Item 04: Herbert Henry Harris diary, 1 August 1917-31 May 1918 - Page 158

[Page 158]

left at a minutes notice & here are Cows & Calves Hens & chickens, furniture Bee hives etc etc. & not a civillian seems awful for people to have to flee leaving everything behind in one house we found a small organ. The French Padre is selling Vin & cider.
Corbie is likewise they took nothing with them, so much for the British army that can't put up a fight & stop the bosche. The Colonials are the only ones to stand up to him. We expect fritz over either tonight or the morning & if he gets through (which I dont think) it means getting out of this higgery. saw ten hun planes brought down today one in flames. our Planes are like Bees here & have fritz licked hollow Raining hard a terrible night for the Boys. wonder what time the hun is coming over.

Sunday. 7/4/18
Rain stopped during the night & fritz didn't come over fancy he has shot his bolt. The planes are out again. Must be giving him hell. Big fight on our right last night.deferred Pay £47-6-0 Owe 6/7. wrote to Nell Ham was sent back to day hit on the wrist with a nose cap. 4.5 not serious but very much swollen Had to send Jack to take his place Am doing 3 hours on duty myself tonight 9 to 12. Pretty quiet on our front tonight.

Monday 8/4/18
Raining again altho a clear night. fritzs Taubes were over us for an hour last night but did not drop any Bombs. fierce artillery fighting started at 2 am & continued on & off till now 11 a.m. did not sleep an hour last night cold & too much noise. have not got my letters away yet deferred pay. £47-7-6 Owe 4/7
Posted letters to Syd, Maude, Viv £ Nell. (14). Raining off & on. must be lovely at the front.