Charles E W Bean, Diaries, AWM38 3DRL 606/121/1 - 1915 - 1916 - Part 1

Conflict:
First World War, 1914–18
Subject:
  • Documents and letters
Status:
Awaiting approval
Accession number:
RCDIG1066622
Difficulty:

Page 1 / 10

AWMSS Official History, 1974-18 War: Records of CE W Bean, Official Historian. Diaries and Notebooks Hem number: 3DR1606//2117 Title: Notebook, 1915 -7976 includes references to the 31st, 32nd, 54th and 55th Battalions and 15th Infantry Brigade. AWMSS-SDRLCOGH2IH
SSIR ancere ene e het hn enweathed hrisen he ront 3022 606 IAM 121 AWMSS DIARLES AND NOTES OF C. E. W. BEAN CONCERNING THE WAR OF 1914-1918 THE use of these diaries and notes is subject to conditions laid down in the terms of gift to the Australian War Memorial. But, apart from those terms, I wish the following circumstances and considerations to be brought to the notice of every reader and writer who may use them. These writings represent only what at the moment of making them I believed to be true. The diaries were jotted down almost daily with the object of recording what was then in the writer's mind. Often he wrote them when very tired and half asleep; also, not infrequently, what he believed to be true was not so — but it does not follow that he always discovered this, or remembered to correct the mistakes; when discovered. Indeed, he could not always remember that he had written them. These records should, therefore, be used with great caution, as relating only what their author, at the time of writing, believed. Further, he cannot, of course, vouch for the accuracy of statements made to him by others and here recorded. But he did try to ensure such accuracy by consuiting, as far as possible, those who had seen or otherwise taken part in the events. The constant falsity of second-hand evidence (on which a large proportion of war stories are founded) was impressed upon him by the second or third day of the Gellipoli campaign, notwithstanding that those who passed on such stories usually themselves believed them to be true. All second hand eridence Rescin should, be reed with, this in mind. 16 Sept, 1946. C. E. W. BEAN. ACCESS STATUE JOEEE CIAIISSIN E4 KEEEEEEEEEEESS
T a Bn. 321 54Bn SSB 5i Bde A150 Cowey as kerac
16 2 Phots No 10A 358. by No 10 Sqn. Map 36 59.N. 10. 19.7.16 10A 35-5 l 6H 36½ These show te Actual attackt the men gonng across. The 14th 1nf. Bde H.C hav acopy 2BS Chinner died 25 Aug 1916 Hit byt bout between 10p an Thought at first he had bee killed Hagan tin Womanstand 4 mgabt t am to back! 19 Tul Thought to have on brong noin or yr Hhe murphy PE Sporton Brnt Br. Coupl Hossital apt Hutchens. Saw him abl It am in shellbole the bi sot tho cheat Att Kway across. The fermans pot in behind the 37 because the bourt supple was finished- bom be went by order to the right pout. The Armans made constant small attacks from Delanger Done Tinally the 8hn in at line had to cut their way back through Germans who were behind them. Several officers whot fermans themselves. 2
