"I told the Corps Commander that I have seldom seen horses in such magnificent condition, or a better turn-out of men, horses and vehicles. They might have been proceeding for a ceremonial show in London, instead of going to take part in a battle. "I told the Battery Commanders how sorry we are in the Corps to part with your Division. We know the Division and the Division knows the Corps, and all our battle associations have been happy and successful. "We sincerely hope that the gallant Pelicans will come back to us. "I thought you would like to hear about your artillery. They certainly impressed all who saw them very much, and I am sure that they will impress our Allies.... "Yours very sincerely, "J. G. GEDDES." On the 15th July the enemy began a big attack on a front of 50 miles, each side of Reims, and the Division, which was originally, I believe, to have gone to Verdun, was diverted while still in the troop trains towards the Reims front, and by the 18th had been detrained and billeted in an area between Arcis and Epernay, with headquarters at Tours Sur Marne. We now learned that we, with the 51st Highland Division, had been formed into the 22nd Corps, under command of Lieut.-General Sir A. Godley, and were for the time being a part of the 5th French Army. We heard, too, the cheering news that not only had the German offensive been definitely checked, but that the French had counter-attacked on a long front from Soissons southwards, and, in addition to advancing several kilometres, had captured about 17,000 prisoners. Late at night on the 18th I was aroused by the news that we were to advance at once and take our place in the line of battle. Accordingly we moved our headquarters on the 19th to Germaine, in the forest of Reims, while the two brigades and the D.A.C. concentrated near Avenay and Fontaine. In the afternoon I rode out with the Brigade and Battery Commanders, and reconnoitred a position of assembly in the forest, out of view of aeroplane observation. Early next morning the batteries moved up into this position, while the Divisional Headquarters was established in the village of St. Imoges. The D.A.C. took up its position close to the Reims-Epernay road, about two miles east of Courtagnon.