26 Sept Tues. About 10am. (zero hour being 12.30) Recd orders to go to front line to replace casualties. (Ben having moved to place of assembly in Courcelette the night before) Everett & Harper having been killed & many others - Dashed off at once with Wakou & Dagger & after v. exciting trip reached Bn Stqrs in Sunken Road Courcelette at noon - (This road was one of the hottest spots in France or Belgium) after a long wait, almost suffocated & stiff with cramp, was told to take over A. Co. from last officer there (17 dames) who was practically all in - I had to pass through the famous quarry wh. was a death trap from snipers & wq's in Daytime but did not reach hruch till 10 pm & when J took over command found many casualties and everyone too worn out to give useful information - only 3 Véry bi/h5 for flan pistol. Almost immediately sheel dropped on our only Lewis fun killing the whole crew & burying the few - bunch a wusses to Butt Q & tried to establish communication on left which was in the air - Beat off a German counter