Charles E W Bean, Diaries, AWM38 3DRL 606/227/1 - Folder - Part 18

Conflict:
First World War, 1914–18
Subject:
  • Documents and letters
Status:
Open for review
Accession number:
RCDIG1066686
Difficulty:
1

Page 1 / 10

osa 10. Meantime a Bn. of 8th Bde. near Nauroy had got into tho same line. The O.C. of C Coy. came up saw tho position and brought his mon up and worked to the left along tho same trench. Of the other 2 Coys. one dug in about the V. shaped road in 4.B central - The othor went back to the tunnol and remainod thore in roserve badly knocked about. C Coy. (Capt. Keys) worked up the natelot trench and met tho Germans and had a stiff bomb fight with thom. morning Septembor 30th. Next a Bn. of 14th Bde. deployed facing N. and moved laterally up the direction of the Le Catelet line past 57th Bn. Later on thoy had to get into the trench. Keys loft flank in the trench would bo somowhere near Cabaret Wood Farm. Tho 57th stayod whoro it was - the rest of the Bn. or part of it coming up on the loft of the Coys. in the Le Gatolot lino. Any attempt made by 57th to get from Lo Catelot line forward was heavily fired at from Cabaret Farm and tho high ground to N. and also from tho high ground near the railway ahead. On Oct. Ist we attacked from the Lo Catelet line. The right flank sidestepped N. so as to have its right on the junction of railway and trench at 5.D.4.7. The objoctive was the line from A.22 Central to H.15 Central. Tanks were present and there was a creeping barrage, which was perfect. They roached the objectivo aithout opposition. Germans fled in disorder. We fired on them by L.G. from hip and right Coy. alone got about 14 - 18 prisoners. These had taken shelter in deep dugouts in the road through 6.A. The right Coy. occupied some of. the old trench in G G.B. (This was a definito defence Immediately barrage lifted a system of old trench. fighting patrol wont forward to Folemprise Farm and the high ground N. of Estrees. They met no opposition, and took 3 prisoners. After being out about an hour they were very heavily fired on from the Beaurevour Line and from Field Guns which had beon retiring and now unlimbored and came into action. Tho position had been reported - Germans retiring in disorder - Germans apparently going back past the Beaurevoir Line but being collected and brought back to it in small parties. This soemed an opportunity for keeping him going, but at that time it Layer - the order was against the orders laid down. came to move forward to tho Road from Bank Copse S but it was so heavily shelled that it was decided to withdraw and re-occupy it later after dark. (What had happened was that the Germans had had time to sottle down in the meanwhile and get themselves organised - our men also were very tired after the first halt and tho excitement which had now abated). 57th Bn. was relieved that night by Znd Divn. (Lt. J.S.Cotton in attack on Cabaret Wd. Farm. Left Coys (Lt. Fleming in attack on Cabaret Wd. Farm. (Lt. Duncan in attack on Cabaret Wd. Farm. Lt. Cochrane (with Keys - hit on 29th and again later sometime after getting into Nauroy Line). 366
at 36 11. 2/Lt. Pitcher wounded at assembly position near Hargicourt by shell. There were othor officer casualties - about ll'officers, 270'0.R. No trace at all was evor found of the Amoricans ever having been beyond the railway. A fow goined in from the tunnel (a L.G. Section) and camo up to tho Le Catelet Line, - and Koys also had a fow.. Theso wore sent back later. 5oth and 6oth BATTALIONS. August Sth. 58 59 -Bl3 59th was in position lying out when the tanks came up. Thore was a lot of shouting about 20 before zero - you couldn't hoar tho exhaust but the shouting. This brought down the German barrage - light stuff 4.2 and 77s - but it didn't fall on 50th 57th got a bit of it but not 6Oth. At hop off fog and smoke was very thick; when 59th and 6Oth started thu 1 hour after zero they were to advance in 1000 yards bounds so as to get through green line at Zero 4. Compass was tho only guide. Result was that they dribbled through and reachod tho valley in roar of the grsen line with about l-hour to spare. This was badly needed for re-organisation. Every Coy, was on tho right direction - the compass brought them through. They vere completely re-organised. in tho little ravine short of Bayonvillers. All were in thoir proper frontage before Ens. moved off. Thetanks were on the right flank refilling from their supply tanks thoy camo on across the flank and went straight on. While Bn, was waiting an old R.E. 8 camo over and a whole circus of Fritzos suddenly loomed out of the clouds at him. They came at him - our chap came circling down shooting all tho way with one Fritz diving at him. The Lewis guns of all our troops opened as soon as ever they could see clear of our man - and Fritz was driven off. 59th En. had had no casualties till thon. soth Bn. had the railway to guide them (which made it oasicn. They too re-organised). As soon as they cloared the green line over tho crest on which it lay, they came at once under tho direct fire of a battery of whizzbang guns. Two of the first shells each got a L.G. and crew. A couple of tanks manoouvrod to out-flank them. One or two of our L.G. teams got fire on to the gun crews. Those who were not hit ran to their. dugouts and were captured later. This Dattery was in treees of Bayonvillers. Later on fiold gun was found betwoen the roads in 10.A.3.7 - the horses were in the limber but had been shot. 5sth En. tackled Bayonvillers - 59th skirted it without any hero was M.G, firo from isolated posts trouble. but tho tanks in overy caso dealt with thom - going straight The gun last mentioned knocked out ovor the positions. ono of tho tanks by cutting the tractor with a direct hit. RIA
