Item 01: Sir Charles Rosenthal diary, 25 September 1914-31 December 1918 - Page 266
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[Page 266]
Buildings and roads shattered, broken vehicles, dead men, horses and mules in the streets and among the ruins. A true picture of desolation. Artillery on both sides sending out missiles of destruction, roads knee deep in mud, and the weather bitterly cold. Our men are having a dreadful experience.
My battery commanders come in tomorrow. Col. Robertson is to command 12th Inf. Bde., and Gen. Holmes is to command the Division when Gen. Cox leaves at the end of the year.
Today I also looked round battery positions of 1st Aus Div Their 18 prs. practically in one long line. Not too satisfactorily placed I imagine.
Monday 20th November.
Stayed in all day. Worked out map schemes. Gen. White late CRA here departed. Gen. Johnstone reconnoitring his new area. The 1st and 4th Divisions are to work together, also 2nd and 5th ditto. Brigade and battery commanders came in to the line. Relief to be completed by 8 AM 24th inst. Capt. Fox came in. His men uncomfortable at BELLEVUE farm so he arranged with Town Mayor of Albert for billets for his men. I have decided to have two groups only, one at Flers, and the other some 600 yards south of Flers. One Colonel will be with his Brigade in rest, and the other is to be O.C. wagon lines. I shall put King and Waite in first.
We shall, I can see, have a very strenuous and miserable time here in the winter. Both men and horses will need very close attention to keep them fit. Heavy shelling during the night, and aeroplanes dropping bombs, two in close proximity to our Head Quarters.
Tuesday 21st November
With General Johnstone went through all schemes, everything now ready for taking over. Gen. Johnstone inspecting his new zone. The 1st British Division is on our left, with Gen. Cartwright still CRA, and Col. Dobbin now GSO I in place of Col. Longridge who was killed here recently. Rovey Dougall still R.A. Brigade Major. Gen. Holland the Divisional Commander is now MGRA 3rd Army.