Shortening the Line

Tuesday 4th May 1915: The adjutant of the 1st Bedfords tells us that during early hours of this morning the front line has been shortened to make it more easily defensible against attacks which seem inevitable after the onslaught of the 1st May.

The result is that left of Battalion rests on the corner of the trench line, instead of the line being prolonged eastwards for half a mile. This has necessitated withdrawing somewhat to the new trench which was constructed behind the old one. The adjutant reports that the enemy soon noticed withdrawal as they have advanced and he fears they will spend most of today enfilading the new trench with artillery. He tells us that after all the shelling and fighting the trenches are knocked about in places but casualties so far have been small.

Source: X550/2/5