MacNamara diary, 19 August 1916-29 May 1919 / John Patrick MacNamara - Page 154
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[Page 154]
on our way to our present position (alongside Kafa Saba in a fig orchard) we passed a captured battery of 4:2" hows & in the same wood as we are in is a 4 gun battery of 77 mm guns. About ¼ mile away is also a 5.9" How.
The ground all around the guns here is simply pockmarked with shell holes - the result of this mornings work. Our artillery fire today was overwhelming & played tremendous havoc among Johnnies positions. Infantry men I have met say our Barrage this morning was absolutely the best they have ever experienced.
We are on very short rations of water for first few days only 2 bottles the first 4 days equal to a pint a day. Tis so hot trudging along that one could easily drink a gallon.
My mate & myself caught two turkish ponies this afternoon & are going to ride them during the advance, mine is a small Bay Turkish stallion & very sturdy. Tonight went over to Kafa Saba where we watered our ponies, had a good wash & refilled our bottles.
So far today we have captured Jiljulia [Jiljulie], Kalkilih [Kalkilieh], Kafa Kasam, Kafa Saba, Bir adas & are getting well up into the hills. The L Horse are pushing up