Diaries of Thomas Currie Derrick, 1942 - Part 14

however this is being remedied, we

are selecting another site for our
post in much better digging.
Since arriving here we have been
treated to one continuous sand storm
Probably the most inspiring
scene of all is the number of British
planes we see about, and everlasting
stream of Bombers and Fighters going
to and from the actual scene of the
Battle
Friday. July 3 ^RD
Have been allotted another
area for our section position [[?]] [[?]]
digging and had progressed exceptionally
well, when ordered to cease work
This position apparently had [[?ly]] met
the C.O. approval and [[?]] again
another site has been selected.
Did not commence work, we are going
to make sure this is the correct
place — Went had a look see at the
British tanks, and learnt quite a
number of useful things about them.
The General Grant and General Lee
are definitely a wonderful tank and
the Crews insist they are superior to
anything of Gerry's.
Saturday July 4^th
Went to work on our
latest position, only to be stopped at 1500
with the order Bn will rest — This
I am sure means a move somewhere.
Sunday July 5^th
Just 2 years today, since
I took call and became a soldier of
 

the King — The whole Bn [[?]] 
and the furphys are getting [[around?]]
now — Worked the head a little and
obtained a 4 doz case of beer and this
was by far the best [[?]] of drink
since our departure from [[?]]. The
temperature well up, the [[?]] storm
still raging, and 4 doz cold [[?]]
beers, - - - - sure a good [[?]] today.
British planes still continue to
hold pride of place, i/c [[??]]
is working as good and [[?]]
the traffic on Anzac Highway.
Received a letter from [[?]]
morning and answered it immediately
also sent two cable grams
Monday July 6^th
Turned out [[?]] and
are moving up near the scrapping
Nugget Edwards, Bill Fairlie and Bill
Whitfield have been left behind as
L.O.B. personel.
Moved westwards and at 0745 the
rumble of guns could be heard quite
plainly. Has been good travelling
so far with no interference from Enemy
aircraft. — Arrived destination [[?]] and
were awaiting further orders when
four of gerry's planes flew over  at
approx 15,000 dropping about 16 sticks,
casualties 14, four of which were in
our Coy, Jack Thompson being [[?]]
badly Mick ALlen Tom Brumby Sgt Maeyer
being slightly wounded. Sgt Buckley [[?]]
[[??]] also wounded badly.
[[??]] position and commenced
 

to dig in again. Work continuously
during night, progress slow. have
again fallen for a [[?]] of [[?]]
Tuesday July 7^th
Again working on
position until 1300, a [[??]] in
afternoon lasting until 1700
Received information concerning
stunt which commences at [[?]] tonight.
Our planes still dominate the sky,
a continuous stream [[??]]
every minute of the day. At 1230 one
of our formations bumped [[?]] of
Jerry's over the front [[???]]
of one British Bomber being shot through
the arm and the rear [[??]]
damaged, the rear gun [[??]]
and parachuted [[??]] 
from us. One of our Kittyhawk fighters
shot down bursting into flames,
the pilot was seen descending per parachute.
Only known enemy losses, one
Messer shot down by crew of crippled
Bomber.
A heavy concentration of Arty fire by
[[??]] throughout the night, [[??]]
line of El Alamein being 1 mile from
here.
Wednesday July 8^th
Stunt which is only a
make believe commenced at 0100, - not a
very impressive one to our minds, concluded
at 0700 and everyone is [[?]]
a light breakfast and all turned
in.
Clem Billing going on a recce into
 

Fritz territory tonight.
Commander Mr Gill.
The 24^th Bde patrol last
with a fair amount of
casualties, - one fatal 6 [[?]]
THURS JULY 9th
Last night's recce patrol returned at
0600, no casualties, necessary information
obtained.
Recieved word during afternoon
that an attack would be made by
our Brigade at first light Friday
morning. Our objective to be the "Hill
of Jesus" known as features 26, 23,
and 33, also the railway station El.
Aleiza which is at the southern
foot of points 26 & 33. — These positions
are 5 to 7 miles forward of our present
front line which is held by
the Sth Africans.
A very busy preparation was the
next move, all troops feeling keen
and very confident about the show.
A humerous side to this somewhat
expected move was the consuming
of all rations and a slashing feed
was enjoyed by all, some declaring
jokingly that their last had better
be a decent one.
By 2000 hrs we were ready to [[embark?]]
the C.O. being present with a cheery
word to us before doing so .— A long
rough ride in a Westerly direction to
our assembly area, through out this
journey the boys were in the highest
spirits, and most of the popular songs
were hammered about, not omitting our
own National Anthem. after travelling
some 24 17, miles, (not quite certain about
the distance) we debussed and a
 

