In the early operations north of the Somme the advance of the Allies would have been carried further had it not been for a period of torrential rains that converted the ground underfoot into a quagmire.
It was admitted in the German papers that attacks north of the Somme came as a surprise, as they were expected much further south, and that the situation of the Germans was assisted by the delay of the allied offensive through the heavy rains.
The Germans took advantage of the respite to bring up reinforcements and guns from other parts of the front. Since the first great advance there have been several reports stating that the weather has precluded continued general activity.
It is an ill wind, however, that blows nobody any good, and the spell no doubt brings some benefits to the Allies.
It gives time to consolidate the ground gained without having to endure constant counter-attacks from the enemy, and enables the allied commanders to reorganise their forces for another attack and improve their communications, which become seriously disorganised when rapid advances are made.
•At a send-off tendered a few nights ago in Roxburgh to a recruit going into camp the Mayor announced that over 120 men had enlisted in this district, of whom 84 are now at the front or in camp.
That, he considered, was very creditable for a small district. In the borough very few single men are left. Several members of the Eighteenth Reinforcements who had been down on final leave returned to camp on Friday morning.
A large crowd gathered to see them off, and they were given three hearty cheers as the car moved away. Mr J. C. Falconer, who is going into training as an N.C.O., was tendered a ``smoke'' concert last Friday evening.
Despite the short notice of his departure there was a large attendance, the Mayor presiding.
•An intercessory service in connection with the war was held in the Knox Church Sunday School Hall last evening, under the auspices of the Council of Churches.
There was a large attendance. The Rev. W. A. Hay (president of the council) presided. The hymns and the lesson were appropriate to the occasion.
A very impressive address was delivered by the Rev. Clarence Eaton. He based his remarks on Romans xxii, 4, and exhorted the people to lead more Christian lives.
- ODT, 21.9.1916.
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