Charles E W Bean, Diaries, AWM38 3DRL 606/228A/1 - June - October 1917 - Part 4

Conflict:
First World War, 1914–18
Subject:
  • Documents and letters
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Awaiting approval
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RCDIG1066688
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29 TENAYION ef 22nd Pattalion, 6th Inf. Drigade, A.l.V. fren let/1Oth Octebes, 191? Freliminary instructions regarding the attack of 4.10.17 vere received from Dripace H.g. 28.0.17., and reconnsiesences vere A9 carried out by C.o. end Officers on 3 days preceding the esesult. on the night 30th Sept/let Coteber, the Fatin. relieved the Je 4th and 34th fatins A.l.7. in Pupport. Pattn. H. AT WHYKM. wOOD, J.2.s.7.4. HA orid 2 coys. at ASZAC HOUZE, 1 Coy at ZONZKBEYz EIEPOSTTTO CUT, I tey at FUNL . 1.10.17. The positions at MUKLZ vere heavily shelled, the Coy there qusinining severe Casualties. Kight ndSrd Cetobe, 1917 ett relieved the 3rd Fettn. A.l.7. in Front Line on the Prigade brontage.- Patin. H.C. at AEZAC HOURK. 3.10.17. Our Artirlery caused 30 Cesualties and destroyed 2 Lewis Cuns by 'shorts". 4.10.1 Afterz midnight conditions were quiet, and there ee little Stanekand ar or o14 chelling. Jumpingof Taes had slred been lid y oth Field¬ kegtn d Coy Engineers. Dettn. H.K. moved to D.28.a.30.45. ke. beee d Ey 4.10 s.m. the assaulting waves vere formed up on their tapes s disposed to ettack in 4 waves on a front of 4 Companies. jäber At 5.35 w.m. enemy opened a heavy bombardsent, and ceused many 4Kellanng Cazualties on J.0.T. 4 Skaorctandt Our Parrage opened, at 6 a.m. (Zero time) In conjunction with 8th attn A.I.F. on eur right, and 25th rattn Aate A.I.F. OX O'R LXFT, the Tettn. edvanced to the attack on the ashen dinct frontage D.22.d.9.3. to D.22.d.e.3., its objective being the orKnged RED LIxZ ttpe The edvencing waves almost at once encountered the enemy in force voett ganand. Parties with fixed Teyonete vere met advancing. It soon heeame engtåd tå- evident thet ce had anticinated en enewy ottack. Considerable saot seeened (asualties were inflicted by cur Lewis Cunners firing from the hip. Trem Pettn. N.C. our treops could be observed folleving inad det the berrege. ga. At 7.23 a.m. the Pettn had captured the whole of the RED LIMS, and consolidation was in progress. gabe The brunt of the fichting fall upon this Jettn., eving to the abednde sjet te essembly of enemy troops for his attack. Enezy aveiled theo¬ selvee of the tise cur protective lerraze was ethtienary to withdrew euch of his troops es were in advance of the DLUZ LIS The number of prieeners daptured by the ond tover's the rear. Pattn. ia difficult te estisste, es come parties cere cent to the rear reutee outeide the rigade ounderies. A conservat- ive estimmte would be 20C. wepring-up leter resulted in the capture of 2 Fattn. Cowrandere and staff, and impertant aps and Orders. The latter were serte, a he e a gae H.4. ty special D.C. Luring consolldation the enemy corcenced a heavy bosbercment, shich coused mony casbeltios. At 8.10 m.m. Tatin. H.4. was establiched at £ M. TARE. Our (acualties were :- Sifigere. ape Gsnak. Lilglitagentsinalet irtiie Weeensderrierdenrat 2. ciseine.. 17. een ira Scunded.. eddan Knemy lossea vere severe, as cur moppers-up bombed PILLPNOIES a end occupants thereof were killed. A The Jattn. was relieved Micht of Sth/5th Ostcber, 167.- a 20th Dettn. A.A.p., and meved hack in reserve. Pattn. H.C. and 2 Coys at ANZAC, and 1 Ccy at 1 Ccy. at MASFET? a ZOEEZEEEE NAGUBT. (Rüen A Kuring these operations tho Pattn captured the folloving seterial 124 14 Peavy Mechine Cuns. 1 kinneverfer. s Several smell Trench Mortars à Automstio Rifles. d 5 S0 AUSTRALIAN
30 ef 22nd Fetin. Sth Inf. Frigade A.V. let/lOth Coteber, 1917 (continued.) . 6.10.17. The Pattn. in Support (H.g. NA woo) Strength, all 7.10.17. Ranxe, 117. Men suffering greatly from exposure and exhaus- 4ge tion, and their condition was such as to cause grave doubt as Lang u stedee to their ability to carry on under the speciel circumstances, ae vis.. projected attack etc. Representation to this effect Stenf. Darig. wes made by C.0. te C.O.C. Dettn: during the merning vere on fatigue laying cables. dag ad vt 7 P.m he Fettn. moved forward to relief of 18th Pattn. , a .7. on the frontage D.29.b.70.20. t0 D.23.c.70.70. sungs sfen Tloks. Front Line, e Officers, 63 O.N's. wte d Support, o pladte Relief was completed at 4 s.m.. 8.10.17. The Trenches vere rooked. in an extremely bed state, owing to rain and mud Orders for ettack were corrunicated to all concerned, and the s.10.17. J.O.Tepes were laid before midnight on e line about 200 yards in reer of the front line positions. Apart from usual artillery sctivity, the day was witheut incident. Ihe orders received required the cepture end consolidation of 9.10.17. line from D.29.