1.6.1915
It was indeed difficult to keep awake during my tour
of duty from midnight until 2.00 am on Tuesday 1st June 1915 and I was very thankful
when it was time for me to sleep.
I was again on duty from 8.00 am until 10.00 am,
during which time I partook of a biscuit and some "bully". After this
I once more "turned in" until duty again called, and then we all had
a meal (4.00 pm) which, however, resembled very closely the previous one, as no
fires were allowed to be lit on account of the smoke caused, which would inform
the Bosches that these trenches were occupied, and so call fourth a shower of
shells.
There are a great number of lines of trenches in
this district, many of which are not occupied, and it is interesting to watch
the Germs shelling empty trenches - they no doubt thinking that the casualties
inflicted been very heavy - and putting it in their "official communiqué".
All day the bombardment on every side was absolutely
awful and we all had severe headaches but of course had to "stick
it".
2.6.1915
On Wednesday 2nd June we watched the Germs have
another "go" at the tower of the Cathedral, and they struck it
several times scattering chunks of masonry in all directions.
In at the evening we've moved along about half a
mile to our right; the right flank of the Battalion holding the railway line by
Menin road.
Until at this time our regiment had had the
longer-Pattern rifle and a short bayonet, whilst the rest of the brigade had
the short rifle and long sword.
The short rifle weighs about one pound less than the
long, and it is more convenient and easier to manipulate, so that as the men
get killed or wounded in the other battalions of our brigade, we had their
rifles and swords. There was also a large number of arms and equipment of men
who had been killed in a recent attack lying in front of our line in the open,
and at night we would steal out and hunt for them, and share out.
3.6.1915
I got my fresh rifle and sword on Thursday 1st June
and it was very clean and had an excellent barrel.
4.6.1915
On Friday 4th June the Germs shelled us on three
different occasions; the first two times doing very little damage, but during
the third shelling one percussion shell fell right in the trench amongst the
men of my Company, and this one shell killed nine of my chums, wounded seven
others, and three sustained shell-shock.
I would be here like to mention the names of three killed,
who were particularly my "pals", they were:-
Corporal Matthews
Rifleman Kerl, and
Rifleman Mac. Gillervray
R. I. P.
The stretcher bearers went immediately to their aid,
and one of them whilst carrying out his duties was himself severely wounded by
another shell.
The shell which killed so many of these fine fellows
went through the parapet and the men were buried under the debris. They were
dug out, but were found to be beyond recognition, and the names of the killed
were discovered by calling their role. This terrible result was the work of one
single shell. Several other shells, to the extent of about 50, were fired at
us, causing a number of casualties, more or less severe.
During the night a burial party made a large hole
just behind the trenches in the which to bury their remains, and whilst on this
unpleasant task came across a number of other bodies, and as the morning light
was about to appear, our men had to be buried in the same spot.
5.6.1915
We were again shelled very heavily on a Saturday 5th
June and the West Yorks had a large number of casualties. Our ration party was
caught by a machine gun, and several men received leg wounds which provided for
them any "ticket to Blighty".
I doubt if there was a day passed without a number
of casualties whilst the Battalion was in the trenches in the Salient so I will
not refer to the casualties except on special occasions, otherwise this will
prove too sad and monotonous reading.
In the evening "A" and "B"
companies moved up in to the fire trench.
On account of gas; the danger of working in the
daylight; and other reasons work on the trenches was always done during the
night, and no man slept between the hours of sunset and Sunrise, but during the
day.
6.6.1915
We had just "turned in" at 6.00 am on
Sunday 6th June, when the Germs commenced a heavy bombardment on our trench,
which continued until about 9.00 am, so we lost three hours sleep on this day.
We were, however getting it used to this continued
shelling, and were now able to sleep through quite a heavy cannonade, so long
as the shells did not come too near.
The weather was a very hot, and we had one of our
men down with Sun stroke.
7.6.1915
Nothing very special took place on Monday 7th June
but as usual we had a number of casualties, and there was plenty of ‘tillery
"knocking about".
8.6.1915
After a very sultry and "noisy" day (guns
and thunder), on Tuesday 8th June, we were relieved from the trenches at 11.00
pm, and as we were going out the Germs treated us to a "dose" of
shrapnel, and Lance-Corporal Newcombe of the signal section was wounded for a
second time.
If anyone wants to have a little excitement I would
suggest in the dark running up the field from Potiejze wood on a hot night,
with full pack, rifle, equipment and 250 rounds of ammunition, and at the same
time "dodge" shells by means of "belly-flopping". (throwing
no one's self down in the roadway or ditch).
