Item 01: Sir Charles Rosenthal diary, 25 September 1914-31 December 1918 - Page 233
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[Page 233]
Sunday 9th July
Forwarded recommendations for promotion to Major of Edwards and Richards, also to Capt. of Evans, Sheppard and Asher. Great difficulty last night through being ordered at 11.30 PM to return 1st Div. T. Mortars by 5 AM today. Interviewed 5 officers being superseded by Asher, and explained reasons for my recommendation. No objection raised.
Hughes shooting last night very effective against parapets, and dead bodies counted in the morning. Another scheme this afternoon for Right and Centre Groups, and tonight schemes continuing through the night, bombarding all German roads on our front. Saw Gen. Cox with regard to Gen. Monash's complaint re slow response of Left Group Artillery last night.
Monday 10th July
General Christian with me all the morning. Went into maps and positions generally. Batteries wire cutting during afternoon. Took Gen. Christian round to O.P.s during afternoon per bicycle. Infantry of 5th Division moving in, ours moving out. Our artillery expected to hand over to 5th Div. on or about 14th inst. and then we expect to go south. No strafe tonight as Infantry of 4th and 5th Divisions are in process of relief.
Plenty of aeroplanes overhead during the evening, the "Archies" also being particularly busy. Trench mortars returned to 1st Aus Div Arty
Tuesday 11th July
Ordered as President of Court Martial on two officers. Very unpleasant task. At 6 AM commenced a tour of the whole of our Sector of trenches and finished up at L'Armee at about 11.15 feeling very tired. Trenches here are really not trenches but built up parapets. Communication trenches alone are excavated. Parapets are an average of 12 feet thick in the centre and 6 feet at top. A tremendous amount of work has been done.
Our 4th Inf. Bde. very sorry to leave. They are so compatable – a great contrast to Gallipoli. Their spirits are irrepressible. In the parapets and immediately behind are innumerable "dug outs", named in most extraordinary fashion. One "Dill Macky Villa", others "Kosey Korna", "Latrine View", "The War Lord's Lodge", "The abode of Love", etc. Some parts of the line have been badly shelled at times, and