Charles E W Bean, Diaries, AWM38 3DRL 606/109/1 - May 1918 - Part 9

Conflict:
First World War, 1914–18
Subject:
  • Documents and letters
Status:
Awaiting approval
Accession number:
RCDIG1066554
Difficulty:

Page 1 / 10

Anor. Serft. "Steel helmets, No.2. Hats in pack? Dress for Parade, Hares A company! (Thurs May. 9. 2 Bu moved out today to go into supports. We had Sullivan, Cales P Beorry to dinner I night before last, & last night - the 3rd anniversaryy of thes sailing from Aust went to dinner with A Coy - & after joined in the said on Bn H gos. - Gawler & Sullias camin back w us. today I wrote up the above notes - in the Evg went acress to take to Birdwood1 sugjestions which we are to put
before Bp. long respecting an A.P.F. universily on Sunday when he comes here. dmon Birdie to to me to1 air people yar had seen acdumn of fermans 11,000 long or more, marching along the road from Warfusce towds V Bretonsenx - or perhap further back. This looks like a relief or an attack on 11B tomorrow. B. thinks the attach may very likely come - probly planned for on acc put today but will some too of rain. It has bn an exquisite day. The country all light leafy green. Bertanyles Parkmost Exquisite
billing got a five sertes of patos Te ferman attacked at W2, (N of albert) & gained a lodgement in 1 British truches there. They day to measures are being taken to Eject him. roery carly tought -, & some ferman crumps can be heard. May 10. No fight last nighe. Everyday the German nor waits-more Americeas arrive - An reserve we have; it is not organiced but every day it becomes move so. I came (having nothing else to do) via Doullens (Where I looked in to tell Dinning he was chosen to go
At Rollincourt on 1 board are go the folle examples of ferman exageration (for war Correspts to notice) wireless The f actual German Communique says. loss was Offor.. men. 1425 56th Divin ws "almost completely wifed out. 43 300 15 51 Berto were "annihilated. 191 missing 4th Yorks was captured almost complete? recorde to egypt to take up fulletts work (in charge of the A.W.R.S. there) to Rollencourt to try & see if we co get leave for wilkins, travelling dark room. Mallegan last night sd to 1 ferman gas sheling before March 21 had bn extraordinarily effective. Out of 100 of his Tunsellers camped in one gully go had be passed. They had to pass thio' a gas still barrage to their work. Their clothes became steeped in 1 stuff & their whole crutch, armpits + body generally blistered after 10 hours. The new order ws to after a Gas shelling all clotes must be changed. (water from a shelllole must not be ased ty drink or clean teek
to continue with the Battation. Occasionally only twice, I think, wee heard a drunken man outside. One as a sergeant returned from the annual Sergts dinner celebrating, sailing of Bn. The other wsa yougs w red hairwho ws shouting from I corner of yard the worst langaage Lecd think of in a hoarse soice. I thought he must be going to fight - he sd hed fight sm all - any one of yers - but he had a smile most of time, tho he id scarcely stand; The others looked at him occasionally to a sost
possed tien to a swill- of good humoured toleration but otherwise tok no notice. He managed to real to a ladder into I bechive & clmb op it. Another man ws cominy down. The drank man told him to 0 up, when they wit. The second man wont dream of doing so - it wd never do to weaken in their relations in th way. He told the ginger headed man to get to one side & then good humoured ly passed him on 1 ladder & let him go on climbery. I expected to see him break his neak -but he didnt & got uto I loft quite safel.
thy made n not over prevente the helmots Thee from shining in the light of flaree. the longgin behind I village goes of wt a Oremendous Bang From 1 yard: At-Jesas! but it out! (Another: Here. Im off terbert other saye: lut our the raugh stelf t pot on 1 day when they were to be reneved they wore steel heliets for parade. There as a great rolling of Fblaaket in the W.P sheet. (Duriny parade a party from each pla we sent back to carry its packs up to Iwaggon lines - man carried 4 packs). They our had bee sowny sandbags on their tru hats for some (very clean days in corners of yord". Their cooker left for somewhere, & the cooker - & cooks - of relieving behie Bn - the 42rd, very dirty from up 1 line - came in she new cooks were strangers amongst them. The follg. wa some of the talk in 1yard, last steel belieets wibl be worn. day Bon. Ah - Charlie Chapman.
Markers A Company! D you want a good marker, Steve ? (with a guin) Sergeang. Fall in No 2 ffrom a Sergrant) sot shake it up, No 1s (It is often "Thate alex? in the no Fall in in Sections No. 2. Hurry up No 4. A sergt, when they are hind outside: Carettes out. "Pti Jones. "Here? "Pte Ross ere (Eact platoon Seyyt callen roll from his little notibed Pti Minshan - is Minatian there? The Selfts are like men but witout refler He Sergt major has no belt. Sert. Flatoon gland at ease ! stand easy. No 2. Shan. By half plations, number. As you were -by half plations number? stan at easti There are 2 officers present on parade, but not yet dritting men all this is done by/ sergts. One offe has a Sam Brown, the other & a web, bett [(Jawler). They marih, off the Coy just, as the captain arrives epre a goiy of at 4 - oy moe into support tonight – as iron rations will be handed out up there. The morning parade is on 1 marches. There is a long rest - denver is at Ibillet. Bombs (2 perman) & ammunition are issued in Iyard during I rest after dennes. Paper is picked up by 1 sanitery coppen man. Then, at 3.30. the Sent maj says: Dress for parade, A coy." "Whats that ? Dress for Parade? yes Pat.? (S.M." come on here A. Coy. Dress for Parade! And so – another pased for Paredi Nol A Platson Sergt. Dress ki g0. Abt 8 the oter Bo comed in
went over to see Bishop Long at Corps Hers. Boide. ws away at Gt8 but while & long & I had a long talk. White proposes to long sho draw up 1 schewc for I unnersil & referit to a committee consisting of Monash & some others (incloding me &, I hope, himself)e & then go ahead I carry it boldly out. We want two forms of teacing s the teaching wh Australia considers it advantagious for 150,000 of her best ietizens to have (2) the teaching wh they want for themselves– I hope to under 1 first ber their can teach them what can be done t their cities, forms, & their coustry 7f I was waked May 12. Sunday. He fermans this mong by a German highoclocity shell screaming down not very far overhoad & bursting perhaps 2oyards away up in I village. A second followed very quickly. This long range shekling of Querrien, - of Daours & L Houssoze yeste must mean, if one reads the dd signs - an the 8E- or immeneat offensive. It ws expected today. Tonight Fiddy says he ws told at one did Hgro that G.H-O may don't expect it till Ap.20. I shd have not be surprised if we got it tomorrow It is about 11 P.m. Our places hoveb
Edroning overhead for half an hour going off to bomb 1 Jermans & there is a german plane somewhere about b with its recorrent him dropping bombs on our side of live There have just left two officers of the 111h Bde young Gordon Duncan who got a M.C. at ypres for leading his company fr (wh ws 1bn reserve) round the by ahead Alma Marsh at I moment when it wsaner it ws unexpectedt held up - & amajor of 4ord On Dungan ae telling as how, when the 3rd Divn arrived down here on 1 early ing. of March 27 they had had a very tryig journcy before this reached I somens. First, after having marched from

