Item 01: Sir Charles Rosenthal diary, 25 September 1914-31 December 1918 - Page 147
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[Page 147]
silencing them, their troops evidently not relishing being shelled in trenches and doubtless they ask for their own Artillery to cease fire. I shall try the experiment concerning Olive Grove at first opportunity. Major Roberts, 11th Inf Battn brought me in the remains of a bomb sent over his position last night. It furnishes me with another neat little percussion fuze for my collection and a drawn brass cylinder which will make a splendid gong. Lt Turner also brought me an unexploded specimen of 75M shell. I drew the charge and burnt it off. I now only want a 14pr HE, a 14pr Fuze and the Small Hotchkiss shell to complete a very nice selection. Doubtless before this show is finished if I am lucky enough to get through safely I May be able to secure all I want. Understand progress on Left Flank is satisfactory.
Wednesday 18th August
With Major Martyn, Engineers, selecting positions from which to make outward gun roadway to Lone Pine for possible advance on South Eastern front for 8th and 9th Batteries. On my return to Headquarters I found a 5" shrapnel had burst on percussion at the entrance to my "dugout", and had smashed things up generally, though fortunately the burst had been outward from the entrance and not inward.
Arranged with Col Robertson for certain bays of support trench in front of No 1 gun 7th Battery to have parapet and parados lowered. Trench being filled in at 7th battery to give better protection to no 4 gun. Enemy's artillery very quiet. 7th battery fired a few rounds at Lone Pine works, and 9th Battery against Olive Grove. Received interesting letter from Capt Jopp, telling me of four encounters he has had with the enemy's Taubes.
Headquarters of our Aerodrome now at Imbros. 6th Battery second Brigade arriving tonight, and New Zealand battery from Cape Helles arrived during the day. Our troops on left flank doing well but cannot get much information about the British troops cooperating.
Gen DeLisle in Command of Army corps operating from Suvla Bay.
Thursday 19th August
Mr Forrest returned from sick leave. Gave me a good deal of information concerning Imbros and Hospitals at Mudros. Told me of the torpedoing of the "Royal Edward" carrying about 1000 details troops, only 300 of whom were saved. Another ship full of ammunition had passed the same point about 3 hours before (about 200 miles from LEMNOS. The Austrian Submarine was evidently waiting for the ammunition ship. Col Fischer's Hospital at Mudros has been erected, but the ship with all his