Charles E W Bean, Diaries, AWM38 3DRL 606/253/1 - 1918 - 1939 - Part 2

Conflict:
First World War, 1914–18
Subject:
  • Documents and letters
Status:
Open to contributions
Accession number:
RCDIG1066690
Difficulty:

Page 1 / 10

18. Brig.-Gen. J. Gellibrand (12th): Brig.-Gen. T.W. Glasgov Brig.-Gen. (13th). 5th Division: Brig.-Gen. E. Tivey (8th): C.J. Hobkirk, replaced by Brig.-Gen. J.C. Stewart, 23 xxxxx march (14th); Brig.-Gen. H.E. Elliott (15th A.I.F. STAFF D.A.G.: Col. T.H. Dodds. Commandant. Admin. H.Q.. London: Brig.-Gen. T. Griffiths. G.O.c., A.I.F. nånots in United Kingdom: Maj.-Gen. Hon. J.W. M'Cay. Director of Medical Services: Surgeon-Gen. Sir N.R. Howse, V.C. Although this was a right and popular measure, all who Sulek knew them regretted to see the officers go, and with good reason; although the A.I.F. undoubtedly owed most to the old Australian militia, its debt to its small quota of British officers was beyond computation, especially in the standards set by them for personal conduct. They were far from being the only ones to furnish the troops with the exalted example of an "English gentleman" - there were many such among the born Australians of the A.I.F.; but it may safely be said that the influence of the British officer, from Birdwood and Walker xxxdownward, was in this respect outstanding. 382 and Such men as R.H. Owen, Duncan Glasfurd, Oswald Croshaw, by sa e owen was an Australian by birth. their regard for duty as the paramount principle of their lives, by consideration for others which bred the same quality in return, byy their noble standards whether in private or in public intercourse, exercised a continuing influence long after their services had taken its toll of their powers. Most of the British officers with the A.I.F. ananene were men who, throughabroad, had already shed the shell with which the middle class Englishman protects himself against strangers. They had acquired the habit of appreciating men by their qualities rather than by their adherence to forms and ceremonies, and many of the warmest enconiums ef the Australian soldier are from their mouths. For his part the "digger", when once the barrier of mere formality was lowered, and their true qualities were seen, conceived, deep admiration
too T Eü oz TEEra ... Tif The REVE 0 g MOLZT Or August 30, 1930 e of fre tcA Aman' of Death Horl Lieut. Col. G. E. MoDonald. V.D. who, in this story. desenibes an incident during the big August push, when TORGLET TE a bomb dropped by a Cerman dirman took a heavy tol of Hfe served throughout the war wih the 3rd. Bn. CDEER9 ZD FFA AIF. commencing as a subahern, and rising to CO. An onginal member of the battalion, he landed wich s a nza, a ae tic reg mon: no; The 3rd. Battalon was with the support Hne on August 8, 1918, on that rart of the Hank where the ist Bde, covered the very dangerous position at ITG as o Chipilly. During the night which followed, we were moved across the front to Harbonnleres, where in 2o MIED the dawn of next morning, the whole of the Brigade advanced on Lihons; relieved the Second Brigade and took over the old French trenches. tre Ff EINT SWE It was during the night march to Harbonnieres that the 3rd Battalion had an experience wich will live long in the memory of those who were pre¬ T sent Moving off in the early evening, we had ar- rived at the recent Germman gun posiuons. when, some, doubt arising as to which was the cor- standing a moment before. The concussion caused rect route. the battalon was me to bounce on the ground. halted in close formnathon on a The last bomb fell just about where the end of track, whie the acting CO the company had been halted, and caused the only (NIajor Burrett, D.S.O.) had a casualty in D. Company; one man, beheving that the look around. The night, was bomb was about to fall directly on him, crouched on then fairly dark, only a pale hands and knees, evidently with the intention of the moon peeping, through jumping further away, and the bomb killed him. clouds from time to time. Presently, the too-famuilia Quickly re-forming, the battalion was steadied up. It was then found that the casualties were numerous; drone of a German 'plane was the frst bomb, falling amongst Battalion Headquar- heard, and the sound left no ters, killed Lieut. Fergusson and about seventeen Le-Col MeDonald, doubt that the 'plane was nying N.C.Os and men, and the other bomubs caused cas- low. The command was passed through, "Stand still everywhere!" As the 'plane ualties throughout the battallon. When the CO. returned, and we mnoved through Hew overhead. it was so low that the German aviator the circle of casualties, the doctor and the padre could be seen looking over, but as no one mioved it stood on either side of the track and warned the was hoped 'hat we had not been seen in the dark- men, "Step softly over our dead," who were lying ness. Circling around, the 'plane turned back to¬ just as they had falen. ward the enemy position, the battalion still standing This shook the battalon rather badly, because perfectly stil! Then it was found that we had been we had been halted in a comparatively quiet spot. observed. Apparently the glint of the moonlght on and especially because there had been no shel fre our helmiets had betrayed us for the shriek of the at the (inie: the suddenness of the whole affair was hrst bomb was quickly followed by the rapid suc¬ startling, and the battalon standing closed-up cession of the 'plane's whole complemient. ofered a very easy target to the enemy. But if the When the hrst bomb burst. I was standing at the advance in the morning was a Mttle more grim and head of D Company. Immiediately the bomb burst shent than usua! it was not to be wondered at. I shouted for the company to scatter and le down. These things must pass, however, for the enemy was The order was execuied very promptly. Myself. still in front, desperafely trying to bar our way took a couple of paces off the track and threw niy. and stop our advance. "So pass the word for the Fighting Third" self down just as a bomb burst where I had been
