Indeed they were all in the same company and the same platoon as each other. They were pals yet did not all enlist at the same place or time. Each biography will start with the same description of the Battle of Aubers Ridge, then give brief personal details. The small town of Aubers sits on a low ridge not far from Armenti res. It is only slightly higher than the ground in front of it.
Height however is vital in battle and even more so in an entrenched situation.
The side occupying the higher ground can look into his enemy s positions and any attack on it has the disadvantage of fighting uphill. The Germans in this and most other cases occupied the high ground. The low ground around this area was only a few feet above sea level and very, very wet. The British trenches were water logged and it was necessary to build breastworks for even elementary protection. It was a most unpleasant place.