-.00.10. to D.23.d.40.50. The plan adopted in view of our depleted numbers wes as follows :- . coy. Lieut. F. AoC. HRAlinwAlfr. M.C., with 44 all renks to advance under our larrege from the J.O.T. and re¬ establish the line from Divisionel right Boundary to D. 23. d.40.50. Pertv. CEpt. W.K. NUTLINO, 2 Officers, 25 O.R's and ! Viekers (un feetien. This party was ordered te advance under the barrage; and establish Post at D. 23. d.25.30. y.- Lieut. K.S. ANDERSON, 2 Officers, 25 O.R's X. 2. Thie party wae ordered to and I Vickers dun Section. advence in conjunction with 24th Fettn on the left and No I S.P. Party on the right, and establish a post at D.23.d. 40.40. At Zero our berrace came down and eas of an unsatisfactory niture, being feeble and inaccurate, and did not seem to neutralize the enemy cctivity. A nusber of Castalties result- ei from " chorts". 'c. Cey (Lieut Y. MeC RAITHAITE M.C.) successfully carried out the task allotted, and cuoceeded in resching their objeet- ive vithout cazualties. 2S.P. Party (Lieut. K.S. AnER20A) obtained connection vith 24tn ettn. on J.0.7., hut lest teuch en that Unit heing held up. This narty consieted of 2 Officers and 25 O.d's, 1 Vickere Oun Seetion. Chortly after jumning off, 3 men were killed by our own berrage, snd 2/Lieut LOCLEY end 1 O.R. counded. No opposition wos encountered until after passing our eriginel front line. Abeut 70 yarde in front of our ole line a zene of heavy lachine Cun fire was encountered, and all the party except A were either killed or vounded, L ieut. NLSMECH being shot through the leg. The party of s (includ¬ ing the Vickers Cun and a erew of 3) pushed on and dug in Ro abeut 50 yards in frout of T.23.d.40.40. About ridday the V ickers Cun was blown up by shell fire, and the garrizen either killed or vounded, only a fev maneging to reach our lines st dusk. (Capt. b.N. TUMEIEC.) ar1. 22-an. eth M.C. Coy. This party advanoed to the assault in 2 sections, leaving the Vickers detschment a short distance in rear ready to come en henthepoiion w take. o oppesition or hoctile fire was encountered until 50 yarcs cver our eriginal front line, when a lachine Cun opened from a hestile strong post at D.23.d.36.20., and the enemy opened rifle fire. About half e cozen casualties resulted, and the perty deployed into line. The edvenee was continued under this fire by bounds from shell¬ hole to shell-hole, under cover of Rifle Crenades. The party gide A then dug in st D.23.d.35.30. near a hedge. hilst digging in 4 men were killed by enemy snipers. Lt. A. EKEXE-SSITH N)C.? . 22nd Pattn.. and tt. J. CAormstt, Sth M.G.Ca.-e Fille: sie STRALIAN 6666
AUS ra 8" OFXaX TONS of 22nd Fattn A.I.F.. let/(Oth Cetoter 1917 (conte) ---------------- ....--------- ----- hy hostile rifle fire at this time. The Vichers Cun end its cre, for aome reason still to he ascertained, did not ccvance to its position in this port. Ly 7 a.m. the pest ras well dug in, and the garrison nurbered !'Officer (cant TCMZIKG, anc ls O.n'a, vith 2 Levie Cuns. Miflee and leviz Cuns vere cleaned in readiness for the counter-attack. A szall bombing perty of about é attempted to rush the post at 9 a.z., but vas beaten off, leaving 2 melled. A fes wounded cravled back to the enemy post. About 10.30 a.m. a party ctoot lb strong with a fachine (un attempted an attack, but vere besten eff. About 5 returned te their post. Cniping and shell-fire caused a fec mere cazualties. Attempts to gein connsction with othe: posts failed, eving to the iselatod position of this post, and shertly ufter dark parties of the chemy vere orserved verking reund both flanks. This wis checked ez far as poss- ible ly our Cnipers, but the positien of flares later indicated thet the enemy was in rear of the post. At 10 p.m. it becace apparont that the position was usterable, and 'spt. LULEIEC dccided te extricete his post frem this place. Trs speration wes cccosplished vitn difficulty, and it was 10.:0 p.m. refere the le survivers of thie perty rad regained eur line. At zidnicht the 49th Fettn, errived, and relief riz esspleted ty 4 a.m. The Patin. then retured to Suppert Trenches on old Red Line, PECODGEINLZ RIDCF. Our Casualties vere¬ Officere, O.? Killed. Wissing. 3i. Younded. UZAV. CAFTZU Ujocn Ostober, 1911. 73. 26. hissing. 125. Vounded. 2es. 1 C. G.0. Gregg - k. dung boldig bie ott sept. 16.0. Thwaitd e ) Ltefadvarte porlg dogeg al I t.m de Boutet (od Spd 23 lystel ie engrost om tagei) Lieut.-Colonel. C.6.. 22nd Lattn.. 11.10.17.

