At 3.40 this morning heavy firing started, and it continued for half
an hour; soon after we heard aeroplanes; there were two Austrian ones
which came over dropping bombs. They flew over this hospital many
times. The Serbs started firing at them, and the shrapnel fell on the
road below, quite a lot of it. If I had been all right I should have
got some. The aeroplanes now have dropped a lot of sealed packets with
long silvery ribbon which floated along for many miles in the air; it
was quite nice to see them in the sun. We have just heard that the
long silver ribbon contained a sealed packet addressed to the governor
of Belgrade, saying that unless the Serbians surrender they will start
bombarding the town. It is the anniversary of the declaration of war
on Serbia to-day. I have just had three more months' extension of
leave from the Governors of the Institute, saying they have
appreciated all the valuable work I have been doing, and have granted
me another three months' leave, from the commencement of next session.
THE BRITISH FEVER HOSPITAL,
BELGRADE,
SERBIA,
Friday, _July 23, 1915._
Six of our unit arrived over from the camp to say good-bye to us;
they were returning to England; they wanted to see Belgrade before
returning. A few guns were fired at Semlin by the Serbs. It is
splendid to see the way the Serbian women work. Some of the work-rooms
at the arsenal were full of them, and even little boys and girls of
fourteen and fifteen years of age. When the bullets and cartridges are
finished they are tested in another machine, and if they have any
defects they are shot out again. The Austrian kitchens are considered
wonderful, they are so well fitted up.