CHAPTER I THE AUSTRALIAN CORPS The five Australian infantry divisions in France emerged tat from the Passchendaele fighting in 1917 with intense relief. The Third Battle of Ypres, notwithstanding that for them it had been, until its last stages, a particularly successful one, had been most bloody throughout and in the last stage intensely painful; and,although constant fighting and the long training in the summer had rendered them a highly efficient force, their prospect was not bright. This battle had, for the moment, made a clean sweep of more than half their infantry. Of 55,000 casualties suffered by the force during 1917, over 38,000 occurred in that offensive, and before its end the anxiety of General Birdwood as to the possibility of maintain- ing both the four divisions of his own army corps (I Anzac) and the 3rd Division in General Godley's (II Anzac) became acute. Moreover,it was not only in numbers that a falling off seemed probable. At least one careful and devoted observer of the A.I.F. seriously feared that the coming year might find the Australian soldier past the zenith of his quality also. With enlistment in Australia dwindling, the force would have to rely on the return to duty of its wounded and sick men. Not that these were likely to cause any perceptible change in the general physique - if the physical standard was lowered, it would be through the inferior physique of some of the new recruits. The deterioration which was feared was a moral one. 'A diary of the 42nd Bn. (3rd Divn.) says: "9 Jan. 1918. New draft 48. About 60 per cent.....were up to the standard of the original men. At least 7....were unfit for service in the field; one man was 52 years of age, another 49, and one 46. The A.I.F. would be feeding on itself, dependent largely upon its own used material; and there was all too good reason to believe that, whatever may have been the experience in
154 ..I Avrur RE! May 30, 1931 Brainy VVork: Aussie Infantry (By Major-General E. G. Sicldir MacLagan, G.O.C. 3rd Inf. Bde,, and Ath Div. A.I.F.) I was privileged to see an excellent example of brainy clever work by a small body of Australian infantry. This occurred somewhere about the end of August, 1918, and in the vicinity of Lihons during the great advance of that month. We had relieved another Australan divi- sion, and had advanced some distance ahead of the division on our left, who were "held up" for a time. We had a platoon of our left brigade attached to the battalion on the right of the division on our left- for Maison purposes to keep touch and send information, etc. I was on some rising ground whence a good view of the ground on our left could be obtained, and had with me the C.O. our left battalion. .as Nke a tonle getting Netters trom A.AF people, and e them an. and sove ato hear trom them." says Major-Genera! Madlaga", wriding receotly trom his home at Glenqulech, St Fodar, Scotand, to the secretary e' the Tasmanias A.F. Oricinate Associatton (Mr. A A. Orchard), of Hobart 1 A message came through from the offcer in command of the laison platoon, asking if he could "do a stunt' —and that he had squared the CO. the battalon he was with; if so, he would Hike us to send him a Lewis gun section, and he reckoned he could "do in" the Bosche. It took some time to get the Division Commander, but eventually we got his concurrence, and meantime a Lewis gun section was despatched to join the haison platoon. As soon as it arrived, the "stunt" started. We had a regular "gallery" view of the afair from our rising ground. We saw the men start and simply "melt" into nothingness, here and there a tin helmet showing pro- gress was being made. About 20 minutes later a holo- caust of machine-gun hre and bombs, with some ride fre, started, and lasted for a short space, then a few scattered shots, and we saw the Bosche running—and falling- a few getting away. It turned out that as soon as our fellows had scuppered one machine gun the other crew bolted. These, two guns had been well placed- as usual with the Bosche- and had covered the whole ground in front of them, inficting a considerable number of casualties on the young and comparatively raw troops on our left, when they had made a regular, systematic advance. Our platoon gave the "O.K." signal, and eventually we heard the result of the stunt, which was: Two machine guns and one Lght trench mortar, and a number of prisoners taken, at a cost of a few slghtly wounded Aussies; at any rate, al were able to walk. The cunning and resource of the Aussies were always cons derable, but about this time were at its peak.
