We took up a position allotted to us, and just when we had settled
down to it a staff officer came along, and we were told we were going
to have a chance of showing whether we were “show” soldiers or the
real thing. We could have yelled for joy.... After covering a short
distance we were sent across the fields in open order. We found some
of our cavalry dismounted and holding a line of trenches quite close
to the Germans. Just then we came under fire from the rifles and the
machine guns. It was a bit unnerving at first, and some of our chaps
didn’t like it, but we pressed steadily on, taking advantage of every
bit of cover. It was a matter of lying down every few minutes, and then
rushing forward a few yards, until we came right up to their trenches.
As we got close the German rifle fire ceased almost, and we saw their
infantry stand up in the trenches to receive our attack. I must say
they struck me as being game chaps, and after what I had heard about
their fear of the bayonet I was a bit surprised. We were now near
enough to see the fierce glare in the eyes of the enemy as they waited
for us. We gave them one great volley and then bayonets were fixed,
and in a long line we charged down on their trenches. The madness of
that charge I shall never forget. There was no time to think of fear or
danger. We were mad drunk with the excitement. The blood was coursing
in our veins at express speed, and our only thought was to close in
the death-grip with the foe. Some of our boys yelled out “Scotland
for ever!” and others were as silent as the grave. Their lines were
strengthened at every point, and they made a great stand against us,
but we were fresh, and we slashed right and left with a will. They
weakened after the first shock, and gradually fell back, fighting inch
by inch, but each step we forced them back, their pace became quicker,
and then they broke into a mad race for life: _A Member of the London
Scottish_.