Our machine gun began yapping, but its noise was little better than
that of a toy terrier against a brace of bulldogs, and we didn’t count
much on it. Part of the regiment lay in the trenches firing away at
the Germans for all they were worth, but we didn’t count much on
that either. We knew that the good old bayonet would have to be our
mainstay, and so one of the companies was ordered to get ready for the
rush across the intervening space. We were out in a brace of shakes,
and there was no loitering by the way, for the sooner we got there the
easier would it be. Half way across they found our range with the guns,
and shrapnel dropped all around. Our chaps were suffering badly, and
seemed to get a bit weak in their advance. Nobody could blame them, for
it was awful work. The officer in command simply called out, “Remember,
men, the Black Watch never wavers. Forward!” That knocked on the head
any idea of wavering, and we were off again like a party of merry
trippers at the beginning of the Glasgow Fair holidays. We got there
in the end, but at a terrible price, and we found the Germans ready
for us. We went in without a word or a cheer. After we had driven them
off, they were on to us again before we had time to make the position
secure. We beat them back, but they came on over and over again. The
last time I think it would have gone hard with us, indeed, but for an
unexpected diversion. A French aeroplane appeared overhead and began
signalling to a point in our rear. This scared the Germans, who feared
a big force was moving to cut them off, and they fell back. Before they
had had time to find out their mistake a brigade of infantry arrived
to our assistance, and then the enemy cleared off for good. That was
one of the closest things for us; and it was a miracle that we pulled
through against such terrible odds as were thrown against us that
night: _A Private of the Black Watch_.
“Nesting” Time
The Germans took full advantage of the woods. Sharpshooters and even
machine guns were posted on the trees, and they did terrible execution
amongst our men, who were unable to see them. You approached a wood
that appeared quite peaceful and an ideal place for a quiet rest.
Suddenly you awoke to the fact that every tree was a fortress, and
bullets began to drop all round just like acorns from the trees
at home. For an enemy the woods have many advantages, but the
disadvantages must not be overlooked. We saw enough of them to bring
home to us that tree-fighting is not all a picnic. One day we had
reason to suspect that the enemy were trying their trick in the woods
on our left. The French artillery opened fire, and as we advanced we
found the wood blazing from end to end. From all directions came the
agonizing cries of the Germans who were concealed in the trees. They
had no hope of getting away in many cases, and simply had to stay in
their perches until suffocation brought a merciful end. A few of them
did escape, and dashed out to our lines in terror. We ceased fire and
did the best we could for them, but that wasn’t much. On another day
we advanced into a wood that was held in force by the enemy. They were
bent on contesting every inch of the ground, and what we had to do was
to shelter behind each tree as we advanced, firing at the next where
one or more Germans were posted. We had to keep that sort of thing up
for a day, and when night fell it was doubly dangerous work. Still, we
had to keep at it, and in the end we drove them out. Our chaps and the
French are ready to do their share of “nesting” in the trees when it is
necessary to resist the Germans, and we have had plenty of that kind
of fighting. It requires a lot of courage, and is terribly risky all
through: _A Corporal of the Middlesex Regiment_.