Item 01: Sir Charles Rosenthal diary, 25 September 1914-31 December 1918 - Page 417
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[Page 417]
Wednesday
Tuesday 7th May
Conference at my HQrs. during morning with Gen. Tivey of 8th Brigade, my Group Commander and his. We discussed fully proposed advance tonight on my Right Flank, and after some difficulty persuaded Gen. Tivey as to objectives. Later however Gen. Hobbs decided to somewhat modify his objectives, not however materially our operations.
During the day 34th Battn. had some difficulty with the Boche in their position in front line south of Corbie road, but T.Ms. dealt with the situation.
Major Pain went forward to 34th Battn. HQrs. to remain there during the show tonight. Zero hour at 11.30 PM. Succeeded in establishing our new line on the left but on our right we can get no information and this situation is obscure.
Wednesday 8th May
The right of our line not established last night, but as some officers and men are not accounted for it is presumed they are on the general line but not connected up. Major Lieut. Fry very unwell and he is to go back to CCS for a rest. Gens. Birdwood, Monash, Cameron and Grimwade called about noon. To night Col. White attempted to definitely link up our right flank to 5th Aus Div, but owing to heavy machine gun fire and the darkness of the night he was unsuccessful. It must therefore be surmised that those officers and men unaccounted for on the previous night have either been killed or captured. As far as is at present known they total 4 officers and 10 other ranks.
Shelling of Heilly about 10 PM, driving us to our cellars.
Last night we captured 8 prisoners, two being wounded in process of capture.
Thursday 9th May
Today advanced parties of 5th Aus. Inf. Bde. (which is to relieve us came into the line. It now appears certain that 5 officers and about 62 men are missing from night of 7th May of which number the Boche claims 4 officers and 41 other ranks as prisoners. Our fellows must have been overwhelmed from a flank and must have fought well.
Work at new Head Quarters progressing satisfactorily. Line of posts finally linked up on my right flank and with 5th Aus Div
A great deal of artillery activity tonight on both sides. Enemy shelled Heilly and drove us all to take shelter in cellars.
London papers contain many eulogistic references to our work of the last few nights.