29
OPERATION of 22nd Battalion, 6th Inf. Brigade, A.l.F. from 1st/10th
October, 1917.

[*R48

82

fairly defined

trench day aft.

Sept 20.*]

Preliminary instructions regarding the attack of 4.10.17 were
received from Brigade H.Q. 28.9.17., and reconnaissances were
carried out by C.O. and Officers on 3 days preceding the assault.
On the night 30th Sept/1st October, the Battn. relieved the
47th and 34th Battns A.I.F. in Support. Battn. H.Q. AT
HANNEBEKE. WOOD, J.2.s.7.4.
DISPOSITIONS.- 2 Coys. at ANZAC HOUSE, 1 Coy at ZONNEBEKE
REDOUBT, 1 Coy at MUHL E.,  1.10.17.
The positions at MUHLE were heavily shelled, the Coy there
sustaining severe Casualties.
Night 2nd/3rd October, 1917.- The Battn. relieved the 23rd
Battn. A.l.F. in Front Line on the Brigade Frontage.- Battn.
H.Q. at ANZAC HOUSE.
3.10.17.
Our Artillery caused 30 Casualties and destroyed 2 Lewis Guns
by "shorts".
4.10.17.
Afterx midnight conditions were quiet, and there was little
shelling. Jumping-off Tapes had already been laid by 6th Field
Coy Engineers. Battn. H.Q. moved to D.28.a.30.45.
By 4.10 a.m. the assaulting waves were formed up on their tapes
disposed to attack in 4 waves on a front of 4 Companies.
[* Blanchard was w

a party round / left o /

lake to keep touch with

[[?de]]. He was never

seen agn. Some of pty

returned v. shaken.

His body was found by

4th D.A.M.C

Lt Kelleway k 

Lt Blanchard k *]

At 5.35 a.m. enemy opened a heavy bombardment, and caused many
Casualties on J.0.T.
Our Barrage opened, at 6 a.m. (Zero time)
In conjunction with 8th Battn A.I.F. on our right, and 25th Battn
A.I.F. ON OUR LEFT, the Battn. advanced to the attack on the
frontage D.22.d.9.3. to D.22.d.8.3., its objective being the
RED LINE.
The advancing waves almost at once encountered the enemy in force

[* 2/Lt J.A.MacIntyre

who was directing

on the night

with compass

met / Germans,

Emptied his

revolver &

shot several

& was hit on

/ head.

