Dec. 31st
The morning was rather quiet.
At 2:30 pm we were subjected to a fierce bombardment and a heavy attack. The enemy capturing the KEEP,[1] by the railway embankment, from the Kings Royal Rifles, who [then] recaptured it again late in the afternoon.
About 10pm the Germans again attacked and gained the KEEP and REDOUBT.[2] We were firing heavily all night, it was very cold. After two attacks we succeeded in again retaking the lost ground about 3 am, but could not hold it, the KRR’s being ‘ bombed’ out soon after gaining possession.
Throughout the night until about 8 am we kept up hot fire – the New Year had came in, in real war like style.
Jan. 1st
I was hard out, and handed over the instruments to Collins. [I] went in a stable and slept throughout the day - a little shelling took place, but I slept through it all.
Jan. 2nd to 23rd
During this period it was the usual give and take. We fired every day at any targets that presented themselves, and were occasionally shelled, very often at night.
The REDOUBT was retaken and lost many times, each attack meaning a fierce couple of hours work, till at length it was [undecipherable] ‘no man’s land’ for neither side could hold it.
Rifle bullets at night made it rather uncomfortable.
The weather was very cold and wet, a few heavy snowstorms. I sometimes had a fever in a bucket[3].
Night attacks were very frequent – we were lucky in having only a very few casualties, [or] wounded, although quite a few went away sick.
One day during this period, I went to Bethune and had a much needed bath and change of underclothing. It was a relief for I, as most, was overstocked with ‘livestock’.
[2] Redoubt: A temporary fortification built to defend a position.
[3] Fever in a bucket refers to throwing up.
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