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

COUNTER-STROKES IN THE WEST. 113

and our troops advanced and took a German trench west of Cité St. Elie. At two points only in that long front was there the slightest German success. A small lodgment was made at the Double Crassier, now held by the French, and the Guards Division lost for a few hours a trench at the Hohenzollern, but retook it with bombs before midnight. As a result of the day from eight to nine thousand German dead were left on the battlefield.

This, the most serious German movement in the northern section, was a model of all that a counter-stroke ought not to be. It was no more than an abortive frontal attack against a prepared enemy. According to Sir John French’s dispatch, twenty-eight battalions were used in first line, and there were large supports. Twelve battalions advanced at the Chalk Pit, from eight to ten against the French at Loos, and six or eight against the Hohenzollern. Such an attack—made by more than two divisions with full reserves—did not suffer from lack of men, and the preliminary bombardment endured long enough to embarrass our defence. But the bombardment seems to have been illdirected, and the tactics of the stroke were ill-conceived. It was no more than a demonstration, foolish, futile, and costly, and that it should have been undertaken pointed to an infirmity of purpose in the German northern command which might well give the Allies hope.

On 13th October the British themselves attacked. Our object was to ease the position at the Hohenzollern, where our line was commanded 0 by the German trenches and redoubts EE AET: to the north. The morning broke in a Scots mist

XI. 8