Lieut. G. to Ql.
Lieut. D. C. took over in Rl.
Rats !
May 6. — Lieut. D. C, Rl, reported noises
were traced to rats at 8 a.m. (Note : A nest of rats
was found in the parapet. They had made a noise
exactly like the tapping of mining operations.)
Lieuts. G. and H. took over at 10 p.m.
May 7. — Lieut. H. to Tl to listen for reported
noises. Moved all men away and heard nothing.
Work progressing in Rl and Ql. Lieut. M. took
over both places at midnight. Lieut. D. C. left
for Kemmel.
[letter]
" May 7, 1915.
" D. C. leaves us for another sector, but a third
man, M. (a Canadian), remains with us, which
should help. Nevertheless, very busy as before.
5>
1 84 ONE MOLE RAMPANT.
May 8. — Lieut. M. wounded by rifle-grenade
(Rl), also two other copper casualties. Lieut. G.
took over.
May 9. — Order to lay leads to Q3 in case of
retirement. Lieut. H. took over.
[letter]
"May 10, 1915.
*' While life continues full of events, there is
not a great deal to write about as it is largely a
repetition of previous experiences, standing by
with the possibility of a shift, etc. We have, how-
ever, carried on with our work. Our third man,
M., has been slightly wounded by a rifle-grenade
and is now in rest camp, so we are again down to
two officers, with rather more work on our hands
than before. The work is not without its humor-
ous sides. We have been solemnly called out to
listen to ' sounds of hostile mining,' which proved
to be a couple of bull-frogs in front of a trench. On
another occasion a nest of rats was found to be the
cause of disturbance. Several times people stamp-
ing their feet somewhere along the trench have
caused unnecessary alarm, and, what to us is still
more annoying, a rush trip to some outlying trench
by one of us to investigate. Hence frequent loud
curses !
*' I think I have at last found out why the Ger-
mans were so furious when we originally took Hill
GO, as has been shown by their persistent efforts
ONE MOLE RAMPANT. 185
ever since. I believe they were intending their big
attack on the left and wanted to use it as an ob-
servation point. This, of course, was spoiled by
our action. At present I hear the Hill is ' no
man's land,' a ghastly wreckage of craters, shell-
holes and corpses.
" The average officer's (infantry) knowledge of
technology is distinctly weak. I have been much
amused by perturbed inquiries as to what would
happen if any projectile landed on the exploder
(magneto) box which we keep in the trench to fire
the charges. Apparently they think it is itself
highly explosive ! I once found that my instruc-
tions to a sentry that no one was to touch it had
been supplemented by an O.C. trench to the effect
that no one was to go near it !
" The Lusitania outrage is terrible, but not sur-
prising, as it is simply on a par with many of their
other deeds. I trust none of our friends were on
board."
[letter]
''May 15, 1915.
" Re gas, we all keep respirators ready for
immediate use. They have not tried it here so far.
The conditions have to be just right for them to
use it or they may find it disastrous for themselves.
At Hill CO only a few of our li.E. men were
slightly gassed, I am glad to say. Most of us
favour retaliation in any form that can be devised.
i86 ONE MOLE RAMPANT.
They are certainly out to use any destructive
agency they can, and will apply anything they have
regardless of what we may or may not do.
"I did not think the Lusitania outrage would
bring the Americans in, but for Wilson to talk
the absolute drivel he does is simply sickening.
" The explosive we use, ammonal, is pretty
safe stuff, and will even stand a rifle bullet fired
into it without exploding. It would, however,
probably go off if a shell landed directly on a box.
" We are quite satisfied with our present CO.,
but I hear that we are practically sure to have a
' Regular ' put in.
'• We had a flying visit from Empire Jack last
night. He seemed satisfied but rather subdued,
having fallen into a hole full of water up to his
waist !
*' During M.'s absence (rest camp), H. and I
are working straight alternate shifts, 80 hours
from billet to billet and 18 off. As you have to
catch up lost sleep, feed and attend to routine
matters in billets, arrange supplies, etc., during
the 18 hours off, it does not leave many spare
minutes."
Awaiting Our Opportunity
May 15. — Lieut. H. took over at 10.30.
Sounds reported in lA (Note: Ql) at 11 p.m.
Estimated distance over 15 ft. Resumed work
quietly.
ONE MOLE RAMPANT. 187
May 16. — Stopped work in lA at 10 a.m.
