on the walls above reminded them that the owner of the kit might not be so very far away after all, and that it was indiscreet as well as impolite to open it under his observation.
The night passed in quietness, disturbed only by occasional angry bursts of fire from across the river, where the enemy retained his positions until daylight.
On the following day, November 7th, the 138th Brigade relieved the 137th and 139th Brigades and continued the advance across the Petite Helpe. Here a momentary check was experienced, for the rains had been heavy and the little river was in flood. All bridges had been destroyed by the enemy and, once more, the Engineers were called upon to provide the means of crossing. The men of the 468th Field Company were at once set to work and, before the daylight had fled, no less than three bridges spanned the stream. Later in the day, the 465th Field Company, who had been engaged in filling mine-craters on the main Prisches-Cartignies Road, reached the bank of the river farther to the south and commenced work on a bridge for motor transport, which vas completed by 4.30 p.m. on November 9th.
On November 8th, also, the 466th Field Company were ordered to construct a bridge across the river sufficient to carry 60-pounder guns. The site of the old bridge was reserved for a motor-transport bridge, which was to be built at a later date by the Corps, but a place was chosen near by to give the maximum of road approach. A bridge of 75 feet span was constructed, but could only be reported fit for horse transport by nightfall. The enemy was retiring quickly, however, and the passage of the heavy guns was a matter of urgency in order that the whole Division might continue the pursuit. The reconstruction of the bridge to a stronger design was therefore
