Item 01: Sir Charles Rosenthal diary, 25 September 1914-31 December 1918 - Page 402
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[Page 402]
Sunday 31st March
My references under date 30th March to relief of 61st Div. by 18th Division should come under date 31st March.
During the morning called on Col. Morshead and heard his story of the counter attack, then on to the C.O. of the 35th Battalion and satisfied myself that all was well on his part of the line. During the afternoon Cachy and Gentelles shelled with 5.9. About 24 casualties in 34th Battn. in Cachy. Here shells landed round our HQrs. and concussion of bursting shell smashed our windows but we suffered no casualties. My Brigade still reserved for counter attack work. Situation just south of us not very satisfactory this afternoon and there seemed at one time a possibility that my troops might be required. However the 54th Bde. of this Division was moved to the threatened point and we were not required. Reconnoitred the whole country on the Southern and Eastern slopes of Cachy ridge.
Monday 1st April
Prepared report re operations on 30th inst. and forwarded to 61st Division and several other units, particularly 2nd Cavalry Division whose 12th Lancers helped us so splendidly. During the day the remainder of 61st Division troops on our front were withdrawn.
Enemy shelled Cachy and Gentelles again this afternoon with 5.9" Our battalions now living in huts and in the open away from the village of Cachy. Instructions given late tonight regarding the construction of a switch line in front of Gentelles and Cachy. The enemy appears now to be held on this front. This afternoon we watched him attacking south East of Hangard in solid formation, but the artillery got on to him, drove him back in disorder and caused him heavy casualties. It is interesting to note the composition of Carey's force relieved by us on the night 30th March. They included elements of 216 A.T. Coy. RE, 253 Tunnelling Co., III Corps School, No. 1 RE Battn. XIX Corps, Canadian Machine Gun Corp., No. 4 Workshop Co. RE, No. 2 Canadian Railway Battalion, 144, 213, 217, 353, A.T. Coy. RE, 5th Army Infantry School, 5th Army Musketry School, XIX Corps School, U.S.A. [?] Troops, 5th Army Signals – Total as at March 26th of about 3000.
Tuesday 2nd April
During the morning visited C.O. 35th Battalion and Col. Adams commanding the Artillery covering my front. Discussed fully all details as between Gunmen and Infantry. Later called on General [indecipherable]