368 12. This was the first that Col. Scanlan saw knockod out. The 4 first guns didn't get any of tho tanks. The 59th Bn. wont through Harbonnieres - one Coy. through and tho other 2 round - the En. hung out a flag on the church (which is now in Australian War Muscum).. At that timo this was tho furthest oasterly advance. Thoro were a few M.Gs. in Harbonnieres. The tanks went through with a party of moppers-up - tanks blazing into evory house They got a few M.Gs. in tho town. When they got through the town the 59th En. began to get hoavy M.G. firo from the Amiens lino on their loft The cavalry picked up Bdo. about 9.D and then front. massed and went out just N. of the railway. The59th came E. of tho town and got into the Amions Line N. of Harbonnieres Railway Station. Just behind tho station tho Germans had a post. We did not get this. The line swung off back along the railway which runs S. of Harbonnieres and joinod with 57t En. thore. Tho Germans in tho pause had come back to the sapling copse noar Harbonniores Station - if the Bn. had been orderod to thoso trenches in the first place it could easily have done so. 5oth Bn. resched its objoctive 2-hour before timo. Harbonnieres was still supposed to bo under hoavy long range fire of our ovn guns, but nothing seemed to bo falling thero. Later in tho afornoon Cen. Elliott camo up, and ordered a further advance. A tank was found in the streets It was arranged for of Harbonniores with the crew asleep. it to go out S. along the railway lino andthon M. along the But light railway track up to the Harbonnieres Station. whon ho got to the trenches ho doveloped engino troubles and came back. Aftor dark another attempt was made but the M.G. nosts at Harbonnieres Station and about 18.B.2.2 and the Amiens Line stoppod this and posts wore only established a litüe closor to the Amions Line. August 9th. At 20 minutes before the Canadian zoro orders wore received from Brigado that lst Aust. Divn, was lato, and that l5th Bde. would conform to Canadian advance and Sath and 60th weroto leapfrog protect theirleft flank. 59th and 57th. That was all the orders that were obtained. In order to confer with Col. Donohy, Col. Scanlan had to get across from his H.Q. S.U. of Harbonniores to Denohy's in about 17.0 Central, in a torrace bank. Thero was a livoly barrago on across this spaco. Scanlan thon established an advanced H.Q. about 12.D.7.8. Ho thore found that 58th Bn, was still in tho line held up tho whole way along. They had no tanks nor artillery proparation and the M.G. fire hold thom. They moved soon after and It was Col. Scanlan took 59th out in support of them. not known that sth Bdo. had to attack - nor any objoctivo So. Col. Scanlan laid down a provisicnal objective for 58th and 59th - a littlo in advance of the Vanvillers Rosieres It was here that ist Divn. overtook them with their Road. tanks and passed through. At first they were hold up at Harbonnieres by tho The Germans fought a first rato railway station post. M.G. scrap - they fought thoir M.G. till thoir guns opened and thon withdrow their M.C. as fast as thoy could. It was then that our advance opened. The German 77 barra was light and didn'5 keop our peoplo back. The 6Oth had started beforo the 58th - they were hold up by a few M.G. which they overcame by manoeuvro. The COth woro approximately in touch to 58th Dn. botween railway and road. Tho green line was thus takon and was handed over to ist Divn. thon it camo through. 3R
69 13. 59th followed because 58th had an open flank on the The Canadians advanced very well - they had tanks with them. August 9th. - Artillery Liaison Officer wich 59th Bn. was hit by a bullet while waiting for attack to start. (Lt. Jones). August 8th. - Lt.Stewart - By one of the 77 shells which wiped out L.G. team éeverely). Lt. Stevenson - I.O. sent forward as liaison with 2nd Div. wounded by M.G. Lt.Mankey ) by M.G. fire from many directions soon Capt.Southwall -)after arrival East of Harbonnieres. Lt.Fincher - August 9th. - Lt. Dunkley blown up but remained on duty. 59th and 60th - Peronne. 8th Bde. followed Germans to Canal - the 4 Bns. abreast, 59th on left - extreme right on E.W. road, while 59th Bn. H.Q. was at the Y fork W. of Barleux Col. Scanlon was summoned to confer eith the G.O.C. Gen. Elliottaway out in front without a digger in front of them. This was to arrange an attack on the Germans across the Somme by crossing the Somme. The mesting was in Syntax Trench in 31 D or B - everyone on the parapet using glasses and maps. The 15th Bde, was to relieve 8th Bde. next day to force a crossing at Boie(?) Haplincourt. The relief began just before dark. Leading Coy. of 59th was in touch with 8th Bde. Bn. and whole Bn. was on move, when it had to be recalled as the the move was cancelled. August 30th. About 3 a.m. Col. Scanlon was sent to the same H.Q. where he got further orders dictated by Bde. I.O. whereby 7th Bde, was to force a crossing near Peronne, and 15th Bde, was to leapfrog through them. They had to move at 6 (?) a.m. and be in position by 7.30 (?) a.m. ready to leapfrog. 7th Bde. found that the crossing was impossible; but 59th Bn. moved to 8 A (?) Varna Trench (?) and sat down there for the day. They had orders to relieve 7th Bde. that night, and during afternoon they reconnoitred They relieved partof 28th and partof 26th (night of 30/31). Nothing happened except that 59th Bn. pushed down posts to command the crossings in (1) the old fortifications near Bristol Bridge. (2) the Railway crossing. On morning of Sept. 1st Brigade after personal reconnaissance ordered the attack on Flamicourt. 2 Coys. of 59th and whole of 58th were to go down to the river bank and to cross in the manner shown on the following page. ooden footbridge e
370 14. Lieut. Pentreath took 5 or 6 scouts down. They got over the foot-bridge, back to the railway, then worked along the bank. The railway bank gave them some coverup to the bend. But as they came round the bend a M.G. saw them and Pentreath was wounded in the leg and 2 men hit. As a result of this reconnaissance it was realised that the attempt was impossible and it was cancelled. That night Bn. was withdrawn to its original position - the Coy, was left in posts on E. side of the Canal from wooden Bridge to Railway. September 2nd. At 4 a.m. C.0s. were called to Bde. H.Q. and orders given for an attack on Peronne by 14th Bde. and 2nd Aust. Div. - 15th Bde. to leapfrog 14th Bde. when they reached their objective, change direction right, The wooden and attack up the Flamicourt - Le Wesnil Spur. bridge had been completed by the engineers. 