A Plaintiff Message

Found in the 18th Battalion War Diary, a message showing some of the frustration experienced:

14-8-17

To Adjut Radish

Our 18 pounders are firing short on CHICORY [trench].

Send up fifty picks and shovels.

Two houses at N 14.a.40-45 and N14.a.40-30 have BOCH [German] SNIPERS.

M.H. MOORE has been here and wants seven stretchers and bearers. LIEUT. COCHRANE wounded, serious.

Cannot something be done to keep the German Planes away. What is the matter with our air service.

J.M. Fisher, Lieut.
OC D Coy

12:10