Charles E W Bean, Diaries, AWM38 3DRL 606/243A/1 - 1916 - 1934 - Part 16

F.4151
xxxxxx
1149.
25 June 1926.
Captain C. Mills, O.B.E.,
"Lexie Glen",
Bay View Avenue,
Auburn, Victoria.
Dear Captain Mills,
In writing the story of Fromelles, I think I have been
able to identify the trench you were occupying, but there are
one or two points on which I am vague. I should be greatly
obliged if you would let me know, to the best of your
recollection -
(1) Were you in a continuation of the trench occupied
by Captain White of the 32nd Battalion (who was in a
third-line trench on the left), or were you in a second-
line trench (or ditch) to his right rear?
(2) Were the Germans, whom you saw coming over in the
morning to attack White, emerging from their communication
trench at Delangre Farm, or were they attacking
from the front? Did you see any of our men actually
advancing against them?
(3) Do you know whether White at that time held the
communication trench on the left?
Yours sincerely,
C.E.W. BEAN
 

18 Bay View av
Auburn
Vic.
29 6 26.
Dear Mr Bean,
I have your
letter of 25^th June re Fromelles.
Re your queries.
1. Throughout the night 19^th/20^th
July the 32^nd and 31^st Bns (Capt
White and I) occupied the alleged
second-line trench. It was really
a water-logged ditch. White
was on my immediate left. I am
quite sure that it was the same
trench and that it was second-
line. There was no third-line.
Several times during the night
I walked along the whole length
of the trench occupied by 31^st & 32^nd
and on the extreme left had
short chats with White and other
officers with him. About 2 am
Lt-Col Coghill (CO 32^nd) came along from
White's end, had a look along the
length of my sector and crawled
out into the open from my right
 

in a rather plucky effort to establish
liasion with the 54^th Bn but did
not succeed. There was no trench
or obstacle of that nature between
us and the german front-line.
2. The Germen's attacking in the
morning came out of the mist
from the direction of their
strong post at Delangre Farm.
White, - after we had discussed
the situation and agreed that
he would meet move out to meet
them - disappeared to the
left along his trench with
his men. I never saw them
again though I waited to see
them hop out. The impression
I gained was that he had changed
his mind. I was told later that
on leaving their sector they
moved off down a communication
trench back to the German
front-line, and did not counter -
attack. I am strengthend in
 

this belief by my recollection of
the rapidity with which the
german troops reached White's
old sector after he left and before
I had time to get back to my
own sector. Standing near White
was a very windy Sergeant of the
32^nd who, while we were talking,
was hysterically shouting that "we
must all get back, or we will all be
killed". and I had occasion to
address him rather rudely. Possibly
this N.C.O. made the others a little
panicky.
3. Yes, to the best of my belief
White - or, at any rate, the 32^nd -
held the communication trench on
the left at the time.
I shall be only too delighted if the
above proves of the least use to you
in your patient and difficult task.
very truly yours
C. Mills
 

F.4151
xxxxxx
1354. 

2 September 1926.
Lieut.-Colonel T.R. Marsden, D.S.O.,
Officers’ Mess, R.A.A.F.,
Point Cook. Vic.
Dear Colonel Marsden,
In writing the account of the Battle of Fromelles for
the Official History I find a difficulty in ascertaining what
exactly was the position on the extreme left. Captain Barbour,
to whom I had written, tells me that some of your machine-guns
were on the extreme left, and that he thinks you also were
probably there. I wonder if you would be so good as to give me
the benefit of your memory, particularly with regard to the
following points?
(1) Did the long German communication trench past
Delangre Farm open into any of the old trenches held by
you and the 32nd? According to air-photographs, it did
not communicate with any of them except the old German
front line.
(2) Were barricades built across this trench, and across
the old Germen Front line at the extreme left flank, and,
if so, at what points? I find nothing definite in the
records about barricades. Perhaps the trenches were
just broken by trench-mortar bombs?
(3) If there were barricades, were definite parties
holding them (a) in the communication trench, and (b)
in the front line; and, if so, do you know what happened
to these parties? Were they bombed out?
I enclose a rough sketch map of the position, and should
be glad if you would make upon it any comments or marks which
might explain the position. I should also be greatly obliged if
you could spare the time to jot down for me a few notes comprising
your recollections on the above points, and on your experiences
that night.
Yours faithfully,
C.E.W. BEAN
 

31/10/15

A & NZ Army Corps
 

1241. 

