Charles E W Bean, Diaries, AWM38 3DRL 606/243A/1 - 1916 - 1934 - Part 5

36

7.
To AZN
From XED 3 am
It is reported to me that the 53rd. on my right has
given away slightly and that Germans are coming in about N15 A9 9½
The enemy is bombing his way up the trecnhes. Supports are necessary

immediately to strengthen 53rd. Once again grenades are
earnestly requested. Will youplease send me a big supply.
Please send them forthwith or it will be a costly process to drive
out the enemy if he gets established. My men are worn out with
hard work and are too busy to be spared to act as carriers.
At what time may I expect cable communication. Please send for
10000 rounds enemy ammunition now in my hands.

To AZN
From XED 3.22 am
Position is serious as we have no grenades and enemy is
preparing to attack from vicinity of N 15 A 8 6 to N 15 3 4 6.
If t right breaks I shall have a very difficult job to hold on.
Willyou send help and grenades at once please.

TO AZN
From xxx XED 3.45 am
Position very serious. 53rd. are retiring. Enemy
behind them and in their old front line. N9 C61 and within 100 yds
of my right. Cannot get 53rd. to face them. CO 55th. not to be
found. Use guns on position indicated. URGENT.

To AZN
From XED 4.4 am
The 53rd has broken and are crowding my right. Am
trying to hold Germans by fire but have had no bombs for some time.
A supply has just been brought by my own men. Am trying to get
McComaghy to counter attack. Am building up a firing line but my
front cannot be denuded and 53rd. wont stand. Can find no officer
of 53rd about here. Germans withing 80 yds on N 15 A99. They
are sending up flares continuously. Am doing my best but probably
it is too late to do any good. Help us with guns. Enemy first
and second line at places indicated.
 

8.    37

To AZN
From XED  4.20 am
Position almost desperate. Have got 55th and a few
54th together and have temporarily checked enemy. But do get our
guns to work at once please. The 53rd. have lost confidence
temporarily and will not willingly stand. their ground. Some
appear to be breaking across NO MANS LAND. If they give way to
my right rear I must withdraw or be surrounded. Please get
artillery to work on German trenches N 9 C bottom line and N 15 a
top line in both cases 5 to 10.

To AZN
From XED 6.15
Position much easier and improved. Had driven enemy
back by counter attack and grenades well out of bombing distance.
Capt. Dunoon 55th Bn. did good work in leading his men forward to
attack until wounded. Have arranged with McConaghy to convert part
of German trench from N9 c 9½ 1 southerly to N15 a 10 8 intoa fore
trench. (Reference Trench diagram S9 N part of Sheet 36 1/2500).
Noted limits of barrage. Can you get artillery to neutralise
enemy.guns as our temporary trenches will not stand bombardment.
Is 8th. Bde retiring as I have just seen a message to that effect
but doubt it. Col. McConaghy states that report is correct.
To AZN

Fro. XED 6.20 am
No medical officer and no stretcher bearers here and
have many wounded. Please assist me as we cannot spare men.
Tp Coys.
From W.E. Cass. 6.30 am
Be peepared to withdraw on the order being given. The
old German front line will be held to the end. Make arrangements
to dribble men in very small parties back through sap across NO
MANS LAND to our front line. Make no move until I send the word
WITHDRAW.

 

9. 38
To Lewis Machine Gun Section.
From W.E. Cass.  6.40
There is a possibility that the Bde will be withdrawn
from the German lines. If the order comes toretire all machine and
Lewis guns must be saved with all parts. They will be withdrawn
singly. Send away your first gun now.

TO AZN
From XED 7.20 am
Have sent machine guns away and Lewis guns are following.
Please arrange artillery to create barrage right around us as enemy
is bombing very heavily. His rifle fire is causing casualties
and I cannot get wounded away. Please give all artillery support
possible particularly against machine guns. No order to withdraw
yet.

