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[Page 36]
| 1917 | |
| May 7 | the Homeric struggles were fought, to decide as to who were the masters of this strategically important region |
| May 8 | Wet day. No parades. Cleaned equipment and stayed in camp all day, writing and lolling about. |
| May 9 | Parade 7. Marched out of Mametz Camp at 7.15 on the way to Bazentin Circus, near Delville Wood. We entrained there on the Anzac Light Railway for Bapaume. Train ran off the line while we were on our way and, as a consequence, we were considerably delayed. Saw and passed the second Division A.I.F. coming out of the line and, thinking Lambert McKenzie may be with them, went over to see. Had no luck in this direction. Reached Bapaume and detrained. Marched through this much stricken town and on to the Aviation Park to the East of it, where we halted, piled arms, and were dismissed for lunch, of which we were ready and pleased to partake. On the road again at 1.15 bound for Vaulx, a ruined village behind the main Bullecourt positions of the Hindenburg line. Arrived there 4. Camped on the left side of the road, to the rear of the village, in dugouts, in a position that seems to be surrounded by guns and ammunition dumps. Does not savor of safety. This was my really first contact with the grim actuality of war under modern conditions. The barking of our guns seems to give an assurance of safety to one, that is quite absent when firing ceases and one hears the boom of the enemy's cannon, the shrill shriek of his shell through the air, and the sickening detonation of its explosion, as it hits, something or some unfortunate piece of humanity, which Fate had put between it and safety. Being tired after |
| May 10 | Rose 7. Fritz got busy soon after |
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