Diary Henry Arthur Goddard 1918 - Part 18

N. VILLERS BRETTSONNEUX

JUIN
24 LUNDI. 

Div Commdr was up. He went up line with Col

Wilcock, sent message to me that by Capt

Connelly that he wanted artillery cooperation

with our Gas Projector stunt to-night

12.15pm saw Col Ballengate and arranged

artillery program for to-night.

Col Jackson called, discussed Capt. Tedder

and Lieut Butler.

At midnight we had a combined artillery

and Gas projector attack on line opposite.

250 projectors used The Special Coy M.E.

were responsible for shoot and security

area of our lines.
Heavy shelling during day particularly
on Front, Support and Reserve lines.
Boche sent over about 2,000 rounds in all.
Casualties -
             Killed           Wounded
33. Bn                            2. O.R.
35  "                               1    " .
33  "        2 O.R.   ^X 1 O.14   " ※
※ Gassed our own projectors.
^X Lieut C.S. Crowley D.C.M. since died. 

N. VILLERS BRETTONNEUX

JUIN
25 MARDI.
This morning we received information that during
Gas Projector shoot last night the shooting
fell outside safety area and inflicted
casualties. No word of this was received
from 33 Bn. Held an enquiry at 10 a.m.
In the afternoon a Board consisting of
General Grimwade, Col. Wilcock & a Sapper Capt 
was held. I understand the evidence showed
that some of the gas drums burst. I was
not present.
The French on our right raided the enemy
during the night - they had a lot of artillery
I understand there was a good deal of close
fighting but they got no prisoners.
7.30. p.m. Col Jess rang up with
orders from Div to cancel our T.M. Gas
shoot owing to relief by 4 Div on our left
[* June 26.*]
Good deal of trouble getting it all cut out.
Planes dropping bombs 11 p.m.
Casualties
33 Bn. 8. O.R. Gassed
G.T.M.  1    "        " 

N. VILLERS BRETTONNEUX.

JUIN
26 ^27 MERCREDI.
Div instructed us to get our T.M. Gas shoot
off to-night - discussed the matter with Div
General in morning - pointed out that Brigade on
our left would be relieving agreed to put over
a raid for identifications instead.
Fixed up raid with White, 32^nd Bn. but about 7.30
Col Jess rang up to say that Corps insisted on
the T.M. ammunition going off as the T.M.
Special Coy were moving elsewhere tomorrow.
Agreed to do our raid and then get off the
Gas shoot at about 3.15.
Very ill all day with gastric trouble.
Our raid was well carried out at 1.30
a.m. (28^th) Lieut Werland 35 Bn in charge
They rushed the shell hole system and entered
enemy firing line but found no enemy.
Gas shoot could not be brought off on
account of unfavourable wind.
Casualties
33 Bn.  2 O.R. wounded
34  "     2    "        "
             4 

JUIN

27 JEUDI.

N. VILLERS BRETTONNEUX

JUIN
28 VENDREDI.
General Wisdom who commands 7^th Bde and
relieved 11^th Bde next door last night called 
this afternoon.
The 5^th. Brigade relieved us this night. Col
Martin in command I hear he is to be made
Brigadier. When I think of how he dodged
the Peninsula & left me in the lurch there and
and what a wangler he was it makes me a
bit sick. Relief complete at 2. a.m.
Div loaned a car to take me to Rivery
Iain Giffard and  Lilpa  came back with us.
Casualties
34 Bn 1 officer 1. O.R. wounded 

RIVERY.

JUIN
29 SAMEDI.
To bed 3.30.a.m. Nice bed room at
Directors House (deserted) at the Hospice 
Rivery.
Feel a bit cheap. Lovely warm summer
day.
Casualties
33 Bn  1 O.R  Injured
35  "   31   "    Killed
             2   "   wounded

RIVERY.

JUIN
30 DIMANCHE.
Fine weather still continues. It is very
dry and dusty. Put in day straightening
up papers etc.
Dined at Corps Hdqs. at invitation 
of Gen Sir John Monash at 8.p.m
Div lent me a car. Gens Green
Blamey & Foote were there. also
Major McCole & others. Left there before
10. p m was not in good trim. 

RIVERY.
A beautiful day and quite hot.

RIVERY.
JUILLET
1 LUNDI.

JUILLET
2 MARDI.
Major Pain went to Bologne with Col Jess.
A beautiful warm day. Nothing of moment.
to report.
Leo came round in evening. He is on
a bridge guard.