Sounds closer, about 10 ft. Put in two 4-ft.
listening holes. Carried on IB. Germans worked
steadily all day until 7.30, when they stopped until
12 P.M. Lieut. G. took over at 10.30 p.m.
We Counter The Enemy
Mmj 17. — Lieut. G. reported sounds clearer at
7.30 A.M. Charged and tamped. Fired at 3.30
p.m. a little smoke seen in old crater. (Note :
German crater, see April 15.) Strong heave, but
did not blow through. (Note : To surface.)
May 19. — Lieut. H. reconnoitres and arrested
by Lincolns.
[letter]
''May 20, 1915.
" We have again been able to administer a
lesson to the Germans. We heard them mining
from one of our headings, and promptly prepared
a nice reception for them. We loaded up our
heading with 200 lb. of ammonal, and then put in
partial tamping (filled sandbags) so that we could
continue listening. We waited until they began
to get close, completed the tamping, and then
fired. I had the pleasure of working the exploder
myself. The ground gave a heave like an earth-
quake, which was felt for some considerable dis-
tance around, but very little debris was thrown in
the air, so >ve must have scuppered tham all right —
i88 ONE MOLE RAMPANT.
200 lb. is a pretty heavy charge. We hope ,we
have ruined their gallery for some distance back,
to say nothing of wiping out the working party,
while our own gallery, protected by the tamping,
is comparatively little damaged. I consider we
are now two up on them, as their original effort
may be considered as all square, and we have now
successfully brought off two of these little pyro-
technical displays. I fancy they must be feeling
rather preoccupied and slightly nervous.
*â– ' Kather a curious thing happened further
down the line where some of our company are
working. They had a similar successful experi-
ence, which evidently worried the Germans very
nuich. The trench was held by some newly arrived
Territorials, quite green. The enemy bombed a
bit, and the terriers turned tail and fled without
giving the miners any warning. The latter caaiie
up for something, and finding the trench deserted,
also, quite properl}^ hopped off. Then a small
German patrol came over, looted the trench,
pinching field-glasses, etc., left behind, and also
tried to blow up the shaft. Finding the trench
evacuated, the Germans brought over some of
their cheap and nasty explosive, very poor dyna-
mite, ^^•hich I identified as Westfalit at Hill 60.
Fortunately, in spite of their putting in fuse and
detonators, the stuff failed to go off, so that the
shaft was undamaged. Later our people peace-
fully resumed occupation of the trench, the patrol
ONE MOLE RAMPANT. 189
having retired. I suppose the Germans feared
some hidden mine.
" The whole thing is extraordinary, and the
Germans must have feared a trap. The terriers
must be feehng highly ashamed of themselves, for
the Germans now hang out taunting signs :
' Come on, you " Fighting Tigers," ' etc., for I
believe the particular regiment style themselves
with some such high-flown title. No doubt they
will steady down in future.
" We hear our third man, M., has been trans-
ferred from rest camp down to the base, so I sup-
pose we shall not see him again for some time at
least. This means we shall have to continue with
just the two of us. Our programme has been
about as follows : I, for instance, come in after a
day in the trenches about midnight, have a hasty
supper, and get to bed to sleep till noon, catching
up lost sleep as far as possible. Then breakfast at
noon, and the afternoon almost wholly occupied
with routine matters. A hasty dinner at 7, and
then off to the trenches for another 30 hours'
spell. We are now going to experiment with
spending 48 hours in the trenches, so that the man
' out ' has something like one clear day. Of
course, one gets a certain amount of sleep up
there — we have quite a decent dug-out — but it is
very broken, and usually only for a few hours, as
there is almost always something that wants
attention.
igo ONE MOLE RAMPANT.
" I forget whether I ever told you that the
company consists of four sections, of which we
have two here. There is some talk of concentrat-
ing them all here in the future.
"The C.R.E. makes a daily round of the
various R.E.'s under his control, and usually
looks in to see the one of us who is here about noon
every day. We have a chat, and hear the latest
news."
[letter]
"Maij 22, 1915.
" We hear some of K.'s Army are arriving at
last.
" Out here we all know that the ammunition
supply (shells, and particularly H.E.) is far too
scanty. Not only that, but the guns are getting
very worn, and consequently inaccurate. One of
the standing jokes is ' the ascendancy of our
artillery,' much quoted in official and semi-
official statements — a grim jest to the men in the
trenches ! I only hope that people at home will
.wake up in earnest. For practical purposes you
might almost say the war has only just started.
"It is necessary to keep hammering home the
fact that the united resources of the country Tnust
be brought to bear on the war. Kitchener had his
hands too full with organising the New Army, and
could not devote the time to munition suppHes as
well.
