Diaries of Thomas Currie Derrick, 1942 - Part 15

Conflict:
Second World War, 1939–45
Subject:
  • Documents and letters
Status:
Open to contributions
Accession number:
AWM2022.6.144
Difficulty:

Page 1 / 11

a few hours sleep. no one complained but peent to et immediatelyeach post 25 Tar information cncer Irequired more digging nert wire ing the remainder of the loy our ed to be laid areach had run into a spot of bothr mines placed in the exre, all this in the attack, 3o Jack Golding and lad to be carried a distance of th Lear were hibled, dree others approe 600ydo. Amms upls needed were taken out wounded, Duch reserve water and rations to be Caldow being the only one of the lmight up, and most Iportant that receeved any injury. 7R ld of all a close watch His to be been as buchy as ours and leir kept) on our front, Ailfe done casulties we nit. using 2 lestening postall Zuhen ford lightI was of r ur bere The position was now southe of ale all in a fairly a sledalrai position and awaitirg poies countion fh right fed 814 l fud r attack which we rtain 4 fright rear and S E reasll rear sh & C4 being on th north would come with do Most side of the line. I boy on our left fortunately we were pird tis and he t all of emof Gline ed marvelowsly turn of ffe fto snsle (the remainder: of the day was spent
tured 300 prisoners, tis certainly left strenglloning our post us in a much happier prition gerry kept up a wolffrturs shell knowing our own broop held the ing of our poss, and tas kind lgh ground on our right. enough to sling in a e need Ai 1910 we were beinly interdted on us, but once agfe was our sectators at a dire Combing wit way no one being he on our Arty porns, and were very 130 we heard y suf pleased to ee our A orea ored so casillies include killed t on the last Thula, and what counded eaptured and Hussing a sight; will leaping qustes of flame enemy used tants or ff spurting from the surclage every few supported by Arts to f Weke fom The 24r whose offive yesterdayseconds, we fairly rode her to his was the feature west of Brps (pen B) death. Thing on a level beel like a huge ball of fire when suddenly through some mesundosh Ading juith Arty support failed Ws lase thirets graceful flight ended, and itl turned nose down into one final objective lowever at tursting plunge to earlh, lott pildt morning thy continuet their gol and were successful in taking 33 and rear gunner bailed out in the fals pint and hruof time and I clenk weregear ied by the wind into this own lined & was on our right flal and cop=
scttered on our front. Much Oer sister attack by 3 enemy 2 food stuffs bee other vlua lox year (or put up a uonderf fight but ass the result. Also a mymort could not prevent being dislidges torible sight, a German, one of a from this pomns. Tuger with a ant crew lad crawled some 20 quiet rally they dlogd the cup from che tank, lodly unnteual tured positions, using, thhy beginet freely and were veefs in duythe body, aand one leg blowngom plately away from yust beloweele ing Frily out & reto rffy thir knew he apparently hat a ton pbsitions courage, ane attemptie had pleen Mragis We were touched by made to place a Comurys ale peand in che erming sk man Ja s One wonders if thre is recieved lottle of a rightsulmsolution to all peless it good or was it horidness, oan get no intellyent TUEA Toty 14 answer 414 very choks to tomesting sly Hostlyafter healy mist over the Battle, atea, r Gill and tok portindennon, detucre combed by o o monjour planes, ffortunately or go maling a 7 He resrted was erqured. Elng, and Arestigalyps Heffesf ett uer At p910 his srekps fe oner and and bnocked out
empleed out on us, es incredill amongst them but darkness atsivee too early lep to this stage we had when you find that Hol hs not made any contact with the been hit, a must usterg it Im fores at all. All posts i very sure to believe it. Pmedistily much alest, not knowing from which on this the Frity it penet up diraction he would now approach and were right on fom, because we were surmounded by looking through the piffe of Lust a large motile force. A mersage and tamoke we saw wiith iupet we expected to see, go o4 tnks and by plone informing us that our own lanks were coming through over lom some Infantr provid to be an old trick of har the enarpement follo garnes kapping our lines, however for to lank tipes of whules sowe iis did not help him ver must was an guns, the force ai e approv 0230 and it was exceptionally large of pposed across our front a lef same in now wee Tuly & we heard links ap on h lop lelt flank We counted 32 Tanks in all, 5 of which were put roaching from an easterly direction along the track on our side of out of action either by lby of the yline He Ro MEsRen and 2 pounder if Tank gunr. Our Artillery were Orying to get myseff armed with one sr grenale
25 his left, struck" a mines which word that he was encipted fort 27ds outuan he section remained te ale Now section pumped it intoClim and nearing daylreat ie found hilst clse octions own ourselves once more supounded recion was also getting something by gernes, wto did Lrgw of to do 3Fwill AN Gensbail our positions or our fnce eit convy of 11 rehielg approacleding behind had pulled up about and ere nicely felt with 120 yso away & legan struting to the wouded at Ed BronS by St Loreday and OAon. post, it was still pretty dark & Att this stage our Tart Wenting only blurs ecould be seen, we held patrol returned tly h outunder Kill ng for fin o were awaiting das break which camb far off uten dlep Tanks, but unfortune did vehictes made to move of we ot encourt any gave thrlot, and pulled all it lren carner in potteyun 2 Germans came up ff te Badmergup, for sawsd on te lren doing a nuce job of slooling. post and gt no furt soe gentee ally did on a strep almost The enemy, vent to ground and returned sele fire, a mackine, qui sishaltancoust an 8 mourt was being used, and a rue little a posteauxs calhe on on ed for
