Diary of Alexander Sutherland Mackay, 11 September 1918 - 11 October 1918 - Part 2

11

In the Field,

Y.M.C.A.

all round us, one bomb set the

camouflage alight on one the guns in

the battery just behind us. In front,

the machine gunners brought down

one of his planes in flames, in falling

all his bombs were released together

they did make an explosion. This

morning he had a win by brig

bringing down one of our old dope

machines on the ridge behind us,

he was a gason bird chasing our fellow

right down. I fancy our machine came

a cropper just as it neared the ground.

Heavy barrage on our left flank this

morning, we hear they pushed Fritz

back another 1000 yards. Very bright

12

In the Field,

Y.M.C.A.

today, I suppose that means

plenty bombs tonight.

23/9/

22/9/18} Two lazy days, rainy cloudy weather

23/9/18} we have been playing cards most

of the time only a little harrassing fire

being going on. His bombs have not been

so close lately, he has transferred his

attentions further to the right. A crowd

of Yanks came up today, they are

like bees all over the shop, they are up

to relieve our Infantry. They are a good

stamp but inexperienced. This was

proved with the risks they took with

their cookhouses or cookers (or wagons). They

were pulled up on the opposite slope

132

In the Field,

Y.M.C.A.

from us & had smoke issuing a treat.

It gave us the creeps but luckily it

was fairly cloudy, so Fritz could not

see too well. I believe we are going out

tomorrow.

24/9/18.  Fritz twisted his guns

round this morning & bunked a

few over our way, he got about 8

Yanks. One of his planes, also brought

down two of our balloons in flames.

Honors were equalled later by 2 of

his planes coming gutzers. Another

of our balloons escaped & landed

near the front line.

25/9/18.  We pulled out last night

being relieved by an R.G.A. Battery

14

In the Field,

Y.M.C.A.

We are now down at the Wagon

Lines but I believe its for only a day or

so. We may go in tonight, a big stunt

we hear eventuates in a couple of

days time. This stunt, according to

popular rumour ends our scrapping for

some time. We are off for a good spell

down near the coast. I must admit

I feel rather pessimistic re this long

talked of spell, but it may come to

light after this stunt. I sincerely hope so

Raining today, making things pretty

unpleasant.

26/9/18. Still hanging fire, the guns

to the left are almost continuous, whether,

stunts are on or they are simply banging

15

In the Field,

Y.M.C.A.

away at his barbed wire & fortifications

I cannot say. One of Fritz's planes

did a good piece of work this afternoon,

sneaked across & brought down two of

our balloons in flames, as cool as you

like. His planes are very active now

he appears very nervous & anxious to

see what is going on. Getting very cool

of a night.

27/9/18.  No orders yet we may shift

any moment. The papers give great

accounts of the Allies victories in

Serbia & Palestine. The victories were

evidently complete, I doubt if they will

effect this front much unless Turkey

slings in the towel & so releases a

16

In the Field,

Y.M.C.A.

number of troops. The Yanks are

still pouring up here, this Hinderburg

line will probably be one of the biggest

scraps of the War. He has another line

about a mile back I believe, but

the breaking of this line will cause

a tremendous sensation. Judging

by our guns, the bombardment will

be something awful when it opens up.

He will have to be enormously strong

to stand the shock, the Yanks are

fresh so should make the most of

their opportunities. The Yanks are

great chewers for every one that

smokes, two chew tobacco.

28/9/18.  Miserable wet day. We are shifting Wagon

17

In the Field,

Y.M.C.A.

Lines tonight, the guns go in tomorrow

morning, for the big stunt to break

the Hindenberg Line. We go in the second

wave, the Yanks hop first & go as far

as the enemy guns, we frog leap them

& go on as far as possible. There will

probably be a third wave of Tommies.

Its going to be lively so, for comfort

will be a thing of the past for sometime.

Hope this flaming weather clears

off, as we are shot bird to have

some hurried moves.

29/9/18.  We set off this morning to go into

action but on getting to a valley about

5 kilos away had to hang up. We were

supposed to be in action by 11am.

18

In the Field,

Y.M.C.A.

but it appears the Yanks had not

been too successful. They chiefly through

inexperience neglected to mop up

all the machine gun posts & some

whizz bang Batteries when passing

through. This resulted in the second

lot of Yanks going off, getting cut

up terribly, & which delayed the whole

programme. We hung about in

the Valley until evening when

we pulled back for the night about

3 kilos. Raining still & terribly cold.

30/9/18.  Remained here all day, our

fellows hopped over last night to

assist the Yanks & all objectives have

now been taken. I suppose we will

19

In the Field,

Y.M.C.A.

get a shift on tomorrow.

1/10/18. Had a good camp last

night. Tha It only rained once

during the night, the weather is

a little milder. We pulled into

action about dusk, a bit to the

right of the posie we were supposed

to take up two days ago. Its a

cruel sight to see the number of

Yanks lying about just in front

of the trench where we are camped

there are about 30 in one heap. Ahead

I believe they are thicker still & a great

number of the enemy. It appears the

Yanks in the first wave got through

& sent ane numbers of prisoners to the

20

In the Field,

Y.M.C.A.

rear, unguarded as they generally do,

but these men on meeting the

machine guns & whizzbang batteries

which the Yanks had omitted to wipe

out, simply reinforced them. The

second wave therefore got the full

force of it & were cut up a treat.

Our fellows then came to the rescue

& also suffered considerably, they informed

the Yanks it was no use sending

prisoners back as they would not be

allowed to pass through. The result

was they took "Bony" & not a single 

prisoners. We hear Fritz is on

the move now, but the main thing

is that the Hindenberg line has