Churchill had hoped that the engine would now be able to tow the rear trucks to safety but shellfire had smashed the coupling. All they could do now was to load as many wounded as possible onto the engine and tender and use it as a shield behind which the remainder could escape on foot. “The engine was soon crowded and began to steam homewards – a mournful, sorely battered locomotive – with the woodwork of the firebox in flames and water spouting from its pierced tanks. The infantrymen straggled along beside it at the double.” Churchill told Wagner to cross the river and wait in the relative safety on the other side while he ran back up the line to find Captain Haldane and bring him and his Dublin Fusiliers along.