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Anor. Sergt: "Steel helmets, No. 2.  Hats in / pack."
"           "      : "Dress for Parade. No 2  A Company!"
[Thurs May. 9.   21 Bn moved out today
to go into supports.  We had Sullivan, Eales & Benny
to dinner / night before last, & last night - the 3rd
anniversary of their sailing from Aust.lia went to
dinner with A Coy - & after joined in the raid
on Bn Hqrs.- Gawler & Sullivan coming back w
us.  Today I wrote up the above notes - in the
Evg went across to take to Birdwood /
suggestions which we are to put

 

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before Bp. Long respecting an A.I.F. university,
on Sunday when he comes here.
xxxxx Birdie told me tt / air people
had seen a column of Germans 11,000 miles yards
long, or more, marching along the road
from Warfusee towds V/Bretonneux - or perhaps
further back.  This looks like a relief or an
attack on V/B tomorrow.  B. thinks the attack
may very likely come - probly planned for
today but will come on put off on acct o / rain.  It
has bn an exquisite day.  The country
all light leafy green. Bertangles
Park most exquisite.

 

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Wilkins got a fine series of photos.
The German attacked at W21 (N of Albert)
& gained a lodgement in / British trenches
there.  They say tt measures are being taken
to eject him.
Noisy early tonight - & some German
crumps can be heard.]
May 10.  No fight last night .  Everyday the German
waits - more Americans arrive - loss more reserve
we have; it is not organised but every day
it becomes more so.
I came (having nothing else to do) via Doullens
(where I looked in to tell Dinning he was chosen to go

 

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At Rollencourt on / board are gn the follg
examples of German exaggeration (for war Correspts
to notice):-
German ^ wireless communique says.               The fact actual                                                                                                                               loss was
                                                                                      Offrs.     men.
56th Divn ws "almost completely wiped out".   43         1425
5th Berks were "annihilated".                                  15           300
4th Yorks was "captured almost complete".                      191 missing
 

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to Egypt to take up Gulletts ^ records work (in charge of the
A.W.R.S. there) to Rollencourt to try & see if we cd get
leave for Wilkins' travelling dark room.
Mulligan last night sd tt / German gas
shelling before March 21 had bn extraordinarily
effective.  Out of 100 of his Tunnellers camped in
one gully 90 had bn gassed.  They had to pass
thro' a gas shell barrage to their work.  Their
clothes became steeped in / stuff & their whole
crutch, armpits & body generally blistered
after 10 hours.  The new order ws tt after a
gas shelling all clothes must be changed.  (Water
from a shellhole must not be used to drink or clean teeth etc)

 

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To continue with the Battalion:  Occasionally -
only twice , I think, we heard a drunken
man outside.  One ws a sergeant returning
from the annual Sergts dinner celebrating /
sailing o / Bn.  The other ws a youngster
w red hair who got drunk ws shouting
from / corner o / yard the worst language
he cd think of in a hoarse voice.  I thought
he must be going to fight - he sd he'd "fight 'em
all - any one of yers"- but he had a smile
most o / time, tho he cd scarcely stand ; the
others looked at him occasionally w a sort

 

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of good humoured toleration, ^- passed him w a smile - but otherwise took
no notice.  He managed to reel to a ladder into
/ beehive & climb up it.  Another man ws
coming down.  The drunk  man told him to
go up, when they met.  The second man wdn't
dream of doing so - it wd never do to weaken
in those their relations in tt way.  He told
the ginger headed man to get to one side &
then good humouredly passed him on / ladder
& let him go up on climbing.  I expected
to see him break his neck - but he didnt
& got into / loft quite safely.

