Charles E W Bean, Diaries, AWM38 3DRL 606/228/1 - Folder - Part 19

Conflict:
First World War, 1914–18
Subject:
  • Documents and letters
Status:
Awaiting approval
Accession number:
RCDIG1066687
Difficulty:
1

Page 1 / 11

Irx 562. further forward than near S. Gillemont Trench. All American stragglers were sent back. 34th Battalion had been feeding 90 Americans - but they were not a fighting body. They were very depressed thinking that they had let us down and that they would be (They had no lowered in the estimation of our men. organisation for signalling - one officer for a regiment of three battalions - they had not a wire out). Communications with forward units was maintained by visual - a station by the Circus of roads near Benjamin trench. October 1st - The 34th Battalion moved out by driblets co a concentration post at Capron Copse. British moved through in column to Gillimont heights and passed through. Major Fry - wounded. Lieut Snedden - wounded - in Fleet Street about half an hour later. Lieut Richardson - wounded. About 75 other casualties. 36th BATTALION - VILLERS BRETONNEUX April 4th. At 8 a.m. on a sudden order with breakfast in their hands - the 35th Battalion moved from Bois l'abbe to the sunken road from Villers Bretonneuxto Hangard covered by the slight slope up to the monument. Above the road theyopened into extended order. C B. D. 11 VMoeerrgert The idea was to be there to reinforce 33rd and One officer from each Coy. had 35th if necessary. to reconnoitre the route - they went up on the left of the railway. One at a time at half hour intervals. The Germans were just about to attack and their machine Just as Lieut gun and artillery barrage down. Mailer, D. Coy, was with 33rd Battalion he saw the line give S. of the railway (about 4.45) - and had to run As he crossed the railway back to his own colonel. the Tommies asked if it were time to blow the bridge up. When Mailer got back and saw the Colonel he said "its all right - I'm watching things" The Colonel gave the word to "A" Coy, to advance. A,B & C were all standing ready to move with fixed bayonets. "A" moved Just as they advanced the Germans came at once. over the brow of the hill through Monument Wood. As "A" Coy, went forward "B" Coy, moved to the right of it and then C to the right of that. "A" Coy. under OR 6666
563. Captain Bushell, was seen by the Germans as they came through the monument and on the spectacle of its advance grimly coming on with its bayonets - turned them and they started to run. "A" Coy going through the monument caught some of the Germans. Lieut Cameron was shot point blank by a German sniper. Lieut Towssend (who was in a "digger" hat having given nis own to one of his men,) seeingthis shot the sniper with his revolver (during the attack). Townsend took command of "B" Coy, which had moved up within a minute or two of the start of "A" Coy. and was on its immediate right. All "BW Coy. officers had been killed or wounded. Major Rodd was severely wounded and was forced to lie on une ground but continued to run his Coy. from the ground sending messages till he was carried out. Between right of "B" & left of "C" was a gap of 700 yards. As soon as it was dark Captain Gaad receéived orders to take "D" Coy. forward and placed them between "B" & "C" the right of "D" was between the two roads S.E. of the monument about 6.c.7.3. "C" was on their right, refused. "C" Coy. also had lost all its officers; and came into contact with the Germans before They lost all their officers and Lieut. dusk. Newell (?) was sent up to take charge. Lieut. Ames and Lieut. Burrows (whose first time in the line as reinforcements it was) did splendid work in "C" Coy. He was wounded about three times and kept on going forward and wouldn't go out. Next morning the Germans came on in full marching order to try and take Amiens again - First thing, they came on looking very cold with full packs - we let them get to within about 300 yards and then opened By midday they were running about from on them. shell hole to shell hole. The spirits of the men were tremendous that day. As they found they could not get west they slipped southwards. There were 60 Tommies of the 6th and 8th Londuns who were under a L/Cpl. filling up the gap between "A" & "B" The 36 killed most of the Germans whom it met. 35th BATTALION - LEFT FRONT OF BBICADE RICHT ON HUNS WALK LEFT OH N.S. SOAD INCLUSIVE. The tangle of trenches on old French strong point N. of Aquaire Wood was a nasty part. Germans were found first on the forward edge of Accroche Wood in the remains of Huns Walk. This was the outpost line and 4 machine gunswere afterwards found there. In the strong point North of the Wood the Germans made a fight and a good number were killed. This would be a defensive position in the support In the terraces E. of the wood was a Battalion line. Headquarters we got the Battalion commander there. There was 2 L.T.Ms inside the Wood. The 35th Battalion had to go straight on as the objective was over 4000 yards - 34th were cleaning up. The mist was very thick indeed. The objective was to be reached at 6.45 and had the mist began to clear about
564. The officers had compasses, but the barrage probably guided most of the men. There were a fair number of Germans in the E. fork of the valley. The fisst guns (4 77s) were come to N. of Rat Wood. There were two or three teams of horses besides the guns, tethered, apparently in the act of bringing the ammunition. A white norse was killed in a up limber. As Battalion came up the slope N.E. of Hazel Wood, a German Officer on horseback with about 40 Germans behind him came down the centre of the valley behind our right flank, and tried to double up the Gully E. of Hazel Wood evidently to get away. We opened Lewis Gun and rifle fire on them, and they gave Then about another 60 were found in dugouts and banks up. in the valley and the back of Hazel Wood. These Many of the Cermans evidently surrendered at once. were coming from the guns in the valley further S. The tanks were bloting them from there, there were tanks on flank of 35th, but the troops on their right were not yet joined up. They had really got down more towards 5th Brigade (18th Battalion). Some got into the road - it was very different indeed to keer direction and the seniors who saw the mist were very anxious. The barrage kept the advance from going beyond the Lamotte Cerisy Road W. of Reginald wood. They dug in about 50 yards ahead of it. There was a whizz bang gun firing from just behind Lena Wood - after the tanks - he continued until the tanks went on - one went out into the barrage and came back again. When the barrage stopped the tanks after cleaning up ahead came round to the valley behind and formed up for the next advance. On Time, 4th Division went through in perfect order with tanks, artillery coming up, just as on a field day. Captain Yates was killed - he had cleaned up the strong point north of Aquaire - he was shot through the leg, and gassed, and bled to death - was not lound till next day. Casualties about 48. was wounded on the Jump Off by shell Temporary Major Carl rragment. It was touch and go with him - hit in the neck Lieut. Henry wounded through the arm at the jump off by snell lragment. RIAI
565. 35th BATTALION - CURLU Took over at Fargay Wood on night of August midnight - in the old French line. 27th They were to attack with barrage, with trenches running N. through Chapeau de Geudarme as an objective - extending the flank of the British (Londoners). Attack at dawn - if possible after ist objective to exploit to E. of Curlu (i.e.1000 yards No one had seen the ground by day. Word had only come at 5 p.m. - when Battalion was at Bray. The ground was most diffcult, J.O. line was taped out by Lieut. Thompson - it was just behind the Quarr, in Fargay Wood. (This tape had been laid three times, r Bray, for the 40th Battalion when they went through - and for this fight as Brigade, when asked had none. C.O. sent back for this tape to be recovered and it was brought up. It is now in Aust. The line had to be laid from the end War Museum). of the riverside cliff due N - and the tape was laid so. (29 c 2.8). Half an hour before Zero left Coy. commanded by Capt Coghill reported that he could not get touch with the English attacking troops. He found their machine gunner (who knew nothing) and the Coy. itself which had not even heard it was attacking. Col. White then interviewed the acting British Brigadier and found the Coy. Commander there asking his way to the J.O. line to take his men there from where they had been waiting. All 35th Battalion Coys reported in position the hour before Zero - Major Connell visited them there. They all got away well and reached the objective - no sign of British (they reported). Col. White then interviewed a/Brigadier again and he sent the C.0. concerned who picked up his Battalion and led it up in single file on to the objective which we had mopped uy The English difficulty was that the orders had never got to the men - they had all benn typed, etc. Col. White had had to give verbal orders simply and be content practically with that. When 35th Battalion got to the Chapeay de Gaudarme trenches the Germans fought well - We got 8 machine guns in these trenches and about 60 prisoners. Signal communications were established at once by Lucas Camp with Battalion Headquarters (in the quarry at N. end of Spur Wood) - Battalion could see the men following the barrage. They consolidated there, one Coy. remaining. The other three pushed out patrols as soon as the barrage lifted - who established themselves on the exploitation line, E. end of Curlu. There was a machine gun in the septic Tank system of the old C.C.S. G6B6l all day. It was well placed and got at any body in the village all day. One post was about in the last rubble heap of the village W. of the bridge - one at each end of the big Quarry - thence a st ing of (first) 4, (later) 6 posts running straight to the crucifix N.N.W. It took about 2 hours to get these posts out - they went out in the fact of machine gun fire, without artillery suppor The British on the left put out some posts along the Maricourt R (they should have been along the Clapham Farm (Hardecourt) Road, and thence up the old German support line. The Germans were well placed in the septic tank and we had not men enough to deal with them - the Colonel
