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[Page 33]
13.10.17
During the night heavy rain fell and the Bde was subjected to severe H.E. and Gas Shelling; all routes were practically impassable.
9 am. Div Commander notified Bde H.Q. that the Corps aeroplane reported our troops still on the Red Line. The Bde Intelligence Officer and the C.O. 36th Bn were sent out with a covering party to personally reconnoitre the Red Line. This party was fired on by an M.G. actually seen being mounted in Decline Copse, D.18 a [indecipherable] and also from Assyria, D. 18 Central, so that it was impossible to proceed to the Red Line.
2 pm. The Brigadier went forward to Seine House, D.18 d 5.5 and interviewed all Bn Commanders who stated definitely that all men were back on the present line, D.17 b 1.3 to D.11 c 40.00 with the possible exception of a few wounded whom it had been found impossible to get in. Our front line now rested on sandy ground which was good digging and consolodation was carried on.
Night. The 11th A.I. Bde took over the front line and the 9th A.I. Bde became supporting Bde; Bde H.Q. did not move, and Bns were bivouaced in Shell holes inD.16 c, D.15 and D.21.
14.10.17
10 am. Instructions were received for the Bde to prepare to take over the front line again in 48 hours time. All units were being organised and casualties checked. Rain fell during the night and the Bde was subjected to much shelling throughout the day. Mortars were withdrawn from Bns and placed under direct command of O.C. 9th T.M.Bty. Battery H.Q. being established at D.22. c 30.87.
15.10.17
10 am. Whale oil, dry socks, rum, cocoa and dry underclothing was got up to all ranks. Tent Shelters were also obtained. The Commander, General GODLY called at Bde H.Q. about mid-day. Enemy shelled support area intermittently throughout the day. Throughout the night the road and batteries in the vicinity of B.H.Q. were violently shelled with 5.9's and Gas Shells, all B.H.Q. personnel were affected by Gas. Units "B' teams rejoined their respective Units.
Night. The 9th A.I. Bde relieved the 11th A.I. Bde in the front line. The Bde was now holding the whole Div. front with the 11th Bde in support. The Bde had the 33rd Bn on the right, and the 34th Bn on the left, with the 35th and 36th Bns in support, covered with 6 Mortars of the 9th T.M. Bty. The front line now ran from D.17 b 1.3 to D.11 c 40.00, thence along the S.W. side of Augustus Wood (which was wet, muddy and impassable) and up the Ravebeke at D.10 b 45.00. In order to provide front line Bns with fresh men the "B" teams of the 35th Bn were attached to 33rd Bn and the "B" teams of the 36th Bn to the 34th Bn. Six advance posts were established. No. 1, D.17 b 35.45; No. 2, D.17 b 27.65; No.3, D.17 b 28.80.; No. 4, D.17 b 10.95; No. 5, D.11 c 02.10 and No. 6, D.11 c 70.20. Our S.O.S. barrage line was arranged to run as follows :- D.17 b 90.45 to D.11 0.5. to D.11 a 0.0. These post were put out by 33rd Bn and covered by L.T.M., S.O.S. Mortars.