72nd Seaforth Highlanders of Canada - Electric Scotland

HISTORIC GROUND.
were preceded by wire cutters and parties carrying am
monal tubes for the destruction of wire. The objective was
a line of craters some 300 yards behind the enemy s front
line. The craters being gained, outposts were to be pushed
forward and the enemy C. T. s were to be blocked and
held while demolition parties carrying ammonal charges
wrecked all dugouts within reach. The gas cylinders were
arranged in batteries of four, each battery connected by
rubber tubes to a central tube, the nozzle of which was tc
be thrown over the parapet. This part of the raid wag
under the direction of a special company of Engineers.
The wind had been unfavourable, but on the night of
February 28th-March 1st, although light and variable, it
was finally pronounced suitable for the purpose in hand.
At 2:45 a.m. on the morning of March 1st orders were
received to prepare for the raid as the gas was to be put
over at 3 a.m. The night was pitch black with a drizzling
rain falling. All necessary gas precautions having been
taken and the front line cleared, the gas was sent over
promptly at 3 a.m., hissing loudly as it left the cylinders.
A light wind wafted the gas slightly in the direction of
the enemy, but the rapid return of rifle fire showed that
they were not taken unawares. The wind was very change
able, and the gas cloud could be seen drifting to and fro
with every change. Finally it commenced slowly to return
to our trenches. All cylinders were now shut off. The
gas hung round and finally disappeared under the effect
of the drizzling rain.
During all this time the men were in gas-proof shelters
and tunnels drawing equipment and preparing for the raid.
The original intention had been that a second wave of a
different and very deadly gas was to be sent over at 6
a.m., but the direction of the wind now made this im
possible. Shortly after 6 o clock the raiding party took
up their stations ready to jump off at 6 :40, which was the
zero hour previously arranged.
"A"
Company, standing
39