Diary of Alexander Sutherland Mackay, 5 March 1918 - 7 September 1918 - Part 1

Conflict:
First World War, 1914–18
Subject:
  • Documents and letters
Status:
Open for review
Accession number:
AWM2018.19.51
Difficulty:

Page 1 / 10

6 ty thas give phiells of late, but the t pumirous enought fto sake or frushs. Its a mystely why 5 this place io swverely ups he is waiting for this We have i couple of rands swe his of which were suy 15 anch howrty Wenere sshots agot ony direct 20ft of the Sfis Lower is ther lpopt all over our pit after it for months fe hur but so so Iow guns woudd H Our Machen
Broughty down one of his plany ond the font line. All our gun crins havis been now prooided with a rikly a pun so evidently they think Frity intends brsiness, wher his push does start kuping wark the Winter Stall had been liftoh so far, seldom use an overwall nly/ 1918 Frity has Luert peft Hll Bs an tot of en frety ipanfentn but fur Heafres are replying with afvingiance Law a great any ecat today They were at it for about 40 minites othen we saw on cat offf schased back over our tnes by three of our little shads. As the macpine ws divent lower down we puprifed to see it with the Brhik colons upt. I dodged right left fut our little shads hung like gtu fventually forcid it tto with the Antaueratt pisple o hit that it was a pity with our colours up then infdently faw it leaving the rmn ties this ften wondered why msst andulge 2 for fregnently, as they ay 4 e or War. Cunptines ard very abulf these days dont give much of a chance. Our it a 9 grent provie HomyBrng senthat & the Infontry for two sards. I believe the & absolutely perfect. 4 pped over it was upe
4 Alt Detrnd at wall walking frr taking Fritzs pro 1 Groued fensiv rerfusly, there is no dont the wind up himself prope t hiao our guns open up a little appoon pimply alwe with his lnius of all discrpptions. Anssue nope o Huplays are not in it Trs Weshit ia few days o bel t etoo moved out 14 14 this morning. I go with the Kigh wmorrow. This afternoo suction Thrity pharted shilling us Hlobbed night between two guns Lu two nobouly was hurt, he damaged He might have waited negun pulled out, althought he hr puntel af good run right 4 til today. Jh 14 wi handed over the guo 241 214 Battery this morin straight from the pouton vroy, to our new Wason p our past on Battery phifting 4 Liid Kvirus Wajon, lines on t 4 we are all billited poad the ar. Hen House Heaving at tem 13/ ary situalyd about 11/2 Kilos from 4 This guns are bormin teul 336 tently foidently things are livenins that line. This morning we whictle overnesd your 6 in Barllent. Thes Civrlian at wind at property fai in tis
6 in stret. Ihavent heard N weref any casualties of not by are bringing our fillow lerale on leave, 13 yor at I Hoube if it will last as eiglody antinstes, and L finto the lind again cal 161 119/26 March 1918 not much dring fon morning Frity sends a few thetes huspring ovirheart into Baillent. He is systiratically shilling all this back towns of fate rather pattry of him as thy are practually offrs military value, the sumply the Pivilians a lot of old pemers frghitend mnan e fstes the Wagon lines aftogether At present We are undoublidly puppo the avr pn his planes don't get a chance fellows are knocking them right left fon pfiand he is very strong. Otherw on now worken up to oth sides It will be an awful cout pitch the miting point & ividently clack at dinding serap. It would appear X both sples are waiting the other as Our men are not taking to kenp off as a jofe, but are thoroughty things confident as to the ultimate risult. hrity aeft the shock of his lifefwe all Rarning off son. I suppose think be the summer before the 4 The omerians should be clish ready by they, so for their Aeoplanes have not be called upon, with these up to rumoured strength, the hir should be byond all appremary nting I believe our latest qstio
murhine - the Hlandley Paye s santy facter than any Frity has ay todiy this fa hons i tly an Estamnet so the Boys arif faurty mirry 24/418 Fenty still throwing a few of into Baillept. Beantifil Tlay fwon day its a rregular treat after the deyling ay wive (oeen experuming. The known fyant rupt peao Frnteny pastes. 24/14 Fruty tombing Baillint consestently cansee the dust ruing as the shells. I peart he captured Bullicowit fll too other places His yesterday, evidently ilf wn a prarranged plan on fur at as datest advices say our marhine wns played havor with his proops. our crowst will connter pp fit amuins to be sen if them. It maker one wild Baillie getting knocked about kurily spite, his shilling at no military dama were in the middee of a e 23/3/18 this afternoon when w Foosball match gota alef to park up immediately of the roads. We had to leave syt tal behind, I lost f4 ppirs. ot fot o hanhurchus 2 cherts o rovel at the wash. Ws hav no 4p at t to collifent. Wex left about 5 pm. at a chup near morbughet at all dogfed tored. We shifl again atates wel are bound t Phe 4th 5th pubises th 4
