WAR DIARY of the 51st BATTALION A.I.F. 1916 - 1919

THE WAR DIARY of the 51st BATTALION A.I.F. 1916 - 1919

Written and Compiled
by
Maj.J.H.Nuttall
Unit Historian

August, 1916.
1st August.
Battalion moved to Vadencourt arriving there at 5.30pm.
2nd August, Vadencourt.
Packs and greatcoats dumped at brigade dump at Warloy Ballion. Battalion ready to move at two hours notice by 9.00am. Remainder of day spent bathing and resting.
3rd August.
Battalion exercise in morning.
4th August.
Exercises morning and night, battalion in attack, one wiring party per company trained.
5th August.
Battalion exercises in morning, moved to Brickfields (Albert) arriving there 12.30am, 6th August.
"OVER THERE"
We camped at Tara Hill, about a mile outside of the town, and a mighty cold place it was. After cooling down from our march, we shivered under our single blanket.
C.S.Dawkins diary.
We've camped just in the rear of the original British line. We get a shell every now and again. Arrived here midnight 5/6, the Battn. slept in the open but was shelled into the trench. It was frightfully cold.
6th August, Albert.
Intelligence Officer (Lt.Louch) and one officer per coy. reconnoitred road to Sausage Valley. Sgts W.A. Halvorsen and H.A. Haslam were promoted to 2/Lt.
"OVER THERE"
Whilst camped at Tara Hill, the old 28th Battalion marched past. They'd had a nasty mauling, but could still muster a cheerful grin. A battalion of Tommies who passed also looked the worse for wear.
General Cox gathered us all on parade for a lecture. Sergeant Andy Geddes had been celebrating, and started advising the general on the best means of reaching Berlin by a short cut. He said he objected to the Bosche using phosphorus shells. "Don't you get burnt up, anyway," said Cox "we can't spare you." Andy went west in our next stunt at Mouquet Farm.
J.A.Height diary.
Shifted to Albert, No.4 Platoon was put on the tram line running from Albert with ammunition up to Pozieres and fetching back wounded, it was a hot shop.

7th August.
Battalion exercises in morning, rest in the afternoon.
T.S.Louch diary.
We were at Brickfields for about ten days, and I spent most of the time dodging about the battlefield at Pozieres with a compass and map, spying out the ground, which I got to know well. We expected to be used in a attack on Mouquet Farm - a bastion of the German position - if it had not been taken in the meantime. The village of Pozieres - then only a mass of rubble - was situated on high ground abreast of the main Bapaume road. The ruins of Mouquet Farm were a mile away to the north - west, also on high ground. Our front line - so called - was on low ground in between and running up on the right to the ridge along which ran the old German trenches OG1, and OG2. There were maps showing the country and the German trenches as they were before the battle started, but by the time we arrived the only recognisable features of the landscape were the stumps of a few trees which marked what had been a road, the concrete pill-box at the southern end of Pozieres known as `Gibraltar', a pile of debris at the other end of the village where a windmill had stood, the cemetery where the tombstones were still visible, and a sand spit or quarry some 400 yards short of Mouquet Farm. It was difficult for anyone on the low ground to pin-point his position unless he could see and take bearings on both Gibraltar and the windmill. Location reports sent in by the troops were wildly inaccurate, so the higher formations put their trust in reports from the air, and planned artillery shoots accordingly. Aerial photography was in it's infancy, and the drill was for a plane to fly low, and for the pilot to try and spot the position of our leading troops who were supposed to assist him by lighting flares or waving handkerchiefs. But the men in the line were overlooked by the enemy and were reluctant to do anything that would disclose their position to the Germans and `draw the crabs'. So the pilot got little assistance, and the guesses which he made as to the position of our front line were often as inaccurate as the reports from the ground.
8th August.
Battalion exercises in morning and rest in the afternoon.
9th August.
Two officers went with Staff Captain and Brigade party to reconnoitre the road to Pozieres Cemetery through Mash Valley.
10th August.
Two officers reconnoitred approaches to positions on north and east of Pozieres.
11th August.
Battalion exercises in morning and rest in afternoon.
12th August.
Two officers reconnoitred positions of the 14th and 16th Battalions of 4th Aust.Inf.Bde. and approaches thereto. Battalion moved into Wire Trench at 1.00pm with movement complete by 4.00pm.
C.S.Dawkins diary.
Shifted camp today, arrived at Wire trench in afternoon. We are camped in the old German line. The dugouts are bonzer, but the smell of dead men is awful.
13th August.
Two officers reconnoitred the position of 13th Bn. and approaches thereto during the morning. Final dumps for lewis gun carts, bombs etc. were left at Wire Trench. Cookers were placed in Sausage Valley, picks and shovels, 100 of each were distributed, two bombs per man and five sandbags. All officers except the C.O., Adjt., and 3 per coy. were left at Brickfields with Qm. and transport details.
"OVER THERE"
We made our final start for the line. Thousands of shells had torn the ground up, not a blade of grass remained, nothing but desolation. The grim horror of war was revealed in every stride, for dead men were everywhere.
G.F.Harrison diary.
We found going up into the line here a very different thing than it had been at Sailly. Here the once flourishing countryside had been churned up into a vast sea of chalky mud by the continuous bombardments and the never ceasing rain. Not a house, nor a tree remained standing, and what had once been German trenches, were now nothing more than ditches half filled with mud.