566. did not dare do much because of Tommies being back on left. 35th Battalions original boundary was the grid line between B 25 and Hl and the mopping up of the Southern corner of Curlu was a job for the relieving Battalion but as it waslnot there at the time 35th had to undertake it. The two posts in the Quarry were maintained till relief. Curlu undoubtedly had been mopped up. The Coy. commander responsible for the S. portion (who had his Headquarters at the church mound) was Captain Lathlean and did fine work. Lieut Coghill was wounded early. Lieut Worland died of woundsjreceived night after fight. Lieut Thompson who laid tape was wounded scouting with Worland out in lront of the quarry after dark. Captain Pearce was wounded in advance to the (1st objective, consolldation line. 2/Lieut. Fi ver 100 prisoners taken. Casualties?? Handed over to 34th Battalion. 38th Battalion came through on right. 2.77 guns were taken at A 29 B 6.5. 35th BATTALION - VILLERS BRETONNEUI Coy. "D" Coy, was in reserve to 35th Battalion in billetts in S.W. of town. D - Captain Sayers - was relieved from front line about 1 a.m. Shelling about three hours later. The (?) 8th London Regiment in the town who had a lot of their men in a big building was hit up and lost about 200 men there - in the middle of the town. "D" Coy. lost about 10 only - they were scattered in cellars along the main street. Sayers when he heard the shelling went to Battalion Headquarters and heard that an at tack had been repulsed - the germans massed in some woods near Marcelcave - and our Lewis guns and machine guns cut them up. On S. of road there were few casualties as the barrage neal but N. of missed them - was not so heavy; the road the parrage pretty well wiped them out. The line Nl of the road was the old Amiens trench system and the German had the range to an inch. Later came a message that the le had had to fall back as the Germans were get tting around their left. Our Northnmost Coy, had the road inclusive, with one post justracross the road. They repulsed the first attack; but the Germans followed up his success on the left. The Tommies had no support on the left. The German was able to get through and manoeuvre - the main road was a little raised and our people there could not see the Germans, at all until he
567. was behind their flank. The left Coy had about 1800 yards of front with about 120 men (B Coy). "D" Coy. (Sayers) had relieved with 150 men (D.Coy) Careys force - it took about 3 nights to relieve them all about 700 of them, Musketry School convalescent Home, Americans, Tank Corps, without any one in charge of them. The Germans attacked again about 4.30 p.m. The first news was that the Germans on the right (the left was also pretty shaky on the Somme slope), were missing. A bombardment was put down on the town and roads leading out of it and on the Artillery. Then came reports that the British on the right had given. The 36th Battalion was then in reserve E. of the Bois d'Aquaire. Col. Milne was in Headquarters with Cols. Goddard and Morshead; and when the news came that the British had given way, Col. Goddard said to Milne "Colonel you must counter attack at once". Milne jumped up, saluted, and off he went. Major Connell was sent to reconnoitre the position near the railway Captain Sayers and Major line and do what he could. Connell went together to the Brigade on the Monument Road and out along the bank of the railway cutting. It was practically open. You could not see the Germans in front - but you could see him on the right of railway. From there the two could see a British officer and some men walking back from a trench S. of the railway. Connell shouted out to him what he was doing. The officer said that the troops on their ight had retired and they were withdrawing. Major Connell told him to hold on as we were coming in. He had about 80 men - no one on the left, and the Cermans walking on within several hundred yards on the right of these British. he British went back into the trench and settled donn - Milne was just then getting his Battalion ready to counter attack. Sayers then doubled back into the town and got his Coy. Major Connell waited there - the Coy. came along - C. pushed them into extended order. S. came along with them. By then the Germans could besseen forward of the railway bridge by the mound. The whole of Sayers Coy, was N. of the railway - about 100 strong. As they got about 100 yards forward the Germans who were also advancing stopped. The Germans on the mound had established themselves. After about 100 yards the Germans got their machine guns up - the mound commanded the whole front of the town. Immediately after this counter attack began the 36THBattalion could be seen moving in Artillery form- ation down on the right - breaking out later. On going back along the road Major Connell found two Coys, of Londoners. 6th or 7th - Immediately after, they were put in to support. These were 300, 400 yards in rear. The Germans had a trench at the bridge - we got within 200 tards of the bridge beyond which was the trench (which we had dug). There was abit of hedge and raised ground by the bridge - this was well occupied. 200 yards before reaching the outposts (the German screen had dropped into shell holes). We advanced about 200 yards beyond the point he had reached - not more than 100 Germans in this area. Lieut. Thompson was shot through hand by a German about 15 yards away. A few Germans were bayoneted - then they saw thencounter attack on the right and started to retire.
568 On our left the German wasnl000 yards E - there were some 16th or 18th Lancers immediately on our left.- their colonel rode up - (check exact locations with 35th Battalion). The Germans came back from in front of 36th Battalion across the railway bridge. - He established himself well on the mound. General Rosenthal came up about 10 p.m. It was pointed out to him that the mound was important. He decided to take it with two Coys, of 34th Battalion (from reserve). They made a silent attack and rushed it in the small hours. We also wanted to get back into our old trench (which was fairly decent potholes and trench) and the men were tired and we wanted to get back into this, which was easily Some prisoners were taken and a number (7?) of done. machine guns. That restored the line to the position held the previous midday (April 4th) a better position than before the attack when the left flank was very much forward. Line as found in Major Connell's reconnaissance is shown on double lines on my map. This line was handed over when Battalion was relieved on night of 5/6th. The country was so flat that all work of reconnais¬ sance had to be done by night - Crops had not then grown. 33rd BATTALION - ROAD WOOD - AUGUST 31st. (Reports are very good and full). 34th held line. Definite orders were a very long time in coming 2 Coys. at Howit- (2.45.a.m.) very little time left. zer Wood. Duncans Coy. (C) in Terline Trench (having been sent on to take Road Wood - and it stopped by Col Fry who though it would be murderous.) A coy. of 43 also attached. Brodziak's Coy. and Duncans got there in time; but Fry (3rd Coy. from Howitzer Wood) was not there in timg when Brodziak (who was in support to Duncan) saw this he switched round and took Frys place. (When Fry came up later there were 3 Coys. in There was a barrage - the Artillery also had line). not had their orders. But at 6 a.m. it got better when Artillery had time to work their plans out. Th Clys were held up at once by very heavy machine gun fire. During the scrap Brodziak puled out a map. Duncan warned him not to. He was lying there with his map. here were German machine guns in potholes on the western fringe of the wood. The two Coys. had their Private Cartwright, who was heads absolutely down. an original Battalion Mess Waiter, stood up and simply walked firing from his shoulder at the gun which was doing the damage from the S. corner of the Wood. He killed No.1. on the gun - then shot the man who took his place; then shot a third man who finally took the gun. He then walked up and threw a bomb which didn't
