Twenty Sixth Day of the Third Battle of Ypres

Saturday 25th August 1917

Again today the 15th (Scottish) Division has been in action, attacking Gallipoli Farm, which they had assaulted without success two days ago. Today’s attack, by the Black Watch, has again been unsuccessful, though the front line has been advanced by nearly 200 yards. The Division also attacked a strong-point called Iberian Farm, again without success. Meanwhile the Worcesters of 61st Division have also made another unsuccessful attack on Aisne Farm. 48th Division, however, have taken some enemy gun pits near Saint-Julien which the enemy had retaken yesterday.

These small-scale attacks fit the mould to which we became used last year during the battle of the Somme. Grand sweeping attacks would be followed by days of small, piecemeal attacks to straighten the line here, or seize a strong-point there to assist those in the area launching the next grand attack. Again, like the Somme, the lesson has been relived that taking strong-points such as farms, with their ruined buildings and deep cellars is difficult and costly.