& [illegible] behind so as to [illegible] the forward troops being backed up in case of a [counter] attack. On the north side [of the] village the Germans were only able to get one machine gun into action, as our people were on to them so quickly & 80 prisoners were taken here before they had time to give a shout. Hand to hand fighting took place & some Germans collected & put up a fight but they were driven in & either killed or captured. All this time our aeroplanes were bringing in messages to my Head Quarters stating where the troops were; the latter had been ordered to light flares as soon as they captured a position to show the aeroplanes [where they were – crossed out] their position. After capturing the village we still had to advance & take another position on the road beyond the cemetery & this was successfully done. During the attack my left flank was exposed to an attack from the north, as Ginchy village had not been captured by another division; the Germans did counter attack from this direction, but were beaten off. Our great objective here was to retain what we had captured & for this purpose as soon as it got dark engineers & pioneers were sent up to make defences round the village etc. We managed to make good trenches that night and next day I felt we were in a position to [whole line of writing on fold of paper and illegible] attack & that the Germans could not well do as they had so many other things in hand. I think during the day we took over 500 prisoners & others were still coming in [text scribbled through] On the night of the 4th (the second day of the fight) the Brigades were getting a bit done up & that night we were relieved by another division. The officers & men were splendid & fought magnificently. I have written a long yarn I'm afraid, but I could write more but I have a good deal to do; must see the Brigades this afternoon & say a few words to them. They will now have a rest; wash; new clothes & train again for another fight. They are full of fight & highly pleased with themselves. I do not think that there is anything in this that Cavan would object to; the Germans know all about the village & how we attacked it.]