108. MIGUIRE, Col. F.A., 16n MAILER, Lt. H.R. (of Trundle, N.S.W.; b. Coonamble, N.S.W.), 339 MXILER, Maj. M.H. (of Moreland, V.; b. Carlton, V.), 351 MAILLY-MILLET (Sk. p. 125), 245n, 2 MAINSTONE, Lt. A. (of Redfern, N.S.W.; b. Sydney), 11! MAISTRE, Gen., 435 MXKIXA MASUS, 706 MALTZAHN, Maj.-Gen. von, 198 MXETZ, 197, 397n MENDALI (Map p. 702), 723 MANIFOLD, Maj.-Gen. Sir C.C., 16n MANJIL (Map p. 702), 741, 742, 763 MEPPERSON, 5071 Cpl. W., 18 Bn. (of W. Wyalong, N.S.W.; b. Echuca, V.), 518 MAPS, become pulped in rain, Lancer Wd., 30 Mar., 308; produced for V.-Bret. c.-attack, 24 Apr., 575; see also MODELS MARCELCAVE (Plate p. 311; Maps pp. 341, 618; Sk. pp. 298, 538), 244. 291. 292. 208.200. 302. 303. 309. 310. 312. 313. 318, 319, 2 331, 439, 537, 623; erroneous report of Ger. break- 228, Brit. ee through , 28 Mar., 227, cav. steady/line at, 290 MARCH EIRM, 687 MARICOURT (Sk. p. 242), 243, 262 MARLEUX (Sk. p. 146), 154, 177, 184 MARKS, Lt.-Col. D.G. (of Neutral Bay, N.S.W.; b. Junee, N.S.W.), 122, 126n, 132, 143 MARR, Maj. Hon. Sir C.W.C. (of Carlingford, N.S.W.; b. Petersham, N.S.W.). 713, 757n MARRETT WOOD (Sk. p. 210), 408, 411; Austln. scouts enter, 27 Mar., 183; 3 Div. seizes, and repels Ger. c.-attacks, 28 Mar. 209-11; see also MERICOURT AND TREUX WOODS MARRIERES WOOD, 162, 243 MARSDEN, Lt. J.B. (of Lismore, N.S.W.; b. Leeds, Eng.), 309n MARSH, Lt.-Col. J.-T., 15, 18 MARSHALL, Lt. C.W. (of Hobart; b. Greenwich, Eng.), 217 24-25 MARSHALL, Lt.-Col. N., 634; V.-Bret., 24/Apr., 599, 600, 601, 607, 611 MARSHALL, Lt.-Gen. Sir W.R. (of Durham, Eng.; b. Durham), 705, 724, 725, 728,734. 739, 741, 743. 756; objects to protecting Lle (
a. sspois ereg eettt . Bri:NUmmos Fusltfoa as: Wind 2d. .. Smine sidsäomsm sis iensimå 1o sns ne dist Mun- od A0a132 nadr, SieI Jaishz 10 Aie si FII HSTISD SA noch Era zasflig enf 22 60 ien" fnodase bos eon to ogen Jsi ens Eedalzsis zad aar Hold The only VC. wser im the 3rd was it ). Hamuton, who, as a private. won the decoratton at lone Pie Amos Nor Re the 3rd opinton that that onst should avea the os V of the A.F. Leut. Evans, commlsstoned just prios to the embaskatlon for Anzac, was recoos ast mended tor the V.C. on Aprll 26. J respect of the asding operatlore (whew he was ktled). The papers were lost or biows 5.3 sch op. aad, atthough the matter was broucht erest es, the avd was not made. Serst Bricie, of Company, now employed at Asthony bsaasaa 97 Werd Hordern's, was asso recommended tor the vC. by as Eagsh Compaay Commander Sot W. Boidle I 1918 near Stazele. Bridle was badly wounded I this partteula acton, aad received the M.M much BrZGE S .atLenz to the indigsatlon of the Enchsh ofcor. The 3rd satalon, ! ald, was very cosservative s recommendatos os decs tons-eo much so. hat a number ot deservine cases were over¬ zovo badaaga Nocked 2uee r agosa ens asado one sonse soasi sdi is noriaims esi ni 1isemii bus 4000 asso ii seiz soasi sst. Solzw gour anolEn neizueitawoo edi 10 folietnoasb bofiss Lir I9 g. wads eosof eit shn enr istaga alsiLeilasz of siel bau dew sns Jadi sarch and be.Alasn asd e aar I 0.000. Odts io scah es ed it bad der ent sads wol tad piachs toamasp sad: Slod e roltiaog isdr mi. mepuad Infogsalliedt mr: Larohian ack ars zafl neä fsfiersask vie! gaurz jesza eit" Janisgs Hedseton 5a Jon "ailgitar: 10 jazn üzof sit Sauch sulfoiszta or zodr min dswol smpa uo woftainuop aldi tö bad los5 stsz aaust soksalmis ear aa"snsios es St snigge beisatozd bad sczedmvo e s sud ed ment zanzs saäs sat: 4 . alienzaäa ai beigs
D Nr In a carefully prepared speech, Mr. Hughes paid eloquent tribute to the valour of the Australian soldiers, commenting especially upon their heroic defence of Amiens; the memorable attack upon the German front on the 8th of August, 1918, when victory was brought within the grasp of the Allies; and upon the Palestine campaign, which he described as the finishing blow "that shattered the last hope of Germany and snatched from her grasp that Empire of the East which was her cherished ambition". In the history of the world, he maintained, "there never was a greater victory than that which was achieved in Palestine, and in it, also, as in France, the soldiers of Australia played a great part". He stressed the greatness of the military achievement of Australia, a young community of 5,000,000 people, when she transported over 12,000 miles of ocean a greater army than Great Britain had ever sent out before. Mr. Hughes then described the steps he had taken in London to secure for Australia and the other British dominions direct representation at the Peace Conference and the part taken by Sir Joseph Cook and himself in the preparation of the conditions upon which the Peace Treaty was based. He gave a detailed description of the constitution and functions of the League of Nations. Coming to Australia's special interests under the Peace Treaty, Mr. Hughes reminded the House that the war had left this country with the huge debt of £350,000,000. It was right, he held, that Germany should pay for what the war had cost. But apart from the financial burden, in what position had the war left Australia? Her first concern was national safety. He had protested against "the great rampart of islands stretching round the north east of Australia" not being held by this country or by some Power "in whom we have absolute confidence". When the armistice terms were decided on November 5th, he had protested against them, because there was no guarantee that under them the possession of those islands would be vested in Australia. He had fought before
r .o. Ceverene, sel. Al ottcial communications B should be addressed to the COMMANDANT, Royal Military College. and AUSTRALIAN MILITARY FORCES. not to any Ofcer personally I REPLY PLxAzE OUOvE: ROYAL MILITARY COLLEGE. DUNTROON. AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY. 20th June, 1939. My dear Beau In reply to your letter of 15th June re the attack on 9th August 1918, I am afraid you are putting rather too severe a strain on my memory for me to be able to tell you accurately exactly what happened, though probably I should be in the best position to do so as I was the one of the 2nd D.H.Q. Staff most concerned in the arrangements. I cannot remember what orders we received about the attack or about co-operating with flank formations. After the attack on 8th August our brigades were somewhat scattered and there was some disorganisation owing to the fact that 5th Division had passed through us, also there was very little telephone communication. Rosenthal realised