IxX 569 fall into the sap. As soon as it exploded he rushed and got the gun and 9 Germans. Brodziak sent word first "Held up": Then "We are advoncing It was just after this that he was killed. This was the advance which followed on Cartwrights action. e The whole line got up and cheered him. Paad. They went on. Nd Offige Men: e 7I B Coy, started 2cays 49 D " 63 D came in on the right shortly before the machine gun was settled. A half caste aborginal, Private Irwin, shot down and captured three machine gun teams - and while attack- v wounded. This was after ing a fourth was mortall The men worked in twos and threes Cartwrights' example. and when they got behind the Germans the Germans crumpled. When they got to Wary Alley the Tommies were coming through Marrieres Wood. When they got to the E. edge of it they were held up by 100 Germans under a bi, terrace futher E. 33rd Battalion got along the Northerr Boundary of Road Wood - Sergt Major Mathias gave orders toa Lewis Gun tea, to open on these Cermans at They got onto 7 Germans and caused 700 - 800 yards. ies and this allowed the Tommies to get on. casual (A Tommy runner came in to Battalion Headquarters by mistake for his own - when werwere on the Bouchavesnes Mont St. Quentin Road, - with a note from an officer saying that he could not get on because the Australians were not up on his right - the Tommies then were near Marrieres Wood. There was a lot of fighting in the trench system E. of Road Wood; a battery of 77s at C26 B was firing over open sights from the W. side of the Road. Lieut Maclean and Lieut. Tunnbull took small parties - theGermans battery commander and gunners and some infantry were sticking to these guns. Our two parties made a run at the guns and the German battery commander fought to the last with his revolver and was killed. Inthese trenches East of Road Wood there 22. rd Battalion got to its objective was a lot of bombing. 3 when C.Coy (Duncan) got there he found that the "Old Quarry" S. of Bouchavesnes had a commanding position. He got it and took 40 prisoners out of it. Duncan worked up the Road at the Quarry. They established a post on the Eastern lip at C20 B6.0. Duncan only had a hadnful of men and was out of his area - So he went back to some Tommies who were a good way in his rear and brought them and their Captain up, and organised the defence of the Quarry. The Captainasked him which would be the best way to retreat or withdraw. Duncan told him that neither would be allowed. Duncan got 25 more Tommies and put them along the road. We were The then occupying the trenches just E. of the road. right flank was at C26 central. At 9.25.am. orders were sy Farm, and the ridge leading received to take Quar down to 27 central. C.0. then was allowed to use the Coy, of 42nd Battalion (Captain Trudgeon) which was attached and "A" Coy. (which had just arrived from 34th
570. to which it had been attached) now returned, very tired. They also were sent up (under Captain Prior). They sent out patrols and got as far as The patrols Quarry Farm - a little South of it. were under Lieut Wallace who was wounded - they were very greatly outnumbered, and had to come back. TBattalion got to the parallel terraces in These were enfiladed from the left and C 27 A. The eventual line was C20. B75.00, couldn't stay. C2OD85,35,98-10, C26B 89.32. We couldn't go further because of small numbers, heavy machine gun fire, and the troops on neither flank had come up so far. They were very short of ammunition - the police and pioneers were acting as runners (they were so short of men) but they luckily found a dump of British ammunition in an old dugout at C25 D 35,78, the Battalion command post. The Coy of 42nd Battalion was to have attacked on the right flank eventually and they were with Captain Fry on the right flank - reinforcing. (The last move had been by patrols (out to the terraces) not by Coys, as a whole. The 42nd Battalion Coy. was there during this stage. Major Brodziak - killed just after attack launched. Lieut. Carson - killed while nearing S.W. corner of Road wood. - killed at the junction of Acaries Lieut. Dorner, Alley and Berlingott Trench. Serg. Walters and Cpl. G.........?, 39th and 38th Battalions, did good work under Lieut. W.A. McLean pushing from Acaries Alley up towards the guns mentioned above. They were with Mclean and were ising manner ahead of the rest working in an enterp of their Battalion and working with Mcleans par in stopping the guns which had been firing on the Battalion further N. O.R. Killed 23 Nounded 98 Lieut Wallace - as above (near Quarry Farm) Lieut. Burke - wounded near the Quarry. Lieut. Morse - wounded while with 34th Battalion. Lieut Genge - wounded E. of the Bapaume Road. The German prisoners were 4th Gren. Gds. Regt. The very finest dressed and equipped troops of good physique and well fed. They volunteered, they to stop the Australian advance. said Their Headquarters was where Battalion command T Battalion Commander came out Post later was. with gloves on and with his adjutant (who was They cameback to Battalion Headquarters. wounded). Von Kettler was name of Battalion Commander. He
RIAI 571. was smoking a cigarette with a long holder and was very overbearing - won't answer even his rank. C.O. told men to cut off his shoulder straps, to which he strongly objected. He told C.O. that C.O. searched him and took he could shoot him. his letters - he objecting - and gave him back everything that wasn't written. Morshead gave the Battalion C.0. to the men to look after. He had hardly got in there béfore the cries came "Offizier, Offizier" - they got everything off him despite his protesting resistance. But he was tame afterwards and when sent down under 2 of our batment he was left with a box of matches and cigarettes (two things the men used to go for first) and was in a better humour by then. One man whoccame in spoke English well - said he had been to Australian in the Norddentsher Lloyd was quickly at his ease: "We have been all over the ry" he said in answer to a quer They bloody count were expecting the attack and had seen 34th Battalion He said he had written to his wife: the day before. you don't hear from me for four days you will know I'm a prisoner; the Australians are coming over He said that Von Kettler was a very tomorrow. He had been captured in Russia and had fine fellow, 33rd Battalion claimed 600 prison escaped. hey gathered all our wounded and dead, and carried up 11 Germans were killed and 4 badly ammunition. They couldn't under- wounded as stretcher bearers stand how good our food was and how it was got up so The prisoners who were killed were well that night. rying back from the A.A.P. cal This was the most dahing attack 33rd Battalion ever made. The most tenacious was at Bray. At Bray (see narrative) 33rd Battalion transport was in front line the night after the attack - limbers. Bon! 3Jrd BATTALION - 3rd Battalion of Brigade. Then had to That night was sent up to the Knoll. report to Benjamin Post for orders. This night march was ordered at 2.40 a.m. Battalion assembled at Sattalion Headquarters (Doleful Post) at 4.25 and reach ed Benjamin Post at 5.35. Lieut. King, the I.G. was responsible for this, They went overland across trenches nnd wires and rain. it was a fine feat getting the men found and the Battalion there in the time; the tanks were burning. Zero was 6.a.m.for 11th Bde, attack. 33rd was for final exploitation, but attack was held up at Bony. Battalion was in Quinnemont Farm at Top Lane. It took N part of Bony. In final scouting advance C.O. and Scouts got to While there 10 Central overlobking Vauban Valley. with patrols C.0. got order from Bde, to take a line further back. (They were 500 yards from Le Catelet and confident of getting Le Cateletand Douy. After getting the order C.O. sent for Coy. commander to come up for a conference to him. When they came up and were conferring they got the concen- rated fire of three battalions on their shellholes.
XxX 572. ANZAC LANDING - APRIL 25th When the 11th Battalion landed the machine gun on Walkers Ridge was annoying Lieut. Strickland who He wanted to go round it was told to go for it. but some officer said there was no time, go straight at it. He took his platoon st aight for it, and they Lieut HJackson were cut upgoing across the flat. 11th Battalion, S. Coy. landed on the North side of A machine gun was firing from Walkers Ari Burnu. Ridge, 12th Battalion landing further North very soon after, came under deadly fire from Walkers, men falling as they reached the beach, two who fell there being They went up pulled into the bank by third man. the under feature. There were Rockcliffe, Everett and Peck. Peck said "Come on boys, by God I'm frightened" and sent R & J on as advanced party of 11th Battalion. They went up the South end of Russels Top and down past the three tents. Rockcliffe was separated near Someone cut the telephone wire up the the Sphinx. side down again, up a third ehight and down again. Here there was a steep dip on their right front - with a house in it, a horse grazing on a grass plot. None of our people on left could be seen. Beyond it was a ridge. On this later Jackson saw the Turks coming down through a cutting and deploying at the bottom There were men of ours on a feature on the flat. jutting out to the right - these dropped back. Buttle was the only officer on this party with Jackson they had about 50 of B & A Cov. The high hills were on their left. When the men on their right front fell back, the Turks were also reported coming down the big hill on the left. Jackson accordingly withdrew into the Gully behind - sent his Sergt. round one side of the Razor Back (? on Buttle) and he himself went round the North. 2. 7 They droppeda second steep gully, over a second rise, with hills on right of them always, down into a third gully, and then on a third rise found Tulloch There they came unde M. Read (Buttle was there too). shrapnel. Tulloch was probably hit then. And the Turks attack. Later Jacksons party moved further up the Hill. C.T. was in charge of them and ordered this. About dark an order came to third Brigade to concentrate on the beach but was to hot Mixed N.Z. to leave the position till next morning. and lst Brigade were there then with N.Z. officer in char The featured Jackson got into a Razor Back - they gun were right on the end of it - big hills on left ridge going away at an angle to the right.