9.6.1915
We marched through Ypres without any further
excitement as the Bosches were not shelling the town, and got on our way to
some huts between Ypres and Vlamertinghe where we were to say, and at which we
arrived at 2.30 am on Wednesday 9th June.
We were served out with some hot tea, after which we
"turned in" and "turned out" again at 9.00 am.
There was a great shortage of water in this district
and we were not allowed to wash with fresh water, so as to save it. There was
however a stagnant pool a short distance away, so we made our ablutions there,
although this was also forbidden on account of its filthy state.
Whilst coming out of the trenches last night, one of
the signallers "belly-flopped", and lost his Telegraphic instrument,
and as an excuse to look round Ypres in the daylight, I offered to go with him,
and try to find it. (One man is not allowed by himself in case he is hit, and
wants aid.)
We therefore obtained the necessary permission, with
directions that we were to cycle through the town as quickly as possible, and
we started off on our bicycles at about 2.30 pm.
Having got somewhat used to the conditions of
affairs in Ypres, we were not so staggered by the sites, but rather looked on
them in the light of sightseers-especially as it was daylight.
I must admit that we got off our "bikes"
and walked slowly through, and by this means that a good opportunity of looking
thoroughly at the town. On the sides of the road the bones and skeletons of
dead animals, which had been burnt (as the best and healthiest means of their
disposal), were stacked high in small piles, many of which were still burning.
We walked round the cathedral and Cloth Hall, but as
the day was hot and the smell correspondingly strong, to say nothing of a few
shells coming unpleasantly near, we did not stay long in this vicinity, but
made our way to the Easter portion of the town by the moat. As however, the
cemetery was nearby it was not too nice to be at this spot either. We had a
look at the graves, many of which had gaping holes in them, and the tomb stones
smashed to atoms.
Without having found the instrument, we "about
turned" and again went through Ypres, and got on the road to Vlamertinghe
(about two miles behind) and made a few purchases, returning to our
"rest" camp at six o'clock. I created somewhat of a record at
letter-writing during the evening. I went on duty at 10.30 pm and wrote letters
without a break until four o'clock on Thursday, the 10th June, when
I came off duty and slept until 8 am.
10.6.1915
It being
considered that we had had a good "rest" (nearly two days) we moved
up to a line of trenches on the banks of the Yser canal.
The actual trenches were about 20 yards from the
river, but as they were about a mile from the front line, we did not stay in
them, but in "dug-outs" built in the banks, which sloped steeply
towards the river.
This
position was considered very nice as there was a toe-path along which one could
walk, and bathing was also permitted, and the Germs did not shell this spot more
than two or three times daily.
(After a time, however, bathing had to be stopped on
account of the Bosches dropping their dead into the river which flowed in our
direction. Later on a German shell broke the lock-gates, and the water ran out,
leaving only a small depth, the greater part of which was mud).
As there were not enough "buggy-hutches"
to go round, the signallers set to work to build one.
We dug out a deep square in the banks, about 9 ft by
6 ft, and completed this operation by 9.00 pm. It was too dark to finish this
evening, so we arranged some poles across the top, and put our waterproof
above, and were just about to settle down for the night when it began to rain,
and it ended in a deluge continuing through the night.
Of course the rain and broke down a our temporary
roof, and we got the full benefit of the water, but never daunted, we laid down
and covered ourselves with some sacking.
Although I had had only four hours rest the previous
evening, I could not get to sleep as the rain made so much noise, and kept
beating against my face. The others being in the same predicament, we decided
to stand up for a time, until at the rain stopped, in a corner which had a
space where the rain could not gain admission.
We chatted for about four hours, and were all a
thoroughly soaked, when we heard a call for "stretcher bearers".
We went out, and discovered that the rain had caused
a "dug-out" to collapse, and bury four men. We therefore set to work
to remove the earth and take them out, and managed to save three, the fourth
however being beyond aid by the time we got at him.
This, none too pleasant occupation, made us nice and
warm, and with the aid of the wood from the broken "buggy" we made a
good roof for ours which kept the rain out, and after a cup of tea (made with
fairly warm water, boiled on candle ends) we "turned in" at 5.30 am
for the night.
12.6.1915
As dusk was
falling on Saturday, 12th June, a Zeppelin flew over our trenches at a quite
low altitude. The night was very dark, and the "Zepp" was spotted
quite accidentally by a man walking along the trench.
We immediately reported the event (I was on duty),
and were afterwards informed that the message reached London in 12 minutes.
During the afternoon the Germs shelled heavily the
village of Vlamertinghe.
13.6.1915
On Sunday morning I was rather anxious to get to
Church if possible, and as a cyclist was wanted to go with a dispatch to the
Transport Lines (between Vlamertinghe and Poperinghe) I made arrangements, and
got permission to go to Mass in the Church at Vlamertinghe.