4 Heard of attock Sat (at BprenyI Sen 16 Sprn orstins 17 mond for attack. Ts 18 we 19. 6 prm. triedf altack. Over parepet at 5.55 pi. Fire from 2.30 pm. on both M.9. xarty. Lifting on to Come Yr then down outo Frnt tine. line at 2on. Bn in 180 wvs Lifts during bombt. from 3.25 bayonts 3.29 to 4.4 6 4 Supposed 9 & Dveshown 29 4.36 above 5 21 F.31 to front tene We caught them twice by this. Third time they at once dropped their fire onts our front ne not manycaseIt. ob7 B mor Mont In cut abt came supports I am I am. t hed H from C taken reach support line from Heurbay. C. 6 N10 826½ 10 10 8 NIOCL 3½ inc 24 Boutt. am Stee Repston Heavies Bombt6 11.30 to 1. 9 tows upwards wire 2 6 1Prero. culty 3 6 7 Mortars Soubt 13dpdr hows hows 4 6 6 H.A. slow bombt arto om left to 6 barragtines
for Delangre. (I 6 Line S0 crawmt race to casualties moath boubt w on supports. 53or54 Bn Came vov last from support soogds at fermo. po ant them after T t deard here se e Me 50 7 do Abt 300 Reput over a lot of flame & got our bomb dump. Bombers managed to save at least half b mani over the owin out barnin boxc0 & bagin whatws left.
40 31 14 Bde. 8 when bar ant incheash on Coannas art inceaser not be used &they Ep Farm Ave. (out Cellor Exc. there Mire Strapnel Ave ar i fom so blow nont live. to P5t wave at ove went Instins S.S wait were t abong ferman were till lift Ay nhis waited were Aws thro t 6 easy eno Troun very bodgy lon grass hed otd shellholes. The banage we good arty Obsaron as good - We advanced much suicket than arranged & arty observess fout hine ask kept our us. ground apead vises on right post + d port time Seen from our be timbered. ightly
rel Or du coet Sor re vt L M reved n S Lt aley 1 elec Dugonts w Cants Colt 12bedown dston Dapalt 30 ✓ rec 65 To Egais + eqpettes were in kept the bombbokes reereceived in parapet right alony 4 ORIA 10 ferm. front wt Smashel live almoat levelin places. in places quite good. 32 Opp t Exacty te emplocement M. G this w8Smasher gan had tn mounta on a Butish tr his 2other guns were after smashed up t with shoods as conot begot back 1st wave Yours The the fort 2 full of died & hom germans. Some put hands up at once others thos dujorts (it in Sheltern yds in reas were deep oneceted undertraye There were also small Shelters of conceete under parapet in wh abt Gmen c hie down in Soue tey cd Tet. There were soud b wd men in these They had not expectus t atack till dark. AUS 2
8 our dead most were Giy on the the Chaters. between patch So were county in a swall patch here - most k next mome They were K.b. in fallen back. M. 9. from flank. [The gun wh inmoring did this damag was 2t. o on 32nd & on parapet. A L. M. G. abt only one lett on it from apex was in our satient & it was taken to an emplocement. First they the ws font torough cleared over 160 prisoners had to te guarded. By 6p.m. 2nd wase gang over ah as supposed to get and time 10oyds in rear). everyove went on to Endline - cd see men in long grass advance as if shooting guail - strotting on & taking a pot every now o then at fermans who were ducking from shell te to shel an eve waton. hole There were a poo no. of ferman
8 12 abt. deat seitter 2nt lime proved to bea thistls on cides side with ditch X of water full barbed were. It was a real farm ditch. time went on from there The of trenches. nd lime for Cokng a second ditch Came across leading towards Delangee Sun went aft 0 gds belond this them & found opening on M. 9. & from front appereat from plank also Font Delangee Farm was at Soyds to left of tie 2diComn Maj. Cckersle D Bornard Cad were on left Adj last seen here now prisoner o war wle batt broken the second heve in cover took ditch it was quite still light. Capt Drayton as the on of