ONE MOLE RAMPANT. 191
"The Press generally puts too rosy a com-
plexion on local victories and glosses over defeats.
A look at the map s/hows what progress we have
made in the last six months.
" The German communiques are by no means
to be despised.
" I consider the Germans are beaten now, but
it is going to take a lot of hard fighting to con-
vince them of it, and render them unable to start
a conflict like this again in a few years' time."
The Enemy Tries Again
May 22. — Lieut. H. in. Heard Germans ad-
vancing in Ql main heading. Put in small 6-ft.
heading, and then stopped and got charge down.
May 23. — Germans coming on, but very
slowly and suspiciously. Lieut. G. took over at
10 P.M.
Watchful Waiting
May 24. — Lieut. G. reports Germans working
slowly.
May 25. — Working slowly and steadily.
Lieut. H. took over at 11 p.m.
[letter]
" Mai/ 26, 1915.
" My remarks on Wilson's speech referred to
the ' too proud to fight ' portion.
' ' Empire Jack has no doubt done quite a lot of
ig2 ONE MOLE RAMPANT.
useful work in stirring the authorities up and get-
ting the thing started.
"I am really keeping quite fit, though it is
something of a strain all the time. I usually man-
age to get quite a good sleep and rest when the
opportunity offers— rather emulating the camel.
In the words of the popular saying, ' A camel can
go eight days without a drink — but who the h
wants to be a camel ? '
" There has been a lot of rot talked about the
T>ai]]i MaiVs article on Kitchener. On the whole,
I thought it quite sensible, and it seems to have
brought matters to a head.
" I saw W. M. for a few minutes to-day. He
is in one of the mining companies, but at present
several of them, which are in rather an embryonic
condition, are attached to the other half of our own
company, and are to undertake a rather larger and
more extensive effort on our left. In the meantime
H. and I are pegging away steadily around St. E.
As you know, we amuse ourselves at intervals with
counter-mines which keep the Germans busy (there
is another one to be expected shortly — they are
very persistent) and in the interval make progress
in another gallery.
" One of our institutions is a rabbit which we
lower down the shaft after a blow up, having
allowed a suitable time to elapse. This is to test
the air, as a lighted candle gives no indication of
fumes from explosive.
O'NE MOLE RAMPANT. 193
" I believe quite a number of mining people are
getting commissions now, and one of the latest
schemes is to attach a mining officer to the brigade.
It will be his job to investigate scares of hostile
mining and allow us to stick to our proper work.
This is all to the good, as it means that people with
special knowledge are gradually being used to the
best advantage.
" The w^eather is quite hot at present. I won-
der if we are in for another scorching summer to
counterbalance the awful winter we had } ' '
Still Another Effort
May 26. — New German heading heard in iD.
Put down 11 ft. borehole and charged with 70 lb.
Tamped heading solid. Fired 8.35 p.m. Probably
successful. Heavy heave.
Maij 27. — Got into lA and B at 5 p.m. and
placed listener.
Lieut. G. took over at 10 p.m.
May 28.-— 1 A charged and fired 200 lb. at 4
P.M. Some smoke and flame over crater. Men
report rumbling noises heard from shaft for one
hour afterwards.
[letter]
''May 80, 1915.
" We have again been successful in counter-
mining the Germans. This is very satisfactory in
its way but delays our work of going for their
trench.
19^ ONE MOLE RAMPANT.
'* People seem to be waking up at home and
there is now some reason to believe that England
will abandon her neutrality,
" The weather is very changeable. One day is
absolutely broiling out in the sun ; the next is dis-
tinctly raw and chilly. This makes it rather diffi-
cult to dress suitably, particularly as we now go up
to the trenches for two days. On the whole, this
arrangement is more satisfactory. Unless things
are very urgent, such as supervision of the charge
when about to blow up the Germans, we simply
take time for a decent sleep, say, six hours, in the
dug-out in the fire trench. It was impossible to con-
tinue indefinitely as we were doing.
" I always wonder when about to turn the ex-
ploder whether all the joints, detonators, etc., are
all right, and am relieved when I feel the heave of
the earth under me as the charge goes off. '
5?
More Interruptions
May 31. — Lieut. H. in; Germans heard, esti-
mated 15 — 18 ft. off at 6 P.M. Lieut. G. relieved
at 11 P.M.
June 1. — No noises heard to-day.
June 2. — Noises heard again fairly close.
Lieut. H. took over. Trouble with fatigue.
June 3. — Sounds heard all day. Sounds close
at 11 P.M. Got ready to charge bore-hole.