I started off at 8.00 am and skirted Ypres, and
arrived at Vlamertinghe in about half an hour.
The Church was the object of the Germs shelling the
previous day, and it had been set on fire by incendiary shells, and now only
the walls were standing, and it was still burning.
It had indeed been a stately Church, and the tall
tower, although it had been hit, was still standing. The Germs desire, no
doubt, was to smash the Tower, but in this they were frustrated, as was a I
from attending Mass.
Apart from the Church, the village itself had not
been severely damaged, and people were still living nearby. (I have lately met
men from this district, and am told that Vlamertinghe is now a mass of ruins,
and Poperinghe in is almost as bad).
I got to the transport, and returned to the trenches
after delivering my message and had a swim in the river.
14.6.1915
During the evening of Monday 14th June, we went into
the environs of Ypres "finding" tables, chairs, and other furniture
for our "dug out".
15.6.1915
On Tuesday 15th June we were told to be in readiness
for an attack which we were to make up on a line of the German trenches near
Hooge, and as this was our first attack we were rather excited, and we had a
swim to cool down.
We were to be in the second line, and half of the
Battalion were to move into the trench as soon as the line was taken.
The battalion moved up at 8.30 pm, but as I was
detailed to wait until relieved by a Brigade signaller, I went forward at 10.30
pm with the Colonel and Adjutant.
It was a terribly dark night, and we made a away
over a number of fields containing many shell holes, and we occasionally came to
earth. The Germs star shells however, helped us considerably to see our way,
and after traversing about three miles of fields we arrived on the left of the
village of Hooge at midnight.
With another signaller, I had to open a new station
about a hundred yards away from headquarters in case the battalion got cut off,
so that as soon as I arrived I had to lay a wire and get connected up. This
work was completed in about half an hour, and it consisted of a great deal of
travelling on the stomach as the Germs were firing rather heavily, and the line
was made above the trenches. After completing we managed each to get an hour's
sleep before operations commenced.
16.6.1915
At 2.30 am on Wednesday 16th June, our artillery
sent out "feelers", and at 2.45 am, the bombardment commenced in
deadly earnest. The daylight had hardly appeared, but the bursting of the
shells lit up very vividly the lines of trenches. The Germs replied at once by
shelling our trenches with high explosives of a heavy calibre, and the noise of
the guns and the bursting shells, was terrific.
Within an hour, three times our telephone line was
broken, and I had to go out over the top to mend it. Unfortunately there was a
farm in front of the line and the Germs shelled it heavily in case ammunition
was stored there. Our wires ran at the side of the farm, and consequently ware
so often broken.
After a bombardment of an hour and a half, the front
line charged and, as we were told later, altogether four lines of trenches were
taken on a front of about a thousand yards.
For 4 hours this ceaseless bombardment continued,
and at 6.40 am we received the following message:-
"All goes well aaa We have captured the enemies
first line".
Just before receiving this message we were wondering
how things were progressing in front, and were rather worried about having no
news, when we saw a batch of German prisoners under our guard coming appalling
the Menin road. This informed us that we had at least been successful in
breaking through.
For some reason or other the Germs fired on their
prisoners coming along the road, and the prisoners and our guard had to scatter
and lie down for a time, but none tried to escape, but hurried to a place of
safety where they parading together and marched off under the guard.
It is possible that the Germs fired on their own men
on the principle that "dead men tell no tales", but whether this is the case or not, they
did it intentionally for they could distinguish the Germs from the British and
could have held their fire from the spot where they were.
The bombardment continued fiercely until about 1.00
pm and on our men reaching the second line, the Germs counter attacked with
great severity, but were repulsed, and our casualties mounted high.
We received the following message about midday:-
"Each Third Division reports situation rather
obscure aaa After reaching the enemies of second line of trenches on a line
running up from a point J.13 A 4.5 in a
S. S. E. direction through BELLEWAAR FARM to about J 12 D 1.2 the Germs shell
them very heavily and our line had to retire in places aaa The Germs commenced
a counter attack against centre of line aaa this counter-attack appears to have
been driven back by the observation of the F. O. O. (Forward Observation
Officer) who could see enemy retiring and losing heavily from our rifle and
gunfire aaa about a hundred prisoners belonging to the 27 reserve division and
15th Corps have been taken."
The approximate times of taking the trenches were:-
First line - 4.15 am
Second line - 6.00 am
Third line - 8.15 am
Fourth line - later in the morning.
Only a small party penetrated the fourth line, and
they had to retire as the Germs counter attacked before more men could be got
up. For safety's sake our men also retired from the third line as the trenches
were so badly smashed that they afforded practically no protection.