39.
Condensation of Operatn Order No 3
by Col. Cass Lt Col.E.E.H.Cass C.M.G.,
commdg 54th bn.
In the field 16/7/16.
Map ref.Sheet 36 S.W. 1/20,000 or 1/40,000
Intention. The division will move to the assault o t enemys positn
N8d to N 10 c.
14 bde will attack on a front of 600 yds from N 9 c8 tp
N 10 c 3. 53 bn on right, 54 on left; 55 and 56 in 2nd line.
Tht frontage allotted to 54 bn is approximately Bramptons Rd - Mine
Avenue, trench nos.N 9/4 tp N 10/1.
1st Line .O.C.Maj.Harrison, A & B coys.Scouting platoon, grenade
platoon
2nd line. C & D coys, 4 Lewis guns.
Coys to be in line of columns of half coys. Each coy will occupy
frontage of 150 yds, 2 platoons in each wave.
The Lewis guns follow after bn has taken trenches and xx when directed.
6 signallers to go with Maj.Harrison with first wave, with two
telephones, paying out wires as they move forwd, to estab.bn H.Qrs.
A & B coy to carry 30 shovels; C & D and Pioneers the rest.
Each man will carry 2 grenades in haversack, wh will be worn on
right side,. "These are principally for the use of grenade platoon,
,but may be used by directn of an officer or n.c.o. if required for
special work.
8 Verey pistols available.
Sgd.M.J.Lowe, Adjt 54 Bn.
MESSAGES FROM BDE AND COMPANIES DURING THE FIGHT.
Messages from Companies during the fight (on leaves of
small pocket books, some scarcely decipherable, stained with mud,
crumpled).
to 54 Bn.
From Bde ^to 54 Bn. 3.55 pm July 17. The operations detailed will not take
place on 17th or 18th July. Advantage will be taken of this postponement

to push on preparations for the attack later. Detailed orders

regarding dispositions are being issued on receipt of same xx
from division.

40
(2)
Recd 3 pm. To the C.O. "C" Coy arrived safely. No casualties. Quite
comfortable here.R.D.Holman Major. (sent 2.50.pm).
"D" Coy arrived safely. No Casualties. B.D.Jack, Major
O.C.D coy.
Recd 4.34 pm. I have had the follg casualties. Killed 1 stretcher
bearer; wounded 2  men. Casualties caused by our
own shrapnel bursting short......J.Hansen Capt.O.C.""
"B" Coy.4pm
(Adds shells behind G.trench.
little damage to wire)
Recd.4.45 to C.O. from D & C Coys.
C & D coys no casualties. No shells have landed near us
R.D.Holman O.C."C"
4.20 pm.
sent 4.30 pm. To C.O.54 bn.
No casualties to date in this Co. All confident, ready
and acquainted with their jobs. In future if telephone
communication is got I shall not send a messenger but
simply O K A over the line. T.Taylor Capt O.C."A" Co.
Enemy reply to our bombardment very feeble in
front line. Our guns are tearing into enemy wire and xx
trenches. T.T. 4.30.
(Warning re gas to be emitted from 60th Bde front at 5.40 pm if
wind favourable - from N 6 b.)
Recd.5.59 pm. Sent 4.30 pm.
Casualty return No 2. I beg to r port the following
casualties. Wounded 3. Making total Killed 1, wounded
5. Shells appear to be dropping in enemys trenches.
Very few hitting his parapet. Wire entanglement broken
in few places only. J.Hansen Capt. OC "B" Coy.
Sent 5.10 pm. B co report that enemy parapet opposite their left
(abt N.9 d 8 to abt N 10 c 1) is not being smashed.
Please inform artillery. Cannot establish touch with
you yet. Capt. Taylor has just had an arm blown off. B
B co. now report that the wire in front of their xxx
left flank is not eing touched by the artillery.
(recd.5.23 pm.) R.Harrison, Major.
Recd 3.50 (? 5.50) To XED (?54 Bn) N 15 A 7.6. is not going to be
attacked. Acknowledge. from AZN (?14 Bde) sent 5.25pm
8.45 pm;. (time recd) O.C. 14 Engrs. Please send sand bags and duck
boards also. shovels.L.Merkel Lt.
xxxxxxxx

Recd.8.30 pm. Am linked on left with 32nd. Will report re right in a
few minutes. W.D.Harris Lt. 8.30 pm.
Recd. 8.45 pm. We are linked on right with 53rd on left with 32nd.
Have sent fatigue party back and must get sandbags, &