AWM38
Official History,
1914-18 War: Records of C E W Bean,
Official Historian. 
Diaries and Notebooks  
Item number: 3DRL606/121/1               
Title: Notebook, 1915 - 1916
Includes references to the 31st, 32nd, 54th and
55th Battalions and 15th Infantry Brigade. 
AWM38-3DRL606/12I/1 

 

Original.  DIARY NO. 121. 
AWM38   3DRL 606 ITEM 121 [1]
DIARIES AND NOTES OF C. E. W. BEAN
CONCERNING THE WAR OF 1914 - 1918
THE use of these diaries and notes is subject to conditions laid down in the terms
of gift to the Australian War Memorial. But, apart from those terms, I wish the
following circumstances and considerations to be brought to the notice of every
reader and writer who may use them.
These writings represent only what at the moment of making them I believed to be
true. The diaries were jotted down almost daily with the object of recording what
was then in the writer's mind. Often he wrote them when very tired and half asleep;
also, not infrequently, what he believed to be true was not so — but it does not
follow that he always discovered this, or remembered to correct the mistakes when
discovered. Indeed, he could not always remember that he had written them.
These records should, therefore, be used with great caution, as relating only what
their author, at the time of writing, believed.  Further, he cannot, of course, vouch
for the accuracy of statements made to him by others and here recorded.  But he
did try to ensure such accuracy by consulting, as far as possible, those who had
seen or otherwise taken part in the events.  The constant falsity of second-hand
evidence (on which a large proportion of war stories are founded) was impressed
upon him by the second or third day of the Gallipoli campaign, notwithstanding that
those who passed on such stories usually themselves believed them to be true. All
second-hand evidence herein should be read with this in mind.
16 Sept, 1946.   C. E. W. BEAN.
AUSTRALIAN WAR MEMORIAL
ACCESS STATUS
OPEN

 

1

2
The "Raid"
31 Bn. 32 Bn.
54 Bn 55 Bn.
15th Bde
Also Cowey at ANZAC 

 

2
Fromelles
Photo No
10A 358.
by No 10 Sqn.
Map 36 sq. N. 10.
[shorthand - taken] 19. 7. 16
10A 355
10A 362
These show the actual
attack & the men
going across.
The 15th Inf. Bde H.Q.
have a copy.

3
32 Bn.
2
Chinner died 25 Aug 1916 
Hit by a bomb between 10pm & 6am.
Thought at first he had bn killed.
Hagan k. in Nomansland by
m.g abt 6a.m. coming back:
19 July. 
Thought to have bn brought in
on [shorthand - stretcher.]  Pte Murphy Pte Sporson
32nd Bn. (Murphy in Hospital)
Capt Hutchins. saw him abt
6.30 am in shellhole in 
[shorthand - the nomansland] — shot thro chest by m.g.
abt ½ way across.
The Germans got in behind the
32nd because the bomb supply
was finished - bombs went by
order to the right front. The
Germans made constant small
attacks from Delangre Fme.
Finally the 8 Bn in front 3rd line had to
cut their way back through Germans
who were were behind them. Several
officers shot Germans themselves.

 

4
[Hand drawn diagram - see original]
Heard of attack
(at Bois Grenier)        15 Sat.
                                       16 Sun
3 pm. orig. time         17 Mon 
for attack
                                       18 Tues.
6 pm. time of               19th Wed
attack.
Over parapet at 5.55 p.m.
Fire from 2.30 p.m. on both m.g.
& arty. Lifting onto commn 
[shorthand - trenches] & then down onto Front
line.
Bn in line at 2 p.m.
180 guns
Lifts during bombt.
from 3.25 to 3.29.    }  bayonets
4.4 to 4.9                  }  supposed
4.29 to 4.36              }  to be shown
5.21 to 5.31                 }  above
                                    } front line
We caught them twice by this. Third
time they at once dropped their fire
onto our front line - not many casuaIt.  
 
5
2     31 Bn
Mond morning. July 17
came into supports abt 5 a.m.
It had taken from 9 pm to 5 a.m. to
reach support line from Fleurbaix.
N 10 C. 8½ 6½ to N 10 C. ½. 6.
obj. 10 10 C. 8½ 3½ inc  N 10 C½ 2½.
Intense  Bombt.  11 am. Repsiton
11.30 to 1. Bombt by Heavies
9.2 Hows & upwards. 
1 to 3 wire cutting by 18 pdrs.
3 to 6.  "            "          "        "
             "            "          T. Mortars
Bombt by 18 pd rs
4.5 hows & 
6"  hows.
4 to 6. H.A. slow bombt.
6pm. Arty left to barrage lines  

 

