Diary transcript of Reginald Harriman Heywood, 1918-1919 - Part 2

[*10*]
casualties which have been abnormally light hitherto have been
heavier during the last 24 hours. Again that wonderful Brigade
of a wonderful division the 4th Aust. Infy. Bde have done
great things.
We've evacuated more animals during the last 48 hours than
in the previous 5 weeks.
12.8.18.  Things seem to have settled down a bit but the light horsemen
are still herding odd batches of Fritzes along the roads
and by the way they've got the prisoners armed with the hod,
shovel and other warlike implements up in Corbie this morn:
The trains were running thro' to Corbie on Friday and they
had new sidings &c. going yesterday.
Am amassing quite a number of souvenirs, the latest addition
being a pair of Leitz (of 2.B. microscope fame) glasses -
they'll go alright on the lawn at Flemington.
13.8.16.  And I used to think I knew something about dust - that was
before I set eyes on Corbie and the roads round about. Fritz
has pounded it into a heap and two continual streams of traffic
largely motor complete the idea. Poor Corbie! its been such a
lovely little town too.
The above impression was gained this morning during an
excursion forward to fins a new camp! Seems to be my steady
job in life lately! It's a very hard job this time too. The
divisions are going in on the front beyond Bayonvillers for a
time, but the water question is the burning one from my point
of view and I'll have to keep somewhere handy to the Somme.
The Corps V.E.S. are opening at Corbie on 15th inst. so
evacuations will be very much easier than at present.
Fritz made a counter-attack in front of Bray this morning,
but they chopped him to pieces, and the only other result has
been marching along the roads to the various P.O.W. cages in
batches totalling over 800. The French claim that we have got
Roye, Chaulnes, and 35,000 prisoners.
14.8.18.  Still the fine weather plus large reserves of dust continue
as does the continual moving about. I know where I'll be next
war - not in it.
Fritz dropped a bomb - a real snifter - alongside our dugout
last night. Fortunately it was a dud but even at that the
concussion nearly shook us out of our beds.
The war is still on, tho' at present there is a lull in
the/ 

[*11*]
the intensity- things are to happen again in the morning I
believe.
15.8.18.  Crescendo dust but the war seems to have settled down for
the time being - this morning's stunt apparently did not come
off. The bombers are the busiest people now-a-days and what
with a waxing moon and an innovation in the shape of firing
wildly everywhere with their machine guns, it isn't exactly
healthy or even pleasant at night time.

To-day I established a forward post out beyond Vaire Wood
(in front of Hamel) but tomorrow I've got to gather them in,
and we've a long trek in front of us down to Mon Idee, a place
well in front of Hangard Wood, which last week belonged to
Fritz. Oh Gad! I wish the Yanks would come along and give us
a spell, we've been in reach of fritz's guns since Dec. 5
over 8 months.
16.8.18.  Started to strike camp at 6.30 and we pulled out of a real
good home at 8.30. Went thro' to Le Meuville, Corbie, Fonilloy,
thence across country past Villers Bret. where we saw the
remains of 20 5th Bde supply tanks knocked out by Fritz, past the
remains of the big aerodrome in front of Villers Bret, along
behind Marcelcave, and down the hill to the River Luce where
we made a camp at Monidée. Why, its called that I'm sure I
can't say, it certainly isn't my idea of anything in partic:
bar a swamp and a lot of blasted trees, surrounded by a widespread
agglomeration of shell holes and paved with shrapnel
and an assortment of shell splinters.
We came across the ground where the first fighting took
place, and its far from pleasant, too many dead horses &c.
about. Another thing that strikes on is the number of our
'planes strewn about. They had to fly so low on the opening
day.
I've had some dusty journeys behind sheep, but this wins
easily - the ceaseless streams of lorries and other motor
vehicles, tanks, artillery and horse transport fairly powder
the place up and then comes an ambulance!
We were lucky to get thro' Marcelcave safely - 5 minutes
after we were thro' he shelled the cross roads and round about

good and hard.
17.8.18.  Had a very rough night last night, what with tanks chugging
past. enemy and our own "planes and shells which
landed on 3 sides of us there wasn't much doing in the
somnolence department.
Spent most of the day wandering round Fritz's old front
line, and battery positions - oh for a team of bullocks and
the/ 

