Item 01: Sir Charles Rosenthal diary, 25 September 1914-31 December 1918 - Page 168
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[Page 168]
Monday 6th December
After breakfast went out with General A.D.C. to Fosse 7 where a number of guns of this Division are emplaced. Enemy was shelling this position very vigorously with 4".2 High Explosive, so we decided it was wiser to keep on a flank in a field rather than go to the actual gun positions until such times as enemy's fire ceased. After about an hour fire died down and eventually ceased. We then moved forward and inspected two French Batteries of 75s, three 18 pr batteries, 6" Howitzers, 4".5 Howitzers 4".7 and 8" How batteries. We saw all these in action for a 6 minutes bombardment of the enemy's lines, and it was a very inspiring sight to see all theses guns Loosing off at once, about 50 guns in all in an area of perhaps not more than 20 acres.
Our guns are all very well dug in, excepting Seige Artillery, and have good overhead cover, but the French batteries had only splinter proof roof, one having no cover at all. Sun shining brightly and atmosphere clear so I had a good view of distant trenches and all artillery fire. General Cartwright was called away this morning so I did not get to Loos. This trip is deferred till tomorrow. Met today Major General Holland CB, commanding the Division and General Budworth commanding the Corps Artillery. Colonel Scott, commanding one of the Artillery Brigades here is ordered back to England to take up munitions and Ordnance work, and is naturally very sore at having to leave a fighting unit. Our Artillery now appears to have plenty of shell here, as this morning's bombardment clearly demonstrated.
Attended lecture at night given by an Engineer captain regarding construction and maintenance of trenches. I gave them details of our trench work at Gallipoli. Lecture held in large Residence set apart for instructional purposes. Any officers who in the immediate future are to have command of companies etc are withdrawn from units and put through a thorough course, inspecting the fronts during the day and receiving instructions from lectures at night.
All horses, both British and French are stabled in the villages, tethered to brick walls which surround the houses of better type. Many are accommodated in side streets and in specially constructed shelters of timber and iron or ruberoid.