During the afternoon the Germs sent over a few gas
shells, but the winds being rather strong it was very little use to them, and
we did not even put on our respirators.
The afternoon was somewhat quieter, but the battle
commenced again at six o'clock when the Germs subjected us to a very severe
bombardment for an hour, which they followed up with a strong attack, and our
men had to retire. We now held only one line.
For some purpose-the reason of which I cannot
say-during this counter-attack our guns were practically silent.
The Germs were bombarding us terribly, and a our men
were falling over like ninepins, but not one of a our guns as far as we could
tell, belched forth their death dealing missiles until the Germs were about to
attack, when they opened up with shrapnel practically making a curtain of fire.
This procedure may be the best if the signalling wires are not broken and the
S. O. S. message (the call sent when the enemy is seen to leave the trench to
attack) can be got through to the Batteries Artillery, but if the lines are
broken, which invariably is the case, it has to be left to the infantry to
repel the attack after they have been subjected to a severe bombardment.
I do not think that at this time it was a case of
shortage of shells for we saw tremendous stocks of ammunition in certain places
before the attack, and some artillerymen to whom we were speaking said that it
had been brought up for attack, and that we had more handy.
The same procedure was carried out at Hooge on the
9th August (about which more later) when the papers said that it was the first
engagement when we could say that we had enough shells, and it seems to me that
it has rather a demoralising effect, and I shell certainly say that all our men
would have felt happier if only a few of our guns had been firing on the German
trenches.
As evening fell the firing became a more normal and
the night passed without any further attack, we holding one line on a ridge on
the left of the village of Hooge.
Twice during the night the Germs broke our wire, and
I had to go out and mend it, but although it is more difficult to trace the
break, it is not such a bad job as when it had to be mended in daylight under
observation of the Bosches.
The importance of keeping up communications cannot
be exaggerated, for if the line is broken messages have to be taken by hand,
and apart from the length of time this method takes, it is very dangerous for
the signaller who may not get through.
17.6.1915
The
Germs did not counter attack on Thursday 17th June, the reason no doubt being
that the night had given us an opportunity of consolidating our gain.
During
the morning the Germs happened to "fire" one of our ammunition
stores, and a great deal of noise resulted thereby, the heat making the bullets
explode, but apart from the waste, no damage was done.
There
being no signs of a another counter attack by mid-day, I decided to "turn
in" (for we had been up all the night) when the Germs broke our wire, and
again I had to mend it.
The
regiments taking part in this attack besides our own were: -
Liverpool
Scottish (the regiment which came over in the boat with us to France).
Royal
Scots, and Northumberland Fusiliers.
I
understand that the Liverpool Scottish who made an attack he immediately on our
right lost about 50% of their men.
The
official report for such an engagement would be: - "Some ground was gained
around the Ypres Salient on the 16th instant".
I
was informed that about 50 Germs dropped their rifles and surrendered to the
Royal Scots, but I cannot vouch for this statement, although there is no reason
why it should not be true.
At
10.00 pm we were relieved and went to the line of trenches on the canal bank
where we rested for the night.
18.6.1915
We
did not rise until a late hour on a Friday 18th June, and after a swim in the
river, we had a good breakfast (tea, ham and bread).
During
the afternoon I went with an officer to arrange billets for the battalion in
which to rest, in huts between Vlamertinghe and Poperinghe. The huts between
Ypres and Vlamertinghe at which we had stayed previously had been shelled and
were untenable.
At
10.30 pm I met the battalion on the main road and guided them in, and myself
"turned in" about midnight.
19.6.1915
A
walk through the woods in the morning, and a cycle ride into Poperinghe to obtain
tinned pineapple (Crosse and Blackwell's) in the afternoon, was my programme
for Saturday 19th June 1916.
It
was about this time that it became possible and to obtain luxuries unheard of
at the Front before, such as tinned fruit, condensed milk and other commodities
(at a price) similar to those obtained at home, and they were indeed a godsend.
As an indication of the price, however a fair sized tin of fruit cost 2.5
francs (about two shillings), and riches were indeed a blessing under these
circumstances.
20.6.1915
On
Sunday morning, 20th June, I attended Mass which was held in a field nearby,
with a Signaller T. Buckley (since killed in action, RIP) and in the afternoon
had a sleep in the woods.
I
was on duty from 4.00 until 8.00 pm and an interesting message was sent showing
our strength. The strength of an infantry battalion of is about 1,000, and our
strength after the attack was: -
Riflemen
370
Signallers,
machine Gunners, stretcher bearers etc.
120
Sergeants,
Corporals, and transport 203
693
Which
shows a deficit of 300 men.
21.6.1915
During
the evening of Monday 21st June, an open air concert to which we invited the
East Yorkshire Regiment, was held and much appreciated.
