Nelson's history of the war. Vol. XI., The struggle for the Dvina, and the great invasion of Serbia

112 HISTORY OF THE WAR.

been shelling our new trenches south of the La Bassée Canal, and had made violent bomb attacks on that portion of the Hohenzollern which was still in our hands. We had steadily been pushing forward our front between Hulluch and Hill 70, gaining in places as much as 1,000 yards. On the morning of the 8th, about 10.30, the enemy opened a heavy bombardment with high explosives and shrapnel against the whole front, but especially against the section between the Hohenzollern and Hulluch—the scene of his attack on the 3rd—and against the Chalk Pit north of Hill 70. The bombardment lasted for five hours, and but for the skilful disposition of our men might have been deadly, for we were holding a new line where the defences had not been perfected. At 3.20 p.m. rifle and machine-gun fire began, and just after four o’clock the infantry advanced. At the Chalk Pit they had been assembled 500 yards from our front behind what remained of the Bois Hugo, and in their attack they had to move over a slope and cross 150 yards of open. On they came in four great waves, marching shoulder to shoulder in perfect discipline. None of our guns had suffered from the bombardment, and as the infantry appeared they were mowed down in swathes by our field artillery and the French 75’s, and by the machine guns and rifles of the men in the trenches. In a few seconds the attack was shattered to pieces. Not a man approached within forty yards of our line. The masses broke up into small groups, who endeavoured to take shelter, but were caught and destroyed by our fire. North of Hulluch the counter-stroke fared no better. It was instantly checked,