10 0 appereantly thy anud. th the Rusies down to meet this push Dear Fnty wook Bullicourt the towns but his carualtes Have not sun kati lastfthre days. They dr ciists evidently we will ims thi fit again before all the Naw yestanders last Henty had beea honbing acp as they chared out with furitel it was over Tepit. Baylet h has been shilling Hagelbroush? also hear Aire, we pass throug ront sday We have been travilling on that 28 ml all these days, reaching our distination. Loud it wrs pitiful to een. the enllians 11 sut camealong, mostly old. moving some too old to wall. Great funwuldly n packed with furniture strmond by little Lonkeys some by const. Other n prople had whelburrows opiramibulaton farting whilst others & wife 4 fwith bundles strapped on at p4 This is all the risult of these their backs when they naw Hity goving Commirs uselers ted ta ondo Scotterk & some souch regiment to facd the barner. These two stood up played havod with their marking gups. bytevntally had to reture fighting If these stinking tommis had stood their i they could have stopped Ferity One polity with marking guns git ownfaffieere told us the ssated
12 sns ts an the Ruus 4 ps come in as now they filt had advancin about 50 but fur fellows have abrendly 4 in him hill made him futife. 9 We ouffin the somne ana at We will probably moveo This is open warefor no Sor have managed to it texpitions too kep the a Phise were secured from a the Faes left, they hant apont e ssimply srooted having afle 4 the hiat a teots and Reptoh bt ws are getting a sal fit ont ar fle the mades Little doing last night 241 tody is retureng. Rayning 13 will be pretty rothen if we have ferday X moved forward today sare now 2448 situated in y gully between two small fillo I This is adial astilling wining afthough its practically open warpare Karning off roo omud fearly solid fut Artilliny are not giving us much fis Pehoplanes ane very artige fur 14 Feity thave choppell him I believe they are lke anl up confedunatly fint mote, aphurently go apstim refine on numbers. We have an sumplyo Hhy Kate for of marking gun fan an noye him back aful bying Stle wtion No fin us best somting o 4
ing for a char this m fy has two balloons up, non of ors made and appemunde Aery gow otenntinal 2/4/14 Wp had our pust casually on this pose a fellow named Sward from lomgoing today It was rother luck, one of our being pitle a alepes kept houring over our guns e af te We ware evening the plane w 44 4 munites frefore dwain got but, a spray brgt His areittory are still kacping him. Recever a letter from Ron today furly gul al pppers from home i a paruelf confening socke from Lib. patr 2/4/16 Huard our sum booning solidly away o right flank last night. I kaper wfale now, as we have foro ided over 15 what is going on. Our fellow. have bent helping fromselves to itray s tork for provisions sstruck a pile of phy at a desertud village close by Still clouidg but nain hanging off 414116 Fuitze has been pushing again fomit with a lattle ancuss on our right He treed tocos the omne River in pont but our guns knocked him back. Yur peoply are frightened that the Lommies further glown may yur way. One of deroplanes fliw low down over our his position ogotfaray. We all thought at was oye of our until we saw the cross othen ft was too late. Toually think it was one of ours with his colours up We capt definiled news but from all accounts his puph herefbefore we came in was very
16 Bil te wvidently exprect atreat innt prisoners, & lob of guns cepin. all through the Commaes The somne counid Agreat if tai. sep las year now he is futher that ever. However he will weed 4 4 fiyhe to mak throught out fillow hilled all over our poution protably the reculto of yeterdany Aepoplapt takify obsrvations. Out gons hu consutently we hear that mdays lost ground of some of our fillow had isisbes this morning caping mmud awful wet fet all the time A Shings not too hely rauning Ich omud galord. Unwonders writin Tucker what fits like to have dry fut. not too plentiful here, an fast a fellow wouldn't feel patified if it waspt for the spids ofreat salvaged 9/4/18 Frity starled last night philfing has been at lit all day. He did praytilally no damage for the tunfer number of spells he has sent over. It was just ontralf whathing throught the air orge the morning Our guns didnt all forgelf to respond. He has been throwing them all out the shop F fanrey seprching fof Batterns probably he hps the wind up It was toith yesterday otoday hewikendly fogg thinks we ard going to attack. H Wehav sene shitil foom a good por for ag
2 if last 4 46 18 b pare hick if wittin taal underet at all of late e us retakent hilf 6. wher wit were bor comin ond abr the Shractrslly wrn 4 sa 46 be having Coh I feel confuent it be kaing yut full as casuptites. at by ready o 6 the kid will t Strong wind blowing for the day. We have bun dving a of shorting &at istites 1y 14 24 1 of our half. H knocked one night, but the majority last go overhond. We arefint Wlls for protection, faurly abservation. He chrinles burt about in pts is just channing to utly the French are very tear sasti over the Aussus block ane all accounts of srapping is takens place deal of the Portignse (Rork Beard Wort kil thur reputation. busk. They are a ureless hot Hr shilling pathy On shill lobber sully killang one man b min including 2 offier

