Item 04: M.C. Evans war diary, 4 November 1916-16 June 1917 - Page 144
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[Page 144]
14th April
We are within range of the Turks by guns after all. This morning they slung about 30 big H.Es. onto our big A.S.C. dump at Railhead. Gives one a cold sweat to hear them burst especially when one is within range too. They make a wicked noise.
Later, 7 p.m.
Have just been watching the tanks, they started off for the front line to night taking hedges, ditches & even a railway line in their stride. All had names, H.M.L.S. Tiger – Kia-ora – Ostagel – Ole Lukie – Archibald, etc. etc. Eight in all. Armed with 2 six pounders or else 2 machine guns each side. Inside rather like the cab of an engine at the end-gauges, etc. Mechanism of the motor tractors runs down the centre while the M.Gs. or 6 pdr. guns are mounted in barbettes sticking out each sides. One of the crew told me that the temp. inside even in England reached 115°! Bernard amazed absolutely & very uneasy.