Page:Breaking the Hindenburg Line.djvu/53

Rh could not swim, and he was able by means of a life-line to pull himself across hand over hand, being convinced, and in a position to convince his companions, that there was no danger of men thus equipped getting into difficulties. These trials were actually carried out by men of the Stafford Brigade, which was to have the honour of leading the Division across the Canal and making the initial breach in the Hindenburg Line beyond.

The trial having been successful, nothing now remained but to continue the manufacture of the different devices until the number required was completed and, during the night of the 28th/29th, to collect all this material as close as possible to the front line, ready to be carried forward to the appointed places on the banks of the Canal at the first opportunity after the attack had been launched. This was successfully accomplished by the personnel of the Divisional Field Companies, assisted by the 1/1st Monmouthshire Regiment, the Pioneer Battalion of the Division. The Engineers, including the whole of the Engineers of the 32nd Division, were then divided up according to the tasks allotted to them for the assault. Some sections were sent with the Infantry to assist mopping-up parties and to examine dug-outs, strong-points, etc., for mines and demolition charges: others were told off respectively as bridge-building parties or for work on the roads leading to and forward of the horse-transport bridges which were to be thrown across the Canal as soon as possible after the assault had succeeded.