Item 01: Sir Charles Rosenthal diary, 25 September 1914-31 December 1918 - Page 138
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[Page 138]
by W.O. Stamps. Heard from Major Griffiths that possibly Col Christian would get Artillery of New Division. Artillery will not be pleased if such is the case. Shell burst on 5" How. Battery today, killing one man and wounding another. Their first casualties. Hostile Aeroplane overhead during afternoon. Major Burgess fired 6 rounds two getting very close. I think we shall be able to keep the enemy off this position. Wish we had a couple of anti aircraft guns. Our first actual issue of H.E. Shell made today. 150 rounds per battery being supplied. Plentiful supply of ammunition generally coming forward now. All guns being again manned tonight in case enemy should counter attack on trenches captured by us. Enemy dropping some big high explosive shell in Victoria Gully, evidently searching for Howitzers. So far they have done no damage, and from our point of view we shall be pleased to se them put plenty of shell in the same place. Capt Bean obtained Artillery information from me concerning Saturday night's operation.
Tuesday August 3rd
Again fairly quiet day. Olive Grove 6" Hows put in a few rounds. Also 6".2 from direction of Scrubby Knoll. One fell in 8th Battery, accounting for 6 casualties, fortunately none serious.
Getting phone lines laid out to new D.A. Station. Olive Grove and Headquarters guns shelling beach during afternoon and evening. Burgess and Stewart took them on and kept them reasonably quiet. New troops landed during night hence necessity for no shelling.
Interview with General Hobbs in evening. Information given that on 4th, 5th & 6th inst up to 3PM a general bombardment of enemy's position on Johnstone's Jolly and Lone Pine would take place. On afternoon of 6th inst attack on Lone Pine will eventuate. Burgess and Stewart shelling Olive Grove till 1 AM. Secured splendid specimen of shell and fuze from gun at Headquarters. It fell into the sea at Anzac and was secured and brought to me by an Infantry Admirer.
Wednesday 4th August
No attempt at Counter attack by enemy during night of 3rd-4th- August. General bombardment of enemy's position on Johnstones Jolly and Lone Pine carried out at intervals during day. During arrival of troops last night Olive Grove commenced a brisk shelling of Anzac Cove, but 9th Battery and 5th How Battery kept on to them all night and effectually kept their fire under.