completely; there w a s n o e n e m y gunfire at all, nor was there
a n y f r o m the British guns.
'It m u s t be o u r guns c o m i n g u p n o w , sir. T h e first stage of the
advance is over. There's u s u a l l y a silence w h i l e they m o v e to for­
ward positions/
'Yes, b u t w h a t has h a p p e n e d to the Boche?'
'It seems to m e , sir, that what's h a p p e n e d to the Boche is w h a t
w e saw i n that last g u n p i t w e came to.'
'It looks a bit like it', said Asser.
A t this m o m e n t a flurry of m a c h i n e - g u n fire came f r o m the
w o o d s above the c h u r c h , a n d one of the F r e n c h officers came u p to
say that they were being harassed b y gunfire f r o m it. A s far as he
c o u l d tell there was n o other o p p o s i t i o n there. A s s e r therefore
c h a n g e d his direction, a n d instead of m a k i n g for the street that
entered the village he w a s to patrol, he went straight for the s m a l l
copse s u r r o u n d i n g the c h u r c h . In a m o m e n t or two there came out
a c o u p l e of G e r m a n machine-gunners w i t h their h a n d s above their
heads, a n d that seemed to be the e n d of the organized resistance.
A s s e r then turned a n d took his tank back to the outskirts of
the village, w h e r e he f o u n d a s m a l l m u d track that entered into the
m a i n street. H e t r u n d l e d o n until he came to the estaminet.
'Better keep o n the m o v e , I think', he said. ' W e ' v e got another
five minutes to go before C a p t a i n B i o n is d u e here, a n d then w e
shall get some orders f r o m h i m . '
H e kept the tank i n the shelter of the houses a n d m o v e d s l o w l y
u p a n d d o w n o n the look-out for any sign of enemy fire, putting a n
occasional burst of m a c h i n e - g u n fire t h r o u g h the u p p e r w i n d o w s
264 WAR MEMOIRS

of the houses lest there s h o u l d be snipers or m a c h i n e - g u n n e r s

l u r k i n g there. W i t h i n a short time the advance troops of the F r e n c h
started their f o r w a r d m o v e again a n d were penetrating into the
outskirts of the village. W i t h i n a quarter of a n h o u r the place was
i n their h a n d s but for the m o p p i n g - u p operation, i n w h i c h the m e n
w e r e g o i n g t h r o u g h the houses w i t h hand-grenades to see if there
w a s any o p p o s i t i o n , a n d to stifle it. A few grenades were t r u n d l e d
d o w n the steps leading to the cellars below the houses just to m a k e
sure that there s h o u l d be n o trouble f r o m that quarter. A s s e r told
his d r i v e r to take over.
H e a n d his sergeant then got out of the tank, l e a v i n g the d r i v e r
i n charge w i t h a couple of m e n to m a n the guns i n case of any
accident. H e gave h i m orders that he was to take over c o m m a n d of
the tank i n the event of a n y t h i n g h a p p e n i n g to himself or to the
sergeant. T h e two of them then entered the estaminet a n d , w i t h
their revolvers ready, d e c i d e d to wait there for Bion's arrival.
Tt h a r d l y seems to be a battle at all, sir', said the d r i v e r . 'It
looks to m e like a complete walkover. I've never seen a n y t h i n g like
this before, except possibly at C a m b r a i , a n d even then there w e r e
lots of Boche about the place w h o seemed to d o a bit m o r e fighting
than this. W e h a d a v e r y sticky time u p at the corner of Flesquieres
there. T h e n afterwards, of course, w e h a d all that trouble at
B o u r l o n W o o d . I d o n ' t k n o w if they've got any reserves over here,
but I s u p p o s e they'll be putting i n a counter-attack before l o n g . '
A s s e r , p r o b a b l y t h r o u g h fatigue, was b e g i n n i n g to feel s o m e ­
w h a t depressed a n d disillusioned. H e d i d not at all like the w a y
his first battle, w h i c h he thought h a d been extremely successful
a n d e x c i t i n g — a n d w i t h reason—was to o c c u p y s u c h a v e r y u n i m ­
portant place. E v e r y b o d y seemed to have h a d so m u c h experience
of real fighting a n d to be convinced that this was not the real thing.
' Y o u fellows think about n o t h i n g but some terrible counter­
attack. I d o n ' t k n o w w h y y o u s h o u l d think that the w h o l e w a r w a s
fought before w e started this action, a n d that there's n o t h i n g more
to be d o n e after w h a t y o u chaps have already d o n e . '
' N o , sir, it isn't like that. I was i n the infantry at the S o m m e ; I
d o n ' t think the a r m y is ever g o i n g to be the same after that b u s i ­
ness. It was terrible g o i n g over the top h a v i n g taken a trench w i t h
lots of y o u r pals d e a d a n d d y i n g a r o u n d y o u , a n d then to h a v e to
stay there night after night, d a y after d a y , w i t h the e n e m y putting
 AMIENS 265

i n e v e r y t h i n g h e ' d got to take y o u out of it, a n d as likely as not

k n o c k i n g y o u out of the trenches back again to the place where y o u
started. In this, at least y o u get a decent m e a l a n d a shave a w a y
f r o m the racket of w a r as s o o n as the battle has finished.
'Yes, b u t w h e n d o y o u think the battle finishes? I d o n ' t think
w e ' v e finished w i t h this, d o you? E v e n n o w w e shall h a v e to go
f o r w a r d . I k n o w , for m y part, that I shall be v e r y sorry to miss a n y
more. I h o p e that w h e n B i o n comes h e ' l l give us orders to go still
further f o r w a r d . I ' m all i n favour of our g i v i n g t h e m n o rest at all.
E v e n if w e h a v e b r o k e n through, I think w e ought to p u r s u e t h e m . '
T d o n ' t think there's a n y t h i n g to p u r s u e , sir', said the d r i v e r ,
not at all relishing the prospect of serving u n d e r a n officer w h o
seemed to be s u c h a fire-eater.
'There's a frightful stink i n this r o o m , sergeant', said A s s e r
after a pause. ' L o o k a n d see if y o u can tell w h a t it is. I think it m u s t
be c o m i n g f r o m that c u p b o a r d there.'
T h e y o p e n e d w h a t l o o k e d like a c u p b o a r d d o o r a n d f o u n d it
l e d into a passage. Inside w a s a G e r m a n private, still alive, ex­
tremely frightened, w i t h pale face a n d several d a y s ' g r o w t h of
b e a r d . In his terror he h a d passed motions into his u n i f o r m .
' O h , m y G o d ' , said A s s e r , ' c h u c k h i m out, for G o d ' s sake. T e l l
h i m to go to the Intelligence people. W h e r e is the Intelligence
Post?'
T d o n ' t k n o w , sir. I think it w i l l have to be one of these F r e n c h
chaps. W e can give h i m to one of the F r e n c h privates to take off.'
'Yes, d o , at all costs. W e can't have this m a n s m e l l i n g a r o u n d
the place like that. I w a s h o p i n g to have m y l u n c h i n peace a n d
quiet w i t h a bit of decency about it.'
T h e abashed Boche was l e d off a n d h a n d e d over to the first
F r e n c h private the sergeant saw. T thought it was p r o b a b l y a d e a d
one, sir', he said o n returning.
T think he is pretty d e a d . I w o n d e r w h a t has h a p p e n e d to
C a p t a i n B i o n . I h o p e he hasn't been killed. I can't say that I w o u l d
like to h a v e been i n that barrage w a l k i n g about outside. I felt the
tank w a s dangerous e n o u g h , but at least w e ' d got some steel
a r o u n d us to keep off the worst of it. H e ' s half a n h o u r o v e r d u e
already.' H e l o o k e d impatiently a n d n e r v o u s l y at his w a t c h .
' F u n n y t h i n g ' , he a d d e d inconsequently, 'the w a y these F r e n c h ­
m e n go about w i t h their overcoats o n , all b u t t o n e d u p to the neck
266 WAR MEMOIRS

o n a boiling-hot d a y like this. Y o u ' d think they were at the N o r t h

Pole. I w o n d e r what has h a p p e n e d to the rest of our tanks. W e
shall hear, I suppose, w h e n C a p t a i n B i o n turns u p . I w i s h to G o d
he w o u l d b u c k u p . I don't like this at a l l — w e d o n ' t k n o w w h a t o n
earth we're s u p p o s e d to d o here. It's no use asking the F r e n c h for
orders, I can't understand their lingo p r o p e r l y a n y w a y . If this goes
o n m u c h longer, I shall w o r k m y w a y over to the C a n a d i a n C o r p s
front again. I'd better find out f r o m some F r e n c h officer whether
I h a v e his p e r m i s s i o n to leave. W e were s u p p o s e d to patrol this
place i n case of any counter-attack, but I can't see a s i g n of a n y
anywhere.'
T h e F r e n c h troops began to m o v e f o r w a r d again. In front of
the village o n the e n e m y side there c o u l d be seen l o n g - d r a w n - o u t
lines i n battle order slowly a d v a n c i n g at the rate that h a d been
l a i d d o w n originally w h e n it was s u p p o s e d that artillery s u p p o r t
w o u l d be necessary. In fact, the G e r m a n resistance w a s extremely
feeble, although some heavy shells were bursting amongst the
a d v a n c i n g troops, but since they were i n extended order it d i d not
seem that any particular h a r m was being done.
'Just as y o u say, sir', said the sergeant. Tt does seem a bit silly
for us to be staying here w i t h the froggies g o i n g ahead as they are.
W e shan't be a great deal of use to them.'
' N o , but w e aren't supposed to continue the advance w i t h them
b e y o n d C h a t i g n y , w h i c h is o n l y the next village. After that the 1st
Battalion s h o u l d be c o m i n g t h r o u g h , but I've always u n d e r s t o o d
f r o m y o u o l d veterans that there never are any reserves. Isn't that
right?'
' W e l l , sir', said the sergeant sheepishly, 'certainly w e don't
s e e m to have h a d v e r y m a n y u p to the present time.'
' I ' m fed u p w i t h this, a n y w a y ' , said Asser. ' W e ' r e three q u a r ­
ters of a n h o u r over our time—let's get i n a n d get o n w i t h it. W e ' l l
go o n to C h a t i g n y . '
H e assembled his crew again, i n the tank this time, l e a v i n g the
sergeant d r i v e r i n the d r i v i n g position, taking over the position of
second driver himself. T h e y went t h r o u g h the village a n d b e y o n d
to catch u p the a d v a n c i n g line of F r e n c h troops. H i s orders were to
stay i n close support, not to be i n advance of them, so that he c o u l d
go t h r o u g h the a d v a n c i n g lines whenever it seemed to be neces­
sary because the troops were h e l d u p . H e h a d almost caught u p
 AMIENS 267

w i t h t h e m a n d was reconciled to the idea that the battle w a s v i r t u ­

ally over, w h e n there w a s a s u d d e n flurry.
' M y G o d , sir', said the d r i v e r p o i n t i n g to a great stir of m o v e ­
ment o n the outskirts of the village of C h a t i g n y . There was a great
d e a l of gunfire a n d then, s u d d e n l y bursting f r o m the houses of
the village a n d f r o m some s u p p o r t i n g orchards, there came o n the
w a v e s of a G e r m a n attack.
' H e r e comes the counter-attack all right, sir. A n o t h e r B o u r l o n
W o o d , perhaps.'
' O h , shut u p , sergeant, for Christ's sake. G e t o n to the g u n s —
I ' m g o i n g right t h r o u g h . '
T h e r e u p o n , p u t t i n g o n speed, he forced the tank f o r w a r d
t h r o u g h the F r e n c h front line w h o were taking s u c h shelter as
they c o u l d , l y i n g b e h i n d folds of g r o u n d , h u m m o c k s of grass a n d
any cover as presented itself, a n d o p e n i n g u p a v e r y h e a v y fire o n
the a d v a n c i n g G e r m a n troops. W i t h the appearance of the tanks
the e n e m y forces, about the strength of a couple of battalions,
w a v e r e d . A s s e r ' s crew h a d a v e r y h i g h reputation for gunfire,
h a v i n g i n fact been Bion's p r e v i o u s crew before he h a d been p r o ­
m o t e d to the r a n k of section comander. T h e i r fire was accurate a n d
their spirits i n the ascendant after the experiences of the m o r n i n g .
T h e m a c h i n e - g u n fire w h i c h the tank b r o u g h t to bear m a d e the
e n e m y forces w a v e r , a n d finally the line d r o p p e d . A t this p o i n t the
F r e n c h b e g a n to advance i n short rushes, a section at a time, b u t
the G e r m a n s kept u p a w i t h e r i n g fire u p o n them. A s s e r d e c i d e d to
go f o r w a r d a n d to cruise at speed along the front of the G e r m a n
line w h e r e v e r he c o u l d f i n d it. There w a s some risk attached to
this because the e n e m y m i g h t have a field g u n i n s u p p o r t i n the
approaches to the village, a n d a direct hit f r o m that at s u c h close
range w o u l d be the e n d of the tank. H o w e v e r , whether it w a s the
operation of his tank or s o m e other factor that p l a y e d its part, it
w a s not possible to say; s o m e of the G e r m a n s began to retreat,
others began to t h r o w u p their hands a n d c o m e towards the
F r e n c h troops. A t this they were greeted b y a burst of m a c h i n e - g u n
fire f r o m their o w n troops further over o n the right flank of the
a d v a n c i n g F r e n c h . Nevertheless there was n o t h i n g to stop t h e m ;
panic h a d set i n , a n d m a n y of them gave themselves u p calling out,
'Kamerad', a n d t r y i n g desperately to p e r s u a d e the F r e n c h not to
shoot.
268 WAR MEMOIRS

It w a s n o w m i d d a y , a n d the s u n b l a z e d d o w n o n the entire

scene, w h i c h w a s nevertheless b e c o m i n g confused because of the
s m o k e f r o m fires where shells h a d hit village houses a n d a m m u n i ­
tion d u m p s that lay concealed there. A s s e r d r o v e his tank f o r w a r d
d o w n the m a i n street of the village, h a v i n g g i v e n the crew instruc­
tions to be careful w i t h their a m m u n i t i o n , but e v e n so to o p e n fire
o n e v e r y w i n d o w a n d d o o r that they c o u l d see, a n d to take n o
chances whatsoever.
T h e p o s i t i o n was extremely confused: the e n e m y i n the village
w e r e fighting desperately; at one point a party l e d b y a y o u n g
officer came out of a side alley a n d threw themselves o n the tank;
s o m e e v e n c l u n g to the projecting barrels of the L e w i s guns a n d
attempted to w e i g h them d o w n so that they w o u l d fire into
g r o u n d ; s o m e h a d succeeded i n clambering o n to the top of the
tank. F o r a m o m e n t the situation l o o k e d v e r y black i n d e e d . L u c k i l y
for A s s e r a n d his crew, the e n e m y ' s excitement seemed to be too
great for t h e m to use their c o m m o n sense, a n d the roof of the tank
w a s p r o v i d e n t i a l l y cleared b y one of the G e r m a n s , w h o released a
b o m b , w h i c h b l e w h i m a n d his c o m p a n i o n s off the roof.
' W e mustn't let that h a p p e n again', said Asser. ' C a n ' t w e lob a
b o m b or two out of the ports, the pistol ports?'
T h i s was done, a n d after a m o m e n t or two the attack melted
away.
'I think w e ' d better keep to the m i d d l e of this street', s a i d
A s s e r . 'It's evident that this is pretty h e a v y stuff that's g o i n g o n
here.'
B y this time the forward F r e n c h troops were r u n n i n g for
shelter f r o m one house d o o r to another. B y degrees the situation
b e c a m e less confused, a n d Asser t u r n e d off d o w n the left, w h e r e
he h a d seen a G e r m a n f i e l d - g u n firing. H e o p e n e d fire o n this w i t h
his 6-pdr before the enemy was clearly aware of his presence. T h e
g u n crew s u r r e n d e r e d at the sight of this unexpected opponent.
T h e sergeant reported that there were o n l y a few m o r e r o u n d s
of a m m u n i t i o n left a n d some twenty 6-pdr shells.
' M y G o d , this is a sticky business', said Asser. 'I d o n ' t k n o w
w h a t w e can d o about it. If w e start w i t h d r a w i n g n o w , the F r e n c h
w i l l feel that w e have let them d o w n — a n d of course they haven't
any a m m u n i t i o n that fits our guns, so there's n o t h i n g m u c h w e can
d o about it. W e ' d better stop firing a n d s i m p l y rely o n b a s h i n g into
 AMIENS 269

houses a n d suchlike, a n d fetching d o w n walls wherever there

seems to be a n y opposition. W e ' l l keep o u r fire i n case w e n e e d
it. If w e get another packet like that lot that came at us d o w n the
alley, w e shall n e e d everything w e ' v e got.'
F o r the next half-hour Asser's role w a s uneventful. Bursts of
m a c h i n e - g u n fire, signs of confused fighting came f r o m v a r i o u s
parts of the village, b u t ultimately it w a s s u b d u e d a n d their senior
F r e n c h officer, a colonel, appeared. After a few w o r d s w i t h A s s e r ,
congratulating h i m w i t h great courtesy a n d civility o n the help
that he h a d g i v e n the F r e n c h troops, he told h i m that he w o u l d n o
longer n e e d his services, as according to orders it w a s n o w time
that he s t o p p e d . A s s e r told h i m that he h a d n o further orders, that
he w o u l d be v e r y glad to stay a n d assist, except that he h a d n o
a m m u n i t i o n a n d thought that he h a d better proceed to his start­
i n g - p o i n t . Whether the interpreter was able to m a k e his remarks
clear w a s not altogether certain because the interpreter s i m p l y
repeated the colonel's statement that he n o longer w a n t e d A s s e r ' s
services a n d that A s s e r c o u l d therefore proceed to the r a l l y i n g ­
p o i n t that h a d been l a i d d o w n for the c o m p a n y . A s s e r therefore
t u r n e d his tank a n d m a d e towards the A m i e n s - R o y e r o a d at the
p r e - d e t e r m i n e d p o i n t for the tank r e n d e z v o u s .
'Just keep to y o u r guns a n d keep a sharp l o o k - o u t ' , he told
the tank crew. ' W e m a y still come across some bits a n d pieces as
we g o /

