Page:Breaking the Hindenburg Line.djvu/94

74 The cause of the signal defeat of the enemy in the Battle of Bellenglise was, first and foremost, undoubtedly the fine bearing and splendid determination of the Infantry engaged. Superbly led, the troops at every turn did justice to their leaders. Other conducing causes, however, were the magnificent support given to the assaulting troops by the Artillery, and the opportune fog which completely shrouded all movement from observation by the enemy, nullifying to a great extent the preparations for defence, which were based on the existence of a clear and comparatively open field of fire for his enfilading machine guns.

As regards the work of the Artillery, it is difficult to find words to describe its excellence. To those of us who had the opportunity of subsequently examining the battlefield, the state of the enemy defences after the preparatory work of the heavy guns was a revelation of what heavy artillery could do. The Field Artillery, in spite of the fact that most of the guns were in “silent” positions and had not registered, fired a barrage which was one of the finest under which troops have ever advanced during the war. No cases of short shooting were reported, and the Infantry throughout moved with a confidence which was fully justified. During the action the majority of the batteries moved forward into new positions which had been selected in advance, but, so expeditiously were the moves carried out and so well had they been planned, that they made little appreciable difference to the intensity of the barrage.

The enemy's footing on the west side of the Canal was a feature which might have been invaluable to him had he contemplated offensive action, yet proved in the event to be very largely the cause of his downfall. He was obliged to keep several of his bridges intact in order to