22.6.1915
I
walked to Vlamertinghe for a "bath" at 6.30 am on Tuesday 22nd June
1915, and was on duty for the rest of the day as the Battalion cyclist.
23.6.1915
24.6.1915
Wednesday
and Thursday were days of practically complete rest and preparation for another
turn him in the trenches.
25.6.1915
The
weather had been a very good the past few days, and on Friday, 25th June, We
were for the trenches again, and we decided that the dryness would permit of
our going by a roadway called "High Street", made by the engineers through
fields, and so avoided going along the main road which was subject to heavy
shell fire.
When
the weather was dry "high street" was quite good, and, as a matter of
fact, easier to march on than the cobbled road running through Ypres.
At
1.30 pm we left the huts, taking a hand cart (obtained in Ypres) in which to
put our signalling stores, and reckoned to do the distance of about eight miles
to the trenches by 4.00 O'clock.
We've
had pushed a our cart for about two miles singing cheerily, when the
"clerk of the weather" decided that the rain was wanted for the
crops, and we got caught in a severe thunderstorm. Our ardour was severely
damaged, and the Cart began to pick up a large portions of the Fields (to which
it was not entitled) and expected us to push it along with its ill gotten gains
adhering to its wheels. (It must have seen some of us in Ypres).
I
cannot say the number of times it got stuck, but the language occasioned by
this cart must really have made it feel ashamed to have been built. I will say,
however, that when on a hot day one has a thick uniform, equipment, pack,
rifle, and ammunition, and an uncomfortable waterproof sheet over one's
shoulders, which persists in a placing the rain in one spot to soak through the
clothes, it is no joke to push the cart laden with the heavy instruments, which
does not agree to be pushed. Another point which makes things awkward is the
number of a shell holes which have to be negotiated. Twice when the size of the
shell hole did not permit of its being skirted, we rushed it down the hole, and
up the other side, and, sad to relate, twice did the cart overturn, depositing
its goods in the mud and losing various portions of itself.
We
tried to hurry on as the Signallers in the trenches were waiting to be
relieved, but after a time we had to abandon the idea of hurrying and took it
gently. The rain lessened slightly, and we got to a cobbled road on the North
of Ypres where we sat down for a rest, the thinking we had finished with the
"High Street".
The
climax was reached when we were all lying down on the wet ground somewhat
exhausted, when a Colonel came along and we did not get up and salute. The
Colonel stopped and called the sergeant and demanded why we had not stood up
and saluted!! The sergeant explained that "in the Field" it is not
necessarily to salute, but the colonel said it was, and reprimanded the
sergeant adding "I suppose you have just come out here, and think you can
do as you like". On being informed that we had already been eight months
overseas (which was probably much more than he) he seemed surprised, but said
we were to remember another time. We were all standing by this time as we had
been spoken to, and as he left we gave him a "salute", and I think it
was well but he did not see it - nice man.
By
this time the rain had increased, and we went a long distance out of our way to
avoid "high street", and got to the canal bank by 6.30 pm. There
being no chance of tea, we crossed the pontoon Bridge, and on inquiring our way
to the particular trenches we wanted, we were informed, unfortunately, that we
had to continue along "high street".
Two
of the Signallers were so exhausted that we left them on the canal bank to rest
in the rain, while we pushed on to the village of La Brique for which we were
making. The rain was still coming down in torrents, and the last stage of the
journey across small fields was indeed the "limit", and by this time,
we were soaked to the skin.
We
got to La Brique at 7. 00 O'clock, and
by the side of a house, full of shell holes, an officer of the Leinster
Regiment was standing, and upon seeing us covered in mud, smiled broadly, and
asked us if we were having a nice time. On a our assuring him to the contrary,
he told us to "come in" (through a shell hole in the side) and he
gave us all a cup of a hot tea and some biscuits; which proves that all
officers are not typical of the Colonel referred to in a previous page.
We
put our cart in the garden of a house nearby, which was being used as a
dressing station (First Aid Post). The garden was really a cemetery for it
contained a large number of graves of British soldiers who had been killed near
the spot, and I may mention that before we came out of the trenches here, we
had added quite a large number of the Queen's Westminsters to this burial
ground.
The
rain has ceased soon after we arrived here, and we waited until it was fairly
dark so as to walk above ground and "risk it" rather than take the
communication trench, which we knew would be full of water, and we arrived and
relieved the Leinster Signallers at 9.30 pm; only about three hours late.
The
trenches were full of water, but that did not matter for we were already has
wet as we could be. The rain, however, did us a good "turn" for it
had ruined the line to headquarters, and they had been running their messages
by hand, and to open the station it would be necessary to lay a fresh wire.
