Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales

Tennent war narrative, 30 September 1916-1 October 1919
MLMSS 3049

[Transcriber's notes: Tennent was a New Zealander and summarises his military service on page 2. He was 35 and unmarried when he enlisted in the A.I.F. in 1916, spending virtually all of his time on the Eastern Front in France, around Ypres. This document was typed by Tennent after the war, and is interesting, descriptive and easy to read]

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Augustus Emerson Tennant
No 6904, 5th Battalion,
2nd Brigade, 1st Division, Victorians
Enlisted at Bendigo, 30 Sept. 1916
Sailed from Melbourne Oct. 24, 1916
left Lark Hill for France, May 13, 1917
First engagement, Polygon Wood, Menin Rd., Sept. 22, 1917
Stunt at slopes of Paschendale, Oct. 4, 1917
On ridge of " Nov. 1917
Zonnebecke – Dec. 1917
Whaechate – Xmas, Dec. 1917
Flanders mud – Jan. & Feb 1918
Fritz over the top – Mch-Apl. 1918
Flanders again –do—
Short rest – early May 1918
Raiding outposts – May, 1918
Holding line on Flanders front, June 1918
Raids – " " "
Amiens – to relieve other divisions – July 1918
Hop over on the Somme ([Indecipherable] ) Aug.9, 1918
St Martin Woods - - - Aug. 29, 1918
At rest at Ailly-sur-Close – Sept. 23, 1918
At Beauhain - - - Oct. 1918
On way to Berzuel on Nov.11, 1918 at 8 o’clock when armistice declared.
Hospital at Rouen Nov/18 with trench feet,
Dec 1918-May/19 at Base Depot, Le Havre
Demobilised 1st Oct. 1919

My Life In The Army
I am a New Zealander by birth and resided in Victoria for six years prior to the war. I enlisted in Bendigo Sept. 30th 1916 and on the 24th of Oct. of that year found myself on the boat Ulysis en route for the front. At Park Hill Salisbury plain I went through my drill.
After being there 2 months, Bronchitis sent me to Hosp. Fargo.
In May 1917 I was drafted to France found the 5 batt. A.I.F. at Flennincourt Wood. They were resting there for three months. Mt first "baptism" was at Ypres, Polygon Wood was one of the objectives that fell into the hand of the Australians during the time that my Unit was in this portion of the Menin Road Sector. Behind the attacking waces of infantry the Engineers party, to which I was temporarily attached, were subjected to severe barrages and suffered many casualties. I was twice blown up with small shells from quick firers called "whiz-bangs" but was lucky enough not to be shell-shocked from the effects of concussion.
Some of the incidents in connection with this first experience are noted in my Dairy as follows.
Bombs, gas Wind-up shock baptism
My most vivid and lasting impressions of experiences in this war are in and around Ypres. That is the place where the German hordes made their first and continued attacks to break through the British lines. There gas was first used by them on the Canadians

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with fatal effect when they nearly succeeded in breaking through.

Six days previous to the Great stunt called the "first" the party of Engineers beforementioned made thei way there from Reninghelst, a Belgian village. We left the 5th Batt. (5th) there, to follow later. We bivouacked at Battery Camp Ypres, where all the bug Naval guns of the British Artillery were massed between Dickbush and Ypres. Our task was to proceed towards the lines (generally at night and under severe fire) to dig a short-cut communication trench, for the use of stretcher bearer and wounded, after the expected, big advance came off. Fritz had previously held all that ground, from which at tremendous cost and casualties he had been driven beyond the line of West Hoek. He knew every foot of it and was easily able to register with this Artillery on any part of it from Dickebush to the front line. Camped where the big guns flashed and roared and the ground trembled under us night and day, as we lay in our bivouac we were forced to endure their concussion as well. Night was made hideous by the dropping of bombs Fritz was then strong in the air.

Enemy Air Raid described
From notes at the time.
As the score or so of plane’s hum is heard approaching overhead; a warning whistle blows. "Lights out" is roared and even a shaded candle in instantly douched. Everyone, hushed and with bated breath, awaits the first Clomp! that heralds a sudden wild and premiseous dropping of bombs, Every gun is at once silent and a great stillness reign, but not for long. Searchlights now

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now appear from all points of our semi-circle of horizon, and the scene that then breaks loose on the senses beggars description. Our "Archus" (anti aircraft guns) and machine guns open up from all directions. High over-head a machine gets caught in two crossed searchlights. It is "held" there. He dives desperately trying to escape and is picked up again, looking like a huge black moth in the light Thousands of flashes of light in the sky overhead light up the scene. They are the bursting anti-aircraft shells. In the unerarthly din it is difficult to make the man next to you hear Everyone puts on their tin hats and comes out to look at the fearsome and wonderful sight. Look! what is that ball of fire dropping slowly to terrafirma. It is the Hun. "They’ve got him" is the shout that sounds like a stage whisper but the wild cheer that rises from a thousand throats drowns the dull crash and explosion of the bombs.
Cause and effect
Half an hour later all is again quiet but not for long. The big guns open up again and boom forth their message of death and destruction with seemingly to the strained senses renewed vigours What was the effect of the raid? Let me pass over the ghastly effects of that bomb that dropped on the moving troops and transport, fatigue parties, rations parties, mules loaded with shells and ammunition that was passing through on its night errand to

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the front.
The fatigue party of the next day as they passed through Ypres, passed the spot where it took place. They knew even without the glance at the dried bloodstains on the hard street stones. They knew. Every one looked in his comrades eyes, just on knowing look and was silent. But some gritted their telth and registered a fresh and grim and terrible silent Vow.
It has been reported in this way "He got sixty with one, Tommies and mules, last night".
Gas! Wibd up
The night fatigue party was making its way through Ypres and had got around. Hell-fire corner where a few shells were whistling across their beads and bursting beyond come going back towards the batteries. Evil smells were wafted on the night air. Dead mules, horses and overturned or shattered transport littered the sides of the road profusly. Each man had a solid load of wire and bags, rigle rations, bombs , and equipment, someone said "Gas!" Word was quickly passed along the line, Each man silently held his breath, knocked his hat off with one hand, holding mask with the other and dived his head chin first, into his mask, replaced his hat, picked up his rifle, wire & bags, just as cooly as if practising on the parade ground I dont think! Some Tommies coming the other way met

