3:37. "Boston talking,—enemy now shelling on the north edge of the town. A little gas."
3:40. "Boston talking—X-1 reports some enemy long range retaliation on our right.
"They'd better come back the other way," says the Colonel.
"That was the intention, sir," the lieutenant reported from across the room.
3:42. "Boston talking—signalman with the party reports everything O. K."
"We don't know yet whether they have had any losses or got any prisoners," the Colonel remarks. "But the mechanism seems to have functioned just as well as it did in the last raid. We didn't get a prisoner that time, but I sorter feel that the boys will bring back a couple with them to-night."
3:49. "Boston talking—G-9 reports some of the raiding party has returned and passed that point."
"Came back pretty quick, don't you think so, Major?" said the Colonel with some pride. "Must have returned over the top."
It is 3:55 when we hear fast footsteps on the stone stairs leading down to the dugout entrance. There is a sharp rap on the door followed by the Colonel's command, "Come in."
A medium height private of stocky build, with shoulders heaving from laboured breathing and face wet with sweat, enters. He removes his helmet, revealing disordered blonde hair. He faces the Colonel and salutes.