58th Bn. was to mop up Peronne after 14th Bde. 59th and 60th to The attack (zero) was move through it after 14th Bde. Bns.were scattered. at 6 a.m. The Bridge at 33.A.9.9. was a mass of blown up By They simply had to soramble across it. girders. the time they reached Peronne (about 10 to 6) the Germans were shelling W.end of it and our people the E.end (barrage being at 5.30 a.m.) They went up with Col. Scanlon at head as shown on my map to the Railway towards St. Denis, N. of Peronne. There they were getting reverse fire from the tpp of Mont St. Quentin (East of the 2nd Divn) and found remnants of 14th Bde. held up by very heavy fire from St. Denis. Col. Scallon had the artillery liaison officer (Lt. Sharp M.O.) with him and 4 orderlies, all hit with Situation was reported to M.G. bullets from the rear. The 60th followed and formed near Bde; and Bn. dug in. They stayed here all day - the shell- the Aerodrome (?). fire was as heavy as anything at Polygon - the Germans having complete and close observation. That night orders came for 59th Bn. to relieve 55th and 56th; 6Oth Bn. was in support to 59th. Both under The 60th with 2 Coys. leapfrogged that Col. Scanlon. night and advanced the line towards St. Denis and establisl By this time 58th Bn. had the battlements, ed posts. and 58th pushed out posts that night towards the railway E. of Peronne. One Bn. of 8th Bde, was to relieve September 3/4th. whole of 59th Bn. with one Coy. On relief the 59th had Just as the to move a Coy. way back near to Barleux. relief of 59th Bn. was complete, the relief order was can- 6Oth Bn. had notnbeen relieved and remained in celled. The last of the men got back at 3.30 their positions. am. At 5.30 a.m. C.0. received orders to take the whole Bn. forward again to a position in close support of 57th They moved up tothe earthworks in 33.B.5.1 and Bn. stayed'there till 3 p.m. Then, owing to the advance of 57th Bn, it was considered advisable for 59th again to On night of 4/5th more to the battlements in I.22.D. Bde, was relieved and went into bivouacs in O.2.B. 60th Bn. on the day of the relief pushed their patros
371 15. to Darmstadt Trench and East of it. Lieut. Malcolm Kirkham killed on the railway bank near St. Denis by a shell on first day of arriving there (Sept..2.) Lieut. Pinkerton was wuunded in the same place and R.O.D. (Sept. 2). 59th (2 old 60th) Battalions. BEELICOURT. Had moved out in column of route at 6.45 after a hot breakfast from West of Templeux Le Guerard in Moved from there in Column of Route by an L.7.0. overland track E of Templeux to Cross Roads in 28.C. 95.20 then due E. towards Malakoff Farm to the J.O.T. On moving E. they deployed into artillery formation, lines of platoons, H.Q. leading. They came under M.G. fire before C.O. was satisfied It came from the direction that they were on the J.O.T. of Malakoff Farm. It was a very foggy morning - artificial fog was put down and this made it hard to see - there was very little and the smoke made a ground fog. wind They did not suspect anything wrong atthis time. Thoy put it down to bad mopping up on the part of the Leading Coy, came under this and some artillery Yanks. fire and suffered severe casualties. As they got near Malakoff Farm they got M.G. fire from beyond it (it seemed like Malakoff Farm at first). The leading Coys. Commander, Capt. Hornby, had been killed by a bursf (these were several guns) and all the officers except one had been wounded. The C.O. swung them round to act as flank guard while rest of Bn. went hrough - and meantime he seeing a big mark 5 star tank knocking about a little futher back, went down to it and got the officer in charge of it to help - and came up in the tanknhimself to show it the way. C.0. took it to head of Column and then got out - tank went on and toured round - C Coy. under Lieut. Buckinghame working independently. Shotting was coming from left flank - and it (A Bde. Major of some other stopped when tank went out. Bde. got into the tank for a similar job - the tank ended up at Quennemont Farm and went off). The C.O. led Bn. down in the bottom of the valley after this for protection. O Coy. which had been swing round before C.O. went for tankworked out towards Quennemont Farm. When C.O. saw them coming back with 40 prisoners he for the first time realised that the Americans must have had a crash and things were wrong. (0 Coy, was under young Buckinghame). Bn. got over the top of the hill and into the Hinden- burg Line at the Lamp Station (where the left dealt with a M.G. post). The right entered the trenches about A.27.0.5.9. On getting here the fog had lifted a bit and the Germans could be clearly seen in the Catelet Line just You could see about 100 W. and N.W. of Cabaret Farm. of them. The C.O. sent A Coy. under Capt. Dickson down the C.T. (with the Zig-Zag bend in it) into the Hinden- D Coy, went over the open just N. burg support line. of it (Capt. Neale M.C., O.C. of D Coy. had been killed
372 16. by shell fire in the advance and this. Coy, was under Lieut. Parr) and getting into the trenches there estab- lished touch with 44th Bn. Both these Coys, came under M.G. and minenwerfer fire from 3 directions, front, left flank, and left rear. B Coy. under Capt. Roberts, less one platoon occupied bits of trench closely supporting Capt. Dickson. Oneplatoon of B Coy. under Lt. Chambers was kept in the main Hindenburg line with H.Q. with a platoon of 44th Bn, remnants of a platoon of 4lst and bits of 108th American Regt. Lt. Chambers put in a bomb stop at about 27.A.5.8. About noon the German bombed along the main line where H.Q. were, rushed the bomb stop, and broke through. He was driven back by a counter-attack, the men using German bombs, and our bomb stop was put in 50 yards further The Germans made a second attempt but this time they N. were repulsed without reaching the block by bombs and L.G. At 1.30 Col. Clark C.0. 44th Bn., established a joint At 4.30 p.m. Lt. Buckinghame H.Q. with Col. Scanlon. reported personally that he, with 12 men, the remains of his Coy., were holding posts in Top Lane. There were 4 V. guns of 3rd M.G. Bn. in Quennemont Farm and 2 in Top Lane. This gave us our defensive flank. German artillery was in action in Dirk Valley. There was still a pocket of Germans at the Junction C.O. 44th Bn. was of Top Lane and Hindenburg Line. arranging to deal with it. 44th Bn. had a Coy. also in the C.T. (towards the Tunnel and 28 Central). That evening 59th Bn. was ordered to move to a position in the Hindenburg Line immediately S.E. of Mont Dlympus. September 30th. 59th moved to S. of Bellicourt (trenches in 10 A) near the "boiling down works." It was intended that they should attack the same day to attack the Lamp Signal Stn. in 6.D. Col. Scanlon had fixed zero for 3.30. He discovered kat 29th Bn. H.U. that they were under orders to do the same thing with zero at 4 p.m. These orders were then cancelled by telephone. (15th Bde, was not in touch with Divn, at this time). At 10 p.m. they were called to Bde. (W. of Bellicourt) where orders were given for an attack at down by the Bde. in conjunction with an operation on the right (54th and 56th) and left (57th and 58th). On October Ist. they moved out at 5 a.m. and formed in The attack was covered by rear of Nauroy Catelet Line. a creeping barrage' and supported by tanks and the object- When they ive was reached with very little opposition. attempted to exploit the success and push on the Germans put down a very heavy artillery shoot and checked any By nightfall they had made further attempt to advance. good the line of the Gouy Estrees Road, which was handed Relieved that night. over to 2 Divn. Capt. C.S. Roberts - just after leaving C.O. at noon 29th. Capt. Neale - died of wounds Capt. Hornby - killed. 2/Lt. Parr - died of wounds (he was hit by one of our own 60-pdr. shells on x morning of Oct. Ist in last advance. 2/Lt. Curtin - gassed. --- Lt. A.J.Tacker died of wounds (with Hornby).
