Item 01: Frank Hurley war diary, 21 August-28 October 1917 - Page 104
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[Page 104]
in a dugout & then rushing out & snapping. We eluded shells until just about 150 yards, away when a terrific angry rocket like shriek warned us to duck. This we did by throwing ourselves flat in a shell hole, half filled with mud. A fortunate precaution for immediately a terrific roar made us squeeze ourselves into as little bulk as possible, & up went timber, stones, shells, & everything else in the vicinity.
A dump of 4.5 Shells had received a direct hit, the splinters rained on our helmets, & the debris & mud came down in a cloud. The frightful concussion absolutely winded us but we escaped injury & made off through mud & water as fast as we possibly could. Egad, I've never heard such a row in my life.
(26th) What a relief to be home again, I am grimed with dust & mud & to get into this little hut is like a touch of heaven.