Item 01: Sir Charles Rosenthal diary, 25 September 1914-31 December 1918 - Page 459
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[Page 459]
the Mount westward a good view is obtained of the trench system and wiring, constituting the defences of this prominent feature. One appreciates to the full the difficult nature of the task and the gallant work done by our infantry on the 31st August and 1st September. We returned to Divisional Head Quarters through Anvil Wood, Halle, and Biaches. The enemy is now rapidly falling back to the Hindenberg Line and our troops are, to-night, some 12,000 yards East of Peronne. The Corps has three Divisions in the line; the 32nd on the Right, 5th Aust. in Centre, and 3rd Aust. on left. The 1st and 4th Divisions are being bussed up by groups and are following on the 5th and 3rd Divisions to the objective of the Hindenberg Line. I received a cable from my father to-day saying that the mater died on the evening of Wednesday the 4th.
Saturday 7th September
In the morning in company with C.R.E., Capt. Boddam and O.C. French Mission, visited Mont St. Quentin and selected a suitable sight for a memorial in connection with the capture of this Mount by the 2nd Aust. Div. O.C. French Mission promised to see Peronne authorities and have the selected area dedicated to the Division. After wards went through St. Denis to Aizecourt, thence to Bussu, to high ground close to Lincourt, back to Doingt, thence through Peronne, which is very badly damaged, and back to Divisional Head Quarters via Biaches and Herbecourt. Saw General Cannan at his Head Quarters in Bois de Flacques on the way to Lincourt. Very fine open country and in good order, though the Boche seems to have burnt all the villages. Colonel Miles and Major Borwick visited the Mont St. Quentin battle-ground with the Brigade Majors of 5th & 6th Brigades in order to ensure complete and accurate details for the report of the battle, which is being prepared