Item 01: Sir Charles Rosenthal diary, 25 September 1914-31 December 1918 - Page 121
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[Page 121]
Again very quiet morning and day generally. Benson has been busy on sketch of No1 Section Anzac Position, showing panorama of Enemy's country. The General says he will have them printed and distributed officially for use. As I write at 7PM the Olive Grove Battery is vigorously shelling the beach. Major Burgess is just getting on to him, so I expect he will soon ease off.
All our destroyers bolted off Southward about noon today, rather indicating that a Man O' War or Transport had possible been torpedoed. We have however had no particulars. Flies, flies, everywhere – a dreadful nuisance. Very quiet night. Glorious sunset. Benson proposes making a water colour from my "Residence".
Friday 18th June
Enemy fairly quiet. Sketch of No1 Section also sketch of coast handed to Col MacLagan for reproduction. Benson will now probably commence on a similar sketch for No 2 Section and possibly later the New Zealand Section. Got Brigade party together for possible night operations.
Discussed with R.M.L.I. Officer position for new 6" How landed yesterday. Road around No 1 Section completed, that from No 2 Section decided yesterday and work will be commenced at once. Lunched with Major Martyn and Engineer Officers. Olive Grove guns opened fire along beach at 10PM tonight, rather unusual. Major Burgess got on to a party of 250 Infantry this morning, with result a heavy casualty list.
Celebrating waterloo Centenary.
Saturday 19th June
Major Browne went with a party for a "Joy Ride" down the coast in a Destroyer while Major Hughes, Richards and myself walked around the New Zealand position. The Country around Suvla Bay and Anafarta looks very fine. Would make ideal Golf links. Plenty of nice shady olive trees, and fields scarlet with poppies. The left flank position is a very difficult one. On the way back a few of the enemy's shell followed us up, all at a safe distance excepting one, which burst over our head and spattered the beach with bullets about 50x in front of us. During the afternoon a 6" How from the vicinity of Hill 911 lodged 100 lb shells down the valley close to my position. Many were "blind" and I think those which did explode did no damage.
For about half an hour at 5 o'clock quite a number of enemy's shell