562.
further forward than near S. Gillemont Trench. All
American stragglers were sent back. 34th Battalion
had been feeding 90 Americans - but they were not a
fighting body. They were very depressed thinking
that they had let us down and that they would be
lowered in the estimation of our men. (They had no
organisation for signalling - one officer for a regiment
of three battalions - they had not a wire out).
Communications with forward units was maintained
by visual - a station by the Circus of roads near
Benjamin trench.
October 1st - The 34th Battalion moved out by
driblets to a concentration post at Capron Copse.
British moved through in column to Gillimont
heights and passed through.
Major Fry - wounded.
Lieut Snedden - wounded - in Fleet Street about half an
hour later.
Lieut Richardson - wounded.
About 75 other casualties.


36th BATTALION - VILLERS BRETONNEUX
April 4th. At 8 a.m. on a sudden order with
breakfast in their hands - the 36th Battalion moved
from Bois l'abbe to the sunken road from Villers
Bretonneuxto Hangard covered by the slight slope up
to the monument.
Above the road theyopened into extended order.
Diagram-see original document
The idea was to be there to reinforce 33rd and
35th if necessary. One officer from each Coy. had
to reconnoitre the route - they went up on the left of
the railway. One at a time at half hour intervals.
The Germans were just about to attack and their machine
gun and artillery barrage down. Just as Lieut
Mailer, D. Coy, was with 33rd Battalion he saw the line
give S. of the railway (about 4.45) - and had to run
back to his own colonel. As he crossed the railway
the Tommies asked if it were time to blow the bridge up.
When Mailer got back and saw the Colonel he said
"its all right - I'm watching things". The Colonel 

