Charles E W Bean, Diaries, AWM38 3DRL 606/237/1 - October 1914 - 1918 - Part 1

AVM138
Official History,
1914-18 War: Records of C E W Bean,
Official Historian.
Diaries and Notebooks
Item number: 3D606/237/1
Tile: Folder, October 1914 - 1918
Includes typed and indexed copies of Sir George
Pearce's correspondence comprising mainly
letters from Sir William Bridges, Sir Alexander
Godley and Lord Birdwood
AVM38-3DRL606/237/1 

Copy No 1
1st Set
COPY No. 1 of Diary No. 237
AWM38  3DRL 606 ITEM 237 [1]
DIARIES AND NOTES OF C. E. W. BEAN
CONCERNING THE WAR OF 1914-1918
THE use of these diaries and notes is subject to condition laid down in the terms
of gift to the Australian War Memorial. But, apart from those terms, I wish the
following circumstances and considerations to be brought to the notice of every
reader and writer who may use them.
These writings represent only what at the moment of making them I believed to be
true. The diaries were jotted down almost daily with the object of recording what
was then in the writer's mind. Often he wrote them when very tried and half asleep;
also, not infrequently, what he believed to be true was not so –but it does not
follow that he always discovered this, or remembered to correct the mistakes when
discovered. Indeed, he could not always remember that he had written them.
These records should, therefore, be used with great caution, as relating only what
their author, at the time of writing, believed. Further, he cannot, of course, vouch
for the accuracy of statements made to him by others and here recorded. But he
did try to ensure such accuracy by consulting, as far as possible, those who
had seen or otherwise taken part in the events. The constant falsity of second-hand
evidence (on which a large proportion of war stories are founded) was impressed
upon him by the second or third day of the Gallipoli campaign, notwithstanding that
those who passed on such stories usually themselves believed them to be true. All
second-hand evidence herein should be read with this in mind.
16 Sept, 1946.
AUSTRALIAN WAR MEMORIAL
ACCESS STATUS
OPEN
C. E W. BEAN.
Extracts from Senator Pearce's private correspondence 

1.
Index (98h)
Administration, (A.I.F.), in England, 70; Gen. M'Cay dissatisfied
with, 70: praise of existing system by Hon. A. Fisher, 70; Gen.
Birdwood's comments on Canadian system, 71; suggested continuance
of Gen. Birdwood as head of, 71, 76:
A.I.F. (Formations and units) -
Administrative command, 27; breaking up of units of, 41, 67:
praise of, by Gen. Birdwood, 41; staff appointments to be
held by Aust. officers, 41; base depots in France, Gen. Moore's
desire to command, 43; separation of divisions of, 54: placing
of division in reserve means abolition one division, 60; all
divisions under one command, 60; fine work of young officers
in Somme Campaign, 61; transfer of troops from Egypt, 64, 65,
66, 68; administration of, in England, opinions of Gen. M'Cay
and Hon. A. Fisher on, 70; G.O.C. of, Gen. Birdwood's desire
to remain, 71, 76; transfer of Imperial officers from, 72;
suitability of officers of to command Corps, 74; Australian
Army, numbers too small to justify, 74; alteration
establishment of units, 77' letter from Gen. Holmes Hobbs to Sen.
Pearce re command of, 78-9; A. & N.Z. Army, national value
of an, 81, 82; Demobilisation and Repatriation of - Gen.
Monash in charge, 86;
Artillery -
Howitzer Batteries (116 to 120) ,formation of, 64;
Camel Corps -
Disbanded - suggested utilization of men as infantry reinforcements
in France, 27; (Imperial) - not part of A.I.F., 32;
Flying Corps (Australian) -
No. 2 Squadron, resumè of work of for month ending 31st July
1918, 109-10; and for month ending 31st Aug. 1918, 111-12;
No. 3 Squadron, report of work of for month of Aug. 1918, 114-15;
report of to O.C. 15th Wing, R.A.F., 116-18;
No. 4 Squadron, report of work of for month of Aug. 1918, 113:
Infantry.-
Australian Corps, formation of, 60; praise of, by C.-in-C., 69;,
tabulated record of work of during 1918, showing:-
(a) prisoners and guns captured, 104;
(b) towns and villages captured between 27th March and 4th
Oct. 1918, 105;
(c) frontages, depths and areas of the successive advances, 106;
(d) enemy divisions engaged and defeated, 107-8;
1st Division, good work of, at Hazebrouck, 69;
11th Battalion, letter from Sir H. Barron to Gen. Bridges re
command of, 4;
7th Brigade, rejoins its own division, 9;
3rd Division, successful attack of, at Gallipoli, 16; on
Salisbury Plain, praise of by Gen. Sclater in letter to Gen.
