The Diary      "Falling like rain..."
1917 - 1918
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January 8th 1918		Battery moved out to Peronne on rest. I came on a week afterwards, expected to hear something about my going on leave, but there is nothing doing just yet, but I have not long to wait if all goes well. Hurrah!
January 23rd 1918		Moving back to the old position today. Have received the hint from  Tuson (?) that my leave is due before the end of the month.
January 27th 1918		Started off on leave this evening from Peronne.
February 15th 1918		Arrived back off leave. Fed up.
February 18th 1918		Am off to O.P. (observation post) tonight, for first time. Upon returning from leave, I found  Btty. had moved to Metz (near Haveringcourt Wood) two days after I left them.
		"Kaiserschlacht" The German offensive March 1918
		Details of the opening and subsequent days of this offensive are meticulously described in Martin Middlebrook's "The Kaiser's Battle". Lynn MacDonald's "To the last Man Spring 1918" also gives  many first hand accounts of the battle from soldiers on both sides. "Steel Wind" Colonel Georg Bruchmuller and the Birth of Modern Artillery by David T Zabecki provides a technical background of the German artillery tactics in the opening phases of the battle. Albert Lewis had his own personal story to tell, one which tells of rapid flight, leaving guns behind and a general sense of chaos as the German advance was pressed home.  He describes the opening days of the battle, first by simply noting the movements of 216 Siege Battery and then, presumably during a lull in the fighting (many days after the opening phase), he proceeds to describe in detail what happened . His detailed description of the opening phase of the battle is written after the diary entry for March 29th . It is important to point this out to the reader in order to avoid any possible confusion.  The whole of the month of March was a frantic and trying time for the Battery and he clearly felt it necessary to write about it in detail when things quietened down. In keeping with the spirit of the diary I have left this entry where he placed it.
March 21st 1918		Fritz offensive opened, we moved back to Lieramont at night. Left Lieramont at the run about tea-time same day. Went to  Moislains pulled out next morning, leaving two guns behind, came to another position in Clery district, fired a few rounds (we cleared then returned again, being shelled second time), but Fritz soon spotted us and put a few rounds into us, we soon cleared to a position a short distance back. After firing about three rounds we pulled out and went into a position near Bray. Spent night and day here firing about 900 rounds, then pulled out and went into position between Bray and Corbie, out of range here, then went to  Bouzencourt (?) arriving afternoon of 27th, moved to position two miles in front of village, left here March 29th for position on outskirts of  Heilly, near Corbie.
		The next passage in the diary is a description of his activities during the first days of the German Offensive. It is presented exactly as written in the diary.
		( The opening of the Hun offensive was a foggy morning ideal for his purpose, the strafing was not very severe at Heudicourt, although he sent some big stuff across with plenty of gas amongst it. I was fortunate in missing the worst of it, not being on duty that night, for it is an uncomfortable business manning your gun in the dark with  respirators on, especially when there is fog to contend with as well, it was far from pleasanteven when I took over at eight o'clock, it was as much as I could do to find my way in the fog from the billet to the guns but the danger was not very great for he was dropping them well plus and minus, about 9 or 10 o'clock we were able to take off our respirators and the fog began to lift so making easier going, but we were kept very busy, firing on numerous switches until about four in the afternoon when the left section, our three guns got the order to pull out, this we did and left the village at dusk for Lieramont where we straightaway pulled in, and collected our stores, this occupied us until two in the morning, when we turned in about 18 of us in one cellar, was on the gun again about six o'clock the next morning laying out lines of fire, commenced firing about 11 o'clock, continuing until sudden orders came to pull out in the afternoon, we got three guns away by the lorries, the remaining three were hauled out of the village to the top of the slope, there to await their F.W.Ds. (?)When these arrived one was sent to the village to pick up the remaining stores, I with the others went down to see to the loading, just as we got started Pemberton came running up with the order to run for it, which we did right quick, thus my second kit got lost.                       Had a very close shave at our first position at Clery near  Suzanne, Fritz dropped about 6 rounds in the btty. One landed within 10 yds of me, a  5.9, luckily on soft earth, there was the usual shower of muck, but I was untouched. Again when on the road to Bray , a 5.9 gun shell dropped on the road side exactly between the lorry I was in and the next following, I was sitting at the back of my lorry with my legs hanging over the back, yet nothing touched me, or any of the others. These were about the nearest escapes I have had since coming out, and they both happened on the same day. I felt very thankful to God that night.)
April 24th 1918		Fritz opened out this  morning mixing plenty of gas with it as usual. I had the luck to be off duty again so escaped the worst of it, but I turned out about 6 o'clocknto lend a hand on my gun, for they were in difficulty over pulling out, we afterwards received the order to relieve the detachments which we did, Fritz continued his shelling but we were alright on my gun, but our slip trench was very useful at times. Our total was 29 casualties including gas cases. J. Holmes received his final knock out, poor chap.
April 26th 1918		Fisher has just sent round enquiring my full name, what's on now I wonder.