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us and informed us that the danger was past. They had noted the direction of the shell’s explosion and the wind was the other way. So! on, on, shrapnel was now bursting along the edge of the road in front; and the Tommies, with a parting warning "Tuite de suite along Schrapnel Rd" doubled away in the darkness. Our officer roared."Three paces between each man and move men! And the steady march became a very undignified rush which became worse as the shells got overhead.
The zone of fire was quickly passed and the party halted. The N.C.O. panting and sweating, hurried back along the file of men endeavouring to muster them. "Anyone hit" said the Officer. "Yes Sir" said I. "I know of one" Anyone with him "Yes! his mate turned back with him". I had been almost thrown down with the concussion as the shell burst over the

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three of us. "All right? On! double and keep in touch!"
SCHOCK!
Half an hour later we were digging on the rise and at regular intervals "whiz-bangs" whistled low over our heads and fell just behind in the marshy piece of ground called Ypres plain. After digging down about three feet and unearthing a decayed Fritz (as could be seen by the clothing) I considered that a smoke might lessen the smell and awful sick feeling, so I said to my mate "Give us a cig." For answer he shouted "Look out" An ominous rushing whistling sound at our backs, a flash, a hot, blinding rush of air in my face and I was thrown by the concussion, several yards along the trench where I lay on my back, speechless. Presently I sat up "W...What are you g..grimy at?" said I And he replied "At you you look so comical" "I feel comical too" said I. If that had been a few inches left, I suppose I would have been left too. Got a match? My mate pointed to where it had exploded, near where my feet had been That one was the first but it was sufficient for I always ducked as soon as I heard them coming afterwards, the same as everyone else, not waiting for their arrival.

Whines. Wine of Battle. War’s Horrors,
It was the morning just after the "hop over" at Menin Road, where the Aussies captured that long contested patch of sticks, called Polygon Wood. The infantry had just captured Fritz’s front line and were moving on in waves towards their second objective, when the Engineers party to which I was temporarily attached reached this point. We were just behind the attacking troops.

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Our job was to dig a communication trench just ahead of the captured German front line.
Under Fire "Baptism" (from Diary)
Millions of indirect bullets were whistling overhead, as well as the whistling whining and screaming of our Artillery’s incessant drum-fire. It sounded like pleasant music to our strained hearing. That was because we were advancing. In front continuus clouds of smoke and dust hid the view. All round was stark desolation and Death. Trenches levelled with the ground. The ground ploughed and torn about and dotted all over with enormous shell-holes, as far as the eye could reach, in many of which were grey huddled figures twisted and distorte and sickly pale in death. Some khaki too. Some half-buried only to be found later by his shells. Only to be unearthed again and buried again. But it saved our pioneers a job.

It was about 9 o’clock am and we were still digging. There was no time to eat. Presently Whitt! ! Whitt! was heard on the mud on the parapet. Come Fritz! with a machine gun in a shell hole were souping at us. They had been passed over in the confusion of the early morning "Hop over.

"Keep down" ! " The corner of the traverse" after a while one of the three men in the traverse stood up to straighten his aching back. "Pop! Pop! ping ! ping-g-g! He received his Blighty all right with two bullets in the

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fleshy part of his arm. My mate and I at once went forward and by a circular movement, dodging from shell hole to shell hole, outflanked the hidden gunners taking them in the rear. We threw on Mill’s grenade only and the three at once rushed out with their hands up, shouting "Kamerad, Kamerad" So we took them prisoner and they did not meet the same fate firing as the three Fritz’s that were caught firing at our men advancing. The big 8th Battalion infantrymen bayonnetted them.
Driven from Home
Change of Tactics
That afternoon a black Taube scout flying low over Communication trench "spotted" the motionless and silent brown figures flattening themselves against the side of it. An hour later Fritz sent it over. Jack John’s coalboxes and other kinds of shells. It did not all fall on his own old front line as it had been doing all the morning; it now shortened to our trench and blew a lot of it in causing some casualties, the troops got out and moved forward in the big deep shell holes. And then the barrage roared around and his Artillery sent its message of hate across.

Hoist with his own Petard
After an hour or so the barrage slackened. We crept out and back to the trench and dug it out. Many rifles equip-

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ments and rations belonging to the party were buried and blown up, but we soon received others from the battle-ground. While resting and munching "Anzac wafers" (buiscuits) bully – one of the party went to the rear to Fritz’s old front line where were two wounded Frtizs in a broken concrete dug-out. he could not find the spot and came back and reported the fact. One of the party remarked "Fritz got a direct hit on that box a while ago". The "pill box" and its inmates were among the "missing".
At midnight the other party of Engineers relieved us and at the "tueti" we ran the gauntlet out on to the Menin Road and back to Battery camp Ypres where after a "nip" of rum and warm stew we lay down under our bivouacs and slept; a sleep out of which the thunder of the big guns failed to wake us.
"Second" Stunt Pashendale
Oct. 4th 1917
The next offensive on this part of the front in which Australians took part occurred at this time a little to the left of the place already spoken of. After that hop-over I was still unwounded. I was attached to the "carrying party". Through mud and blood and dead, amidst a demoralising shell-fire, we carried ammunition to 8th Battalion. They were under

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the crest of Pashendale Ridge "digging in". For seven nights we carried rations up to the line; across the dread Zonnebeke Gully. I will now refer to my note book written just after and which I called my Diary.
Ration parties "Lost" Rum Jars "Lost" Rations
Flooded dug-outs and "dinkums".
It was the second day after the "stunt". The party of "carriers" were standing in a depression of the ground near West Hoek Ridge. The Lance-Cpl. in charge was absent. Thet were discussing him and also their rum "issue". L.Cpl Wilson of the Backbloks was evidently a "silent worker". After the party of twenty got back from the front line the night before – they looked for Wilson to receive their rum ration from him. Nobody knew that his dug-out had been flooded and that he was gone. Where was he? With an old bush chum from another unit in a dug-out and between them they forgot that the "war was on" and and their comrades too, "on the bottle".

