TCD MS 10822 folio 38 recto
[Sept 16th 1917] in the afternoon. The Boche were shelling a kite balloon overhead and the owner dropped down in a parachute. This is almost a daily occurrence here and the Boche goes on firing with a 9-2 naval shell until the owner comes out.
Sept 17th. We got a car this morning and went to Armentieres in it to reconnoitre the defences to the North of the town. Very nice country, with rivers, canals, boats, diving boards and all the requirements for a hot summer. We came back all through the town which was absolutely deserted, not a civilian, not a soldier to be seen in it. We walked through miles of deserted and ruined streets without meeting a soul. The gunners have been shelling it heavily of late and sending over gas shells every night. It is far more ruined than Arras. We then had a pleasant drive from Armentieres through Estaires where there are some good shops. In the afternoon we had a C.O’s Confernce at Brigade H.Q.
Sept 18th. We are on the move once more and are loathe to leave our comfortable billets. The march however was not a long one though the weather was showery. We went to a camp near Neuve Eglise where we are all in huts.
Sept 19th. A fine cold morning. Had a very pleasant ride going round the Companies who were in the training area. The Boche after lunch was busy shelling some balloons overhead and many pieces landed close to us. There was also some exciting air fights. In the evening Pickering and I went in a very luxurious car to dine with the Corps Commander General Hunter Weston who was most agreeable and who gave us a most excellent dinner. There was a long and very dark drive back after dinner without head lights and several times we were nearly in the ditch. It poured with rain all the way, but the whole sky to the North was brilliantly lighted up by the continuous flash of guns. It was a very heavy bombardment that was going on but there was not a sound as the wind was in the wrong direction.
Sept 20th. The usual training all the morning. The big attack took