72nd Seaforth Highlanders of Canada - waughfamily.ca

HISTORIC GROUND.were preceded by wire cutters and parties carrying ammonal tubes for the destruction of wire. The objective wasa line of craters some 300 yards behind the enemy s frontline. The craters being gained, outposts were to be pushedforward and the enemy C. T. s were to be blocked andheld while demolition parties carrying ammonal chargeswrecked all dugouts within reach. The gas cylinders werearranged in batteries of four, each battery connected byrubber tubes to a central tube, the nozzle of which was tcbe thrown over the parapet. This part of the raid wagunder the direction of a special company of Engineers.The wind had been unfavourable, but on the night ofFebruary 28th-March 1st, although light and variable, itwas finally pronounced suitable for the purpose in hand.At 2:45 a.m. on the morning of March 1st orders werereceived to prepare for the raid as the gas was to be putover at 3 a.m. The night was pitch black with a drizzlingrain falling. All necessary gas precautions having beentaken and the front line cleared, the gas was sent overpromptly at 3 a.m., hissing loudly as it left the cylinders.A light wind wafted the gas slightly in the direction ofthe enemy, but the rapid return of rifle fire showed thatthey were not taken unawares. The wind was very changeable, and the gas cloud could be seen drifting to and frowith every change. Finally it commenced slowly to returnto our trenches. All cylinders were now shut off. Thegas hung round and finally disappeared under the effectof the drizzling rain.During all this time the men were in gas-proof sheltersand tunnels drawing equipment and preparing for the raid.The original intention had been that a second wave of adifferent and very deadly gas was to be sent over at 6a.m., but the direction of the wind now made this impossible. Shortly after 6 o clock the raiding party tookup their stations ready to jump off at 6 :40, which was thezero hour previously arranged."A"Company, standing39