Charles E W Bean, Diaries, AWM38 3DRL 606/228A/1 - June - October 1917 - Part 1

Conflict:
First World War, 1914–18
Subject:
  • Documents and letters
Status:
Awaiting approval
Accession number:
RCDIG1066688
Difficulty:

Page 1 / 10

AWM3S Official History, 1974-18 War: Records of C E W Bean, Official Historian. Diaries and Notebooks Hem number: 3DR1606/228417 Title: Photostats, June - October 1917 Comprise copies of reports, maps and sketches occurring as attachments to earlier notebooks. AWMISS-SDRLCO6/22SAN
AUSTRAI Set. N01 mat toee ah 22819) SEL 308 60 Fron 2234 LB3E DIARIES AND NOTES OF C. E. W. BEAN CONCERNING THE WAR OF 1914-19IS HE use of these diaries and notes is subject to conditions laid down in the terms of gift to the Australian War Memorial. But, apart from those terms, I wish the following circumstances and considerations to be brought to the notice of every reader and writer who may use them These writings represent only what at the mement of making them I believed to be true. The diaries were jotted down almost daily with the object of recording what was then in the writer’s mind. Often he wrote them when very tired and half asleep; also, not infrequently, what he believed to be true was not so —but it does not follow that he always discevered this, or remembered to correct the mistakes when discovered. Indeed, he could not always remember that he had written them. These records should, therefore, be used with great caution, as relating only what their author, at the time of writing, believed. Further, he cannot, of course, vouch for the accuracy of statements made to him by others and here recorded. But he did try to ensure such accuracy by consuiting, as far as possible, those who had seen or otherwise taken part in the events. The constant falsity of second-hand evidence (on which a large proportion of war stories are founded) was impressed upon him by the second or third day of the Gallipoli campaign, notwithstanding that those who passed on such stories usually themselves believed them to be true. All second-hand evidence herein should be read with this in mind. AUST 16 Sept., 1946. C. E. W. BEAN. ESS STAT CECL am 22
Vault Green sections to be defended by Crys-supcl by another may) DP doublepest ODOfficers tt pVcortest FW. Fildwacke (lretet. VDX 1941- Vorpast Konapagne F. Built in M.J. emplacements. 2 hef Epation Apt K9 D K. Eng Rad; CIWI 50 (DD tden. Repuint 1 Tor9R9 HRTA20 4004 19 683 v8 12220 e Ao they 2 EX Lewrah 26R.D. Oveane p 2G.RD. vex 121291 420 3838 Copy of Gennan map showing defences of Noseuil & nagnicousl (taken by us on March 26. 19 14mg3
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Overlay to Sheet 57 Cantal W yourd
Mn ty telephone Fal in th lian talle int tnks obit Wi A ieoniin 2. 20. 1 th m i ien a i ony o Ar. t it till it i te stance intho t alt o M. Rinngntn hir; ten Vaux. From snt from Mlchi noyet ln des tinbrnce 23 deall den iehot hisent Teaches at 5 asen ete en in ten e t teet te it n to i te opposite report time probably tapped ty enen ut e 1.30 for instnction 33. propere to park in at 8 20 8. an heame 23 upon will 43 the same 4 nither advnce 9.2 925. J. 21. 23 report against attac 9.20 orders to fall back to new positin upon accorty to 540
on Fen Gellibrad upon D Ant. Bin drim of the the folloning report on the operation & gran is submitted. All order N04 ms inues in accordence the geent in stinction from Sunt t at a50 with on the 19th ant pmm 2. In accorrance with seibal instructions seceived 1pr from General Staff of Dinsim shortl after anaought 13 that the fette hat been corps conv. desired the lime Longatte - treet dayment bh occupiet, that the general i instructions from Dl. would 500 be modified in accordance with a memo to be 236 received by the during the night 19/20 se arder as siedbyp 3 A orer ws was accordingly issued by ltiplme to the 21t 23r 125. Battalions by telphm It ms irigmally attend intended to mire off the infart h a spelitall oupport of land of taeante at 3 am 30th pep the time ws insufficient to allow by then of the necessary concentration being mare w quiet the simation and the method of caming out his resonanen beforce by the infant were fully discussed with the commander of the bastatim on the lives of C1.1300 and depnile instruction bel given as to the metheor of beaking M te cospontio gament acton and ensuring between theso battations in so doing 5
