By this time also "D" company of the Machine Gun battalion had
taken up a position and they also joined in the conversation. The enemy
then considered the advisability of concealment, and he disappeared from
view. Small parties of his infantry meanwhile had dribbled forward,
considerably helped by old systems of trenches which extended down into
the low ground. Our men were ready, however, and met them with a heavy
fusillade whenever they showed themselves.
Between Logeast Wood and Ablainzevelle was a camp of Nisson huts, which
had been protected against bombing, in the usual manner, by thick walls
of earth round each hut. The enemy was now making the fullest possible
use of these, for they afforded him most excellent protection. Luckily
they were on a piece of ground fully exposed to us, and we were able to
get some idea as to his movements in that direction. It was soon evident
that they were to be utilised as a stepping stone to a further advance.
First, light M.G's. and snipers were brought up, and these dribbled out
of the huts into Ablainzevelle, where they established themselves to the
discomfort of our men, for they were well on our left flank and could
take some of our position in enfilade. The battalion suffered a number
of casualties from this cause. Unfortunately also, our guns had not got
a clear conception of the state of affairs, and one battery fairly
peppered the H.Q. road with shrapnel, inflicting about a dozen
casualties, while others covered our own forward positions with the same
kind of shell, and so added to the list.
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