Welsh Newspapers

Search 15 million Welsh newspaper articles

Hide Articles List

7 articles on this Page

Our Roll of Honour. I

D (Llandilo) Co. Team, 4th…

TERRIBLE BOMBARDMENT, I

RAT HUNTING IN THE TRENCHES.I

I■_ j PEN i GROES SLACKERS.

I CWMAMMAN SURVEYOR'S EXPERIj…

News
Cite
Share

CWMAMMAN SURVEYOR'S EXPERI- ENCES. I To the Editor, Amman Valley Chronicle. The following letter, addressed to Mr. H. Herbert, J.P., Brynmarlais, by Gilbert Davies, R.E., Surveyor of Cwmamman Urban Council, from Somewhere in Gallipoli, on August 17th, will be read with interest:— At last I am able to write you from the trenches, and as my supply of paper is not exceedingly plentiful, I shall have to economise by writing close and small, for our chances of replenish- ing are very remote. We left Bedford on July 18th and embarked for the South. After a voyage of about twenty days, and calling at several places en route, we eventually' got here and landed. The landing had already been forced-the third on the peninsula —so we disembarked in comparative peace. We had to stand off shore for a few hours, during which time the battleships close in shelled the surround- ing hills incessantly. The enemy s batteries were replying occasionally, so we may say our baptism of fire was re- ceived on the water. No damage was, however done. but on the contrary, it did us a lot of good by making us accustomed to the roar of the guns and the whizz of the shell just before the burst. I was left on the ship to bring off the stores, and when I got on shore about 11 p.m. there was no trace of the company, although we searched all round. There was only one thing to do. i.e., sleep on our stores where we stood and try again at dawn. Next morning we found the company miles away, and then we were told that we had been dumped down on the wrong beach. Under the circumstances, one hardly wonders that little things of this kind happen, and the best thing to do is to grin and bear it, or, as one of the landing officers told me. think of the humorous side of the matter. We had a few days at the base, putting our house in order and awaiting stores, and then were sent up to the firing line. I DIGGING IN. The journey up was a terror, and we only got about li miles up by day. As the shells were falling rather thickly aiong our way, we decided to lie down and wait for darkness. Off we went at a verv slow pace, loaded up with full packs, and also our tools and pro- visions to carry, and got here safely- having been sniped at all the way, and having to clear some of the open spaces at the double, owing to the attention given them by the enemy. On our arrival at our part of the line we imme- diately dug ourselves in. and some went to sleep. We were all tired, and were awakened about 3 a.m. by a furious fusillade all along the line. The firing continued continuously for about 20 minutes, and then ceased almost as sud- denly as it started. We thought the Turks were going to attack, but appa- rently they thought better of it, as all were alert. The jumpy ones soon settled down after this, and by to-day every one of the company is like a veteran under fire, and not a hair turns. I can hardly express one' s first impres- sion of being under fire, as it is a funny feeling, something like that one experi- ences on a premier journey underground, but also similarly it very soon wears I off. Since we arrived there has been no advance, only a consolidation of the line we now hold, and the R.E. work we have done so far is to improve the trenches, supervise the construction of them, level up detailed portions of the line, sink wells, protect existing ones, and generally control such matters. Most of the work has to be done at night, during which period we put in an 8—4.30 shift; but there is also a iot to do during the day as well. Furious bursts of firing go on frequently during the night and day. and sniping goes on constantly. The enemy's snipers are very daring, but poor shots, on the whole. They get up into the trees, and even paint themselves the coiour of the foliage to avoid detection. During the night they approach some- times within 50 yards of our trenches and blaze away, and then take up a different position to resume their solos on the rifle when our return fire has ceased. The mere showing of a head during the dav immediately draws a hurricane of bullets, whilst at night they have their rifles trained on to various parts of the line, and they auto- matically charge the magazine and pull the trigger on the off chance of catch- ing someone. I BATH IN A BUCKET. I h they were anytnmg like decent shots they would have done lots more damage, considering the amount of ammunition they expend. Life in the trenches is not at all bad after settling down to it. The biscuits may be hard, but there are plenty of them, and when soaked for about 30 minutes in tea they are quite eatable. Bully beef, jam, onions, and compressed potatoes form the menu. and with a little judicious mixing we make a fine stew, rather original in taste. Tobacco and cigar- ettes sometimes come up. but as with many other luxuries they often get lost.' With us. water is plentiful, but it has to be rigorously controlled. To-day I had the first fresh water bath since landing, and considering that the bath was a canvas bucket, I pride my- self that I'made a neat job of it. Any- way, I feel far fresher after it. The troops in the trenches are periodically relieved, but we shall stay up con- tinuously and follow the advance, and take part in it. The surrounding coun- try is very much like that part of the Black Mountain near the Creigiau at Garnant, with the left of our line on the hill to the north and facing towards Pwll-du. The country is covered with a low scrub, with very few cultivated parts. The Turkish batteries are behind the crests in front of us, whi!st the enemy are in a hollow at the foot. Both sides are entrenched, so it is going to be a battle royal when it starts. The climate is fine, very hot during the day, but a nxe dry air which is very invigorat- ing. The only drawback is that a heavy dew falls between' 2 and 4 a.m., which soaks all through our clothing. We have -had no maii since we left Bedford, so have no idea how things are moving at home or in the country, or. as a matter of fact, anywhere but this little rustic spot. I hope you and all are quite well and as fit as I am. Up to the present we have only three chaps wounded-all slight. Everyone is in good health and in fine spirits. I never felt better in my life than now, and hope to go through all right. You must now be tired of this long epistle, but as I had time to-day, I thought it best to say all I had. Cofion goreu i bawb yn Brynmarlais ac ereill."

Letters from the Front. I