Sunday 8 October 1916 – Showers, drizzly rain

We give Germans a heavy bombardment in retaliation the worst bombardment I’ve heard since Ypres battle. Enemy hard to dislodge, a bloody battle. Our men reach their objective but can only hold portion of Regina Tr. as Germans are in sections.
Much bombing and sniping. Our barrage was not long enough. Altho ‘twas fierce & effective. Many men are killed around us. Stretcher bearers are all heroes. Two old friends are killed, Pt Lavall & Pt W. Dunham. Poor Peter Wallach is missing. He was a runner to Coy officer.
Hell reigns supreme all day. I sketch in front line. My observers are lucky. I have the experience of having a man on either side of me killed. I help bring wounded in. Cpl Armstrong killed.