Some of the

Germans

were coming

with their

rifles slung w

bayonets fixed *]

Parties with fixed Bayonets were met advancing. It soon became
evident that we had anticipated an enemy attack. Considerable
Casualties were inflicted by our Lewis Gunners firing from the
hip. From Battn. H.Q. our troops could be observed following
the barrage.
At 7.23 a.m. the Battn had captured the whole of the RED LINE,
and consolidation was in progress.
The brunt of the fighting fell upon this Battn., owing to the
assembly of enemy troops for his attack. Enemy availed themselves 
of the time our protective barrage was stationary to
withdraw such of his troops as were in advance of the BLUE LINE,
and towards the rear. The number of prisoners captured by the
Battn. is difficult to estimate, as some parties were sent to
the rear by routes outside the Brigade Boundaries. A conservative
estimate would be 200.

Mopping-up later resulted in the capture of 2 Battn. Commanders
and staff, and important maps and Orders.
The latter were sorted, and the most important sent to Brigade
H.Q. by special D.C.
During consolidation the enemy commenced a heavy bombardment,
which caused many casualties.
At 8.10 a.m. Battn. H.Q. was established at DE KNOET FARM.
Our casualties were :-

                     Officers.    O.R.

Killed.-             1.              62.

Missing.-         2.              17.

Wounded.-    3.             154.

[* Lt Speck - Shell splinter in face early in attack.

Lt Westaway - during consolidn on Red Line pm

Maj. Craig was at R.A.P near Brick Kiln Lake

abt 10am

(This had one

concrete wall

only, facing

us -  the side

towds Germs.

ws brick. All

AMC staff ws 

wd Exc. Sergt

who was badly

shaken. but

carried on, evacuated

Dr. Later the MO 21

Bn sent him back

after he had bn blown

up by another shell.

([[Cor ???]] Johnston, AMC)*]

Enemy losses were severe, as our moppers-up bombed PILL BOXES

and occupants thereof were killed.
Night of 5th/6th October, 1917.-  The Battn. was relieved by
20th Battn. A.I.F., and moved back in reserve. Battn H.Q. and
1 Coy. at HANNEBEKE WOOD. 2 Coys at ANZAC, and 1 Coy at
ZONNEBEKE REDOUBT.(Shell holes & Pillboxes)
During these operations the Battn captured the following material
14 Heavy Machine Guns.
1 Minnewerfer.
Several small Trench Mortars & Automatic Rifles.

 

 

30
PAGE 2. OPERATIONS of 22nd Battn., 6th Inf. Brigade, A.I.F. 1st/10th
October, 1917 (continued.)
6.10.17. Battn. still in Support with H.Q, at HANNEBEKE WOOD.
7.10.17. The Battn. in Support (H.Q. HANNEBEKE WOOD) Strength, all
Ranks, 117. Men suffering greatly from exposure and exhaustion,
and their condition was such as to cause grave doubt as
to their ability to carry on under the special circumstances,
vis., projected attack etc. Representation to this effect
was made by C.0. to G.O.C.
Battn, during the morning were on fatigue laying cables.
At 7 p.m. the Battn. moved forward to relief of 18th Battn.
A.I.F. on the frontage D.29.b.70.20. to D.23.c.70.70.
DISPOSITIONS. Front Line, 4 Officers, 53 O.R's.
                                   Support, 8       "         41     "
Relief was completed at 4 a.m., 8.10.17. The Trenches were
in an extremely bad state, owing to rain and mud.

[* R48

82

Living in shell holes

covered with w.p.

