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[Page 32]
4.9.16 Monday
We have all had a very lively time today owing to Fritz putting over some of his big shells & strange to say keeping it up. It has occurred several times today & at the present moment has been resumed. He started by putting over a few "whiz-bangs" & has kept it up with high explosive, alternating with shrapnel at various periods for range & direction purposes. Owing to the humidity of the air, the explosives could always be seen before the familiar hiss in the air reached us. They were shelling a high ridge just near us, & about 500 yards away & can tell you it sent creepy feelings down my spine. You would hear a deafening report & see the earth spring up into the air for about 30 feet, whilst through the debris one could see pieces of iron & steel flying in all directions, Lots of soldiers were running to each shell burst to obtain souvenirs but I let them alone.
The shrapnel started next & although far more dangerous, owing to its spread, was not so bad on the nerves. One would hear the far-away explosion of the gun (which we can all swear to now) & a few seconds later a vivid flash in the air, together with a dense volume of smoke & a deafening