VI

M a j o r de Freine, the C o m p a n y C o m m a n d e r of C C o m p a n y , h a d
arranged to h a v e his f o r w a r d H . Q . i n the Battalion H . Q . of the
1st shire Infantry Battalion, w h i c h was i n the front line of
trenches. H e w o u l d have these H . Q . entirely to himself as s o o n as
the attack started, because the Battalion H . Q . of the 1st shires
w o u l d m o v e f o r w a r d at zero h o u r . H e h a d taken the precaution
to m o v e i n to some effect. H e w a s a m a n f o n d of his creature
comforts; i n particular, he was extremely f o n d of port. H e h a d
therefore arranged for a case of his favourite d r i n k to be available
at the H . Q . , together w i t h his mattress.
270 WAR MEMOIRS

H e m a d e himself comfortable. H e was, i n this respect at a n y

rate, a g o o d soldier a n d h a d n o illusions whatsoever about r e g a r d ­
i n g it as desirable to r o u g h it w h e n o n active service. N o officer
w h o h a d h a d any experience of warfare m a d e that mistake, a n d
certainly de Freine w a s the last m a n to d o it, even h a d he been a n
inexperienced officer. W h e n C a p t a i n C o o k came back to the H . Q . ,
he descended into the depths of the dugout. It m u s t at s o m e time
have been a G e r m a n dugout, for no British infantry every d u g so
d e e p l y or so securely, m a k i n g a veritable fortresswork of w h a t
the British w o u l d ordinarily regard as a mere temporary entrench­
ment.
D e Freine, i n his o w n quiet w a y , h a d m a n a g e d to arrange
things p r e v i o u s l y w i t h the infantry battalion c o m m a n d e r , w h o , of
course, w o u l d be m o v i n g out as soon as zero h o u r came; it w a s
u n d e r s t o o d that he w o u l d take over possession of the d u g o u t
as s o o n as they left. In the meantime he was d i s p o s i n g himself i n
a corner, w h e r e he h a d a table a n d a couple of comfortable chairs,
one for himself a n d one for C a p t a i n C o o k , his second i n c o m m a n d .
T h e r e were also four runners available w h o shared the duties
of the messengers to various parts of the front, at the same time
acting as b a t m e n to the Major. In a d d i t i o n to this, there was his
o w n personal batman, w h o m he h a d s o m e h o w m a n a g e d to b r i n g
into the a r m y w i t h h i m — o n e of his original retainers f r o m his
h o m e i n Ireland.
H e d i d not believe i n s h o w i n g u n d u e deference to the e n e m y ;
neither d i d he think that it was important to allow them to i n f l u ­
ence his movements too m u c h . ' G i v e them a n i n c h a n d they take
a n e l l ' w a s his motto i n this respect, a n d i n one particular w a y
he w a s adamant. Some creature comforts he k n e w he w o u l d h a v e
to surrender; after all, w a r was an unpleasant business i n w h i c h
y o u h a d to b o w to the elements of w i n d a n d r a i n , even sometimes
to the e n e m y , b u t o n one point at any rate he w o u l d m a k e n o
concession, a n d that was w i t h regard to his port. H e was a connois­
seur of port; he therefore h a d w i t h h i m i n the d u g o u t a case of port,
a n d , of course, if he was going to have port, it was essential that he
s h o u l d have g o o d glasses. There were accordingly the appropriate
glasses, v e r y fine, beautifully polished a n d w a i t i n g to be used.
H e listened to C o o k ' s report a p p r o v i n g l y . ' V e r y g o o d , v e r y
g o o d ' , he m u r m u r e d gently. ' O n e of the most important things
 AMIENS 271

y ' k n o w , C o o k , is that the British officer s h o u l d always be i m p e r ­

turbable. Imperturbability is the h a l l m a r k of a gentleman, and
certainly of a n officer i n w a r .
' G o o d G o d ' , thought C o o k , 'he seems to have a g o o d deal o n
b o a r d already. H e doesn't often l a u n c h out into these m o r a l d i s ­
quisitions unless he has h a d something to d r i n k . A n y h o w , he has
chosen a v e r y g o o d spot to be impeturbable i n ' , as his eyes w a n ­
d e r e d to the h e a v y beams a n d rafters of the dugout, w h i c h must
h a v e been at least twenty to thirty feet b e l o w the surface.
'I take it all o u r tanks are i n position, C o o k ? '
'Yes, sir', replied C o o k , 'I have been along the line, a n d they are
all there. C a p t a i n B i o n p u t d o w n the tapes w i t h C a p t a i n Carter.'
' V e r y g o o d ' , said de Freine rather d r o w s i l y . T always say it is a
v e r y important thing to give y o u r officers plenty of scope for initia­
tive. T h e consequence is that they learn h o w to take responsibility,
a n d this y o u n g fellow, B i o n , w h o really d i d n ' t k n o w v e r y m u c h
about t h i n g s — w e l l , I ' m v e r y pleased w i t h h i m . H o n e s t l y I think
I'm i n some respects at any rate responsible for his development; if
he h a d n ' t h a d m e as his C o m p a n y C o m m a n d e r , I very m u c h d o u b t
whether he w o u l d have learnt to take the initiative. V e r y clever of
h i m , d o n ' t y o u think, C o o k , to have got all those compass bearings
a n d to have l e d the tanks into their p r o p e r positions? I'm sure I
c o u l d n ' t d o it e v e n if I tried.'
A t this p o i n t de Freine's eye caught sight of a n officer, a mere
captain, p r e s u m a b l y the adjutant of the o u t g o i n g battalion, w h o
was v e r y beribboned. S h a d i n g his m o u t h w i t h his h a n d , he w h i s ­
p e r e d to C o o k , ' W h o is that fellow over there, that chap w h o is so
v e r y h i g h l y decorated?'
C o o k told h i m that he d i d not k n o w but a s s u m e d that it w a s
either one of the c o m p a n y c o m m a n d e r s or the adjutant of the
battalion. H e a d d e d that he l o o k e d as if he h a d seen a g o o d deal of
service a n d said that it was extraordinary h o w these infantry fel­
l o w s m a n a g e d to last out so l o n g a n d h o w m u c h strain of fighting
they seemed to be able to stand.
' M y dear fellow, I ' m sure y o u are right', said de Freine. 'I d o n ' t
think I c o u l d possibly disagree w i t h y o u at a l l — t h e y are extremely
gallant fellows. G o d bless the infantry. N a t u r a l l y , I never h a d a n y ­
thing to d o w i t h t h e m myself, b e i n g i n a cavalry regiment, but I
think the w r e t c h e d fellows are really quite, quite s p l e n d i d . I'm not
272 WAR MEMOIRS

sure t h o u g h that I w o u l d altogether agree w i t h y o u . I always u s e d

to tell m y son, John, that if y o u see a m a n w i t h more than two r o w s
of ribbons, y o u can be tolerably certain he's a waster, a n d I don't
think this fellow is any exception. After all, I never saw s u c h a
h o r r i b l e - l o o k i n g moustache. H e must be a ranker—that's the k i n d
of thing that o n l y sergeant-majors wear, a n d if y o u w a t c h h i m I
think y o u ' l l notice that he is d o i n g a great deal too m u c h " s i r " a n d
" y e s s i r " a n d " n o s i r " . The hallmark of a British officer, y'know
C o o k , is i m - p e t - u r b - a b - i l - i t y , a n d I don't think he is s h o w i n g
himself to be at all impeturbable, not if he is s h o w i n g so m u c h
deference to his c o m m a n d i n g officer. But, y ' k n o w , I d o n ' t like
b e i n g too h a r d o n a fellow w h o is just g o i n g to go over the top; I
daresay he has got a bit of w i n d u p , don't y o u ? '
C o o k , w h o was w o n d e r i n g whether it was the aristocratic,
f o x - h u n t i n g breeding, or the deep dugout, or the fine port w h i c h
contributed most to this rare b l e n d of imperturbability v a l u e d so
h i g h l y b y de Freine, d i d not feel that it was necessary for h i m to
reply. N o r d i d he flatter himself that de Freine w o u l d be likely
to p a y any attention if he d i d .
M a j o r de Freine was a formidable fighter. H e differed, h o w ­
ever, f r o m other formidable fighters i n that his v i e w of what c o n ­
stituted the enemy was not entirely the conventional one. He
regarded the G e r m a n s as definitely a pestilential nuisance; he felt
that they h a d b r o k e n u p the v e r y pleasant life he l e d , a n d that their
activities o n the front were definitely dangerous, if somewhat i l l ­
a i m e d a n d indiscriminate i n their effects. H e was not particularly
disturbed b y their shell or m a c h i n e - g u n fire. H e considered that
the people w h o were s u p p o s e d to be o n his o w n side were c o n ­
siderably m o r e dangerous, because the personal relationship w i t h
himself m a d e it possible for their shafts to be correctly a i m e d a n d
therefore m o r e d a m a g i n g to his personality. It was as a result of
one s u c h contretemps that he f o u n d himself at the present time so
v e r y far f o r w a r d . It was probably that i n this particular action a n d
at this particular h o u r he was nearer to the enemy than a n y other
c o m p a n y c o m m a n d e r i n his or any other battalion. H e h a d been at
great pains to impress u p o n the C o l o n e l that he p r o p o s e d to take
u p his position at the advance H . Q . at the v e r y earliest h o u r . T h e
C o l o n e l h a d not pressed h i m too m u c h as to the nature of the
 AMIENS 273

advance position he p r o p o s e d to o c c u p y , b u t a p p l a u d e d his d e c i ­

s i o n as b e i n g w e l l i n accordance w i t h the traditions of a n officer
a n d one, m o r e o v e r , w h o w a s not merely b y courtesy k n o w n as a
gentleman. H e h a d been adversely criticized b y his p r e v i o u s bat­
talion c o m m a n d e r : o n a trench r a i d that h a d to be carried out b y a
p o r t i o n of his c o m p a n y , he h a d not been sufficiently far f o r w a r d
to give the necessary orders to his returning section c o m m a n d e r s .
T h i s criticism he h a d taken i n v e r y b a d part i n d e e d . In fact he
h a d gone so far as to call together his c o m p a n y officers, a n d w i t h
s u n d r y gestures a n d m o v e m e n t s of his h e a d i n t e n d e d to indicate,
a n d d i d indicate, that he d i d not propose to let the matter rest; he
explained i n terms unexceptionable as far as their w o r d i n g w a s
concerned b u t o p e n to more criticism w h e n their emotional a c c o m ­
p a n i m e n t w a s taken into consideration, that h e w a s sorry to hear
that some of his officers h a d felt that they were insufficiently
briefed about the action that h a d just taken place. H e himself
thought that he h a d m a d e everything clear, a n d , of course, he quite
appreciated that none of his officers themselves h a d b e e n guilty
of criticizing h i m . Still, he a d d e d , there were certain senior officers
w h o h a d seen fit to criticize his conduct of the operation, a n d of
course he fully appreciated that they h a d a perfect right to d o so.
These criticisms w o u l d , he felt s u r e — a n d he l o o k e d m e a n i n g f u l l y
a r o u n d the r o o m — b e p r o p e r l y investigated i n d u e course. H e
w o u l d not say a n y t h i n g m o r e about the matter just then. T h e offic­
ers were d i s m i s s e d , a n d for a m o n t h c a l m descended u p o n the
battalion, i n particular o n C C o m p a n y c o m m a n d e d b y de Freine.
H o w e v e r , at the e n d of that time a senior officer was returned to
E n g l a n d — n o t M a j o r de Freine, but the C o l o n e l of the regiment.

T h e C o l o n e l of the regiment at that time h a d been Lieutenant

C o l o n e l Burnett, D S O . H e was a regular officer f r o m w h a t de
Freine r e g a r d e d as a somewhat obscure line regiment, a n d i n any
case the fact that he w a s a regular officer—what w o u l d n o w a d a y s
be called a career officer—was n o r e c o m m e n d a t i o n to de Freine,
w h o s e f a m i l y h a d a l o n g fighting history. T h e y d i d not regard the
profession of arms as one at w h i c h people earned a l i v i n g — n o t ,
at any rate, if y o u were above the rank of, say, sergeant-major. H e
accordingly started w i t h a considerable dislike of C o l o n e l Burnett,
w h o m he r e g a r d e d as potentially an upstart a n d one of the class
2 74 WAR MEMOIRS

w h o were not likely to appreciate fully the importance a n d v a l u e

of the l a n d e d aristocracy. H e felt that the C o l o n e l ' s enthusiasm for
his battalion was slightly vulgar: he was always meticulously
t u r n e d out, w i t h brilliantly p o l i s h e d boots, a n d w i t h a n attitude
that he was able to strike at w i l l , w h i c h was always i n t e n d e d to
c o n v e y d i g n i t y , a sense of his o w n importance a n d that of his
regiment. A l l these points were noted b y de Freine w i t h a some­
w h a t j a u n d i c e d eye. H e also felt disinclined to tolerate C o l o n e l
Burnett's manners i n the mess, r e g a r d i n g t h e m as the outcome of
his m i l i t a r y training a n d not s p r i n g i n g naturally f r o m the d e p t h
of aristocratic b r e e d i n g .
S o m e h o w — n o b o d y k n e w quite h o w — t h e i m p r e s s i o n spread
t h r o u g h the battalion that there h a d been a v i g o r o u s battle w a g e d
off-stage. N o t h i n g was said, the o u t w a r d c a l m r e m a i n e d u n ­
r i p p l e d , a n d yet it was as if there was something i n the air like the
percussions of a distant b o m b a r d m e n t , indicating that a n action
of great u r g e n c y a n d v i g o u r was b e i n g fought out, perhaps i n the
precincts of the W a r Office, It was therefore p o p u l a r l y s u p p o s e d
that the C o l o n e l ' s departure was directly related to activities o n
the part of de Freine, w h o s e reputation as a d o u r fighter w a s
thereby considerably augmented. H e was a m a n w h o w a s never
r u d e to any of his officers; no officer ever felt that he was s p o k e n to
except i n the most friendly manner, a n d yet n o officer ever be­
l i e v e d for a single m o m e n t that he was o n friendly terms w i t h the
M a j o r — i t w o u l d i n any case have been a p r e s u m p t i o n to think
a n y t h i n g of the sort.
A formidable w e a p o n i n de Freine's a r m o r y was his u n e r r i n g
instinct that enabled h i m to detect a gentleman at sight. H e cer­
tainly was s u p p o s e d to have h a d plenty of practice i n being able to
learn w h a t constituted a gentleman. A l t h o u g h he a l l o w e d it to be
k n o w n that he w a s a simple bachelor looked after b y his w i d o w e d
sister, it also s o m e h o w became k n o w n — n o t , of course, t h r o u g h
de F r e i n e — t h a t his w i d o w e d sister was the Countess of Battersea
a n d that she, w h i l e h a v i n g h o political ambitions whatsoever, w a s
always d i s p o s e d to be friendly a n d to lay o p e n her s m a l l country
house for the benefit of sundry more important politicians
w h o m i g h t be i n need of a week-end's rest or recreation. It w a s
s u p p o s e d that their interest was p r e d o m i n a n t l y liberal; o n the fre­
 AMIENS 275

quent occasions w h e n the P . M . himself w a s said to f i n d a h a v e n of

rest there w i t h perfect f r e e d o m f r o m all political cares, n o t h i n g
was ever discussed except m u s i c a n d literature, a n d then o n l y i n
terms of the most brilliant a n d yet soothing conversation. H o w ­
ever, as befitted a w o m a n w h o protested that she was ignorant of
all politics, she w a s not averse f r o m arranging that her guests were
not entirely of the same complexion. It was possible that the leader
of the o p p o s i t i o n m i g h t occasionally be there, perhaps e v e n that
his visit m i g h t overlap that of the P . M . In this w a y her innocence of
intrigue i n political matters enabled her to p l a y the part of a host­
ess w i t h a n impartiality not o p e n to other m o r e politically engaged
people. It w a s therefore i m p r o b a b l e , i n the event of a reversal of
government, that there w o u l d be any reversal of the fortunes of the
Countess of Battersea a n d her friends, amongst w h o m , of course,
was i n c l u d e d M a j o r de Freine.