17. the 2ath nei delaged by the he and the onthost tine ws not cleared till appos d the 2 asu & still more sens delay took place in the moremen 1ter 13 L patrts. This unit had has a stell on the 18th ant in ty ppersion should have been fit for a hads dirs on the 20th on my was finard to vauts & mes 525 a bray of the 13 sA this oide of bengnatre about an & has obreged to order the frces in charge to more feronn firt pave than a walk As absead repered to the sind genert stop h repors m receive oer the cuasion took no part in the rctur that 5 the mettn of annce on the right was affected the recessity of clearing the bors di varke where 44 during considerable cuy asting had notices to 9 the most his cleared to 2 con 23r as a preteenma h strrco. the lasns con in lin o Nater, in fill in th parsto in the saits the firpet increment ourmy dinct on samicunt, & did ret te av naae coe word atto enpres connection after tarer till assut b Joam CCosibis ofjictine Cast asess company reached the sncusifully to the o o porenit about t an 30 f aliun by sente b e her anthere here on exand of the at tacange Woseail or the remander the 23r conn uss the a fermed of al then, effertors mare 69 th left < seefor with eirt about S. sou Co excuses on that ase it t agtansill from w00 to 400 hear M C p frnt Longalte afal ans defenson shall against dagnicourt. This order hi hn maintained until an dine. the attact hs pssed in conperation wth mare 2t pron tat oiring to the of the 21t on the left Companies
R3½ mgth displayed by the cueiy, rison I csinate 4m utster in daynicourt 1 Co. &6 ms in horems and 2 cos. 6a in dongatte, insters that the effective support of the hestile artilliry (4 tot 77 ans 4.22 gord sene ns on our fnt live 4 to 6 15 ce huer on taty and & sucmt) I ordered the action to be trken of at 9.15 am. aut a line tbe held about 1000 S of the Eveny line. This was duty cames out by 1.15 pen. teonly enemy morement being pm. Lapicot and was promply brought to a standstill by one right bly one forrd pisition were day in durn the aftenoo 2 5. unver intormittent shell five 36. the arrance on one left having the asanly of high ground or hell as the cover of daim ons or a cn precides by an arriices fu until reaching C13C1 where in accordance will hes tebal instruction daugatte was ensaged ntust the reconnaisiance ms ree with 1Ce by 1cona LrB C13 R 72 with a 2n Coi dr be The teftle has however acmist hosenit Rsnt no 14 centint & 15 centrol slem to ther to far before madn weaoue ended kept too faith the left of devection and sufferes considerable loes pom cally tig. fn at Longatte & in the centre. in the was belme Norcuit & Longalle (centrors are incirrict The Left company estalliteed ten relies in a time through & centrat & mainteined a fant serive eping action one partly metes a martion gun touted the dugont and trught bad the loe from the sunk rard on 68 a 05 Coppiox ther compe MG in Lincatte by conres IRIA AR1
e 2nd co. for the lept ms prachenly a left. land grard to the 2 companier coperati into 2 againt Novenel this conpany o the nent on thinght suffered under the heary 7 and 4.2 fre all coming from woth planks. mIam The 3r Co. (sales) estath shed them selve panclled to to norcuit road and about t00 ns prm it at E with his right at 15 centin (the 4. a (arce) in sepport in cchelon to the right sear with special orders to link ap with 23 These 2 companies mored forward in corperitin with 23 attack at 8.30 but were stopped by heary ing fire from a trench in pront of the St face of toresnd. The relemen ws sfrete clonly the been gg bick in parrs. the Vl here hought uto acti ar C.SD10. G14 cantin agains hortils: my. a Longath & N of cacentnt tone in reseme onth ton ke). and did good work in patll 20 mothern the histite m It is estimated that at least 10eneny dea were killed in the 21t Bt pint 7 Orders for the artilley placed the 12 Bty in the S. cidge of Songalt 13 W on Morcuil and later on sh approacie the boad foom daynicent to that ihage Dinct Cheratin ins in onr farom aur a number of objectons were engaged by our gun 51 without direct orders. Me indeatin disploydh both buttere was ammisable ant their fire was of the greatert ascistance durig the inthdraw especially in disperiany instile ing sent forrear to the open at 17 crt withd to hamon t 23 AUSTRA1

