***insert About 9 on the morning of the 11th Nov 1914 I received an order from Colonel Douglas Smith (through Captain Barrett as far as I remember) to take my Company through the wood to the further edge & observe what was going on. The men of the forward Companies were spread about in the trenches in no particular order which made it difficult to get them forward quickly. However we advanced about 50 yards when I became aware of the Prussians in small clumps lying in ditches firing at us. We had Zouaves on our left. I advanced followed by Lieutenant Anderson & Captain Gordon with the company behind them. The Zouaves were firing wildly & I was afraid our men would be shot by them. I therefore attempted to lead the Company 1/2 right [?]. My other anxiety was that machine gun fire might be opened on my right flank.