We had no trenches, all that was available being head “cover,” and
in some parts there was very little of that. The noise was terrible,
while all the time the shells were bursting around. Occasionally when
they exploded near us the shrapnel even tore our clothes. The shells,
however, which did the most damage were those which burst in the
air. While the action was going on we could see quite a number of the
German aeroplanes operating above us. Their object was to discover
our position, and when they had accomplished this they dropped some
kind of powder which burst into flames as it descended and showed
their artillery at what places to direct their shell fire. There was a
most exciting and peculiar incident in the course of the engagement.
An aeroplane hovered above our lines and then darted towards the
Germans. Our artillery fired at it, and when the enemy saw it their
artillery also attempted to bring it down. The machine came back in our
direction, still under a heavy fire, and you can imagine our surprise
when it descended amongst us and a young Frenchman stepped out of it.
He had been sent to discover the position of the Germans. The frame of
the aeroplane was riddled with bullets, but in spite of that fact he
made several visits in the course of the evening towards the German
lines: _Pte. R. Stobbie, Highland Light Infantry_.