[*12*]
the right of salvage within the surrounding square mile - I
reckon £400,000 wouldn't cover it. In one gully there
are 4" five nines" and a big howitzer with enough ammunition and
equipment to run a small campaign on.
Further up the gully there are many batteries of whiz-bangs
and "four-twos" some with their teams yoked up and all
killed pulling out. Round one whiz-bang which had received a
direct hit the gun crew of six men are scattered mostly in small
pieces. Machine gun accessories, bombs and field gun ammunition
are lying around in countless quantities, besides every other
imaginable kind of equipment. Treated themselves well too the
Fritzes did, in some of the dug-outs are electric lighting and
heating apparatus, books, papers, cards, cigars, cosmetics and
hundreds of other comforts.
The units didn't take long to find us and what with 28
"souvenir" horses and a long string of wounded we've bot a very
long line.
18.8.18.  Rode up thro' Guillacourt and Harbonnieres, nearly to
Rosieres, where the 4th Bde. lines are, but the stench and dust
made things very uncomfortable. There are dead horses and dead
Fritzes everywhere, and they've been dead 10 days or so. It
isn't easy to find them scattered among the crops except by the
aid of the olfactory nerve.
The shells and S.A. Ammunition lying about here is only
a/tithe of what is up there, alongside the railway near Rosieres
there is a dump covering 20 or 30 acres. There is another big
dump near Bayonvillers.
Jimmie cycled over from Corbie some 12 or 15 kilos to see
me - he looked like a young Santa Clause when he got here and
when he returned I resumed my tour of the district. Gee! if I
only had a motor lorry to collect a few souvenirs.
19.8.18.  Another very lively night as the fine weather continues
likewise the dust.
After doing some minor operations and setting off another
string for the V.E.S. I turned in to try and catch up with my
sleep of which I'm shy some 12 or 16 hours.
After lunch took a ride down Hangard Wood way - its a
very/ 

[*13*]
very gruesome scene, dead Fritzes and horses everywhere - what
a time Fritz has had taking supplies along these roads during
the last couple of months, there must be a couple of hundred
horses alongside the road from here to Hangard.
The same Fritz had a marvellously strong position but
nothing apparently could have lived in our artillery fire. Saw
also a huge Gotha lying smashed against a tree and further on
a German scout with its two occupants amongst the wreckage.
A sadder sight was a bunch of 3rd Div. infantry whose
bodies have evidently lain there since March - some Tommy officers
stripped of everything, boots stars &c. and some Canadians
killed just recently. I secured the discs from two of the Australians
but even they have been smashed by machine gun bullets.
20.8.18.  This is what I object to about this cussed climate - after
a dull depressing day with no rain to lay the dust, it has now
cleared and there isn't a cloud in the sky other than clouds of
'planes that is. Its full moon tonight too!
Have seen strings of Fritz's guns going down the roads
to-day, very cheering sight too, but we haven't got all his guns,
because he's pasted all round with big shells for some days now.
Found a fresh line of trenches and dug-outs to explore,
and I've strengthened my previous impression that the Germans are
the lowest, most vulgar cowardly and immoral bunch of human or
other beings that ever infested any place this side of the Styx.
21.8.18.  Was up Rosieres way this morn; having a look at the 4th
Bde. but its very thick up there. Our people are sending a lot
of big stuff over to Fritz. While I was up there he was searching
for some of our batteries, but for every one he sent across they'd
send anything from 10 to 15 back.
About this time last year I was rash enough to prophesy
that "by this time next year the war will be settled". That was
before I learnt what a thankless game prophesying about anything
connected with this war is, but before as a prophet I retire for
ever, I must say that I merely said it would be settled and not
over. The Dagoes let me down and I was innocent enough to have
hoped that the Allies would take a stronger action in Russia.
Perhaps that was impossible but even now when things are looking
our way it seems to me much more might be done. Or as the papers
say, I told you so! Still, I think Fritz is settled, how long
it will take to convince him is the question.
These machine gun bullets at night put the wind up me so
in spite of the quite phenomenal heat Tas and I erected an improved
dug out and hope that it may give us a measure of protection.
A bathe afterwards in the River Luce by moonlight was most
acceptable. 