15 July 1926.
Major S.A. Hunn, M.V.O.,O.B.E.,M.C.,
21-24 St. George's House,
St. George's Terrace,
Perth, W.A.
Dear Hunn,
I don't remember whether you were with the attacking
infantry at the Battle of Fromelles, but in case you were I am
sending you the questions set forth below in the hope that you
will be able to help me. The official records are not very
clear, and White's report, written subsequently, though first
hand and excellent as far as it goes, is much condensed and contains
little information as to the left.
(1) Did the long ^German communication trench past Delangre Farm
open into any of the old trenches held by you and the
32nd? According to air-photographs it did not communicate
with any of them, except the old German Front line.
(2) Were barricades built across this trench, and across the
old German front line at the extreme left flank, and, if
so, at what points? I find nothing definite in the
records about barricades. Perhaps the trenches were just
broken by trench-mortar bombs?
(3) If there were barricades, were definite parties holding
them (a) in the communication trench, and (b) in the front
line; and, if so, do you know what happened to these
parties? Were they bombed out?
(4) The Germans are of opinion that some of our people got
nearly half-a-mile beyond the German trenches. Is this, in
your opinion, just a wild report given by frightened German
soldiers; or do you think that some of the 32nd or 31st
pushed far ahead, shooting at fleeing Germans? Colonel
Toll, I know, went about 400 yards, but the Germans had the
impression that we went farther than this.
I should be greatly obliged if you would give me the
benefit of your recollection on the above points, which are mainly
in connection with the left. I have written to Major White but
have received no reply, and am therefore not sure that I have
secured the correct address. If you happen to know his address,
would you be so good as to send it to me?
2. We are returning to you an air-photograph which you
kindly sent us for use in Volume XII. We received some similar
photographs from Goodland, but I think that yours is the one
which we are returning under separate cover. Apologising for
keeping it so long.
Yours sincerely.
C.E.W. BEAN
P.S. I am at work now on Pozieres, and therefore
hope to publish the first instalment dealing with
France within reasonable tine. How are you
faring?
 

LANE
 

TELEGRAMS
"GOLDSBRO. PERTH."
COMMUNICATIONS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED
TO "THE MANAGER"
AND NOT TO INDIVIDUAL OFFICERS.
c/o. Goldsbrough, Mort and Company Limited.
(INCORPORATED 1893.)
Perth.
6th August, 1926.
Captain C.E.W. Bean,
Historian,
Victoria Barracks,
SYDNEY.
N.S.W.
Dear Captain Bean,
I have your letter of 15th July, for
which I thank you.
I regret that I was not in the attacking
infantry at the Battle of Fromelles, as I was employed on
the right near Sugarloaf on those dummies with carrying
parties in order that they would arrive in time for the
battle, so I cannot give you the information you require.
I have, however, been in touch with
relatives of White's who give me his address as
KOTA BHARU.
KELANTAN.
MALAY STATES.
If you are anxious to get in touch with him that address
will find him now, but he will be in Perth in October next
and his address will be
678 Beaufort Street,
MOUNT LAWLEY.
I am sorry that I cannot give you any further information.
over
 

Captain C.E.W. Bean  -2-  6/8/26.

I thank you for returning the air photograph
which was sent for use in Vol. X11.
I would be only too pleased to give any information
at any time in connection with your work if there
is anything that I may be able to do.
I was in Melbourne last month and saw a lot of
old friends like Officer and General White. It is nice to
meet all these people occasionally.
You, no doubt, have got your head to the grindstone
completing your work.
With Kind regards,
Yours sincerely,
S.A. Hunn