AWM38

Official History,

1914-18 War: Records of C E W Bean,

Official Historian.

Diaries and Notebooks

Item Number: 3DRL606/228A/1

Title: Photostats, June - October 1917

Comprise copies of reports, maps and sketches

occurring as attachments to earlier notebooks.

AWM38-3DRL606/228A/1

 

Notes and records 229

                                    228(a)

No 1 Set

Various reports maps

sketches etc

belonging to Capt Bean.

1st set  228(A)

AWM38    3DRL 606 ITEM 228A [1]

DIARIES AND NOTES OF C.E.W. BEAN

CONCERNING THE WAR OF 1914 - 1918

THE use of these diaries and notes is subject to conditions laid down in the terms

of gift to the Australian War Memorial. But, apart from those terms, I wish the

following circumstances and considerations to be brought to the notice of every

reader and writer who may use them.

These writings represent only what at the moment of making them is believed to be

true. The diaries were jotted down almost daily with the object of recording what

was then in the writer's mind. Often he wrote them when very tired and half asleep;

also, not infrequently, what he believed to be true was not so - but it does not

follow that he always discovered this, or remembered to correct the mistakes when

discovered. Indeed, he could not always remember that he had written them.

These records should, therefore, be used with great caution, as relating only what

their author, at the time of writing, believed. Further, he cannot, of course, vouch

for the accuracy of statements made to him be others and here recorded. But he

did try to ensure such accuracy by consulting, as far as possible, those who had

seen or otherwise taken part in the events. The constant falsity of second-hand
evidence (on which a large proportion of war stories are founded) was impressed

upon him by the second or third day of the Gallipoli campaign, notwithstanding that

those who passed on such stories usually themselves believed them to be true. All

second-hand evidence herein should be read with this in mind.

16 Sept., 1946  C.E.W. Bean.

AUSTRALIAN WAR MEMORIAL

ACCESS STATUS

OPEN

 

Diagram - see original document

Copy of German

map showing defences

of Noreuil &

Lagnicourt

(Taken by us on

March 26 1917)

 

Diagram - see original document

1:10,000  CEW Bean

Map with diaries

of Ap 11, 1917
ECOUST - ST. MEIN EDITION. 1.

 

Diagram - see original document

Overlay to sheet 57c NW

B

1/2
Central

 

4
R31/2

Verbal by telephone

1. Talk with Lionel

2. Talk with Forbes & Bateman

3. More with F. & B. ie [[re?ing]] 2.30 to 3.

4. More to Forbes about support only of Car. to pass to Bate

5. Sleep till 4.30 instance with L.H. about 5.30

6. ring up Beugnatre. nix then Vaux.  (Brown).

7. Report from Gilchrist. - normal: less disturbances.

8. 4.50. 23" report Bois de Vaux clear.

5.

9. 5.40. 23" report Noreuil reached at 5.30. 
[* 5.57
2  small parties
[[Brde?]]another
on our right*]     

6.  23 HQ at Vraucourt Copse - 2 Coys reinforcing Coy. at Noriel.

10  6.10 23" report line withdrawn to S of Villers

6.40  "    "          opposition

11   7     23" report line probably tapped by enemy

12  7.30  23 report line established and ask 
for instructions.

13

14

15    8. am 23rd propose to push in at 8.30.

16    8.45.   23" report shelling heavier

17     - " -     21      "         the same.

18    9.20}

19    9.25.} 21st & 23rd report against attack further advance

20   9.30 orders to fall back to new position

report accordly to DHQ

 

5
R 31/2 Gen. Gellibrand's original report

H.Q. 2nd Aust. Division.

The following report on the operations of the 
P.O.W. Guard is submitted.

1. A.G. order No 4 was issued ^in accordance
with the general instructions from Divnl HQ. at 9.30 
p.m. on the 19th inst

2. In accordance with verbal instructions received

from General Staff of Division shortly after 11pm midnight 19th/20

that the policy has been Corps Comdr desired tt line

Langatte - Noreuil Lagnicourt to be occupied & that

the general issue policy instructions from D.H.Q would

be modified in accordance with a memo to be

received by me during the night 19/20.  A.G. order No 5

was issued by - pm
[*presumably
next 
day
& therefore
had to
be done
durg night*]

3. A.G. order No 5 was accordingly issued by telephone

to the 21st, 23rd and 25th Battalions by telephone.  It was

originally attend intended to move off the infantry

at 3 am 20th so as to facilitate support of the L.H patrols but the time was insufficient to allow

of the necessary concentration being made in time by them.
The general situation and the method of carrying out
the reconnaissance in force by the infantry were
fully discussed with the commanders of the Battalion
on the lines of GI/380 and definite instructions
were given as to the method of breaking off an
engagement action and ensuring cooperation
between the 2 columns battalions in so doing. 