O b v i o u s l y the p o p u l a r l y s u p p o s e d action c o u l d not h a v e taken

place i n a m i l i e u s u c h as that. But o n the other h a n d it w a s e q u a l l y
o b v i o u s that m a n y influential people, i n c l u d i n g some senior a r m y
officers, w o u l d be u n l i k e l y to believe that s u c h a g o o d , modest
fellow w i t h s u c h a fine table, w i t h s u c h witty, entertaining c o m ­
p a n i o n s h i p , c o u l d possibly be guilty of any k i n d of fault as a n
officer a n d a gentleman—certainly not the fault of cowardice. A n d
yet, w h a t possible explanation c o u l d there be for the charge
b r o u g h t against h i m , unless it was believed b y C o l o n e l Burnett
that de Freine was absent f r o m the p r o p e r r e n d e z v o u s w i t h his
section c o m m a n d e r s t h r o u g h some failure to d o his duty? S u c h a n
explanation as that w a s unthinkable. It became even m o r e u n ­
thinkable w h e n C o l o n e l Barnett p l a y e d his cards so carelessly that
it m i g h t be s u p p o s e d he w a s even h i n t i n g at some failure of c o u r ­
age o n the part of de Freine i n that his presence w a s l a c k i n g at the
crucial p o i n t i n the battle. C o l o n e l Barnett was, after all, o n l y a line
officer. M o r e o v e r , his substantive r a n k was that of captain, as be­
came clear w h e n one of the officers of the battalion o n leave met
h i m i n W h i t e h a l l a n d f o u n d to his surprise, just as he w a s o n the
verge of saluting, that his late c o m m a n d i n g officer o c c u p i e d a rank
junior to himself, he i n the meantime h a v i n g been p r o m o t e d to the
rank of major to another battalion. It was i n discussing the aristo­
cracy, of w h i c h M a j o r de Freine w a s a n exemplar, that a j u n i o r
276 WAR MEMOIRS

officer once said that it was a n a x i o m of their code of h o n o u r that

y o u s h o u l d never kick a m a n unless y o u were quite sure that he
was down.
T h e infantry officers a n d m e n were n o w standing about w i t h
e q u i p m e n t i n full battle order, restlessly a n d n e r v o u s l y exchang­
i n g comments between themselves a n d l o o k i n g for last-moment
adjustments m o r e as a m e t h o d of keeping the tension at b a y than
because there was any real d o u b t about the readiness for battle.
T h e C o l o n e l came over to de Freine a n d told h i m to make himself
at h o m e . H e said he half expected they w o u l d be t h r o w n back
a g a i n a n d w o u l d be glad if de Freine w o u l d keep the d u g o u t
w a r m , ready for their return w h e n the e n e m y d u l y threw them out
of their f o r w a r d positions.
T k n o w this battle is s u p p o s e d to be the battle to e n d all
battles', he said caustically, quoting w h a t was n o w almost a n i n ­
fantry slogan, 'but I dare say it w i l l be v e r y m u c h like all the
others, i n w h i c h case w e shall certainly be n e e d i n g this d u g o u t
again. In the meantime I h o p e y o u w i l l make yourself cosy.'
' G o o d b y e , m y dear o l d c h a p ' , said de Freine, exactly as if he
h a d k n o w n h i m all his life. T shall be f o l l o w i n g v e r y shortly, as
s o o n as the first w a v e of our tanks have gone t h r o u g h . I dare say
y o u r runners w i l l be able to f i n d m e all right a n d let m e k n o w if
there is a n y t h i n g y o u feel w e can d o /
D e Freine w a s not speaking the truth, but he w a s not l y i n g . H e
felt that it was not possible to explain to infantry officers that
he w o u l d p r o b a b l y r e m a i n stationed i n the d u g o u t for most of
the battle, almost certainly h a v i n g n o reason to leave it unless the
advance h a d been successful a n d the time h a d really come for h i m
to take u p his battle positions at the r e n d e z v o u s , w h i c h was not
d u e until 11.30 i n the m o r n i n g . H e , for the same reasons, h a d taken
care to h i d e his port glasses u n d e r the cover of s o m e m a p s d u r i n g
the last feverish stages of the infantry preparations to leave the
d u g o u t a n d to take u p their positions l y i n g out i n n o - m a n ' s l a n d
i n advance of the infantry trench w o r k s . It was not easy to detect
w h e r e his sympathies lay, a n d sometimes it seemed as if he h a d
n o n e , b u t at a n y rate one thing was sure: his subterfuges and
evasions were not dictated b y any w i s h to m a k e himself appear
better than he was i n the eyes of his fellow m e n .
 AMIENS 277

A l l the infantry h a d n o w departed, except for a c o r p o r a l a n d

t w o unfit m e n , w h o were left to p a c k u p the remains of the H . Q . kit
a n d h o l d it i n anticipation of orders for their disposal.
'It m u s t be nearly time', said de Freine to C o o k .
T h e latter, pale a n d tired, studied his watch. T m a k e it two
m o r e minutes to go, sir, b u t I d o n ' t suppose w e shall hear m u c h of
the b o m b a r d m e n t f r o m here.'
' N o ' , said de Freine, T d o n ' t suppose so. Just a r u m b l e at the
v e r y most, unless of course w e get a direct hit. T h a t m a y stir things
u p a bit.'
' T h e fog must be as thick as ever, sir', said C o o k n e r v o u s l y .
'Just l o o k at the stuff c o m i n g s w i r l i n g d o w n these d u g o u t steps
even now.'
T h e d u g o u t h a d become noticeably m o r e opaque i n the last
half-hour or so. C o o k , still staring at his watch, s a i d , ' T i m e ' , a n d at
that m o m e n t the earth began to tremble a n d the rafters of the
d u g o u t began to creak i n a w a y reminiscent of a n o l d r a i l w a y
coach travelling o n a practically d i s u s e d b r a n c h line.
'It feels as if the w h o l e thing is m o v i n g , sir, doesn't it? Y o u
m i g h t almost think it was i n a train journey.'
'Yes, y o u m i g h t , b u t I d o n ' t think w e are likely to travel v e r y
far e v e n if w e get a direct hit. T h i s place is pretty s o l i d l y built. I
d o n ' t believe e v e n a 95 H o w i t z e r w o u l d d o us m u c h damage.
D ' y o u k n o w , C o o k , I've half a m i n d to go a n d have a look. T h i s
s o u n d s to m e to be as fierce as a n y t h i n g w e ever h a d i n the
S o m m e — a n d that was pretty b i g . I d o n ' t s u p p o s e there w i l l ever
be any m o r e barrages of that size, but this can't be far off it.'
T think I s h o u l d stay d o w n here if I were y o u , sir; after a l l , y o u
never k n o w — w e m i g h t get t h r o u g h this time, a n d if the tanks d o
break t h r o u g h they'll want some orders f r o m y o u this time, sir. So
far, o n the H . Q . staff w e ' v e h a d n o t h i n g to d o i n this w a r , b u t if w e
d o get into the o p e n country, then I take it w e shall have to p r o v i d e
s o m e orders of o u r o w n a n d not wait for b r i g a d e a n d d i v i s i o n a l
staffs to w o r k . H e l l o — h e r e comes the e n e m y barrage.'
A shell m u s t h a v e burst practically at the m a i n entrance to the
d u g o u t . It m a d e a peculiarly unreal screaming, w h i s t l i n g s o u n d as
the fragments echoed t h r o u g h the valley, a n d then all w a s lost i n
the infernal d i n of the answering gunfire.
278 WAR MEMOIRS

I s u p p o s e y o u ' r e right', said de Freine. ' A n y h o w , here w e have

to stick for the next h o u r a n d a half, a n d pretty useless h u l k s w e
are. There's really absolutely n o t h i n g whatever w e can d o . There's
n o chance w e shall f i n d out anything about the tanks until we're
able to get out of here a n d start towards our rendezvous. B y that
time w e m a y k n o w something f r o m the infantry. P o o r fellows:
I k n o w w h a t it's like for them. I h a d it all at the S o m m e . Still,
perhaps w h e n o u r tanks go t h r o u g h the first w a v e they'll feel a bit
better. A t C a m b r a i they were certainly v e r y grateful i n d e e d ; the
infantry even said they w o u l d far rather be infantry than be inside
o u r tanks.'
' A n d I think they're about right, sir. In o u r battalion w e h a v e
so far h a d two people out of every three w h o went over the top
k i l l e d i n every action. I don't think y o u can d o worse than that i n
infantry.'
' T h e y are a g o o d lot of fellows', said de Freine sentimentally,
a n d then, ' H a v e some more port.'

VII

Inside the tank, the noise of the 75-hp R i c a r d o engine was so deaf­
ening that it was practically impossible even to hear the shell
bursts unless they were v e r y near i n d e e d , almost hitting the tank.
O n these occasions the danger c o m m u n i c a t e d itself m o r e b y the
w o b b l i n g of the walls of the tank, w h i c h s u d d e n l y seemed to lose
all their rigidity a n d become flexible, than the actual noise of the
explosion; i n the d i n it was impossible to communicate except b y
shrieking the orders.
H a u s e r beckoned his sergeant towards h i m . 'Sergeant', he
y e l l e d , 'tell those b l o o d y gunners to keep their fingers off the
triggers—I can't have these d a m n e d idiots firing d o w n o n our o w n
m e n . R e m e m b e r , w e don't get t h r o u g h the first w a v e of infantry
until the green line, a n d that's not d u e for another half-hour.'
H e c h o k e d a n d spluttered i n the fog w h i c h swirled t h r o u g h the
slightly o p e n front flaps, n o w m i n g l e d w i t h the smell of b u r s t i n g
cordite. S h r i e k i n g into the ear of his d r i v e r , he asked h i m if he
 AMIENS 279

c o u l d see the o i l pressure gauges. T think that knock is worse than

e v e r — i t w o n ' t be l o n g before the b i g e n d g o e s /
T h r o u g h o u t the advance to the battle positions, H a u s e r ' s tank
h a d been g i v i n g trouble, a n d it was feared that there was some­
thing w r o n g w i t h the timing. T h e defect h a d apparently been
r e m e d i e d , a n d yet the k n o c k persisted. T h e y thought it m i g h t be
d u e to excessive carbonization, b u t at the same time it was a d i s ­
quieting s y m p t o m .
T h o p e to G o d the d a m n e d thing doesn't choose this m o m e n t
to k o n k out', said H a u s e r to his driver. ' K e e p y o u r eye o n the oil
pressure a n d let m e k n o w if anything o d d happens. I ' m not
g o i n g to stay i n this d a m n e d rat trap if it's g o i n g to get hit. T h e
m o m e n t this thing stops, out w e all get w i t h o u r machine-guns. H e
b e c k o n e d to Sergeant W i l k i n s again to come f o r w a r d . 'Sergeant,
see to it that all the m e n are fully a r m e d if I tell t h e m to get out of
the tank. W e ' l l go f o r w a r d as infantry. Y o u can stay b e h i n d here
w i t h s o m e b o d y , a n d if y o u feel like it y o u can light the d y n a m i t e
charge.'
T h e d y n a m i t e charge was a fad of H a u s e r ' s ; it h a d become a n
obsession. T o h i m it was the latest sign of the i d i o c y of the Staff.
T h e reason for it lay i n the secrecy n o w s u r r o u n d i n g the n e w
tanks. It w a s s u p p o s e d that they consisted of all the latest i m p r o v e ­
ments i n a r m o u r plate, i n engine p o w e r a n d transmission. It h a d
therefore been decreed that n o tank w a s ever to be a l l o w e d to fall
into e n e m y hands. T h i s was, i n any case, a standing order, but n o w
i n a d d i t i o n to e v e r y t h i n g else they h a d been told to carry a packet
of d y n a m i t e to be e x p l o d e d i n the event of the tank b e i n g a b a n ­
d o n e d i n the m i d d l e of a n e n e m y position. H a u s e r caustically
d r e w attention to the fact that they h a d been v e r y careful to order
the r e m o v a l of the petrol feed system to m i n i m i z e the risk of fire,
b u t h a d not thought that it m i g h t be rather dangerous to carry
d y n a m i t e , w h i c h c o u l d be detonated at any m o m e n t i n place of the
relatively harmless petrol.
T h e m e n were i n battle order, a n d o w i n g to the great heat
inside the tank the sweat was streaming d o w n their faces. O w i n g
to the dense fog H a u s e r steered b y compass bearing; at the same
time, he h a d to keep the lights o n inside so as to study the pressure
gauges. T h e men's faces s h o w e d the pallor of weariness, w h i c h
280 WAR MEMOIRS

was not dissipated even b y the excitement of battle; the s k i n glis­

tened y e l l o w i n the m u r k of the d a r k shadows a n d the grey
steelwork of the engine c o p i n g a n d the g u n covers.
Tt s h o u l d be d a w n n o w ' , said the driver.
'Yes, d a w n o n a lovely s u m m e r day, C o r p o r a l . W o u l d n ' t y o u
like to be g o i n g off o n y o u r bank h o l i d a y trip? It m u s t be a b a n k
h o l i d a y about n o w — n o t that I have the slightest idea w h a t d a y of
the w e e k it is.'
A shell burst i n the immediate front of the tank a n d forced
showers of m u d through the front flaps. H a u s e r spluttered a n d
swore a n d w i p e d the b l o o d off his face.
' A r e y o u hurt, sir?' asked his corporal.
' N o , d a m m i t , not a b i t — o n l y some scratches. I've got this filthy
m u d all over me.' H e h a d only received a flesh w o u n d just b e l o w
his right eye, but it was e n o u g h to make h i m order the flaps to be
shut entirely. ' W e can't have that k i n d of thing g o i n g o n — w e ' l l
just have to go o n w i t h them shut. It doesn't m a k e any difference—
w e can't see a thing a n y w a y . H e l l o , hasn't the k n o c k stopped?'
T h e c o r p o r a l listened for a m o m e n t or two a n d then agreed
that he c o u l d n o longer hear it.
' M u s t have been that last shell', said H a u s e r . Tt seems to h a v e
d o n e the tank a lot of g o o d . '
T think w e ' r e c l i m b i n g , sir.'
' W e l l , it's about time w e were', said H a u s e r . ' T h i s is about the
stage w h e n w e s h o u l d be getting u p onto the beginnings of
the plateau o n the other side of the L u c e . O u g h t to o p e n this flap
slightly, because it's time w e got to the green line, a n d w e d o n ' t
w a n t to be r u n n i n g d o w n any of our o w n infantry c h a p s /
'Shelling is less intense too, s i r /
'Yes, b u t for G o d ' s sake don't say so or w e ' l l get one w h a c k o n
the roof. H e l l o — I believe the fog has cleared a bit, hasn't it?'
'Yes, sir, I think it h a s — i t seems to be clearing v e r y fast i n d e e d .
L o o k , sir, it's all clear n o w ! ' Sure e n o u g h , the tank was right out
into the o p e n .
There w a s n o sign of the infantry for a m o m e n t or two, n o t h i n g
b u t the b l i n d i n g s u n beating d o w n o n w h a t appeared to be
r o l l i n g grassland, a n d far away o n the left was the stretch of the
A m i e n s - R o y e r o a d w i t h the poplars p o i n t i n g the w a y .
 AMIENS 281

' T h e r e go the infantry', said the d r i v e r , p o i n t i n g to a s m a l l

section of s o m e twenty or thirty m e n w h o were m a k i n g advance
o n his i m m e d i a t e right flank.
' A h , yes', said H a u s e r , ' n o w w e have to go right t h r o u g h them.
I think I see one of their sergeants w a v i n g us o n . P r o b a b l y means
n o t h i n g at all, except that he's b u c k e d a n d excited to see us, but
still I think w e ' l l go t h r o u g h all the same. Just h e a d for the left
corner of that w o o d i n front of y o u . ' H a u s e r w a s p o i n t i n g out a
c l u m p of trees that lay between h i m a n d the A m i e n s - R o y e r o a d
a n d about 600 y a r d s to his front. T w o n d e r w h a t h a p p e n e d to
G r e e n w o o d C o p s e . W e m u s t have gone r o u n d the edge of it b y
this time; w e were s u p p o s e d to skirt past it. I can't say I remember
c o m i n g u n d e r a n y m a c h i n e - g u n fire.'
'Perhaps o u r artillery s h u t ' e m u p after all, sir.'
T suppose it's just possible. A n y w a y , I can't say I m i n d so l o n g
as w e d i d n ' t get a n y t h i n g f r o m them. I think w e h a d better start
o p e n i n g fire o n that w o o d w h e n w e get w i t h i n a h u n d r e d y a r d s or
so. It w o u l d n ' t surprise m e i n the least if they h a d n ' t got a field
g u n trained o n us. If so, d r i v e r , it'll get right between us—the
worst of sitting u p i n front like y o u a n d I d o is that if a n y t h i n g is
c o m i n g t h r o u g h the front, w e ' r e sure to get it. It makes m e feel
quite h o l l o w inside merely to think about it. D o y o u think it w i l l
take top gear, C o r p o r a l ? '
'It might, sir, b u t we're still o n a bit of a slope.'
' W e l l , try it.' T h e d r i v e r p u t the tank into top gear. ' N o w o p e n
u p the throttle, full s p e e d — y e s , that's all right. W e ought not to d o
this, really, y o u k n o w . W e ' r e g o i n g miles i n front of schedule. I
d o n ' t k n o w w h a t w e shall catch at this rate. But I'm fed u p w i t h
w a i t i n g about i n the m i d d l e of a thick fog without being able to tell
what's g o i n g o n , so w e m a y as w e l l pretend w e ' r e h a v i n g a battle,
if n o t h i n g else.'
'There are some Jerries c o m i n g i n to surrender, sir.' H e p o i n t e d
over to the right flank, w h e r e about half a d o z e n g r e y - c l a d troops
were c o m i n g , all w i t h their hands h e l d h i g h above their heads.
' T h e y l o o k extraordinarily like d u c k s w a d d l i n g along like that.
I m u s t say I w o u l d n ' t be sorry to see t h e m d o u b l i n g all the w a y to
Berlin. Serve the bastards right. I've a jolly g o o d m i n d to give t h e m
a burst of m a c h i n e - g u n fire, it w o u l d h u r r y t h e m o n a bit.' H e
282 WAR MEMOIRS

b e c k o n e d Sergeant W i l k i n s to h i m . 'Sergeant, have a look t h r o u g h

