Monday 22nd May 1916: The adjutant of the 1st Battalion,
in the front line near Arras tells us that yesterday the Germans attacked Vimy
Ridge, some way to the south, using lachrymatory shells, which cause irritation
to the eyes with resultant streaming from the tear ducts(1). The wind was
blowing in such a way that the Battalion was also affected, particularly those
close to the River Scarpe(2).
Source: X550/2/5
(1) Today
known as tear gas
(2) On
21st May 1916 the Germans shelled the British positions on Vimy Ridge with
eight batteries of guns. The German infantry then attacked along a 2,000 yard
front, capturing several British tunnels and mine craters but failing to take
the British trenches. Nevertheless the two front lines were now very close to
one another on the ridge.
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