“What’s that?” asked an artillery staff-officer, with his ear to the field telephone. “What’s that?⁠ ⁠… Hullo!⁠ ⁠… Are you there?⁠ ⁠… The Guards have been kicked off Fosse 8⁠ ⁠… Oh, hell!”

From all parts of the field of battle such whispers came to listening men and were passed on to headquarters, where other men listened. This brigade was doing pretty well. That was hard pressed. The Germans were counterattacking heavily. Their barrage was strong and our casualties heavy. “Oh, hell!” said other men. From behind the mist came the news of life and death, revealing things which no onlooker could see.