Charles E W Bean, Diaries, AWM38 3DRL 606/243B/1 - 1916 - 1926 - Part 5

Condensation of Operatn Order No 3
by xxxxxxxxx Lt Col. E.E.H. Cass C.M.G.,
commdg 54th bn.
In the field 66/7/16.
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.
5 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).

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.
 

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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
( Adds shells behind G.trench. "B" Coy. 4p
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.5.55 pm. Sent 4.30 pm.
Casualty return No 2. I beg to report 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.x
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
boarus also./ shovels.L. Merkel Lt.

xxxxxxxx
Recd. 8.30 pm. Am linked on left with 33nd. 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 32.
Have sent fatigue party back and must get sandbags &
 

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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.

8.55 pm ^Receipt. 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 of
flares here with which to reply, neither have I any xxxxx
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.
Recd. 9.6.pm
9.50 pm. We have connected with 53 Batt. Our parapets are not
shell xxxxx proof but xxxxxxxxxxx rifle proof fairly well supplied
with machine guns Grenades ammunition and
water and sand bags are wanted. A.H.Girst Lt "C"Coy.

To C.O.54th Bn.Enmy communication trench enters this trench .xxxxxxx
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 do 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.

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.
xxxxxxxx
 

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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 0.46 that he is sending sandbags as fast as he can
; trying since 6.30 tp estab. cable commn., One coyn
of 56 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 an 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 bds.(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 don
done. Grenades etc being pushed forward. Artillery communicated with. 4.20
Recd 6. from bde. Our arty are putting up a barrage from N9 c51 toN15a85
4.50.a.m.
 

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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. 30/7/16. 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. In
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 a
to Cass because the 53rd Bn as a unit had ceased to
exist).
Recd.7.50 am All 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)
 

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 x
and right front. When it was 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/It H.R.Lovejoy. Assisted Lt Harris on right front. Remains of
his coy commanded commn trench up wh enemy c-attaacked
at midnight. Not one reached, our positn.
Lovejoy was wounded in withdrawing his men and
cannot be traced (? xxxxxxx 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 Mercel (14 Engrs).
 

Historical Notes (2
COPY.

FRANCE,
27/7/1916.

Dear Miss Gibbins,
I feel I would like to write to you about your
brother, Captain Gibbins. Ever since the 55th Battalion has
been formed I have been a Lieutenant in his Company, and not
only was he my superior Officer, but my best friend. On the
19th and 20th an attack was made against the enemy trenches, our
position was in the supports so we were not in the main storming
party, but when we were called for, Captain Gibbins led us into
action. I have never known a braver or a cooler man in action
than he, the welfare of his men was his chief thought, and they
realised it and would follow him anywhere.
All night long he moved up and down his line exposed
to the enemy fire, helping and spurring his men on. Twice he
led xxxxxx counter bombing attacks against enemy xxxxxxxxx
bombers, and each was successful. I accompanied him on these.
On the second occasion he received a slight wound in the fore-
head. When returning to our trenches he remained till the
last, and while directing his men through the communication
trench, was shot through the head.
I did not see his body, but those who did, say that
he died with a smile upon his lips. He is buried near our
trenches, with a wooden cross over his grave.
I remain,
Yours very sincerely,
(Signed) P. W. Chapman,
2nd Lieutenant,
55th Battalion,
B. Coy.

Captain Chapman, M.C., was killed in ^action in March 1917.
 

COPY.

FROM
Lieut.-Colonel W. E. CASS. C.M.G.,
O.C. 54th Battalion and Senior Officer
next to Brigadier, 14th Infantry Brigade, A. I. F.

EXTRACTS from letter kindly sent to Miss Gibbins relative to
the death of her brother at FLEURBAIX- FROMELLES,
July 19/20, 1916.

Your xxxxxxx ^brother's company was detailed for reinforcing the 54th
Battalion as we had suffered severely in a counter attack -------.
On receiving the message to withdraw, from Headquarters,
I instructed Lieut.-Colonel McConaghy to form a Company of the
"55th" Battalion ------------ then in the old German front
line ------------- as a rear-guard, and to hold that line
until the troops in advance had been withdrawn. On enquiring
into the matter later I was told by Lieut.-Colonel McConaghy
that he had detailed Captain Gibbins to take charge of the
rearguard.
We were under heavy fire all the time from machine
guns, artillery and rifles -------------
I did not know your brother personally, but from
what I have heard of him he was a very fine officer.
 

COPY.
N Ward, Randwick Military Hospital,
SYDNEY, 3/4/1918.

I would like to tell you all I know concerning your
brother's death. We, "The Battalion", went over the top on the
night on the afternoon of the 19th July, 1916. I remained on the
right of the Battalion all night, and in the early morning part
of the morning of the 20th, I got word to take my machine gun
round to the left where the Germans were trying hard to break
through.

It was then that I first came in contact with Captain
Gibbins, about 5 a.m. He was quite cheery when he showed me
my position, and was moving about freely amongst his men, although,
at the time he was wearing a bandage around his head, on account of a
wound he had received some time in the night.

One could often hear the men under his command saying "If
ever a man deserved the Victoria Cross for devotion to duty and
coolness under fire the Captain does.

We were being hard pressed all the time until word came
through. to retire as far as our old front line.

At that time Captain Gibbins was but a few yards from me
and most of the Infantry men had retired. I was suddenly brought
back to my senses by hearing Captain Gibbins xxx call out, "Come on,
all you gunners!" I immediately picked up my spare parts and
followed him. On reaching our front line I got caught in our
barbed wire, and on looking up once, I saw him just reach
the top of our trenches, where he turned his head around sharply,
and was immediately struck in the head by a bullet and killed
instantaneously.

Trusting you will accept the little information I can
give concerning the death of a "Soldier and a Man."
I am,
Yours sincerely,
Sergeant BERT WHITE.
 

COPY.

HURDCOTT
27/1/I9I7.

Dear Miss Gibbins,
We thought a lot of your brother, and would
have followed him anywhere, an fact, when going up to the
front line, we met another Battalion coming back. "No good,"
said their officer, "we can't get up there." "The 55th can,”
said our skipper, and we did!
I was one of the old 3rd's, and was
consequently under your brother for quite a long while.
(Signed) P.W.Lurbalestier,
B Company,
55th Battalion.

-------------