Saturday 4th November 1916 From our Correspondent in the Field
The army is
aware that another major assault is coming. The “fancied” money seems to be on
an attack at Beaumont-Hamel. We know the 7th Bedfords are expecting to attack
Miraumont at any time in the next few days. It may be that an attack was planned
before now but November has begun as October ended, wet. There has been some
precipitation each day and the battlefield, churned to a morass by shellfire
and incessant rain, has been difficult to walk over let alone attack over.
The 2nd
Battalion have been in the front line at Berles-au-Bois just north of the Somme
battlefield. They have been relieved today and have returned to billets in the
village of Pommier. Given the dreadful conditions in the trenches it is
commendable that only two men have reported sick this week.
The 6th
Battalion are at Sarton, near the battlefield. On being asked what has been
doing, the adjutant contented himself with remarking curtly: “Waiting for
favourable weather for offensive operations”.
This has been
the case with the 7th Battalion near Miraumont. Lieutenant H C Browning has
been in charge of the regimental transport but such an experienced officer will
be needed in battle if there is to be an attack and today he has taken over
command of A Company with Second Lieutenant Brawn moving to the transport
brief. Lieutenant Browning and his colleage Lieutenant Douglas Keep have been
appointed temporary Captains whilst they command companies.
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