Item 01: Sir Charles Rosenthal diary, 25 September 1914-31 December 1918 - Page 228
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[Page 228]
not be used, but N.Z. Division will be transferred temporarily to 1st Anzac. Therefore it beHoves us all to do our very best to be ready, which I feel confident we will be. Gen. Cox inspected part of 10th Brigade and D.A.C. Very wet and farms very muddy.
I called at Army HQrs Cassell and arranged for our Div Artillery supply of maps of Armentieres-Laventhe Sector, also called at Mortar School Berthen re attendance of personnel.
Wednesday 28th June
Went out with Capt. Forrest to look at Billetting areas suggested for us near Ballieul. A miserable day, very wet. Not much progress made. Sent more personnel (telephonists) to Batteries of 2nd Aus Div in Firing line.
Thursday 29th June
With Capt. Forrest called on Gen. Johnstone 2nd Div Artillery. Took down Col Rabett and his Orderly Officer and they had a look around Col Lloyd's positions. With Gen. Johnstone I went round O.Ps. of 2nd and 3rd groups. Not a good view from any one of them. Observation appears very difficult.
Arranged for all Brigade Commanders to take up their residence with 2nd Aus Div Group Commanders.
Raids have been very successful. Eighteen German Sausage balloons brought down along the line yesterday through being bombed with phosphorous bombs by our Airmen. Quite a good bag. Had lunch with Col Lloyd. Arranged to send half the Heavy T.M Battery personnel to 2nd Aus Div for experience.
Col King and Hughes on court Martials also Capt Richards. Heard full details of German raid on 20th Battn of 5th Brigade when two Stokes T.Ms were lost, also Court Martials on officers concerned, one of whom was acquitted and two sentenced to loss of seniority. Also details of new type of British plane flown by recently Gazetted pilot, who landed it unharmed in the German aerodrome at Lille, mistaking it for ST. Omer. He lost his way – had not previously been in France. Arranged to move tomorrow to temporary billets in Erquingham pending General Johnstone's departure for his Head Qrs. Raid arranged by Colonel Brand for tonight.