Item 01: Sir Charles Rosenthal diary, 25 September 1914-31 December 1918 - Page 321
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[Page 321]
Monday 4th June
Arrived London at 6.30 AM Drove to Whitehall, had bath and breakfast. Made a few purchases in London. Caught train in afternoon for Folkestone. Sent my dressing case over by boat, then arranged to fly over from Folkestone Aerodrome to St. Omer, and telephoned for my car to meet me at St. Omer. We ascended about 6.30 PM, Hovered over Folkestone and Dover for about 15 minutes then headed for the French Coast, which we crossed just south of Calais and reached St. Omer 65 minutes after starting out. It was a beautifully clear and still evening and I had a magnificent view of the Channel and the Dover Patrol. We used a F.E.2B. machine and flew at an average height of 3800 feet. The experience was a most enjoyable and exhilarating one. I dined with the R.F.C. at their Aerodrome at St. Omer, and later came on home in the car. Created C.M.G.
Tuesday 5th June
Went through orders concerning forthcoming operations now definitely fixed for the morning of 7th inst. Lunched with Gen. Holmes and discussed with him details of attack by 4th Aus Div on the Green LINE. Received Congratulatory wire from Gen. Plumer, 2nd Army Commander. I hear the 5th Army including 1st Anzac is shortly to arrive close to us for proposed operations further north. I understand we shall then go back to 1st Anzac. The 9th Corps Dump just outside Ballieul was blown up this morning and the explosions were so severe that a great deal of window glass in the town has been destroyed by concussion. The local population have been very busy all day moving their effects further away from the Battle Zone.
Wednesday 6th June
This morning I called on General Grimwade re 4 of B.Cs. sent to him and also re trench mortar batteries. I then went on to N.Z. Artillery HQrs. where Bates and Forrest are now both established. We move up tomorrow. Went through schemes. A great deal of Artillery activity on both sides.
Ballieul being shelled at intervals by long range heavy gun.