		For some reason the next entry is dated April 24th 1918. It may be a simple error but it is presented as written. It is likely that the date should have been written 29th April.
April 24th 1918		Lieut.Murphy got his knock out through the accidental firing of a Lewis gun by Lieut. Prescott in the  X.C. post (?), the bullet passing clean through him in one side and out the other. The battery will be better without him.
April 30th 1918		Our new Major arrived. Major Carter, quite a young chap but I hope will be a great improvement upon Hood.
April 30th 1918		Was sent for by Lieut. Fisher today, he informed me that I had been awarded the M.Medal, for my work on the 24th. He congratulated me, and we drank one another's health, wished one another luck and parted the best of friends. I wonder what Annie will say to this, will she believe me now when I say I am "taking care"?
May 11th 1918		Had an unpleasant surprise this  evening when I saw Major Hood strolling around the mess, looking as pleased as a puppy with two tails. Our luck is out, for I hear he has come to stop. Curse him.
May 12th 1918		Put up my M.Medal ribbon today. Rydings gave it to me.
May 13th 1918		Received congratulations from Major, he said it was a distinction which I had several times previously deserved.
		A  well needed rest
May 19th 1918		Pulling out tonight, going on rest with the Brigade. Was pleased to get out of the village safely for the place was crowded with lorries. Spent night (what remained of it) at Camon.
May 20th 1918		Moved on to Hangest-s-Somme remained the night here.
May 21st 1918		Travelled to Huchenneville.
May 22nd 1918		Had bathing parade today. Find this a very quiet spot, do not know if we are going to stay or not.
May 23rd 1918		Moved on to Hallencourt, a fair sized place but quiet, there are a few cafes about so it will suit the troops better.
May 25th 1918		Had a trip to Abbeville today it made a change, but there is nothing of special importance about the place.
May 29th 1918		The battery was inspected by the General (?) today and congratulated for their work of the 24th April. I thought we should be presented with our ribbons but  it did not come off.
		Back to the line
June 7th 1918		Commenced our journey up to the line again this morning, spending the night at Hangest. Am not longing to return for our stay in Hallencourt has been one of our best fortnights in France.
June 8th 1918		Arrived Poulainville, we remain here three days, as we are ordered back before our time.
June 13th 1918		First two guns moved in, I went with them. We are relieving 245 Btty., on the road between Heilly and Bonnay, position not too bad. Our billets are back at Franvillers this time.
June 18th 1918		Did a day at the O.P (observation post) yesterday, was pleased to find everything quiet, but it was not so interesting as I anticipated, for there was practically nothing moving to be seen.
June 20th 1918		Had a dip in the Ancre this morning when coming off duty, it was a bit cold but I feel better for it.
July 2nd 1918		Was having a time this evening in the billet at Franvillers with Corben, Emery and Myers, when our people suddenly opened out on the left, our music very quickly ceased whilst we ascertained whether it was Fritz commencing his long expected offensive, after experiences such as we have had its striking the feeling that goes through one upon the commencement of an attack such as we suddenly get. But we soon settled down again when we knew that it was only our people making a bid for Albert.
July 4th 1918		Had a stunt on this morning for the district around Hamel, it went off well as far as our strafing was concerned, lasting about two hours, from 3, till 5 a.m. we had nothing sent back around us.
July 5th 1918		Reported our troops advanced 11/2 miles deep capturing about 1400 prisoners not too bad, but I hear the Australians made their usual mistake in one place by running into our own barrage.
July 6th 1918		Have received Croydon Advert. from Annie today, which contains notice of my having received the M.M., it seems to have created a mild sensation at home. I am pleased that the news did not have the reverse effect and put the wind up Annie, about my taking risks, as I was afraid it would do, for one cannot avoid taking risks at this game.
August 3rd 1918		After having a quiet time during the last fortnight  as a quiet section we pulled out and went into position at Mericourt village, in the Chateau grounds, found a good deal of traffic on the road for all the artillery is moving up, there seems to be a move on the way, for Jerry does not appear to be making much of a show here just now, there are even reports of his evacuating some of this front. That is alright as far as it goes but I would much rather see him fought out of it.
August 11th 1918		The stunt came off on the 8th, it was an easy thing for us, and also successful, we have made a series of pushes since, consequently we are out of range now. Four guns have gone further up, our two pull out tonight, destination Morlancourt I hear.                  We had a plane dropping bombs very close on the night of the 9th, put the wind up us a bit but there was nobody touched, although they were busy with their bombs and machine guns while it lasted. The other two sections are at Buire-sur-Ancre.                    Sgt.Rydings lost his eye through a splinter from one of the bombs during one of the night raids.
		Again there seems to be some confusion about dates. The next entry is dated the same as the previous one.
August 11th 1918		Our two guns moved up by the side of the other four , on the road side, between Buire and Treux, not Morlancourt.
