Item 01: Sir Charles Rosenthal diary, 25 September 1914-31 December 1918 - Page 111
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[Page 111]
My own officers and men particularly gave me a most hearty welcome, in fact we owe it to the work of 9th Battery guns that the Turkish Artillery was silenced early. I found letters from Nell, Chis & father awaiting me.
Thursday 27th May
Spent the day in examining our gun positions. I now have my twelve guns in action tho' 8th Battery is temporarily attached to Col Johnstone in No 2 Section of Defence. I find my guns have done excellent work, Major Hughes acting as Brigade Commander. He will now get a few days well earned rest.
I went all over No1 Section today with Col Hobbs, and tomorrow I am to inspect No 2 Section prior to taking up duty again.
I will also inspect the New Zealand Section. Quite pleased to be back in the trenches again. Lieut Crisp promoted Captain and transferred to 7th Battery vice Capt Leslie killed in action.
Friday 28th May
Met Colonel Hobbs at Brown's Battery at 9.30. Spent the morning with him and the two Colonel Johnstones inspecting positions. Had lunch with Col Hobbs and during the afternoon thoroughly examined the N.Z. Section. Our line appears exceptionally strong and it will require a huge army to shift us out. I am informed officially today that our casualties in the attack of a few nights ago were 283 killed and wounded. Today eighty three 6" Howitzer common shell were landed in the vicinity of Hughes Battery, but I think only accounting for about 4 men. Extraordinary how they miss us.
Received letter from Nell dated April 21st, Home dated 17th April and Charley dated May 5th.
Saturday 29th May
The enemy at 3.30 AM opened a heavy Artillery cannonade from all directions and must have fired over 1000 shell up to 5 AM, when we had managed to locate their batteries and silence them. Very little damage generally was done and very few casualties, but unfortunately two were Artillery officers, Lt Siddall of 4th Battery, and Major Bruce of Mountain Battery, both killed.
Last night a destroyer shelled the approaches from our Right Flank to Gaba Tepe. One Infantry patrol went out and got some useful information, besides