When the Battalion took over the line there were no communication trenches, and all movement was across the open. The outgoing unit--the 15th Battalion King’s Royal Rifle Corps--stated that no movement in the open was advisable by day as enemy sniping was very accurate. This did not suit the Battalion at all, and, right from the start, officers began to make the usual tours of inspection. At first these were carried out with extreme care, all movement being done by crawling; but soon it was found that the enemy was very inactive, and, even before communication trenches were dug, movement in ones and twos became general. [Illustration: Capt. H. H. AYKROYD, M.C.] [Illustration: Capt. W. N. BROOMHEAD, T.D.] [Illustration: Capt. W. GRANTHAM. (Died of Wounds).] [Illustration: Capt. S. BALME.] The sector turned out to be a very quiet one. The 1st Landwehr Division was holding the line opposite, and these troops were of poor discipline and low morale. If left alone they remained very quiet, and there was little machine gun or rifle fire. The enemy artillery was rarely active. Nothing approaching the bombardment, which had taken place on the night of June 3rd/4th, ever occurred again. The chief feature of the artillery fire was the use of Blue Cross gas shells, which caused violent sneezing but were practically harmless. From the Ramparts good observation could be obtained of much of the area occupied by the enemy. It was very tantalising to see Germans moving about in the neighbourhood of Kit and Kat Post, upon which A and B Companies had expended so much labour the previous January. All this ground, which was under observation, was well known to the Battalion, from its experiences of the previous winter. Very little movement was observed near the front line. No Man’s Land was covered with thick grass and was ideal for patrolling, either by night or day. In this department there was great activity. It was not that identifications were needed, for these were well known; but the more activity the Battalion could display, the less likely the enemy would be to weaken the front. Before long, the whole of No Man’s Land, to a depth of several hundred yards, was well known. Several patrols were seriously interfered with by Blue Cross gas.