August 22nd 1918		A small stunt occured this morning, our people being after Meaulte and positions round about, I believe they got what they were after, it was a soft thing for us as far as we were concerned there was no retaliation, just a little gas floating round, but not sufficiently bad to use respirators for.
August 23rd 1918		Pulled out and went to a position the other side of Morlancourt, went into action immediately by joining in a stunt at 1 a.m., which apparently went well for our men. Centre section came up the night previous to us, Left sections came up on the night of the 24th going about 500yds to the front.
August 25th 1918		Captain Pemberton tells me this morning that we are out of range by about 5000 yds owing to Fritz retiring, so we shall not stop here much longer.
August 26th 1918		We came up a little further last night, taking up a position in "Happy Valley" on the Bray road, we did the journey up just before dusk, so we had no adventures on the way, but there would have been trouble had we attempted it after dark, for there were numerous shell-holes to be negotiated, the Centre Section did come up after dark and a rough journey they had, taking them 5 hrs. to cover the distance we accomplished in 11/2 hrs. They got stuck on numerous occasions.
August 27th 1918		We appear to have done some effective firing on this part, for nearly all the shell holes appear to be caused by our fire. Fritz had a strong point up by where the railway crosses the road which must have caused our men  a little trouble, for there are numerous bodies lying about, both ours and Boche, and machine guns and kit in every direction. A few cavalry horses are here too, the place not only looks unhealthy but smells unhealthy too. I have had a walk round but cannot find any souvenirs worth mentioning.
August 28th 1918		We are not doing much firing here, although well within range, took part in one small stunt here this morning.
August 29th 1918		Took part in another small affair this morning, now my two guns have pulled out and gone to the front of Suzanne, my relief have gone up with them. The 60 pdrs have taken our lorries so we are using their horses now.
August 30th 1918		Moved onto Hem siding where we repeated the same programme and now are out of range again.
September 2nd 1918		Went into position close to Clery
September 4th 1918		Went into position between Allaines and Moislains  got a sharp 10 mins strafing here, I was busy digging myself a bivvy in the bank at the time, so immediately took cover, two shells fell on the edge of the bank within 2ft of my dugout. Stanly got wounded in the hand, in the next dugout to mine and one of the signallers also got a piece in the leg, otherwise we all escaped. Those of us off duty were sent into some huts in Allaines for the night, but nothing further happened.
September 6th 1918		Took up position in front of Templeux -la-Fosse  last night did a stunt this morning which has put us out of range again. Moving out again this afternoon. Moved on to Villers Faucon
September 16th 1918		Went into position between Villers Faucon and St.Emilie.
September 19th 1918		Had a bad premature on No.2 last night, it blew half the bore away, and smashed things up generally. Wright and "Dicky" Bird were killed outright. Lieut.Slaughter and five others wounded including two of my men viz., Cookson and J.Heap. It was a wonder that more were not hit for it was a bad burst, I am feeling very grateful to God for his care.
September 21st 1918		Moved on to Templeux-le-Guerard, Fritz put the wind up us on the way, for he commenced bombing a battery near the road, just as we were passing, needless to say we did not delay our journey. (Whilst in the last position I saw the unusual incident of one of our planes being brought down by an ordinary H.E. shell, a 4.5, it appeared a perfect K.O, immediately bursting and blowing the machine to pieces, it was the only incident of its kind that I have seen so far.)
September 25th 1918		Moved into position last night between Rialton and Pozieres. There were thousands of Yanks going up the line last night, there appears to be something coming off shortly.
October 1st 1918		Went forward in front of  Villers-Guislain.
October 3rd 1918		Took a walk over to Villers- Guislain yesterday, found three 5.9's in a sunken road the battery looked to have had a bad time from our shell fire. Three of our guns were  still in the village, badly smashed. When I got back to the billets, found the battery under orders to move, going south.
October 4th 1918		Came to Estrees on left of St.Quentin, last night.
October 8th 1918		Opened out this morning, entirely successful, I believe it was on a wide front. We have been getting casualties here, about 15 up to now through Jerry's harassing fire. Captain Pemberton killed, Tom Dean wounded, 1 gnr killed. He opened out 5.9 gunfire on us for a time, I and my detachment came through unhurt thank God.
October 9th 1918		Went 3 or 4 Kilos forward yesterday. We had a warm experience from bombing just after we pulled in, lasting from dusk until about midnight, the planes were doing journey after journey, and dropping them all around us, yet we escaped, but we were lucky in being off the road.
October 10th 1918		Went forward into Maretz last night, but I found them out of range upon taking over this morning, and soon received orders to go to Honnechy with Prescott to prepare new position, just after reaching new position, Fritz dropped a shell right on the road fairly close, so I immediately cleared the youngsters round about that had turned out with their flags to welcome us, I had just finished this when the second one dropped and I got a piece of it. Not bad enough for Blighty I am afraid, but enough to give me a rest for a week or two.
		Here the diary ends except for some notes in the back which list gun crews and his financial expenditure. He notes that on the 31st of March he was in credit by the princely sum of £20 : 4 :2d