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[Page 29]
[1.10.17]
The 34th Bn were in support to the 33rd Bn, the 35th Bn held from D.21 d 25.15 northwards to D.21 a 57.10. 36th Bn held from D.21 a 57.10. to D.14 d 80.00 Hill 40 north of ZONNEBEKE Station was in the hands of the enemy. Headquarters of the Units were situated as follows. - Rear Bde H.Q. I.5 a 05.65. Forward Bde H.Q as before, 33rd Bn J.2 a 4.6, 34th Bn in same dugout as forward Bde H.Q., 35th Bn Potsdam Pilbox D.26 c 4.8., 36th Bn Pillbox D.25 b 62.80. 9th A.M.C. Coy Pillbox D.26 c 4.4., 9th T.M. Bty Rear of Pillbox D.25 d 6.8., 33rd and 34th Bns had with them advance parties of the 6th and 7th A.I. Bdes. Our own and enemy snipers were very active. A party buried armoured cable from D.26c 1.3 to Potsdam D.26 c 4.8. Our front line contained some elements of trenches, but was generally a shelled holed defence. Our own and enemy artillery intensively active. Weather threatening. Large numbers of our own and enemy dead were strewn over the whole front. During the evening our artillery carried out a practice barrage for half an hour. The barrage reaching an intensity not before known in the war.
2.10.17
During the night the 6th and 7th A.I. Bdes each with one Bn in the line, relieved the 33rd and 34th Bns. south of the railway. 33rd and 34th Bns moved to a position north of the railway and took up supporting positions in D.25 d and D.25 b respectively. H.Q.of 33rd and 34th Bns. shared pillboxes with the 35th and 36 Bn H.Q. respectively. During the last three days all Bns buried large numbers of dead both British and German. Bde Major visited the H.Q. of the 10th A.I. Bde at SQUARE FARM C.30 b 8.8 & made final arrangements re their approach march and the 9th Bde withdrawal during the night 3rd/4th. Large dumps of S.A.A. Grenades, and Stokes Shells and water were made in forward positions, the transport performing marvellous work in delivering these goods tp forward positions.
7.30 pm. Working parties of 650 men of the 33rd Bn were detailed for burying armoured cable and dug 1000 yds 6 feet deep, from Potsdam D.26 c 4.8. to BORRY FARM D.25 b 60.85 via 11th Bde H.Q. at D.26 a 7.5. This party was heavily shelled at 8.30 pm having 2 men killed and several wounded. The Brigadier and Brigade Major inspected the work between 10 pm and 12 midnight. The task was completed by 5 am. A party of 1 Oficer and 20 men from the 9th A.L.T.M.Bty carried cable for this bury. Enemy shelled front line area at intervals throughout the day; our artillery intesely active.
3 am. Patrols of the 36th Bn brought one Officer and 2 men of the 9th English Div. who were wounded and had been lying in a shell hole on Hill 40 for 4 days. The Officer was in a very serious position. 9th T.M.Bty successfully engaged sniper posts for 36th Bn.