The great advantage of the quiet nature of this front was the
possibility of daylight reliefs, so it was in the afternoon of November
27th that the 7th dribbled across "Westminster Bridge" over the canal,
and took over the support positions evacuated by the 1st battalion
Wiltshire Regt. in the vicinity of "Windy Corner." We were astonished to
find cottages and rows of houses, very little damaged, within 600 yards
of the front line, and we reposed comfortably on wire beds inside them
instead of in holes in the ground. In fact, across the canal, just
behind Harley Street, and at an equal distance from the front, there
still lived a Frenchman with his wife and kiddie, who dispensed eggs and
chips to hungry Tommies! Surely this must be a "bon front." I am afraid
things looked vastly different after the Hun attempt to smash through
the 55th division here in the following April. It was with the
probability of this attack in view that the 42nd division began to
stiffen the defences, and as well as holding the line we interested
ourselves in digging, concreting and wiring.
G.H.Q. were convinced that Germany would in the Spring make a supreme
effort to break up the Western Front before the American Army became an
effective force in the field. The offensive spirit was to be kept in our
pockets for a short time, and we were to turn our attention to the
defensive idea. They had also decided that a system of "defended
localities," skilfully sited and constructed, would be the most
effective method of breaking up the attacking hordes.
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