Chapter V
WITH THE 5th FRENCH ARMY
"O torn out of thy trance,
O deathless, O my France,
O many wounded mother, O redeemed to reign.
Out of the obscene eclipse
Re-risen with burning lips,
To witness for us if we looked for thee in vain."
Swinburne.
July 1918.
Comfortable billets and beautiful summer weather, with sports, entertainments given by the excellent "Pelican Troupe," and other distractions, contributed to make the rest a very pleasant one, but it was not to last long. On about the 12th July the Division was ordered to prepare for a move to an unknown destination, and on the 15th the artillery entrained and was taken south through Paris. That all units had made good use of their time in a peaceful area is proved by this letter, which the G.O.C. received from the General commanding the R.A. of the 4th Corps:
"My dear General,—I saw your artillery entraining at two stations on the 15th. I saw portions of six batteries and the D.A.C.
"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.