understand that they were more or less intact before the July offensive began. 30 July 1916 The 14th Corps relieves the 8th Corps on August 1st. The Artillery of the 38th Division cover my front. 31 July 1916 Very hot still. Walk round trenches. 1-3 August 1916 Guards Division arrive in the area but are not going into the line. The 6th Division are to take over a portion of our line on the right and relieve the 25th Division on the line as far as the Ancre Valley. The Germans have a large number of trench mortars on this front both heavy & medium. They are very difficult to knock out as they are dug down about 30ft. On my front I have now one heavy and six medium trench mortars in position, two of