short spell was had, most of the boys
were tired enough to grab an hour
sleep, although it was a little cold
to get comfortable. The time was moving
on and it was now about 0230
FRID JULY 10^th
Zero time was 0440, and
we were over the start line dead on
time, a very pleasing factor, because
one knows all is going as planned.
The Bns objective was point 23 which
was very lightly held, and 23 which
we were doubtful as to the reinforced
strength, also the station that was definitely
occupied by ^a fairly large force.
Point 33 was to be the 24^th Bns objective
the 23^rd Bn being in reserve.
Our supporting arms, Arty, thought to be
AUSTRALIAN, 2/2 M Gs, and a det of 3" Mortars
to each Coy. Aircraft were to give support
from 0500 hrs. 15 Valentines were also
at our disposal.
The Bn order of move was in the form
of a square  C. coy   B.\coy
                       D. coy   A. coy
the two fwd Coys to attack and hold
point 26, each Coy to their respective
slopes. The Bn continued to advance under a
perfect Arty barrage, C and B Coy having
no resistance from their objectives. The
two rear Coys moved through in excellent
order, and from now I can
only talk of A.Coy, but shall endeavour
to give accounts of other coys exploits
wherever possible.
A. Coys method - 8.9 and to capture the
right hand slope [[?]] of point 23; My section
was a little unfortunate in being reserve
section of our Pl, and were moving
 

25 yds in centre and in rear of the
PL which was left fwd PL.
Firing as we advanced in one long
extended line, Ca[t Phillaban performing
splendidly in the centre of the [[?]]
fwd Platoons. A few scattered shots were
sent our way before we actually
contacted the enemies fwd posts, these
were held by Italians who had apparently
been digging in and were
caught by the most important factor
of all, (the element of surprise) most of
them were in shirt sleeves, or had just
crawled from their bunks, quite a number
of prisoners were taken before we
came to our first halt, captured
weapons comprised L M Gs, and 4 Beaufort Bofors
Ak Ak guns. These were formerly British
guns. A short breather and a check on our
position showed us we had captured
our objective, the Coy casualties being one,
young Jack Ralla received a bullet
wound in the leg, but hobbled
back to the W W C P under his own
steam.
Our Pl was now ordered to move left
over 23 and contact Don Coy —, on reaching
the crest our 4 section under Col
Badman received a warm reception
from M M Gs some 500 yds away on the
flat and was pinned down. Mr. Gill
gave my section the task of assisting
4 section, this was our first decent
chance and we snapped her up.
Ptes Fennell and Chapman who had
taken cover in a very weak looking
[[?]] done a splendid job with
the Bren, supporting our move around
their right flank, and they were right
 

 
on the target. We had moved fwd
some 250 yds when a tank came to
assist us, this was just perfect
and then one of our planes swooped
down giving the [[?]] a long burst,
we were now within 100 yds and
out they came hands well up, we
were greatly surprised to find 3
[[?]] guns and their crews, 3 artillery
pieces about 3½ inch, the approximate
number captured here was
50 with much more British equipment,
including a number of [[?]] M.Gs
After handing over the prisoners, all
of whom were Italians Mr Gill
then moved us further along the
Hill of Jesus, here we came under
Arty fire and went to ground, to
await our next move.
It soon came, and was one of digging
in. I might mention by now we
were all feeling very weary and
tired,— whilst we were moving it
wasn't noticed, and only now did
I realize how much the boys had
been through.— The clock showed 1000 hrs
Our Don Coy under Capt Col Williams
had been held up by the force we
had just captured, they now moved
South well out on the flat and towards
Aleiza station which they took
capturing several guns, M Gs, and a
number of prisoners.
The digging in proceeded but was
interrupted by STUKA Dive Bombers, but
fortunately no one was injured, another
attack came about 1215 and once again
the luck was our way.
A visit from Col Kammer our C.O.
during the arvo provided us with
 

