Gas attack from our trenches at 9 p.m. Quiet for ten minutes, then fearful shindy. Stood-to in our redoubt, but had to get to cellars when shelling started--and _such_ shelling: the worst I’ve ever experienced. They came in dozens. Then we began, and the noise was hellish. They fell all around us and some hit the shattered walls, making a hail of bricks. I felt a peculiar tightening round the heart when one of the big variety buried itself under the cellar wall I was in and failed to go off. It fairly seemed to lift the floor, and the sickening thud was as bad as the fearful racking explosions. It was nothing short of miraculous that our cellar got off scot-free. All this time we could see through our loop-hole the explosions of the shells on the trenches, 300 yards to the front, and by their light and the light of the German searchlights and fires we could see the huge clouds of gas on their death-dealing errand. The Germans put huge fires on their parapets to lift the gas over their heads. It was an unforgettable scene, with their and our own star-lights making night into day. It was indescribable pandemonium. The shelling died down after a couple of hours, and we stood down and tried to sleep; but it started again at 12.45 a.m. for an hour, and again at 4.45 a.m.; and this practically meant stand-to all night. One of the worst nights I’ve spent out here--in fact, the worst. About 2 a.m. I got word that ----, one of our B Co. officers, was killed while waiting to go out on patrol to ascertain the effects of gas on enemy. He was a fine chap, and most popular, and even now it is difficult to believe he is really gone. Another lucky escape for us (B Co.) that we were not occupying the trenches. They were blown out of all recognition and the casualties were awful, the lines being strewn with dead and wounded and buried men. The trench occupied the previous night by my platoon is absolutely gone, and only six men are left in the platoon holding it at the time of the “show.” _Dec. 23rd._ Shelling continued all the morning--most uncomfortable, and we had many narrow escapes, walls round us being blown to h--; but still our cellar got off. We were relieved at 12.30, and, things being quieter, we got off down the road at top speed. What joy to see actually motor buses waiting for us three miles back, which took us by way of ---- to ----, a small village where our few days’ rest and incidentally Christmas, will be spent. The change will be much appreciated by yours truly. I have just had my first wash and shave for four days, and feel cleaner than ever before in my life; and in a clean change and new suit I wouldn’t call the King my aunt! A delicious surprise was the sight of H. on the road, waiting for me as our convoy of buses neared ----. We had a good chat, and I hope to see him to-morrow again. _Dec. 24th._