Missing. Men & Jars.
Next night at half past eight the "silent" Wilson came along to the dug-outs and spoke: "Right-o" was all he said "Rations" "Front Line" "Fall in". We fell in and he counted us. There were two short. Only eighteen present out of twenty. We looked in their dugouts but they were flooded. We called out in vain. Then someone remembered that they had

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been looking for dugouts in the afternoon: so we went without them. Up to the dump at "Anzac House" st. Field dressing station. This place was half way between West Hoek ridge & Pashendale about half a mile each way.
So on and up, threading our way in single file along the duck board track, along which the whizzy-bangs whistled. Sometimes when they got close we got the "wind-up" & left the boards, taking to "the prone" in the mud. Sometimes a man slipped into a shell hole & got bogged with his load. Then we would stop, drop the rations & pull him out. "Sen Ferre en" [?] as the french used to say "C’est la Guerre" (‘tis the war)
Catch as Catch can or Any Port in a Storm.
When we had delivered our bags of rations & rum jars and urns of tea and stew in the line and scuttled back at the "tuite" to Anzac [indecipherable] ration dump, somehow or other no bag of rations for the party was obtainable from the tipsy N.C.O. at the camp. To make matters worse, [Indecipherable] started his "evening hate". One man grabbed the first bag he could get half of; another smothered a jar of rum into a spare water-proof sheet.
When we arrived at our dugouts it was disvovered that the neglected fatigue party had scored a "win". The bag contained tea, sugar, bacon, pickles, bread, jam,

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margarine, and cigarettes, evidently having been intended for some Tommy Artillery Officers. It transpired afterwards that the mule transport had got the "wind up" at the barrage that used to fall at that point at intervals, had batted and left it to its fate.
The next morning the silent Lance-Jack, on coming round to take stock of his men found us sitting around the jar quite happy. "Have a nip Corp." said one "I do’nt mind" he replied "where did you salvage it" "In a shell hole" "Oh" was all he said. They never had any trouble after that getting their issue off Wilson.
Shells! Shooks! Drinks, Drunken Officers, Revolvers, & R.A.M.C.’s

Next night the ration party got to Anzac field post at 9 o’clock just before the barrage started. It was dark with a drissing rain and very cold. The "carriers" crouched in the rear of the "pill-box" with the many stretcher-bearers and R.A.M.C men whilst the Jack Johnsons and whizzy-bangs roared around. Hearing sometjing moving and grunting just ahead and beyond the dressing_station a comrade and I went forward to investigate. We discovered someone in a shell hole and as we endeavoured to pull him out, he fired two shots from a revolver, point blank in our faces. After we had dragged him into the "pill-box" it was found that he was a shell-shocked Officer from the Line, well "stung" on rum. He would not need the

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revolver in hospital so my comrade kept it.
"Dinks" get "Bukshee" Drinks
No Work, No Pay.
Half an hour later the enemy’s "hate" slackened and we moved off with our loads. Fourteen of the party. The rest camouflaged themselves there. "Wind up" and fatigue and cold are hard things to bear up against, but the Dinkums thought of their comrades in the line. But the camouflaged ones came up again the next night. The "silent" Lance-Corporal from the Backblocks wuld not "crime" anyone; but the night before he gave the "Dinks" the scrimshankers rum issue and bread.

Third "Stunt" Ypres. Oct 1917
A few weeks later my unit was in supports to the Canadians. This attack of theirs in conjunction with the French & some Australian took place to the left of Zonnebeke. It was called the third "stunt" of the Fourth Great Battle of Ypres. Many of us suffered from gas and trench feet, but I was not seriously wounded and so had to stick it as well as I could, not being able to get away for a spell. I will now refer to "notes" written at the time

In Supports
Once again across the dread Zonnebeke Gully. Enemy

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observation being active in the air, orders were issued to lay low. Under the crest of Paschendale the second Bgde crept into holes, which had been hurriedly excavated in the previous advance. Only at night could we come out to wash our dixies & faces in the gully and stretch our limbs.
In front the machine guns rattled incessantly, and shelling from both sides made this sector exceedingly warm and uncomfortable. Through the nights shell-gas drifting back from the gully behind made the position harder to endure. From constant use everyone was expert with the box-respirator. Five days later we were relieved & came back across the Gulley running the gauntlet of the "heavies" out on the Menin Road, and back through Ypres.
From there by easy stages of marching sometimes & sometimes by motor transport we arrived at Halifax Camp for a "rest". But this "rest" was like all the rest of the so-called "rests". Most of the time was taken up drilling & practicing "stunts". One day an enemy plane was seen flying low across the camp. It appearance at such an altitude on a clear day suggested the probability of its being lost. Of course this day flying so far behind the lines attracted a good deal of attention; not only from "ground-targets", that is to say, troops, but from our Lewis guns & antiaircraft guns which opened up a furious barrage on him, but he failed to fall, and as he was driven off he rose.

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Presently at an altitude of approximately 8000 feet, two black specks could be seen closing in on him and the rattling of their machine-gun could be heard. A few moments later the Hun plane was afire and cork-screwing giddily down. The man had jumped or fell out, and a dark body was seen shooting earthwards. The plane broke in halves and fell some distance away from its former occupant. Another of the "missing".

"Dinkum" Rest
Three weeks later, travelling partly by motor-bus and partly by marching the 1st Division reached the town of Deves. This town is situated about 20 kilometres from Boulogne. It was just the place for a spell from the trenches as Fritz never bombed it. The morning parade used to fall in on the Market square, afterwards marching out on the parade ground. The town’s people had never seen Australians drilling before and made us very welcome. Generally route marches and foot-ball and sports took the place of Physical training. Some days we went by Companies to the Cement Works had a bath in the warm water there, washing our clothes and drying them around the huge revolving cylinders of the works.

After seventeen days spell tje Division marched out and up towards the Flanders Front.

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Christmas in the Trenches
Wychaste Messines 1917

Snow had been falling for a week and the ground was frozen and feather white as far as the eye could reach. Shell holes were frozen over but if you slid off a duck-board and into one you would go through the ice and into muddy water.
This was a quiet front but extreme hardships were experienced in holding the out-posts in the bitter cold. Trench feet were the worst. The aggressive spirit was not much evidenced on either side, but machine-guns raked the duck-board approach to the piquet-line. Then you were forced to "resume the prone" position in the snow, and I assure you it was not necessary to have the text book with you. You got down far quicker than when practicing on the parade ground.

The Brainstorm.
It was a moonlit night and the two sentries at No 5 post stood behind the low half buries pill-box that secreted a trench-mortar crew with its dark and cramped interior. They were just able to get a view over the top without exposing themselves too much. It was just as well for them that such was the case, for Fritz’s well

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trained gunners out in that deep shell hole in front "somewhere" on the big white expanse of plain that comprised No-man’s Land know this "possy" well.

The flash of their guns could be seen first. The sentries ducked their heads and a second or two later they heard the bullets Phitt! Phitting by. Fritz knew their "possy" all right and kept it warm, but our Machine-gun crew from the post on the right advanced into No man’s Land and from a shell hole fired a burst at the flash of this gun.