 

6
R31/2
4. Movements on the 20th were delayed by the heavy
rain and the outposts line was not cleared till approx
4.30 am. by the 21st Bn and at 3.45 am by 23rd Bn
A still more serious delay took place in the movement
of the 13 LH patrols. This unit had had a spell on the 18th 
and in my opinion should have been fit for a hard days
work on the 20th. On my way forward to Vaulx I met
a body of the 13 L.H. this side of Beugnatre atbout 5.25 am.
& was obliged to order the officer in charge to move forwards
at a faster pace than a walk.
As already reported to the Divnl General Staff no
reports were received and the Squadron took no part
in the action. that I know
5. The method of advance on the night was affected
by the necessity of clearing the Bois de Vaulx where
considerable enemy activity had ^been noticed on during the 19th 
The wood was cleared by 2 con 23rd, as a preliminary
to the foward movement in 2 xxxxxx. of 2 Cos each.
The leading Coy in line of platoons in file. mtly patrols on the flank.
The 2nd wave consisted of only / Co as the second Cmdg
Allotted missed connection after traversing the work moving direct on Lagnicourt & div region
till about 6.30 am (Rossiter).
Capt Pascos company reached the objective
successfully to the N & N.E. & E of Noreuil about 4.05 am [*G⑤*]
but as there were no signs ^at their xxxxxx by 4.30am of the 21st linking up on
the left: ^or the remainder o the 23rd coming up the 23rd co formed at a line ^facing N.W. Noreuil S of the village
Pasco was reinfor with 2 Cos by about 5.30 am ⑥G.  When / xx effort was made
with 2 Cos and engaged the enemy in that village
but brought to a standstill from 1000 x to 400x . near MG from first Longatte.
with a defensive flank against Lagnicourt. This
fire position was maintained until 8.30am undone when
the a frontal attack was pressed made in cooperation with 2
Companies of the 21st on the left owing to the 

 

7
R31/2
Thereafter displayed by the  enemy whom I estimated
at 1 Battalion 4 mg in Lagnicourt. 1 Coy & 6 m.g. in
Noreuil and 2 Cos 6 mg in Longatte, no less than
the effective support of the hostile artillery (4 to 6 77mm
ahr 4.2" good observe guns on our front line- 4 to 6 15 cm howitzers on Vauly
and Vrancourt). I ordered the action to be broken off
at 9.15? am and a line to be held about 1000x
S. of the enemy line. This was duly carried out by
1.15 pm the only enemy movement being from Lagnicourt and
was promptly brought to a standstill by our right Bty.
Our forward position were dug in during the afternoon
under intermittent shell fire.
6. The advance on our left having the advantage
of high ground as well as the cover of dawn
moved as a column preceded by an armed guard

until reaching C13C11 where in accordance
with my verbal instructions Longatte was
engaged with ^1 Co whilst the reconnaissance was forced
against Norueil by 1 Co in X[[?]] C13 B72 with a 2nd Co in the left.  The left Co had however 
[[resli?]] company in 14 Centre & 15 central.
as around too far kept too far to to the left before making the charge closing to their right
of direction and  suffered considerable losses
from early m.g fire at Longatte & in the centre
in the road between Noreuil & Longatte contours
are incorrect.)
The Left Company established themselves on a 
line through 8 central & maintained a fairly
severe sniping action - one party marked a machine
gun. bombed the dug out and brought back the lock
from the Sunk road in C8 A05 (approx). This company
also silenced an enemy MG in Longatte by converging a gun
[* (One Coy 23 Bn mistook rd & got [[?]] nearby Langnicout)*]
 

 

8
R31/2
The 2nd Co. from the left was practically a left
flank guard to the 2 Companys cooperating with 23rd
against Noreuil. This company & the next on the right
suffered under the heavy 77 fire and 4.2" fire
(all coming from both flanks).
The 3rd Co. (Sales) established themselves by 7 am parallel to
to Noreuil road and about 700 yds from it at
Co with his right at 15 central (the 4th Co (Pearce)
in support in echelon to the right rear. With special
orders to link up with 23rd
These 2 companies moved forward in cooperation
with 23rd attack at 8.30 but were stopped by heavy
mg. fire from a trench in front of the SE face of
Noreuil. The retirement was effected slowly. The
men going back in pairs.
The V.L were brought into action at C 8 D10, C14 Central
against hostile m.g. at Longatte & No of C9 Central
& one in reserve with Bn held) and did good work in
smothering the hostile m.g.
It is estimated that at least 10 probably 20 enemy dead were
killed in the 21st Bn front.
7. Orders for the Artillery placed the 12th Bty on the S.
edge of Longatte - and the approaching 13" Bty in Noreuil and later on
the road from Lagnicourt to that village
Direct - Observation was in our favour and a
number of objectives were engaged by our guns
without direct orders of Reg HQ The initiative displayed by
both batteries was admirable and their fire was
of greatest assistance during the withdrawal.
Especially in dispersing hostile M.G. sent forward to the spur at 17 central
to harrass the 23rds withdrawal.

 

 

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