Under the Shadow: Letters of Love and War, 1911-17 - The Poignant Testimony and Story of Hugh Wallace Mann and Jessie Reid [Illustrated] (Paperback)

France 29th September 1915

Dearest Jess

Here I am, but I don't quite know how. All I got was a bullet thro' my sleeve and a bit of shrapnel ripping my hose-top. Our battalion had a terrible smashing-up - 75% casualties. Shall I tell you the story? It's a good one and I expect you'll see it in the paper some day - the charge of the 44th Brigade.

We formed up in our own trenches the day before while a most terrific bombardment went on. At day-break we went over the parapet and at once men dropped. We got over the German line, but were held up 10 minutes at the barbed wire in front of Loos. We got it cut and went thro' into the town. What scenes! We were under heavy machine gunfire from the houses and each house had to be bombed. Then as we pushed them back, they came tumbling out with their hands up shouting "Camarade, friend". We rounded them up and sent an escort back with them and pushed on up Hill 70. We got to the top and away beyond, but our left flank had not come up, and so we had to fall back. The fire here was terrific and our own shrapnel was giving us fits. We took up position on the near crest of the hill and entrenched, or tried to, there, and at this spot we hung on till we were relieved at eleven that night. I never knew before what absolute physical exhaustion was. To add to our joy the rain was in torrents. Altogether hell can hold no hotter corner. For hours we held that damned line against constant counter attack, and ceaseless enfilade fire, and always one was waiting one's turn to be hit. It was horrible. Well, we came back and are now down a bit, and likely to go further for a rest. I have lost nearly all my friends. I am the only sergeant left in D Coy, and the Coy numbers only fifty-four. But the Germans won't forget the 44th Brigade. The Brigadier was seen in the base village with the tears running down his cheeks saying, "Glorious 44".

I will write more later dear. I'm responsible for the Coy just now, and also the fight has left its mark on me. Love to all, Hugh

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