[Pencil note in WDS's hand: After Eagle Trench had been captured one of our aeroplanes flew low over it and reported that the observer distinctly saw Germans still in the trench; the Corps was very disturbed about this & would hardly believe us when we again told them that we had captured the trench some hours ago; it transpired that the Germans whom the observers had seen were dead & were still standing in the trench where they had been killed by explosions of Stokes mortars.] The left & right of the attack progressed but the centre was held up again in spite of 200 oil drums which were projected at zero on the cemetery just north of Eagle Trench; we suffered a good many casualties & a fresh attempt was made during the night but was not successful. 22 September 1917 On the morning of the 22nd a concerted attack was again launched under a barrage of Stokes mortars, & the attacking columns got behind & on each flank of the German trench. The line was captured & about 200 prisoners taken & others killed. It transpired that the Germans had intended to attack us almost at the same hour & had assembled for this during the night, but our attack came off at the critical moment.