Item 01: Sir Charles Rosenthal diary, 25 September 1914-31 December 1918 - Page 416
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[Page 416]
Sunday 4th May
Saturday 4th May
Busy in the office all day. Prepared final instructions for tonight's advance on front of Right Battalion. Called at 35th HQrs., and with Col. White and Major Dunlop visited Right Flank. We thoroughly reconnoitred the site for new posts and assisted the Pioneers and Infantry to tape out new posts. While taping out line for wire we three were faced by a party of 6 Boche – I called on them to halt, but they attempted to bolt off. Col. White and myself both used our revolvers each winging a Boche. The remainder excepting one promptly fell on their knees and put up their hands in token of surrender. The solitary one who eluded us ran into some of our men a little distance off and was captured. We took the remainder in hand, had the wounded men attended to and then walked off with our prisoners. The Battalion Commanders were highly amused to see their Brigadier bringing in his own "Identification", so urgently called for by Division. I reached my HQrs. at 6.30 AM on 5th inst.
Our line of posts as intended was established.
Monday 5th
Sunday 5th May
Orders prepared for attack tonight by 35th Battalion and part of 34th on front north of Corbie Road. South of the Road the remainder of the 34th Battalion will swing up its left Flank to join our new line. Photos received today show that in front of us the Boche now has north of the Corbie Road, a complete front line and support line so our task is a bigger one than we at first anticipated. Lieut Halford joined 35th Bde H Qrs. before commencement of operations. At 11.45 PM Barrage opened and troops advanced successfully capturing the whole system and on the Right the 34th Battalion swung up its left. Heavy fighting took place on the extreme flanks of the objective. Altogether about 160 prisoners were captured including 3 officers, 9 machine guns and 2 T. Mortars. A Pioneer Company lent to the Brigade for the night consolidated the new front line and pushed out a number of Sap heads Td. As they were not ready to commence work till 12.30 they did excellently.
Tuesday 7th
Monday 6th May
Early this morning we were inundated with Congratulatory messages on last night's operations – from the Army, Corps and Divisional Commanders also from many friends in various Brigades. Gen. Plumer also sent a congratulatory wire. Much useful information was obtained from prisoners. At night 34th Battalion attempted to swing up its line on my extreme right but found the enemy system too strong to deal with, without artillery support. A scheme will be prepared for tomorrow night to secure the desired end.