Birdwood, 30;
9th Brigade, establishes itself on objective, 16;
10th Brigade,   "          "     "       "          "     "         " 
11th Brigade, relieves 9th and 10th Bdes., 16;
4th Division, date of embarkation of, from Egypt, 14: reviewal
of, by C.-in-C., 14;
16th Battalion, heavy casualties of, 7;
5th Division, date of embarkation of, from Egypt, 14; reviewal
of, by C.-in-C., 14;
6th Division, suggested formation of, 49:
16th Brigade, breaking up of opposed by War Office, 50;
17th Brigade,       "          "     "       "          "     "         "        "
18th Brigade, raising of impracticable, 50;
Light Horse, with 1st contingent, unfit for field, 6;
11th and 12th Brigades, suggested removal of from Egypt as
dismounted reinforcements for France, 27; 

2.
Anderson, Brig.-Gen. R. McC., suggested return of to Aust., 40;
remarks by Gen. Birdwood re a letter from to Sen. Pearce, 49;
Antill, Brig.-Gen., takes over 2nd Bde. from Gen. Forsyth, 36;
Anzac, derivation of word, 44;
Austin, Brig.-Gen., praise of, by Gen. Birdwood, 21;
Austrian Howitzer Battery, inability of officers of to prevent
successful Evacuation, 21;
Bennett, Lt.-Col. A. J., favourably impresses Gen. Birdwood, 23;
sickness of, in England, precludes from promotion at present, 23;
Birdwood, Gen. Sir W. R., Sen. Pearce suggests visit of to Aust.
during latter part of 1917, 57; disinclined to visit Aust. till end
of war, 61, 72; returns from England to France by aeroplane, owing
to big enemy attack developing, 68; prepared to forego advancement
rather than leave A.I.F., 70; suggests that he should retain
administrative command of A.I.F., should he be promoted to command
of an army, 71, 76; reluctantly accepts command of 5th Army, 74;
Blamey, Brig.-Gen. T. A., to command a battalion, 37; desire of to
secure brigade command immediately not granted by Gen. Birdwood, 37;
recommended by Gen. Walker for appointment as B.G.G.S., 76;
appointed C.G.S., Aust. Corps, 76;
Brand, Brig.-Gen. C. H., possible selection of for next brigade
vacancy, 21; supercession of, and reason for, 23; excellence of as
a brigadier, 42; third on list for promotion to divisional command,
42; noted for promotion vice Gellibrand should latter's health
fail, 76;
Bridges, Col. A. H., excellence of as Staff Officer, 30;
Bridges, Maj.-Gen. Sir W. T., mortally wounded by sniper at Anzac, 8;
Browne, Col. Spencer, good work of praised by Gen. Godley, 12;
recommended for temp. rank of Brig.-Gen., 12; inability of to
satisfactorily train and administer training units, 14; rather
on old side, Gen. Legge anxious to replace, 19; elimination of, 24;
not good enough for work required, 24;
Bruche, Col., Gen. Birdwood considers inadvisable to utilize services
of at front, owing enemy descent, 31 ; to be A.A. & Q.M.G. of 5th
Div., vice McGlinn, invalided, 38;
Burgess, Brig.-Gen., promoted to artillery command vice Rosenthal,
transferred, 53;
Burnage, Col., excellent leadership of praised by Gen. Godley, 7;
Burston, Col., selected for post at Mudros, 9, 19; good work of
praised by Gen. Godley, 12; recommended for temp. rank of Brig.-Gen.,
12; rather on old side, 19;
Camel Corps, disbanded - suggested use of men as infantry reinforcements
in France, 27; (Imperial), not part of A.I.F., 32;
Cannan, Brig.-Gen., proves an excellent commander, 7, 16; Gen. Monash
reports on good work of, 30;
Casualties, (A.I.F.), - 16th Bn. at Gallipoli, 7; probable effect
of on five divisions, 49;
Cemeteries, (A.I.F.), pattern of gravestones for, 72;
Chauvel, Lt,-Gen. Sir H., to act in command of 1st Div., 19; proposal
to vest certain of G.O.C's powers in, 27; unsuitable to command
A.I.F. owing lack of experience in France, 75; good services of, 80;
telegraphs re A.I.F. command, 80;
Christian, Brig.-Gen., medically unfit; to return to Aust., 41;
Conference, Imperial, see Imperial Conference;