Then they retired. By that means they tricked him, and at the same time kept their own true position secret; for Fritz then wasted his ammunition on the spot where he had seen the flash of their gun. The sentries were left in peace for some time. One. of them suggested a bombing raid on the bold and troublesome Fritz gunners, but the idea of death or V.C. preceeded by a very long cold crawl in No man’s Land over the snow did not meet with a very enthusiastic response, and so the aythor of the brain-storm subsided.

At day light the five men on the desolate outpost No 5, crept into their snow covered shelter and lay "doggo". This ground was watched by day form the many silent machine gun positions iin rear who, in case of attack would open up and so warn the camouflaged piquets in front.

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This is how "the fifth" held the line at Wychacte Christmas 1917.
Pioneering. Looking for Blighties
During the month of January and February 1918 the 2nd Bdge when not holding the line to the right of Wychacte were engaged in fatigue work, principally at night, in conjunction with the pioneers. The work mostly consisted in consolidating the rear trenches against attack during the expected great enemy offensive in the Spring.

One night we were emplyed on the work making "rat-holes" or small trenches on the parapets and paradox tp dirve in pegs for the purpose of tying back the netting which was placed in the sides of the trench to keep the rainy weather from undermining it: Fritz’s indirect fire from machine guns at long range used to sweep the parapets on which the troops stood shovel in hand. When the rattle of his gun was heard we would get into the trench quickly. The traverse on which I was working seemed to be the "zone of fire" this night. Getting tired of hopping in and out of the trench I remarked to the man next to me "I’m sick of this, and think its time I get a Blighty and get away for a while" He laughed saying "You might not get it in the right spot". I replied "I’m going to chance it

At the first burst of Fritz’s gun we just ducked our heads instinctively & could just hear four or five bullets that sounded as if they were "spent". They made a "phutting"

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sound overhead. The officer in the trench advised us to come in but we ignored the suggestion with the remark "they’re only "spent" ones" and stayed till the next burst ten minutes later. These were lower and the gunners had evidently taken a wider sweep. We heard one strike the mud a little to one side. Another seemed to pass my legs, another over my back. The fourth seemed about a foot from my right ear. It seemed to say "Buzz! or "Biz". The man next to me went in. As soon as I heard the pop pop of the next burst in the distance I jumped into the trench. "Hullo Fritz got you bluffed too" "Yes said I laughing" when the last one buzzed in my earhole & said "Biz" I got the wind up & didn’t fancy that kind of Blighty". I could stick it till then. When out resting the second Bdge used to camp at Berr Barracks Locre. So often were we there that we knew every foot of the shops houses and people in it. How well do I remember the little old fashioned chapel on the rise in the centre and the "egg and chips joint" & and the little estaminet (i.e. restaurant) near it, where the "diggers" used to go in the evenings after parade for a feed of "oefs" and "Pomme le terre" for which the Belgian girls charged three francs!

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Months later when the Hun advance took place this spot became No man’s Land. The little chapel was razed to the ground by intense bombardment from both sides during attack and counter-attack. February found the Division back as far as Steenvart for a short spell. Every man had to be fit and great defensive preparation were being made to resist the expected Hun attack, which came off a few weeks later but his much advertised blow was not taken very seriously nor was anxiety felt as to his being able to advance far. The troops told one another "He will get cut to pieces by our machine guns & eighteen pounders when he gets over the top", and so he was but that did not stop him.
It was in March that it happened. We were at Parrot Camp doing occasional light fatigues and carrying gas cylinders up towards the line for Fritz’s reception when he did make his rush. One morning the word flashed from hut to hut & from man to man like wild-fire "he came over yesterday in day-light and came six miles and is still going "Where?" "Down South". Then there was much chaft about there being "some strafe" to be done now "The stern" troops are sure to be wanted down there to stop him". It had been reported by other Divisions that the 1st Division had got lost and a reward offered for its finding "They’ll soon find us now" said one "Come on boys and have breakfast, well soon be tuite suite for the Somme now". And we were, for were we not a mobile division. In a few days the Bdge got their marching orders. We were to proceed to Amiens where the fourth

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Division was actively engaged. Fritz had driven a large salient in the line there in his mad drive for Paris, but it was now rumoured that the Australians had held him up on their sector in conjunction with the French and British but were being hard pressed. Indeed the shell-fire had increased four-fold on this formerly quiet Front, on which we now were. There was a "war on".
So we proceeded to the Somme by Motor transport, detraining at Amiens station. This once beautiful & splendid city was under fire and the inhabitants were to be seen all along the roads in thousands, flying form the ruthless destruction by bomb and long range shell fire that was now let loose on the devoted country. Planes roared overhead all day & dropped bombs. The troops und vaded the train while the shells wrought havoc around. Thirty casualties were caused to the Brigade, that eve ing owing to the unavoidable congestion of troops at the platform, They were obliged ot desist for a while.
The following day there was a prompt reverse of orders The Hun had "come over" on that portion of the Flanders that we had just left. We were a mobile division. Therefore we had to reload the train "at the tuite" and hustle back to where we came from.
Four days later a new & strange front presented itself to our astonished gaze. Instead of the old shell holes, tangled barb-wire and other debris, and the well known trenches, here

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were green fields of wheat gardens, houses, shelled villages & newly dug trenches. All in a few hours, as it seemed. All our work of consolidation and defensive preparations was for Fritz’s comfort then. It was all in his hands. Alas! too true. Then were fresh vows taken and a stronger more bitter hatred for the vile Hun was engendered, especially when one saw the devasted crops, houses the shell ground and the sufferings of the populace as they trudged back meeting us on the roads, carrying only what they were able to snatch up on their flight of their household goods. The Division then took over this portion of the Front which proved to be very warm having chiefly to the nature of the country which was in the enemy’s favour. The "dumps" for ammunition and the war material were often at dilapidated farmhouses.
Fritz sometimes got a hit on one of these frail structures which went like matchwood. Whenever this happened the night was lit up by the burning building as well as illuminated by the constant stream of many coloured flares used by the enemy, called Verey Lights. Then our boys movements in the vicinity would be silhouetted and all roads and approaches were raked by hostile machine-gun fire. This sort of trick made things awkward for us but the Australian going up towards the line avoided trouble by circling and zig zaging across country. By this means Fritz’s shelling & machine gun barrages left in front or were rear. The chief work of the 1st Division whilst on this portion of the front at this time consisted of night raiding. Our Artillery harassed