that he could not just order an attack without getting more accurate information about our troops and when they could get to the start line, so he ordered the three brigadiers to assemble for a conference at one of the Brigade H.Q., I think the 7th. I went to this conference to represent Rosenthal mainly I think because Rosen- thal himself was still rather shaky after his wound and was not fit for much exertion. We were to arrange all details about the attack at this conference and put it in train without further reference to D.H.Q. I cannot remember the exact time of the conference but it was some time in the morning of 9th August. As far as I can recollect, the deciding factor in fixing the time of the attack was the earliest hour at which our troops could get to the start line. There was no consultation with lst Division or Corps, but we tried to start as early as possible so as to fit in as nearly as we could with the division on our right, though I do not think we had very accurate information at the time about the move of 5th or lst Division. I went back to D.H.Q. and told Rosenthal the arrange- ments and as we were still rather worried about the show I went up to Advanced Brigade H.Q. some little time before the attack was due to start to watch the course of events and waited there till well after the attack had started. Thus as far as my recollection serves me, the time of the attack was governed by the time our troops could get to the start line. Regarding whose was the decision, this is rather a fine point. My instructions when I went to the conference were that I was to tell the brigadiers the attack was to take place that day, giving objectives, but that the conference would be presided over by the senior brigadier who would give decisions on details. Therefore the decision regarding time of attack, though nominally D.H.Q., was actually that of the brigadiers on the spot. 12.
- 2 - I do not know, whether you are aware of the fact that Rosenthal kept a very full private diary during all this time. Perhaps if you could get in touch with him he could give you more accurate and detailed information than 1 have been able to do. Kind regards, Yours sincerely, Gllebebeles C.E.W.Bean, Esq. Official Historian Victoria Barracks, S1DEI
Hii 11308. 19 June 1939. My dear Edmonds My chapters relating to the fighting of August 8th, 1918, will not be ready for some months, but I will send them as soon as completed. Meanwhile I send the chapter concerning the plans, as well as those preceding it. the misunderstanding is due, I think, Concerning Chipilly, to the fact that Chipilly village was practically empty, but not the ridge above it. A sergeant and a C.Q.M.S. from the ist Battalion, A.I.F., went into the southern and western parts of the village at dawn on August 8/9th, hunting for souvenirs, and found no one. They were, strictly speaking, "absent without leave", and had to get back by dawn. On return they asked to be allowed to take a patrol there but were stopped, as the 58th Division was to attack the place. However, at 6 p.m. when the attack was seen to be held up, they were allowed to go in and did so. This time on the way they heard warn- ing shouts from the company of the 2/10th London held up about half- a-mile short of Chipilly. They went over and saw its commander (Captain Berrell) and offered to reconnoître the village for him. The men around warned them not to attempt to reach it, but by extending to about 12 paces and making a rush they all reached it through very heavy fire from the ridge north of it. They reconnoit- red it, found it empty, but to the north, up the spur, was a German post intent upon its front. An Australian was sent back to guide Berrell's company to the chalk pit, Q 4 a 7 9, while the Australians continued to reconnoître. The two platoons coming up with Berrell came under heavy fire from a machine-gun north of the village and had to fall back for a time. The Australian leaders (C.Q.M.S. Hayes and Sergeant Andrews), however, led a platoon of the London, to a position where it could enfilade the Germans on the spur; the British smoke barrage, now laid down, fell suddenly almost on to the platoon. It was ordered to withdraw. The Australians, however, making use of the smoke barrage, pushed on around the rear or eastern side of the spur, where they had located some posts near the river, behind the ridge (at K 35 a 8 8 and K 29 c 6 1). Four of them (Hayes and Andrews leading) crept around these and rushed them under their own covering fire, capturing an officer and about 35 men with two Ger- man machine-guns. One of these they set up and then attacked further posts. Captain Berrell and his company, who throughout were ready to follow the lead thus given, had come up just as the prisoners were being taken, and received them while the Australians went on and took another 30 prisoners, driving the enemy across the river and firing on him there with the German machine-gun. About this time the line of attacking Americans appeared on top of the ridge in rear and opened fire on the Australians although these waved and shouted. They had to take cover until the Americans were close enough to understand. This small Australian patrol was ahead of Berrell's company at every move, and Berrell sent them back with a most appreciative note of which unfortunately I cannot so far obtain a copy. I can find no mention of these events in the diary of the 2/10th London but have very detailed accounts from three of the Australians. The patrol actually captured about 80 Germans and 12 machine-guns, but only took back 28 Germans to the Australian side of tho river, the rest being handed to the 2/10th London who were supporting the-. Yours sincerely.