SECRET 13TH AUSTRALIAN INFANTRY BRIGADE OPERATION ORDER NO.8

Reference FERME DU MOUQUET 1/5000 14-8-16

(1) The 13th Australian Infantry Brigade holds the line R35.c.26.,R34.b,R.34.a.96. ,R.34.a.38.,R.33.b.55.,R.33.a.81. The 12th Aus. Inf.Bde. on our Right and 145th Brigade on our Left.

(2) On the night of the 14th/15th the Brigade will advance in a Northerly direction. Objective 51st Battalion - R.28.c.95. -66-36-24-03-04-27d.24-73. and back to 91 inclusive. A defencive flank will be thrown back from R.28.c.95. towards R.34.a.99. Strong points will be established at R.28.e.95.,R.27.d.73-91. 49th Battalion will take over the line at R.34.b.24. to R.34.a.99. linking up with the 51st Battalion. Objective 13th Battalion - R.27.d.91. exclusive R.33.b.48-36. inclusive. A strong point will be established near R.33.b.48. Objective 50th Battalion - R.33.b.36. exclusive in front of Quarry to 33. and 81. inclusive and will make good the trench from point 81. junction at R.33.e.69. placing stops in both trenches about 40 yards distant from the junction.

(3) 13th Machine Gun Company will bring indirect fire to bear on selected areas in rear of objectives which will be arranged by O.C. M.G.Company.

(4) 1 company 4th Pioneer Battalion will be available for work on communications R.34.a.34-35-91. and R.34.a.65-38-01. 4th and 13th Field Companies Engineers will open communications between R.33.c.28. and quarry also between point R.33.d.99. and R.33.b.96.

(5) O.C. 49th Battalion will place one company at disposal of O.C. 51st Battalion during these operations.

(6) After capture all ground gained will be consolidated and held with lewis guns as lightly as the situation demands.

(7) The attack will be timed in accordance with Barrage Map attached, zero hour will be 10.00pm night 14th/15th August 1916. During the last intense bombardment the first wave will move forward and rush the trenches as the barrage lifts. Watches will be synchronised with Brigade time which will be sent to Units.

(8) Arrangements will be made by battalions for flares to be shown in front lines at 7.30am and 10.30am 15th for liaison with 7th Squadron R.F.C.

Acknowledge

(signed) C.C.Ridley Major.
Brigade Major, 13th Australian Infantry Brigade

51st Battalion Operation Report August 15th-17th 1916.

Pozieres/Ferme De Mouquet.
Meeting on orders the C.O., a small staff and B & C Coys left Wire Trench at 6.00pm. These two companies were to relieve two companies of the 13th Battalion with a view to making preparations for an attack by the 51st Battalion. B Coy took over the length of trench E.34.a.87. - A17.,this company during the night bombed towards R.37.d.91. and pushed patrols out. Behind these a shallow starting parallel was dug C Coy. less one platoon deepened the sap (communications) running from 34.a.91-34.a.90. One platoon covered the defensive flank from 34.b.24-34.a.96.
14th August.
Acting on orders, a general close to the left was made by the 13th Battalion, during the early morning of the 14th and the dispositions of the Battalion by 8.00pm in the evening were as follows. The line was thinly held by companies with two platoons in the line and the remainder in dugouts or saps. Order from right to left, A, B and C Companies. Between 6.00pm and 8.00pm, A Coy. moved into the line and was moved up into line. In the meantime, Brigade Operations Order No 8 arrived and the O.C. 49th Bn., whose left was at about 34.b.24. placed a company at disposal. This company was ordered to dig a protective trench from B 24.a.98. and during the night completed this up to about B.15. D Company commenced to arrive at 8.00pm and were compelled to occupy the communications and support saps. During 13th and 14th there was intermittent and hostile shelling being especially heavy on the support and 3rd line saps. Battalion Headquarters was at about 34.a.90. and in the same place as Headquarters 13th Battalion.