5/3/18} Fritz has given us a few
6/3/18} gas shells of late but they are
9/3/18} not numerous enough to make
us don our masks. Its a mystery why
he is leaving this place so severely
alone, unless he is waiting for his
big offensive. We had a couple of raids
this week both of which were successful
Yesterday our heavy 15 inch Howitzers
managed to get the Warreton Tower
They had six shots & got one direct hit,
only leaving about 20 ft of the Tower
standing. This Tower is their lookout
station & looks all over our position.
They have been after it for months
past, it was often hit, but so solid
that shells from our guns would leave
no effect on it. Our machine gunners

 

 2

also brought down one of his planes in
the front line. All our gun crews have
been now provided with a rifle or gun
so evidently they think Fritz intends
business, when his push does start
Still keeping warm the Winter
had been tiptop so far, seldom use
an overcoat.
8/9/10 ^Mch 1918 Fritz has been pelting
Hill 63 in front of us pretty consistenty
but our Heavies are replying with
a vengeance Saw a great air scrap
today. They were at it for about 20
minutes & then we saw one machine
cut off & chased back over our lines
by three of our little spads. As the
machine was driven lower down we
were suprised to see it with the
 

British colours up. It dodged right
& left but our little spads hung
like glue & eventually forced it to
earth. The Antiaircraft people
told us since that it was a 
Fritz with our colours up, they
evidently saw it leaving the German
lines. I've often wondered why this

trick has not been indulged in 
more frequently, as they say All
is fair in Love or War. Our planes
are very alert these days & don't give
Fritz much of a chance. Our
Artillery got great praise from Brig

General Rosenthal & the Infantry for
the last two raids. I believe the
Barrages were absolutely perfect, when
the Infantry hopped over, it was like
 

 

4
walking behind a wall. Although
our crowd are taking Fritz's proposed
offensive seriously, there is no doubt
Fritz has the wind up himself properly
as soon as our guns open up a little,
his line is simply alive with
rockets of all descriptions. Aussie
Fireworks displays are not in it.
We shift out in few days I believe
14/3/18: The Left section moved out
this morning. I go with the Right
section tomorrow. This afternoon
Fritz started shelling us & lobbed
two right between two guns. Luckily
nobody was hurt, he damaged
one gun. He might have waited
until we pulled out, although he
gave us a good run right
 

5
 

through until today.
12/3/18. We handed over the guns
to the 11th Battery this morning
& went straight from the position,
per motor lorry, to our new Wagon
Lines. We past out ^our Battery shifting
from the previous Waggon, lines, on
the road. We are all billeted
once more at Farm Houses
13/14/15 Mch 18.  Having quiet time here

we are situated about 11/2 Kilos from
Bailleul. The guns are booming
consistently, evidently things are livening
up at the line. This morning we
heard 6 shells whistle overhead & saw
them lob in Bailleul. The Civilians
there get the wind up properly. I
believe two lobbed fair in the

 