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the enemy night & day and the constant raids & patrolling of No man’s Land at night, together with organised bomby[?] "stunts" undertaken by small detached parties wore down his troops morale & they were no match at all for the Australians at this semi-open warfare. Step by step they gave ground. The enemy troops opposing us here appeared much inferior to the Prussian Guards & others we had met with formerly. Some of them were mere boys. We picked soldiers of the Kaiser had been flung into the struggle for Paris that had been going on down South. At this time we heard of the successful counter-attacks made by the Allied Armies on the other Fronts and the commencement of the rear ward movements by the enemy in the big salient Nieppe wood was one of the places which we first held in Flanders after our return from Amiens. We relieved an English regiment there; the Grenadier Guards. My Batt. was in supports to the front line and we camped at a large French farm-house that was still intact & still partly occupied "The owner was not able to get all his stock away as the place was so near the line and under fire so we procured several sheep & pigs a few fowls and bags of potatoes from him. For once in many long month the troops had a real "dinkum" meal; indeed at times we could have been seen frying chips & chops between meals, not to mention the fish that were obtained from the creek in the Wood by the use of our Mill’s grenades.
But that fish-bombing "stunt" was soon put a stop to

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to when discovered, for were not the deadly little missiles a "military necessary" and intended for Fritz if he tried to get through the Aussies; and did we not have to carry them for many weary miles "per boat". But we cared for none of those things!
After a few days the second Bdge made a flanking movement from Nieppe Wood, going into reserves to the French at Merris. After a few days we marched a little way back making another flank in movement "to rick the wily Hun" and went into the line at Metron.
This sector then became "ours" for a month or so, for when the Bdge came out for fortnight,s spell they always took over the same trenches I will now refer to my note book which touches on happenings in this sector.
On the left furious fighting was going on. Barrage and counter-barrage, night and day, The enemy were striving to retain Mount Kemmel, and the French and Canadians were equally determined that he should advance no further. The Australians were placed in the little red hot salient just on the French and Canadians’ right flank. Twice in twenty four hours generally in the hours of darkness Fritz placed a barrage of every conceivable shell & "beauchop" gas, over us. He knew that the 1st Division was opposite him here. regarding them as "storm-troops". If that was his intention he did succed in preventing any aggressive spirit, or preparation for attack, on our

[Page 26]
part. But we had only orders to hold the line at this point, therebu keeping enemy tropps opposed to us and away from other active sectors.
After six days of this we were relived and retired from underground, where we had been almost imprisoned for the time. There was now no movement by day unless in case of attack or counter-attack. The second Brigade marched back to the village of Baure. This place was to the left of Hazebrouck above Hondegeim. There we were billeted in deserted farm-houses stables, and barns. After a short rest of about ten days we again went in to hold the line near Strayeel. The troops in this sector had been making continual raids both by night & by day. The enemy’s hard pressed now in the South by the Allied counter-attacks had withdrawn more troops and Field-guns from here for that reason. The Americans were now in the field and our power in the air and also the Artillery seemed to be equal if not superior to that of hte enemy. As we held the out-posts we could stand quietly and unmolested and watch the "evening hate" shrapnel and H.E. from our eighteen-pounders bursting in a beautiful barrage over the spot where the opposing out-posts probably were.
The Raid That Did Not Come Off
Hearing that the Company hold in the two posts on our left had made a silent day-light raid and brought back a few prisoners which had been identified our platoon rehearsed and organised a "silent: night raid on. The post in front which through

[Page 27]
the day we had quietly marked off and taken the bearings of. There was a quarter moon and clear dry weather. At about 9 o’colck all was ready. The covering party of eight with two bombs each, five rifles with fixed bayonets carried at the trail, and one Lewis gun quietly climbed the parapet of the short piece of trench in which we were, crept in single file into No Man’s Land, skirting the dege of the patch of wheat just in front. They were to form the covering party to the raiders. They had to keep down any aggressive of counter movements on the enemy’s parts and to cover the retreat of the raiders if it became necessary. They took up a position about 100 yds away from where they deemed the enemy’s position would be, lay down and waited for the attackers who, after a stiff "nip" of rum each, crept straight across towards their objective. Two of the attacking party of fifteen detached themselves from the rest making a detour to the right flank. Their job was to watch this flank from being cut off by a possible prowling Fritz patrol; warning their comrades of any such attempt by firing their rifles or throwing their grenades. For my own part I was with a comrade on the Listening post on account of seniority & continuous service in the line with my boy. The officer in charge rejected my off to accompany the party. They passed our listening post, was a shell hole on the corner of the patch of wheat crop; and proceeded to crawl along the depression or dead ground, which, flanking the wheat crop ran parallel to the position taken up by the waiting firing party. Then when they had crept opposite the enemy post and abrest

[Page 28]
of their machine gun party they lay flat and motionless for a few minutes.
The enemy must have had a "flare King"; that is one man well ahead of their post, in No Man’s land in a hole with a bagful of Very lights. This person had sensed there were Australians about, for up went a green flare, then a red one. A rifle cracked somewhere in the frost probably the sentry on their listening post. Then pandemonium reigned suprime. Shots were exchanged between the two watchers on the right flank and Fritz’s troops (that possibly were reinforcements coming up in rear of his post.) While shots, Mills bombs and "egg" bombs were exchanged between the Fritz’s in the trench and the attacking party crouching in the stubble; the machine gun covering the right flank opened up keeping down the heads of those Fritz’s in the trench. The two on the right retreated. At the same time the whole sector in front had become illuminated by a constant stream of thous and of many coloured flares; our parapets were raked and swept from all points by machine guns. Our listening post was proved to be no secret th the "wily Hun" either. For I and my mate laid flat on our stomachs and listened to the bullets rip-piping the ears of whet just above our heads. Meanwhile Fritz’s artillery chipped in and his shells "wike up" our supports in rear. Our Field guns replied without our S.O.S. going up and soon quietened his. Presently the moon went behind a cloud and the party sneaked back into the trench.

[Page 29]
with arm "at the trail". The raid had "come a thud", but dire vengeance was to follow.
Strafed!
To show his displeasure at our audacity, just before daylight Fritz sent it across. Gas! Dense clods of it like fog drifted gently back from behind us where he had fired those detestable shells that exploded with a low phlutt! sound like the popping of a cork. But knowing his methods we were expecting the "strafe", (i.e. punishment) and were quite prepared to sit uncomfortable for an hour or two with the gas masks on.

Tit for Tat.
The next night the company withdrew to the rear support line. This was to allow our Artillery free scope to send the gas projectors over to the enemy with interest. His leather respirators were not such a good protection against our stronger fumes as our rubber fabric proved to be against his.