373 17. Woundod: W.W.Leggott by sholl fire near Malakoff. H.E.Buckinghame about noon - hung on till 4 p.m. and reportod. G.B. Dover by sholl fire noar Malakoff. z/Lt. L.H.Parker with Hornby. Lt. R.U.Marshall with Hornby. Lt. C.H.Ashman. Hornby was hit by a shell near Malakoff Farm oarly. Lieut. Doylo A.F.A. Artillery Liaison Officor wounded. (Chambers was in charge of bombing when this was going on near 59th Bn. H.Q.) 186 O.R. killed and wounded. Soth and Ooth BATTALIONS. Furner and Fasoy. On 4th Soptember there was patrol work in Flamicourt. Ddo. rolief this night. 59th and 60th wero to movo to tho rcar. 57th then found that Germans wers retiring. Orders for 59th and 60th to withdraw wero not cancellod as thoy should have boen. SSth and ono Coy. 6Oth had alroady moved when Eliott rang up to try and stop them from 57th En. H.C. Noxt norning 4 a.m. 59th Dn. was ordored to reinforce. Thoy D Coy. paraded (Capt. MacDonald) refused to movo. said thoy were utterly dono up. The other Coys. went (to Poronno) and officers of D Coy.; but B Coy. stayed. G.O.C. wont to see them (Elliott). Ho said he roalised that tho mon wore boing workod to doath. He had been tho first man in his Bde. to tako a patrol into Peronne. But it was botter to keep on working till thoy couldn't stand rather than let the Cormans dig in on those hills. On Sept. 24th Elliott had beon told of the Hindenburg Canal attack at a mecting of Drigadiers. 54th En, was to have boon dissolved this morning - there was somo troublo men rofusing to bo dissolved. On Sept. 25th evoning camo orders for break up of G.O.C. sent for Major Korr (cOth) Capt. (tomp. soth. Major) Smith 59th and told them that there was to bo a composito Bn. mado A and B Coys (SOth) and C and D (59th) to be 59th Dn. On 20th G.O.C. ordered combinod parado. Found that COth wero ready to oboy thoir own officers, but not S9th. They were addressed by G.O.C. mild form of meoting. DRIR
374 18. and at end marched past under Scanlon who had returned (C.0. 59th). 27th Sept. Delegates from 37th and 54th Bns. were last They told 60th Bn. that they were night in lines. successful in their own case. 60th men might be. G.O.0. saw the meng and told them it was only temporary - they would be demobilised afterwards. He told them that any man who refused to march would be dis- armed and placed under guard. That he would not command men who had lost their respect for him and refused to obey his orders. When the time came for the march off there was not trouble. They wore their own colours. One grievance was that they did not see why they should be picked out - they had no stain; whereas 59th had refused duty. G.O.C. said you are being disbanded without a stain; no one could say it was because of misconduct. Whereas if I disbanded 59th because a few men with a genuine grievance paraded to me, it would be a stigma attaching to Bn. for ever. The men said they did not mind going into the line some of the older men were almost in tears - said it was They pointed out that after like deserting the dead. Fromelles and on the Somme they were weaker than they then were. They had never given upa yard of ground to Fritz - they were weaker and yet they advanced. (of course so they would this time). But Elliott though he saw that the move was not necessary in 15th or 8th Bdes, saw that an order/ coming from higher authority must be obeyed or the force was done. G.O.C. had a guard of nucleus under the Staff Captain standing by and would have had the men disarmed and put under guard and then resigned.
AN 6668 375 46th Battalion, August 8th- September 18th. 46th Battalion. Spent night before in old system W of Vaire Wood. Fog was thickening when 46th Battalion moved at Zero plus 60. They moved by platoons along the road, closing up by Companys as the fog became thicker. It had been intended to cut early off to the left on a compass bearing to Brigade assembly position near Tailloux Wood. But as fog was so thick the road was kept as a guide to near Warfusee Abancourt when the trench was followed which leads N. to Tailloux Wood. As B Coy! got half way up this trench they heard firing through the fog ahead. Presently Germans were seen in the trenches at 22 D 9 5 - 9.1 and a few of them were shot. A tank had reached this place, about 30 yards from the Huns, and had broken down. The 3rd Division had not been seen by these Germans. On the same road that 46th Battalion followed, in the old No Mans Land lay a mine. The officer leading a tank (of the 12 which went along the Div. Boundary) saw it and took his tank round it. But the next tank didn't see so far ahead as its predecessor, and ran over it (it looked like a boxlid) and it blew up. The 46th and a party of 32nd Battalion mopped up these Germans (possibly 20). Battalion got into its assembling position E. of Tailloux Woods with rest of Brigade. By time they moved off the fog had lifted. Some of the tanks on account of the fog had decided to make their own way to the J. Off position and were ahead there when Battalion arrived. The others were at Tailloux assembling place. From there these tanks moved on right flank of the Battalion when it moved. From there to the J.0. position S.W. of Hazel Wood, Battalion struck no Germans. The third Division had got on Only 2 wounded men or so came back and the spirits well. of the Battalion were very high. They reached the J.O. position marching by plus in Arty. formation. On the J.0. position in 19 B D the Battalion moved with 6 tanks. 0. O 0.00. 0. . . . . . . ü! " There were also 12 tanks on the right flank between 4 7& 5 Divisions. Battalion moved diagonally to strike the main road just west of Richmond Gully. The 46 Battalion came on a dug out about 300 yards ahead

