Extract from a report about a gas attack on the 12th Battalion of the Highland Light Infantry, September 1915, (Catalogue ref: WO 95/1952)
Transcript
12th Bn. [Battalion] High. L.I [Highland Light Infantry]
Report of the O.C. [Officer Commanding] No.5.Column
25th and 26th September 1915
The gas attack commenced at 5.5.am on the 25th. Unfortunately two (or three) of the cylinders burst and several more were leaky and we had several casualties through men being “gassed”.
This I can only attribute to carelessness as the helmets were most efficient. At 6.30 a.m. prompt assault began. I could see the left, or “B” assaulting party deploying but owing to the thickness of the smoke I was unable to see the right, or “A” party, going out. Owing to the smoke, visual signalling was impossible, and as I had no word from either “A” or “B” party, at about 6.50 a.m. I sent across a runner to each party for information. Neither of these runners returned. At about 7.10 a.m., after speaking to the Brigade Major on the telephone, I was about to take my reserve over to the German trenches when I received word from both =A” and “B” Company Commanders. From “A” Company that the German front line and support trenches were taken and from “B” Coy that Southern Sap was taken. I immediately sent on these messages to the Brigade and at once proceeded across the Reserve…