[*14*]
22.8.18.  Jimmie came over from Corbie per car and we went thro'
the Fritzes together. As souvenirs they might be of some value,
but as horses we've got no use for them. The only ones that are
any good at all are unmistakably French and Belgian breeds.
Capt. Bishop from the 3rd Div. has joined this Div. vice
Major Seelenmeyer, but is at present living with Hqrs.Coy. A.S.C.
I learn from Tom Tucker that the redoubtable Phil has been
laid aside for a while and is undergoing repairs to his gammy
wing.
There are so many offensives on its hard to keep touch.
The 3rd Army are working apparently successfully close to Bapaume.
The French are putting in good work from Noyon to Soissons and up
North they are continually nagging around Bailleul, Estaires &c.
23.8.18.  There's another punch on the card to-day - the French
down the Ailette way have taken "200 guns and many thousands of
prisoners since the 20th" reads well, doesn't it? Its hard to
keep track but the general trend of things would seem to suggest
that Fritz - for a man who was to carry everything before him, is
getting a hell of a belting.
We did a bit ourselves this morning too, the 1st and
5th I think, and the 32nd tommy made a local thro' strong attack
which was successful tho somewhat costly . I suppose that ends
for the present the battle in this sector - it has yielded 35,000
prisoners, 700 guns and valuable tactical positions - as much in
a week as was gained in 5 months on the Somme in '16-'17 and at
a fraction of the cost.
But what about the flowers that bloom in the spring tra-la-la.
Oh Fritzie, there's something coming to you in the spring.
Jimmie came over with the glad news that we are going
back a bit for a breather - somewhere near Amiens. I won't be
sorry to leave here either in a way, the dust, mosquitos and
bombs and other ingredients make things not altogether pleasant.
The dead horses and likewise Fritzes by now are very trying tho'
the worse the smell, the higher the bill, otherwise the sooner
we'll be home.
24.8.18.  Jack Reynolds called in this morn; on his way to draw
remounts at Corbie and partook of our al fresco luncheon with me.
He spent an interesting couple of hours exploring a fresh line
of Boch trenches and dug-outs.
Darkie and I carried on the good work during the afternoon
- our last look because we are moving back to Riveny tomorrow into
our old camp I expect. I sent Sgt. Fawcett and a man on this 

[*15*]
morn; to collar hold.
25.8.18.  Pulled out of Monidèe at 8 a.m. and wasn't sorry to
leave -have heard some merry times with bombs but nothing to
equal last night - it was giving Ouderdom at its best a lot
of weight. By the way 2 Hun squadrons got to the 'drome at
Bestanges last night and gave it an 'ell of a time.
We passed thro' Ignacourt Aubercourt, Hangard (all non est)
the dust, smells and then getting better all the time, Longeau
and Camon arriving at our old camp between Camon and Rivery -
the camp we were forced to evacuate on May 13 - about 1.30 p.m.
The place had been occupied by tommies and was very dirty but
is on the improve. The surroundings are as picturesque as ever
and most of us removed the travel stains by a dip in the Somme.
Better than that Fritz can reach us only with Bertha or a
similar contrivance, tho' bombs may happen adjacent.
Coming thro' Longau we saw a park of Fritz guns, somewhere
about 300 in number and everything from 11 in. hows: to
anti-aircraft quickfirers. Apparently no attempt has been made
to count the trench mortars machine guns and the small arms.
By the quantities of material I am convinced that Fritz intended
to put in a punch of his own.
26.8.18.  We had a lovely shower last night which laid both dust
and Gothas and the most peaceful night for many a day. Its a
wonderful relief to be away from all the racket for a while and
enjoy a little peace and quiet. Rest is a comparative term as
I have got more riding to do than ever I have near the line -
but its the mental rest that counts.
Went over in the afternoon to Coisy where the 4th Bde.Hqrs.
are and the rest of the units round Allonville and Cardonette.
The Engnrs. and Pioneers are at Longeau. There are a good many
people coming back to Amiens - I could hear the church bells
going yesterday and about 200 trains per day pass thro' instead
of the 20 odd that used to make a very precarious passage
formerly.
27.8.18.  Don't know whether it was that a/la morte water we had up
above or if its on account of our new cook (Greenwood, late Capt
Morgan's groom) but a large number of the section have been very
off colour for the last few days. Its a sort of typhoid influenza
with a strong suspicion of plague added and to-day its
got me - and its hard to write where I've been all day, restant
couché,
28.8.18.  Still very dopey but had to resume the perpendicular
path part on account of our learned friend Capt. Bishop who has
commenced unloading the 10th Bde. at a great rate with the
most/ 