366

10.
Meantime a Bn. of 8th Bde. near Nauroy had got
into the same line. The O.C. of C Coy. came up -
saw the position and brought his men up and worked
to the left along the same trench. Of the other 2
Coys. one dug in about the V. shaped road in 4.B
central - The other went back to the tunnel and
remained there in reserve badly knocked about.
C Coy. (Capt. Keys) worked up the Catelet trench
and met the Germans and had a stiff bomb fight with
them.
September 30th. Next xxxx morning a Bn. of 14th Bde.
deployed facing N. and moved laterally up the direction
of the Le Catelet line past 57th Bn.
Later on they had to get into the trench.
[***]
Keys left flank in the trench would be somewhere near
Cabaret Wood Farm.
The 57th stayed where it was - the rest of the Bn.
or part of it coming up on the left of the Coys. in the
Le Catelet line.
Any attempt made by 57th to get from Le Catelet
line forward was heavily fired at from Cabaret Farm and
the high ground to N. and also from the high ground near
the railway ahead.
On Oct. 1st we attacked from the Le Catelet line.
The right flank sidestepped N. so as to have its right on
the junction of railway and trench at 5.D.4.7. The 
objective was the line from A.22 Central to H.15 Central.
Tanks were present and there was a creeping barrage,
which was perfect. They reached the objective aithout
opposition. Germans fled in disorder. We fired on them
by L.G. from hip and right Coy. alone got about 14 - 18
prisoners. These had taken shelter in deep dugouts in
the road through 6.A. The right Coy. occupied some of
the old trench in G 6.B. (This was a definite defence
system of old trench.) Immediately barrage lifted a
fighting patrol went forward to Folemprise Farm and the
high ground N. of Estrees. They met no opposition, and
took 3 prisoners. After being out about an hour they
were very heavily fired on from the Beaurevour Line and
from Field Guns which had been retiring and now unlimbered
and came into action. The position had been reported -
Germans retiring in disorder - Germans apparently going
back past the Beaurevoir Line but being collected and
brought back to it in small parties. This seemed an
opportunity for keeping him going, but at that time it
was against the orders laid down. Layer - the order
came to move forward to the xxxx Road from Bank Copse S -
but it was so heavily shelled that it was decided to
withdraw and re-occupy it later after dark. (What had
happened was that the Germans had had time to settle down
in the meanwhile and get themselves organised - our men
also were very tired after the first xx halt and the
excitement which had now abated). 57th Bn. was relieved
that night by 2nd Divn.
                   (Lt. J.S.Cotton in attack on Cabaret Wd. Farm.
Left Coys (Lt. Fleming in attack on Cabaret Wd. Farm.
                  (Lt. Duncan in attack on Cabaret Wd. Farm.
Lt. Cochrane (with Keys - hit on 29th and again
later sometime after getting into Nauroy Line).
 

  

367
11.
2/Lt. Pitcher wounded at assembly position near
Hargicourt by shell.
There were other officer casualties - about
11?officers, 270?0.R.
No trace at all was ever found of the Americans ever
having been beyond the railway. A few goined in from the
tunnel (a L.G. Section) and came up to the Le Catelet Line,
- and Keys also had a few. These were sent back later.
59th and 60th BATTALIONS.
August 8th.
*** Diagram, see original document

59th was in position lying out when the tanks came up.
There was a lot of shouting about 20 before zero - you
couldn't hear the exhaust but the shouting. This
brought down the German barrage - light stuff 4.2 and
77s - but it didn't fall on 59th. 57th got a bit of it
but not 60th. At hop off fog and smoke was very thick;
when 59th and 60th started thu 1 hour after zero they
were to advance in 1000 yards bounds so as to get through
green line at Zero 4. Compass was the only guide.
Result was that they dribbled through and reached the
valley in rear of the green line with about ½-hour to
xx spare. This was badly needed for re-organisation.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Every Coy, was on the right direction - the compass
brought them through. They were completely re-organised.
in the little ravine short of Bayonvillers. All were in
their proper frontage before Bns. moved off. Thetanks
were on the right flank refilling from their supply tanks -
they came on across the flank and went straight on.
While Bn, was waiting an old R.E. 8 came over and a
whole circus of Fritzes suddenly loomed out of the clouds
at him. They came at him - our chap came circling down
shooting all the way with one Fritz diving at him. The
Lewis guns of all our troops opened as soon as ever they
could see clear of our man - and Fritz was driven off.
59th Bn. had had no casualties till then.
60th Bn. had the railway to guide them (which made
it easier. They too re-organised).
As soon as they cleared the green line over the crest
on which it lay, they came at once under the direct fire
of a battery of whizzbang guns. Two of the first shells
each got a L.G. and crew. A couple of tanks manoeuvred
to out-flank them. One or two of our xxx L.G. teams got
fire on to the gun crews. Those who were not hit ran to
their dugouts and were captured later. This Battery was
in trees ∧immediately xxx S.W. of Bayonvillers.
Later on field gun was found between the roads in
10.A.3.7 - the horses were in the limber but had been shot.
58th Bn. tackled Bayonvillers - 59th skirted it without any
xxxxxx trouble. There was M.G, fire from isolated posts
but the tanks in every case dealt with them - going straight
over the positions. The gun last mentioned knocked out
one of the tanks by cutting the tractor with a direct hit.
 

 

368
12.
This was the first that Col. Scanlan saw knocked out.
The 4 first guns didn't get any of the tanks.
The 59th Bn. went through Harbonnieres - one Coy.
through and the other 2 round - the Bn. hung out a flag
on the church (which is now in Australian War Museum).
At that time this was the furthest easterly advance.
There were a few M.Gs. in Harbonnieres. The tanks went
through with a party of moppers-up - tanks blazing into
every house They got a few M.Gs. in the town.
When they got through the town the 59th Bn. began to
get heavy M.G. fire from the Amiens line on their left
front. The cavalry picked up Bde. about 9.D and then
massed and went out just N. of the railway.
The 59th came E. of the town and got into the Amiens
Line N. of Harbonnieres Railway Station. Just behind the
station the Germans had a post. We did not get this.
The line swung off back along the railway which runs S.
of Harbonnieres and joined with 57th Bn. there. The
Germans in the pause had come back to the sapling copse
near Harbonnieres Station - if the Bn. had been ordered to
these trenches in the first place it could easily have done
so. 59th Bn. reached its objective ¾-hour before time.
Harbonnieres was still supposed to be under heavy long
range fire of our own guns, but nothing seemed to be falling
there.
Later in the afternoon Gen. Elliott came up, and
ordered a further advance. A tank was found in the streets
of Harbonnieres with the crew asleep. It was arranged for
it to go out S. along the railway line andthen E. along the
light railway track up to the Harbonnieres Station. But
when he got to the trenches he developed engine troubles
and came back.
After dark another attempt was made but the M.G. nests
at Harbonnieres Station and about 18.B.2.2 and the Amiens
Line stopped this and posts were only established a little
closer to the Amiens Line.
August 9th. At 20 minutes before the Canadian zero orders
were received from Brigade that 1st Aust. Divn, was late,
and that l5th Bde. would conform to Canadian advance and 

