Item 01: Sir Charles Rosenthal diary, 25 September 1914-31 December 1918 - Page 295
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[Page 295]
Friday 16th March
Visited Corps during morning re alleged shortage of Horses and men in 12th Army Brigade. Sent in a report showing Corps had overlooked the fact that sections from 3rd Aus Div had not arrived at the time Schedules of Strength were prepared. Col. Armstrong called from Division having walked across. Boche now reported to be shelling Baupaume and Peronne. He must surely have evacuated them and wishes to deny these towns to our troops.
Saturday 17th March
At 8 AM with Major Bates motored through to HQrs. of 6th Corps of 3rd Army at Noyelle Vion where arrangements had been made for us to inspect Artillery for offensive at Arras. Gen. Haldane C.B., D.S.O., commands the Corps with Lord Loch as BGGS, Gen. Tullock (who I met at Loosin 1915), Q Branch, and Gen. Rotten as BGRA I was the guest of the Corps Commander during my stay. In the afternoon Gen. Rotten motored us out to Arras where we saw the emplaced field artillery and from several OPs., secured a fine view of the country and especially the Boche front lines which are very heavily wired. In the evening we went through the orders for the operations of 6th Corps as well as the general outline of the 3rd and 1st Army proposed operations generally. Gen. Birdwood inspected Artillery of 4th Div. Baupaume occupied.
Sunday 18th March
After breakfast General Rotten again took us to Arras this time to inspect the Heavy Artillery which range from 12" downward. Natural conditions favour emplacement of guns. The town has not been very badly damaged, the Cathedral has been badly strafed also the railway Station, but tho' this town is closer to the Boche line than Ypres it has not suffered to anything like the same extent. Left 6th Corps at 3 PM, and reached HQrs. at 6 PM. Dined with Gen. Holmes and Col. Watson at Divisional Head Quarters. Boche has evacuated much more country.
Monday 19th March
Divisional scheme eventuated commencing at 11 AM and terminating at 2 PM. Generally communications worked well, the Artillery being particularly satisfactory. Received wire asking me to inform George Halford that his mother passed away peacefully on Saturday. Boche has still further fallen back. We expect to go into the line as a Division during the next two or three days.