Charles E W Bean, Diaries, AWM38 3DRL 606/243B/1 - 1916 - 1926 - Part 4

3.

although it was so shallow. By 9 am the last of the troops had
crossed, thoroughly exhausted and then were again subjected to a
heavy bomberdment while in our own front line. T need for
medical attention in our first trench was most pressing, for I saw
scores of men badly wounded and no help at hand to bind them up.
T casualties were mounting up and there was no communication
except by runners with Bdem HQ and all seemed to dazed to send for
help. Our communication (?) trenches were being blown to pieces
and not until I myself reached Bde HQ at Rue de Petillion about
11 am was I able to inform anyone of this most pressing need for
doctors and trained stretcher bearers. I there saw Capt.
Cosgrove R.M.O. and told him of the position. He at once setxoff
sent off 14 stretchers and three doctors, but I was too exhausted
to do any more. At abt. 1 pm a cart came and took me away to the
14th. Bde HQ at Les Croix Lecornex when I reported verbally to
the O.C. 14th. Bde.
I believe that the Germans have some very accurate
system of observing the rear of our position. It could be done
by a telescope periscope (similar to a submarine's periscope)
about 20 ft. long and placed in a tree. T observer in tt case
could easily be in a dugout behind the tree observing everything
and reporting to t guns when he saw a target. I know that on
returng to Rue de Petillion via York Avenue I had no sooner reachd
our 300 line xxxx with about 12 or 15 men than heavy shells
rained on us and searched the Avenue for abt. 50 yds. This
could not have been done by chance as there had been no fire over
this point for 15 minutes.prior to my arrival there. Similarly
any party of 6 or 8 men in t forward end of Brompton Rd. was
similarly shelled by most accurate fire and yet only trees in the
german area could be seen.
I believe that enemy batteries are placed somewhere on
continuation of the line N 3 Central N 9 centre N 16 Central or
close to the vicinity of Hayem N 16 D Central to les Clochers N 16
B or in the wood N 17 0 33. The batteries referred to were very
close to tt area I am sure and may be located by our aeroplanes
on this information. Reference map Trench map France sheet
38 S W Edition 7Am 2/20000.
I venture this report from my own observation
supported by one of my officers.
At present I cannot report further but as events recur
I may be able to record them, and will forward them direct.
(Sgd) W.E. Cass. Lt-Col.
Commanding 54th. Bn.

To ALL Coys.
From D8
Prepare to move to a new billeting area tonight time
will be notified later. All men not on Brigade or Divisional
duties must be warned to be ready at a moments notice.
Strength. 31 officers 968 O.R. incldg. 1 Parson 1 Interpreter.
2 Absentees O.R.
To AZN
From XED 01415
In position at 0400 Zero time. Shall I use zero time or
clock time for future messages please.
To Col. Norris.
From W.E. Cass. 3.50 pm
Have you had any reply yet from Bde re tt farm please.
To AZN
From XED R. 4.35 pm
Reporrs from firing line reports tt enemy artlly, fire very
feeble. Casualties to date 1 killed 2 wounded by our own
shrapnel bursting short. One report states that enemy parapet
not much damaged as our shells appear to burst 30 or 40 yds behind
enemy parapet. Also states enemy wire not much damaged. This
from my left coy. No reply yet to my XED1 regarding time to be
used whether zero or clock
To C and D Coys.
From XED 4.40
Move forward commencing 5.15 pm No half hour reports recd.
from you yet.

To A and B Coys.
From XED 4.45 pm
Reports recd. C and D will move down to you
commencing at 5.15 pm. First wave goes over parapet at 5.50
second 5.53. Everything appears to be going well. xxxx 53rd. Bn
states parapet of enemy inruins. Has t Trench Mortar batty got to
work on wire yet.
Telephone is in firing line somewhere now. Send runners
to find it.
To Col. Norris.
From W.E. Cass. 4.55
If you have not yet had reply from Bde will you please
send reminder asking for it as it is important.
To Major Harrison
from W.E. Cass 5 pm
Take the police and Sanitary squad with you. Sgt. Wass
is somewhere in front line now. Will xxx send you signallers now 
take six with you leaving Wass behind. He should have wire to go
forward with you.
ToAZN
From XED  5.25
My left coy reports again tt enemy parapet about
N 9 D 8 to N 10 C 1 not yet smashed. Please inform Artillery.
Capt. Taylor seriously wounded.
To Capt. Street
From W.E. Cass. 5.30 pm
Have not yet got telephone communication with front
line. Please instruct Bde signallers to go over line and make
repairs. URGENT.
To AZN
From XED  5.30 pm
Enemy wire in front of B Coy (my XED3) not yet breached

3.
To Major Harrison.
From W.E. Cass. 5.30 pm
Have informed Bde HQ of your message re wires. Put
Lecky in charge of A Coy.
Our first line should go over at 5.50.
To AZN
From XED   5.45
Enemy are enfilading Brompton Road with shrapnel and
trench mortars and heavy artillery. Communication blocked for
the time. More artillery support required to check enemy artlly.
as most of their guns are playing on parapet and communication.
TO AZN
From XED 8.20 pm
Am holding a line about 150 yds from German front line.
Bn. on my left appears to have drawn back. Am consolidating but
my line is very thin and have no supports. Send if possible the
2 coys 55th. Have put Lewis gun on my flanks also machine guns.
My men went too far forward and our own artillery caused some
losses so theycame to present position. Herewith Books from a
German HQ About 18 prisoners already sent in. German machine
guns on both my flanks still in action. All cables broken.
To 55th. Bn. Working parties or Engineers.
From W.E. Cass. 8.25
Send all available sandbags, shovels, and working xxx
parties. URGENT.
To Lt. Harris.
From W.E. Cass. 8.50
Messages recd. I have sent two messages for sandbags
and when they come you will have them. Tell the men how very
well they have done and how proud of you all I am. Where is
Major Harrison or Capt. Jack?

