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 19

[Page 19]

of our batteries. We had been watching them take up their positions take up their positions in the dark & then they were camouflaged. Jerry never had the slightest hint. The guns just roared and roared –the barrage had opened- hell let loose and we knew the first wave had gone over. It was just lovely. Then shortly afterwards we were called together - every man donned his equipment, gear etc and were lined up to start off on our journey of attack.

There were only three sigs left as one (Ernest Horsefall a friend of mine) was gassed the morning before in a barrage Jerry put up, and in addition to our other war paint we had a telephone Lucas lamp and bag to carry.
I should here tell you that the morning was very misty and damp and as we advanced through cornfields now slowly growing into ground riddled