William Ambrose Cull letter diary, 1915-1918 - Page 89
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[Page 89]
Sniping and Bombing. Sniping by day is best carried out by using periscope rifles, and if the enemy's snipers are not within 80 yards, using telescopic or Service rifles through loopholes. In every case at least one observer using a periscope should observe for the rifleman.
Enemy head cover within bombing distance should be consistently bombed with double Lotbinière bombs ("hair-brush") bombs or Trytol bombs.
Enemy should be kept out of near trenches by bombing all along them and throwing occasional bombs back at the parts previously bombed.
Any enemy bomb attack should be met by 2 bombs at least to every one that he throws.
[indecipherable] ENEMY 2. The enemy's counter-attacks to try and re-take LONE PINE took the form of an advance of Columns storming along their communication trenches and throwing bombs rapidly from the head of the Column. They lost very heavily.
The enemy having been taken in by our throwing an unlit "hair brush" bomb with an instantaneous fuse, which they lit in order to throw back and were blown up, tried the same ruse on us but without success: they threw in two or three unlighted bombs which were found to have instantaneous fuses.
The enemy on the North in JOHNSTON'S JOLLY have sent bombers at night to the South edge of OWEN'S GULLY to bomb our North front, but they have now given this up and use rifle and M.G. fire at night or sniping by day.
The enemy's artillery is probably aware that we use B5 and B8 Communications: his principal targets in the position are (i) S.E. firing line from S.E. and N.E.
(ii) Eastern firing line between S.E. angle and Sap A from SE. and N.E.
(iii) The highest point of earth heaps East of Hd. Qrs. of N81 Sec.
(iv) Old Turkish firing line near East end of B5, from N.E
His times of firing are generally 2 or 3 shots 6 A.M., 12 to 30 shots 10-11 A.M., 4-5 P.M., 6-7 p.m.
[indecipherable] 3. The garrison is relieved every 48 hours, one section at a time at an interval of one hour or more in the forenoon – The times are changed and precautions are taken to give no clue to the enemy that any movement is in progress.
The men's meals are cooked in BROWNS DIP and brought into the position. In case of emergency a Reserve of biscuit and 1 quart of water per man are kept in the position.
All periscopes, periscope rifles, and special sniping rifles, S.A.A., stocks of bombs, tools and stoves are handed over to relieving Units.
Telescopic rifles are kept with Units.
[signed] M Smyth Colonel
Commanding 1st Infantry Brigade
BROWNS DIP
4-9-1915
Orders issued to Officers of 23rd Bn. – relieving 1st Inf Bde.