Messages dropped by aeroplanes were invaluable in keeping the whole straggling action in hand, and in giving information, by means of which commanders could send up reserves where they were wanted. The following will give the reader an idea of the sort of information that the aeroplanes were constantly furnishing. “_Messages dropped on H.Q., 1st Brigade._ “Lieutenant Wittal (pilot). Lieutenant Mitchell (observer). _12 noon._ “Four Whippets seen in G. 21, two Mark IV. and several Whippets seen in G. 15d, all moving S.E. “Several Whippets and Mark V. seen in G. 16a, G. 10 and 11d, proceeding S.E. “We do not hold Bihucourt.” The counter-Tank gun work done on this day was also exceedingly successful, the following is the report of an action fought by a counter Gun Machine: “_No. 73 Squadron._ “At 1.15 p.m. batteries were observed unlimbering and coming into action near Béhagnies. Twenty-four bombs were dropped and nearly 2000 rounds fired at these batteries, causing the greatest confusion. Several limbers were overturned, and horses stampeded, and the personnel scattered in all directions.” Altogether we had every reason to be satisfied by the events of the day, and we prepared to continue the action with all possible vigour on the morrow. II But by August 24, there were only fifty-three Tanks of the 1st, 3rd and 4th Brigades fit for action, and nearly all the units which went in on this day were motley collections from various Battalions. One composite unit of the 11th Battalion fought a very successful action in conjunction with the 4th Corps, in spite of the fact that their orders reached them late and that they had an approach march of six or seven miles. They managed to catch up the infantry and all their objectives were taken. In the course of the afternoon, Tanks belonging to the 9th Battalion attacked and met with very stubborn resistance opposite Mory Copse, where the Hindenburg Line was strongly held. Here more than one enemy garrison refused to surrender and had all to be killed. One party of about sixty was accounted for by four rounds of 6-pounder case shot. One machine, which was doing a piece of reconnaissance work near Croisilles later in the day, had a particularly exciting experience. The crew was forced to evacuate the Tank on account of the phosphorus bombs with which the enemy had drenched it. Before leaving it, the officer in command turned the head of his machine towards home and started the Tank on its lonely way; then, almost choked with the fumes, he got out and walked between the front horns of the moving machine till the inside of the Tank was clear of phosphorus. All the while, he and the machine were completely surrounded by the enemy. In the end, he got his Tank home in safety.