[Insert: typescript song 'LUDENDORFF the lyrical' 1p] and upset their plans. A Sturmtrupp of the 285th Regiment had been specially told off to retake the trench & it was touch & go who got their blow in first. The Germans realized the importance of the trench & did their best to recapture it. This successful enterprise was carried out by the 11th Rifle Brigade & the Oxford & Buckinghamshires. This was the fourth attempt to take Eagle Trench; the first on the day when the Langemarck attack was made – the second attempt was made that night, but failed & the 38th Division, a few days after they had taken over our line, were unable to capture it chiefly owing to machine gun fire from the right which enfiladed this advance. On the final & successful attempt the troops who carried it out had been lying out for two