The Raid That Came Off.
Before day-light the Coy was back in thier position again, and when the sun rose the troops could see the gas clouds hanging in the depressive across No man’s Land. All now looked forward to the "forward movement" that must now be imminent. There was the feeling in everybody’s mind that the temporary set-back would never be tolerated for a moment. The prestige that had been the Australian Units all along this sector would be

[Page 30]
upheld, for did not the prisoners say that we were regarded as "storm troops". Was not or air recconaissance becoming perfect as were our barrages. Next morning before day-light every gun on the sector burst forth in a solid stream of fire. At the same moment the whole Brigade sprang up off the ground in front of the parapets where we had been lying and moved forward. For a moment or two a machine gun or two were troublesome but there were rushed by us, and the remainder, some who were not blown out, ran over the ridhe as we fired qt their backs, threw up their hands with the usual cry of Kamerad! We waved them tp the rear where they were gatheres in by the wave of infantry following in support. The most of the inadequate outposts were destroyed by our accurate fire and we got to work hastily and dig fresh possies. The shell fire, whereit had fallen on the trenches had left many dead. Twenty four hours afterwards fresh troops "took over" the positions. Then there was the long march out to billets and comfort and hot meals. Though weary, there was no lagging & no grumbling for we were moving in the right direction and had come through with slight casualties. After eight days rst the Brigade undertook various duties in the rear of this sector. My Battalion the 5 went to Hazebrouck out-skirts. They did piquet duty’ a company at a time. This town had been shelled by the Huns long range guns, and the inhabitants that still remained were being ousted by the French

[Page 31]
gendarmes. They did not like to leave their homes. This was where the real tragedy of the war could be seen. Our posts of duty were about two hundred yards apart. Our duties were to prevent all looting of deserted and shattered house & shops, and to halt everyone civilians or otherwise who could not produce a pass. The portion of the City which we piqueted was not under heavy shell fire. Occasional shells fired by the Hun to "destroy the morale" of the civilian population were the only things that troubled us. We hardly paid any attention to them but proceeded to make ourselves comfortable. France is a g reat garden country and strawberries, radishes, onions & potatoes were plentiful here. Every man slept between sheets and when not on post might have been seen frying chips potatoes. After a week the Battalion rejoined the Brigade in the farm billets in rear near Baure where after a hot bath and change of underclothes they proceeded to "get fit". Instruction on the Lewis gun, rifle practise and target practise was the chief work during the sixteen days rest in that spot. The weather was splendid and warm and crops and cattle were looking well. From there we proceeded to the line in support of the French. As the sector was not familiar I have forgotten the name. We were favourite wit’ the French soldiers. They were splendid soldiers & were quite cheerful for the Hun was not only held but being steadily pressed back on all of the Fronts. The war was lost to him any way. After a week here

[Page 32]
we moved back to Hazebrouck. This city was again out of range of his artillery, but aeroplanes sometimes got over it at night and dropped bombs. The Hun was making a rearward movement and so the devasted areas that had been under fire could now be salvaged. When the Brigade went in from here a few men from each battalion were left out, myself being among the number. We formed a farm-hand Bdge & reaped the crops. By this means thousand of pounds worth of straw and grain was saved. About this time which was about the middle of Autumn, our Division was attached to another Army Corps and we were expecting that as the culminating phase in the Allied offensive on the Somme was on the point of taking place, our presence might shortly be required on the scene of the successful activities. Whilst camped at Circes the 1st Division received their marchin g orders to proceed to the Somme. All available transport was now being used in the counter offensive of Foch’s that was drivening the Hun out of the huge salient that he had formed on his advance on Paris. Owing to this the Division had to sover this distance for the greater part by marching. Rarely could limbers in sufficient numbers be supplied to lighten us of our packs or other war material. Finally after about six weeks the Division reached the Somme, and rested for a few days. Later we advanced through Villers Bretonneux and took part in the great ‘hop over" on the famous "eight Aug Lihonse, or the few heaps pf bricks that had stood fell into our hands.

[Page 33]
The Allied offensive was proceeding vigorously along the whole front, and although the fighting was severe in places, the enemy was retreating. The presence of the Americans in the struggle was becoming every day more apparent. My unit formed the second wave in this attack and followed the seventh Battalion "over" in the afternoon amidst a solid stream of lead from Fritz’s machine gun out-posts. This was a running fight but sometimes during the four days advance of our troops his machine gunners were clever enough to ‘hold" up", temporly, parts of our line, thereby covering the general retreat. Air fighting was going on continually night and day. Shelling from both sides was at its summit. The enemy abandonned many guns. Nobody now needed to have any doubt as to there being "a war on". It was "a glorious stunt". When we relieved I was so weary that I could have fallen asleep on post. I was not wounded in this battle but suffered much from nerve strain and slighty from gas-poisoning. Then we came back through the gas-drenched woods and out on to the road where the waiting Motor transport rushed us back through the night. Twenty kilometres back to Corbie to rest and recuperate the nerves, for only the booming of the big guns could be heard here. A few weeks later by easy stages the unit reached the "forward area".On the twenty third Aug. we "hopped over" at Saint

[Page 34]
Martin Woods and capture about three miles of ground. I will endeavour to give the main features of this attack as it was the last my unit took part in.
St Martin Woods
Previous to this "stunt" while bivouaccing in an old orchard at Corbie the platoons of each Company were supplied with areal photogtaphs of the Woods and the section of ground over which they would have to advance. Each man studied them; the machine gun nests and the spot that was to be the final objective where we were to halt and dif in Platoon in attack was illustrated, and a tank demonstration was given so that each man knew exactly what he was wxpected to do, and the signal that would be given to any Tank in case of troublesome "nest" being located. On the morning of the twenty third about two o’clock in the morning the different platoons of each Coy, started to move up from the reserve trench towards the front line. They did not move in file, but in line of artillery formation, that is: divided into small groups or sections of waves each group a few yards distance from the other and abreast of it. The Lewis gun crews advanced on the flanks of their platoon. In between them came the Riflemen Bombers Grenadiers (rifle) sections, each section being sub-divided and led by its own N.C.O. This organisation of platoons in attack I consider to be the most successful; method used by the Australians in active fighting, and there cab be no doubt that the casualties were much lighter with us through its use

