and is covered with corn except where trenches have been dug. 14 July 1916 Germans began shelling Poperinghe heavily this morning at 9 and it continued all the morning. The two guns used were 4.1 and 5.77. The latter said to be a new naval gun. Shells were falling into the houses round the square so it was decided to clear out all the troops & move into camp which luckily for us was ready for occupation. We managed to get a 9.2 gun into position & if the weather allows of observation by aeroplane it will fire at the German villages this afternoon. The civilians are leaving the town. One feels so sorry for the women & children