protect theirleft flank. 58th and 60th wereto leapfrog 

59th and 57th. That was all the orders that were obtained.
In order to confer with Col. Denehy, Col. Scanlan had to
get across from his H.Q. S.W. of Harbonnieres to Denehy's
in about 17.C Central, in a terrace bank. There was a
lively barrage on across this space. Scanlan then
established an advanced H.Q. about 12.D.7.8. He there
found that 58th Bn, was still in the line held up the whole
way along. Theyhhad no tanks nor artillery preparation
and the M.G. fire held them. They moved soon after and
Col. Scanlan took 59th out in support of them. It was
not known that 8th Bde. had to attack - nor any objective -
So. Col. Scanlan laid down a provisional objective for 58th
and 59th - a little in advance of the Vanvillers Rosieres
Road. It was here that 1st Divn. overtook them with their
tanks and passed through.
At first they were held up at Harbonnieres by the
railway station post. The Germans fought a first rate
M.G. scrap - they fought their M.G. till their guns
opened and then withdrew their M.G. as fast as they could.
It was then that our advance opened. The German 77 barrage
was light and didn'5 keep our people back.
The 60th had started before the 58th - they were held
up by a few M.G. which they overcame by manoeuvre.
The 60th were approximately in touch to 58th Bn. between
railway and road.
The green line was thus taken and was handed over to
1st Divn. when it came through.

 

 

369
13.
59th followed because 58th had an open flank on the
left.
The Canadians advanced very well - they had tanks
with them.
August 9th. - Artillery Liaison Officer with 59th Bn.
was hit by a bullet while waiting for attack to start.
(Lt. Jones).
August 8th. - Lt.Stewart - By one of the 77 shells which
wiped out L.G. team (severely).
Lt. Stevenson - I.O. sent forward as liaison with 2nd
Div. wounded by M.G.
Lt.Mankey -          )
Capt.Southwall - ) by M.G. fire from many directions soon
Lt.Fincher -           ) after arrival East of Harbonnieres.
 August 9th. - Lt. Dunkley blown up but remained on duty.
 59th and 60th - Peronne. 8th Bde. followed Germans
to Canal - the 4 Bns. abreast, 59th on left - extreme
right on E.W. road, while 59th Bn. H.Q. was at the Y
fork W. of Barleux Col. Scanlon was summoned to confer
eith the G.O.C. Gen. Elliottaway out in front without a
digger in front of them. This was to arrange an attack
on the Germans across the Somme by crossing the Somme .
The meeting was in Syntax Trench in 31 D or B - everyone
on the parapet using glasses and maps.
The 15th Bde, was to relieve 8th Bde. next day to
force a crossing at Boie(?) Haplincourt. The relief
began just before dark. Leading Coy. of 59th was in
touch with 8th Bde. Bn. and whole Bn. was on move, when
it had to be recalled as the the move was cancelled.
August 30th. About 3 a.m. Col. Scanlon was sent to the
same H.Q. where he got further orders dictated by Bde.
I.O. whereby 7th Bde, was to force a crossing near
Peronne, and 15th Bde, was to leapfrog xxxxxxx through
them. They had to move at 6 (?) a.m. and be in position
by 7.30 (?) a.m. ready to leapfrog.
7th Bde. found that the crossing was impossible;
but 59th Bn. moved to 8 A (?) Varna Trench (?) and sat
down there for the day. They had orders to relieve
7th Bde. that night, and during afternoon they reconnoitred
They relieved partof 28th and partof 26th (night of 30/31).
Nothing happened except that 59th Bn. pushed down
posts to command the crossings in
(1) the old fortifications near Bristol Bridge.
(2) the Railway crossing.
On morning of Sept. 1st Brigade after personal
reconnaissance ordered the attack on Flamicourt. 2 Coys.
of 59th and whole of 58th were to go down to the river
bank and to cross in the manner shown on the following
page.
*** Diagram- see original document
 

 

370
14.
Lieut. Pentreath took 5 or 6 scouts down. They got over
the foot-bridge, back to the railway, then worked along
the bank. The railway bank gave them some cover/up to
the bend. But as they came round the bend a M.G. saw
them and Pentreath was wounded in the leg and 2 men hit.
As a result of this reconnaissance it was realised
that the attempt was impossible and it was cancelled.
That night Bn. was withdrawn to its original
position - the Coy. was left in posts on E. side of the
Canal from wooden Bridge to Railway.
September 2nd. At 4 a.m. C.0s. were called to Bde. H.Q.
and orders given for an attack on Peronne by 14th Bde.
and 2nd Aust. Div. - 15th Bde. to leapfrog 14th Bde. when
they reached their objective, change direction right,
and attack up the Flamicourt - Le Wesnil Spur. The wooden
bridge had been completed by the engineers. 58th Bn.
was to mop up Peronne after 14th Bde. 59th and 60th to
move through it after 14th Bde. The attack (zero) was
at 6 a.m. Bns.were scattered.
The Bridge at 33.A.9.9. was a mass of blown up
girders. They simply had to scramble across it. By
the time they reached Peronne (about 10 to 6) the Germans
were shelling W.end of it and our people the E.end
(barrage being at 5.30 a.m.)
They went up with Col. Scanlon at head as shown on
my map to the Railway towards St. Denis, N. of Peronne.
There they were getting reverse fire from the top of
Mont St. Quentin (East of the 2nd Divn) and found remnants
of 14th Bde. held up by very heavy fire from St. Denis.
Col. Scanlon had the artillery liaison officer
(Lt. Sharp M.C.) with him and 4 orderlies, all hit with
M.G. bullets from the rear. Situation was reported to
Bde; and Bn. dug in. The 60th followed and formed near
the Aerodrome (?). They stayed here all day - the shellfire 