Conscription, A.I.F. soldiers objections to, 62; uncertainty of
result of A.I.F. vote on, 62;
Courtney, Col., proves an excellent commander, 7;
Cox, Maj.-Gen. Sir H. V., Gen. Birdwood's confidence in, 30;
Coxen, Brig.-Gen., to succeed Gen. Napier as B.G.R.A. should latter
be invalided, 42; qualifications of, 71;
Dardanelles Commission, Gen. Birdwood's comments on, 30;
Death Penalty, advocacy of, by Generals Holmes and Glasgow, 46, 47;
Govt. averse to enforcement of, 57; difficulties in way of inflicting, 61; 
61; expected settlement of terms of 81; terms of, 82; 

3.
Decorations - 1914-15 Star, suggestion that Australians should receive,
55, 56; anticipation of trouble re sanctioning of, 60; extension of
to Aust. troops, 72; ill-feeling in England, 73; suggested "shelving
for Imperial Conference, 73; expected settlement of terms of, 81;
terms of, 82;
Awards of to Generals White, Hobbs, Monash and Divl. Generals, 86;
Defence Minister - change of disastrous for A.I.F., 41;
Demobilisation and Repatriation - Gen. Monash to be in charge of, 86;
Desertions (A.I.F.) - 1st contingent - 8 at Colombo, 3; prevalence
of, in France, 60; suggestions for prevention of, 60;
Diseases - Pneumonia, deaths from, at Mena, 4;
Typhoid, discharge of men refusing inoculation against, 1;
Venereal, 1st contingent patients, discharged at Albany, 1;
Divine Service, Gen. Birdwood attends, with Pr. of Wales, 24; Chaplain
conducting called upon for explanation by Senior Chaplain, Egypt, 24;
Dodds, Brig.-Gen., to be A.A.G. vice Griffiths, 41; to be Commandant,
A.I.F. H.Q. London, vice Griffiths, 81;
Duke of Connaught, expresses surprise at Gen. Haig's account of
excellent discipline of A.I.F., 36;
Egypt camelry and surplus men in, suggested removal of to England,
27; Aust. troops in, cable from Gen. Birdwood to Sen. Pearce re, 64;
suggested transfer of Aust. troops from, 65, 66, 68;
Elliott, Brig.-Gen. H. E., praise of good work of, by Gen. Godley,
15; to command a brigade under Gen. M'Cay, 21; unsatisfactory conduct
of, 23;
Emden, narrow escape of convoy (carrying 1st contingent) from, 2;
captain of, refuses to give parole, 2; prisoners from, Gen. Bridges'
objection to taking on board "Orviete" 2;
Equipment, Aust. and N. Z. compared, 1;
Establishment (A.I.F.), alteration of, 77;
Evacuation, German and Turkish officers courtmartialled at Constantinople
for permitting successful withdrawal to take place, 21;
Farr, Col., good work of as Paymaster praised by Gen. Bridges, 5;
Fisher, Hon. A., opinion of on A.I.F. admin. in London, 70;
Foott, Brig.-Gen., to succeed Joly de Lotbiniere when latter transferred,
42, apptd. to Tidworth as admin. head, 53; 
Forsyth, Brig.-Gen., good work of praised by Gen. Bridges, 5; to
command 2nd Inf. Bde., 19; to return to Aust. owing to sickness, 36;
Gellibrand, Maj.-Gen. Sir J., apptd. to command of a brigade vice
Col. Gwynn, 23; excellence of, as brigadier, 30; noted for promotion
to command of a division, 42; asks to be relieved of his command, 53;
apptd. to Tidworth as general staff head, 53; to command 3rd Div., 76;
German officers, courtmartialled in Constantinople for allowing
successful Evacuation to take place, 21; compared with British
officers, 85;
Glasfurd, Brig.-Gen., to command a brigade, 21;
Glasgow, Maj.-Gen., to command a brigade, 21; indignation of some
infantry officers at selection of, 21; letter from to Gen. Holmes re
death penalty, 47; noted for promotion to divl. command, 76;
G.O.C., A.I.F., suggestion that Gen. Birdwood remain, 71, 76;
Government, Commonwealth, disastrous effect on A.I.F. if changed, 41;
Gravestones, provision of for fallen, 72: pattern of, 72;
Griffiths, Maj. C. T., remarks by Gen. Bridges on inefficiency of, 3;
Griffiths, Brig.-Gen. T., Gen. Birdwood finds "invaluable", 21;
transferred to Admin. H.Q. London, under Gen. Anderson, 37; Sen.
