Again and again they were beaten back, until in the afternoon they finally succeeded in forcing crossings of the canal on either side of the position occupied by the OBLI, whose comrades on each flank were forced back, in spite of a most gallant resistance.
The line was broken. The men of the O.B.LL were in grave peril, being surrounded. Every moment the situation grew more desperate. There seemed no possibility, no thousandth chance of escape. instant of crisis these brave to the occasion. A noncommissioned officer volunteered to find a means of escape, and off he went to reconnoitre on his own. The remainder of the unit waited in growing anxiety for his return. The Germans continued to pour into the village of Lamotte. There seemed to be no way back now At last. afler what seemed an eternity, the lone scout returned and confidently assured the party that he could guide them out in safety. Off they went, through machine-gun fire and receiving plenty of attention from enemy snipers.
Taking cover behind every building and every bush, they slid away to a Wood to the east of the village
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.