There was another Signaller with me, and we were both so "fed up" and
miserable that we decided to say nothing about there being no line, and of
course headquarters could not communicate with us and tell us to lay one, so we
"turned in" after waiting up until midnight when the rest of the
battalion came in, and we put them in their sectors according to Companies.
There was a great shortage of "dug-outs" and many men had to sleep
out in the open trench.
26.6.
1915
We
were heavily shelled at 5.30 and 6.30 am on a Saturday 26th June but, except
for four casualties, nothing out of the ordinary took place.
27.6.1915
It
was decided to lay a our line during the evening, but as the supply of the wire
was not forthcoming, we had to leave it for a time. He were quite willing, and
"turned in" at 9.30 pm and did not wake until 7.00 am the next
morning, when we were shouted at to get out of our "dug-out" as a
shell had gone clean through the next but one to us.
We,
however, felt as safe in our little "buggy" as out, and stayed there
until the shelling had ceased, and then had another couple of hours sleep.
Sleeping
during the night is forbidden around Ypres, but one gets into no trouble if not
found out. Arrangements for work were made at night and sleep during the day.
It
was decided that no station was necessary where we were, as there was another
about a hundred yards along the trench, so we returned to headquarters, and I
acted as cook for the Signallers there. During the night we built a
"spanking" dug-out.
My
duties as cook did not take up a great deal of time, the chief work connected
with it being a walk out of the trenches every evening to the village of La
Brique, for the rations.
28.6.1915
29.6.1915
I
made my journeys for rations during the nights of Monday and Tuesday, and the
Germs gave our "dumping" ground at La Brique a good number of shells,
and also gave our trenches more than were required to allow us to have a
comfortable time.
30.6.1915
As
a punishment our artillery around Ypres received orders to shell heavily the
Germs trenches, objects behind and also any of the enemies transport and
"dumping" ground, on Wednesday 30th June, for one hour, commencing at
8.45 pm.
We
were told officially that there it would be an "artillery display" at
this time to celebrate the half year, so I'd got to La Brique early, and went
into a house which had been shelled, and climbed to the roof, and with my
friend, my pipe, - without which I could never have existed in the trenches - I
watched through a shell hole as beautiful and terrible a sight imaginable.
The
shell bursts kept lighting up the little village, throwing out the ruins in
relief, and all round for miles one could see only a mass of fire.
The
Germs did not reply. It seems as if they were "flabbergasted" by the
magnitude of the display, and were waiting to see at which part of the line of an
attack was contemplated, if one was coming.
For
an hour the sky was continually alight with bursting shells, making the blood
red sunset more intense as it slowly past away.
Big
shells, small shells, screeching above one's head, and bursting without a break
with tremendous force. If for a second or two no shell burst, the noise seemed
more intense as a contrast, and it sounded as if Hell had been let loose.
The
roar of the guns ceased as suddenly as it had started, and the crack of rifles
and machine guns could be heard, and this gradually died down, but for two
hours I had to wait before it was safe to risk going down the road to the
trenches. It would have meant certain death to have gone before.
No doubt the Germs were surprised at nothing happening,
but we wait our time, and this was only an indication of what we could do. Six
months of the year is completed, and we still wait, for we are not ready to
strike, but the time is coming. .....
1.7.1915
It was to a very fine day
on a Thursday 1st July, and I did my duty as cook.
We were very heavily
shelled all day, and in the evening when I journeyed to La Brique things where
very lively, and a continuous bombardment was kept up along the along road
which I was going, so I decided that the pleasanter way would be across fields
in the rear.
2.7.1915
On Friday 2nd July I
carried out my usual duties as cook.
During the day the Germs
fired some shells round our way, and one fell just behind our trench, but did
not explode. As it was dangerous to men walking up to the Fire trench, it was
decided to explode it when there were no men about; so, after smothering it
with sand bags, a fuse was attached and it was fired.
It exploded satisfactorily
and no damage was done. A minute or two afterwards a strong odour of flowers,
such as one might smell in a death chamber, was evident, and we then discovered
that it was an asphyxiating shell we had exploded, and we had
"gassed" ourselves. A rush was therefore made for gas helmets, and
although for a time it made a our eyes "smart", no one was seriously
affected.
3.7.1915
During the night of a
Saturday 3rd July, We were relieved from the Fire trench, and went into the
second line.
Our new quarters were about
eight hundred yards from the Bosches and the line of trenches ran behind a
thick hedge, completely obscuring the Germs view, but we could see through
loopholes.
Behind the hedge a round
tub had been placed, and from a ditch nearby I Field the tub, and proceeded to
have a bath.