gave the word to "A" Coy, to advance. A, B & C were all
standing ready to move with fixed bayonets. "A" moved
at once. Just as they advanced the Germans came
over the brow of the hill through Monument Wood. As
"A" Coy, went forward "B" Coy, moved to the right of
it and then C to the right of that. "A" Coy. under
 

 

563.
Captain Bushell, was seen by the Germans as they
came through the monument and on the spectacle of
its advance grimly coming on with its bayonets -
turned them and they started to run.
"A" Coy going through the monument caught
some of the Germans.
Lieut Cameron was shot point blank by a German
sniper. Lieut Townsend (who was in a "digger" hat,
having given his own to one of his men,) seeingthis
shot the sniper with his revolver (during the attack).
Townsend took command of "B" Coy, which had moved up
within a minute or two of the start of "A" Coy. and
was on its immediate right. All "B" Coy. officers had
been killed or wounded.
Major Rodd was severely wounded and was forced
to lie on the ground but continued to run his Coy. from
the ground sending messages till he was carried out.
Between right of "B" & left of "C" was a gap of
700 yards. As soon as it was dark Captain Gadd received
orders to take "D" Coy. forward and placed them between
"B" & "C", the right of "D" was between the two roads
S.E. of the monument about 6.c.7.3. "C" was on their
right, refused. "C" Coy. also had lost all its
officers; and came into contact with the Germans before
dusk. They lost all their officers and Lieut.
Newell (?) was sent up to take charge.
Lieut. Ames and Lieut. Burrows (whose first time
in the line as reinforcements it was) did splendid
work in "C" Coy. He was wounded about three times and
kept on going forward and wouldn't go out.
Next morning the Germans came on in full marching
order to try and take Amiens again - First thing, they
came on looking very cold with full packs - we let
them get to within about 300 yards and then opened
on them. By midday they were running about from
shell hole to shell hole. The spirits of the men were
tremendous that day. As they found they could not
get west they slipped southwards.
There were 60 Tommies of the 6th and 8th Londons
who were under a L/Cpl. filling up the gap between
"A" & "B".
The 36 killed most of the Germans whom it met.


35th BATTALION - LEFT FRONT OF BRIGADE
RIGHT ON HUNS WALK LEFT ON N.S. ROAD INCLUSIVE.
The tangle of trenches on old French strong
point N. of Aquaire Wood was a nasty part. Germans
were found first on the forward edge of Accroche Wood
in the remains of Huns Walk. This was the outpost
line and 4 machine gunswere afterwards found there.
In the strong point North of the Wood the
Germans made a fight and a good number were killed.
This would be a defensive position in the support
line. In the terraces E. of the wood was a Battalion
Headquarters we got the Battalion commander there.
There was 2 L.T.Ms inside the Wood. The 35th
Battalion had to go straight on as the objective was
over 4000 yards - 34th were cleaning up. The mist
was very thick indeed. The objective was to be
reached at 6.45 and had the mist began to clear about
 

 

564.
7. The officers had compasses, but the barrage
probably guided most of the men.
There were a fair number of Germans in the E.
fork of the valley.
The first guns (4 77s) were come to N. of Rat
Wood. There were two or three teams of horses besides
the guns, tethered, apparently in the act of bringing
up the ammunition. A white horse was killed in a
limber.
As Battalion came up the slope N.E. of Hazel
Wood, a German Officer on horseback with about 40
Germans behind him came down the centre of the valley
behind our right flank, and tried to double up the
Gully E. of Hazel Wood evidently to get away. We
opened Lewis Gun and rifle fire on them, and they gave
up. Then about another 60 were found in dugouts and banks
in the valley and the back of Hazel Wood. These
surrendered at once. Many of the Germans evidently
were coming from the guns in the valley further S.
The tanks were bloting them from there, there were tanks
on flank of 35th, but the troops on their right
were not yet joined up. They had really got down
more towards 5th Brigade (18th Battalion). Some got
into the road - it was very different indeed to keep
direction and the seniors who saw the mist were very
anxious.
The barrage kept the advance from going beyond
the Lamotte Cerisy Road W. of Reginald Wood. They
dug in about 50 yards ahead of it. There was a whizz
bang gun firing from just behind Lena Wood - after
the tanks - he continued until the tanks went on - one
went out into the barrage and came back again. When
the barrage stopped the tanks after cleaning up ahead came
round to the valley behind and formed up for the next
advance.
On Time, 4th Division went through in perfect order
with tanks, artillery coming up, just as on a field day.
Captain Yates was killed - he had cleaned up the
strong point north of Aquaire - he was shot through
the leg, and gassed, and bled to death - was not found
till next day.
Casualties about 48.
Temporary Major Carl was wounded on the Jump Off by shell
fragment. It was touch and go with him - hit in the neck
Lieut. Henry wounded through the arm at the jump off by
shell fragment.
  