the back g u n port a n d see if y o u can tell w h a t our infantry are u p
to. T h e sergeant came back i n a moment to say they were following
u p fast. ' W e l l , the m a i n thing is that they s h o u l d be here', said
H a u s e r , 'then there's a sporting chance they w i l l get these d a m n e d
e n e m y fellows u n d e r cover as q u i c k l y as possible, otherwise w e
can't afford to let them get t h r o u g h a n d set u p a m a c h i n e - g u n o n
the other side.'
T d o n ' t think they look v e r y m u c h like fighting, if y o u ask me,
s i r — n o t that lot any w a y , they're g o i n g too fast.'
T h e s u n was b l a z i n g d o w n out of a clear sky. It l o o k e d as if
there c o u l d never have been a fog or a mist anywhere o n s u c h a
magnificent day. T h e w h o l e countryside lay spread out i n front of
t h e m like a m a p .
Tt doesn't seem to be at all like a battle', said H a u s e r , 'not the
k i n d of thing I'm used to. I remember once seeing i n a p u b i n
N o r f o l k a lot of p i c t u r e s — o f the South A f r i c a n w a r , I think. A n y ­
h o w , there were a w h o l e lot of Redcoats i n a decent line, a n d a
w h o l e lot of f u z z y w u z z i e s i n a ragged line; at one p o i n t there was
e v e n a m a n w h o h a d been hurt. It gave me quite a shock. Still, I
d o n ' t think it does to get too confident. A s k that d a m n e d fool S m i t h
w h a t the h e l l he thinks he's firing at, w i l l y o u ? ' H a u s e r indicated
his r i g h t - h a n d L e w i s gunner w h o was b l a z i n g off a burst.
T h e reply came that he was a i m i n g at a patch of chalk, w h i c h
he suspected of h a r b o u r i n g a m a c h i n e - g u n .
' O h , w e l l , if it pleases h i m , I suppose it does no h a r m ' , said
H a u s e r , a n d let h i m continue his short bursts. ' A t the same time,
w e m u s t remember, w e m a y need some of this a m m u n i t i o n later
o n . ' M y G o d , he said s u d d e n l y to himself, I'm tired, tired, abso­
lutely w o r n out. I'm fed u p w i t h the w h o l e g o d d a m thing.
It was curious h o w s u d d e n l y the reaction set i n ; f r o m one
m o m e n t to the next, the elation changed to steady depression. It
seemed so futile to be out i n the o p e n w i t h s u c h a complete a n d
absolute breakthrough as this appeared to be. It was either a g i g a n ­
tic trap, or else it was T h e V i c t o r y for w h i c h e v e r y b o d y h a d been
h o p i n g . If so, T h e V i c t o r y was singularly unexciting.
'Sergeant W i l k i n s says, sir, that he can't see M r C a r t w r i g h t ' s
tank anywhere. O h , yes, I think he just says that he sees a tank
g o i n g towards Berle a u Bois, sir. That m u s t be M r Asser's tank. I
 AMIENS 283

d o n ' t k n o w w h a t has h a p p e n e d to M r Greene. H e ought to be u p

o n o u r left somewhere, but he isn't i n sight.'
'Better ask Sergeant W i l k i n s to keep a look-out for a n y b o d y
else—there m a y be some of the tanks of B C o m p a n y visible u p
b e y o n d the A m i e n s - R o y e r o a d . '
H a u s e r n o w c h a n g e d place w i t h his d r i v e r a n d told h i m to
start o p e n i n g fire o n the corner of the w o o d . H e also gave orders to
his 6 - p d r gunners to o p e n fire i n the same direction together w i t h
the t w o flanking L e w i s guns.
' W e m a y just as w e l l pretend w e are dangerous', he said,
'otherwise they'll get their heads u p a n d think they m i g h t as w e l l
take a shot at us. I bet there's some d e v i l i n there w i t h a g u n of
s o m e k i n d . It h a r d l y seems possible t h e y ' d leave a w o o d like that
empty.'
'Perhaps, sir, they think it's a b a d place to be because it w o u l d
be m a r k e d o n the m a p a n d the guns w o u l d come d o w n o n it. T h e y
m a y expect our gunners to p u t their barrage d o w n onto a corner
like that.'
' T h e y w o u l d certainly be right if it was the Greenwood
C o p s e — t h e y said they were d o i n g the same sort of thing to all
these w o o d s w h e r e there m i g h t be any e n e m y positions, b u t I
d o n ' t remember seeing m u c h just here o n the m a p except a g u n
position. O f course it's the g u n position that's so hellish dangerous
for us. If they start firing over o p e n sights, g o o d b y e to y o u a n d m e ,
Corporal.'
T h i s time it w a s evident that there was n o more gun-fire. T h e
British guns were silent, a n d n o e n e m y shells were falling. O n l y i n
the s k y were there a few bursts of white f r o m the e n e m y anti­
aircraft guns still trained o n any reconnaissance planes that came
over.
H a u s e r reached the w o o d w i t h o u t casualty a n d then p r o ­
ceeded cautiously across its front, still firing into the shrubs i n case
they s h o u l d conceal any enemy. W h e n he came u p towards the left
flank, he saw a couple of G e r m a n s l o o k i n g at h i m c u r i o u s l y , stand­
i n g u p i n the o p e n . H e gave t h e m a burst w i t h his L e w i s g u n , a n d
they p r o m p t l y p u t u p their hands a n d began to r u n towards h i m .
B y this time the infantry h a d also come u p w i t h the tanks a n d h a d
b e g u n m o p p i n g - u p operations—that is to say they were t h r o w i n g
the o d d grenade d o w n into any s m a l l trench or d u g o u t w h e r e
284 WAR MEMOIRS

G e r m a n s m i g h t be sheltering. It appeared, however, that the w o o d

w a s not fortified. H a u s e r looked at his w a t c h a n d said it w a s three­
quarters of a n h o u r before he was d u e to report at the r e n d e z v o u s
w h e r e he s h o u l d meet Major de Freine a n d get fresh orders as to
w h a t was to be done.
'It's a n extraordinary thing', he s a i d , 'but it really does look as
if this time w e h a d b r o k e n through. M u s t be some k i n d of fluke,
but I s u p p o s e w e h a d better go a n d pretend to get fresh orders to
" e x p l o i t the s i t u a t i o n " , as they p u t i t /
'It's not time yet, sir', said the corporal d r i v e r .
H a u s e r glanced at his w a t c h again. ' M y G o d , nor it is. There's
still another forty minutes to go. T h i s means w e shall have to go
o n patrolling u p a n d d o w n here. W h a t I w o u l d like to d o w o u l d be
to stop the tank a n d have a jolly g o o d look r o u n d . L o o k at all these
fellows loafing a r o u n d here—it's the infantry. T h e y d o n ' t seem to
h a v e to take cover, a n d there isn't a shot of a n y k i n d b e i n g fired.
I'd like to get some fresh air instead of sticking i n this thing. But w e
can't leave the tank stationary anywhere i n case the enemy have an
anti-tank g u n a n d register a direct hit o n us. I d o n ' t w a n t to get
court-martialled/
T h e s u n still b l a z e d d o w n f r o m a n intense blue sky. O n the left
w a s the A m i e n s - R o y e r o a d , o n the right a n d i n front lay the tiny
h a m l e t of Berle a u Bois w i t h the spire sticking u p f r o m a m i d s t the
trees, just as A s s e r h a d seen it o n his a p p r o a c h . In front w a s the
s m a l l copse that H a u s e r h a d been patrolling until the infantry
came u p a n d took it. B e y o n d that, as far as the eye c o u l d see, it
seemed to be flat r o l l i n g country, w i t h v e r y few obstacles of a n y
sort, quite u n t o u c h e d b y shell-fire a n d w i t h every appearance of
b e i n g i d e a l countryside for the use o f tanks—so m u c h so that
at a later stage e v e n the cavalry f o u n d the temptation for action
irresistible a n d were d u l y l a u n c h e d , w i t h appropriately disastrous
consequences. F o r the time being, h o w e v e r , all w a s peaceful a n d
quiet. T h e m e n were s m o k i n g cigarettes, o b v i o u s l y relieved to be
able to w a l k about i n the o p e n w i t h o u t thought or care. N e v e r ­
theless, anxiety g n a w e d at H a u s e r ' s heart. H e h a d not e n o u g h
experience to k n o w w h a t to d o . In this respect he was typical of all
the officers i n the British A r m y at this time. T h e y h a d n o experi­
ence whatsoever of o p e n warfare, a n d at the same time f o u n d
 AMIENS 285

themselves n o w i n a situation that was either a p r e l u d e to a disas­

trous counter-blow b y the e n e m y , or was precisely the o p e n
warfare for w h i c h e v e r y b o d y h a d l o n g e d , for w h i c h e v e r y b o d y
h a d p l a n n e d , b u t for w h i c h n o b o d y h a d apparently been trained.
H a u s e r ' s feelings were expressed b y the thought that this was a
m o m e n t of extreme danger. T h e British guns were m o v i n g u p into
position; this c o u l d always be told b y the lull, there was n o t h i n g
n e w about that; all troops were familiar w i t h it i n all p r e v i o u s
battles w h e r e there h a d been a n y k i n d of British advance. T h e
e n e m y g u n s were for the time b e i n g silent; whether because they
w e r e p u l l i n g back into n e w positions, or because they h a d been
p u t out of action like the battery that A s s e r h a d come across, it was
impossible to determine. But it was at precisely s u c h moments that
the enemy was likely to l a u n c h his most dangerous counter-attacks
i n the days of trench warfare, w h e n , n o sooner h a d a position been
taken a n d before the infantry c o u l d consolidate it, the e n e m y
l a u n c h e d a n attack. T h e British were o c c u p y i n g trenches that were
facing the w r o n g w a y a n d were therefore peculiarly susceptible to
attack f r o m the enemy.

E v e n H a u s e r ' s p e s s i m i s m a n d g l o o m were not proof against

the w o n d e r f u l weather that h a d followed the f o g - b o u n d m o r n i n g .
O h , blast the blue skies, he thought. I w i s h s o m e b o d y w o u l d go
a n d tell these infantry that there's a w a r o n . I'm sure this is a n
extremely dangerous m o m e n t . ' C o r p o r a l , I think w e h a d better
take o u r tank about a h u n d r e d y a r d s i n front of the infantry a n d
p a t r o l u p a n d d o w n there slowly. So l o n g as w e keep g o i n g i n
second gear, it ought to be all right; I d o n ' t think the enemy w o u l d
f i n d it easy to hit us. W e shan't be a sitting target, a n d at the same
time it w i l l h e l p to keep d o w n any o d d Boche m a c h i n e - g u n n e r
w h o m i g h t still be about the place. If w e d o n ' t go any further than
a h u n d r e d y a r d s i n front of the infantry, the sight of them w i l l also
persuade the e n e m y gunners not to o p e n fire o n us. A n y h o w , I
can't think of a n y other d a m n e d t h i n g to d o , so w e m i g h t just as
w e l l d o that. W h a t the hell's the matter w i t h y o u , Rice?' he s u d ­
d e n l y interjected.
'I've got the itch, sir.'
' W e l l , keep the itch to yourself. It's y o u r d a m n e d lice c o m i n g
out to enjoy the fine d a y . W h y d i d n ' t y o u shove y o u r shirt into
286 WAR MEMOIRS

s o m e petrol before w e started? N o b o d y else has them, h a v e they? 7

T h e rest of the crew looked somewhat shame-faced—they were

not g o i n g to a d m i t to lice at that m o m e n t at any rate. ' A n d w h a t
the d e v i l d o y o u m e a n b y leaving y o u r g u n a n y w a y ? ' said H a u s e r
s u d d e n l y , w a k i n g u p to the fact that Rice h a d , i n his attempts to
r i d himself of the nuisance of the lice, d r o p p e d the handle of the
L e w i s g u n . ' Y o u chaps d o n ' t seem to k n o w there's a w a r o n . '
T r u t h to tell, the crew were w o r n out. T h e y h a d h a d h a r d l y any
sleep at all for some four days, a n d the excitement a n d exhaustion
of the m o r n i n g , the great anxiety of the fog a n d the o p e n i n g stages
of the battle h a d been intensified b y the extreme heat i n the tank
a n d the debilitation i n d u c e d b y the loss of fluid t h r o u g h sweating.
It w a s possible that the carbon-monoxide fumes h a d also h a d their
effect: i n s o m e tanks that h a d been carrying infantry f o r w a r d , the
infantry h a d h a d to be p u t out of the tank after twenty minutes of
action because they were i n a fainting condition; it h a d p r e v i o u s l y
a l w a y s been believed that it was not possible to become acclima­
tized to carbon m o n o x i d e , but this p r o v e d conclusively that the
tank crews w e r e able to d o so a n d c o u l d stand a n y t h i n g u p to
seventeen h o u r s of battle continuously i n that p o i s o n - l a i d atmos­
phere. B u t the effects nevertheless told.
T h i s s u n n y d a y , this lovely country, blast it, makes it i m p o s ­
sible for a n y b o d y to believe this is a w a r , thought H a u s e r . I can't
really b l a m e these m e n . T h e only thing I can d o is to blast them
a n d keep t h e m u p to scratch. N o b o d y ' s g o i n g to believe m e w h e n
I say there's a w a r o n w h e n everything all r o u n d us keeps telling
t h e m the w a r is over. Surely w e ought to be doing something;
surely there ought to be some sort of attempt to p u s h further
into the e n e m y territory. W h y are w e h a n g i n g about here o n this
so-called 'blue l i n e ' — o u r final front? If there was any k i n d of flex­
ibility about our schemes w e s h o u l d be chasing the enemy. T h e y
told us i n o u r operation orders that w e s h o u l d d o this, but they
s a i d the same sort of thing at Y p r e s , where a n y b o d y w h o h a d h a d
a l o o k at the country c o u l d see perfectly w e l l that y o u c o u l d chase
n o b o d y i n that, not unless y o u were a b i r d . N o w , here, where w e
have the i d e a l conditions, n o b o d y thinks of translating the o p e r a ­
tion orders into terms of actual reality, so w e h a n g about. I can't go
f o r w a r d — i f I d o , I'll certainly r u n into a field g u n , a n d that'll be
 AMIENS 287

the e n d of the tank, a n d I shall be deservedly b l a m e d — n o t that I

m i n d m u c h — f o r h a v i n g risked the tank. W h a t I ought to d o is to
go f o r w a r d w i t h the infantry, but w h o ' s g o i n g to tell the infantry to
go forward? There's n o b o d y to d o it.
Sergeant W i l k i n s interrupted his reverie. 'There's something
g o i n g o n just b e h i n d us, sir. I think w e ought to go back a n d look.
It looks as if the infantry are u n d e r fire.'
H a u s e r turned the tank towards the right flank of the advance.
Some infantry were l y i n g , o p e n i n g fire at a s m a l l scratch of chalk
that lay exposed bare of green turf. H a u s e r directed the tank
against this patch, a n d then scrambling towards the back o p e n e d
the rear d o o r i n the h o p e of b e i n g able to talk to a n i n f a n t r y m a n .
A sergeant came u p a n d said they were u n d e r fire f r o m a sniper
p r o b a b l y located i n precisely this patch. H a u s e r d r o v e towards
the patch, but the sight of the a d v a n c i n g tank must have been too
m u c h for the G e r m a n ; he came out w i t h his h a n d s above his
h e a d , l o o k i n g extremely frightened a n d sheepish. T h e infantry
then came u p a n d took h i m prisoner.
False a l a r m , thought H a u s e r , but a n y w a y the infantry ought
to be d o i n g this sort of t h i n g — I h o p e it puts t h e m o n their toes
a n d makes t h e m realize there's still something g o i n g o n . But I'm
d a m n e d if I can see where a counter-attack can come f r o m . T h e r e
seems to be n o t h i n g at all here that c o u l d h i d e a n y e n e m y concen­
tration. T h e o n l y possible place is Berle a u Bois, a n d w e ' v e seen
A s s e r ' s tank go i n there. T h e F r e n c h troops m u s t be u p there too,
j u d g i n g b y that scattered line; they're s t a n d i n g a r o u n d i n g r o u p s ,
so I think their front line must be i n advance of that.
' L o o k , sir', said Sergeant W i l k i n s , ' T h e F r e n c h h a v e got a first
line i n front of those m e n over there—I think those are the s u p p o r t
troops.'
T h e n w e ' l l s i m p l y d o w h a t I said first: get i n front of o u r
infantry a n d patrol s l o w l y u p a n d d o w n i n second gear; there's
n o t h i n g m o r e w e can d o . H o w m u c h more time h a v e w e got?'
'Still half a n h o u r , sir.'
' M y G o d , I never k n e w a n y t h i n g like time i n a battle. Y o u feel
it's about six o'clock i n the evening, a n d y o u f i n d it's half past
ten i n the m o r n i n g . T h e n s u d d e n l y , w h e n y o u ' v e got u s e d to
the idea that time stands still, it's so desperately late that y o u
288 WAR MEMOIRS