ONE MOLE RAMPANT. 195
[letter]
" June 4, 1915.
a
There is not very much in the way of news ;
nothing starthng to relate, which is perhaps just as
well. Our work progresses steadily, though natur-
ally very gradually.
" The country round here is really quite attrac-
tive now. It is astonishing how crops have grown,
considering we are only about three miles from the
firing-line, as the crow flies ; it seems about ten on
a pitch black night when the clay is as slippery as
ice and it takes at least a two hours' struggle to get
there. Fortunately this is the case much less fre-
quently now, though during the winter months
those were the prevailing conditions. It is a won-
der how the fields have been ploughed and crops
sown. I certainly don't recollect ever seeing
anyone work at them, but the wheat is shoulder-
high.
" H. and I lead a funny sort of Box and Cox
existence. We only see each other for a few
minutes every two days, when we relieve each
other in the trenches.
*' We have seen a Zeppelin on several occa-
sions, either at dusk or dawn, but well within the
German lines and out of gun range. I believe
our aeroplane men had a whack at it, but have not
heard of any results."
196 O'NE MOLE RAMPANT.
June 4.— Sounds all day, but only distinct in
the evening. Lieut. G. relieved at 10 p.m.
jjtTie 5.— Fired 1.50 lb. camouflet in ID at
5 P.M. Heard quite close, and men say could hear
tin rattle.
[letter]
"June 8, 1915.
" We have again fired a counter-mine. Other-
wise there is not much new.
" Some of K.'s Army are here, and are being
mixed in with other regiments for their initiation
into trench warfare. It is rumoured that some of
the troops who have been at it for a long time are
to go down to bases for a rest. They certainly all
deserve it. It is very wearing work for everybody,
though, of course, weather conditions are so much
better now.
" Rather an amusing thing happened when I
fired our charge this last time. We usually warn
trench commanders in the vicinity, so that there
will be no undue alarm when the ground gives a
heave, as it does for hundreds of yards around.
This was also done in this instance, but a party
of men who were doing some digging in a com-
munication trench were not told of it. They were
ratlier new, and when they felt the shock they
grabbed their rifles and trained them on to the
ground, thinking someone was coming up from
beneath !
ONE MOLE RAMPANT. 197
" We are kept so busy blocking the German
mining that our actual progress is very slow. So
far, however, we have distinctly the better of
them."
The Enemy Persists
June 8. — Lieut. H. in. Germans again heard
somewhere south of A and east of B. Borehole
put down in end of A. Lieut. G. took over at
10.30 P.M.
June 9. — Nothing heard except faint sounds.
June 10. — Faint noises. We shelled the
Mound with 28-6 in. in afternoon. {Note : Neces-
sitating temporary withdrawal from Ql. Quite a
respectable shoot for our gunners in those days.
Conducted with great ceremony.) Lieut. H. took
over 10.30.
[letter]
" June 11, 1915.
" I have not heard of gas being used by us so
far.
" We were all very sorry to hear that Johnson
was killed a few days ago.
" Maude's article was quite interesting, though
I do not agree with all his views. I consider an
enormous supply of H.E. shells is most important,
and though not a universal panacea, probably the
most important single factor in the present stage
of the war. Shrapnel is about as effective as spray
from a watering can. You will remember I wrote
some time ago about these various shells. Another
igS ONE MOLE RAMPANT.
thing we want badly is a supply of trench howitzers^
to say nothing of many more machine-guns. Hand
grenades are now more plentiful than they were.
The very heavy artillery (15-inch and mythical
21-inch) are of precious little value at present,
though no doubt necessary if we ever got to the
point of attacking real fortresses."
A False Alarm?
June 11. — Heard nothing. ReUef late, owing
to going via new communication trench.
June 12. — Heard nothing for certain. Lieut.
G. takes over.
June 13. — Cross-cut wTst started in lA, plus
three boreholes.
June 14. — Heard them again betw^een A. and
B. Lieut. H. takes over
Wind Up
[letter]
''June 15, 1915.
'* There are pleasing, though very vague,
rumours that leave has been reopened. We have
promptly put in applications, but are not banking
very heavily on it as yet.
'' Things have been comparatively quiet of late,
which is just as well. We have utilised the time
to put out several more listening galleries, and I
think we have these defensive galleries so well
ONE MOLE RAMPANT. 199
placed that they will not be able to get by unnoticed
anywhere. Incidentally this gave rise to a good
deal of excitement all on our own the other day.
