At 5.15 pm our Howitzers opened a bombardment on German Sap [?] head in front of Seaforths which was taken by R.Seaforths & R.E. at 6.30 pm. Germans retaliated heavily at 7 pm & our front & support trenches were heavily shelled but without much damage. Lieut Bowman slightly wounded.1 man killed 5 wounded. W ere relieved at 10.30 pm by R.Dub Fus & went into Support in dug-outs on Canal Bank.
The diary of Regimental Sergeant Major George Beck
First World War diaries 100 years from when they were written during campaigns on the Western Front
Is the word ‘Sap’ being questioned here? The Collins dictionary defines a sap to be ‘a deep and narrow trench used to approach an enemy position’ and so makes perfect sense here.
Many thanks for continuing to publish this engrossing diary.
Dear Ronald,
Thank you for your comment and interest in our project. The transcriber used ‘[?]’ to indicate where the handwriting was unclear, ‘sap’ would have been what the word most looked like.
I hope you continue to enjoy reading the diary entries.
Best wishes,
Cassandra, Dorset History Centre