Item 01: Sir Charles Rosenthal diary, 25 September 1914-31 December 1918 - Page 342
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[Page 342]
Tuesday 21st August
Called on General Monash re 9th Infantry Brigade. Arranged to meet him at Brigade HQrs. on 23rd inst. at 11 AM, with the object of having all C.Os. introduced to me. As Gen. Burgess will probably not arrive here till 23rd inst. I shall return to 4th Aus. DAHQ after seeing Infantry officers, and will hand over on 24th or 25th inst.
Called at Madame Plouvier Steenwerck (late Div HQrs) and arranged to have my war trophies stored there till a later date.
Orders issued for the relief of Div. Artillery and taking over of new front. Gen. Grimwade called during afternoon.
Wednesday 22nd August
Col. Joseph 148th Bde., acting CRA 30th Division called re taking over our northern Sector. He comes here at 10 AM tomorrow. We move to RAVELSBURG HQrs. tomorrow. Conference with General re new front, etc., also question of "Manpower". The C in C is making special efforts to put an extra 100,000 men in the field at once, and as a consequence anticipates some substantial crumpling of the Boche before November ends.
Thursday 23rd August
Went off in morning to Campagne the HQrs. of 9th Infantry Brigade. Here I met General Monash and Gen. Jobson. The Staff and Battalion Commanders were all present and introduced to me. Many matters of common interest discussed. Afterwards Gens. Monash & Jobson gave me an outline of the peculiar characteristic of each C.O. Battalion.
Stayed to lunch with Gen. Jobson in his interesting old Chateau. In afternoon went on to Boulogne to arrange about some tailoring, and on the return journey when near Desvres the back axle seized up and we had to leave the car in this town. The local Requisitioning Officer sent me on to Campagne in his car – and an Army car brought me from 3rd Division to Ravelsberg. Army HQrs. at Cassell yesterday shelled with 15 pr., and bombed at night.
Friday 24th August
Last night 1 Section per Battery of 4th Aus Div moved out of the line and tonight the remainder come out prior to alteration of zones on new fronts. Conference with Divisional Commander re future methods of attack. Cleared up all outstanding matters in the office. Brig. Gen. Burgess arrived and I went through many matters with him.
Burgess, Bates and myself dined with Divisional Commander.