We have been living the life of rabbits, for we burrowed ourselves in
trenches, and here we remained for over fifty hours. It was an exciting
and not unpleasant experience. The bursting of shells overhead was
continuous, and it became monotonous. To the youngsters it was an awful
experience in the earlier stages, but even they became so accustomed to
the roar overhead that they raised a cheer each time shrapnel and shell
spoke, making such remarks as “There’s another rocket, John”: _Pte. C.
Harris, West Kents_.
Too Late!
The Germans don’t seem to care how much ammunition they waste. They
kept blazing away for nine solid hours at a position which we had left
the day before. When some of us visited the abandoned trenches after
they had discovered their mistake we were astonished to find the ground
covered with bullets that had done absolutely no damage. If it wasn’t
for their artillery I really don’t know where they would be, for they
are little use at any other form of fighting: _Private Edward Strong_.