war has such a bombardment been put up, we had our peck of artillery as Vimy Ridge is Fritz’s strongest point on the whole front at present, it’s just hell. The Lahore batters do fine, so glad we got them behind us. Patients soon start to come in by the dozens. I dress some & then as runner get the squads into motion & ready for action. It takes me ¾ of an Hour to cover 50 yards on the side of the ridge. Heinie is pushing everything onto us he can’t shoot onto our boys as they are advancing for they are all mixed up with his own line men. Garnet Greheme Herb & take out the first case we ought not to start but the place is now choked up with men & parts of men. The shell fire is murderous as we go down the hillside over the wet & slippy mud, never expect to get out of it with a whole skin. we go along the track (or what is left of it) & get to Dingwall tunnel. Its awful,
▸ Where was he?
▸ The war at this time
Vimy Ridge in context
The capture of Vimy Ridge is the most dramatic success of the Arras offensive's first day. The ridge has been in German hands since October 1914. French attacks in 1915 cost over 150,000 casualties without taking it. Elsewhere along the Arras front, British forces also make significant gains. At Arras itself, troops advance three and a half miles. But the initial success will prove difficult to exploit as German reinforcements arrive.
