Diary of Alexander Sutherland Mackay, 8 September 1918 - 11 September 1918

1

Y.M.C.A

In the Field

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Every day trying to keep up.

8/9/18 Shifted forward to a couple

of kilos the other side of Peronne.

this morning. We passed right

through "Peronne". It has been a

fairly large place with beautiful wide

streets. Now of course its only a ruin

not a building intact, the fighting must

have been severe there, practically every

brick wall left standing, is peppered

with shrapnel holes. Although we

journeyed about 12 kilos today, we

are still well out of range, not a

shell near us, so Fritz has retreated

some. He can't be far from his

old Hindenburg line, where our

 

2

Y.M.C.A.

In the Field

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anticipated him to make a stand

9/9/18. Had a good night, we

are camped out in the open & have

not dug in, all sleeping under

Tarpaulins & galvanized iron, the

latter being  collered from a village

just in front of us. Fritzs planes

were very busy last night, we

heard him bombing Peronne & the

main road, a treat. None dropped

too close to us. We are again waiting

orders & have all our kits packed ready

to move into action, at a moments

notice. One can't help appreciating

the wonderful improvement in our

general organization of late.    xxxxx

2  3

Y.M.C.A.
 In the Field,

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Throughout this offensive, its been

almost perfect. Another improvement

is that future operations are kept

absolutely secret. one time all hands knew

of a stunt coming off, a week or more, before

it eventuated, resulting in all, the

Civilians getting full information no doubt

to Fritz's benefit. Now we are kept

wholly ignorant & I doubt very much

if the C O of the Brigade can tell

6 hours before hand whats our fate, in

some cases its been an hours notice

Of course rumours are as numerous as

ever some turn out witness but the

majority the results of dreams We have

had several thunder storms this 

3     4

Y.M.C.A.
In the Field,

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week but fortunately we have never

been on the roads during one. Another

three or 4 weeks of good weather will

mean a lot to the Allies at the

present period. Our fellows are very

bitter at a sight presenting itself at

"Doingt" a village close handy Fritz

ransacked the vaults in the cemetery

there. Most of the vaults have been smashed

open, the lead torn away from the coffins

& in many instances the bodies mutilated

for jewellery such as rings etc. Such dirty

tricks only make it worse for Fritz

as the men never forget these things &

lose a lot of their natural sympathy for

prisoners. Whilst this affair is fresh 

5

Y.M.C.A.

In the Field,
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in their minds God help any

prisoners they take

10/9/18 Rained nearly all last

night & still at it this morning

Owing to the weather, we had a

peaceful sleep, no eggs dropping

from the clouds. We are still

standing to, may shift either way at

any moment. This flaming rain

must be in Fritz's favor as all

observation is doomed for the time

being. Received a very interesting

letter last night from Courtney Boyle

two from home & one from Phyl.