they then returned our Coy area, and it wasnt er former positions leare 42 ch until 1500 that we reced our cutting unoccupied first fatalities by stell fire The remainder of the fay was they n number P Midoneld sent kinting sonverin and bur & Merrilt of C.H.2 the latter b ng the Gennan dead or aoning beond recognitio was was hilled by the 604 1000:3 luried utere he fellO An mines which had received the bold came over in the evening impact of one 2 mor bomb to pay last Lonngs to get uner this unfortunate iictiowas ce Work continues it night tolder of the Iron with a patrol every nigh for MRSry Toy 16 de R Enemy aireraft do not fail ro change during rg9m kept) up his Combare of roarto make regular attacks or bu and many anxious nt uartillery positiors, hee of cat spirt by all, and esilf condering nessed lany further eneng place sow much longer befe his dus crastes, and de not know the out would be the nuner o extent of damege caused by one 75 We had besubjected te ad However it is to approx 500 stills douly in still evident tht we continue
I lglire dir to hold may in tls The number of srikns snd en nidbur Carrierswere perating io our vanco letueen 20 130 upt adqqualfright front last night but do not know ther intentions or cob fighter excort tesheyer to returnpas CBay Fely 17 A. bys front and in on the left Information eugved formation d by. All lost direction ard Kenemy marring lan resulted in one leing destroyed front o tps & lanks on s on b lops mine field with St John Ican expect a large strack killed another cns stoppd on my any moment All Istand sectons mine field wilh ye Kiy ding to peaying some minor uni The 24th Brigide are mre fid on our left and setief rogresshoch, dnu stone was also hill at C. b7 bing farorably shelling as still our frayr noure Enemy formations again broken dispersed by our Artellers of annoyance a vould peplainly like to get the er i exprsiblewho are maintaining a tish of fficiency and most accurati soot lates information e ing) Culr Bomber Fighters were also meeting some sliff a fefr, o 43 ar are loing theplery will to de fore in chis action
daylight, although if one feess chick SALRORY TOl 18 he can walk about on lip with Information guined considerable amount of rish, this from Pw reports gerry has 4000 g e los doeappera ing his 2155 sh preparing for an attick best efforts at stilling or holding for this front. They stall seceve them in contimpt. a warm reception, all irps are Iin the lest with sperity sy high 2015yas, last light, and all quid no change until 2200 when our Acreraft ss come on Jerry created us to a fire worke desply The day has been comparitivel quiet- the usual shells on will numerous flares lighting up slightly reduced seale. (ff weather games aree, and dripping we ovely cargoe on his eshilory His a plade cooler gerry has his ires on tiuspement tant leogur areade at linge am= ount of Combs wen dropped & strof on our imnedials o ult, onef which is cousing us a lot of ining was extensively carred out could not fird out results of such comenience when we enervour to operations, but judging by fire prepare a meal started our Pilts te Coor new the conditions in which go are now ir wor and re n lt mary living nemble Tolrick respects, - duy in & Liffe o during chei) targets
WE52 SUneny July 19 deturned from patint night 6 pence& our after travelling a good dis quistness, perhaps a Langeror of laned twards gerry tentory he is engoging some other targets located 2spers positions appros Through out the duyth selli oyds from our post, continued has leen practically ril his mortars haig tike yor the will on into Inty terretory but could not see nor hear anything of s o position role On was back leard vouce enose it news flash! - ha my second near abandoned bruck, also sound eash for 14 days and fel like a o diggins, shirted this fom a made Rundle st lare. Will rili horre send a cable & have or little shiro way eack to post, I Apparently giong MMoneR July 20 avldraws this norce at night on occupying fand from during sayligh 1744. Same plit Mame in tarned in o slept for the Rest emy) same shells at same times but still gust not intoche right part of Serday spt and all ranks ge in the devered new vrt & slots, underss& best & as happy as PlaryI had soe tu all in need of dem to take out sc pat A 1oot a Guadron of Oiston Bomber Ael o430, Oes Milaren, Eduf of & Irish flyng on a Soulterly direction willh
a large excort of fighters.- t hour later we actnested a Caog fight uith at least 30 plang taking part a little too far off to pick up the & markings. One plane busili into= parts each floating shuly to grouns e largest pert possible che cody Aleing a steet of finne, tho one I chnk was enemy. - A short while later another close edontily we could not ascertain lurched into dive flumes purting from him, the Pilet bailed out & only a second hsare will ou nattering soar it forashed into the ground with one genal handlong plange, and sent up uppillur of black smote for 20 miruites. The finish of the seting and battle was t departure of Gerries (lares, who occut ied pride of place last Information received during night o with our 8 Dor loys to attach on our right flankwith Hertern as this objective a dis tance of roughy 2500p 8 gin pirty strong in clat from