Operations Night 14th-15th.
The objectives were as in the Brigade Operations Order. All orders were given verbally to company and detail commanders at Battalion Headquarters. The attack was to be made mainly in two waves, A,B and C Companies from right to left each with 3 platoons in leading wave and one platoon, lewis gun details and mopping up parties in second wave. D Coy. was to follow in two waves and to assist in holding and consolidating and opening backward communications. The scout platoon was to detail a party to form a strong point at 34.a.99. and to make the starting parallel, one headquarters bomb team was detailed to assist in bombing nth east from the objective
28.a.95. Remainder, plus 4 reserve lewis guns were in reserve. The deployment commenced at dusk, 8.30pm, and the first wave was in position by 9.45pm with the 2nd wave ready to leave fire trench. D Company was ordered to occupy the old fire trench. Punctually on time the Battalion moved forward, after the intense barrage four enemy machine guns were still firing at the time, the barrage apparently proving ineffective. Several portions of the line entered the enemy trenches but A Company on the right were held up by machine gun fire. In the centre the lewis gunners and some of B & C Companies were able to dig in on a front of 300 yards (nearly) and at about 60 yards from the enemy trench, on the left B Company entered the trenches but the rifle and machine gun fire proved very deadly and there was little chance of the line being held at daybreak. Accordingly, O.C. B Coy. having lost touch with the 13th Battalion, decided to retire. This exposed the whole line and a general retirement was ordered. Lack of support on the left and the weak numbers at the objective decided O.C. B Coy to come away. Several detachments however dug-in at various points and held on, these had to come away at daybreak on the morning of the 15th The withdrawal was made without loss of morale, seven prisoners were brought away. The following dispositions were then put into effect, D Coy. and all lewis guns held onto the firing line and consolidated. C Coy. was placed in support, A & B Coys were withdrawn into dug-outs. Our position was persistently shelled throughout the 15th. The line was very thinly held. At 6.00am orders were received for the 13th Battalion to be relieved.
G.F.Harrison diary.
Right from the start we got into difficulties, as our own barrage was falling short of the enemy's line, and putting out of action a large number of our own men. Also a lack of knowledge of the ground over which we had to advance, and the enemy's superior shell and machine gun fire which came from the direction of the windmill.
It was found impossible to advance against this deadly rain of fire, and what few men were left, were ordered to get back to the shelter of the old front line trench again.
The attack was a failure all along the front, the Tommy division on our left having failed to take the village of Thiepval. The enemy made no counter attack that day, or evening, and just before dawn the next morning, the 13th Battalion was relieved, leaving us to face the music alone.

