Charles E W Bean, Diaries, AWM38 3DRL 606/247/1 - 1917 - 1933 - Part 16

3

Lieut Watson. made his H.Q. in the road that

runs from the right into Bullecourt.

Patroal made for the wire where

we knew where 9.2 had blown the wire

a bit. Wire was found in about 150 yards

did not know our position so I went

to find road on my own.

I found road about 200 yards ^ left of patroal.

(road from night running into Bullecourt)

at same time fell into enemy out post out

side wire dug in top side of the road which

was sunken. About 6 men in out post all had

a shot in the dark. I jumped down in road

(about 10 feet) mud, loose wire, they threw

bombs harmless in mud, eventually got

out, got back to the I.O. & reported. On way

back to patroal got into barrage that I got

going in falling into post. 77 fired from

Reincourt (was snowing) shells nearly

all Rickashay so must have been close

range, seemed to fire along his wire.

The patraol then started to dig, cut, crawl etc.

the big shells did not always cut wire but

made big crators so ware able to crawl

under. About 10 yards through to the first

belt, a space of about 10yds, same for

the 2^nd & third Belts. (3) three of us wane

(4).

eventually got through badly torn.

The trench was about 30 yards in side, splendidly

made, men on duty in each bay machine Guns

mounted, flares, were fired often so we

could see splendidly. seem strongly held

by the talking that was going on and number of

men on duty.

We got out after a good deal of trouble believe

we ware the first to get through the wire (Heidelberg)

Capt Jacka V.C. I believe caught his Hun officer & private out

side main line.

The aeroplanes reported line very lightly held " we did

not. (We could hear Bing at Vimy). Heavy guns

played on enemy wire all day (after our patroal

seemed to do good work by the way wooden posts

and wire would be blown up sometimes.

Orders were issued for the attack next morning,

no time was given for preporations

48^thBattn H.Q. was then in a sunken road that ran

into Noreil. New Battn H.Q. had to move forward

as soon as stunt started. Major Ben Leane was

(5)

to take charge forward until the C.O.

(Col R.L. Leane) moved up.

I was runner (special) to the C.O. we moved

forward at Zero, saw the men move

forward until they nearly got to the wire,

only a little shelling & M.G. fire suddenly

the turned about started to come back

I believe the order was taken straight to the

Major forward so may guess C.O. was

surprised to see the whole Battn come

back, front line Coys take up old positions,

same support and reserve.

The enemy shelled lightly and kept a

few Mgs going no body seemed to take

any notice men wondered back to  in

twos and threes across the level country.

The C.O. remarked, "looks like the finish of 

a football match". Every body seemed to

think we could have got through that

morning, I believe we would have taken

the Hun by surprise. Very few casualties

as the men kept well spread out.

C.O. made his was along railway to see Coy Commanders

etc. going from post the old Hun

gave us a good machine gunning where that

railway was level, both tryed how we stood

in a sprint. I drew the C.O's attention to

(6)

a terribly mangled body, he said poor fellow

I wonder who he is. Little did he know it

was his brother (Major Ben Leane.) which he

found out after, one of a very few casualities

The Battn had orders to prepair for the

hop over next morning. (We had already

told them we ware coming.) (The Hun.)

We scouts laid tapes for the first

and second waves, also flank tapes nearly

to enemy wire, which proved a great

use as the snow was had to keep

direction in.

All night long our H.Es  pounded the enemy

wire as was after found with good affect

making a few gaps.

The night before the stunt was a busy one

for every one. Limbers took rations Bombs & etc

right up to the railway line.

While we ware laying tapes could hear

the tanks coming up to their position

in sunken roads quite plainly, so no doubt

(7)

the enemy did also.

The men formed up in two waves (2 lines each)

Tanks ware late infantry had moved

off before any arrived on at least

crossed railway (troops formed up in front

of railway.) I was special runner to

the C.O. all verbal messages I took

I ran several messages before the Coys

reached the wire. I noticed as far

as the eye could see to the left was

the dressing was splendid the two

Brigades formed in 4 long lines then

Coys in support.

The enemy ware shelling pretty

heavy also kept up a steady M G

fire, every body kept cool & carm

and carried out the rushes and

obeyed better than on parade.

Enemy body was very fit Col Leane's after

noons sport did it so we all said.

When a shell burst on the snow

made a black splash, generally

one or two hit along side, frozen

ground, no shell holes, there no

cover at all.