no one complained but went to 
it immediately, each section post
required more digging, dannert wire
had to be laid around each,
mines placed in the wire, all this
had to be carried a distance of
approx 600 yds. Ammo was needed,
reserve water and rations to be
brought up, and most important
of all a close watch had to be
kept on our front, that was done
using 2 listening posts. Finally 
when first light was near we were
all in a fairly useful, consolidated
position and awaiting Fritz's counter 
attack which we felt certain
would come with daybreak. Most
fortunately we were spared this
and the men all of whom had acted
marvelously turned in to snatch
a few hours sleep. 
SAT JULY 11 th
First information concerning 
the remainder of the Coy, our
9 PL had run into a spot of bother
in the attack, Sgt Jack Golding and
L/Cpl Lear were killed, three others
were taken out wounded, Duch
Caldow being the only one of them
that received any injury. 7 PL had
been as lucky as ours and their
casualties we nil.
The position  was now south of the
railway line close to El Huez Station.
7th right fwd, 8th left fwd,
CHQ right rear and 9 PL left rear, the
 rear PL & C.H.Q. being on the north
side of the line. C Coy on our left
and the north of the RY line.
The remainder of the day was spent

 

strengthening our positions. 

Jerry kept up a continuous shelling

of our possy, and was kind 

enough to sling in a Stuka raid

on us, but once again it was our 

way no one being hit.

At 1630 we heard that Don Coy suffered

40 casualties including killed

 wounded, captured and missing. The

 enemy used tanks and infantry 

supported by Arty to take the posn. 

The 24th BN.  whose objective yesterday

was the feature west of ours (front 33)

through some misunderstanding 

with Arty support failed to take their

objective - however at dawn this

morning they continued their job

and were successful in taking 33

also point 24 and the Ay cutting which

was on our right flank, and captured

300 prisoners, this certainly left
us in a much happier position,
knowing our own troops held the
high ground on our right.
At 1910 we were barely interested
spectators at a dire bombing raid
on our Arty posns, and were very
pleased to see our AK AK score a
hit on the last Stuka, and what
a sight;- with leaping gushes of flame
spurting from the fuselage every few

seconds, we fairly rode him to his

death. Flying on a level keel like
a huge ball of fire when suddenly
its graceful flight ended, and it
turned nose down into one final
bursting plunge to earth, both pilot
and rear gunner bailed out in the
nick of time, and I think were carried

by the wind into their own lines

 


attack by 3 enemy bn. Our sister

BN put up a wonderful fight but

could not prevent being dislodged

from their posns.  However with a

quick rally they stormed the captured

positions, using their bayonet

freely and were victorious in driving

Fritz out & regaining their

positions.
We were touched by the magic

wand in the evening & each man

received 1 bottle of beer, and was

it good or was it.

