That rocket told our artillery that the 22nd had just got safely back to its trenches and that its turn had now arrived. The barrage opened immediately.
We could now hear the invisible monsters coming from behind, describing their deadly curves above our heads. That roar gets louder and louder and yet seems so slow, so terribly slow, that you can never explain how it is you cannot see one of these birds that make such a tremendous noise.
And then comes the end of the journey in the enemy's trenches, the blue and red flame, the earth and debris flying heavenwards in a sulphur column, the ear-splitting crash of the explosion.
Vignerte and I watched the effects of the bombardment through our glasses.
All at once I heard some one calling me.
It was the runner between us and battalion headquarters. He came up, out of breath with running.
"Sir! Sir!"
"What is it?"
"The Commandant wants you at once at his headquarters."
"I'm off," I said to Vignerte. "What news have you at your end?" I asked the man. "Do you know if the raid of the 22nd succeeded?"