Item 01: Sir Charles Rosenthal diary, 25 September 1914-31 December 1918 - Page 389
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[Page 389]
Saturday 16th February
Visited HQrs. AIF during morning. Saw Paymaster A.I.F. re 4th Aus. Div Arty Trust a/c. Called at Army & Navy Stores and paid account for Brigade School Mess Kit. Not feeling too well. Stayed at Whitehall during afternoon and evening. Boche planes over during night but only one succeeded in reaching London. It dropped one bomb and was then driven off. Hotel folk crowding into corridors etc.
Sunday 17th February
A.I.F. HQrs. sent a car to Whitehall for me at 7.30 AM Caught train for Calais at 8 AM. Had a look around Calais while waiting for the boat. Saw marks on cliffs etc. where submarine shelled the town on the previous night. Arrived at Calais late in afternoon. Stayed at Grand Hotel during night. Car failed to report for me. Boche bombed about 8 PM
Monday 18th February
Car did not arrive for me till 7 PM, so wasted a whole day at Calais. Arrived at Bde H Qrs. at 9.30 PM. Went through several papers with Col. Goddard and Brigade Major.
Tuesday 19th February
In morning attended a conference at 5th Aus Div HQrs., General Birdwood presiding. He gave us detailed information of enemy strength in Divisions on the Western front, his possible further reinforcement in men and guns and generally the allied strength. Discussed preparations and methods necessary to ensure success against the enemy. During afternoon went through many papers.
Personnel for forthcoming raid accommodated in Special Camp. Col. Milne placed in Command.
Wednesday 20th February
With Major Pain spent the day in reconnoitering work done by this Brigade on 2nd zone of defence. A huge amount of work has been done but concrete work should in my opinion have been concentrated on a few "pill boxes" to start with rather than commence all work simultaneously and in consequence it will be some time before any are finished. Rang my Divisional Commander and told him my views.