I got on very nicely, and
was about to dry myself, when the Germs sent over a "Salve" of
shrapnel, and I had to run for cover. Evidently they had noticed my
"white" skin between some gaps in the hedge, and they objected to my
ablutions without their authority.
During the afternoon the
Germs bombarded us very severely and also sent over to us our first serious
supply of gas and gas shells. We donned our respirators, and saw that our
rifles were in trim with a nice Sharp bayonet attached there to, and awaited
developments. No attack came, however, and after a couple of hours we took off
our respirators, but the gas hung about for many hours afterwards, and the
smell gave all of us a sickly feeling.
The noise of a large gas
shell going through the air is very peculiar, sounding like a tube train when
one is waiting at an underground station, but when the shell arrives,
unfortunately it does not stop at any particular spot, as does a train, but
bursts where one does not want it to, with a loud bang, sending out clouds of
smoke and gas.
A matter of about a hundred
yards away from the line of trenches in which we were, was the village of St
Jean, which was practically ruined. The Church and cemetery around had been
shelled, but the Church tower was still standing.
At 7.00 pm the Germs
started a systematic shelling of this tower, and from my little
"dug-out" I watched them trying to bring this tower to the ground.
Their shooting was really
splendid; but even though they fired about 50 shells, they had to give it up,
for the tower had a very thick walls, and was most substantially built.
The cemetery attached was
quite small, yet every shell fired either hit the Tower or Church, or else fell
among the graves, and as the Bosches were firing from a distance of four to
five miles (estimated by the time between hearing the report of the gun and the
bursting of the shell) this performance was quite good.
Unfortunately the wind was
blowing in the direction from the Church to our trenches, and the smell was
really terrible, and actually necessitated our wearing gas helmets. Apart from
this, however, it was a very interesting sight to watch from so near a point of
vantage, and it gave us an opportunity of betting on whether the "next"
shell would hit the Tower, or fall in our own trenches. (3 to 1 was the limit
obtainable).
The Brigade Telegraph wires
ran through this village of St Jean, and the shells had broken them. As soon as
the shelling had ceased, a Brigade Signaller was ordered to carry out the
necessary repairs, and as another man had to go with him for safety's sake, I
volunteered for the job as I had not been into the village, and wanted to see
the results of the shelling.
We crawled along by the
side of the wires, keeping below the level of the hedge, (for we were well
within the range of being seen, and bullets were plentiful), and eventually
found the break, and mended it.
We then walked round the
Church, and the first thing that came to one's notice, was a large crucifix on
the outside wall, which he had escaped without damage.
The wall at one end was
completely down, and that the other end were gaping holes where shells had
passed through. Near the centre was the porch with the tower above, and on the
wall, by the side, was a crucifix about 10 ft long, by some 6 ft wide, and the
wall behind this crucifix was absolutely undamaged, although the wall on the
other side of the Church, as well as the entire roof, was raised to the ground.
We then looked around the cemetery,
and saw many graves opened by shell fire, bones, wood of coffins, tomb stones
smashed, but noticed that several tombs stones made in the form of a crucifix,
although the stone work comprising the cross had been damaged by shrapnel, the
figure was still intact and unhit.
The Brigade Signaller with me as regards religion was "nothing" although designated for army purposes as "Church of England", but he also remarked on the wonderful preservation of the crucifix, and mentioned to me, that although he had not been to Church for many years, beyond attending Church parades, "there must be something in it", and we enjoyed, on our way back, quite an interesting religious talk, and it is very likely that good may result to both of us by what we saw this evening. One realised at this time how true is the expression "God's ways are not as our ways".
5.7.1915
The shelling and was
continuous on a Monday 5th July, and as my dug-out was not proof against
shrapnel, I set to work to reconstruct it, and placed about three feet of earth
on top as I did not want to finish my existence one night whilst to sleep.
6.7.91915
Early in the morning of
Tuesday 6 July, the British, at our left made a very determined attack, and it
succeeded in obtaining one line of the Germ trenches.
The Germs counter attacked
at 10.30 am, and got their trenches back, and also attacked the line
immediately in front of us. We "stood to" ready to go into the
engagement at once. The Bosches in front of us, however, were repulsed, and we stayed
where we were.
Through field glasses, I
watched the enemy charge, which, although risky, was a sight I would not have
missed on any account. It is seldom one gets such a position, as behind a hedge
from which to watch an attack at close quarters, and without such protection it
would be madness to try and see the charge. When an enemy is advancing, and one
is in the Fire trench, one cannot take in the scene as one is about to fight
for life, but being in the second line, with so much protection, gave me the
opportunity.
With Major Cohen (our
Senior Major) I watched by the Bosches advancing and falling dead or wounded
from an our rifle and machine gun fire, and hardly a man reached our front
line.
