"As they moved out, one soldier recalled, "As far as could be seen, to both left and right of us, men were advancing with their rifles in the porte position, their bayonets glinting in the pale moonlight. Full moon had been days ago so it was quite dark...As we advanced, the feeling of pride and exhilaration was unmistakable. We didn't realize or think of the danger we were in; we were doing a job and the thought of being killed or wounded was far from our minds...I remember seeing forms sink to the ground but our orders were to keep going and not to stop for wounded or dying. Later we passed slit trenches with forms slouched over them facing in our direction ..."