in the afternoon five of us dig a hole in the frosty ground 2’ x 2’ in 1½ hours, we break one pick & loose another. answer defaulters call every 30 minutes. Saturday Feb 10. Cookhouse from 6 AM to 5 PM. buck wood from 6 to 7 PM & then answer defaulter every 20 minutes (I wonder why twenty & not regulation 30 minutes) Sunday Feb 11. Cookhouse 6 AM to 5 PM. the day squad on wood have “put” the saw in to Dennis to be resharpened & so we cant buck any wood. R.S.M stung. Defaulter 30 min. Monday Feb 12th Cookhouse 5 AM to 3 PM was then relieved to allow me time to prepare for going up the line at dusk Supper at 4 PM. rations for 48 hours issued. leave Gd Servins at 5.30. arrive at Ablain at 7 PM 13 squads of us. 4 men to a squad Pick up nine more squads at the A.D.S. in Ablain The raid is 800 of our men going over as far back at the Huns third line & no prisoners, to kill all.
▸ Where was he?
▸ The war at this time
The submarine war intensifies
Germany's unrestricted submarine campaign, begun February 1, is sinking Allied shipping at an alarming rate. In February, U-boats will sink over 500,000 tons of shipping. Britain imports most of its food; at current rates, the country could face starvation within months. The campaign is a calculated gamble. German planners believe they can force Britain to sue for peace before America can mobilize. The calculation will prove wrong, but the danger is real. Voluntary food economy measures are introduced in Britain, though compulsory rationing will not come until early 1918.