 

565.
35th BATTALION - CURLU
Took over at Fargay Wood on night of August
27th midnight - in the old French line.
They were to attack with barrage, with trenches
running N. through Chapeau de Geudarme as an
objective - extending the flank of the British
(Londoners). Attack at dawn - if possible after
1st objective to exploit to E. of Curlu (i.e.1000
yards).
No one had seen the ground by day. Word had
only come at 5 p.m. - when Battalion was at Bray.
The ground was most diffcult, J.O. line was taped out
by Lieut. Thompson - it was just behind the Quarry,
in Fargay Wood. (This tape had been laid three times,
for Bray, for the 40th Battalion when they went
through - and for this fight as Brigade, when asked
had none. C.O. sent back for this tape to be
recovered and it was brought up. It is now in Aust.
War Museum). The line had to be laid from the end
of the riverside cliff due N - and the tape was laid
so. (29 c 2.8). Half an hour before Zero left Coy.
commanded by Capt Coghill reported that he could not
get touch with the English attacking troops. He
found their machine gunner (who knew nothing) and the
Coy. itself which had not even heard it was attacking.
Col. White then interviewed the acting British
Brigadier and found the Coy. Commander there asking
his way to the J.O. line to take his men there from
where they had been waiting. All 35th Battalion Coys
reported in position the hour before Zero - Major Connell
visited them there. They all got away well and reached
the objective - no sign of British (they reported).
Col. White then interviewed a/Brigadier again and
he sent the C.O. concerned who picked up his Battalion
and led it up in single file on to the objective which
we had mopped up. The English difficulty was that
the orders had never got to the men - they had all been
typed, etc. Col. White had had to give verbal orders
simply and be content practically with that.
When 35th Battalion got to the Chapeay de Gaudarme
trenches the Germans fought well - We got 8 machine
guns in these trenches and about 60 prisoners.
Signal communications were established at once by
Lucas Camp with Battalion Headquarters (in the quarry
at N. end of Spur Wood) - Battalion could see the men
following the barrage.
They consolidated there, one Coy. remaining. The
other three pushed out patrols as soon as the barrage
lifted - who established themselves on the exploitation
line, E. end of Curlu. There was a machine gun in
the septic Tank system of the old C.C.S. G6B61 all day.
It was well placed and got at any body in the village
all day.
One post was about in the last rubble heap of
the village W. of the bridge - one at each end of the
big Quarry - thence a string of (first) 4, (later) 6 posts
running straight to the crucifix N.N.W. It took about
2 hours to get these posts out - they went out in the
fact of machine gun fire, without artillery support.
The British on the left put out some posts along the
Maricourt R (they should have been along the Clapham
Farm (Hardecourt) Road, and thence up the old German
support line.
The Germans were well placed in the septic tank
and we had not men enough to deal with them - the Colonel 

 

566.
did not dare do much because of Tommies being back
on left.
35th Battalions original boundary was the grid
line between B 25 and H1 and the mopping up of the
Southern corner of Curlu was a job for the relieving
Battalion but as it was not there at the time 35th had
to undertake it. The two posts in the Quarry were maintained
till relief.
Curlu undoubtedly had been mopped up.
The Coy. commander responsible for the S. portion
(who had his Headquarters at the church mound) was
Captain Lathlean and did fine work.
Lieut Coghill was wounded early.
Lieut Worland died of wounds received night after
fight.
Lieut Thompson who laid tape was wounded scouting with
Worland out in front of the quarry after dark.
Captain Pearce was wounded in advance to the (1st
objective) consolidation line.
2/Lieut. Field. Over 100 prisoners taken. Casualties??
Handed over to 34th Battalion. 38th Battalion came through
on right.
2.77 guns were taken at A 29 B 6.5.
35th BATTALION - VILLERS BRETONNEUX
"A" Coy.
"D" Coy, was in reserve to 35th Battalion in billetts
in S.W. of town. D - Captain Sayers - was relieved from
front line about 1 a.m. Shelling about three hours later.
The (?) 8th London Regiment in the town who had a lot of
their men in a big building was hit up and lost about 200
men there - in the middle of the town. "D" Coy. lost
about 10 only - they were scattered in cellars along the
main street.
Sayers when he heard the shelling went to Battalion
Headquarters and heard that an attack had been repulsed-
the Germans massed in some woods near Marcelcave - and
our Lewis guns and machine guns cut them up.
On S. of road there were few casualties as the
barrage nearly missed them - was not so heavy; but N. of
the road the barrage pretty well wiped them out. The
line N1 of the road was the old Amiens trench system and
the German had the range to an inch. Later came a
message that the left had had to fall back as the Germans
were gettting around their left. Our Northnmost Coy, had
the road inclusive, with one post just across the road.
They repulsed the first attack; but the Germans followed
up his success on the left. The Tommies had no support
on the left. The German was able to get through and
manoeuvre - the main road was a little raised and our
people there could not see the Germans, at all until he
 

 

567.
was behind their flank. The left Coy had about
1800 yards of front with about 120 men (B Coy).
"D" Coy. (Sayers) had relieved with 150 men
(D.Coy) Careys force - it took about 3 nights to relieve
them all about 700 of them, Musketry School - 
convalescent Home, Americans, Tank Corps, without any
one in charge of them.
The Germans attacked again about 4.30 p.m. The
first news was that the Germans on the right (the left
was also pretty shaky on the Somme slope), were missing.
A bombardment was put down on the town and roads
leading out of it and on the Artillery. Then came
reports that the British on the right had given.
The 36th Battalion was then in reserve E. of the Bois
d'Aquaire. Col. Milne was in Headquarters with Cols.
Goddard and Morshead; and when the news came that the
British had given way, Col. Goddard said to Milne
"Colonel you must counter attack at once". Milne
jumped up, saluted, and off he went. Major Connell
was sent to reconnoitre the position near the railway
line and do what he could. Captain Sayers and Major
Connell went together to the Brigade on the Monument
Road and out along the bank of the railway cutting.
It was practically open. You could not see the Germans
in front - but you could see him on the right of
railway. From there the two could see a British
officer and some men walking back from a trench S. of
the railway. Connell shouted out to him what he was
doing. The officer said that the troops on their
right had retired and they were withdrawing. Major
Connell told him to hold on as we were coming in.
He had about 80 men - no one on the left, and the Germans
walking on within several hundred yards on the right
of these British. The British went back into the
trench and settled down - Milne was just then getting his
Battalion ready to counter attack.
Sayers then doubled back into the town and got
his Coy. Major Connell waited there - the Coy.
came along - C. pushed them into extended order. S.
came along with them.
By then the Germans could be seen forward of the
railway bridge by the mound.
The whole of Sayers Coy, was N. of the railway -
about 100 strong. As they got about 100 yards forward
the Germans who were also advancing stopped. The
Germans on the mound had established themselves. After
about 100 yards the Germans got their machine guns
up - the mound commanded the whole front of the town.
Immediately after this counter attack began the
36TH Battalion could be seen moving in Artillery formation

down on the right - breaking out later.
On going back along the road Major Connell found
two Coys, of Londoners. 6th or 7th - Immediately
after, they were put in to support. These were 300,
400 yards in rear.
The Germans had a trench at the bridge - we got
within 200 tards of the bridge beyond which was the
trench (which we had dug). There was abit of hedge and
raised ground by the bridge - this was well occupied.
200 yards before reaching the outposts (the German screen
had dropped into shell holes). We advanced about 200
yards beyond the point he had reached - not more than
100 Germans in this area. Lieut. Thompson xxxx was
shot through hand by a German about 15 yards away. A
few Germans were bayoneted - then they saw thencounter
attack on the right and started to retire.
 

