22nd January 1915

Artillery heading back to Mena Camp, in the shadow of the Pyramids,

published on 12th March 1915 in the Western Mail.

[Courtesy of National Library of Australia - TROVE]

Mena Camp

Friday January 22 1915

Went out with our guns to our range and we were the first Battery to shoot and after the other batteries had shot we were told that our battery did excellent our shooting was the best.  Came home before dinner and after watering and feeding we turned out had dinner and they gave us a half holiday it was just as well for it is a cold day and a fairly strong breeze blowing and sending the sand up and when the sand is flying about it gets in our eyes and is very nasty.

Friday 22nd January

Left for training area at 8.30 with 7th Battery. This battery shot first. Reconnaissance exceedingly well carried out. First round off very quickly. Fire discipline good. Second series by Capt Leslie not too good. Observation very faulty. If shooting had not been checked ammunition would have been wasted. Retirement from action good. Major Brownes battery shot second. Good reconnaissance and occupation of position. Ranging first series rather muddled. Second series better. Fire discipline good, retirement from action good. Major Burgess’ battery last to shoot. Rather long advance to position, Battery staff not kept well in hand. Occupation of position good. First round off very smartly. Ranging good, retirement good. Work of batteries uniformly good and very satisfactory.

General Bridges and Colonel Hobbs tendered their congratulations.

 

[Courtesy of State Library of New South Wales - Sir Charles Rosenthal diary]