I rolled a cigarette, thinking the engagement finished for the time,
and was making my way up the ridge ahead of my company to see how far
the Germans had retired. I had gone some considerable distance when
thousands of Germans reappeared on the sky-line, and of course I had
to dash back to my company. Every second I expected a bullet through
my back, but I was lucky and was bowled over by one which fractured
my right elbow, and I broke my forearm as I fell. The Germans advanced
right over me, but after taking all my grub out of my haversack they
left me to my fate. I lay there until dark and it was the longest day
I remember. The bullets and shells flew over my head incessantly, some
only falling a few yards away from where I lay. As soon as darkness
fell and the firing ceased the stretcher-bearers came out and got me
away. Once or twice I sat up to see what chance I had of getting away,
but the dirty devils kept on sniping at me, and I had to lie down
again. I could see, however, that the ground was covered with dead
Germans: _Pte. Priest, Coldstream Guards_.