September 13, 1918
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Worked hard apportioning out drugs to Battalions and at 11 o’clock set off with Capt. McGlashan for Amiens, he having transferred to No. 2C.C.S. Once again blocked at bridge so made a detour through St. Christ thence back to Villiers Carbonnel to main St. Quentin road on to Amiens. Dropped Captain Mc. at the station and without waiting for dinner went to a large E.F.C. canteen for stores.
Could buy practically nothing here as a new rationing scheme was in vogue, each division receiving an allowance. Decided to go through to Picquigny as I wanted stuff for a hop over to give V.H. a send off. Managed to buy some nuts, wine, butter, soap, tinned milk etc. and papers, tried Y.M.C.A. canteen for cigarette but could only buy 2 tins. Came through Daours (a lovely stretch of road here; where I collected some waterbottles at the depot) then Corbie, but found the canteen bare, then Villiers Bretonneux back to camp, reaching it at 7 p.m. having covered about 80 miles.
Amiens is rapidly being cleaned up, streets repaired, also telegraph lines, but very few people back yet, and no shops. Near by is a large field where all the guns captured lately are stored, and it was a great sight, hundreds and hundreds of guns of all sizes, machine guns in huge stacks, also waggons and carts of all descriptions - a goodly array. Had a snack for tea, then prepared for our hopover. They had managed to round up a few bottles of whisky and there being an issue of lollies and comforts in a few minutes we had spread out wine, whisky, biscuits,nuts, lollies, cheese and bread, cigarettes, etc. then carefully screened all windows and shot holes in the hut and lit several candles.
Then we started, first a drink, then the chairman made a short speech of congratulation to V.H. and then called on me to back him up. After some of the others had spoken we drank his health, then some songs,V.H. responded then more drinks etc. When all was going merrily Fritz came over, but we defied him and carried on altho’ we were in an unriveted hut and he was overhead.
About 9.30 we finished up and came outside in time to see the sight of a lifetime - two huns being brought down. The searchlights picked several gothas up and the firing was intense when suddenly one burst into flames and fell headlong. Not half an hour after another one came down, a third one being brought down later. A night of extraordinary good fortune.