two or three days, that it seems probable the enemy have taken some of their Artillery down South. I find that there are men who have been out here most of the war who think the war will not last much longer as Germany is putting in her last reserves etc personally I see no reason why we shouldn't be doing exactly the same next year, as we have been this, & I quite expect to pass another winter at least sitting in the trenches. Hilaire Belloc of course argues otherwise, but I can not help thinking he is too optimistic. The Germans so far have been successful on land except in German South West Africa & China – their losses at sea are no greater than ours – our navy is still carrying