The two present first lines of trench had been taken from the Germans.

Plans were now under way to stage a series of assaults which, it was hoped, would drive the Huns out of their three present first lines of trench and add them to the French system.
An officer wearing the emblem of the French medical service opened the door and glanced in.
"My general, you were not hurt by that bomb ?" he cried anxiously.
"I had forgotten it," replied the French divisional commander.
"What was it ?" "A Hun airman dropped a bomb on the roof.

It blew a hole in the roof and worked some damage in your bedroom overhead." "It does not matter," said General Bazain simply.
Bang! bang! smashed overhead.
"It must be the same rascal, returning in his flight!" cried the medical officer, darting out into the yard to look up at the sky.
A moment later anti-aircraft guns began to bark.

Two minutes after the medical officer again looked into the room.
"We are fortunate to-day, my general!" cried the doctor.

"That scoundrel will not bother you again.