We heard working distinctly, and quite thought
the Germans were nearly breaking in on us.
Great panic ! Immediate preparations for counter-
charge — no time to be lost, &c. Then we woke
up to the fact that it was one of our own con-
nections a few feet away. Much relief and laugh-
ter. But it just shows how jumpy we all are. It
also showed how the imagination works. Several
men were absolutely certain they heard German
being spoken and boxes of powder being charged."
Suspense
June 16. — Germans advancing very close to
boreholes between lA and ID cross-cuts. Charged
up with 140 lbs. and tamped lA X-C. Listening
in ID. They were still working.
June 17. — 1 A.M. Lieut. H. ordered to go and
report on enemy mine fired in J3. Lieut. G.
takes over at 3 a.m. Heard enemy working in A
and D. Thought Germans heard to right of IC.
June 18. — Germans heard in A, not heard
in C.
[letter]
''June 18, 1915.
" M. went off with a very slight wound, but
afterwards went sick, and was eventually invahded
home to England for a time. He should be return-
200 ONE MOLE RAMPANT.
ing later on, and when he does I think there is
some chance of leave. At least, our CO. has
promised to get it for us (H. and self) if at all
possible. I think he recognises we have both been
working pretty strenuously.
*' This is particularly the case just now, as H.
ha^ been called off to help at another place for
a few days, where the Germans have just been
successful with a mine, I am sorry to say. Conse-
quently I am without help here, and as it requires
close attention I am putting in several days in the
trenches until H. comes back.
" Leave, if vVe get it, will probably be five days,
which means three clear days at home — not very
long, but quite acceptable.
" I will, of course, let you know as soon as
anything definite comes of it, but I shall probably
not get much notice.
" I use the motor-bike occasionally to run into
headquarters to discuss progress, but not very
often. It is too bumpy on these roads for anything
except duty trips.
•* We are always on the alert for hostile mining,
but, as you know, we have been able to detect all
attempts so far."
June 19. — No more noises heard until late in
evening. Lieut. G. then fairly certain heard them
inC. Put in X-C to W of C and borehole. Lieut.
H. took over.
O'NE MOLE RAMPANT. 201
(Note : The Mole was the only one who heard
this particular sound, to the right of the C gallery
for some considerable time, hence everyone else
rather dubious about it. The men were always
hearing noises, so their report did not carry any
weight.)
June 20. — Nothing heard. Put in three more
boreholes in A and D.
Munitions
About this time the Mole received a letter
from his business colleague, M.S.S., engaged on
important munitions work, urging that the Mole
could be of even greater service at home in view
of his technical knowledge, and that he should
make an application to be seconded for such
purpose.
[letter]
''June 20, 1915.
" Herewith my reply to S., which please pass
on to him after perusal.
•' I should have no objection if the authorities
can be convinced and if they order me home, but
I must say that I do not think it probable.
" H. relieved me last night."
Letter (referred to above) to M. S. S.
" I have read your letter of June 16th with great
interest. I quite see the force of your argument
202 O'NE MOLE RAMPANT.
and think your conclusion as to my greater useful-
ness at home may be correct, though possibly you
over-estimate my value in that direction.
'' Whatever my own feelings on the subject
might be, it is quite out of the question for me to
take any steps at this end. To use a much-quoted
phrase : ' If they want me, they must come and
get me.'
*' For good or ill I have taken on military
obligations, and can onlj^ obey orders. If I w^ere
ordered to return home for service (industrial or
otherwise) I should not oppose it.
" If you can convince the authorities that it is
better to order me home I have no objection to
make."'
On receipt of this M.S.S. put the whole
question before the Explosives Committee of the
Ministry of Munitions.
Holding Our Fire
June 21.— Nothing heard. Lieut. G. took over
at 10 P.M.
June 22.— Noise heard in C to west and face.
June 23.— Nothing heard. Lieut. H. took
over.
June 24. — Nothing new.
[letter]
June 24, 1915.
Things seem quieter up at the mine. Appar-
t. 'in
ONE MOLE RAMPANT. 203
ently they are sitting tight just outside our network
of defensive galleries. I am not surprised they
do not want to come any farther.
" Johnson, I beheve, was killed by a stray
bullet in a communication trench — awfully hard
luck. 1 am glad Teddy G. is expecting to get his
commission. I can see now that it was quite a
mistake to recruit all these high-class battalions —
so many officers are required."
June 25. — Lieut. G. took over.
We Are Puzzled
June 26. — Brigade Mining Section attached.
(Note: For instruction.) Lieuts. W. and G — y