Our first waves of men flowed past and between these blockhouses in their struggle to attain their objectives, and were swept by cross-fire as they went forward, so that they were thinned out by the time they had reached the line of their advance.
"From Bapaume to Passchendaele, 1917"
Philip Gibbs
From the farthest point, later in the day, the men were withdrawn to the ground given to them for their objectives and German attempts to organize counter-attacks were smashed by our artillery, because we have absolute observation of their movements from the higher ground won by great fighting in the Somme battles.
"From Bapaume to Passchendaele, 1917"
Philip Gibbs
Fighting with us, the French troops kept pace with their usual gallantry, carrying all their objectives according to the time-table.
"From Bapaume to Passchendaele, 1917"
Philip Gibbs