Fm. Delangre. 
[Hand drawn diagram - see original]

6
2 
Lines so crammed tt many
casualties - mostly G. bombt ws
on supports.
53 or 54 Bn. came over
land from support [shorthand - trench] 300 yds
at 5 pm. Germs saw them after
[Hand drawn diagram - see original]
x M.G. destroyed
x M.G. here put up fight.
All bayoneted.
X heap of dead here
fallen on knees or
faces as advanced
50 yds.  Abt 3 o'c. he put over a
lot of flame & got our bomb
dump. Bombers managed to
save at least half by running
over & throwing out burning
boxes & bagging what ws
left. 

 

7 
[Hand drawn diagram - see original] 
32       31       32  14 Bde.

8
2  
When our arty increased
G.  arty increased on commns.
esp. & they cd not be used
- exc. Cellar Farm Ave. (only
shrapnel there). Mine Ave
ws blown in from support line
to front line.
lst wave went over at
5.55 Instrns were to wait
along German wire till lift. They
waited on his wire - It ws 
easy eno' to get thro!  Ground
very boggy - long grass hiding
old shell holes.
The barrage ws good -
arty observn ws good - we
advanced much quicker
than arranged & arty observers
in our front line kept arty
ahead of us. Ground
rises on right front & cd
be seen from our front line 
- lightly timbered. 

 

9
Some dugouts were on
level w concrete
roofs. These were
well fitted - stoves, wood,
elec. light - decent
crockery & cigars  
[Hand drawn diagram - see original]
Dug outs w
bunks (abt
12 ft down)
sap abt 30 yds long
recess w doors
for brooms
& shovels
Cigars & cigarettes were kept in
the bomb boxes wh were recessed
in parapet right along [shorthand - trenches].
    
10
2
Germ. front line ws smashed
almost level in places, in
places quite good.
Exactly opp ^ 32nds left ws a
m.g. emplacement - this
ws smashed (gun had bn
mounted on a British tripod.
This & 2 other guns were afterwards
smashed up xx with shovels
as cd not be got back).
The 1st wave found the 
the front [shorthand - trench] full of dead & living
Germans. Some put hands
up at once - others
sheltering in dugouts (wh those 30
yds in rear were deep, concreted &
undestroyed).  There were
also small shelters of concrete
under parapet in wh
abt 4 men cd lie down - in
some they cd sit. There were
wd. men in ^ some of these.  They probly
had not expected us to attack till dark.

 

11
2
Most of our dead were lying
in the patch between the craters;
38 were counted in a small patch
here - mostly k. next morning
in falling back. They were k. by
m.g. from flank. [The gun wh
did this damage ^ in morning was on rt. of
32nd & on parapet. A L.M.G.
was ^ (abt only one left) buried on it from apex of
our salient & it was taken
to an emplacement.]
First thing - the front [shorthand - trench] ws
thoroughly cleared - over 160 prisoners
had to be guarded.
By 6p.m. 2nd were going over (wh
ws supposed to get 2nd line,
100 yds in rear).  Everyone went
on to 2nd line - cd see men in
long grass advancing as if
shooting quail - strolling on & taking
a pot every now & then at Germans
who were ducking from shell
hole to shell hole as we went on.
There were a good no. of German 

 

12
2
dead scattered abt.
2nd line proved to be a
ditch with thistles on either side,
full of water & barbed wire.
It was a real farm ditch.
The line went on from there 
looking for 2nd line of trenches. 
Came across a second ditch
leading towards Delangre Farm.
Went abt 50 yds beyond this
& found m.g. opening on them
from front & apparently from
flank also. Line
Delangre Farm was abt
50 yds to left of line - 2nd in Comnd.
Maj. Eckersley & Lt Bernard( adjt)
were on left (adjt last seen here
— now prisoner of war w leg
badly broken).
Line took cover in the second
ditch — it was still quite light.
Capt Drayton ws the only offr.
 

 
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