The comparatively routine behaviour of the daily aerial and artillery "strafe" broke into a brisk and heavy bombardment on the Division to the left on the night of July 9th, but on the 10th about five o'clock in the morning this heavy fire switched on to the trenches from the border of the sea to Nieuport. The bombardment crashed on to all lines, firing, reserve, and rear. It got heavier and heavier and soon reached an unprecedented violence and extended to the flanking Divisions as well. The British guns replied, but could not force the hostile fire to slacken, and in the evening the enemy came on in attack. They carried the trenches of the units on the left and patrols were put out and the flank strengthened. This was the severest bombardment the Battalion had ever been in. It was a hurricane onslaught. The 17th knew that sort. They had been through it. Positions were taken and held, where no trench afforded cover, and where breastworks were blown away. The 17th were ordered to send three Companies in support of the Border Regiment who were being hard pressed east of the Yser. "A," "B" and "C" Companies were despatched on this mission. These Companies experienced very stiff fighting throughout the night of the 10-11th, until relieved early in the morning of the 11th by the Northumberland Fusiliers. On the following day the bombardment slackened a little, though during the night hurricane fire broke out, and over the period of this attack the Hun used a very large number of tear gas shells--which at that time was a new horror introduced to the sufferings of the British armies. Who will forget the Redans, Le Grand and Le Petit, the Bridges Putney and Pelican? The last named was renewed or rebuilt on the average three times every twenty-four hours. No words can describe what took place between the 10th and 13th of that awful month. The Germans, expecting an attack, made one. After these terrible three days, the Battalion, whose luck it was on this occasion to be spared the brunt of the action, after being relieved by the Borderers, struggled back through a mixed barrage of shells of all calibres, sprinkled with those of gas. There was a fog of gas and dust for miles behind the lines. The enemy attempt had broken down; the Battalion returned to Ghyvelde of pleasant recollection, and on the 13th the Division was congratulated on its successful efforts. On July 20th Major J. Inglis joined the Battalion and took over command at Bray Dunes Plage. On the 23rd the Brigade was inspected by the Divisional General, Major-General Shute. After his inspection he gave an address congratulating the Brigade on its part against the enemy attack on the 10th inst. at Nieuport, and on the same day the Corps Commander also inspected the Brigade, complimenting the men on their clean and smart appearance, and paying a high tribute to their fighting qualities.