command most of the ground to the Ancre. It is strongly defended and has four lines of trenches on its west, north & south sides. To attack it with any chance of success we should first be in possession of the Thiepval Ridge. The Guards Divisional Artillery are now covering our front. General Hull dined with me on the 8th. His Division, the 56th, hold the line on my left. On the 7th I motored over to Buyre to see the 3rd Division. I saw General Haldane who explained to me his success against Longueval which was captured after a night advance of 1500 yards across No Man's Land. I took the opportunity of visiting the 1st Royal Scots Fusiliers who were at Meaulte and saw Colonel Forbes & one or two others. The regiment had