the much sort for information, namely,
the result of the attack. It proved
very successful although the 24th Bn
had not been so fortunate, their objective
was still in enemy hands.
From the C O who appeared exceptionally
pleased, we learnt the Bn had
taken all objectives and captured 1,100
prisoners, our casualties were under 15
only one being fatal, Alf [[?]] on A Coys
Mortar detachment recieved an enemy [[?]]
Up to this stage the boys had
all performed splendidly acting like
old warriors, — 70 per cent of the boys
had seen practically no action, but
they took to it like ducks to water. 
This I believe was mainly due to
the old brigade (ORIGINALS) who were just
as good and calm as Tobruk days.
My own section I was exceptionally
pleased with,— Arthur Ramsden
& WX being by far the best.
Digging in continued and was a
mammoth task the ground being
very rocky, a slight compensation
for this was the rather large and
appetising meal we had, which
was supplied by Mr Gill who had
managed to get a deserted utility
truck in going order, and had scrounged
a heap of Itie rations. — A few
noggins of rum etc gift of L/Cpl Lindsay
who had been doing something similar,
was recieved with open arms,
xxx (mouths too).
After sufficient success of our section
post had been achieved, we decided
on some organised rest which was
by now badly needed, the time was
now in the vicinity of 2000 hrs and
 

night was fast approaching, - - - was
just preparing for some shut eye
when we recieved the order, ready
to move in 15 minutes, a counter
attack on Don Coys position, carry
nothing but necessities, and as much
ammo as possible, include all S.T.
grenades, — this we knew meant tanks
Jerry had attacked Don Coy with
a comparatively large force sxpprtd
supported by tanks, they had been
either killed, captured or driven out.
We were to have the assistance of
composite Coy from H.Q. Coy under
Lieut Murphy, these we never sighted
at any time, so moved off with out
them.
It was now dark as we commenced
our advance towards the Aleiza station
from approx 1400 yds away. Not a sound
was heard as we approached to
within 150 yds of the railway line, here
we went to ground and awaited
our O Cs order. — Maj Tucker, Capt Williams
 and our Coy Com Capt [[Shillaker?]]
made their plans, and after some
considerable time decided to carry
on with the attack with the force
they had, — A. Coy.
When the scheme was made known
to us I hardly think one man
thought he had a chance of getting
out of it, I felt sure she was
curtains this time, but like the
rest of the boys I didn't say so,
no one spoke, just listened to orders
and prepared themselves.
THE PLAN OF ATTACK — We were to move
forward in one long extended line
cross the skyline with out a sound
 

and on a shot from the O C we
were to open up with everything
and continue to advance firing
as we went and calling out "Come
on Australians".
All went as planned and from
the eerie quietness broke forth a
the din of L M Gs, Tommy guns, rifles and
grenades, also the blood curdling cries
of advancing men. The enemy must
have thought there was were thousands,
and I think the Australians business
helped a lot. A few of the enemy
managed to get to their weapons
but the majority were taken by surprise
and went bush quick and fast.
To mention one small incident, —
our Pl which was on the left was
making pretty fast progress. Cpl Badman
was seen to rusk ahead S T
bomb in hand after a tank which
could be heard retreating but not
seen, unfortunately he didn't reach
it. — From about 30 yds in front of
us and under a truck a Machine
gun opened on us, immediately
every weapon in the Pl turned in
that direction and the M G ceased
to fire. Our exploitation was about
700 yards, then Mr Gill turned us
back and once more commenced
the old favorite, digging in.
The positions Don Coy had dug were
not the best, being under fire whilst
doing so, and we had plenty to do
before day break.
The men had been through a severe
and tiring test and all were badly
in need of sleep, but the work had
to be done, — when given their tasks