discover y o u ' v e missed a r e n d e z v o u s y o u ought to h a v e been

keeping.'
A t last it was time. H a u s e r turned the tank towards the w o o d
w h e r e the r e n d e z v o u s was to take place, then s u d d e n l y he
c h a n g e d his m i n d .
'Sergeant W i l k i n s , y o u take over c o m m a n d of the tank. I think
it's r u d d y silly they give orders for all o u r c o m p a n y tanks to c o n ­
centrate i n this one spot. W e d o n ' t k n o w w h a t e n e m y guns are
about, a n d w e ' d make a n absolute sitting target if w e h a d the
w h o l e b u n c h of our twelve tanks here a n d n o protection against
anti-tank fire. Y o u keep patrolling this, a n d I shall go over to the
r e n d e z v o u s w i t h G u n n e r Smith. If y o u feel things are getting v e r y
tricky, then come over to the w o o d w i t h the tank.'
H a u s e r a n d his gunner went o n foot over to the extreme left of
the section front that h a d been appointed as the rendezvous for the
c o m p a n y officers to receive further orders f r o m Major de Freine.
H a u s e r f o u n d to his surprise that the C o l o n e l was there w i t h his
assistant adjutant, but otherwise was alone. Major de Freine h a d
not a r r i v e d , n o r h a d any of the other tank c o m m a n d e r s , i n c l u d i n g
C a p t a i n B i o n . T h e C o l o n e l asked H a u s e r w h y he was o n foot, a n d
he explained his reasons.
T h e C o l o n e l turned away, thinking that H a u s e r was one of
the few officers w h o h a d any real sense. H e reflected: I believe this
chap h a d more soldiering qualities than the rest of us put
together. I myself ought to have thought of this, or at least one of
the c o m p a n y c o m m a n d e r s s h o u l d . It's clear that i n a n y c o m p a n y
r e n d e z v o u s w e s h o u l d n ' t have all the tanks together.
H e t u r n e d to H a u s e r . ' W e l l , w h a t sort of battle have y o u had?
A n y casualties?'
' N o , sir, n o t h i n g at all. It's been as quiet as the grave. W e ' v e
h a d n o t h i n g whatever to do. T h e first part of it was pretty d u l l —
w e c o u l d n ' t see a t h i n g — a n d the last part, w h e n w e c o u l d see
everything, there was n o t h i n g to see, n o t h i n g but this d a m n e d
scenery.'
' W h a t ' s w r o n g w i t h the scenery?'
Tt just puts all these chaps to sleep, sir. Just look at them h a n g ­
i n g a r o u n d the place—the infantry as w e l l . A n y b o d y w o u l d think
there are n o enemy about, a n d yet they told us before this battle
started that the enemy were concentrating for a n attack o n our
 AMIENS 289

position. It stands to reason there m u s t be h e a v y concentrations

somewhere. In this k i n d of weather a n d i n this k i n d of country, w i t h
our troops u s e d to n o t h i n g but the m u d of Y p r e s a n d places of that
k i n d , they seem to think the w a r ' s all over a n d it's just a b a n k
h o l i d a y . T h e y m i g h t be out o n H a m p s t e a d H e a t h , the w a y they're
going on.'
T h e C o l o n e l l o o k e d at his watch. 'There's still a few minutes to
go, b u t I can't understand w h y somebody else h a d n ' t turned u p b y
this time. I suppose y o u haven't seen M a j o r de Freine or a n y o n e
else, have y o u ? '
' N o , sir, I haven't. T h e o n l y person I've seen was p r o b a b l y M r
A s s e r , w h o s e tank was over o n the far right. H e w a s last seen b y
Sergeant W i l k i n s d r i v i n g for Berle au Bois.'
' W e l l , w e h a d better just sit d o w n a n d wait, then.'
'Yes, sir.' H a u s e r o r d e r e d G u n n e r S m i t h to act as sentry a n d to
take u p his rifle, keeping a sharp look-out w h i l e he a n d the C o l o n e l
lay o n the grass a n d waited for the others to come u p .

VIII

A fresh breeze b l e w , the fog d i s a p p e a r e d , the s u n beat d o w n a n d

the gun-fire s t o p p e d . B i o n lay h u d d l e d i n the shell-hole w i t h the
m o a n i n g b o y beneath the shelter of his side. T h e w a v i n g poplars
of the A m i e n s - R o y e r o a d stood revealed as tall grasses o n the
opposite side of the trackway i n the brilliant, clear light. T h e trans­
formation was so complete that the scene appeared to be utterly
unrelated to the black night that h a d preceded it. E v e r y t h i n g w a s
quiet except for the moans that h a d n o w become more inarticulate.
Occasionally he c o u l d distinguish the w o r d , ' M o t h e r ' , b u t that was
all.
A party of stretcher-bearers came d o w n the r o a d w i t h s o m e
w o u n d e d . H e called to them, ' W i l l y o u take this m a n ? '
' N o , sir', came the reply, 'we haven't any stretchers left. C a n he
walk?'
T d o n ' t suppose he can w a l k at a l l ' , said B i o n , b u t one of them
came over a n d , lifting Sweeting u p , it appeared that some fresh
reserves of strength were released i n a b o d y that seemed to be too
290 WAR MEMOIRS

torn a n d b r o k e n even to maintain life. Before he c o u l d realize w h a t

w a s h a p p e n i n g , Sweeting, s u p p o r t e d b y two stretcher-bearers,
w a s tottering d o w n the r o a d i n the train of the s m a l l R A M C party
towards the casualty station.
W e l l , thank G o d he's gone, thought Bion, filled w i t h passionate
hatred of himself for his hatred of the w o u n d e d m a n .
T i m e to go, he said to himself as he stretched out of his
c r a m p e d position. E v e n the very grasses seemed to scare the life
out of h i m . H e w o r k e d his w a y over to the left flank. H e thought,
it's n o w far too late to make the rendezvous w i t h A s s e r at the
estaminet at Berle a u Bois. I m a y just as w e l l f i n d out w h a t has
h a p p e n e d to Greene's tank, a n d H a u s e r ' s .
In the distance, towards the A m i e n s - R o y e r o a d , he saw a
stationary tank; there was n o w apparently n o fighting g o i n g o n
at all. T h e s u n beat d o w n , the trees w a v e d gently i n the stiff breeze.
W a l k i n g across the s p r i n g y turf without seeing any s i g n e v e n of
infantry, he felt totally lonely a n d lost. A s he a p p r o a c h e d the tank,
he was glad to see that there was s o m e b o d y m o v i n g , a n d then as
he came nearer he saw that the left tank track h a d been b l o w n back
a n d t h r o w n right over the tail of the t a n k — o b v i o u s l y a direct hit.
Greene came u p to h i m a n d said they h a d h a d n o l u c k at all;
they h a d got just as far as this a little w h i l e before the fog cleared,
w h e n the tank received a direct hit o n the nose to the left.
' A n y b o d y h u r t ? ' asked Bion.
' N o , except for G u n n e r H a r r i s o n — h e ' s gone nuts.'
' O h , w h a t h a p p e n e d to h i m ? '
' W e l l , I got h i m out of the tank after a w h i l e , b u t about ten
minutes ago s o m e of the G e r m a n s started c o m i n g back w i t h their
h a n d s u p , a n d he immediately got u p a n d began b l a z i n g off at
t h e m w i t h his revolver, yelling something about t h e m b e i n g a
lot of b l o o d y , m u r d e r o u s bastards w h o h a d killed his brother. It
p u t the w i n d u p us, I can tell y o u . I h a d to tackle h i m i n the e n d —
I thought I was g o i n g to get a shot i n m y innards. H o w e v e r , w e got
h i m d o w n i n the e n d . H e was a frightful sight, frothing at the
m o u t h . I thought w e were sure to get into v e r y great trouble w i t h
h i m b u m p i n g off u n a r m e d prisoners—almost certainly a first-rate
scandal. T h e r e was n o fighting g o i n g o n , not a s o u l i n sight except
these p o o r devils.'
' W h a t are y o u d o i n g about y o u r tank?' asked B i o n .
 AMIENS 291

T h e r e ' s n o t h i n g m u c h w e can d o /
' H a v e y o u tried lifting the track back onto the sprocket a n d
starting the engine? T h a t m i g h t help to d r a g it back over the top.'
' N o g o o d at all, I'm afraid, sir. E v e n if w e d i d that, I d o n ' t think
w e c o u l d d o a n y more because these plates at the e n d h e r e — ' ,
he w a l k e d B i o n back towards the broken e n d of the tank track, 'are
all b u c k l e d a n d destroyed, a n d I think two of t h e m are m i s s i n g ; I
d o n ' t k n o w where they've got to.'
T n that case y o u h a d better send a runner back to C o m p a n y
H . Q . to see if y o u can get h o l d of W i l l i a m s . ' W i l l i a m s was the
engineer officer w h o s e job it was to take o n h e a v y - d u t y w o r k of
this k i n d . ' W h e r e are y o u r crew?'
'I've got ' e m over there i n that shell-hole. I thought, just to be
o n the safe side, w e ' d better get our L e w i s guns out a n d turn that
into something of a strong p o i n t . '
' Q u i t e right. I don't think there's likely to be any n e e d for it, but
at the same time it's just as w e l l to take the o r d i n a r y precautions.
W h a t the hell's t h i s — ? ' B i o n broke off a n d turned s u d d e n l y at the
feel of a tug at his sleeve.
K n e e l i n g o n the g r o u n d b y his side w a s a G e r m a n soldier w h o
h a d crept u p u n o b s e r v e d . Tears were streaming f r o m his eyes.
'Kamerad kaput, kamerad kaput', he w a i l e d . H e insisted o n trying to
d r a g B i o n b y his sleeve to a nearby d u g o u t , a n d for some reason
B i o n d i d not resist but a l l o w e d himself to be p u l l e d i n that direc­
tion. Into this s m a l l hole he w a s taken b y the G e r m a n , w h o p o i n t e d
out to h i m another soldier, obviously d e a d , w h o s e b o d y w a s i n the
most fantastic position w i t h his legs t h r o w n back over his s h o u l ­
ders. T h e G e r m a n insisted that B i o n s h o u l d p u t his h a n d o n his
heart. T h i s he d i d i n a perfunctory m a n n e r a n d shook his h e a d
i n d i c a t i n g that the m a n was d e a d , w h i c h was i n any case quite
obvious. A t this the G e r m a n burst out into renewed floods of tears.
'Sir', said Greene, ' y o u s h o u l d n ' t be i n here; y o u d o n ' t k n o w
w h a t sort of booby-trap these people m i g h t have got ready for y o u .
I w o u l d n ' t trust the Boche, not e v e n if he w a s d e a d . T h e o n l y thing
to d o w i t h h i m is to p u t another burst of L e w i s gun-fire into h i m . '
G r e e n e w a s o b v i o u s l y v e r y disturbed.
B i o n saw the force of his argument. F e e l i n g rather shamefaced,
he straightened himself u p a n d w a v e d to the G e r m a n to get back
to the rear a n d surrender himself.
292 WAR MEMOIRS

' D i d y o u ever see s u c h chaps as these, sir?' said Greene. T h e r e

they are, a lot of b l o o d y murderers if ever y o u came across any.
T h e y fight like hell; they haven't the slightest hesitation i n s n i p i n g
or shooting us d o w n at any point; they're as treacherous as y o u
d a m n w e l l choose, a n d yet they burst into floods of tears w h e n one
of t h e m is k n o c k e d out.'
'I w o n d e r w h a t the d e v i l it's got to d o w i t h h i m , a n y h o w ' , said
B i o n . 'Is it his brother, or something of the sort?'
' N o t a bit', s a i d Greene, ' m u c h more likely to be his tart, I
s h o u l d think. A n y w a y , can y o u beat it? O n e minute he's b l a z i n g
a w a y at o u r troops w i t h his guns, the next he thinks he can grab
h o l d of a n officer a n d get h i m to come a n d sentimentalize w i t h h i m
over one of his d e a d pals. T h e y ' r e a treacherous lot of swine, sir. I
d o n ' t think y o u s h o u l d ever p a y any attention to them like that. It's
n o t o u r job, a n y w a y . '
' W h e n y o u have fixed u p w i t h C a p t a i n W i l l i a m s about the
tank, y o u h a d better leave it i n charge of Sergeant W i l l i a m s a n d
the crew, a n d come o n yourself to the rendezvous. W e shall n e e d
y o u there to let y o u k n o w w h a t the next orders are. M a y b e w e
shall be able to f i n d another tank for y o u . '
G r e e n e saluted, a n d B i o n went off o n his o w n to the r e n d e z ­
v o u s . H e was angry w i t h himself i n that the episode h a d occurred
i n the presence of Greene; he was the last officer w i t h w h o m he
w i s h e d to discuss the ethics of war.
I d o n ' t believe the Boche are any different f r o m ourselves, he
thought. T h e y go t h r o u g h the same thing, they live i n the same
danger, the same vile conditions a n d the same b l o o d y a w f u l staff,
if o n l y w e k n e w it. Something has gone w r o n g w i t h this w a r ; it
seems that all the decent people are fighting a n d k i l l i n g each
other, a n d all the wasters a n d w a r profiteers are sitting at h o m e i n
G e r m a n y or E n g l a n d m a k i n g the best of a v e r y b a d j o b — a n d it
isn't a b a d best f r o m their point of v i e w e i t h e r — p l e n t y of m o n e y ,
plenty of cars, safety, comfort, but here . . . here . . . Greene is right;
it's not m y job to be h a n d i n g r o u n d buns a n d cups of hot tea. I'm
s u p p o s e d to be at the front, fighting a w a r — a n d n o w there's that
d a m n e d r e n d e z v o u s at Berle a u Bois. W h y d i d n ' t I m a k e it? If it's
all a matter of h i g h ideals, w h y wasn't I there? W h a t a m I g o i n g
to say about that? H e l d u p i n the barrage. Yes, but w h a t the hell
h o l d s y o u u p i n the barrage? Y o u can't get h e l d u p i n a barrage.
T h e o n l y w a y y o u can get h e l d u p i n a barrage is to be b l o w n to
 AMIENS 293

smithereens or h a v e the side r i p p e d out of y o u b y a shell splinter,

like Sweeting.
B i o n saw the b o d y of a n infantryman l y i n g just to his right w i t h
his rifle beside h i m . T h a t r e m i n d s m e , he thought, a n d w e n t over
to the m a n a n d collected his a m m u n i t i o n a n d rifle. These revolvers
are n o earthly use. It struck h i m as queer that this w a s the first
d e a d soldier he h a d seen that d a y . U s u a l l y he relied o n b e i n g able
to p i c k u p a rifle v e r y q u i c k l y right at the b e g i n n i n g of a n action,
since h e f o u n d , as d i d most officers, that a revolver w a s m o r e of a
danger to the user than it w a s to the e n e m y ; a rifle, o n the other
h a n d , w a s a v e r y valuable w e a p o n . H e stuffed a c o u p l e of spare
clips of cartridges into his pocket a n d went o n .
In the meantime Greene also h a d his o w n thoughts. After s e n d ­
i n g a r u n n e r to C a p t a i n W i l l i a m s to ask for his h e l p , h e t u r n e d to
the G e r m a n prisoner. ' C o m e o n , Fritzi, time y o u d i d s o m e w o r k .
It'll cheer y o u u p . ' H e told the c o r p o r a l to give h i m a grease g u n
a n d s h o w h i m h o w to set about greasing the tank tracks. F o r his
part, the G e r m a n h a d settled d o w n quite cheerfully a n d g l a d l y to
f i n d that he was not g o i n g to be ill-treated i n a n y w a y . H e s e e m e d
to be a s i m p l e - m i n d e d m a n , quite content a n d h a p p y p r o v i d e d
he w a s g i v e n a job he c o u l d u n d e r s t a n d a n d h a d all responsibility
taken f r o m his shoulders b y a senior.
' H a b e n Sie Schutzengrabenvernichtungsautomobil gesehen?'
said Greene, airing his G e r m a n . T h e prisoner l o o k e d u p astonished
b y this a m a z i n g h y b r i d that Greene h a d p i c k e d u p f r o m s o m e
m a g a z i n e p u r p o r t i n g to s h o w h o w l u d i c r o u s , h o w truly comic the
G e r m a n s w e r e a n d w h a t a fantastic language they spoke.
' / a , ja', he s a i d , 'plenty of tanks, plenty of tanks', a n d w e n t o n
w i t h his p o l i s h i n g a n d greasing.
T c o u l d d o w i t h a pint, Sergeant', G r e e n e s a i d , l o o k i n g at the
d a m a g e to the nose of the tank where the shell h a d shattered the
track. 'It's just as w e l l it got it right there—another i n c h or t w o a n d
w e s h o u l d all h a v e been for it. Doesn't d o to think about these
things too m u c h , y o u k n o w , Sergeant. L o o k at that p o o r c h a p ,
Gunner Harrison.'
' H e was a v e r y g o o d m a n , sir', said the sergeant w h o rather
resented the presence of Greene as a n e w officer. H e h a d b e e n w i t h
the crew or w i t h the battalion since the arrival at L e H a v r e ; to h i m
the casualties were real people, whereas to G r e e n e they w e r e not
m u c h m o r e than names.
294 WAR MEMOIRS

