TCD MS 10822 folio 32 recto
[Aug 21st 1917] dug out, putting out the candles each time and covering us with earth and dust. There was very little sleep for us as this lasted all night and we were constantly disturbed by messages.
Aug 22nd. Zero hour was at 7 a.m. and I watched the Shropshires and the 43rd Brigade go over the top. Punctual to the second the barrage started. A great concentration of guns which made a terrific noise. At 4.45 a.m. there had been another show to the North which had caused a certain amount of retaliation on our front. Four tanks also took part. They very nearly went over the top of our dug out and crushed us in. It was a grand sight to see everyone starting and climbing out of the trenches at the appointed minute behind the barrage. Our Brigade on the left very soon gained its objective but the Brigade on the right were hung up about half way and could not get on. They had a fairly peaceful time in the front line except for machine gun fire. We got all the retaliation and from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. we had a barrage of shells of all calibres over the top of our dug out. I have seldom spent a more unpleasant day anywhere. The water creeping up underneath and we not daring to show our noses above ground. One of the entrances was blown in and we were constantly smothered in dust. As soon as it was dusk we were subjected to the heaviest of shell fire, another entrance was blown in and the dug out set on fire. We put the fire out but one man was badly burned by the phosphorus and the sentry was blown to pieces poor devil. All our means of signalling have been destroyed three lamps have been smashed, the wireless apparatus the power buzzer and the telephone are all broken by shell fire. We however manage to exist and try and be cheerful. I am afraid we have had many casualties. Our reserve Company had 9 killed and 13 wounded & the escapes were miraculous. What an existence this is. It is only the politician and staff that wish to prolong the war.
Aug 23rd. We had a very noisy night with shelling all the time. The morning however was rather quieter and there was much less shelling during the day. In the afternoon I went up to see the Companies who