The army had set its teeth and was out to battle in grim earnest.

It was a time, however, of hope and encouragement.

When, as we advanced, we saw what the German defences had been, we were filled with admiration for the splendid British attack in July which had forced the enemy to retreat.
If that had been done once it could be done again, and so we pressed on.

But the price we had to pay for victory was indeed costly and one's heart ached for the poor men in their awful struggle in that region of gloom and death.

This was war indeed, and one wondered how long it was to last.