Chapter I: The Second Division

Canadians in the clash of World Powers--Effect of losses on Canadian people--Tribute of the British--The Service in St. Paul's--"Pure gold"--Eighteen hundred fresh troops cross the Channel--Prompt action of the Minister of Militia--Call for men from the third contingent to refill the ranks--Outstanding feature of the Second Battle of Ypres--Colonel Henderson on volunteer armies--Adaptability of the Canadians--Gallantry and intelligence _v._ lengthy training--The real strength underlying great national movements--The superiority of volunteer armies--The conduct of Canadian and Australian troops--The landings at Gallipoli--Lone Pine Hill--Recruiting for the Second Division--Unbounded patriotism of the Provinces--The Commanding Officers--Mid-winter training--Sailing of the Second Contingent--Major-General Steele--Training in England--Ready for any emergency--Divisional Artillery--A satisfactory inspection--Visit of the Prime Minister, the Colonial Secretary, and the Minister of Militia--The great achievement of Sir Sam Hughes--Words of praise from the Colonial Secretary--The New World ready to redeem the balance of the Old--Our King, Our Country, Our Empire--Special message from the King--Towards the firing line--A startling incident in the Channel--The historic landing-place--The French Canadians in France--A dramatic moment

CHAPTER II

PATROLS

An interval of calm--Process of forming the Second and Third Divisions--St. Eloi--The sector of Bailleul--Work of the Army Corps Staff--Changes in the Higher Command--The first experience of the Second Division--A demonstration opposite La Douve Farm--Dummy trenches--Smoke sacks--Veterans of the Third Brigade act as instructors--Bombardment of the Fifth Brigade--The gallant deed of Major Roy--Steadiness of the French Canadians--New Brunswickers on their mettle--Heroism of Sergeant Ryer--Canadians at home in patrol work--Stolidity of the Germans--Inventiveness of Canadians--Plucky rescue of Corporal May--Deadly land mines--Lucky escape of the Winnipeg boys--A thrilling adventure in the air--Capture of a German 'plane--Singular recovery of a Colt gun--the value of model trenches--The formation of a Brigade--Difficult night work--Havoc wrought by storms--Useful work of Labour Battalion--Holy ground

CHAPTER III

TRENCH RAIDS

The manner of raiding in "No Man's Land"--Winter in grim earnest--The use of the grenade--Changes in methods of warfare--The musket and the field gun--Adaptability of Canadians--Rehearsal of each assault--Good work of the Headquarters Staff--General Lipsett--A bold decision--A gap in the wire entanglements--A desperate venture--A welcome storm--Canadians in the German trenches--The exploit of Captain Costigan--A hot twenty minutes--German prisoners--Bridges placed across the Douve--Lively times in Ploegsteert--Good work of the Seventh Battalion--A series of failures and a stirring success--A "crack shot"--"Missing"--Its significance--The German line pierced--Careful work of the General Officer Commanding--At work in the enemy's wire--Into the jaws of death--Canadians disguised--The Huns caught napping--Captain McIntyre's report--A timely shot