time our bombers were fighting the German bombers up the communication trenches – the third line was also rushed by some parties of the Fusiliers & Liverpool Scottish, but owing to very heavy shelling from both sides they were unable to hang on very long - the battle waged backwards and forwards for some time but about 10am our men were just behind the second line. The German Artillery was shelling very heavily not only on the ground where the fight was taking place but back behind on the various roads where supports could come up. We were unable to stay in our observing station, as they put shell after shell into it, & knocked it to pieces. The regiments were very much disorganised now, & there was