"It was simply _marvellous!_--People don't understand." "Everything was ready," writes an eye-witness of the First Army.[7] The rapidity of our advance completely surprised the enemy, some of whose batteries were captured as they were coming into action.

Pontoon and trestle bridges were laid across the canal with lightning speed.
The engineers, coming close behind the firing line, brought up the railways, light and heavy, as though by magic--built bridges, repaired roads.

The Intelligence Staff, in the midst of all this rapid movement "gathered and forwarded information of the enemy's forces in front, his divisions, his reserves, his intentions." Telephones and telegraphs were following fast on the advance, connecting every department, whether stationary or still on the move.

News was coming in at every moment--of advances, captures, possibilities in new country, casualties, needs.

All these were being considered and collated by the Staff, decisions taken and orders sent out.
[7] The following paragraphs are based on the deeply interesting account of the First Army operations of last year, written by Captain W.Inge, Intelligence and Publicity Officer on Sir Henry Home's Staff.
Meanwhile divisions were being relieved, billets arranged for, transport organised along the few practicable roads.