Pearce makes suggestion to Gen. Birdwood re work of, 51; recommended
for rank of Brig.-Gen., 62; difficulties of in working with Gen.
M'Cay, 71; desires to return to Aust., 80; good work of, 80;
decides to take 5 months leave instead of resigning, 82;
Haig, F.-M. Earl, praises A.I.F., 36; wires congratulating A.I.F. on
capture of Pozieres, 29;
Hazebrouck, Gen. Birdwood apprehends big German attack at, 68;
Heritage, Col., suitable appointment to be found for, 41; 

4.
Hobbs, Maj.-Gen. Sir J.J.T., proceeds to England on leave, 53;
noted for reward in next honours list, 53; gravestone design of
selected, 72; qualifications of as Corps commander, 74;
Hobkirk, Brig.-Gen. C. J., recommended for command of 14th Bde.,
vice Pope, relieved, 25; to rejoin British Army when opportunity
occurs, 42, 72;
Holman, Mr., visits front, 17, 52; views on second conscription
referendum, 49; knocked down by shell burst, 52;
Holmes, Maj.-Gen., success of, as commander, 13; qualifications of
discussed by Gen. Birdwood, 22; good work of, 30; noted for
promotion, 30; death of, 17, 46, 52;
Horses, (with 1st contingent), losses on voyage, 1;
Howell-Price, Lt.-Col. O.C., death of, 37;
Howse, Maj.-Gen. Sir N. R., V.C., apptd. A.D.M.S. 1st Div., 4;
reorganises Medical units, 5; Gen. Birdwood finds "invaluable",
21; further honours for to be granted at end of war, 87;
Hughes, Brig.-Gen. F. G., too old for active service, 12; possible
successor to Gen. Irving, 20;
Hughes, Rt. Hon. W. M., health of, 73; to attend Imperial Conference,
73; visits front to consult with Divl. generals re Corps command,
80; action by re leave for 1914 men, 84;
Imperial Camel Corps, not part of A.I.F., 32;
Imperial Conference, Mr. Hughes to attend, 73; suggested "shelving"
of 1914/15 Star for, 73;
Imperial officers, in A.I.F., to be replaced by Aust. officers, 41,
42, 72;
Irving, Brig.-Gen., to be head of A.I.F. in Egypt, 11, 20;
unsatisfactory as a commander, 13, 24; Maj.-Gen. Godley recommends
removal of, 13; and holes that he be given command of training
battalions at Tel-el-Kebir, 13; to command a brigade, 21;
hooted by own troops, 24;
Jobson, Brig.-Gen., proves an excellent brigadier, 16; Gen. Monash
dissatisfied with, 53; asks to be relieved of his command, 53;
Johnston, Brig.-Gen. G. J., does not possess requisite technical
knowledge for chief artillery command, 42; desires to return
to France, 71; Gen. Birdwood does not desire return of, 71;
Joly de Lotbiniére, Gen. Birdwood requests transfer of to British
Army, 42;
M'Cay, Maj.-Gen. Sir J. W., reports to Gen. Godley on unsatisfactory
conduct of Gen. Irving, 13; proves an excellent divl. commander, 15;
apptd. to Tidworth command, 42, 43; Gen. Griffiths has difficult
time with, 50;
(Gen. Birdwood suggests visit of to Aust., 62; Sen. Pearce does not
desire return or, 63; dissatisfied with A.I.F. admin. in England,
70; not suitable to command Corps, 71, 75;
McGlinn, Col., invalided, 38;
MacLagan, Maj.-Gen. E.G. Sinclair, see Sinclair MacLagan;
MacNaghten, Col., inefficiency of, 13;
McNicoll, Brig.-Gen., good work of, 16; not quite up to necessary
standard for bde. command, 76;
Martin, Col., succeeds Brig.-Gen. Smith, 77;
Maudsley, Col., further honours for, to be kept in hand for end of
war, 87;
Monash, Lt.-Gen. Sir J., good work of during anxious time, 7;
Gen. Birdwood does not consider capable of commanding a division,