"FORWARD WITH THE FIFTY-FIRST"
Long before the respective companies had reached their allotted position casualties had occurred. C Company's commander, Captain `Bert' Miller, one of the Battalion's finest soldiers, and most popular of officers, was killed while leading his men into the line. The news spread quickly among the Diggers, and a feeling of intense sorrow pervaded the company.
`Tom's Cut'- a sap which could be enfiladed by Fritz - was a veritable death trap, and after a few hours' occupation by the battalion this spot was a scene of horror. The runners especially suffered severely here in their passage to and from Battalion Hq.
Here and there odd parties reached the objective, but receiving no support were obliged to withdraw. The casualties were extremely heavy and the results practically nil. The darkness greatly increased the difficulty, because it was impossible for anyone to see what was happening on his flanks.
A hurried council of war of the officers on the spot was held in an old artillery gun pit in the front line. Capt.Bennett and Lieut. Aurousseau, who were commanding B and C Companies respectively, were both wounded, and the only senior officer there was Capt.Christie. He took charge and ordered all the companies to reorganise and stand by in the old front line until further orders were issued from Battalion Hq. A patrol of scouts under Cpl. Hickling was sent out to learn what was happening on the right, where the 49th Battalion was supposed to be, and their patrol captured four prisoners - the one bright incident in a black night.
B Coy. was detailed to take over the frontage from 34.a.17. to just South of 33.b.55. D Coy. held fast in the centre, A Coy. took up the line on the right from 34.b.17. - A.98. , C Coy. remained in support. The line was again thinned and the relief of the 13th Battalion effected by noon.
15th August.
During the day preparations were made to resist counter-attack, our lines were heavily shelled. At dusk patrols were
sent out to look for wounded and to guide in men lying out all day. At 3.00pm the company that 49th Battalion lent to this unit was returned and 2 platoons of B Coy. ordered to take over right flank.
The night was uneventful with intermittent shelling. The enemy made much use of 10lb bombs. Most of the casualties occurred in support lines and behind.
Orders being received from Brigade Headquarters the relief of the Battalion was carried out between 5.00am and 10.00am on the 16th.
T.S.Louch diary.
On the right of our line was a German command post and gun position which had been converted into a strong point and was marked `99' on German maps. It was situated on the very crest of the ridge, and from it you could see the whole of the battlefield to the left, and in the opposite direction, the village of Courcellette and beyond.
The Germans did not realise that they had lost this strong point, and a party of Saxons which came up during the night from Courcellette to relieve the garrison were promptly seized as prisoners. They were all we had to show for the battle which had cost us some 300 casualties - a third of the Battalion strength. The four stretcher bearers and two stretchers per company - as laid down in the War Establishment - were quite inadequate to deal with casualties of this magnitude. The long carry to the Regimental Aid Post was laborious for the bearers, and painful for the wounded. It was not until, in desperation, the bearers took to walking in the open, that they found that they were not fired upon by the enemy. Thereafter this became standard practice.
J.A.Height diary.
They sent for us to rejoin our company, we went in that afternoon, a couple of our company got cut off and suffered pretty heavily.
Joe Tunnercliffe and myself were stretcher bearing and we took out 5 men that evening, it got too wet and slippery so we had to leave off till morning. When we went in again at daylight we met one of our captains and our colonel who asked us what we were doing there. We told them and they said there were a lot more men out and would be pleased if we would get some out, we went out and we could not find them. Returning, we met a couple of chaps bringing in a man and asked them where they found him, one of them offered to show Joe where they were, so I took hold of the stretcher with his mate but didn't go far before we were all knocked. The chap on the stretcher and the one helping me were both killed and I was partly buried twice while lying in the sap. Joe Tunnercliffe bound my head up and went for stretcher bearers, but it got too hot, there being six killed while I laid there severely wounded. I started to crawl out and had gone a fair way when a chap asked me where I was going, I told him `out', he said I was going the wrong way and turned me around. I must have been off my head, I was crawling a good while when I met Joe again, `all had gone out', he told me. With his assistance I got out all right and had my wounds dressed.
16th August.
One company of the 3rd Battalion relieved our A Coy. on the right, this was followed by the relief of B and D Coys by two companies of the 4th Battalion. Sector handed over was from 34.b.17. - 34.a.54. The method of relief was by thinning away each coy. until the firing line was held by one platoon only and machine guns. The men left in twos and threes and assembled by platoons in Wire Trench. Several wounded had remained in dug-outs, these were brought away by special parties of D and B Coys under very difficult conditions. The amount of fire-trench consolidated by the Battalion was 300 yards and communication trench 300 yards, beside some shorter saps and gun-pits.

The Casualties were-
Killed in Action 1 Offr. 60 O/Ranks
Wounded " " 5 " 190 "
Missing " " 1 " 45 "
NOTE: Several of the missing subsequently became POW, see Appendix 1 to this Chapter for their reports on capture and life as a POW.
The officer killed was Capt.A.L.Miller
The officers wounded were - Capt. H.C. Kelly, Lt. H.B. Bennett, Lt. M. Aurousseau, 2/Lt. T.S. Edmondson and 2/Lt.H.G.Haslam.
The missing officer was, 2/Lt O.M.Chilvers (later reported killed).
Among the o.r.'s killed was, 4362 Pte.J.McCabe, aged 53, born in Ireland.
The total casualties for the 13th Bde. were, 19 offr. and 896 o.r.'s.
C.S.Dawkins diary.
Relieved this morning, what was left of us. Our company went in last night and we were shelled from start to finish. Another expense I want to forget. My poor batman had his leg nearly blown off, he was with me for 10 months.
"FORWARD WITH THE FIFTY-FIRST"
Thus ended the first chapter in the fighting history of the Battalion - not a very bright chapter, but one that contains the record of many gallant deeds. No one taking part in that attack is ever likely to forget the gallantry of Lieut.Aurousseau walking up and down the line rallying his men, or of the devotion of his faithful friend Joe Francis, who tried to keep between him and the enemy to shield him from machine guns, but was unsuccessful. The stretcher bearers and runners, too, did things in those three days that made one marvel. Backwards and forwards through the shambles of Tom's Cut and over the open they went, with never a word of complaint.

