HLI Chronicle 1914 - The Royal Highland Fusiliers

HIGHLAND LIGHT INFANTRY CHRONICLE. 143the sun at our backs, and very dusty.at intervals.CloudyTUESDAY, SEPTEi\IBER 8TH.Continued our advance at 6 a.m., arrivingat Rebais about 8 a.m., where we had a longhalt, marching on again at 9.30. About anhour later we left the road and deployed,took up a position, and prepared to advance.About 11.30 we advanced some miles in thedirection of La Forge; went through somevillages, where we passed many casualtiesand prisoners. Detailed to cut off someof the enemy about 2 p.m. In action throughthe woods till about 7 p.m., when we bivouackedfor the night. Second reinforcementarrived to-night under Lilburn. Very wetto-night, with very heavy rain about 5 p.m.WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9TH.Up at 4.30 a.m., but no move till 11 a.m.The place we are in now is called Bassebelle.Advanced again as stated above, a,nd had along halt in the town of Pavant, marchingoff again at 1.50. About 2.30 we halted on thecrest above the valley of the ~{arne, fromwhere you get the most beautiful view allround the country. It is quite a picture.Most beautiful. Continued again at 4 p.m.down through this magnificent valley. It isreally a large basin, with beautiful cultivatedslopes and wooded spurs all round. At about8 p.m. we bivouacked on the hill above thevillage of Domptin. Very fine again, with aburning sun, but inclined to rain at night.THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10TH.lYIarched off again at 4.30 a.m. A halt foran hour about 6 a.m., and then we advancedthrough heavy rain, finally deploying andadvancing by platoons at 50 paces distanceacross country. We finally bivouacked,heavily soaked after a hard day's marchingand a thorough wetting from frequent heavyshowers, near the village of ~{onnes, about8 p.m. On the whole a miserable day. Wehave several prisoners now-about 20, Ishould think-the first being captured onTuesday afternoon. Rumours of the Russiansat Berlin.FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11 TH.Left Monnes at 5 a.m. and set off eastward.Two long halts during the morning, finallyarriving at the village of Beugneux at 3 p.m.,having been thoroughly soaked by heavyrain. Nos. I and 2 on outposts almost at once,and no chance of being dried. To-day forgeneral discomfort and sheer misery has beenexceptional--about the most uncomfortableone I have ever spent. However, it's allin the game. Tried to clear at night, but onlyfor a very short period. Feeling a little seedy_SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12TH.Outposts withdrawn in great haste, leavingno time, and the march continued. We setoff about 5.30 a.m., and caught up the Battalionabout 2 hours later. Dull and miserablestill, and raining again, and we are all drenchedthrough. After again acting as reserve wefinally, after frequent checks, arrived thoroughlysoaked at the village of Vieil Arcy,where we actually billeted for the night.Feeling distinctly seedy to-day. Hopelessweather; rain without cessation. I have justbeen thinking that the enemy would not getmuch information if they found my diary.It is impossible to follow all the variousmovements.SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 13TH.Rose at 3 a.m. slightly drier, having sleptat the Guard Room fire; but still very uncomfortable.No move till 3.30 p.m., whenwe ad:vanced and crossed the Oise by a pontoonbridge, the other one having been ,destroyedby the Germans. About two miles ahead, justoutside the village, we took up a defensiveposition for the night. Weather better to-day,though late at night it began to drizzle again.Wrote again to mother to-day, also J. D. R.MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 14TH.Advanced a short distance at dawn, andentrenched ourselves. About 11 a.m. weretired from the trenches and advanced acrosscountry in a northerly direction. At 12 noonwe were checked, and held up till about 6 p.m.,when we made short night advance over thebattlefield, only to retire again to billetin a village in the valley. Had some narrowescapes to-day, and I think there must be afair number of casualties to-day. Craigand Powell gone, and l\ofartin wounded.Hard to realise. Wet in the early morning,fine during the day, and then a drizzle again atnight.TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15TH.Advanced a short distance from the villageat 5.30 a.m. to obtain cover from shell fire.Remained there till sunset (as it was impossibleto advance), when we advanced on to theridge and entrenched ourselves, remainingthere for the night. Very wet all night, and