was as heavy as anything at Polygon - the Germans
having complete and close observation.
That night orders came for 59th Bn. to relieve 55th
and 56th; 60th Bn. was in support to 59th. Both under
Col. Scanlon. The 60th with 2 Coys. leapfrogged that
night and advanced the line towards St. Denis and established
posts. By this time 58th Bn. had the battlements,
and 58th pushed out posts that night towards the railway
E. of Peronne.
September 3/4th. One Bn. of 8th Bde, was to relieve
whole of 59th Bn. with one Coy. On relief the 59th had
to move a Coy. way back near to Barleux. Just as the
relief of 59th Bn. was complete, the relief order was cancelled.
60th Bn. had not been relieved and remained in
their positions. The last of the men got back at 3.30
a.m. At 5.30 a.m. C.0. received orders to take the whole
Bn. forward again to a position in close support of 57th
Bn. They moved up to the earthworks in 33.B.5.1 and
stayed there till 3 p.m. Then, owing to the advance of
57th Bn, it was considered advisable for 59th again to
more to the battlements in I.22.D. On night of 4/5th
Bde. was relieved and went into bivouacs in O.2.B.
60th Bn. on the day of the relief pushed their patrols
 

 

371
15.
to Darmstadt Trench and East of it. Lieut. Malcolm
Kirkham killed on the railway bank near St. Denis by
a shell on first day of arriving there (Sept.2.)
Lieut. Pinkerton was wounded in the same place and
R.O.D. (Sept. 2).

59th (& old 60th) Battalions.
BELLICOURT.
Had moved out in column of route at 6.45 after a
hot breakfast from West of Templeux Le Guerard in
L.7.C. Moved from there in Column of Route by an
overland track E of Templeux to Cross Roads in 28.C.
95.20 then due E. towards Malakoff Farm to the J.O.T.
On moving E. they deployed into artillery formation,
lines of platoons, H.Q. leading.
They came under M.G. fire before C.O. was satisfied
that they were on the J.O.T. It came from the direction
of Malakoff Farm.
It was a very foggy morning - artificial fog was put
down and this made it hard to see - there was very little
wind and the smoke made a ground fog.
They did not suspect anything wrong atthis time.
They put it down to bad mopping up on the part of the
Yanks. Leading Coy. came under this and some artillery
fire and suffered severe casualties.
As they got near Malakoff Farm they got M.G. fire
from beyond it (it seemed like Malakoff Farm at first).
The leading Coys. Commander, Capt. Hornby, had been
killed by a burst (there were several guns) and all the
officers except one had been wounded. The C.O. swung
them round to act as flank guard while rest of Bn. went
through - and meantime he seeing a big mark 5 star tank
knocking about a little further back, went down to it
and got the officer in charge of it to help - and came
up in the tanknhimself to show it the way. C.O. took
it to head of Column and then got out - tank went on and
toured round - C Coy. under Lieut. Buckinghame working
independently.
Shotting was coming from left flank - and it
stopped when tank went out. (A Bde. Major of some other
Bde. got into the tank for a similar job - the tank
ended up at Quennemont Farm and went off).
The C.O. led Bn. down in the bottom of the valley
after this for protection.
C Coy. which had been swing round before C.O. went
for tank/worked out towards Quennemont Farm. When
C.O. saw them coming back with 40 prisoners he for the
first time realised that the Americans must have had a
crash and things were wrong.
(C Coy, was under young Buckinghame).
Bn. got over the top of the hill and into the Hindenburg 

Line at the Lamp Station (where the left dealt with
a M.G. post). The right entered the trenches about
A.27.C.5.9.
On getting here the fog had lifted a bit and the
Germans could be clearly seen in the Catelet Line just
W. and N.W. of Cabaret Farm. You could see about 100
of them. The C.O. sent A Coy. under Capt. Dickson down
the C.T. (with the zig-zag bend in it) into the Hindenburg 

support line. D Coy, went over the open just N.
of it (Capt. Neale M.C., O.C. of D Coy. had been killed

b
 

 

372
16.
by shell fire in the advance and this Coy, was under xx
Lieut. Parr) and getting into the trenches there established 

touch with 44th Bn.
Both these Coys, came under M.G. and minenwerfer
fire from 3 directions, front, left flank, and left rear.
B Coy. under Capt. Roberts, less one platoon
occupied bits of trench closely supporting Capt. Dickson.
One platoon of B Coy. under Lt. Chambers was kept in
the main Hindenburg line with H.Q. with a platoon of 44th
Bn, remnants of a platoon of 4lst and bits of 108th
American Regt.
Lt. Chambers put in xxxxx a bomb stop at about
27.A.5.8.
About noon the German bombed along the main line
where H.Q. were, rushed the bomb stop, and broke through.
He was driven back by a counter-attack, the men using
German bombs, and our bomb stop was put in 50 yards further
N. The Germans made a second attempt but this time they
were repulsed without reaching the block by bombs and L.G.
At 1.30 Col. Clark C.0. 44th Bn., established a joint
H.Q. with Col. Scanlon. At 4.30 p.m. Lt. Buckinghame
reported personally that he, with 12 men, the remains of
his Coy., were holding posts in Top Lane. There were
4 V. guns of 3rd M.G. Bn. in Quennemont Farm and 2 in
Top Lane. This gave us our defensive flank. German
artillery was in action in Dirk Valley.
There was still a pocket of Germans at the Junction
of Top Lane and Hindenburg Line. C.O. 44th Bn. was
arranging to deal with it.
44th Bn. had a Coy. also in the C.T. (towards the
Tunnel and 28 Central).
That evening 59th Bn. was ordered to move to a
position in the Hindenburg Line immediately S.E. of
Mont Olympus.
September 30th. 59th moved to S. of Bellicourt (trenches
in 10 A) near the "boiling down works." It was intended
that they should attack the same day to attack the Lamp
Signal Stn. in 6.D. Col. Scanlon had fixed zero for 3.30.
He discovered that 29th Bn. H.Q. that they were under
orders to do the same thing with zero at 4 p.m. These
orders were then cancelled by telephone. (15th Bde, was
not in touch with Divn, at this time).
At 10 p.m. they were called to Bde. (W. of Bellicourt)
where orders were given for an attack at down by the Bde.
in conjunction with an operation on the right (54th and
56th) and left (57th and 58th).
On October 1st. they moved out at 5 a.m. and formed in
rear of Nauroy Catelet Line. The attack was covered by
a creeping barrage and supported by tanks and the objective 

was reached with very little opposition. When they
attempted to exploit the success and push on the Germans
put down a very heavy artillery shoot and checked any
further attempt to advance. By nightfall they had made
good the line of the Gouy Estrees Road, which was handed
over to 2 Divn. Relieved that night.
Capt. C.S. Roberts - just after leaving C.O. at noon 29th.
Capt. Neale - died of wounds
Capt. Hornby - killed.
2/Lt. Parr - died of wounds (he was hit by one of our own
60-pdr. shells on xxxxxxxxxx morning of Oct. 1st in
last advance.

