Friday, 1 January 2016

Another New Year at War



Saturday 1st January 1916: So we begin our second New Year at war. The 6th Battalion report that it was not a particularly quiet or celebratory time for them. They were making two communication trenches passable, remedying the effects of water and ice on their collapsing sides in the early morning of yesterday and it rained again in the afternoon, undoing much of their good work. At midnight the New Year festivities comprised a short burst of rapid rifle fire by both sides, thus bringing in the New Year in a proper spirit of hate. Many steam whistles were heard blowing behind the enemy lines, no doubt in celebration. Ten minutes into the New Year two mortar shells of largest calibre were sent over but, thankfully did no damage.

Source: X550/7/1

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