Scott diary, 23 October 1917-27 May 1918 with letter 5 November 1918 re experiences in France and the Battle of Amiens, 8 August 1918 / John Philipson Scott - Page 17

[Page 17]

from some big brass cap-commending you as a Battalion on your valour in previous battles, your duty to your King and Country & the necessity of fighting your enemies covering yourself with endless glory and then with ignominy and of course incidentally mentions than many will be killed and wounded etc etc and generally puts the wind up you.

In big stunts like this wounded men are left for the time being - the mans' rifle is stuck into the ground & his tin hat on top to show he is wounded and also indicates to the tanks that they must not go over him or make mince meat or sausage roll.

Well the morning of the 8th - I was awake on the telephone and somewhere about 5.30 a.m. one heard a sort of huge spit & hiss which was taken up all along the line for miles by hundreds and hundreds