Item 01: Sir Charles Rosenthal diary, 25 September 1914-31 December 1918 - Page 412
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[Page 412]
over command of Villers Bretonneux at 12 midnight. Major Pain and myself then moved on to our new Head Qrs. at Frechencourt.
Sunday 21st April
Our HQrs. are in a Chateau where also are billeted officers of 4th Aus Div Infantry. The building has been denuded of furniture and is far from being comfortable. We shall have to secure (or salve) enough furniture for our needs also a cooking stove. All units settling down in their new billets. The 33rd Battn. and trench mortar battery arrived from Bove today by motor lorry, so we are once again complete and with our Division. Halford accompanied me in a long walk over the country in search of Partridge and hares, and tho' we saw a few of each we couldn't get close enough to shoot them. I have the late Col. Milne's gun.
Monday 22nd April
Conference with Divisional Commander in morning re question of breaking up one battalion. He decided that if 500 NSW reinforcements could be supplied me during the next 2 weeks, we would keep to the four battalion organization. Otherwise the 36th Battalion will be broken up at once and the personnel distributed to the other battalions, the major portion going to 33rd Battalion. At 12.30 PM General Birdwood called for me and accompanied me to all Battalions, seeing the officers and men. On my return to Bde H Qrs. I learnt the Army Commander intended to call during the late afternoon and he arrived about 6 PM. He thanked me for the work of the Brigade while detached south. Major Hawley is being recalled from England and Major Blake is to take over his place.
Tuesday 23rd April
It has been decided that 4th Aus Div will relieve 3rd Aus Div in the line on night 24/25th April. As the 4th Bde. of 4th Aus Div has not yet rejoined its Division my Brigade is to remain in its present location temporarily and be attached to Gen. Max Lagan as his Reserve Brigade. Much artillery action south of the Somme and prisoners state Boche is to make a big attack tomorrow morning. During tonight and the early hours of tomorrow all artillery is to engage in a big counter preparation programme. I shall be interested to see what happens in the Villers Bretonneux sector particularly.
Major Priestman and Col. Chateres called from Army HQrs. The latter whom I last met at Grantham is now Machine Gun adviser to 4th Army. Major Pain & myself dined with Gen. Max Lagan.