22; qualifications of as Corps commander, 71, 74, 75; small notice
given to to collect men for leave, 84;
Moore, Brig.-Gen. Sir N., relinquishes Tidworth command, 42, 43;
desires to command base depots in France, 43;
Murphy, Lt.-Col., apptd. to command a battalion, 37;
Napier, Gen., if invalided, Gen. Coxen to succeed, 42;
Neligan, Lt.-Col. M. Wilder, see Wilder Neligan;
O'Donnell, Lt.-Col., relieved of command of his battalion, 37;
Officers, Australian, see under A.I.F.
German, see German officers.
Imperial, see Imperial officers.
Turkish, see Turkish officers. 

5.
Paton, Brig.-Gen. WxxG., success of, 13: excellent as brigadier,
30; comments on, by Gen. Birdwood, 37; takes over from Gen.
Gellibrand, transferred, 53;
Patterson, Lt.-Col. W. G., Gen. Bridges comments on work of, 5;
Pensions, for Aust. permanent officers, Gen. Birdwood suggests
scheme of, 58;
Pneumonia, see under diseases;
Pope, Col. H., good leadership of, 7; 16th Bn., commanded by, loses
heavily at Gallipoli, 7; Gen. Godley comments on good work of,
13; relieved of command of 14th A.I. Bde. by Gen. M'Cay, 15, 25,
26; rank of Brig.-Gen. for not promulgated, 28; interviews
Gen. Birdwood re being relieved of command of 14th Bde., 29;
wounded near Messines, 50;
Pozières, capture of, 29; Sir D. Haig congratulates A.I.F. on
capture of, 29; magnificent behavious of troops fighting at, 30;
Rankin, Brig.-Gen., relieved of command of 11th Bde., 30, 33, 35;
report by Gen. Monash on unsatisfactory conduct of, 33;
Reinforcements - 11th and 12th L.H. Regts., suggested transfer to
France to reinforce infantry, 27; Camel Corps, suggested utilization
of men as infantry reinforcements, France, on disbandment, 27;
Repatriation - see Demob. and Repat.;
Reserve, placing of division in means abolition one division, 60;
Rosenthal, Maj.-Gen. Sir C., not competent to command Corps
artillery, 42; noted for promotion to next divl. vacancy, 72, 76;
Rowell, Lt.-Col., death of, 10;
Ryrie, Maj.-Gen. Sir G. de L., Sen. Pearce considers incompetent
to command a bde., 6; need of good staff officer to help, 22;
Sellheim, Maj.-Gen. V.C.M., Gen. Godley praises good work of, 11;
office of in Egypt to be taken over by Gen. Irving, 11;
desires position in the field, 20; Gen. Birdwood recommends rank
of Brig.-Gen. for, 20;
Sinclair MacLagan, Maj.-Gen., first on list for divl. command, 42;
in charge of training at Tidworth, 43; good work of at Tidworth,
53;
Smith, Brig.-Gen. R., invalided, 77; relieved by Col. Martin, 77;
Smyth, Maj.-Gen. N.M., V.C., to rejoin British Army when
opportunity occurs, 42, 72. 76;
Star, 1914/15, see Decorations;
Suez Canal, Naval defence of, 88-101;
Swiftsure's report on, 88-91;
D'Entrecasteaux's report on, 92-3;
H.M. Hopper No. 34's report on, 94-8;
H.M.S. Hardinge's report on, 99-100;
Requin's report on, 101-2;
Tivey, Maj.-Gen., excellent work of as brigadier, 15; favourably
impresses Gen. Birdwood, 24; Gen. M'Cay's comments on, 24;
Travers, Lt.-Col., to command a battalion, 37;
Turkish officers, courtmartialled in Constantinople for allowing
successful Evacuation to take place, 21;
Typhoid, see under Diseases;
Venereal Disease, see under Diseases;
Walker, Maj.-Gen. Sir H.B., Gen. Birdwood's confidence in, 30;
expected retransfer of to British Army, 72, 76;
Walker, Lt.-Col., relieved of command, 37;
White, Lt.-Gen. Sir C.B.B., Gen. Bridges' "right hand", 5; Gen.
