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24 made, the relief of part of the 1st and 4th Australian Divisions by the 46th Division was carried out, and all ranks settled down to learn the new area in which they were to fight.

The new front line consisted of some 2,500 to 3,000 yards length of an old German trench system to the west of the St. Quentin Canal which had been captured from the Germans by our predecessors and reorganized by them to suit defence in the opposite direction. It formed a splendid defensive position and a very fair jumping-off ground for any future projected operations against the Canal and the immensely strong Hindenburg Line to the east of it.

At the time the North Midland Division took over the line the enemy still held a strong system of trenches, with outposts in advance of them, on the west bank of the Canal, which he held in considerable strength and which prevented any near reconnaissance of the banks and of the approaches to the Canal. This was, however, in a measure counteracted by the fact that along the greater part of our front our troops were on high ground overlooking the German defences. The country to the east of the Canal was spread out before their eyes like a map, only the valleys being concealed from view by the ridges between them and our line.

From vantage positions on our front line almost the whole extent of the Canal opposite to us could be seen, and the villages of Nauroy and Levergies, the latter of which was to become intimately known to the Division in the future fighting, were plainly visible. Into Bellenglise itself, immediately below our trenches, it appeared possible to throw a cricket-ball, and every movement of the Germans in the neighbourhood of the Canal and the village was plainly to be seen.

Behind our line the country was of a very open nature,