In the third week of February the thaw commenced. Within days the communication trenches had returned to a quagmire hindering the supply of bombs to the front for further attacks.As the month was dragging to an end the snow melted, and the forward area was a semi-frozen sea where movement was difficult, and every shell-hole a trap for the stumbler. At Shelter Wood the 22nd Battalion had baths and spent time cleaning up, but mud and slush was everywhere. In the evening concerts and card parties were held.
Following the Twenty-Second 