T s u p p o s e they'll call it shell-shock', said Greene, ' t h o u g h I'm

not at all sure that he h a d n ' t got the right idea; it's n o g o o d b e i n g
sentimental about these sods. I've lost a couple of brothers i n this
w a r , a n d I think w e might just as w e l l teach ' e m w h a t w a r is if they
m e a n to fight us, that it's dangerous to attack our country again.
Still—it's a n absolutely marvellous day, a n d I can think of plenty
of better things to d o than to be waiting here, h u m b u g g i n g a r o u n d
this tank. But w e don't k n o w if the o l d Boche is finished yet. T h e y
c o u l d get back here quite easily; if they've got all these troops
massed for a n attack, they ought to be able to m o u n t a counter­
attack shortly. It seems as if our guns are m o v i n g u p n o w , this is
about the time they usually set about us. W h a t I c o u l d d o w i t h ,
Sergeant, is a little bit more peacetime soldiering.'
'Yes, sir', agreed the sergeant, 'that's the t h i n g — p a r a d e s , a lot
of them, h a r d w o r k , k n o c k off at twelve, a n d the rest of y o u r d a y ' s
y o u r o w n , n o t h i n g at all to d o . That's m y idea of w a r , not this k i n d
of t h i n g . '
G r e e n e r u m i n a t e d , T don't think m u c h of these people w h o go
i n for r e l i g i o n a n d p h i l o s o p h y a n d that k i n d of thing. It seems to
m e they miss a great deal of what is actually h a p p e n i n g . L o o k at
t o d a y — c a n y o u beat it? M a r v e l l o u s s u n beating d o w n , l o v e l y
green trees, e v e n green grass everywhere. If I were at the seaside
n o w , I'd be h a v i n g a fine time—I w o u l d n ' t even m i n d b e i n g d o w n
at B r i g h t o n , t h o u g h m i n d y o u , that's not m y idea of a g o o d spot. I
like to be somewhere lonely i n the country or at s o m e s m a l l sea­
side place, a village. Y o u can have plenty of f u n i n a place like that;
there are w o r s e things, Sergeant, than sitting i n a nice s n u g little
p u b k n o c k i n g back a p i n t of bitter o n a hot d a y a n d h a v i n g a few
w o r d s w i t h the l a n d l a d y , or m a y b e her daughter.'
W h e n Greene spoke of philosophers a n d religious people, B i o n
w a s not v e r y far f r o m his m i n d . H e felt n o s y m p a t h y at all w i t h
p e o p l e of that type a n d m a d e n o secret of i t — a t any rate to himself
i n the p r i v a c y of his o w n thoughts.
T can't say I've ever h e l d w i t h parsons a n d such-like', he c o n ­
t i n u e d to his sergeant. ' M y w i f e — a n d she's a pretty s h r e w d j u d g e
of character—says w h e n e v e r she sees one of them p a r s o n blokes,
" T h e r e goes one of them sly, preaching b u g g e r s " - — a v e r y g o o d
description, d o n ' t y o u think, Sergeant?' H e l o o k e d at his w a t c h .
' T e l l H a l e y a n d C o o p e r to get out there w i t h their L e w i s g u n , right
 AMIENS 295

over there, just b y that shell-hole about fifty yards to the right of
the r o a d . W e m a y as w e l l have sentries posted. T h e y can keep a
l o o k - o u t a n d see if there is any s i g n of e n e m y counter-attack. I
can't see that w e ' l l be caught b y surprise because o u r front lines
are n o w miles a w a y , b u t still, it's all part of the b o o k , isn't it?'
T h e sergeant detailed the two m e n for the job a n d returned to
G r e e n e , w h o continued, ' W e ' v e got to stand u p for decency a n d
all that; w e can't allow people like these Fritzis to o v e r r u n the
w o r l d — I daresay t h e y ' d m a k e a pretty mess of o u r country if they
ever got inside it.'
T d o n ' t k n o w , sir', said the sergeant. 'Sometimes I w o n d e r —
w o u l d it m a k e any difference to us? There are always people w h o
have to g o v e r n us, a n d I d o n ' t think the G e r m a n authorities
w o u l d be any worse for simple people like m e a n d m y family a n d
kids than the o r d i n a r y p o l i c e m a n a n d government nowadays.
Sometimes the governments w e get are less o u r friends than o u r
enemies a n y w a y . T h e y make a g o o d thing out of it, b u t if w e d o
a n y t h i n g against the law, laws m a d e b y the wealthy, then we're for
it. W e ' d be n o worse off u n d e r the G e r m a n s . '
' D o n ' t y o u believe a w o r d of it, Sergeant. D ' y o u think y o u ' d be
able to sit i n y o u r little p u b , or go off to w a t c h y o u r local football
m a t c h , or go out w i t h y o u r wife, or p i c k u p a pretty girl w h e n ­
ever y o u felt like it? N o t a bit of it. T h e people swaggering
a r o u n d w o u l d be the Fritzis, like this chap here, i n smart G e r m a n
u n i f o r m s . T h e y ' d be the ones w h o h a d the p i c k of the girls;
y o u w o u l d n ' t catch any girl g o i n g out w i t h a mere slave of the
G e r m a n s — a n d that's w h a t y o u ' d be b y that time.'
T d o n ' t suppose w e ' d starve, sir.'
T daresay not, but y o u ' d have to w o r k h a r d : y o u ' d be g o i n g off
to y o u r factory shifts, a n d there'd be n o trade unions or a n y t h i n g
of that k i n d . Y o u r foremen w o u l d be people w o r k i n g w i t h the
G e r m a n s , or t h e y ' d be G e r m a n themselves; all the cushy jobs, all
the p l u m s w o u l d go to the G e r m a n s . If y o u saw a fine car go b y ,
there'd be a G e r m a n i n it; if y o u saw a pretty girl w e l l dressed, out
w i t h a m a n , s h e ' d be w i t h a G e r m a n . Y o u ' d s o o n get fed u p w i t h a
position of that k i n d . A t present y o u can have y o u r grouse, but y o u
w o u l d n ' t be able to d o it then, not unless y o u w a n t e d to be a
member of some k i n d of revolutionary m o v e m e n t — a n d that
w o u l d n ' t be a comfortable life.'
296 WAR MEMOIRS

H e broke off s u d d e n l y . " H e l l o , what's g o i n g o n u p there?' H e

p o i n t e d into the intense blue of the sky.
' L o o k s as if the a c k - a c k have got another of their planes', said
the sergeant. 'Yes, I think it is, sir, I think it's a w i n g c o m i n g d o w n ,
yes, yes, that's it, sir, they've hit one of the Boche planes.'
' W h a t makes y o u think it's a Boche plane, Sergeant?'
' W e l l , he's too far over our lines for it to be one of ours, sir.'
' Y o u d o n ' t k n o w where their line is. If it is one of our guns
that's been firing, that's the second time i n this battle they h a v e hit
one of the e n e m y planes. That must be a r e c o r d / T h e anti-aircraft
guns were not p o p u l a r l y s u p p o s e d to be able to hit a n y t h i n g .
T h e w i n g of the plane swirled uncertainly d o w n to the g r o u n d .
' H e r e ' s C a p t a i n W i l l i a m s , sir.'
W i l l i a m s l o o k e d at the shattered track. 'What's u p , c h u m ? ' he
asked Greene. ' W o n ' t it go?' A few minutes' examination of the
sprocket a n d the track satisfied h i m . 'I'll see w h a t I can d o for
y o u ' , he said. ' W e m a y have a few spare plates that w o u l d d o the
trick, but I ' m not at all sure w e shan't f i n d the sprocket is out of
alignment, a n d i n that case it m a y w e l l turn out to be a h e a v y
w o r k s h o p job. H o w e v e r , it w i l l take m e about a n h o u r before I can
let y o u k n o w about that, a n d it w i l l take another h o u r after that if
w e c a n d o a n y t h i n g . If w e can d o it, y o u ' l l be able to go f o r w a r d
straight away. Y o u were d a m n e d l u c k y , weren't y o u ? A n y b o d y
hurt?'
' N o , one chap threw a fit, that's all, but w e got h i m u n d e r
control, otherwise e v e r y b o d y is right as rain. A few scratches a n d
splinters. I must say, it shook us u p a bit, t h o u g h — i t w a s too close
for pleasure. L u c k i l y I h a d the flaps shut at the time.'
' A n o t h e r six inches to the right', said W i l l i a m s , ' a n d that w o u l d
have been a case of dulce et decorum est pro patria morir for y o u /
T d o n ' t k n o w w h a t y o u m e a n , sir, but I'm sure y o u ' r e quite
right/
' H a v e y o u seen the enemy about at all?' asked W i l l i a m s .
T think he's gone u p to the rendezvous—there's s u p p o s e d to
be a conference o n . . . o h , I'm sorry, y o u m e a n the real enemy. I
thought y o u meant the C o l o n e l . N o , w e haven't seen a n y at all.
W e ' v e just been r i d i n g f o r w a r d nicely a n d quietly until that chap,
w h o e v e r it w a s , m a n a g e d to b l o w our track off. There m u s t be
s o m e about somewhere; i n fact, w e ' v e just collected one here to
 AMIENS 297

d o a spot of spit a n d p o l i s h o n the tank, as y o u can see', a n d he

p o i n t e d to the G e r m a n prisoner,
' W e l l , I m u s t be o f f , said W i l l i a m s .
' M e too', said Greene. T shall leave G u n n e r S m i t h here i n
charge of the tank.' T o S m i t h he s a i d , ' H a v e a jolly g o o d l o o k - o u t
a n d see n o b o d y pinches the w h i s k y . It doesn't matter a d a m n
about a n y t h i n g else, b u t w e m u s t n ' t lose the w h i s k y , whatever
h a p p e n s . ' H e t u r n e d to W i l l i a m s . ' I ' m g o i n g f o r w a r d to the r e n ­
d e z v o u s n o w , sir. C a p t a i n B i o n told me I h a d better be there i n
case they w a n t m e to go into action again. I h o p e to G o d it w i l l be
w i t h another tank a n d not w i t h infantry.'

IX

A s B i o n w a l k e d f o r w a r d i n the b l a z i n g heat, he thought he h e a r d a

voice h a i l h i m a n d l o o k i n g r o u n d f o u n d it w a s Carter, T h e two of
t h e m w a l k e d together.
'So, y o u ' v e m a n a g e d to s u r v i v e this far', said Carter. T see y o u
p i c k e d u p a rifle as w e l l . '
T always d o — a revolver's n o d a m n e d g o o d ' , said B i o n , a n d
the t w o of t h e m w a l k e d o n . T think I want to go further over to the
right flank. I'd like to k n o w w h a t has h a p p e n e d to A s s e r ' s tank.'
' W h a t has h a p p e n e d to y o u r section so far?'
T d o n ' t k n o w a n y t h i n g at all about H a u s e r ; he seems to h a v e
d i s a p p e a r e d . Greene is over there o n the left; I've just been talk­
i n g to h i m . H i s tank got a direct hit, a n d they're out of it for the
time b e i n g . W i l l i a m s is h a v i n g a look at it. C a r t w r i g h t ' s tank got a
direct hit right at the start—I w a s nearby at the time. T h e w h o l e
thing s i m p l y w e n t u p i n one crash. That leaves us w i t h A s s e r
u n a c c o u n t e d for. I h o p e he's all right, at any rate.'
' W e ' v e got plenty of time', said Carter, ' I ' m just w o r k i n g m y
w a y f o r w a r d to the r e n d e z v o u s . I haven't seen a n y t h i n g of the
C o l o n e l because I w a s separated off at the b e g i n n i n g to go a n d
see whether the A C o m p a n y tanks got into action all right. I'm
jolly grateful to y o u for those compass bearings. W e seem to h a v e
h a d the tanks p o i n t i n g i n the right direction, as far as I can m a k e
out.'
298 WAR MEMOIRS

'Yes, thank G o d ' , said B i o n r e m e m b e r i n g his unpleasant ex­

perience at the m u d track. H e h a d almost forgotten the agonies
he w e n t t h r o u g h at that time; his fears about the direction of the
battalion attack seemed n o w to be completely unreal.
T w i s h I c o u l d find somewhere to d u m p m y tunic', said Carter.
' T h i s heat is terrific, it's all I can manage to stop f r o m melting a w a y
into a d r o p of butter.'
T s h o u l d n ' t think y o u carried m u c h fat', said B i o n l o o k i n g at
the spare figure enviously.
T h e y w a l k e d i n silence for a few minutes. T h e n , 'Carter, I'm fed
u p w i t h this w a r . '
' Y o u d o n ' t say so', said Carter sarcastically. T thought most
people h a d c o m e to that conclusion l o n g a g o — w i t h i n about the
first five minutes. I certainly felt that w a y w h e n I was h a n d e d a
w h i t e feather w i t h i n about three or four months of the b e g i n n i n g
of the w a r — t h i n g s were pretty poisonous then. A n d e v e n n o w , if
y o u go h o m e o n leave i n L o n d o n , it o n l y takes y o u a few minutes
to f i n d out h o w ghastly the whole business is.'
'Yes, but I wasn't m e a n i n g that', said B i o n . T m e a n out here; it's
just about d a m n e d m u r d e r . I've been l y i n g next to a r u n n e r w h o
h a d part of his innards b l o w n out.'
T d o n ' t think that's m u c h to w o r r y about; it's the k i n d of t h i n g
one w o u l d expect. O n e expects to f i n d casualties, one expects
to f i n d that the thing is m u r d e r , that's exactly w h a t it's i n t e n d e d to
be. It's o r g a n i z e d i n order to be m u r d e r . T h e m a i n thing is to be
sure y o u m u r d e r them, a n d not our o w n lot', said Carter, t h i n k i n g
once m o r e about the failure to establish the correct compass bear­
ings at the start of the action. T don't think I m i n d m u c h , so l o n g as
I'm out here. There's a g o o d deal of nonsense about it, of course:
the o d d w h o r i n g a n d so o n i n the back areas, a g o o d deal of b o r i n g
talk i n the mess, a n d a lot of anxiety a n d a hell of a lot of w i n d - u p
w h e n it comes to a battle. But at least one is w i t h decent p e o p l e . '
T d o n ' t see w h y y o u say the people are any more decent than
they w o u l d be i n p e a c e - t i m e /
' A h , b u t they are', said Carter. ' Y o u can say w h a t y o u like
about w a r . W h e n y o u ' r e faced w i t h the possibility of b e i n g b l o w n
to bits at any m o m e n t , it jolly soon brings out the worst or the best
in m e n /
1 d o n ' t agree. L o o k at Q u a i n t o n — h e was a decent fellow if
ever there w a s one.'
 AMIENS 299

'Yes', said Carter somewhat non-committally.

' W e l l , d i d n ' t y o u think so?'
'Yes, I d i d ; he was an extremely decent fellow, but I d o n ' t think
I p u t quite such a h i g h value o n h i m as y o u d i d . H e was a charmer,
he got o n extremely w e l l w i t h e v e r y b o d y , a n d I k n o w C o l o n e l
Burnett was extremely impressed b y h i m , but look what h a p p e n e d
to h i m . H e goes into action just once, goes h o m e o n leave, a n d then
he cracks u p /
'That's true. I must say I f o u n d that a bit of a shock, but at the
same time w e d o n ' t really k n o w what h a p p e n e d , a n d w e d i d n ' t
hear a n y t h i n g f r o m Q u a i n t o n o u r s e l v e s /
' Y o u saw the letter he wrote to B r o o m ; it was a d a m n silly sort
of letter. Y o u ' d think a chap w h o h a d his head screwed o n straight
w o u l d n ' t write like that, a n d he w o u l d n ' t write to B r o o m /
' S o m e t h i n g m u s t certainly have h a p p e n e d to h i m , because
w h e n w e went into action at Y p r e s , that s h o w o n September 29th,
I h a d h i m near me, a n d I must say I was v e r y g l a d to have h i m b y
m y side. H e seemed to m e to have the root of the matter i n h i m . I
k n o w his faith i n G o d , a n d the confidence that it gave h i m , spread
to m e a n d b r o u g h t m e a g o o d deal of relief too.'
' F a i t h i n G o d ? ' said Carter doubtfully, T don't k n o w m u c h
about that— I think I'll p u t m y faith i n the decent people w h o have
the guts to stand u p to things a n d are able to think clearly i n a
nasty mess. T h e important thing i n this business is to be able to d o
y o u r job, h o w e v e r sick y o u ' r e feeling.'
T agree', said B i o n , 'but y o u ' v e got to have m o r e than that; I
s h o u l d have thought y o u must have faith i n something. I d o n ' t see
h o w y o u c a n possibly d o w i t h o u t it. A t the same time, I d o n ' t
k n o w h o w y o u , or a n y b o d y else, as a decent C h r i s t i a n manages to
p u t u p w i t h this filthy mess out h e r e /
'But I'm not a Christian, I never have been. I p u t m y faith i n
something better than that.'
' W e l l , then, w h a t are y o u fighting for?'
' W h a t I ' m fighting for is really quite simple. I've h a d a lot of
experience i n M a l a y a ; I've seen the w a y business is d o n e there; I
k n o w o u r people b y a n d large—crooks t h o u g h they often a r e — a r e
those o n w h o s e w o r d y o u can rely. I k n o w all about their failings;
I k n o w about the w a y someone, as likely as not, makes a h a s h of a
business contract a n d something turns out to be defective. But o n
the w h o l e w h e n one of our c o m m e r c i a l people says they'll deliver
300 WAR MEMOIRS

a n order, they deliver it. W h e n y o u ' r e dealing w i t h the Japanese or

the Boche, they're as crooked as hell; even some of the Y a n k s w e
h a d dealings w i t h can't be relied o n — t h e ' r e treacherous, they
haven't got the same business standards. Y o u fellows w h o live at
h o m e i n E n g l a n d d o n ' t really k n o w ; y o u think that all people,
every nation, is as g o o d as every other. That's not m y experience
at a l l /
'Yes, but I think it's just as true to say that y o u , Carter, because
y o u live i n M a l a y a , get a n exaggerated idea of things i n E n g l a n d /
'There's some truth i n that, but o n the other h a n d I d o n ' t s p e n d
the w h o l e of m y time i n M a l a y a . I have to c o m e back to E n g l a n d
f r o m time to time a n d keep contact w i t h o u r h e a d office. I d o w o r k
there, a n d I'm c o n v i n c e d that there's a standard of decency a n d
honesty that just doesn't exist i n m a n y of the people I have d e a l ­
ings w i t h .
'I think y o u ' r e being very n a r r o w - m i n d e d /
'I've seen far too m u c h of it for that, a n d I'm a lot older than
you, Bion/
' H o w o l d are y o u ? '
' W e l l , to tell the truth, I'm forty-six—not officially, m a r k y o u . I
swore that I w a s thirty-five. I d i d n ' t bother m u c h about d y e i n g m y
hair after the first interview. E v e n then they l o o k e d at m e a bit
o d d l y , I'm b o u n d to say. I'm not a chicken, as y o u can see.'
' W h y d i d y o u join u p ? '
'Because I felt the country was i n great danger, a n d I think it
w o u l d be a v e r y grave thing i n d e e d for the w o r l d at large if the
British p r e d o m i n a n c e were to disappear. F o r all I k n o w , it w i l l
disappear a n y h o w — a l l g o o d things come to a n e n d sometime. But
I d o n ' t think it's any g o o d d e l u d i n g ourselves; if the British fail,
then something g o o d w i l l go out of international life, a n d people
w i l l f i n d those w h o take their place are n o m o r e h o n e s t — a n d i n
m y o p i n i o n a great deal less h o n e s t — a n d a great deal more u n ­
pleasant to get o n w i t h than the British have ever been. T h e real
trouble w i t h our country at the present time, if y o u ' l l excuse m e
s a y i n g so, is that a lot of y o u people w h o have been to p u b l i c
schools are chock full of h i g h ideals, but y o u haven't got t h e m
geared to the realities of the situation. Y o u ' r e brought u p o n all this
i d e a l i s m about the p o o r a n d the depressed classes a n d the need
to carry the white m a n ' s b u r d e n ; the w h o l e affair is absolutely
r i d d l e d w i t h guilt. Y o u d o n ' t see w h a t it's really like i n the places
 AMIENS 301