[Page 35]
When we arrived at bout fifty yards distance behind the front line troops, The Battalion troops lay down flat on the ground top await the "zero", the minute when the barrage would start. Meanwhile the troops crouching in the bits of hole on the plain in front crept back quietly and filed past and out to the rear. Presently, glancing over my shoulder I caught I caught the flash of the barrage, before the sound of its opening up could be heard, I instantly struck a match and lit a cigarette, the whole line doing the same. It might be the last! At the same second the Capt. shouted "Go!" and the roar of the massed guns spoke. We leapt forward as one man. The scene that was then displayed immediately in front was exceedingly weird and thrilling. It cab only be described as an Inferno. Every conceivable shell burst in front "Do’nt get too close" was the order passed along the line from Capt. Burke. The din was appaling. A sold stream of flame along the ground in front surmounted by a dense cloud of smoke hid all movement ahead. Advancing with fixed bayonets at the ready. Presently through the drifting smoke we could see groups of grey figures moving in disorder and apparent confusion. Some could be seen throwing down equipment and attempting to run. Many of these fell from our rifle bursts. Others ran forward with hands raised, some of whom were hit before they passed to the rear to be collected by our "moppers up" or third wave. A Lewis gun crew ob the left of our rifle section was lying down firing "bursts" at a hostile gun group. On our immediate right a "nest" had caused several

[Page 36]
of our attacking sections to take to "the prone". One man got up and made the pre-arranged signal to the Tank that was lumbering and grating through our line. Taking the signal it at once crawled forward to the spot indicated, firing point-blank with its deadly little "wind-up" producing "whiz bangs". The "nest" was routed and our troops followed Then the barrage reached the Wood where it was intended to "dwell" for a quarter of an hour. "Steady" "Keep down!" "Snipers!" The Tank approached a big tree on the edge of the Wood giving it a solid bump. Down dropped two Fritz’s with their gun, and ammubition belt. As my section which were riflemen, five of us, with Lance Corporal Maynard in charge approached a "possy" that had been firing across the plain at us untill we were quite close, a big Hun ran out towards us waving his arms and then falling near us. The officer in charge of the platoon on our right being suspicious of his actions, halted his men; at the same time shouting to Mayvard and myself "Look out for that gun just ahead of you". The other gunner ducked into the dugout. Proceeding to the door of the dugout with bayonet at the "point" I arrested him and sent him to the rear. Their treacherous intentions were evident & cost the big fellow his life. He still lay down groaning and shunning wounded. A private from the above mentioned platoon having

[Page 37]
just discovered the vile trick, placed a bullet in his brain, thereby probably saving many lives by his presence of mind. This same was Jerry Mulane and he was awarded the D,C,M, afterwards, There was not the slightest doubt that these Huns were employing an old trick of theirs to shoot us in the back. The humane instinct that prompted me to turn a deaf ear to the injunction to give my man short shrift was responsible for my not getting a medal. But they were things I never looked for. The barrage had by this time reached the far edge of the wood and as we sat under the trees for a few minutes one man asked the reason why "We are not to get too near the barrage about here." That’s how Capt. Burke got killed at the start" said our Sergeant "Is that right" "Yes Sgt. Major McClimate and Sgt Rainbow were wounded by the same shell".
These were almost the only casualties up to this stage of the fight, but after getting through the wood & crossing the grilly & and climbing the ridge opposite, which was our objective, a few got hit from his counter shelling. Fritz was out of sight and going for his life so we consolidated there, after replying to the aeroplane signal "All well" by waving our tin hats and holding flat discs made of tin, horizontally. That night, under cover of heavy gas shelling his outpost gunner crept back & took up positions in front. The usual hard chips were endured during for four days during which time many gas cases left the sector.

[Page 38]
But the war was considered won as was the masting of the air, as testified to by the many planes seen falling in flames and driven down "out of control". I was evacuated from there with gas in the eyes, and eventually reached forty one Stationary Hosp. Amiens where I stayed for a fortnight Then my unit was holding the Hindenburg line at Bellecourt. Fritz was in swift retreat on the greater part of the front. The Yanks relieved us at Bellecourt. The Army Corps was now expecting about 90 days spell. It was nearly twelve months since we had a spell of any great duration. Marching and motoring by degrees the second Brigade reached Ailly sur Close near Abbeville far from the scene of strife and there we lived in billets and barns, and had a fairly easy and comfortable time. After being there for nearly 2 months, the Division was on its way to the Front again. We were not able to reach anywhere near it before the armistice was signed. When hostilities ceased on the eleventh the Bdge was in Bohain. This place had been under German rule for four years. It was a fine city, once, but was now gaunt and dark and stripped of everything. Large factories and other works were

[Page 39]
bare of their machinery looms etc. and delayed mines could be heard going up regularly at different points. Care had to be used in moving about or taking up quarters. Shortly a German battalion of Engineers was commandered and their first job was to move mines from Bohain station. Enormous holes were blown in the roads and railways along the line of retreat which certainly delayed the pursuit of the retreating Armies. There was now some speculation as to whether we would go to the Rhine as part of hte Army of occupation. Australian troops were to be represented in Germany & two divisions one of which would be the first actually started to march in that direction but after a week or more the order was altered for various reasons and the division went to Charleroi in Belgium. On the way there I was evacuated to hospital with sore feet. Taking the ambulance train at Bohain I reached Rouen after a week of slow journeyying From there, after a few days I was sent to Buschy Convalescent Depot, where I remained for two months. This was a good Camp for convalesing in as there were many recreation huts & comfortable quarters. Boxing, wrestling, foot-ball, and cross country runs formed the principal rou ne of exercises. I was given a Staff job owing to being classed "medically unfit" at the time. I could not take up any of the above mentioned sports and had a fairly easy time. Christmas went off well with the usual festivities. The decorations were very elaborate all buildings being hung with holly and mistletoe.

