September 23, 1917
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I start this new diary the 5th since enlistment with the prospect of another winter of warfare before me. We had hoped that the end would at least be in sight by now, but various incidents unforeseen have delayed the final victory. Russia’s collapse following the revolution at a time when we wanted her help to support our great offensive, and Germany’s strategic retreat to the Hindenburg line had a great effect on our plans, how much we may never know. Our final victory, however, is as certain as ever. I arrived at the Dressing Station this morning about 8 o’clock. We left Feurich Chateau and came up in a Ford passing, through Yvres, through the Menin Gate, the station being on the Menin Road is a wonderful sight, a large town smashed level and it is still heavily shelled. The square through which all traffic passes is heavily shelled and causes heavy casualties, the shells bursting with deadly effect on the cobbles. Guns are everywhere in the ruins, in fact guns are everywhere and the din is fearful at times.
Right opposite our station 100 yards away is a particularly heavy howitzer and the noise and concussion is something to remember. Guns of all sizes are around us and the traffic being heavy, Fritz generally scores when he puts a shell over. We took over from the 3rd Fd. Amb and I went on to the Gas Cases. This new gas - mustard - is very effective, burning the skin as well as affecting the eyes, etc. We have to take their clothes off with rubber gloves and wearing our mask as the gas on their clothes is sufficient to gas the operator.
They are then sprayed with a 5% Soda solution, the clients dressed in pyjamas and sent off to the Gas Hospital. We only had 11 cases through during the day. In wounded we had a good few, both from the line and wounded near by, also several of our own bearers, with two deaths amongst them. Only one shell actually threatened the A.D.A., dropping just across the road and throwing earth all over the ruins and road. The A.D.S. itself is under the ruins of the building, in the cellar part, which is reinforced with concrete, the men sleeping in various dugouts around. Aerial activity is very great, several battles taking place in the air without result, so far as I could see. The Huns appear to come over very freely in the dusk, the machine gun bullets being luminous can be seen quite plainly. One plane was brought down by anti-aircraft guns last night.