Item 01: Sir Charles Rosenthal diary, 25 September 1914-31 December 1918 - Page 146
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[Page 146]
from Nell. Miss Cowlishaw wrote me on May 21st. letter has been chasing me round and only reached here yesterday. Generally had a quiet day though the enemy shelled our Lone Pine position consistently for an hour, one man only being killed. We discovered a nice new gun emplacement yesterday, so Burgess let off a few rounds of H.E. shell and completely demolished it. Our H.E. is coming forward gradually and is a great adjunct to our usual ammunition. Col White called in to congratulate me on the Artillery work of this flank.
Monday 16th August
Spent the morning in reconnoitring Lone Pine position. Great possibilities for bringing 18pr guns into suitable positions for an advance. Mentioned the matter to general Hobbs on the phone. We will inspect tomorrow again. He called at my Headquarters while I was absent. Wrote to major Warren NSW asking him to send my two Ericsson telephones and two helmet cases. Our horses moved more 18pr guns to Left flank for New Zealanders during evening. Major Browne building new gun emplacements near Major Burgess' Headquarters. Olive Grove and Wine Glass very active yesterday. The latter shelled our Lone Pine position and we could not locate guns. Consequently we opened with 7th Battery on their trenches. This very soon had the effect of forcing the enemy to switch on to our guns. He fired 52 rounds in 30 minutes but did no damage. Brigade telephone lines nearly finished, all on permanent poles and all air live. A most efficient service.
Last night very quiet. All along the line preparing for another big move. Brother Turk is not getting much rest or peace. Sunset tonight absolutely marvellous. The shipping at Suvla Bay has now assumed big proportions and the Bay is boomed against submarines. Then there are numbers of destroyers, 3 Monitors, trawlers, 5 Hospital ships and plenty of small launches.
Tuesday 17th August
With General Hobbs at Lone Pine looking at depression N.W. of Snipers Ridge and considering possibility of getting guns out that way when we have to advance. I am to get a report from Engineers as to how long it would take to make necessary approach – Gen Hobbs inspected 7th Battery – recommended that SSM Scarrot be appointed R.S.M., and made Warrant Officer to date 12th inst, also asked re acting Adjutant.
Olive Grove very persistent this afternoon. Major Burgess fired about 100 rounds before it was silenced. Am adopting the scheme of shelling enemy's trenches when their Artillery opens on us and it generally has the effect of