Chapter IX: The Counter-Attack

Method of counter-attack--Successful efforts of the French--The question of time--Attacks which failed--Precipitancy of main counter-attack--Enemy reinforced--The assaulting forces--Inadequate system of railways--Failure of well-laid plans--Value of armoured cables--A stroke of misfortune--Uncertainty as to the enemy's positions--A test of endurance--Defective communications--Artillery unable to support infantry--An American officer gives a lead--The death of Major Stuart--Observatory Ridge--Enemy well supplied with machine-guns--The fatal trench--Heavy casualties--Gallant attempt of the 15th Battalion--The 14th Battalion digs itself in under heavy fire--The fateful gap bridged--Lieut. Beaton and Sergt. Topham--The Higher Command misinformed--Misfortunes of the 52nd and 60th Battalions--The Princess Pats cheer their comrades--Gallant officers of the 49th--Main object of the counter-attack fails--The road to Ypres blocked to the enemy--The 3rd Division wins its spurs--A prospect of defeat turned into an achievement of victory

CHAPTER X

A LULL IN THE STORM. THE FIGHT FOR HOOGE

Relief of the front-line Battalions--Heavy losses of the Seventh Brigade--Good work of the Third Pioneer Battalion--Sudden advance of the enemy--The Knoll of Hooge--The Menin Road--Description of the scene--The 28th relieves the Royal Canadians--Heavy bombardment by the enemy--The importance of the Knoll of Hooge--The enemy springs four mines under the first-line trenches--A company of the 28th perishes--A terrific explosion--Fierce fighting of the 6th June--Effective work of Captain Styles--The enemy in dangerous proximity to our support line--Former tragedies in Zouave Wood--Serious casualties of the 6th Brigade--The effective loss of the village of Hooge--Preparations for retaliation