Mercer papers, 9 December 1917-19 June 1919 / Harold Mercer - Page 32
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[Page 32]
in some men.I suspect, from a knowledge of some of the men reporting, that the main reason is a desperate desire to keep away from the line. The Huns threw a lot of poison gas in the vicinity of the Ravine.
Jan 1st [1918]
Managed to get on a "Fighting Patrol" by asking the O.C. platoon, to put who was taking it out to put me on. He is a nice fellow, but has a reputation for windiness. He urged me that I did not want to rush things, especially as a man with any family: but when I urged journalistic eagerness to see things, put me on. When we were waiting to go out he did not appear: he had gone sick; and the Sergeant, Viv Stevenson was ordered to take the platoon out. That is how I got my first view of No Mans Land & the line: but matters were very quiet, except