TUES July 14th

Awoke to find a very

heavy mist over the battle area,

Mr. Gill and I took the opportunity

of making a [[q?]] of no mans

land, and investigating the deserted

and knocked out vehicles that were
scattered on our front.  Much

food stuffs & other valuable gear

was the result.  - Also saw my most

horrible sight, a German, one of a

Tank crew had crawled some 20'

from the tank, badly wounded about

the body, and one leg blown completely

away from just below the

knee, he apparently had a ton of

courage, as attempts had been

made to place a tornquay above

the knee.  - One wonders if there is

a rightful solution to all this

horridness, I can get no intelligent

answer.

Something of a novelty shortly after

dinner, we were bombed by our 

own planes, fortunately no one

was injured.

At 1910 hrs 34 STUKAS flew over and

 

emptied out on us, it is incredible

when you find that no one has

been hit, & must witness it Im

sure to believe it.  Immediately

on this the Fritz Arty opened up

and were right on our posn.,

looking through the haze of dust
and smoke we saw just what we

expected to see - jerries tanks and

lorry some infantry inching over

the escarpment, followed by various

types of vehicles towing anti tank

guns, the fore which was, an

exceptionally large one passed

across our front and came in

on C Coys left flank.  We counted

32 Tanks in all, 5 of which were put

out of action either by C. Coy or the

2 pounder A Tank guns.

Our Artillery were trying to get

amongst them but darkness arrived

too early.  Up to this stage we had

not made any contact with the

force at all.  All posts were very

much alert, not knowing from which

direction he would now approach,

because we were surrounded by

a large mobile force - A message

by phone, informing us that our

own tanks were coming through,

proved to be an old trick of

jerries tapping our lines, however

this did not help him over much.

At approx. 0230 hrs and it was

NOW WED JULY 15TH 

we heard tanks approaching 

from an easterly direction

along the track on our side of

the RY line, PTE ROB Mc LAREN and

myself armed with one ST1 grenade

 

word that he was at 7PL

The section remained on the alert

and nearing daybreak we found

ourselves once more surrounded

by Jerries, who did not know of

our positions or our presence, either.

A convoy of 11 vehicles approached 

7PL and were nicely dealt with

by Sgt Loveday and Platoon.

At this stage our tank hunting

patrol returned, they  had been

our under Sgt. Thelby looking for

Tanks, but unfortunately, they did

not encounter any.

A bren carrier in possession of

2 Germans came up to Cpl Badmans

post and got no further, one, splentically

did on a stretcher, almost

simultaneously an ATK gun mounted

on a porteaux came in on

his left, struck a ^one of the mines which

encircled the post 25 yds out and

NORMS section pumped it into them.

Whilst these actions ^were in my own

section, was also getting something

to do, 3 MTs with ATK guns trailing

behind, had pulled up about

120 yds away & began shouting

to the wounded at CPL BADMANS

post, it was still pretty dark &

only blurs could be seen, we held

fire & were awaiting day break

which wasn't far off when the 3

vehicles made to move off, we

gave them ^the lot, and pulled all 3

up, TOM TRISH on the bren doing a

nice job of shooting.

The enemy went to ground and

returned the fire, a machine gun

was being used, and a nice little

 

they then returned to their

former positions leaving 24 & the

cutting unoccupied.

The remainder of the day was

spent hunting souvenirs and burying

the German dead one of whom

was killed by the blast of 100 G.S.

mines which had received the

impact of one 2" mortar bomb,

this unfortunate victim was the

holder of the Iron Cross.

THURSDAY JULY 16th

No change during the night, Jerry

kept up his bombardment of 75MM

and many anxious moments were

spent by all, and each wondering

how much longer before his dug

out would be the receiver of 

one 75MM. We had been subjected

to approx 500 shells daily in

our Coy area, and it wasn't

until 1500 hrs that we received our

first fatalities by shell fire,

they 2 in number.  Ptes. Macdonald

& Merritt of C.H.Q. the latter being

beyond recognition and was

buried where he fell - Padre Archbold

came over in the evening

to pay last homage to yet another.

Work continues at night

with a patrol every night for

the PL.

Enemy aircraft do not fail

to make regular attacks on our

artillery positions, have not witnessed

any further enemy plane

crashes, and do not know the

extent of damage caused by

these STUKA raids.  However it is

still evident that we continue

 

to hold sway in the air.