The length of the
bombardment had not been sufficient to kill very many of our men, and there
were plenty left to repel this attack.
At any minute we were
prepared to counter charge should be Germs succeeded in penetrating our line,
but we were not wanted, for the Fire trench was like a wall of steel, against
which nothing could prevail.
Later in the day, the
Regiments on our left again attacked, and took up the line of trenches which
constituted the original attack, and evening fell with us in possession.
7.7.1915
We "stood to"
early in the morning of Wednesday 7th July, as the Germs counter attack very
fiercely on the left, but they did not succeed in breaking the line.
In the evening I went to La
Brique for rations as usual, and the firing was fairly heavy.
8.7.1915
Again the Germs attacked in
front of us, morning and evening of Thursday 8th July but in each case they
were easily repulsed. The firing was terrific especially at the evening attack,
and first sight of the bursting shells which we watched through a gap in the
hedge, was most appealing, even if rather uncomfortable when the shells came
near.
Although I was
"cook", and thereby relieved of all duties on the wire, I offered to
do a couple of hours for another man, from 4.00 pm until 6.00 pm as he had had
a heavy day on account of the attacks.
I "came off" at
6.00 pm and about 10 minutes later the Germs started shelling us with the
"salvos" (four or six shells at a time) Which fell all around the
Signallers office. The shelling there was so severe that we all had to
"clear out" to the communication trenches (which is permitted in any
trench but the front line if the shelling is very heavy, but of course, if
attack is made on the Fire trench, we would all have to return to our posts)
with the exception of two Signallers who must on no account to leave while
instruments can be worked.
As a matter of fact, all
the wires were broken, and the Signallers left their office to report to be
commanding officer that communication had been stopped.
They had no sooner got
clear when a couple of shells landed - One in the Signallers office, and the
other in an officers "dug-out" a couple of yards away. We kept clear
for about half an hour, and then returned to our posts.
We are then saw some very
peculiar sights. A rifle in the signal Office had been twisted in a most
peculiar manner, such as one might find a candle on a hot day. (It was
suggested to use the rifle for shooting around corners). Everything was
scattered about the office, and the roof had completely fallen in, covering
everything with dirt.
The "dug-out"
next door, had suffered in a similar manner. The officer who occupied it,
happened to have a shelf on which had been placed a pair of socks. On another
shelf had been a drinking mug. We found the mug bent and batted, holding firmly
in its mouth the pair of socks so tightly, that it would be impossible to pull
them out without tearing them. This "souvenir" was sent to England.
9.7.1915
During the afternoon of
Friday 9th July, I cut a short sap from my "buggy" (which was in
front of the others some short distance) to a communication trench in rear,
along which to travel instead of walking over the top. Last evening I had had
to "double" over open ground, in view of the Germs, when the shelling
started, and I considered it was "not good enough".
10.7.1915
On Saturday 10th July, the
Germs gave us plenty of "hate", and in the evening made another very
determined attack on our left, and it was so serious that for safety's sake,
the "trench log book", should be sent to Brigade Headquarters - about
a mile back, on the canal bank.
I had just returned from La
Brique with the ration cart, and was about to "turn in", when I was
called up at 11.15 pm, to take the book to Brigade on foot, my bicycle having
been smashed by a shell some time ago.
I had prepared for my
night's sleep (which is not allowed) and my preparations consisted of taking
off my respirator, and using it as a pillow.
As every man was wanted in the
trench in case of casualties, I was ordered to go by myself, so I put on my
coat, and saw that my rifle was in good working order, and in the hurry and a
urgency of the matter, forgot all about my respirator. (gas mask)
In a blissful ignorance, I
traversed the fields in the rear of the trenches, keeping behind a hedge as
very heavy firing was in progress, and got to the road, when suddenly I sniffed
- gas, and I had no respirator! What was I to do? I dared not go back to the
trenches as I would be going further into the gas area, and would very likely
be overcome before reaching my "dug-out". I decided to hurry along;
get to La Brique; and see if I could get a spare one there.
The further I advanced, the
stronger the smell, which seemed strange to me, and not like the gas we had
smelt before, but a more familiar smell, and
at last I began to get the "wind up", and wondered what length
of time I had to live, and why in the distance to La Brique seemed so long.
Suddenly I heard a gentle
purr, and ahead I saw the outline of a cart. The smell grew stronger, but
perhaps help in the direction of a respirator was near at hand.
At the same time, why was
the smell getting so pronounced, especially as the wind was in front of me?
Surely I was getting along quicker than the gas.
Suddenly the mystery was
solved. It was not gas I could smell, but the fumes of about a dozen motor
ambulances which had arrived ready to take the wounded to hospital, and they
were all ready to move off, and emitting petrol fumes from the exhaust.