sheet. During /

day they wd

take these sheets

w them, as it ws

raining; of course

when they got back 

the place wd be 

soaked. *]
8.10.17. Orders for attack were communicated to all concerned, and the
J.O.Tapes were laid before midnight on a line about 200 yards
in rear of the front line positions. Apart from usual
artillery activity, the day was without incident.
9.10.17. The orders received required the capture end consolidation of
a line from D.29.a.00.10. to D.23.d.40.50. The plan adopted
in view of our depleted numbers was as follows :-
"C". Coy. Lieut. W. McC. BRAITHWAITE, M.C., with 44 all ranks
to advance under our barrage from the J.O.T. and re-establish 
the line from Divisional right Boundary to
D. 23. d.40.50.
No. 1 S.P. Party. Capt. W.H. BUNNING, 2 Officers, 25 O.R's,
and 1 Vickers Gun Section. This party was ordered
to advance under the barrage; and establish Post at
D. 23.d.25.30.
No. 2. S.P. Party. - Lieut. K.S. ANDERSON, 2 Officers, 25 O.R'S
and 1 Vickers Gun Section. This party was ordered to
advance in conjunction with 24th Battn on the left
and No 1 S.P. Party on the right, and establish a
post at D.23.d. 40.40.
At Zero our barrage came down and was of an unsatisfactory
nature, being feeble and inaccurate, and did not seem to
neutralize the enemy activity. A number of Casualties resulted
from " shorts".
"C" Coy (Lieut W. McC BRAITHAITE M.C.) successfully carried
out the task allotted, and succeeded in reaching their objective 
without casualties.
No. 2 S.P. Party (Lieut. K.S. ANDERSON) obtained connection
with 24th Battn. on J.O.T., but lost touch on that Unit being
held up. This party consisted of 2 Officers and 25 O.R's, &
1 Vickers Gun Section. Shortly after jumping off, 3 men were
killed by our own barrage, and 2/Lieut DOOLEY and 1 O.R.
wounded. No opposition was encountered until after passing
our original front line. About 20 yards in front of our old
line a zone of heavy Machine Gun fire was encountered, and all
the party except 8 were either killed or wounded, L ieut.
ANDERSON being shot through the leg. The party of 8 (including
the Vickers Gun and a crew of 3) pushed on and dug in
about 50 yards in front of D.23.d.40.40. About midday the
[* 2/Lt P.G. Chalmers *] V ickers Cun was blown up by shell fire, and the garrison
either killed or wounded, only a few managing to reach our
lines at dusk.
No. 1 S.P. PARTY. (Capt. W.H. BUNNING.)

2 Officers, 24 O.R's 22nd Battn.

1        "           6     "     6th M.G. Coy.

This party advanced to the assault in 2 sections, leaving the
Vickers detachment a short distance in rear ready to come on
when the position was taken. No opposition or hostile fire
was encountered until 50 yards over our original front line,
when a Machine Gun opened from a hostile strong post at
D.23.d.35.20., and the enemy opened rifle fire. About half a
dozen casualties resulted, and the party deployed into line.
The advance was continued under this fire by bounds from

shellhole to shell-hole, under cover of Rifle Grenades. The party
then dug in at D.23.d.35.30. near a hedge. Whilst digging in
4 men were killed by enemy snipers. Lt. A. SKEK-SMITH M.C.?
22nd Battn.. and Lt. J. CAMPBELL, 6th M.G.Coy were killed
[* Skene Smith was 

sniped while digging

in & k. by shell later

while on stretcher

waiting to be

evacuated *] 

 

[*31*]

PAGE 3. OPERATIONS of 22nd Battn A.I.F., 1st/10th October 1917 (contd)

[*R42/
82*]

by hostile rifle fire at this time. The Vickers Gun and its
crew, for some reason still to be ascertained, did not advance
to its position in this post. By 7 a.m. the post was well
dug in, and the garrison numbered 1 Officer (Capt BUNNING)
and 18 O.R's, with 2 Lewis Guns. Rifles and Lewis Guns were
cleaned in readiness for the counter-attack. A small bombing
party of about 6 attempted to rush the post at 9 a.m., but was
beaten off, leaving 2 killed. A few wounded crawled back to
the enemy post. About 10.30 a.m. a party about 15 strong
with a Machine Gun attempted an attack, but were beaten off.
About 5 returned to their post. Sniping and shell-fire caused
a few more casualties. Attempts to gain connection with other
posts failed, owing to the isolated position of this post,
and shortly after dark parties of the enemy were observed
working round both flanks. This was checked as far as possible

by our Snipers, but the position of flares later indicated
that the enemy was in rear of the post. At 10 p.m. it became
apparent that the position was untenable, and Capt. BUNNING
decided to extricate his post from this place. This operation
was accomplished with difficulty, and it was 10.30 p.m. before
the 14 survivors of this party had regained our line.

At midnight the 49th Battn, arrived, and relief was completed
by 4 a.m.
The Battn. then returned to Support Trenches on old Red Line,
BROODSEINDE RIDGE.
Our Casualties were-

                      Officers, O.R's.
Killed.                 1.         11.
Missing.                         9.
Wounded.        4.        31.
TOTAL CASUALTIES, 1st/10th October, 1917.-
Killed.                 2.        73.

Missing.             2.        26.

Wounded.        7.        185.

                            11.       284.

Lt. G.0. Gregg - k. during holding line abt Sept.16.1917
Lt. Thwaites - (wd. by ^shell going up on on 21 Sept.)

in/c of advance party near Anzac.)

severely
Lt H.H. de Bourbel (wd Sept. 23 by shell in supports on Anzac)

Lieut.-Colonel,
C.O., 22nd Battn., A.I.F.

11.10.17

 
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