Mercer papers, 9 December 1917-19 June 1919 / Harold Mercer - Page 52
Primary tabs
Transcription
[Page 52]
on a tree just above us are two big blocks of concrete suspended by steel wire – portion of a pill-box that has literally been blown sky high.
Jan 8
In a position near our trench there is an iron "tree" which is an example of German ingenuity. It looks exactly like a tree even within a few feet, but it is a hollow iron cylinder inside, with steps for a man to climb to the observation post or snipers post up at the top, where the tree looks as if it had been shell splintered. The broken "boughs" etc make a nice screen.
Maginnis has found a buried "pill-box" with an opening in the side of our trench, & drained it out. He intends to use it, as he reckons our present shelter, which is only corrugated iron, covered with beams of wood & a few sandbags at a blind end of the trench, is unsafe. Part of the roof certainly looks as if it is ready to fall in with a few solid shell concussions; but Mag though he wants me to share it the entrance to Maginnis's pill box necessitates a painful crawl, & I prefer to take the risk with a place it is easier to enter. I have an inclination to rheumatics and don't like stooping more than necessary. We are fairly comfortable here, and can get a brazier going, & make tea & toast during the day. I cadged