Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

"SIMPLY MAGNIFICENT."

WORK OF THE ARTILLERY. TRIBUTE TO THE AEROPLANES.

Writing from "Somewhere in France," Gunner George W. Carr Boyd, only son of the late Mr. Reginald Carr Boyd, says: "No one realises what a big part the aeroplane is doing in this war, ever circling above and directing the fire of the guns. Last night the Germans shelled one of our observation balloons, and the observers were forced to leave by means of their parachutes. Last week one of aeroplanes was observing over the German lines, when a shot went through the petrol tank, and another through the airman's arm. The light was uncertain at the time, so he lost his way, and when he alighted he thought he was in the enemy's line, and called for a doctor in German. Imagine his relief when he found out that he had come down in our own lines.

It is June here, and the weather is fine and warm. Some of the days are as hot as Brisbane. To-day we studied a miniature ground plan of the sector of country we are to work in when we go up to the line. It was so cleverly laid out that we could see at a glance what was expected of us. As we neared the front the track lay between batteries of heavy artillery,and we got more than one surprise as the gunners so cunningly concealed that one can get within a few yards of them. The ground was covered with shrapnel. The gunners told us that Fritz gives them a warm time at night, Our guns keep up continuous bombardment all day. We silenced a complete battery of Germans this morning, with 25 shells. One of our planes circling above and directing the fire. At length we reached the communication trench on the top of the ridge to the flat below; Fritz position is from the flat to the hill opposite. While descending we had a view of the intervening space, absolute desolation. What trees there were had been stripped of their branches, and only broken trunks remained. There was not a blade of vegetation anywhere.

On our new ground we are camped in wooden huts, built in the shape of oblong tents, each one accommodating 20 men. The drill ground is an hour and a half from here. We see a great deal of activity in the air, and can watch the fights. This evening we watched a Fritz airman bring down one of our observation balloons; it was a most daring feat, as he was within range of a number of anti-aircraft batteries, and the smoke of the bursting shells almost obscured him from view. He made three attempts before he was successful, each time using some kind of fire. One could see long jets of flames when he missed, but he finally succeeded in firing the balloon.

Quite close to us is one of those old fashioned flour mills, with its four long sails that almost reach the ground; it is evidently in good order, for it is going all day. It is made entirely of wood. Our artillery is simply magnificent; the barrage they put on to the Germans is as hot it would be impossible for anything to live in it. We have had a hot time, but are progressing favourably. It is just marvelous the way water, rations, and ammunition were bought up to us. We get plenty to eat, such as butter, jam, hot tea and other things. This has been one of the biggest pushes and most successful." from The Brisbane Courier 8 Oct 1917 (nla.gov.au)