But when I asked them about the battle they could tell me little. It was a very serious attack in tremendous force, but the British line was strong and the reserves were believed to be sufficient. Petain and Foch had gone north to consult with Haig. The situation in Champagne was still obscure, but some French reserves were already moving thence to the Somme sector. One thing they did show me, the British dispositions. As I looked at the plan I saw that my old division was in the thick of the fighting.
'Where do you go now?' I was asked.
'To Amiens, and then, please God, to the battle front,' I said.
'Good fortune to you. You do not give body or mind much rest, my general.'
After that I went to the Mission Anglaise , but they had nothing beyond Haig's communique and a telephone
