Yet, in spite of rain and great death, there was a spirit of exultation among many fighting-men. At last there was a break in the months of stationary warfare. We were up and out of the trenches. The first proofs of victory were visible there in a long line of German guns captured at Loos, guarded on each side by British soldiers with fixed bayonets. Men moving up did not know the general failure that had swamped a partial success. They stared at the guns and said, “By God⁠—we’ve got ’em going this time!”

A group of French civilians gathered round them, excited at the sight. Artillery officers examined their broken breechblocks and their inscriptions:

“ Pro Gloria et Patria. ”

“ Ultima ratio regis. ”