[Page 40]
After the New Year I went to the 1st Australian Infantry Base Depot at Le Havre where I remained for some considerable time awaiting my turn to be demobilised. There again I was employed on the Staff at the Australian General Base Depot which adjoined the Camp before mentioned.
[Signed] A.E.Tennent

[Transcriber’s notes:
Abbeville page 38 –is in the west of France about 25kms from the sea and about 120 kms N of Pars.
Baure page 26 – this might be the village of Borre which is about 5kms east of Hazebrouck
Beauhain page 2 – see Bohain below.
Bellecourt page 38 – is Bullecourt about 50kms NE of Amiens.
Berr Barracks Locre page 20 – Locre or Loker is a small village in Belgium about 10 kms west of Wijtschate. The little old fashioned chapel has been replaced (see Tennent’s comment on the top of page 21) and the church is pretty substantial now.
Blighty, received his Blighty – page 7 – was wounded and sent back to Brighton (Blighty) for recovery.
Bohain page 38 – is Bohain-en-Vermandois about 100kms east of Amiens.
Box-respirator page 15 – a gas mask attached to a box containing an air filter to neutralise gases.
Bukshee page 14 – or Buksheesh is derived from an Arabic word and means free.
Charleroi page 39 – is about 60kms south of Brussels.
Corbie page 33 – is about 10kms east of Amiens.
Dickbush page 3 – is Dikkebus (thick bush) about 4kms SW of Ieper.
Dinkums page 11 – Among the Australians the soldiers who had fought on Gallipoli were known as the Dinkums.
Dixies page 15 – rectangular metal plates with vertical sides used as dinner plates, dimensions about 8"x4"x2".
Foch page 32 –Marshal Ferdinand Foch (2 October 1851 – 20 March 1929), was a French soldier, military theorist, and WW1 hero credited with possessing "the most original and subtle mind in the French army" in the early 20th century.
Hosp. Fargo page 2 - Fargo Military Hospital was part of the Larkhill Garrison on Salisbury Plain. Built in 1914, it had 1,200 beds and accommodation for nursing staff.
Jack John’s coal boxes page 9 – This is a shortened version of Jack Johnson which was a German 5.9 shell that burst with black smoke. It was named after the boxer Jack (John Arthur) Johnson (1878-1946), the first black American world heavyweight champion (1908-1915). Another name for this type of shell was a coal box. So Tennent has used both names to describe the shells.
Lihonse page 32 – is a village about 15kms east of Villers-Bretoneaux.
Limbers page 32 – these are gun carriages generally pulled by horses.
Messines page 17 – see Wychaste below.
Metron page 25 – is Meteren about 4kms NNE of Merris.
Mount Kemmel page 25 – is near the village of Kemmel in Belgium about 12kms N of Armentieres.
Nieppe page 24 – is about 4kms NW of Armentieres on the French/Belgian border. It is about 20 kms south of Ypers/Ieper.
Parapets and paradox page 19 – a parapet is the side of a trench nearest the enemy and a parados is the side furthest from the enemy.
Parrot Camp page 21 – was located near the village of Kemmel about 4kms west of Wijtschate.
Paschendaele page 2 – now spelled Passendale, is about 5kms NE of Zonnebeke and 10kms NE of Ypres/Ieper.
Pioneers page 8 – Pioneers were not fighting units but a military labour force organised to work on engineering tasks such as digging trenches, building roads, railways and other logistical tasks. This was essential and dangerous work often carried out under fire as Tennent has just described on page 6.
Polygon Wood page 2 – as the name suggests, this is a polygon shaped wood about 8kms east of Ieper (Ypres) in Belgium and about 2kms south of Zonnebeke. It is about 2kms east of the Menen Road.
R.A.M.C page 13 – Royal Army Medical Corps.
Reninghelst page 3 – Reningelst is about 10kms WSW of Ypres/Ieper.
Rouen page 39 – is on the River Seine about 50 kms from the Le Havre at the mouth of the Seine.
Salient page 21 – in military terms, is a projection of a portion the front line into enemy-held territory.
Steenvart page 21 – is probably Steenvoorde which is 30kms west of Ypres/Ieper.
Saint Martin Woods page 34 – Bois de Saint Martin is now only about 100 mtres by 100 metres. It is 1 km north of Sailly-le-Sec and about 5kms NE of Corbie.
Strayeel page 26 – is Strazeele, about 9 kms east of Hazebrouck and 4 kms east of Borre.
Taube page 9 – The Taube was a pre-WW1 single winged German aeroplane distinguishable by its birds wing shaped wings (taube is the German word for dove). It was the first mass-produced military plane in Germany and was used for virtually all military aircraft applications. The Taube was very popular prior to the First World War but once the war began, it quickly proved inferior as a warplane and was soon replaced.
Traverse page 19 – is a protective projecting wall or bank of earth in a trench.
Tuite de suite page 6 – means "at once" or "right away".
Very or Verey lights – The most common type of flare gun is a Very (sometimes spelled Verey) which was named after Edward Wilson Very(1847–1910), an American naval officer who developed and popularised a single-shot breech-loading snub-nosed pistol that fired Very flares.
Villers Bretonneux page 32 – is about 12kms east of Amiens. The town's mayor spoke of the Australian troops on 14 July 1919 when unveiling a memorial in their honour: "The first inhabitants of Villers-Bretonneux to re-establish themselves in the ruins of what was once a flourishing little town have, by means of donations, shown a desire to thank the valorous Australian Armies, who with the spontaneous enthusiasm and characteristic dash of their race, in a few hours drove out an enemy ten times their number...They offer a memorial tablet, a gift which is but the least expression of their gratitude, compared with the brilliant feat which was accomplished by the sons of Australia...Soldiers of Australia, whose brothers lie here in French soil, be assured that your memory will always be kept alive, and that the burial places of your dead will always be respected and cared for...". The people of Villers-Bretonneux continue to express gratitude to Australia to this day. The Australian War Memorial in France is located just outside Villers-Bretonneux and in front of it lie the graves of over 770 Australian soldiers, as well as those of other British Empire soldiers involved in the campaign. The school in Villers-Bretonneux was rebuilt using donations from school children of Victoria (many of whom had relatives perish in the town's liberation), and above every blackboard is the inscription "N'oublions jamais l'Australie" (Let us never forget Australia).
West Hoek page 3 – Westhoek (western corner) is about 5 kms east of Ieper.
Whaechate/Wychaste Messines pages 2 and 17 – Messines is Mesen in Belgium and Wychaste/Whaechate (as spelled on page 2) Wijtschate both in Belgium. Wijtschate is about 8kms south of Ypres and Mesen a further two kms south of Wijtschate. The Battle of Messines took place on 7 June 1917. The tactical objective was a ridge running north from the villages of Mesen and Wijtschate, which created a natural stronghold south of Ypres. The objective was achieved.
Ulysis page 2 – probably Ulysses a steam passenger ship built in Belfast in 1913. Sunk by a German u-boat in 1942 with none of the 290 on board dying.
Ypres page 2 – is called Ieper in Belgium and is in the west of Belgium about 60kms SW of Brugge and 10kms from the French border.]

[Transcribed by Miles Harvey, Grahame Bickford, Adrian Bicknell for the State Library of New South Wales]