[*16*]
most weird of diagnoses but mainly on account of its being
pay-day.
Hqrs. have come back from Corbie to Bussy, and Shadow kidded
me to trust to catching a lorry with the result that we walked
about 5 kilos - there's nothing like the service along these
roads that there was. However I got the cash from Mitch and Col.
McGregor (4th Fld.Amb.) gave us a lift back.
Then Jimmie arrived as usual most unexpectedly and again we
went earnestly and not admiringly into the question of strays and
enemy animals. Afraid Jimmie's going to have a great row with
Div. before long, tho' he's going on leave on the 6th prox; and
may return a little less peevish. I doubt the latter tho' -
leave doesn't generally have that effect on people.
Saw Budge Corbett this afternoon on the road much the same
as ever and M.O. for the 50th Bn:
He asked me my opinion on "the animal" he was riding and
proudly admitted that he had traded his own for the one he was
on. If his own was any worse it must have been a souvenir.
29.8.18.  The 10th Bde. supplied the chief worry for the day, of course
on the remount question. I called in and saw Burke (Adjutant) good
and early but needless to say he was in bed. That over Sgt.
Smith and I rode out thro' Longeau to see the Engrs. and Pioneers.
We made a leisure hour to poke round those 300 odd guns of
Fritz's. Among them is an ingenious little contrivance in the
shape of a revolver gun. A five barrelled quick firing A.A. gun
which fires about 1 inch shells at a great rate I expect.
I intended to go round the whole Bde: but by lunch time I
had pet^ered out and shied in my alley with a tempo. of 102.5°.
My troubles weren't over tho', as Hughie Davey (O.C. 1st Sec. 4th
D.A.C.) of Frankston and conversationalist fame blew in after
lunch. I haven't seen him since I beat him on "Co^oee" at the
Frankston Show in about '02, and I think he told me everything
that's happened in the meantime.
By the way wouldn't old Bill tear his hair if he could see
those 300 odd guns neatly parked with Amiens Cathedral nearly undamaged 

standing out in the background - it looked so lovely to-day.
30.8.18.  Still dopey but carried on and visited the Engrs. and Pioneers
- the former were indulging in a swimming carnival and the
latter a football match. "Van" - the only horseman amongst the
Pioneers has been injured so there'll be no end of trouble. The
swimming carnival was very high class and I spent a very
interested hour there. 

[*17*]
31.8.18.  At last reached the 4th Bde. and saw all units. Afraid
they'll never be much good till they have a new set of animals.
It took me from 9 a.m. till 1.40 much too long for a

gentleman in my delicate state of health.

Couldn't help watching a Chinese Labor Bn. The thing

that seems to work them is a kind of S.M. (as in the best

armies) but he always seems to be privileged to wear tweeds and

a boater. He also wears about half a dozen chevrons on each

wing and an assortment of stars, moons and other fancy goods - 

he earns them too, every one of them.

I forgot to mention that at the conference we made the

acquaintance of Capt. Bishop. Bishop is one of those peculiarly

appropriate and descriptive names one finds at times.

His language isn't clerical but otherwise he fills the bill.

1.9.18. A screed has come to hand from the base telling us that

the prevalence of chronic and obscure lamenesses in mules is

due in a large percentage of cases to navicular disease and that

the shape of their feet predisposes to this complaint - that

after four years of war, and it should have been apparent to

anyone with any pretence of veterinary science in about a week.

They now propose a vigorous campaign against "long

feet" but what a pity it didn't start four years ago.

The S.A.A. Section is the worst unit I know in this 

respect so I called in particularly to examine their shoeing

this afternoon and found it decidedly improved. This is probably

largely due to a little campaign Jimmie and I undertook

on our own some time ago.

After that I rode out to the lunatic asylum at Dury to

see if I could get any tidings of Bobbie but needless to say

without success as tommies have taken over. Passed thro'

Amiens twice and the civvies are coming back - the canary under

one arm and a string bag with assortment of onions &c. under

the other. What a picturesque little town Amiens is and it is

fortunately far from destroyed.

2.9.18. Mr Beach Thomas! he's the most one eyed man I ever

heard of - often wonder if he's a liar or only a fool. Even

he appears to notice to-day that the Australians have been in

the battle. He refers to their "quickness and cunning". His

pet Division is the 51st (Scottish) a brave solid lot I know

and he says no battle is complete without them and they are

the Germans most dreaded opponents. Put them up against one

of/

  [*18*]

of our Divisions and it would be odds on the Diggers every

time.

