On the 30th another sharp action occurred near St. Yves, when Hunter-Weston's 11th Brigade was momentarily pierced after dusk by a German rush, {231} which broke through a gap in the Hampshires. The Somerset Light Infantry, under Major Prowse, came back upon them and the trenches were regained. In all such actions it is to be remembered that where a mass of men can suddenly be directed against scattered trenches which will only hold a few, it is no difficult matter to carry them, but at once the conditions reverse themselves and the defenders mass their supports, who can usually turn the intruders out once more. This brings the general record of the doings of the Third Corps down to the end of October, the date on which we cease the account of the operations at the southern end of the British line. We turn from this diffuse and difficult story, with its ever-varying positions and units, to the great epic of the north, which will be inseparably united for ever with the name of Ypres. {232} CHAPTER VIII THE FIRST BATTLE OF YPRES (Up to the Action of Gheluvelt, October 31) The Seventh Division--Its peculiar excellence--Its difficult position--A deadly ordeal--Desperate attacks on Seventh Division--Destruction of 2nd Wilts--Hard fight of 20th Brigade--Arrival of First Corps--Advance of Haig's Corps--Fight of Pilken Inn--Bravery of enemy--Advance of Second Division--Fight of Kruiseik cross-roads--Fight of Zandvoorde--Fight of Gheluvelt--Advance of Worcesters--German recoil--General result--A great crisis. It has already been seen that the Seventh Division (Capper's), being the first half of Rawlinson's Fourth first Army Corps, had retired south and west after the unsuccessful attempt to relieve Antwerp. It was made up as follows:-- [Sidenote: The Seventh Division] DIVISION VII.--General CAPPER. 20_th Infantry Brigade--General Ruggles-Brise_. 1st Grenadier Guards. 2nd Scots Guards. 2nd Border Regiment. 2nd Gordon Highlanders. 2l_st Infantry Brigade--General Walls_. 2nd Bedfords. 2nd Yorks. 2nd Wilts. 2nd Scots Fusiliers. {233} 22_nd Infantry Brigade--General Lawford_. 1st South Staffords. 2nd Warwicks. 2nd Queen's West Surrey. 1st Welsh Fusiliers. _Artillery._ 22nd Brigade R.F.A. 35th Brigade R.F.A. 3rd R.G.A. 111th R.G.A. 112th R.G.A. 14th Brigade R.H.A. C.F. _Engineers._ 54, 55, F. Co. 7 Signal Co. Divisional Cavalry. Northumberland Yeomanry. [Sidenote: Its peculiar excellence.]