w h e r e these jobs are done. But if y o u get out into the w i l d s , the
so-called 'outposts of E m p i r e ' , y o u get a chance of seeing w h a t
h u m a n beings are really like. E v e n i n this w a r s o m e of the scrubby
tricks y o u ' r e c o m p l a i n i n g of aren't at all peculiar. T h e y ' r e not
caused b y w a r ; it's just the w a r that shows them u p . It shows
y o u w h a t p e o p l e are really like. T h e h u m a n b e i n g is a nasty a n d
dangerous a n i m a l . O n e of the reasons w h y he's s u p r e m e over
other animals is because he is infinitely m o r e dangerous than a n y
tiger or w i l d beast possibly c o u l d be. M u r d e r , hatred a n d l u s t —
those^ire the p r e d o m i n a n t features. It's true they have s o m e sort of
intelligence, some k i n d of d e v e l o p m e n t of b r a i n p o w e r , a n d that
means they h a v e ideals, they w a n t to be k i n d to each other. I
s u p p o s e it starts off w i t h their b e i n g k i n d to their y o u n g , or w a n t ­
i n g to, a n d then it extends to other people. But y o u ' v e o n l y got to
scratch the surface—get people into a situation w h e r e there's a
shortage of f o o d , a n d y o u ' l l soon see what lies underneath. I can
tell y o u , it isn't pretty; it's a case of every m a n for himself. I've got
n o illusions about this w a r : the Boche a n d others are out to get as
m u c h loot as they possibly can, a n d if w e d o n ' t defend ourselves
b u t take u p the attitude that w e are all miserable sinners, then w e
shall go d o w n , w e shall h a v e failed i n o u r job.'

'But h o w are w e to k n o w that? W e ' r e b o u n d to think i n that

way.'
' W e l l , then, if w e ' r e b o u n d to think i n that w a y , better think i n
that w a y . W h a t other w a y are y o u g o i n g to think?' Carter l o o k e d at
B i o n critically b u t not u n k i n d l y . T h e y s h o u l d n ' t send these y o u n g ­
sters out here, he thought to himself. T h e y ' r e fit for n o t h i n g except
getting k i l l e d , or possibly getting the V C , a n d then they crack u p .
After all is said a n d d o n e , w h a t else can y o u expect of them? T h e r e
s h o u l d be a rule that n o b o d y is a l l o w e d to come out to the front
u n t i l they are at least twenty-one. I'd m a k e it older myself.
T h e y were n o w m a k i n g their w a y over to the right flank a n d
h a d got to w i t h i n three or four h u n d r e d yards of Berle a u Bois
w h e n heavy gun-fire broke out. There was a c l u m p of trees b e y o n d
the village, possibly a mile distant; the shell-fire h a d b r o k e n out
afresh, a n d the shells were bursting i n this w o o d , t h r o w i n g u p
h u g e clods of black earth w i t h occasional puffs of white f r o m w h a t
appeared to be shrapnel shells.
T d o n ' t k n o w w h o the hell's guns those can be', said Carter. T t
seems that some sort of resistance must be g o i n g o n there.'
302 WAR MEMOIRS

A m o m e n t or two later the fringe of the w o o d was p e o p l e d

w i t h a mass of m e n m o v i n g i n an indeterminate manner. It was not
at first possible to make out what the uniforms were.
' M y G o d , I think they're Boche', said Bion.
Carter got out his binoculars and looked. 'Yes, they are.
T h e y ' r e m a s s i n g — h e r e they come!'
G r a d u a l l y a small b u n c h of the enemy detached itself f r o m the
right flank a n d dashed forward; a bit later some more i n the centre.
T h e y started c o m i n g forward i n short rushes.
Tt looks to m e as if this is their counter-attack d e v e l o p i n g ' , said
B i o n . T w o n d e r h o w m u c h of it there is. If it's o n l y this bit, there
can't be m u c h more than a brigade i n the attack. T h e y ' l l have to
m o u n t something a g o o d deal more massive than that if they're
g o i n g to have any effect.'
'Yes, but w e d o n ' t k n o w what's over o n the left of the copse',
said Carter. ' Y o u see there, that's a crest of a rise a n d as far as I can
see—', he started f u m b l i n g w i t h his maps, 'there's a considerable
d i p there. W e can't tell f r o m here h o w m a n y m o r e troops m i g h t be
l y i n g there; it c o u l d be anything u p to two or three divisions, if our
staff were right i n saying that the enemy were p r e p a r i n g to attack
o n this sector. T h i s m a y be it, real trouble.'
T h e two of t h e m watched anxiously, a n d then as bullets began
to come over, they m a d e a m u c h m o r e cautious f o r w a r d advance,
still w o r k i n g their w a y towards Berle a u Bois, w h i c h r e m a i n e d
quite peaceful.
Tt seems pretty clear' said Carter, 'that there aren't any enemy
i n Berle a u Bois a n y h o w . T h e whole of this lot is i n the sector that's
n o t h i n g to d o w i t h us; that's where our reserve troops s h o u l d be
g o i n g t h r o u g h to attack. T h e y ' r e s u p p o s e d to be halted here o n
the green line, w h i c h runs t h o u g h to the w o o d where w e s h o u l d
be meeting. I h o p e to G o d our support troops have got u p there,
because this m a y develop into something v e r y u g l y . '
'Those must be our shells bursting i n that w o o d , then. I d o n ' t
k n o w if they've started u p because the enemy have c o m m e n c e d
their counter-attack, or if the gunners have spotted a concentration
i n the w o o d a n d have opened fire first.'
' W e l l , it's m u c h of a muchness', said Carter. Tt seems to me
they've got their front lines out, otherwise w e s h o u l d n ' t be getting
their a d v a n c i n g troops c o m i n g towards Berle au Bois like this.'
 AMIENS 303

'I w o n d e r w h e r e the d e v i l A s s e r is. H e m i g h t be able to d o

s o m e t h i n g about i t /
' N o , he w o u l d n ' t ' , said Carter, 'it w o u l d be v e r y risky. I
w o u l d n ' t send h i m f o r w a r d if I were y o u , e v e n if w e d o f i n d h i m .
R e m e m b e r , that's the F r e n c h F r o n t . '
'Yes, F o r e i g n L e g i o n ' , said B i o n .
' A t this p o i n t w e ' r e not s u p p o s e d to be d o i n g any m o r e attack­
i n g w i t h the F r e n c h . T h e y ' r e g o i n g f o r w a r d w i t h o u t tanks.'
'Yes, but it might be a g o o d thing to lend them one of ours if the
e n e m y attack gets really serious.'
T think y o u ought to get p e r m i s s i o n f r o m M a j o r de Freine
before y o u d o a n y t h i n g of that k i n d . W e have our job to d o o n this
front, a n d at this point w e definitely have to keep i n w i t h the 4 2 n d
D i v i s i o n a n d not get m i x e d u p w i t h the French. After t o m o r r o w
w e m a y get m o r e orders, but just n o w it w o u l d o n l y create c o n ­
fusion, a n d the F r e n c h m i g h t even shoot u p o u r tank if w e sent
it i n t h e r e /
' A n y w a y , I can't see any sign of Asser. It looks as if the e n e m y
attack is petering out a bit; they're meeting v e r y h e a v y m a c h i n e ­
g u n fire. It s o u n d s as if those are the F r e n c h guns n o w , d o n ' t y o u
think?'
'Yes, t h o u g h I can't see where a n y b o d y is. A l l we're getting
here are a few riccos f l y i n g about f r o m the enemy f i r e — a n d their
fire is v e r y ragged a n d p o o r a n y w a y /
It was a rash remark. A s u d d e n burst of m a c h i n e - g u n fire came
so close that they were both g l a d to have the o p p o r t u n i t y to flatten
out i n a shell-hole just i n front of them.
T d o n ' t like the s o u n d of this at a l l ' , said Bion.
' N o r d o I', said Carter. ' T h a t burst of m a c h i n e - g u n fire w a s
altogether too close, a n d yet o n the right the F r e n c h are o b v i o u s l y
h o l d i n g them. I never h e a r d s u c h a concentration of m a c h i n e - g u n
fire.'
T h e rattle of the machine-guns was c o n t i n u o u s — t h e r e w a s
n o t h i n g ragged about it. It d i d not seem to either of the two officers
that the e n e m y c o u l d advance into the face of s u c h a n intensity of
fire, a n d yet somewhere a G e r m a n m a c h i n e - g u n n e r m u s t have
m a n a g e d to creep u p , perhaps towards their left.
'It w o u l d be just as w e l l to keep our heads d o w n for a m i n u t e or
two', said Carter. 'There must be some chap w h o h a d got r o u n d o n
304 WAR MEMOIRS

the left flank. F u n n y thing is, that w o o d seems to be pasted b y o u r

h e a v y guns; all that stuff looks like ours rather than the F r e n c h ' ,
but just at that m o m e n t there broke out a great furore f r o m their
right a n d b e h i n d them.
Tt s o u n d s like a w h o l e lot of biscuit tins b e i n g s l a m m e d to­
gether', said B i o n .
'That's the F r e n c h 75', said Carter. T h e y always make that
infernal d i n . T h e y s o u n d like toy ones, but m y goodness they can
fire fast. Yes, n o w y o u can see the shrapnel b u r s t i n g — a n d H . E .
T h e y must be s e n d i n g over m i x e d H . E . a n d shrapnel, right a l o n g
the edge of the w o o d there. That's a pretty g o o d barrage they're
p u t t i n g d o w n there; it must be one that hasn't been registered at
all. T h e F r e n c h must have got their guns u p into their advance
positions b y this time. I d o n ' t think the Boche are g o i n g to h a v e it
all their o w n w a y b y any manner of means.' There were a n u m b e r
of flares a n d star shells being fired. 'It's a f u n n y thing h o w the
F r e n c h always seem to d o that all night a n d all day; they go i n for
a n enormous amount of these light signals. Y o u ' d think it w o u l d n ' t
be m u c h use i n daytime, a n d yet y o u can distinguish them pretty
w e l l . There can't be m u c h doubt about w h a t the signals m e a n if
y o u k n o w the code.'
O u t i n front of Berle au Bois, towards the e n e m y counter-attack,
they c o u l d distinguish two or three F r e n c h infantry w a n d e r i n g
about.
T d o n ' t think I w a n t to stay stuck i n this c o n f o u n d e d hole', said
Carter, 'it's too i g n o m i n i o u s altogether. If those chaps can w a l k
about out there, there can't be m u c h w r o n g w i t h our d o i n g it.'
' A n y h o w ' , said Bion, 'we h a d better get o n because w e ' v e got to
w o r k out h o w to get to the meeting. It's time w e were shifting over.
I w i s h I'd f o u n d Asser, all the same; I'd like to k n o w w h a t has
h a p p e n e d to h i m . C o m e o n , then.' T h e y left the shell-hole a n d
started w a l k i n g over to the left i n the direction of the A m i e n s - R o y e
r o a d a n d their r e n d e z v o u s .
' M y G o d , they're letting that w o o d have it n o w ' , exclaimed
Carter.
T h e gunfire was certainly intense. T h e y c o u l d see huge
branches a n d even trees u p r o o t e d , turned over o n their sides a n d
occasionally tossed u p into the air. Great clods of earth were f l y i n g
f r o m the w o o d , a n d it w a s evident that h e a v y H o w i t z e r g u n s h a d
b e e n trained onto it as w e l l as the field artillery, w h i c h w a s m a i n ­
 AMIENS 305

taining a steady d r u m of fire o n the w o o d a n d its i m m e d i a t e fore­

g r o u n d w h e r e the e n e m y counter-attack seemed to h a v e f i z z l e d
out. T h e n they noticed that a few enemy began to r u n back again
towards the w o o d .
'I can't say I e n v y them if they're g o i n g to go back there for
shelter', said Carter. ' T h e y w o u l d d o better to stay where they are.'
' W e l l , some of them seem to think they w o u l d d o better to c o m e
f o r w a r d ' , said B i o n as he saw small parties b e g i n to r u n towards
the F r e n c h lines w i t h their hands above their heads. T d o n ' t think
it c a n be the genuine counter-attack—just a local affair.'
In another ten minutes they h a d reached the trench that f o r m e d
the advance c o m p a n y H . Q . There they f o u n d Major de Freine
already installed w i t h the C o l o n e l , A s s e r a n d H a u s e r .

T h e s m a l l g r o u p of officers stood i n the cool of the shade of the

trees fanned b y the breeze, w h i c h was n o w b l o w i n g steadily. T h e y
d i d not say v e r y m u c h to each other; they were all g a z i n g intently
at the spectacle set out before them like a vast p a n o r a m i c f i l m
d r a m a . T h e fact that reserves h a d been so conspicuously l a c k i n g
i n every action w i t h w h i c h they were acquainted m a d e it h a r d to
believe i n the reality of this scene as it u n f o l d e d . N e v e r before h a d
there been reserves, certainly not reserves brought u p w i t h s u c h
massive efficiency a n d i n s u c h great force.
T h e tanks were d i s p l a y i n g into battle order, a n d for the first
time the officers h a d a n i m p r e s s i o n of w h a t it m i g h t be like for a n
e n e m y if they f o u n d themselves attacked b y formations that came
o n i n the order they were s u p p o s e d to d o according to the text­
books. T h e rest of the troops still remained i n c o l u m n of route;
o b v i o u s l y the A m i e n s - R o y e r o a d was not sufficiently w i d e to be
able to b r i n g f o r w a r d the troops a n d also to carry the returning
stream of e m p t y lorries g o i n g back after h a v i n g delivered their
goods. Therefore the w h o l e plateau was s t u d d e d w i t h c o l u m n s , at
a distance of some three h u n d r e d yards between each, a d v a n c i n g
i n d e p e n d e n t l y of roads i n order to get f o r w a r d as q u i c k l y as p o s ­
sible. T h i s , c o m b i n e d w i t h any lack of response f r o m the e n e m y ,
l e d to a peculiar sense of exhilaration—or at least it potentially d i d
so, for w h i l e there were ejaculations of surprise at this sight, there
306 WAR MEMOIRS

was also a heavy d r a g g i n g at the heart, as if all felt that the event
h a d occurred too late. H a d this h a p p e n e d years before, then it
w o u l d h a v e c h i m e d i n w i t h the enthusiasm, the sense of m i s s i o n
a n d crusade that h a d animated the early armies. A s it was, the
feelings of elation conflicted w i t h the tide of depression a n d d i s i l ­
l u s i o n , w h i c h struggled at the same time for expression because it
c o u l d at last f i n d some relief f r o m the evils that h a d originally
caused it a n d that were n o longer operating. T h i s must have c o n ­
tributed to the somewhat g r i m , r i g i d , set expression w i t h w h i c h
these officers stood a n d watched the o n c o m i n g flood.
A t last the C o l o n e l turned to Major de Freine a n d his fellow
officers, a n d for a while his face h a d lost the harassed, neurotic
look that it h a d been w e a r i n g for some weeks past; he seemed able
to be m o r e h u m a n .
T d o n ' t think I need to tell y o u one part of the operation orders
at least. There, as y o u can see for yourselves, gentlemen, is the 1st
Battalion g o i n g through. W e are therefore relieved. A t the same
time, it must be understood that every tank is to be p u t into fight­
i n g c o n d i t i o n at once; all the greasing u p , all the r e l o a d i n g w i t h
a m m u n i t i o n has to be done before any m a n gets any rest. Y o u h a d
better serve food, of course—that has to be a priority, because they
h a v e not h a d any decent meals, a n d I think it is safe to say n o w
that y o u can p r o d u c e heated food o n dixies a n d so forth. N e v e r ­
theless y o u s h o u l d still preserve all precautions w i t h regard to
aeroplane observation a n d the possibility of b o m b i n g attacks. In
any case', he said, turning back towards the enemy front, ' y o u can
see w e are observed'; w a v i n g his a r m , he p o i n t e d to the r o w of
e n e m y observation balloons, w h i c h seemed to be extremely near,
as was always the case w i t h the G e r m a n army. ' Y o u m a y be sure',
he c o n t i n u e d , 'they w i l l be passing back all the information they
can about our doings. I don't imagine it w i l l be v e r y cheerful
information f r o m the point of v i e w of the G e r m a n staff, but I d o u b t
they have really got the troops n o w to be able to d o m u c h about it.'
H e n o d d e d to de Freine w h o seemed to have something he w i s h e d
to say.
' W h a t has h a p p e n e d to the e n e m y attack that was being
amassed against A m i e n s , sir?'
T d o n ' t k n o w ' , said the C o l o n e l . ' H a v e y o u chaps seen m a n y
prisoners? I heard some report f r o m D i v i s i o n a l H . Q . that a great
m a n y guns a n d m e n h a d been t a k e n /
 AMIENS 307