3.9.18. Still enjoying this short spell and our only worry is as

to when it will end - it isn't like them to learn the "fourth"

out very long.

The war is still very much on and from all accounts

William should be tearing his hair. Boehun, his retreat

specialist, doesn't seem to be managing much better than the

others and it is quite within the bounds of possibility that

Mr. Fritz may not have time to sit on the Hindenburg line. In

that case and if the weather holds it's Fritz for the tall

timber.

The weather is still delighted and there's very little

to do.

4.9.18. Rode round Allonville, Cardonnette, Coisy and Poulaminville

and saw the 4th Bde. I knew I would find nothing wrong

but it was such a lovely morning.

Jimmie came over in the afternoon and we had a little

farewell "Hate" - he is going on leave tomorrow, and I hope for

Q's sake he returns much improved in body and mind.

In the evening Tas and I went down to the 27th Coy. (Capt.

Robertson's) and had a game of bridge.

5.9.18. Forgot to mention that from 44 animals evacuated from the

Div. in July the number jumped to 179 in August, and the total

numbers evacuated - from 80 to nearly 300. By far the greater

proportion were of cause battle casualties.

Jimmie got away safely this morning and Major McKenna is

acting D.A.D.V.S. There is an unpleasant feeling that we will

be going back to the strife very soon, in fact the 13th Bde. are

going tomorrow.

The Germans are still going back "according to plan", but

refrain from mentioning whether the plans are theirs or Foch's.

At all events their famous "Wotan Switch" has been forced,

and old Hindenburg's line badly bent.

6.9.18. Still lovely weather and we could put up with quite a

lot of it here but that's not to be, and tomorrow we make a 

start to go back to the war. I rode over to Hqrs. and saw

Major McKenna and as its a couple of days trek now, we are

going as far as La Neuville tomorrow. Where we're to go to

after/

[*19*]

after that is hard to say. The infantry are going up

Peronne way and as far as I can gather the artillery are going

to Proyart for a start - from which it seems doubtful if they

are to go into action for the present.

7.9.18. Had a sick line to evacuate and several other little

matters to square up, so we didn't pull out of Rivenry until

12.30 p.m., some hours after the 27th A.S.C. and 13th Bde.

We went thro' Daours where we saw a lot of Sightseer Sisters

of the two ambulance trains pulled up at the siding - thro'

Fouilloy and Hamelet and into Varie-sous-Corbie, where we

camped for the night. Our house wasn't altogether in first

rate order, and in fact there was little left bar parts of the

walls, but fortunately it was a fine night. Good billets are

scarce in Varie. Camped there were the "petits garcons" f

the A.I.F., the boys under 19 who are at present harvesting.

Thousands of tons of hay they have salvaged that we never

expected.

8.9.18. Off again at 8 a.m. thro' Hamel (non est) Warfusee

(ditto) and the remains of Proyart, where we got in touch with

the 14th A.S.C. and drew rations. Then thro' Chingnes ^ Chuignes where

we saw the huge 15 or 16 in. gun (for Amiens) and which the

experts say has only fired 8 or 10 shots before it was captured

by the AI.F. Fritz managed to blow it up and it strikes me the

only thing they can do with it is put a fence round it and leave

it as it must weigh over 250 tons.

Passed 2nd Hqrs. at Cappy and pulled into a decent little

camp near Frise about 2 p.m. after a trip of 25 kilos. We're on

the banks of the Somme and can see Bray away in the distance - 

Tas and I have a great little home labelled with some German

name and of cause practically bomb-proof. Gee! Fritz is windy

about our bombs. We won't be here long tho' as from all

accounts Fritz is still going and they say there is a C.C.S.

sisters and all at Peronne which will be railhead in a day or

two.

9.9.18. Carried on the good work and as this is too far back

already dug up Maj. McKenna at Herbecourt where D.H.Q. are and

altogether we prospected for a new site for the Mobile.

There isn't much choice up forward as one gets into the

typical devastated Somme country. There is hardly a tree left

and the destruction of the villages dates back to '15.

There is a tommies grave in our horse lines of that years. 

We are still a long way from the war, and they are busy

rushing up aerodromes &c. about here.