4.
To AZN
From XED 8.53
Please get cable connection made immediately as all my
messengers are exhausted. Send reinforcements as my line is too
thin. All going well and I appear to have about 450 men.
Officer casualties very heavy no senior officers left. In urgent
need of sandbags flares, and verey pistols. Please send them
urgently. More Books herewithm
To Major Bachtol
55th. Bn.
Lt. Giblett
or Engineer Officer.
From W.E. Cass. 9.10 pm
Send me 3000 sandbags at once. Am in most urgent need
of xxxx picks shovels sandbags.
To A Coy.
From W.E. Cass. 9.15
Lieut. Harris has the only pistol and flares available
as yet but I have sent for more and when they come will send them
on. Tell the men how splendid they have done and to hang on like
death to a nigger. I am awfully proud of the Bn.
To All Companies.
From W.E. Cass. 9.30 pm
You and your men have done well and the Bde has every
reason to be satisfied. Work and work hard making your position
strong for we shall be counter attacked tonight. We must not lose
one yard of the ground we have taken and for t honour of t 54th.
and the Bde hang on. What we have we hold and never let a German
come into our line except as prisoner. You have my entire
confidence, and I want the men to be told so.

5.
To AZN
From XED 9.30 pm
Have got touch with both my flanks. Have got Lewis
guns and machine guns in position and am making a trench but its
a bad place being so wet. Engineers are making tempy. duck
boards to keep men out of water. Want flares and sandbags
urgently and cannot raise them. Have found a few German ones
but do not know the colours and mistakes may arise. Cable
communication urgently needed.
To AZN
From XED 10pm
Have two German machine guns one with ammunition so
have it in use. T other No. 465 am sending across to you as no
belts available. Have large quantity German ammunition.
Telephone communication not yet through but I am using some German
wire on spec to see if it will work. My big difficulty is
communication as Fritz is shelling NO MANS LAND heavily.
Sandbags have arrived but am in need of ammunition particularly
for Lewis guns. Sending this by runner again.
To Coys.
From W.E. Cass 11.25 pn
Keep touch with both flanks. It is said that two coys
x 55th are in front of our line and I have had a message asking tt
no more flares be sent up. Do you know anything of other troops
being in front of us. If so please state where they are. Be
careful of Germans in Australian uniform speaking English and
getting amongst our men. Let each man be sure of his neighbours.
To AZN
From XED 1. 15 am
Referring to DHQ telegram. The 54th. Bn is holding and
consolidating a line N 15 B 59 to N9d 10. It is in touch with
53rd. Bn. on right and 8th. Bde of left. We are being enfiladed
to a certain extent with shrapnel. Enemy machine guns appear to
be in rear of us on right and in front of us on left front.
The line has a fair field of fire and if supported we could retake
ROUGES BANGS N15 b 6½ 6½. We had to leave it because of our own
artillery fire.

6.
TO AZN
From XED 1.20am
Sandbags are arriving in good numbers. One coy 55th.
is in front line on my left and one attchd. to 53rd. on its left
flank also. Have not at time of message received Verey pistols
or flares but am using German flares. Enemy artillery strafeing
us pretty badly as it comes enfilade. I fancy some rifle grenad
or similar things have just landed in my back yard.
Cannot our artillery stop their guns as they are a
source of danger to us. Am forwarding papers and books found in
dugouts here. They contain range tables and description of
minenwerfer that might be useful. Sorry we did not get the guns.
TO AZN
From XED  2.25am
Strong counter attack being made up road between 53rd.
and 54th. Owing to shortage of grenades our men are being driven
back. Please organise some system to send forward all
necessaries as I cannot spare men to go for them. Grenades
water ammunition sandbags urgently needed. Please send them at
once. Road mentioned runs SE from N9d to N15b towards ROUGES BANCS
No cable communication through yet. Cannot Bde Signal Section
lay another wire from Rue Petillion to me. It is urgently needed.
To AZN
From XED 2.40 am
Can you give me any information as to position on my
right. Enemy machine gun fire is coming from my right rear and
taking me in reserve. Is the right of 53rd. Bn secure. I can
get no information regarding my flank on that side.

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
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 dri
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 N15 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.

TO AZN
From XED 4.20 am
Position almost desperate. Have got 55th and a few
64th 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 1/1500).
Noted limits of barrage. Can you get artillery to neutralise
enemy.guns as cur 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.
To Coys.
From W.E. Cass. 6.30 am
Be prepared 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.
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
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.