Birdwood finds "invaluable", 21; to be recommended for rank of
Maj.-Gen., 21; "undoubtedly fitted to command a division, but of
greater value as C.G.S.", 22; special rate of pay asked for, 22,
and granted, 24; fully qualified to command Corps, but of greater
value as M.G.G.S. 5th Army, 75, 76, 83; "probably best and ablest
of staff officers in armies in France"; 83; apptd. Chief Staff
Officer, A.I.F., 86; granted rank of Lt.-Gen., 86;
Whitham, Lt.-Col., apptd. A.A.G.,A.I.F. vice Griffiths, 37;
Wilder-Neligan, Lt.-Col. M., institutes comfort system for men of
his battalion, 59;
Wisdom, Brig.-Gen., takes over Paton's brigade, 37; 

1     1
Extract from private letter from Major-General W.T. BRIDGES
to Senator G.F. Pearce dated 31/10/1914
On medical advisce I have ordered the discharge of
syplhilitic cases, but often we are taken in. I have also
ordered all men who refuse to be inoculated against typhoid
to be discharged. They may become a source of infection
to others and also show a bad spirit in not subordinating
their own personal wishes to the good of the Force.
I stopped all shore leave on arriving here (Albany) -
so that when the Mayor asked the officers to a reception I
refused explaining that I did not consider it proper
to grant privileges of this nature to officers that were
denied to the men.
We have not, however, done as well as the N.Z. who
have only lost 13 horses out of 3800. Their men however
are in bunks and not in hammocks and though they are taking
tents I fancy are not as completely equipped as we are.

2
Extract from private letter from Major-General W.T. BRIDGES
to Senator G. F. PEARCE, dated 16/11/1914.
The EMDEN missed us by only 20 miles. If she had
passed astern instead of ahead she would have bagged the
New Zealanders at least. Her captain told me tonight that he
thought we were going direct from W.A. to Aden and therefore it
was useless to look for us. I think two very useful lessons
can be drwn from the fact that our long delay very nearly
precipitated the catastrophe it was intended to prevent.
Her captain seems to be what I hear from all sides a very
pleasant man. He refused to give me his parole but I think
wants to consider the position. I did not like taking in
the prisoners - it cramps the men, prevents training and causes
much extra work and may cause trouble with the troops.
I would not have agreed had it entailed great discomfort
to the troops. 

3
Extract from private letter from Major-General W.T.BRIDGES
to Senator G.F.PEARCE, dated 25/11/1914.
I have just received a message from the "MILTIADES"
which is not intelligible but apparently indicates that
8 men deserted at Colombo. The O.C. troops allowed the
men to bathe in the harbour - took no action to prevent it
until the HAMPSHIRE threatened to send an armed boat to
compel obedience to the Naval Officer's orders. One of
these 8 men has been sent in from Colombo by the SYDNEY.
I am afraid Major GRIFFITHS is useless.
^xMajor Griffiths was O.C. troops ^(English reservists) in the Miltiades - not
 Capt Tom Griffiths.