Maunia Rardlan
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a brcrs Wndiam -Fot World War qSusenhwinter Leler.


Imperial Ware Nuseum
Lambelhlhoad
SondonsSEL
10th May 1955.
Sir,
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Board
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Shawedhehononshde Sir,
Aurobalembspevend
Directortener -
Maurice Rowdon, Esq.


Fesontdathed
us A eumi
"OF SINS AND WINTER" -
Maurice Rowdon.


Tel. No Droitwich 2323
Any further communication on this
subject should he addressed to:
THE WAR OFFICE,
The Under-Secretary of State,
DROITWICH SPA,
The War Office,
DISABLED
Worcestershire.
Jas opposite).
June, 1947.
and the following number quoted.
Sir,
I am directed to forward the accompanying Oak Leaf Emblems denoting
Mention in Despatches ep-a-Kingls-Commondation,
It is requested that you will be good enough to acknowledge receipt
/ on the enclosed Issue Voucher.
I am, Sir,
Your obedient Servant,
Aurmn
Director of Personal Services." imapn
Capt. M..S. Rowdon.


V In ks ting loffer
bih
B N
Same address
tvom
resting.
layuth
L horie
Darling Mud and Father,
Thanks. so much for your letters. They all arrived in a
bunch irrespective of date. It was rotten luck just missing
Father, I think I must have: dated my letter wrong as I came up
here the same day I left hospital. I'm glad I told you we were
resting as it stopped you "worriting"; but as a matter of fact
it came to rather a suddennend!" Whilé you were thinking of
"your darling Dick" snugly sleeping in a pioturesque old Belgium
farm house; he was really taking cover behind a half grown daiey,
midot a rain of shot and shell!
Between 3 and 3.30 a.m; on the morning after I sent off my
letter I was woken. up by arheavy bombardment. I guessed we
would probably be called out. At about 5 o'clock the order came
to get dressed, and to be ready.to move off. Half way between
here and the firing line we sat down at the side of the road'
and waited for.orders and news! Soon after lunch we were de-
finitely told that the Germans, after heavily bombarding our
lines, had used gas, and had thus succeeded in taking our first
line of trenches. Our brigade was ordered - try and retake
the trenches by a night attack. I'm sorry to say that this
attack failed, but all the same it was pretty exciting.
We hadn't gone far before we entered the gas zone, and we
soon both saw and felt its effects.


We were marohing along a railway line. There was a beauti-
ful crimson sunset behind us, with the shattered tower of Ypres
Cathedral silhouetted against it, on either, side of the embank-
ment the "gassed* men were lying; some dead; the rést still
struggling for breath. Others came staggering by like drunkards.
Occasionally a 17" shell went roaring like a train overhead and
fell with a crash in the city behind. Each time the ground
seomed to shudder.
The gas gradually became stronger and I ordered my men to
put on their respirators - (I am at present a company commander).
Before long my. eyes were etreaming and my nose running as if I
had been orying my heart out, one's throat and chest were burn-
ing while the whole time there was a horrible feeling of suffo-
cation. Yet thie was only the after effects of gas that had
been used that morning. Then we suddenly paesed out of the
zone. I tore off my respirator and drew in the pure air with
long deep breaths, Juet like you doing your morning exercises.
I can't tell you what a relief it was. After a long drink of
water and a "specially selected"self-imported cigarette" I felt
quite fit again. - (I think it would be a good thing. if you sent
me out a pair of. rubber motor goggles to protect the eyes.)
We then got into a line of support trenches where we waited for
about an hour while arrangements wore made for the attack. I
took the opportunity to get hold of a spare rifle and bayonet,
(much the most useful weapon). Unfortunately I had no oppor-
tunity of using iti It must have been about 11 p.m. when we


started off advancing acrose country in two lines, extended to
about 3 paces interval. It' was frightfully difficult to keep
touch, and a good deal of muddling went on; especially when
another brigade, who should. have been attacking elsewhere, came
and blundered into us.
About 400 yards from the German trenches we lay down and
waited for the moon to set. At about 1.30 it was sufficiently
dark to continue the advance. Everything was 80 quiet and peace-
ful before dawn that it was.hard to believe that the enemy were
only a few yards off. But thie didn't last long. To use the
"Tye-Witness's" favourite expression
"Hell broke 100s0", al-
though I wouldn't quite have called it that.
But let's go back to the facts.
As far as I can gather the battalion on our left was sup-
posed to let us know when they were ready to attack, thus we
could have all charged together. Instead of which they blun-
dered right on to the enemy's trenches, came under a heavy fire
and finally retired, leaving us stranded. The Germans in front
of us promptly "got the wind up" and sent flares over us, making
everything as light as day . As we flung ourselves on our faces
they opened fire. They must have turned about 8 or 12 machine
guns upon uB. The noise made by the bullets going by was deafen-
ing one continual and ear-splitting "crackle".
Then rumours came down that we were retiring; but it was
in vain I passed up to know who had sent them down. I could
find out nothing. Eventually I found myself alone with my two


platoons (thé others were in support) and a few bomb-throwers.
I hadn't the faggiest notion, what had happened to the rest of
the battalion;- whether they had charged or retired. I was in
rather an awkward position:- if I retreated when the others had
gone on, it would have been a distinct "faux pas"; if on the
other hand I went on and arrived all by myself we probably would
not have been able to get back. Although I pretty well guessed
we had gone back, I had no actual orders. Eventually in a lull
of the firing I managed to send a couple of men back to find out.
Apparently the 2nd in command had come down the line shouting
that every one was to retire. This had never reached me. But
all ended well and we got back with comparatively few losses,
since the fire had abated by that time.
We retired on to a support where we epent the day.
That night we went up and dug ourselves in as close as
poseible to the, enemy, luckily with very few casualties. The
next night we were : relieved and taken down here in motor buses.
In a day or two we are going down to another line of tren-
chee which I think are rather good. We have suffered rather
heavily from snipers lately; and the Colonel has asked every
officer in the battalion who can afford it to buy a telescopic
sighted rifle. They cost about e15. I haven't got the money
in the bank, but do you think Charles Campbell would let me
have it as I feel I ought to get one. Every one you have in
the battalion Baves 8o many lives. I believe you çan get them
at Beesley's, 2 St James Street. The bore should be 303.


I've just heard from ladge. Well I must stop now as I've
got to go and play rugger against the P.P.'s. Love to Gan and
Darling and all. Lots of love from Dick.
P.8. When I was wounded all my small kit was lost. Could
you send me out
1. An auto-strop razor set tin metal box.
2. A sponge (small).
3. A hold all (can.get it at Wilkinson).
4. Metal looking glass,
5. Air oushion.
6. Tooth powder.
7. Bit of soap.
8. Tube of hair grease.
You haven't.sent me out my change of clothing lately.
(Enclose a face towel).
P.S.S. The glasses have just arrived. They are very good,
much clearer than the first pair I had.
Dick.


Tel. No Droitwich 2323
Any further communicntion on this
THE
subject should be addressed to:
WAR OFFICE,
The Under-Secretary of State,
DISABLED
DROITWICH SPA,
The War Office,
Worcestershire.
[as opposite).
June, 1947.
and the following number quuted.
Sir,
I am directed to forward the accompanying Oak Leaf Emblems denoting
Mention in Despatches ep-a-Kingis-Commondation,
It is requested that you will be. good enough to acknowledge receipt
- on the enclosed Issue Voucher.
I am, Sir,
Your obedient Servant,
AMwrn
Director of Personal Services. imgyn.
Capt. M. S. Rowdon.