 

568
On our left the German was 1000 yards E - there
were some 16th or 18th Lancers immediately on our left.-
their colonel rode up - (check exact locations with
35th Battalion).
The Germans came back from in front of 36th
Battalion across the railway bridge. - He established
himself well on the mound. General Rosenthal came
up about 10 p.m. It was pointed out to him that the
mound was important. He decided to take it with two
Coys, of 34th Battalion (from reserve). They made
a silent attack and rushed it in the small hours. We
also wanted to get back into our old trench (which was
fairly decent potholes and trench) and the men were tired
and we wanted to get back into this, which was easily

done. Some prisoners were taken and a number (7?) of
machine guns. That restored the line to the position
held the previous midday (April 4th) a better position
than before the attack when the left flank was very
much forward.
Line as found in Major Connell's reconnaissance is
shown on double lines on my map.
This line was handed over when Battalion was
relieved on night of 5/6th.
The country was so flat that all work of reconnaissance 

had to be done by night - Crops had not then
grown.
33rd BATTALION - ROAD WOOD - AUGUST 31st.
(Reports are very good and full).
34th held line.
Definite orders were a very long time in coming
(2.45.a.m.) very little time left. 2 Coys. at Howitzer

Wood. Duncans Coy. (C) in Terline Trench (having
been sent on to take Road Wood - and it stopped by
Col Fry who though it would be murderous.)
A coy. of 43 also attached. Brodziak's Coy. and
Duncans got there in time; but Fry (3rd Coy. from
Howitzer Wood) was not there in time; when Brodziak
(who was in support to Duncan) saw this he switched
round and took Frys place.
(When Fry came up later there were 3 Coys. in
line). There was a barrage - the Artillery also had
not had their orders. But at 6 a.m. it got better when
Artillery had time to work their plans out.
The Coys were held up at once by very heavy
machine gun fire.
During the scrap Brodziak puled out a map. Duncan
warned him not to. He was lying there with his map.
There were German machine guns in potholes on
the western fringe of the wood. The two Coys. had their
heads absolutely down. Private Cartwright, who was
an original Battalion Mess Waiter, stood up and simply
walked firing from his shoulder at the gun which was
doing the damage from the S. corner of the Wood. He
killed No.1. on the gun - then shot the man who took
his place; then shot a third man who finally took the
gun. He then walked up and threw a bomb which didn't
 

 

569
fall into the sap. As soon as it exploded he rushed
and got the gun and 9 Germans.
Brodziak sent word first "Held up": Then "We are
advancing." It was just after this that he was killed.
This was the advance which followed on Cartwrights
action.

The whole line got
up and cheered him.
They went on.
 

Diagram - see original document
                         Officers.        Men.

B Coy started      3                   71
C "           "              4                   49

D "           "              4                   63
D came in on the right shortly before the machine gun
was settled.
A half caste aborginal, Private Irwin, shot down
and captured three machine gun teams - and while attacking
a fourth was mortally wounded. This was after
Cartwrights' example. The men worked in twos and threes
and when they got behind the Germans the Germans crumpled.
When they got to Wary Alley the Tommies were coming
through Marrieres Wood. When they got to the E. edge
of it they were held up by 100 Germans under a big
terrace futher E. 33rd Battalion got along the Northern
Boundary of Road Wood - Sergt and Major Mathias gave
orders toa Lewis Gun tea, to open on these Germans at
700 - 800 yards. They got onto 7 Germans and caused
casaulties and this allowed the Tommies to get on.
(A Tommy runner came in to Battalion Headquarters by
mistake for his own - when we were on the Bouchavesnes
Mont St. Quentin Road, - with a note from an officer
saying that he could not get on because the Australians
were not up on his right - the Tommies then were near
Marrieres Wood. There was a lot of fighting in the
trench system E. of Road Wood; a battery of 77s at C26
B was firing over open sights from the W. side of the
Road.
Lieut Maclean and Lieut. Turnbull took small
parties - theGermans battery commander and gunners and
some infantry were sticking to these guns. Our two
parties made a run at the guns and the German battery
commander fought to the last with his revolver and
was killed. Inthese trenches East of Road Wood there
was a lot of bombing. 33rd Battalion got to its objective
when C.Coy (Duncan) got there he found that the "Old
Quarry" S. of Bouchavesnes had a commanding position.
He got it and took 40 prisoners out of it. Duncan
worked up the Road at the Quarry. They established a
post on the Eastern lip at C20 B6.o. Duncan only had
a hadnful of men and was out of his area - So he went
back to some Tommies who were a good way in his rear
and brought them and their Captain up, and organised
the defence of the Quarry. The Captainasked him which
would be the best way to retreat or withdraw. Duncan
told him that neither would be allowed. Duncan got
25 more Tommies and put them along the road. We were
then occupying the trenches just E. of the road. The
right flank was at C26 central. At 9.25.am. orders were
received to take Quarry Farm, and the ridge leading
down to 27 central. C.O. then was allowed to use the
Coy, of 42nd Battalion (Captain Trudgeon) which was
attached and "A" Coy. (which had just arrived from 34th
 

 