The number of STUKAS used in raid

varies between 20 & 30 with adequate

fighter escort.

FRIDAY JULY 17th

Information received

enemy massing large formations

of tsps. & tanks on our front &

can expect a large scale attack

any moment - All units standing

to.

The 24th Brigade are moving fwd

on our left and situation progressing

favourably.

Shelling is still our main source

of annoyance & would certainly

like to get the crews responsible.

Later information reveals 24 Bn

meeting some stiff opposition, 32nd &

43rd BNs are doing the attacking

I believe

Our Carriers were operating on our

right front last night but do

not know their intentions or objectives.

They were to return past

A. Coys front and in on the left

of C Coy.  All lost direction and

resulted in one being destroyed

on C Coys mine field with Sgt Johnson

killed another was stopped on my

sections mine field, with Sgt Stopp

receiving some minor wounds &

shock, driver Stone was also killed

at C. Coy.

Enemy formations again broken

up & dispersed by our Artillery

who are maintaining a task of

efficiency and most accurate shooting.

Our Bomber fighters were also

well to the fore in this action.

 

SATURDAY JULY 18th

Information gained

from PW reports Jerry has 4000 tps

& 155 TKs preparing for an attack

on this front.  They shall receive

a warm reception, all troops are

in the best with spirits sky high

so come on Jerry.

The day has been comparatively

quite, - the usual shelling on a

slightly reduced scale.  The weather

is a shade cooler.

Jerry has his MMGs, on escarpment

on our immediate fronts, one of

which is causing us a lot of 

inconvenience when we endeavour to

prepare a meal.

The conditions in which we are now

living resemble Tobruk in many

respects, - dug in & holed up during

daylight, although if one feels cheeky

he can walk about on top with

a considerable amount of risk, this

the boys do, apparently defying his

best efforts at shelling or holding

them in contempt.

2015 HRs, last light, and all quiet, no

change until 2200 when our Aircraft

treated us to a fire works display,

with numerous flares lighting up

Jerries area, and dropping some

touchy cargo on his echelons &

tank leagon areas. A large amount

of bombs were dropped & strafing

was extensively carried out,

could not find out results of such

operations, but judging by fires

started our Pilots & Bombers new

their work and were right on

their targets.

 

SUNDAY JULY 19th

A night of peace &

quietness, perhaps a changeover or

he is engaging some other targets.

Through out the day the shelling

has been practically nil, his

mortars having taken over the

role of harassing our positions.

A news flash! - had my second

wash for 14 days and feel like a

Rundle St. Lare.  Will write home,

send a cable & have a little spine

MONDAY JULY 20th

Same place, same enemy,

same shells at same times

but still just not in the right

spot and all ranks are on the

best & as happy as larry. - I had

to take out a recce patrol at 0030hrs

til 0430, Ptes McLaren, Edwards VJ & Irish

making up the party.

TUESDAY JULY 21st

Returned from patrol

0425 after travelling a good distance

towards Jerry territory.

located 2 snipers positions, approx

800 yds from our post, continued

well on into Fritz territory but

could not see nor hear anything.

On way back, heard voices & noises

near abandoned truck, also sounds

of digging, skirted this posn. & made

way back to post. - Apparently Jerry

withdraws his MMGs at night only 

occupying fwd posn. during daylight.

Turned in & slept for the best

part of the day.

Received new shirts & shorts, undies &

sox, & were all in need of them.

At 1800 hrs a Squadron of Boston Bombers

flying in a Southerly direction with

 

a large escort of fighters. - 3/4 hour

later we witnessed a dog fight

with at least 30 planes taking part,

a little too far off to pick up the

markings.  One plane bursting into 3

parts each floating slowly to ground

the largest part, possibly the body

being a sheet of flames, this one I

think was Enemy - A short while later

another whose identity we could not

ascertain lurched into a dive, flames

spurting from him, the Pilot bailed

out & only a second to spare, with

a shattering roar it smashed into

the ground with one final headlong

plunge, and sent up a pillar of

black smoke for 20 minutes.  The finish

of this exciting aerial battle was the

departure of Jerries planes who 

occupied pride of place last.

Information received during night

the 2/23rd BN with our B & Don Coys

to attack on our right flank with

Western 24 as their objective, a 

distance of roughly 2500 yds & Jerry is

fairly strong in that posn.

 

 

PR 82/190

(2)

AUSTRALIAN 

WAR MEMORIAL

 

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