nearly six o'clock
Tiddler noticed it and smiled to himself , knowing what it meant , for when Hawke looked white it was time for his enemy to look out , and the moment was rapidly approaching . The trench was packed with men , all waiting . Those of the reserves who were not yet in their places were pouring steadily up , and immediately behind the front line Staff cars and motor cycles dashed backwards and forwards ; and overhead , where , oddly enough , the larks were trilling , an English aeroplane was flying just above the scream of the shells . Dennis saw it , and wondered how Claude Laval was faring ; and as he looked at his wrist-watch he saw that it was nearly six o'clock . At that moment the most terrific bombardment the war had witnessed burst with devastating fury upon the German lines . Nothing had been heard like it , and men smiled grimly , knowing that their turn would come soon . The C.O. left the bay , and walked along the front of his beloved battalion from one end of it to the other ; a quiet , keen-eyed English officer , brave as a lion they all knew , but showing no trace of the slightest excitement as his eye scanned the faces of the waiting men .