Michelle said...My Great Grandfather was killed in the patrol party that was ambushed on the 15th June.18 June 2008
So sorry Michelle. Let us all know how your trip goes. BL
Doctor Pion said... FYI, "lachrymatory gas" is tear gas. Also, for those who don't know what a Lewis gun is or what it can do, there are two nice videos on YouTube: A short one that just shows the gun being fired, while a really well made 23 minute documentary about tracking down and shooting one shows lots of detail about how the gun is loaded and operated. Along the way I found a video of the 1st Battalion, The Lancashire Fusiliers in the Battle of the Somme in 1916. Related videos include ones of other contemporary machine guns, such as a Maxim or its Vickers variant. Check out a Vickers being used to cut down a tree to get a real sense of what happened in combat. 17 June 2008
Anonymous said...Harry has just been involved in the two day Battle of Asiago (http://www.1914-1918.net/BATTLES/bat1_italy.htm)
17 June 2008
Bryony-White said...Hi, I have been reading the blog for a while now (have had to start from the begining!) as a source of background research for my A2 English literature! We are studying WW1 poetry! We intend to visit the battlefields and war graves in October! I really love your blog and I hope that Harry is ok at the end of it all! Just so I know how well informed I shall be about Harry when I visit the war graves; do the letters finish this year?(2008) or can't you tell me? As I haven't got any further than November 2007 yet!
June 17, 2008
Thank you for the kind words. I'm sorry, no clues as to Harry's fate. You'll just have to follow the blog. BL
Anonymous said...Still no news? We've had long gaps before where we didn't hear from Harry for a while. But I'm still worried and I'm afraid Linda might be right about it being a pre-warning.
Jackie
June 16, 2008
Oh no! my heart just sank - I so hope this is not a pre warning, to let us all down gently, Harry must make it!Linda
June 14, 2008
farawayhats said...Having two sons away at university, I think I have a small inkling of what Harry's family must go through, from letter to letter. It's the not knowing that is the worst. I REALLY hope Harry makes it. He has become one of the family.
Your description of your trip and the photos was excellent.
June 16, 2008
Thank you, much appreciated. BL
John said...I went to pray for Harry but realized that it's strange to pray for someone in an event 90 years ago. It reminds me how wonderful this blog is making all of us identify with Harry as if it were today. I hope he'll be alright. There were survivors who went on so let's hope Harry was one of them.
June 15, 2008
Kittybriton said...I believe the "lachrymatory" gas probably would be "mustard" gas, or tear gas as we would call it today. But this was nasty stuff, capable of blinding victims who weren't quick enough to put the gas mask on, and generally lethal if breathed for any length of time. I await Harry's next letter with hope, and prayers for his safety.
June 15, 2008
Anonymous said... Have been following Harry's letters for quite a few months. This is real history, am very worried about his fate. Will continue to check this blog.
Anonymous said...Is that 'gas' mentioned in the war diary on the 15th what we generally refer to as 'mustard' gas?
June 15, 2008
"Lachrymatory gas" is, literally, tear gas. Mustard gas is a much nastier poison gas. We don't know, however, whether the War Diary writer was aware of the distinction. BL
E Roach said...Having finally caught up to the "present", the wait for a new letter is enough to drive one mad! Imagine what it was like for Harry's family.
13 June 2008
Nanny (Shirley) said... I have been worried about Harry - but hope all will be well and the he is NOT the casualty.
June 13, 2008
LetsEatLunch said... sweet site I loved WW1!
June 14, 2008
Not many who were there loved it. Hard to believe. BL
Anonymous said... I can feel the tension building as I sit and read the blog. Come on Harry. You can make it!
June 13, 2008
Anonymous said... For the first time since I started reading this blog, I am concerned for Harry's safety. Please be OK.
June 14, 2008
G, Tingey said...Coming up to the Battle of the Piave, are we not?>
15th-22 June Austro-Hungarian troops attacked, and were thrown back.
See:
http://www.firstworldwar.com/battles/piaveriver.htm
http://www.firstworldwar.com/source/piave_trevelyan.htm
13th June 2008
Harry's Battalion had moved from the Piave River front onto the Asiago Plateau some time ago. The Battle of Piave, that started last Monday, 10th June, wouldn't affect him directly. BL
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