 

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x These made neat neatly made covers prevented the helmets
from shining in the light of flares.
The long gun behind / village goes off w a
tremendous Bang.
From / yard: Oh - Jesus!  Cut it out!
Another:  Here, I'm off.
(Herbert often stayed: Cut out the rough stuff!
 

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returning from the front
On / day when they were to be relieved they wore
steel helmets for parade.  There ws a great rolling of
one blanket in the W.P sheet. (During parade a party from
each pln ws sent back to carry its packs up to
/ waggon lines - each man carried 4 packs).  They
had bn sowing sand bags on their ^ own tin hats for some
days in corners o / yardx.  Their cooker ^ (very clean) left for
somewhere ; & the cooker - & cooks - o / relieving
Bn - the 42nd, very dirty from up behind / line -came in.
The new cooks were strangers amongst them.
The follg. was some of the talk in / yard, last
day: "Steel helmets will be worn."
"Bon".
"Ah - Charlie Chapman."

 

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"Markers A Company!"
"D'you want a good marker, Steve?" (with a grin)
Sergeants: ( "Fall in No 2" (from a Sergent).
Sergts ("Shake it up, No 1" (It is often "Shake a leg". in the morning.)
"Fall in in Sections No 2".
"Hurry up No 4".
A Sergt, when they are lined outside: Cigarettes out!
"Pte Jones". "Here".  "Pte Ross." "Here" (Each platoon Sergt
calling / roll from his little notebook)
"Pte Minahan - is Minahan there?"
The Sergts are like / men but without rifles;
The Sergt Major has no belt.
Sergt: "Platoon stand at Ease ! Stand Easy."
"No 2.  Shun!  By half platoons, number!" (They do stand by)
"As you were - by half platoons number."
"Stand at Ease!"
 

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There are 2 officers present on parade, but not yet drilling
/ men - all this is done by / Sergts - one Offr has
a Sam Brown, the other ↓ a web belt (Gawler). They
march off the Coy just as the Captain arrives .
The Bn is going off at 4- they move into
support tonight - so iron rations will be handed
out up there .
The morning parade is on / marshes.
There is a long rest - dinner is at / billet - Bombs
(2 per man) & ammunition are issued in / yard during
/ rest after dinner.  Paper is picked up by / sanitary
Corps man. Then, at 3.30. The Sergt Maj. says:
"Dress for parade, A Coy." "Whats that? Dress for Parade?"
"Yes Pat." C.S.M. "Come on here A. Coy. Dress for Parade!"
A Platoon Sergt. "Dress for Parade No. 1" And so - another parade
& off they go.  Abt 8 the other Bn comes in.

 

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Went over to see Bishop Long at Corps HQrs. Birdwd
was away at GHQ but White & Long & I had a long talk.
White proposes tt Long shd draw up / scheme for / university
& refer it to a Committee consisting of Monash & some others
(including me &, I hope, himself) & then go ahead &
carry it boldly out.  We want two forms of teaching
(1) the teaching wh Australia considers it advantageous for
150,000 of her best citizens to have  (2) the teaching wh
they want for themselves - I hope tt under / first we
can teach them what can be done w their cities, their
farms, & their country -
 

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May 12. Sunday.  The Germans  I was waked this morng.
by a German high velocity shell screaming
down not very far overhead & bursting perhaps
200 yards away up in / village.  A second
followed very quickly.  This long range shelling of
Querrien, - of Daours & La Houssoye yesty -
must mean, if one reads the old signs - an
imminent offensive.  It ws expected ^ the 8th - or today.  Tonight
Freddy says, he ws told at one Divl Hqrs that G.H.Q.
dont expect it till Ap. May? 20.  I shd xxx not be
surprised if we got it tomorrow.
This was about 11p.m.  Our planes have bn

 

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droning overhead for half an hour going off to
bomb / Germans & there is a German plane
somewhere about bn with its recurrent hum
dropping bombs on our side o / line.
There have just left two officers of the 11th Bde
[*?Lt G.G. Duncan 44Bn*]
- young Gordon Duncan who got a M.C. at Ypres for
leading his company fro (wh ws / bn reserve) round the
Alma Marsh at / moment when it ws unex the coy ahead of
it ws unexpectedly held up - & a major of 43rd Bn.
Duncan ws telling us how, when the 3rd Divn
arrived down here on / early mg. of March 27th,
they had had a very trying march journey before they
reached / Somme.  First , after having marched from

 

 

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