The old Thirty-seventh was stationed on the second line, or what is called in military terms, "the line of resistance."  In modern fighting, when a heavy attack is expected the defending army is usually arranged in three lines.  The first is the advanced line, and this is hardly expected to be held very long.  Its chief aim is to hold back the enemy for a while and weaken him as far as possible.  Not many troops are employed on this line nor many big guns.  The chief reliance is on rifle fire and machine guns, which are so placed as to deliver a withering cross-fire and cut up the enemy divisions.