6
in the main street. I haven't heard if
there were any casualties or not.
They are bringing our fellows
off wholesale on leave, 13 every
4 days. I doubt if it will last
long, as everybody anticipates an
early call into the line again.
16/17/18/19/20 March 1918. Not much doing
Every morning Fritz sends a few shells
whistling overhead into Bailleul. He is
systematically shelling all this back towns
of late - rather paltry of him as thy are
practially of no military value, he simply
frightens the civilians. a lot of old women &
men. He misses the Wagon lines altogether.
At present we are undoubtedly superior
in the air, his planes don't get a chance
our fellows are knocking them right & left
 

Otherwise I'm afraid he is very strong.
Both sides are now worked up to
concert pitch. It will be an awful
clash at the meeting point & evidently
the deciding scrap. It would appear
as if both sides are waiting the other
to kick off. Our men are not taking
things as a joke, but are thoroughly
confident as to the ultimate result. Fritz
will get the shock of his life we all
think. Raining off & on. I suppose
it will be the summer before the

clash. The Americans should be
ready by then, so far their Aeroplanes
have not be called upon, with these
up to rumoured strength, the air
supremacy should be beyond all
question. I believe our latest bombing
 

 

machine - the Handley Page - is a

beauty, faster than any Fritz has.

Pay day today, this farm house is

an Estaminet so the Boys are fairly

merry.

21/3/18. Fritz still throwing a few over

into Bailleul. Beautiful Day sunny

day, its a regular treat after the drizzling

days we've been experiencing. The moon

coming over again, suppose that means

more bombing parties.

22/3/18. Fritz bombing Bailleul consistently

we can see the dust rising as the shells

fall. I hear he captured Bullecourt & 

two other places this yesterday, evidently

it was a prearranged plan on our

part as latest advices say our machine

guns played havoc with his troops.

 

9

I suppose our crowd will counter-

attack, it remains to be seen if

he can hold them. It makes one wild

to see Bailleul getting knocked about

as it is purely spite, his shelling

can do no military damage.

23/3/18. We were in the middle of a

Football match this afternoon, when we

got a call to pack up immediately

& get on the roads. We had to leave

a lot of material behind, I lost 7 pairs

of socks 7 handkerchiefs, 2 shirts & towel,

all sent to the wash. We had no

to wait to collect it. Wel left about 5 pm 

& arrived at a camp near Morbecque at

3 am all dogged tired. We shift again

today, rumour states we are bound

for the Somme. The 4th & 5th Divisions

 

10

are following us, so apparently they are

shifting the Aussies down to meet this

big push. Hear Fritz took Bullecourt

& a few other towns but his casualties

were enormous. Have not seen papers

for the last three days. They are speeding

us along, so evidently we will be

in the thick of it again, before xx another

week. Met all the New Zealanders last

night, Fritz had been bombing

Hazelbrouck so they cleared out with

their horses until it was over. Like

Bailleul, he has been sheeling Hazelbrouck

& I also hear Aire - we pass through

this town today.

24/25/26/27 Mch. We have been travelling on the

roads all these days, reaching our destination

tonight. It was pitiful to see the civilians

 

11

moving out as wee came along, mostly old

women, some too old to walk. Great unwieldly

waggons packed with furniture drawn by

horses, little donkeys & some by cows. Other

people had wheelbarrows & perambulators carting

their few belongings, whilst others I were

plodding along with bundles strapped on

their backs. This is all the result of these 

useless Tommies, when they saw Fritz coming

over in swarms, they xxxxx turned tail

& left the London Scottish & some Irish regiment

to face the barrier. These two stood up

played havoc with their machine guns

but eventually had to return fighting.x If

these stinking Tommies had stood their

ground they could have stopped Fritz

sosty solely with machineguns. One

of their own officers told us this & stated

 

12

he was pleased to see the Aussies &

New Zealanders come in, as now they felt

safe. Fritz had advanced about 30

kilos, but our fellows have already

given him hell & made him retire.

We are now in the Somme area, situated

in a wood. We will probably move forward

again today. This is open warfare, no

dugouts, but we have managed to

secure a few tarpaulins to keep the

rain off. These were secured from a

dump the Tommies left, they burnt

alot of stores & simply scooted leaving

the rest. The Scotties are tiptop but

our fellows are getting a real set on

the Tommies

29/3/18. Little doing last night, we

hear Fritz is retiring. Raining today

 

13

it will be pretty rotten if we have

to go forward today.

