France
Mar 25/18

Dear Auntie

Just a line in great haste in reply to your most recent & as usual ever welcome letter which I received some few days ago.

You probably have long since ago read about the terrific fight going on out here by far the heaviest engagement yet heavy losses on both sides but a conservative estimate would would place theirs thrice of ours.

The shell fire was of such a volume that the greatest heroism or tenacity was of little avail it simply turned the whole country inside out to depth of many miles it is a wonder indeed how any of our men sustained it to fight so well after it swept over them & although you may think it incredible he was actually shelling "Paris" 75 miles away.

He has been greatly favored by perfect weather throughout the whole attack. Our planes are doing magnificent work & are continually bombing & machine gunning him. But it is impossible to imagine a hundredth part of the ferocity of the battle unless you are a contestant in it. And this fear sees the war far more cruel & terrible than ever before.

You must pardon my awful letter Aunty this time I shall try & write you again at first opportunity. Sincerely hoping that you are all in the very best of health & spirits.

Your Loving Nephew
Arthur