Mercer papers, 9 December 1917-19 June 1919 / Harold Mercer - Page 76
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[Page 76]
when a piece ca which was the top of the opposing slope, when a piece of one shell came whistling past us. It must have covered a quarter of a mile. Fritz's shells seem to have improved marvellously; although the reason why so many of his shells were "duds" is, I suppose, that they fell in sloppy ground. We have a wonderful fuse "106", which must be a fearful thing to Fritz. The ordnance men tell me that a shell fitted with this fuse will explode if it touches a shell of tissue paper. This quick burst gives an above-the-ground explosion which naturally spreads.
March 14
Got the shock of my life today. We have a bathing parade & half holiday every Thursday, & exploring, I got in marshy ground, which I was cursing, yet had reason to be grateful for. I suddenly imagined that a whole house was falling upon me, screaming in every brick as it fell, and simultaneously, I was thudded to the ground. When I had sense enough to notice anything, I saw the base of a ten inch shell sticking out of the ground. It scared ten years growth out of me . If it had not been a dud I must have been mingled with the scattered landscape.
March 16
There is every indication of a big stunt coming. Our Division is relieving the Fifth; and I can't