30/3/18. Moved forward today & are now

situated in a gully between two small

hills. This is ideal Artillery country

although its practically open warfare.

Raining off & one & mud fairly solid but

his Artillery are not giving us much

trouble. Aeroplanes are very active. Our

fellows are holding Fritz & have chopped him

up considerably. I believe they are like ants

& come forward in mobs, apparently no system

simply relying on numbers. We have an

enormous number of machine guns & they keep

him back.

31/3/18. Still raining, it's awful trying to

keep the guns in position. No casualties

to date. He has been bombing a good

 

14

deal.

1/4/18. Fine this morning for a change,

Fritz has two balloons up, none of

ours have yet made an appearance.

He must be getting good observation.

2/4/18. We had our first casualty on this posie

today, a fellow named Swain from Toowong

being killed. It was rotten luck, one of our

aeroplanes kept hovering over our guns & Fritz

was firing at it. We were cursing the plane

for 10 minutes before Swain got hit, a stray

bit got him. His artillery are still keeping

fairly quiet. Received a letter from Ron today

also papers from home & a parcel containing

a pair of socks from Lil.

3/4/18. Heard our guns booming solidly away

on our right flank last night. No papers

for over a week now, so we have no idea

 

15

what is going on. Our fellows have

been helping themselves to stray stock

for provisions & struck a pile of phiz at

a deserted village close by. Still cloudy

but rain hanging off.

4/4/18. Fritz has been pushing again & met

with a little success on our right. He tried

to cross the Somme River in front but

our guns knocked him back. Our

people are frightened that the Tommie's

further down may give way. One of

his aeroplanes flew low down over our

position & got away. We all thought it

was one of ours until we saw the cross

& then it was too late. I really think it

was one of ours with his colours up. We

can't get definite news, but from all accounts

his push here before we came in, was very

 

16

successful. He evidently copped a great

number of prisoners, a lot of guns & even

an Aerodrome- all through the Tommies

turning tail. The Somme caused a great

loss of life last year & now he is father

advanced here than ever. However he will

have to fight to break through our fellows.

5/4/18. Fritz shelled all over our position

this morning probably the results of yesterdays

Aeroplane taking observations. Our guns have

been booming consistently, we hear that

portion of yesterday's lost ground has

been regained. Some of our fellows had

very narrow escapes this morning.

Still raining & mud awful, wet

feet all the time.

6/7/8 Mch. Apr Things not too lively, raining

continuously & mud galore. One wonders

 

17

what its like to have dry feet. Tucker

not too plentiful here, in fact a fellow

wouldn't feel satisfied if it wasn't for

the spuds & meat salvaged

9/4/18 Fritz started last night shelling

& has been at it all day. He did practically

no damage for the terrific number of

shells he has sent over. It was just

one continual whistling through the air

all the morning. Our guns didn't

forget to respond. He has been throwing

them all over the shop sending

searching for Batteries probably, I fancy

he has the wind up. It was terribly

foggy yesterday & today he evidently

thinks we are going to attack.

10/13 Apl  We have since shifted forward

& obtained a good posie for dugout

 

18

it would be pure luck if he managed

to drop a shell in. Can't understand

the War news at all of late. We

hear he has retaken Hill 63 &

Messines, where we were before coming

here. It would appear that the

Tommies are practically useless & giving

away on every ocassion. However

we only hear scraps of news, although

Fritz appears to be having a

successful gallop. I feel confident

that he must be paying in full

suffering tremendous casualties.

The Americans must be ready by [[?]]

no doubt the tide will turn shortly.

14/15 Apl.  Strong wind blowing for the

last two days. We have been doing a

fair amount of shooting & Fritz retaliates

 

19

a good deal. He knocked one of our

guns last night, but the majority of

his shells ban go overhead. We are in

a good posie for protection, & fairly

good from observation. He sprinkles

his shells about in fits & starts

so evidently is just chancing to

luck. Hear the French are very

enthusiastic over the Aussies blocking

him here. From all accounts a 

good deal of scrapping is taking place

further North, The Portuguese (Pork & Beans

evidently kept their reputation of

falling back. They are a useless lot.

16/17 Apl. Fritz shelling pretty

consistently. One shell lobbed

in our Gully killing one man

& wounding 6 men, including 2 officers

 

 

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