----------

2/Lt. Curtin - gassed.
----------

Lt. A.J.Tacker died of wounds (with Hornby).
 

 

373
17.
Wounded:
W.W.Leggett by shell fire near Malakoff.
H.E.Buckinghame about noon - hung on till 4 p.m. and
reported.
G.B. Bower by shell fire near Malakoff.
2/Lt. L.H.Parker with Hornby.
Lt. R.W.Marshall with Hornby.
Lt. C.H.Ashman.
Hornby was hit by a shell near Malakoff Farm early.

----------
Lieut. Doyle A.F.A. Artillery Liaison Officer wounded.
(Chambers was in charge of bombing when this was going on
near 59th Bn. H.Q.)
186 O.R. killed and wounded. 

59th and 60th BATTALIONS.
Turner and Facey.
On 4th September there was patrol work in Flamicourt.
Bde. relief this night. 59th and 60th were to move to the
rear. 57th then found that Germans were retiring.
Orders for 59th and 60th to withdraw were not cancelled as
they should have been.  59th and one Coy. 60th had already
moved when Eliott rang up to try and stop them from 57th
Bn. H.Q.
Next morning 4 a.m. 59th Bn. was ordered to reinforce.
B Coy. paraded (Capt. MacDonald) refused to move. They
said they were utterly done up. The other Coys. went
(to Peronne) and officers of B Coy.; but B Coy. stayed.
G.O.C. went to see them (Elliott). He said he realised
that the men were being worked to death. He had been
the first man in his Bde. to take a patrol into Peronne.
But it was better to keep on working till they couldn't
stand rather than let the Germans dig in on those hills.
On Sept. 24th Elliott had been told of the Hindenburg
Canal attack at a meeting of Brigadiers. 54th Bn. was to
have been dissolved this morning - there was some trouble - 
men refusing to be dissolved.
On Sept. 25th evening came orders for break up of
60th. G.O.C. sent for Major Kerr (60th) Capt. (temp.
Major) Smith 59th and told them that there was to be a
composite Bn. made A and B Coys (60th) and C and D (59th)
to be 59th Bn.
On 26th G.O.C. ordered combined parade. Found that
60th were ready to obey their own officers, but not 59th.
 - mild form of meeting. They were addressed by G.O.C.
 

 

374
18.
and at end marched past under Scanlon who had returned
(C.O. 59th).
27th Sept. Delegates from 37th and 54th Bns. were last
night in lines. They told 60th Bn. that they were
successful in their own case. 60th men xxxxx might be.
G.O.C. saw the mend and told them it was only
temporary - they would be demobilised afterwards. He
told them that any man who refused to march would be disarmed 

and placed under guard. That he would not command
men who had lost their respect for him and refused to
obey his orders. When the time came for the march off
there was not trouble. They wore their own colours.
One grievance was that they did not see why they
should be picked out - they had no stain; whereas 59th
had refused duty.
G.O.C. said you are being disbanded without a stain;
no one could say it was because of misconduct. Whereas
if I disbanded 59th because a few men with a genuine
grievance paraded to me, it would be a stigma attaching
to Bn. for ever.
The men said they did not mind going into the line,
some of the older men were almost in tears - said it was
like deserting the dead. They pointed out that after
Fromelles and on the Somme they were weaker than they
then were. They had never given upa yard of ground to
Fritz - they were weaker and yet they advanced. (Of
course so they would this time). But Elliott though
he saw that the move was not necessary in 15th or 8th
Bdes, saw that an order/ coming from higher authority
must be obeyed or the force was done.
G.O.C. had a guard of nucleus under the Staff Captain
standing by and would have had the men disarmed and put
under guard and then resigned.
 

 
 

375  

- 1 - 
46th Battalion, August 8th-
September 18th.

____________________________
46th Battalion.
Spent night before in old system W of Vaire Wood.
Fog was thickening when 46th Battalion moved at Zero
plus 60. They moved by platoons along the road, closing up
by Companys as the fog became thicker. It had been
intended to cut early off to the left on a compass bearing
to Brigade assembly position near Tailloux Wood. But as
fog was so thick the road was kept as a guide to near Warfusee
Abancourt when the trench was followed which leads N. to
Tailloux Wood. As B Coy. got half way up this trench they
heard firing through the fog ahead. Presently Germans were
seen in the trenches at 22 D 9 5 - 9.1 and a few of them
were shot. A tank had reached this place, about 30 yards from
the Huns, and had broken down. The 3rd Division had not been
seen by these Germans.
On the same road that 46th Battalion followed, in the
old No Mans Land lay a mine. The officer leading a tank
(of the 12 which went along the Div. Boundary) saw it and
took his tank round it. But the next tank didn't see so
far ahead as its predecessor, and ran over it (it looked
like a boxlid) and it blew up.
The 46th and a party of 32nd Battalion mopped up these
Germans (possibly 20).
Battalion got into its assembling position E. of
Tailloux Woods with rest of Brigade. By time they moved off
the fog had lifted.
Some of the tanks on account of the fog had decided to
make their own way to the J. Off position and were ahead there
when Battalion arrived. The others were at Tailloux assembling
place.
From there these tanks moved on right flank of the
Battalion when it moved.
From there to the J.O. position S.W. of Hazel Wood,
Battalion struck no Germans. The third Division had got on
well. Only 2 wounded men or so came back and the spirits
of the Battalion were very high. They reached the J.O.
position marching by plus in Arty. formation. On the J.O.
position in 19 B & D the Battalion moved with 6 tanks.
xxx Diagram- see original document

There were also 12 tanks on the right flank between
4 7& 5 Divisions.
Battalion moved diagonally to strike the main road just
west of Richmond Gully.
The 46 Battalion came on a dug out about 300 yards ahead
 

 
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