Cocks letter diary, 1916-1919 / Verner Cocks - Page 221
Primary tabs
Transcription
[Page 221]
of ours was as intense as any before in the war. It was useless to try & talk to one another even by shouting, we had to work by signs.
9/6/17
Am sitting in a shellhole in what was Fritzland waiting for wounded - this is the aid post a fairly large hole but a little farther back than the other one the latter being "too hot". The guns are going some & shells are lobbing. We are just to the right of what remains of ... a few walls. The ridge is ours now but still Frtiz favours the "town" with many shells. It is wonderful how quickly the new positions are consolidated & a bit of order introduced. A system of trenches has been dug & the new position taken up in every department. It is Dad's birthday & I am quite happy & contented in a shellhole writing up my diary. The sun is shining & I am having a bake. Many happy returns of the day to Dad & to all of us but not under these conditions. A captured German Col. says the war will end next month in our favour.
10/6/17
Last night Fritz made a violent gas shell attack & we spent a sleepless few hours in our masks. The forest reeks with the gas & our eyes are very sore. Again in the shellhole - shells passing to & fro above us - aeroplane reconnoitring above us. Our aircraft are doing wonderful work flying very low & very daring. Have seen only one enemy machine since the advance. They are being fought behind their own lines - their observation is rendered impossible & then shooting is wide & apparently aimless. Ray Jameson Harry Brown Jack & I form this squad. Later aid post had to be abandoned. Fritz made it too hot. Went out to it again at midnight looking for wounded - couldn't find any
6.