Subsequent to the action the following members of the Battalion were recommended for decorations.
Lt. M. Aurousseau M.C.
Pte. C.B.Brockwell M.M.
Lt. F. Smith M.C.
Pte. B. Francis M.M.
2/Lt. A.G.Clifford M.C.
Pte. S.R.Holgate M.M. **
Sgt. A. Boyd D.C.M.
Pte. L.M.Noakes M.M.
Cpl. J.F.Barrett D.C.M.
Pte. W. Noakes M.M.
Pte. W.E.Butcher D.C.M. *
Pte. J. Watson M.M.
Sgt. W. Brown M.M.
Pte. P. Williams M.M. **
L/Cpl.J.A.Oliver M.M.
* awarded M.M. ** not awarded

Report by C.O. 51st Battalion.

General:
Tactical.
1. It is a gross mistake to keep on a series of small offensives without properly consolidating trenches first. The upkeep of communication trenches requires much attention. There seemed a great lack of Pioneer Battalions and Engineers. Many lives were thrown away in approaching the firing line and to suffer casualties before going into action is very demoralising. Also ration and water parties suffered severely and consequently had to drop much of their supplies. I did not see one single good communication trench within one mile of the firing line. Unless such trenches in the firing line are built, it is very difficult to deploy squarely and I consider that loss of direction in attack is only to be expected when troops have no time to cut saps and improve communications solidly before a further advance.

2. I had no F.O.O. from the artillery with me either at ranging time or during the attack although the objective for my Battalion was 600 yards long. I think that a F.O.O. is necessary for ranging purposes. He might be accompanied by the Intelligence Officer.

3. The synchronisation of watches before an attack requires a large margin of time in advance, as it can be done by runners.

4. It is sound to keep a very thin firing line with a few lewis guns by day.

5. Every Officer should be supplied with an electric torch and compass. Also a large percentage of stretcher-bearers with electric torches.

6. It is sound and quite easy to gradually advance the firing line by means of patrols and strong points put out by night.

7. Reliefs must arrive at the most suitable hours as suggested by the O.C. in the firing line and the outgoing troops should pass out by a different route invariably to the incoming troops.

8. Air Photos taken the day previously should always be sent at once to the Battalion Commander.

9. I would suggest that where different units adjoin in an attack there should be an overlap and intermixture of the men by at least one platoon frontage, so as to reduce chances of losing touch to the minimum.

10. High casualties must be expected if troops are ordered to hold or fight on in a salient, without perfect communication trenches.

11. The bandoliers are much more practical for modern trench fighting than the web equipment when the troops are in the firing line.

Signed, Lt.Col.
O.C. 51st.Battalion.

16th August, Albert.
Battalion re-assembled at the Brigade Area, Brickfields during the day where rolls were called etc. Bivouacked for the night and moved next day.
"OVER THERE"
The remnants of the companies were lined up and platoon commanders called their rolls. The old familiar "All present and correct, sir." was not in evidence this time. The men were tired, but answered their names briskly. This is the time when war is brought right home to every man. "Private Blank?" No answer, "Anybody know anything about him?" Men look at one another, but no one can give any information. Again the sergeant calls a name, and after a brief pause. "Your cobber, Blue, wasn't he ?" "Yes, Sergeant, Killed in action, I've got his identification disc and letters." The next name, however brings a smile. "He got a bonza Blighty, sergeant. I reckon we won't be seeing him for quite a while Lucky dog. "
T.S.Louch diary.
When the Battalion was relieved on the night of the 16th August, we moved back to billets in Albert. Trouble then started when the GOC 1st Bde. said that the line he had taken over from us was several hundred yards further back than we said it was. 4th Div.Hq. thought it was somewhere else, but the C.O. of the 3rd Bn. who had made his Hq. at point 99 agreed with us, and spent the next two days sending back frantic appeals to the artillery to stop shelling him. An inquest was ordered, special photographs were taken, and Lt.Col. Ross was summoned to Corps.Hq. to state his case. This was irrefutable because in one of the photographs the pill-box and pile of timber at point 99 could be clearly distinguished, and it was also possible to see our front line trench running from that point to the sunken road marked by the tree stumps, which marked our boundary with the 13th Bn. The critics were confounded, and Ross was invited to dinner with the Corps commander. We pictured him partaking of a banquet, and were disappointed when he told us that the meal consisted of only army rations. Birdwood stuck to that rule to the end of the war. The failure of our first battle was a great blow to our pride, but everyone from the Army Commander (Gough) downwards had much to learn.
17th August, Warloy.
The Battalion went into billets and rested for two nights. Weather, wet and showery.
C.S.Dawkins diary.
Slept last night at Albert. Marched to Warloy, I'm acting Company Commander now as the O.C. was hit three times. So I ride the horse, and very nice too.

