BC Archives, MS- 0392 FRANK SWANNELL PAPERS Box 1 Diary and enclosures, 1915 Volume 4

Friday October 29th 1915 Talk with Col. Mitchell - had tried half a doz. times to get a letter from Gen Armstrong, but latter had refused on ground that I had not enough construction experience - Real reason is he is getting commissions for men of his own. The colonel was very nice - said I could have an infantry commission, but advised me not to. Took a walk to Croix de Poperingue.

The rain has had a depressing effect on operations generally along our whole front. No artillery fire on either 1st or 2d Div. Front during the past 24 hrs Enemy Artillery very much below average. Ruins of Vierstraat pounded between 140 ppm + 215 - Long range, as shells travelling slowly. 41 shells fell in + around Hemmel - Believed to be 6" shells of naval pattern, probably fired from a train near Wytschaete. Enemy's Defences. Enemy has been concentrating his energies chiefly on baling the water from his trenches