22 July 1915

Ypres

Since my last letter we have had a fairly quiet time as far as shelling is concerned though there has been a little excitement.  Last night was my first night off, that is to say I did not come on duty until about four o’clock this morning.  The first thing I did was to take a look round the German lines & see if anyone was about.  Imagine my surprise when I discovered that there had sprung up in the night a square sandbag tunnel with a large iron plate, & two ominous looking slits.  What its all for & what it all means we haven’t the least idea, but during the day have managed to add considerably to the ventilation both of the plates & the surrounding sandbags.  Further excitement came our way a little bit later when one of my Corporals ”Spotted” a German working party.  There were four or five of them working on a new trench about 1000 yds away, & exposed from their heels to their heads.  These we soon scattered & I think managed to hit one fellow, who certainly sat down with greater rapidity then seemed to be quite natural.  At all events they ceased work, & have not been seen again.  We shall keep a good look out on the spot & if ever they try any tricks again in daylight they will catch it.    I am sorry I look so thin in the photograph.  If you will send a copy along I will let you know whether or no there is anyone who might like a copy & to whom you could send it.  I cannot think of anybody at present.  Today we had a first glimpse of this new German bi-plane about which so much has been said in the papers & elsewhere.  It is a fairly large affair with a double body & carries two machine guns firing fore & aft.  The old thing came sailing over today look for something to have a smack at, but none of our machines were up at the time so it went away disappointed.  Their aeroplanes are very quick indeed at spotting any new trench–work & sandbags, & if they see anything they will get the guns on it in a very few minutes.  Their system of signalling between aircraft & guns must be very good indeed.  What we are expecting to see now is a battle between their “battle” machine & one of ours “Vickers biplanes”, which ought to be an exciting event to watch, though somewhat too thrilling doubtless for the combatants.