no sleep I am afraid. Wallace Small walking last & Charlie Duncan last but one on a return trip from Mc’Inorville, when nearing the orchard Wally is hit direct & blown to bits, Charlie gets two pieces in the back, but walks into the chateau, my first experience of a big drive & it a terrible affair. Sunday Oct 22nd worked all night clearing patients from Red chateau & Mc’Inorville, do quite a lot of dressing get a few hours sleep, feel tired. transferred from Bells Pit to the Red chateau at 11 AM. Oley Johnson & Chuck Sweeny replace Bert & I at the Pit. I am more than satisfied with the way I can handle real bad wounds. Slip over a part of Wally’s brains 30 yards from where he was hit, all we could find to pick up was his shins & half his skull. only got three hit in the push the other was Capt Mustard got a bit in the bean. Simply wonderful & Gods protection. & I try to feel thankful. Make a trip to Mc’Inorville in afternoon. Got in a sound sleep. & some bread & jam
▸ Where was he?
▸ The war at this time
The German defence
The German Army on the Somme has adopted a policy of immediate counter-attack. Every position lost must be contested; every trench retaken if possible. This 'hold at all costs' doctrine inflicts heavy casualties on both sides but prevents the Allies from exploiting their gains. German commanders are already planning a strategic withdrawal. The Hindenburg Line (a new, shorter defensive position) is under construction further east. By spring 1917, the Germans will abandon the ground being fought over now and fall back to prepared positions.
