5th December 1916 On this day: Batteries in Action   236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report from Ypres. Visibility was good in the morning. D236 Battery registered a single gun at I.20.b.95.95. Working party in J.19.b fired on and dispersed. A direct hit was obtained on a wheelbarrow they were using. Trench Mortars were active against our trenches from 1315 to 1330 and 1500 to 1555. Scheme four was ordered and silenced the enemy fire at 1540. There was increased hostile artillery activity behind our lines. L’Ecole, Zillebeke Village and Station were shelled with 4.2 inch guns. Ypres Square, Station Crossing and Menem Road were shelled with 4.2 inch guns at 1700. Direct hits by 5.9 inch guns were obtained on Zillebeke Lake duck boards, Hellblast Corner and the Bund. War Diaries 33rd Bn AIF relieved   Relief of Battalion completed as per Battalion 0.0 No. 2 4/12/1916. Working parties supplied to A.E.* composite company reviewed by General Plummer during day. * Corps of Australian Engineers 33rd Btn Australian Imperial Force War Diary, La Chapelle-d'Armentières, Right (1) Section  33rd Battalion AIF Routine Order No. 126  Baths at Acheux  GOC Inspection    18th Durhams report "7.0am, very dull & observation impossible. Enemy very quiet, except for Minenwerfer on left Coy sector." Teh National Archives Reference WO95/2361/1  Train Cancelled  Artillery Active  Spranbroek Group Formed  Whiz Bangs  Training White Frost   "Friday. Love still keeps most cheerful but at the same time he is not the same as before his terrible experiences. It seems to have affected his nerves. We had a very rough passage during our last turn in the trenches. The dear good Hun dropped two or three ‘rum jars’ [mortar bombs] just a few yards behind my dugout and left a few small holes in which a horse and cart could easily be lost. When you are sending a parcel next will you please put in a small pair of folding nail scissors. It’s very cold out here now and heavy white frosts are the order of the day. Half of our evenings are spent trying to get a fire going and the other half trying to get warm in front of it. It seems impossible to imagine Christmas so near. I’m afraid it won’t mean much to us out here this year.. The only topic that keeps one interested now is that of leave. But it does not do to pin any false hopes on getting it. The various restrictions prevailing now in England must be hard. I am afraid there are too many fanatic reformers getting their own way. One thing I am certain they will have to climb down when the boys come home. We have fought the war and I think we shall say what is good for us and not leave it to others who haven’t been out." Pte. Harry Davison, 26th Royal Fusiliers in a letter to his wife Olive.  Reliefs  Training  Quiet  Training      Reliefs  Training  Training   Brigade Relief Completed  Battalion route march  Reliefs  On the Move  Major General visited camp.  Battalion Relieved  Return  Sniper, observers and Rifle Grenade Batteries training Can you add to this factual information? Do you know the whereabouts of a unit on a particular day? Do you have a copy of an official war diary entry? Details of an an incident? The loss of a ship? A letter, postcard, photo or any other interesting snipts? If your information relates only to an individual, eg. enlistment, award of a medal or death, please use this form: Add a story.

Killed, Wounded, Missing, Prisoner and Patient Reports published this day. This section is under construction.

Want to know more about 5th of December 1916? There are:28 items tagged 5th of December 1916 available in our Library   These include information on officers, regimental histories, letters, diary entries, personal accounts and information about actions during the Great War.

Remembering those who died this day, 5th of December 1916. Pte. John McLeod. 5th Bn. A Company Seaforth Highlanders Read their Story. L/Cpl. Arthur James Painting. 8th Btn. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry Read their Story. Pte. James Rhodes. 9th Btn Lancashire Fusiliers Read their Story. Add a name to this list.

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