41
(3)
shovels. Egngineers have sent for pump - we are in water to our
waists in some places. W.D.Harris
Recd.8.45 pm. Have about 450 men and Lieuts Lovejoy Astridge and
Judd, and Lieut.Gunter here. If material comes can make
a fair position. W.D. Harris Lt 8.35 pm.
Receipt.
Sent 8.55 pm/Received bundle of effects of German prisoner from
54 Bn. G.A.Street Capt. Staff Capt in
Recd.9.15. Flare just dropped from aeroplane. Have no pistols or
flares here with which to reply, neither have I any xxxx
flares for use tonight. Only illuminants as far as I can
find out on my part of line arenone red and one white xxx
rocket which I have with me. Is it possible for a supply
of pistols and flares to be sent here please?
H.R.Lovejoy Lt a/O.C."A"Coy.

9.6pm
Recd.
9.50.pm We have connected with 53rd Batt. Our parapets are not
shell rifle proof but xxxxxxxxxxx rifle proof fairly well supplied

with machine guns Grenades ammunition and
water and sand bags are wanted. A.H.Hirst Lt "C"Coy.
To C.O.54th Bn.Enmy communication trench enters this trench .xxxxxx
Bombers are required to protect this. Can you supply xxx
xxxx same. J.J.Murray Capt. O.C."B" Coy. (This is untimed
(Gunter asked to dob this) - Murray was 53rd Bn. CEWB).
by Cass CEWB)
Sent 10.30 pm. Tp O.C. 54th Bn from O/C "B" Coy 55 Bn. We are in
your front line. Can you stop sending up of flares from
2nd line? Does not seem to be any reason for it.
N.Gibbins Capt.
O/C "B" Coy.
10.30 pm 19/7/16.
Sent 10.45 Can we get more picks & shovels &

more sandbags.  W.D. Harris. Lt.
(Street reported to Cass at 11.30 pm that he was sending 3 Verey
pistols and 30 cartridges to both 54 and 53. None for 55).
xxxxxxxx
Recd.12.30 So far they have not got onto any part of our line and
we have made good progress with our parapet. I wonder do
they enfilade us very badly? W.D.Harris Lt.
Recd 12.45 Your message 11.25 pm just received - 12.34 - Have no
knowledge of aby of our troops being out in front. Instructions

re flares etc.,however,noted. Also note
re strangers. H.R.Lovejoy Lt. a/oc "A" Coy. 12.34
20/7/16.
xxxx Recd 12.30 am. I know nothing of companies in front of our lines.
A good number of 55th are I believe on our right.
A.H.Hirst Lt "C"Coy.
All is well along here.
xxxxxxx

42
(4)
Sent 12.55 am. 53rd have asked for reinforcements (to put where xxx
they link up with us). I have sent them about 50
men earlier in the evening. Cant spare another man
from our firing line. Are there any men available
from the rear. Still going strong.
Cigarettes and matches at a premium. W.D.Harris. Lt
Street sends at 9.46 that he is sending sandbags as fast as he can
;trying since 6.30 tp estab. cable commn., One coyn
of 55 bn sent to 54. Verey lights and sandbags
being sent for. 56 bn have one coy in original xxx
front line but it is not to be touched.
(This ws recd. at 1.20 am.)
(Also message from divn to report which parts of
attack were successful, which doubtful etc.
was sent at 8.31 but only recd. at 1.10 am. (Copy
of telegram).
Recd.1.45. We now have bullet rpoof parapet 5 to 9 feet high all
along our line. Now traversing. Lewis gun ammunition

is wanted. Feel confident we can hold against
all but H.E shells. W.D.Harris Lt. 1.35 pm.How
about communication trenches-are we to start them?W.D.H.
Recd. 2.45 am. Sandbags and grenades are wanted urgently on right
at 53rd. Messenger says that they are not connected
up with any battalion on their right.
A.H.Hirst Lt C.Coy.
We are all right here, but must be badly
enfiladed tomorrow.
Recd. 2.45 am. Is it practicable to lay a telephone wire out to our
firing line tonight? Everything still going well
but men almost too weary to work. W.D.Harris Lt.
2.10 am. (recd or sent?) More grenades are wanted urgently on right
A.H Hirst Lt C.Co.
(Cass being near the commn trench and messages going to him I
suppose the grenades were all sent in this direction - as the 8th
Bde say they were).
Sent 2.5am. Flares are going up almost in rear of our right about
the old German trench. I heard that the 53rd are not
joined up with the 15th Bde or any other Bn and so are
practically a dead end without any connection or
flank support. A.H.Hirst Lieut.C.Coy.
Recd.
4.15pm. Request for casualty list (or near estimate) from bde. (sent
(sent 2am).