19th August, La Vicone.
Battalion marched to La Vicone and billeted at Chetram Farm for the night then moved next morning at 8.00am.
20th August, Bonneville.
Reached Bonneville at 1.00pm where the Battalion went into billets on the south east side of the village.
21st August.
Work of re-organisation and refitting commences, draft of 109 men of the 2/51st Battalion Reinforcements joined up.
22nd August.
Training and equipping, specialists completed to strength.
23rd August.
Training of reinforcements continues. Brigade Parade on training ground Halloy 4.00pm when Maj.Gen.Cox, G.O.C. presented Honour and Reward Cards.
24th August.
Inspections and training with demonstration of attack and practise for officers at 10.00am. Demonstration to officers and n.c.o.'s on use of aircraft flares at 4.00pm.
25th August.
Training, Brigade Attack practise with aircraft, 1 mile north of Halloy, practise with flares. Draft of 26 men joined, 7 from hospital, and 19 of the 1/51st Battalion Reinforcements.
C.S.Dawkins diary.
Had a demonstration of aeroplane flares today, very interesting. Went to Hq. and met a couple of old pals and talked all afternoon and played poker all night.
26th August, On the March.
Marched at 9.00am with midday halt at Val de Maison for 2 hours, to Herissart (8.5 miles), arrived at 2.45pm and went into billets.
27th August, Herissart.
Billeted, divine service, seven new Commissions sanctioned and officers appointed to companies. 2/Lts.W.Brown, D.G.Campbell, A.R.Dunkley, J.G.Glover, E.A.Higham, C.H.Smith and E.G.Smythe.
C.S.Dawkins diary.
My captaincy came out yesterday. Went to church in pouring rain. We are not in our old billets, played cards till noon. Struck an old pal in Div. Staff, so had a bonza joy ride in a car.
28th August.
Refitting and dumping of surplus stores continues, moved out at 9.00am to Vadencourt Wood where the Battalion remained in huts for the night 28th-29th.
30th August, Vadencourt.
Moved with remainder of Brigade and bivouacked at Brickfields, Albert, under tarpaulins, very wet weather.
J.A.Height diary.
Went to the 13th General Hospital on the 16th Aug. and on the 18th marked Blighty and boarded the St.Denis on the 20th. Landed at Dover the same day, was put aboard the train and went to Brighton to Kitchener's Hospital where we arrived at 2am on the 21st. Was in bed until the 30th when they operated on me and scraped the decayed bone away but didn't get the piece of shell.
C.S.Dawkins diary.
Shifted for Brickfields this morning, the road is in an awful condition. Glad I'm riding, arrived at Brickfields at 3.30. We were issued with shelters of canvas 12ft x 9ft, and erected them just in time. A damn thunder storm nearly drowned us out.
"FORWARD WITH THE FIFTY-FIRST"
The weather had been fairly fine during the summer, but the day the Battalion arrived at the Brickfield the rain came down in torrents. Once again it was the open field and trench shelters, but this time the ground was sodden with heavy rain. A trench shelter is a most uncomfortable
form of habitation at any time, but in wet weather the best that can be said is that it is better than nothing. The fact, however, that it caused discomfort to the troops at the Brickfield was not so important as the effect it had on the trenches and shell holes in the forward area. These became streams and pools of sticky, oozy mud. The sides of the trenches became saturated and fell in, and it became exceeding difficult and tiring to move about at all in such conditions.
31st August, Brickfields.
Another wet night's bivouac, strength of fighting arm of Battalion -722 of all ranks Mess tins and equipment etc brought up to complete.
C.S.Dawkins diary.
Went and had a look at our objective today `Mouquet Farm'. All of the Company Commanders went. One is between the devil and deep sea. If you walk on top of the saps one is in danger of being blown to pieces and if one walks in a sap you are in danger of drowning.