The tanks ware getting badly treated by

enemy 4.5 HE, several got hit before they

(8)

before they could cross the railway.

The last orders I took forward for the C.O. the Coys

ware on their final rush for the wire at the time

I had been to the other Company Commanders, just

reached Capt Mott the last one... gave him the C.Os order

“Coys will take no orders from tanks".

The last tank I could see was am at once

blown up by the enemy Art Fire.

Capt Mott laughed and carried on through the

M.G. fire. which by that time was very heavy.

As most know the Capt was severelly wounded taken

prisoner, escaped to Holland, eventually came back

to the Battalion and saw service as C.O. after

Col.Perry. (also was with Battn through last of the stunts).

The Tanks made before a very poor show as far

as we ware conserned. I heard that they reached

the wire in one or two places. They took no advantage

of cover what so ever, made not attempt to

get out of range when shelled.

The C.O. asked one tank commander if he could

silence the M.G that was firing from the outskirts 

(9)

of Bullecourt getting our carrying parties

I believe one box of bombs in five got

through. Tank commander says "easily

done" the tank went half out to the wire

could could not see Bullecourt let alone

M.G. post blazed away for a few minutes

came back fell down the sunken

road and remained there most of the

day.

The Cavilary (Badge, skul & Crossbones)

formed up in a huge square some

way in rear in full view of the enemy.

They ware soon shelled and scattered

all over the country.

About thirty black & white troops galloped

up to the railway enbankment, dismounted,

sent men up the valley to cut the wire.

The enemy M.G. fire was getting worse as time

went on it was hard to keep in touch with

the Coys, carrying parties ware impossible.

The wire cutters ware hit as soon as the

got near the wire. The blacks ware brave

until they ware hit then howled.

We carried them in as fast as they went out.

Enemy flare came over registered the Artillery

on the horses, killed most, scattered rest.

The 48^th Battn left flank was naturally always

(10)

in the air, the righ flank if ever connected was

soon in the air, there ware no reinforcements

so was a rather a hopeless job they could see

ballations Battalions of the enemy in the

counter attack; our Artillary was can not very

active until too late, heavies fired on our own men

I acted as the COs special observer could see 4th Bde

front best.

The 4^th Bde ware getting bunched together I could see

see why they had no bombs, the Hun was at the

flanks with plenty. The old jam too  stick hand

bombs played havic in the over crowed trenches.

They began to surrender some parties had

a run for it, most got hit before they got through

the wire, the first & last time I ever saw our men

taken prisoners and marched of under a guard.

One lot of prisoners about 30 under two guards

ware just entering Reincourt when one of our

chaps killed the two guards in rear the men

made a brake for it. I believe one or two did

get back. The enemy bearers began to run about with 

huge rolls of linen (white) bandaging

our woundid out to the wire, shells &

M.G. fire ware bursting all among

them still they carried on. The so

Vickers guns on the railway ware

ware firing all they could up

towards Reincourt.

I reported to the C.O. when I saw what 

was happening. (there must have been

a large number of woundid by the

way the enemy bearers ware working.)

The C.O. stopped M.G. fire at once, I believe

raised Artillery.

It seemed hours after, when what was

left of the 48^th Battn (150 men I should think.)

showed up on the skyline all assisting

the woundid (thought most ware left behind)

They did not hurry no one ran, they

ware under a sharp M.G. fire all

the time, the equipment they had thrown

away before they had jumped on top.

I believe they ware surround for some

time only made a hold bid for it & got

back. I believe the 4^th Bde could have

done the same if some body had

started them.

I believe shortage of Artillery was the greatest

disadvantage, nothing to keep M.G. fire down, ground

could have been held if there had been plenty of

bombs which could not be got up.

All the afternoon and night men came crawling in

or ware assisted by us. We all went out in

the big stretch between railway & wire, in several

cases we found that the Hun had bandaged our

men and put them out side the wire.

Not a shot was fired by either side that still

and frosty night it was as if both sides

ware worn out after the hard struggle.

Great deeds ware done by Cpl Carr (DCM)  and

many others the Huns must have suffered

terribly in the big counter attack by what MGunners

say. We marched back to Bapume that night after being

relieved. Our equipment was all complete before we left line.

I am hoping if this information is of little use it may

help to confirm others. We all owe a lot to our old

C.O. Brig Leane his handling of the men was wonderful

which made both our name & his.

If I could help you in any way further I would be very please to.

Yours faithfully 

T.F.Arnold.