Recd.4am. to XED from AZN (sent) 4am. Your three messages received. 

Grenades being sent now. Others as soon as possible

Recd 5.15. from bde. Your 4th message recd. Everything possible being dos
done. Grenades etc being pushed forward. Artillery communicated with.4.20
Recd 6. from bde.Our arty are putting up a barrage from N9c51 toN15a85
4.50 am.
 

43
(5)
Sent 5.15 from Bde. 8th Bde have retired. Do not retire until you
receive word. Word should be through shortly. Machine
guns should be brought back.
(written by Street.)
C.O.53rd Bn. 20/7/16. The 15th Brigade has gone back to its trenches. 

This leaves our right flank exposed.
2. You are ordered not to retire but to hold on to
the position you now occupy.
3. You should block off the WESTERN ends of all
the trenches, you hold and do the best you can with
Bombs and Lewis Guns and anything else you can think
of.
4. Everything possible will be done to help you. xx
The sap across Nomansland is nearly complete, and
supplies will be continued at all costs.
5. If possible it is hoped to relieve you tonight.
H.Pope
Colonel
Cdg 14 AIBde.
Almost identical order to Cass. (That for 53rd Gn evidently came o
to Cass because the 53rd Bn as a unit had ceased to
exist).
Recd.7.50 am AII 14th Bde troops withdraw from German lines Trench
mortars should shoot away any ammunition they have on
your side. Try and get away all machine guns. Artillery

barrage all round you started at 5.40.
7. 3am.(From Street. to 54 bn) 

44
Officers recommended by Col Cass.
Maj.Roy Harrison, who served through Gallipoli without reward.
(and who was hit before reaching Nomansland.)
2/Lt A.C.Gunter. Grenadier Officer. Repelled with bombing platoon

German attack up Commn trenches on right xx
and right front. When it ws found right was
unprotected, Gunter was in the bombing defence
on the right, both before and after bomb
supply came up, and continued bombing personally
till enemy out of reach.
Lt A.G.Morris, Scout offr, but took platoon as other offrs knocked

out. With Harris on left front. When left
Bde retired he went through the enemy with his
men and is said to have shot two with his revolver. 

(I suppose this was in getting to our
front trench) CEWB).
Lt R.G.Downing. in charge of L.G.sectn. Guns placed commdg
German approaches and did much to drive back
German C-attack on right front abt midnight and
on rt flank abt 2am. Wounded but stayed and
covered rt flank after daylight.
2/lt H.R.Lovejoy Assisted Lt Harris on right front. Remains of
his coy commanded commn trench up wh enemy c-attacked

at midnight. Not one reached our positn.
Lovejoy was wounded in withdrawing his men and
cannot be traced (?xxxxxxxxx prisoner of war)
Lieut.W.D.Harris - took charge of the line and part of men of ?53
Bn.
Capt.M.J.Lowe. Adjt. Went across Nomansland to get up grenades
etc.
2/Lt L.Judd, E.S.Astridge, Lt A.H.Hirst also mentd.
Also Lt Denoon (55 Bn) and Lt Merkel (14 Engrs). 

Osborne College 45

Epping

N.S.W

3/5/20
[*Maland*]
C.E.W. Bean Esq
Official War Historian
Dear Sir,

With great reluctance, I yield to

the promptings of the numerous friends

of the late Captain Norman Gibbins

and submit the accompanying letters

from his comrades, and, relative to

his death in action.

My brother's friends are of the opinion

that his fine services and heroic

self sacrifice at Fromelles (where he

was killed) have been entirely ignored.

Certainly, I have not received any

official recognition of them, but, I

am satisfied that this was due

to the unfortunate change in the

higher command at the time of

his death. My brother's comrades

invariably meet this explanation, 

on my part, with the statement - 

"Well! anyhow, it was a gross

shame", and, they are fiercely

indignant about it.