570.
to which it had been attached) now returned, very
tired. They also were sent up (under Captain
Prior).
They sent out patrols and got as far as
Quarry Farm - a little South of it. The patrols
were under Lieut Wallace who was wounded - they
were very greatly outnumbered, and had to come back.
The Battalion got to the parallel terraces in
C 27 A. These were enfiladed from the left and
couldn't stay. The eventual line was C20. B75.00,
C2OD85, 35, 98-10, C26B 89.32. We couldn't go
further because of small numbers, heavy machine gun
fire, and the troops on neither flank had come up
so far.
They were very short of ammunition - the police
and pioneers were acting as runners (they were so
short of men) but they luckily found a dump of
British ammunition in an old dugout at C25 D 35,78,
the Battalion command post.
The Coy of 42nd Battalion was to have attacked
on the right flank eventually and they were with
Captain Fry on the right flank - reinforcing. (The
last move had been by patrols (out to the terraces)
not by Coys, as a whole. The 42nd Battalion Coy.
was there during this stage.
Major Brodziak - killed just after attack launched.
Lieut. Carson - killed while nearing S.W. corner
of Road wood.
Lieut. Dornery- killed at the junction of Acaries
Alley and Berlingott Trench.
Serg. Walters and Cpl. G.........?, 39th and 38th
Battalions, did good work under Lieut. W.A. McLean
pushing from Acaries Alley up towards the guns
mentioned above. They were with Mclean and were
working in an enterprising manner ahead of the rest
of their Battalion and working with Mcleans party
in stopping the guns which had been firing on the
Battalion further N.
Killed              O.R.
3                          23
Wounded
4                         98
Lieut Wallace - as above (near Quarry Farm)
Lieut. Burke - wounded near the Quarry.
Lieut. Morse - wounded while with 34th Battalion.
Lieut Genge - wounded E. of the Bapaume Road.
The German prisoners were 4th Gren. Gds. Regt.
The very finest dressed and equipped troops of good
physique and well fed. They volunteered, they
said, to stop the Australian advance.
Their Headquarters was where Battalion command
Post later was. The Battalion Commander came out
with gloves on and with his adjutant (who was
wounded). They came back to Battalion Headquarters.
Von Kettler was name of Battalion Commander. He
 

 I
 

571.
was smoking a cigarette with a long holder and was
very overbearing - won't answer even his rank.
C.O. told men to cut off his shoulder straps, to
which he strongly objected. He told C.O. that
he could shoot him. C.O. searched him and took
his letters - he objecting - and gave him back
everything that wasn't written.
Morshead gave the Battalion C.O. to the men
to look after. He had hardly got in there béfore
the cries came "Offizier, Offizier" - they got
everything off him despite his protesting resistance.
But he was tame afterwards and when sent down under
2 of our batment he was left with a box of matches and
cigarettes (two things the men used to go for first)
and was in a better humour by then.
One man who came in spoke English well - said he
had been to Australian in the Norddentsher Lloyd
was quickly at his ease: "We have been all over the
bloody country" he said in answer to a query. They
were expecting the attack and had seen 34th Battalion
the day before. He said he had written to his wife:
"If you don't hear from me for four days you will
know I'm a prisoner; the Australians are coming over
tomorrow." He said that Von Kettler was a very
fine fellow, He had been captured in Russia and had
escaped. 33rd Battalion claimed 600 prisoners.
They gathered all our wounded and dead, and carried up
ammunition. 11 Germans were killed and 4 badly
wounded as stretcher bearers. They couldn't understand
how good our food was and how it was got up so
well that night. The prisoners who were killed were
carrying back from the R.A.P.
This was the most dahing attack 33rd Battalion
ever made.
The most tenacious was at Bray.
At Bray (see narrative) 33rd Battalion transport
was in front line the night after the attack - limbers.

33rd BATTALION - BONY
3rd Battalion of Brigade.
That night was sent up to the Knoll. Then had to
report to Benjamin Post for orders. This night march
was ordered at 2.40 a.m. Battalion assembled at
Battalion Headquarters (Doleful Post) at 4.25 and
reach ed Benjamin Post at 5.35. Lieut. King, the
I.O. was responsible for this, They went overland
across trenches and wires and rain. it was a fine
feat getting the men found and the Battalion there in
the time; the tanks were burning.
Zero was 6.a.m.for 11th Bde, attack. 33rd was
for final exploitation, but attack was held up at
Bony.
Battalion was in Quinnemont Farm at Top Lane. It
took N part of Bony.
In final scouting advance C.O. and Scouts got to
10 Central overlooking Vauban Valley. While there
with patrols C.O. got order from Bde, to take a line
further back. (They were 500 yards from Le Catelet and
confident of getting Le Catelet and Douy.
After getting the order C.O. sent for Coy.
commander to come up for a conference to him. When
they came up and were conferring they got the concentrated

fire of three battalions on their shellholes.
 

 

572.
ANZAC LANDING - APRIL 25th
When the 11th Battalion landed the machine gun
on Walkers Ridge was annoying Lieut. Strickland who
was told to go for it. He wanted to go round it
but some officer said there was no time, go straight
at it. He took his platoon straight for it, and they
were cut upgoing across the flat. Lieut Jackson
11th Battalion, B. Coy. landed on the North side of
Ari Burnu. A machine gun was firing from Walkers
Ridge, 12th Battalion landing further North very soon
after, came under deadly fire from Walkers, men falling
as they reached the beach, two who fell there being
pulled into the bank by third man. They went up
the under feature. There were Rockcliffe, Everett and
Peck. Peck said "Come on boys, by God I'm frightened"
and sent R & J on as advanced party of 11th Battalion.
They went up the South end of Russels Top and down
past the three tents. Rockcliffe was separated near
the Sphinx. Someone cut the telephone wire up the
side down again, up a third ehight and down again.
Here there was a steep dip on their right front - with
a house in it, a horse grazing on a grass plot. None
of our people on left could be seen. Beyond it was a
ridge. On this later Jackson saw the Turks coming
down through a cutting and deploying at the bottom
on the flat. There were men of ours on a feature
jutting out to the right - these dropped back. Buttle
was the only officer on this party with Jackson
they had about 50 of B & A Coy. The high hills were on
their left. When the men on their right front fell
back, the Turks were also reported coming down the big
hill on the left. Jackson accordingly withdrew into
the Gully behind - sent his Sergt. round one side of
the Razor Back (? on Buttle) and he himself went
round the North.
Diagram - see original document
They dropped a second steep gully, over a second
rise, with hills on right of them always, down into a
third gully, and then on a third rise found Tulloch,
M. Read (Buttle was there too). There they came under
shrapnel. Tulloch was probably hit then. And the
Turks attack. Later Jacksons party moved further
up the Hill. C.T. was in charge of them and ordered
this. About dark an order came to third Brigade
to concentrate xxxxxxx on the beach but was to hot
to leave the position till next morning. Mixed N.Z.
and 1st Brigade were there then with N.Z. officer in
chartge.

The featured Jackson got into a Razor Back - they
were right on the end of it - big hills on left - gun
ridge going away at an angle to the right.
 

 
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Sam scottSam scott
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