D e Freine, l o o k i n g at the other officers interrogatively, seemed

to invite comment, but n o b o d y c o u l d say v e r y m u c h .
T think, sir', said H a u s e r , 'that the fog w a s so thick that it was
impossible to see w h a t was g o i n g o n . I haven't seen any prisoners.'
A s s e r said that he h a d seen some handfuls of e n e m y troops
g i v i n g themselves u p , but that w a s w i t h the F r e n c h Front; he
d i d n ' t k n o w a n y t h i n g about what h a d been g o i n g o n ' o n o u r o w n
corps front'.
' O f course, I haven't yet h a d any orders f r o m D i v i s i o n ' , said the
C o l o n e l , 'so I can't really tell y o u a n y t h i n g official about it, but it
doesn't seem to m e that they have got v e r y m u c h of a chance—I
think they've been caught out very b a d l y i n d e e d . I d i d hear some
casual talk that the Australians at V i l l e r s P l o u i c h h a d h a d diffi­
culty o n their extreme left flank, but that is to be expected i n v i e w
of the fact that the troops o n their left were not due to attack at all
i n this battle, a n d p r e s u m a b l y they h a d to throw back a defensive
left flank, b u t I haven't h e a r d that they h a d any trouble i n taking
their objectives. If that is so, it seems pretty clear that the advance
has been quite general along the w h o l e front. N o doubt I shall be
able to tell y o u m o r e later. In the meantime I must go a n d f i n d out
m o r e of w h a t has been h a p p e n i n g — I ' m g o i n g to D i v i s i o n a l H . Q .
first, a n d then o n to A r m y C o r p s . Y o u k n o w h o w to get i n t o u c h
w i t h us, Major de Freine. W e l l , g o o d luck y o u fellows, y o u ' v e done
extremely w e l l . ' H e turned o n his heel a n d w i t h the adjutant, a n d
Carter w h o joined them, w e n t off towards the left flank.
D e Freine d e c i d e d to w a i v e his u s u a l procedure. H e was accus­
t o m e d at this stage i n a n action to be w e l c o m i n g back the officers
a n d m e n f r o m the u s u a l abortive offensive w i t h a glass of port a n d
s o m e m u r m u r e d condolences a n d congratulations, interspersed
w i t h gentle suggestions of 'gallant fellows' a n d 'brave m e n ' . But o n
this occasion it was o b v i o u s l y not quite what was r e q u i r e d . H e
therefore turned to his section commanders, saying they h a d heard
w h a t the C o l o n e l ' s orders w e r e — t h e tank crews must immediately
get ready to prepare their tanks for action a n d r e m a i n at their
particular stations. T h i s order was queried b y H a u s e r , w h o s u g ­
gested that they s h o u l d f i n d specific positions i n w h i c h the tanks
w o u l d be secure f r o m observation.
' O h yes, of course', said de Freine, T w a s taking that for
granted. Y o u m u s t all get y o u r tanks u n d e r the shelter of trees a n d
report at once to the section c o m m a n d e r s , w h o w i l l , of course,
308 WAR MEMOIRS

report to m e the exact location of every t a n k / H e d r e w H a u s e r

aside. ' H a u s e r , y o u w i l l have to give u p y o u r tank. I think G r e e n e
h a d better take it over w i t h his crew. Y o u r m e n can go into the
c o m p a n y reserve for the time b e i n g — t h e y deserve a rest i n a n y
case. I w a n t y o u to take over H o m f r a y ' s s e c t i o n — y o u ' l l be sorry
to hear that he was killed. Bion, I'm afraid y o u must reconcile
yourself to losing H a u s e r . I a m sure y o u w i l l be v e r y sorry to see
h i m go, but just as pleased as I a m that at last he has the p r o m o ­
tion he v e r y m u c h deserves. I think y o u said y o u actually saw
C a r t w r i g h t ' s tank hit, d i d n ' t y o u ? '
'Yes, sir, I h a d just got out of i t /
' P o o r fellows, no chance for any of them, of c o u r s e /
' N o n e whatever, sir. T h e y were obviously all killed practically
instantaneously. I don't think they were even trying to get out of
the tank. Some of them were b l o w n t h r o u g h the d o o r w h e n it w a s
b l o w n off its hinges, a n d others over the top of the sides w h e n the
roof c a v e d i n . I don't think they can have l i v e d l o n g e n o u g h for
any of t h e m to have tried to m a k e a n attempt at e s c a p e /
' W h o w a s the sergeant?'
'Sergeant O ' T o o l e , sir, m y o l d tank sergeant/
' W h a t a p i t y , he w a s a v e r y g o o d m a n . H e was extremely
disillusioned a n d upset because he w a s not p r o m o t e d to C o m p a n y
Sergeant-Major. There was n o t h i n g I c o u l d d o about it; I think he
w o u l d h a v e m a d e a n extremely g o o d one, but w e h a d to take over
Sergeant-Major C a n n o n f r o m A C o m p a n y , w h o h a d been d u e for
p r o m o t i o n m u c h longer.'
'Yes, sir, I k n o w h o w he felt. H e e v e n said, p o o r d e v i l , that he
d i d n ' t w a n t a n y t h i n g f r o m this action except six feet of e a r t h /
T think his nerve must have gone', said de Freine.
'It's v e r y likely, sir. H e h a d h a d continuous action since the
time the battalion came out here.'
' W e l l , for that matter, so have y o u , but y o u d o n ' t s h o w a n y
signs of cracking u p , I ' m g l a d to say.'
B i o n d i d not believe h i m . H e felt that people w h o cracked u p
were merely those w h o d i d not allow the rest of the w o r l d to . . .

[Ends here—no more written.]

AFTERMATH

Parthenope Bion Talamo

' M H a d everyone gone m a d ? ' (p. 69).

I I T h i s question came to Bion's m i n d w h i l e comment-
JL J L i n g o n what s h o u l d have been one of the m o r e peaceful
a n d less frightening moments of his w a r years, the Christmas
1917 break f r o m fighting, a n d refers to the b r u t i s h b e h a v i o u r of
m e n off d u t y . H e gives it n o immediate answer, b u t reading War
Memoirs makes m e w o n d e r whether he d i d not perhaps s p e n d a
g o o d p o r t i o n of the rest of his life exploring the avenues of enquiry
that it o p e n e d u p , as he m o v e d t h r o u g h the s t u d y of history to
teaching, m e d i c i n e , psychotherapy a n d finally psychoanalysis a n d
the psychoanalytically i n f o r m e d study of groups.
T h e diaries themselves are almost r a w material, w i t h h a r d l y
any emotional o r intellectual elaboration, a far c r y i n d e e d f r o m
the w a r p o e m s of O w e n or Sassoon. E v e n the later versions of the
same experiences delineated i n Bion's autobiographical writings
(1982, s o m e parts of 1992) d o not seem to have u n d e r g o n e great
changes. It is interesting to note that some episodes are carried
over almost u n c h e w e d arid apparently undigested into A Memoir
of the Future (1991), as t h o u g h n o further w o r k i n g - t h r o u g h were
possible.
A s far as A Memoir of the Future is concerned, this technique
is justified b y the fact that B i o n w a s trying to present the reader
w i t h r a w , basic, almost p r i m i t i v e experiences that h a d been dealt
w i t h at the time of their occurrence b y a m i n d that was recognized
as b e i n g i l l - e q u i p p e d to d o so. In several places i n the diaries he
c o m p l a i n s of the fact that he (and others) h a d not the mental
e q u i p m e n t of a professional soldier, w h i c h , he seems to have felt,
w o u l d have g i v e n h i m some sort of protection f r o m the full blast of
w a r . But the reason he uses these episodes i n A Memoir of the Future

309
310 WAR MEMOIRS

is to s h o w u p the co-existence of regressed states of m i n d , together

w i t h more sophisticated ones. It is i l l u m i n a t i n g to c o m p a r e his
D i a r y description (p. 122) of gaining some comfort f r o m l y i n g o n
the b a n k 'just as if I was l y i n g peacefully i n someone's arms',
h a v i n g i n the p r e v i o u s sentence said that he felt just like a s m a l l
c h i l d 'that has h a d rather a tearful d a y a n d wants to be p u t to b e d
b y its mother', w i t h the slightly defiant proclamation i n Cogitations
(1992, p. 166): 'Winnicott says patients need to regress; M e l a n i e
K l e i n says they must not: I say they are r e g r e s s e d . . . . ' R e a d i n g his
War Memoirs, one feels that he h a d h a d first-hand experience of
w h a t h e w a s talking about.
T h i s v i s i o n of the m i n d as a palimpsest w i t h a continual p o t e n ­
tiality for almost instantaneous regression c a n be seen to tie u p
to the theory of beta-elements, a continuous flow of unprocessed
pre-mental sensory data, w h i c h then have to be subjected to a l p h a ­
function i n order to be used for thinking at all, i n the sense that
these two theories deal w i t h the rock bottom of mental a n d p r e ­
mental life. I also feel that it is n o mere coincidence that a l t h o u g h
the diaries were dedicated to his parents, it is his mother alone
w h o is i n v o k e d every n o w a n d again as reader, as t h o u g h B i o n felt
that she w a s a fundamental participant i n an internal dialogue. It is
perhaps not too fanciful to suppose that the fact that he h a d not
'written letters' d u r i n g the w a r h a d not o n l y been part of a desire
to spare his mother p a i n , b u t w a s also a n unconscious attempt to
preserve her i n his o w n m i n d as a container as u n d a m a g e d as
possible b y hideous news, a n d hence as a part of the personality
capable of alpha-function.
It is interesting to note that B i o n never gave a central role to
p r o b l e m s connected to aggression or death i n his psychoanalytic
theorizing. W h e n he d i d deal w i t h problems of warfare (rather
than aggression) i n his adult writings, it was almost as t h o u g h he
w e r e forced into d o i n g so b y external circumstances (having been
called u p as a n a r m y psychiatrist i n 1940), a n d at first his a p p r o a c h
tended to be remarkable for its p r a g m a t i s m rather than for its
theory (1940, 1943). H i s later theorization of g r o u p d y n a m i c s
(1948,1952) m a d e use of the idea of the proto-mental as the matrix
sustaining basic-assumption p h e n o m e n a ; a n d again I suspect that
the experience of panic described i n the D i a r y , his awareness of the
contagious effects of h i g h or l o w morale, his attempts at a r o u g h
 AFTERMATH 311

sort of 'behaviourist g r o u p therapy (described o n p p . 89-90), as

7

w e l l as his p e r c e p t i o n of the disgregating effects of b o r e d o m a n d

complete lack of discipline, a l l f o r m e d part of the real p e r s o n a l
e m o t i o n a l experience o n w h i c h his theories lie.
T h e ' m a d n e s s ' that B i o n speaks of a n d describes as h a v i n g
experienced o n m o r e than one occasion (the two episodes d e ­
scribed o n p p . 94-95 a n d 105-106 are cases i n point) a n d the
loneliness h e suffered (p. 75) w e r e to some s m a l l extent a m e l i o ­
rated b y the contrasting experiences of deep c o m r a d e s h i p a n d real
affection. H e mentions Short's gratitude to h i m just as he is l e a v i n g
at the v e r y e n d (while b e i n g unrelentingly bitter over the i n g r a t i ­
tude of the 'Great British E m p i r e ' ) . T h i s m o r e l o v i n g side of h u m a n
relationships even i n warfare comes out v e r y clearly i n the o n l y
episode that B i o n quotes as feeling that it h a d d o n e h i m c r e d i t —
that is, his taking h o t tea a n d stew u p to the m e n of his section
d o i n g d u t y as infantry i n the front line (p. 84). It is i n fact clear
throughout the diaries that h e w a s capable of c a r i n g for his m e n ,
a n d his m o s t scathing comments are reserved for those officers
a n d staff w h o w e r e not. T o m y m i n d , the capacity for love that c a n
sometimes be f o u n d i n g r o u p b e h a v i o u r appears later o n i n B i o n ' s
w o r k u n d e r the guise of the terms ' c o m p a s s i o n ' (1992, p . 125) a n d
' c o n c e r n ' (1992, p p . 247-248), a n d his experience of it is part of the
m e n t a l h u m u s f r o m w h i c h the theories of L , H a n d K l i n k s were to
grow.
It w o u l d , o f course, be a n excessive simplification to say
that B i o n became a n analyst 'because o f his w a r e x p e r i e n c e s — i n
fact, it m i g h t be equally true to say that h e became one i n spite of
t h e m ; n o t w i t h s t a n d i n g his exposure to m i n d l e s s stupidity a n d the
brutality of w a r , he still felt that there w a s e n o u g h goodness i n
m a n k i n d (and that it w a s t h o u g h t - p r o v o k i n g enough) for it to be
w o r t h dedicating h i s life to the s t u d y of people. Since n o decision
c a n be m a d e o n the matter, perhaps it is m o r e useful to think of
his T a n k C o r p s life as h a v i n g c o m b i n e d w i t h m a n y other pieces i n
a mosaic that l e d to a certain sort of e v o l u t i o n . O n e thread i n this
strand that c a n be p i c k e d out, h o w e v e r , is the r e c u r r i n g theme
that underlies the D i a r y of the i n d i v i d u a l w h o is b o t h part of his
g r o u p , i n tune w i t h it, a n d against his g r o u p , at w a r w i t h it a n d
w i t h himself, w h i c h i n later psychoanalytic writings is carried over
to illustrate the mental w o r k i n g s of the i n d i v i d u a l a n d his internal
312 WAR MEMOIRS

g r o u p . A n o t h e r aspect of Bion's personality that appears clearly i n

the D i a r y a n d w h i c h w a s never to leave h i m w a s his remarkable
capacity b o t h for curiosity a n d for e n q u i r y , s u p p o r t e d b y acute
observation, e v e n w h e n the subject matter for investigation w a s
p a i n f u l or literally terrifying.
A l t h o u g h the comments Bion makes o n w a r , aggressiveness,
courage a n d cowardice are scattered throughout his w o r k s i n
a somewhat h a p h a z a r d w a y , a n d after Experiences in Groups h e
never attempted a n y systematic a p p r o a c h to these p r o b l e m s ,
B i o n continued to b u y books o n warfare, histories of w a r , m e m o i r s
of partisan warfare a n d so o n right u p till his death, as t h o u g h
the subject were never far f r o m the surface of his m i n d , perhaps
constituting, i n its social a n d i n d i v i d u a l components, a great
unsolved puzzle.
Turin
May 1997

REFERENCES

B i o n , W . R . (1940). T h e W a r o f N e r v e s I n : E . M i l l e r & H . C r i c h t o n -
M i l l e r ( E d . ) , The Neuroses in War. L o n d o n : Macmillan.
B i o n , W . R . ( 1 9 4 3 ) . I n t r a - g r o u p T e n s i o n s i n T h e r a p y . Lancet ( 2 7 N o v . ) :
678-781.
B i o n , W . R . (1948). E x p e r i e n c e s i n G r o u p s . Human Relations, I-IV.
( A l s o i n : Experiences in Groups. L o n d o n : T a v i s t o c k , 1961.)
B i o n , W . R . ( 1 9 5 2 ) . G r o u p D y n a m i c s : A R e v i e w . International Journal
of Psycho-Analysis, 3 3 . ( A l s o i n : Experiences in Groups. London:
Tavistock, 1961.)
B i o n , W . R . ( 1 9 8 2 ) . The Long Weekend: 1897-1919 (Part of a Life), e d .
F. Bion. A b i n g d o n : F l e e t w o o d Press.
B i o n , W . R . ( 1 9 9 1 ) . A Memoir of the Future ( B o o k s 1 - 3 w i t h ' T h e K e y ' ) .
London: Karnac Books.
B i o n , W . R . ( 1 9 9 2 ) . Cogitations, e d . F . B i o n . L o n d o n : K a r n a c Books.
 War Memoirs 1917-19

b y Wilfred R. B i o n

Bion's War Memoirs is perhaps the most exceptional piece of autobiography

yet written by a psychoanalyst. The first section of the book is documentary,

consisting of the entire text of the diaries which Bion wrote as a y o u n g m a n

to record his experiences o n the Western Front from 1917 to 1919. T h e

photographs and diagrams with which he illustrated his recollections are

also reproduced here. The diaries are followed b y two later essays i n which

he reflects u p o n his wartime experiences. These meditations are influenced

by his psychoanalytic training, and perhaps also suggest h o w his approach

to psychoanalysis was influenced by his wartime experiences. Together, these

diaries and essays provide a most m o v i n g picture of war and its effects.

Born in India in 1897, W . R. Bion first came to England at the age of eight to

receive his schooling. D u r i n g the First World War, he served i n France as a

tank commander, a n d was awarded the D S O and the Legion of Honour.

After reading history at Queen's College, Oxford he studied medicine at

University College, L o n d o n , before a g r o w i n g interest i n psychoanalysis

led h i m to undergo training analyses with John Rickman a n d , later, Melanie

Klein. H i s other writings include Learning from Experience (1962), Elements

of Psycho-Analysis (1963), Transformations (1965), Second Thoughts (1967),

Attention and Interpretation (1970), Two Papers: The Grid and Caesura (1977),

Brazilian Lectures (1990), A Memoir of the Future (1990), Cogitations (1992),

Clinical Seminars and Other Works (1994) and Taming Wild Thoughts (1997) as

well as two further volumes of autobiography, The Long Weekend (1982) a n d

All My Sins Remembered (1985).

Karnac Books,

58, Gloucester Road,

London SW7 4QY

http: / / w ww.karnacbooks.com

ISBN 1 85575 153 4