RIVERY.
JUILLET
3 MERCREDI.
To Citadel in Amiens where 33 & 34 were
at musketry in the moat. Was not at all
satisfied. In evening I went to the Green
diamond Concert Party given by Concert troop
of 5^th Bde. It was a good show. There was an
excellent woman impersonation - the best I have seen.
Saw several of the old 17 there.
After leaving the Musketry this morning I went
into Amiens attended by Major Dunlop. The City
is quite deserted and much knocked about.
Whole blocks in the principal thorofares are
completely destroyed. We went into the
Cathedral. It is a glorious structure
Already it is greatly damaged. but only
such damage as can be repaired. It is to
be hoped it will be spared. It will be an
unspeakable crime to destroy it.
Col Jackson lectured to officers at
Hospice in afternoon.

RIVERY
JUILLET
4 JEUDI.
Held an inspection of Brigade Transport
Gens Gelibrand and Rosenthal
were there. It was a good
turnout. It is still fine the
country is very dry and dusty.
but is ablaze with poppies
cornflowers &c which look very
beautiful.
In afternoon we got up a water
carnival at baths on River at entrance
of AMIENS. It was very successful.
At 6. I went to concert by Green Diamond
troop (2 Div.) in order to give prizes
won by transport. this morning
Majors King and Pike were at the
Concert and had mess with us in
evening.

RIVERY
JUILLET
5 VENDREDI.
Early this morning the Australians attacked
and captured HAMEL, VAIRE & HAMEL WOODS
and advanced our line on an average of
1½ miles on a 4 mile front. In co-operatn
they we also carried out a minor operation
E. of VILLE sur ANCRE Enemys positions on
a 1,500 yds front to a depth of 500 yds
were captured and consolidated. We
captured 36 Officers & 1269 other ranks
103 Machine Guns
12 Trench Mortars
2 Medium T. Mortars
1 77 m.m. Field Gun
The enemy heavily shelled all evening and
heavy shelling continued all night.
In morning I went round 33’ & 34 Bn
Major Grant paraded before me 12. noon
to complain of Connell being named for Senior
officers school.
While at CAMON this morning I went down to
the River where Leo was is on a bridge guard.
He was in his overcoat as he was washing his breeches.
A quiet night Very little shelling or air
work.

RIVERY.
JUILLET
6 SAMEDI.
In morning. Motored to VAUX AU AMIENSOIS with
Major Pain (B.M.) and Lieut Giffard (S.O.)
to arrange with General Courage
for a practice stunt with the Tanks.
He was a topping old chap with a badly
damaged face. Back 12.40 p.m.
In afternoon Major Pike gave a lecture
to officers at the Hospice I attended.
Leo came round in evening

RIVERY.
JUILLET
7 DIMANCHE.
Warm day. Did not leave billets.

RIVERY.
JUILLET
8 LUNDI
Carried out demonstrations and attacks
practices with 33 & 34 Bns & T.Ms at
VAUX au AMIENOIS. A lot of people there
including Sir John Monash and Gen
Gellibrand. The latter was hypocritical
but the Corp Commander seemed satisfied.
A hot oppressive day.
AT 7.15 we got orders to occupy
positions for attack practice. We
got quick reports from everyone but the
35, who having to occupy their neuclus 
garrison posts had much ground to
cover. They did not report complete until
1.a.m. While the practice was going on a
storm came up, but little rain.
Heavy artillery straffing going on forward.
Turned in about 2. a.m.
Leo came over in evening but I could not
spare him any time.

RIVERY.
JUILLET
9 MARDI.
Attended Conference by G.O.C. Division at
ALLONVILLE in afternoon. Cloudy day
with some showers.

RIVERY.
JUILLET
10 MERCREDI.
Pain went forward to reconnoitre new
Hamel position.
Col.    the French Commandant of Amiens
called in afternoon.

RIVERY.
JUILLET
11 JEUDI.
Very ill all day with gastric trouble. Head
very bad but managed to carry on.

RIVERY - HAMEL
JUILLET
12 VENDREDI.
Gastric trouble & head very bad. - .To-night
we relieve the 12 Brigade on the HAMIL -
front, astride the SOMME. At 4.30 p.m.
I left RIVERY with the B.M. in a car.
We called at ALLONVILLE and picked up
General Cannon dropping him at his new
Hqrs at CORBY. Arrived at my new
Hqrs. atn the N. side of SOMME at about 6 p.m.
Took over from General Lean. The
relief was a very good one, being complete
at 12.30 a.m.