It was a great success. By dawn there was a trench, continuous at least in appearance along the whole front, at intervals there were rifle and Lewis gun posts in it; and if there were places where it was preferable to pass along in the attitude of the serpent after his expulsion from the Garden of Eden and ever since, there was nothing to show the Germans which they were. There was wire in front, and the troops got back without more casualties than averaged as a result of the ordinary nightly strafes. Though we took on many tougher jobs later I was never again anxious as to the result. Our great days were:-- Stopping the Germans East of BUCQUOY-- March 23rd to 29th, 1918. The advance West of MIRAUMONT-- 21st August, 1918. The Capture of MIRAUMONT and PYS-- 24th August, 1918. The Capture of VILLERS AU FLOS-- 2nd September, 1918. The Battle of the HINDENBURG LINE-- 27th September, 1918. The Battle of the SELLE RIVER-- 20th October, 1918. In every one of these the 7th Manchesters were called upon to play a part. Whether their original role in the plan of battle had been to lead the attack or to act in support they were always in the picture before the end of the fight. I am not going to pick out this or that as their finest performances. The reader can choose for himself when he has finished the book. It is enough for me to say that, whatever task was given them, they took on cheerfully and carried through magnificently. Not only that, but they were anxious to go beyond what was demanded of them, as is well shown by the fighting at La Signy Farm which they attacked and captured on their own initiative. I can only wish them individually the same success in peace as they won as a battalion in war. I think they will have it. For it takes first-class men to make a first-class fighting unit. Perhaps many of them will join again under the old colours. I hope so, and I congratulate in advance any commander whose good luck it may be to lead them. A. M. HENLEY, _Brig. Gen. (retired)_ _late Commanding 127th Infantry Brigade._ _21st February; 1920._ Introduction.