Brig.-Gen. J. Gellibrand (12th); Brig.-Gen. T.W. Glasgow

(13th). 5th Division: Brig.-Gen. E. Tivey (8th); Brig.-Gen.

C.J. Hobkirk, replace by Brig.-Gen. J.C. Stewart, 23 March

March (14th); Brig.-Gen. H.E. Elliott (15th).

                                         A.I.F.  STAFF

D.A.G. : Col. T.H. Dodds. Commandant, Admin. H.Q., London:

Brig..-Gen. T. GR5IFFITHS. G.O.C., A.I.F. Depots in United

Kingdom: Maj.-Gen. Hon. J.W. M'Cay. Director of Medical

Services: Surgeon-Gen. Sir N.R. Howse, V.C.

__________________________________________________________________

 Although this was a right and popular measure, all who

knew them regretted seeing the British officers go, and with

 good reason; athough the A.I.F. undoubtedly owed most to the

old Australian militia, its debt to its small quota of British

officers was beyond computation, especially in the standards

set by them for personal conduct. They were far from being 

the only ones to furnish the troops with the exalted example

of an "English gentleman" - there were many such among the 

born Australians of the A.I.F; but it may safely be said

that the influence of the British officer, from Birdwood and

Walker xxx downward, was in this respect outstanding.

Such men as R.H. Owen, 32 Duncan Glasfurd, and Oswald Crowshaw, by

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

g

Edit this transcription

Log in Sign up

Last edited by:
Transcriber 30085Transcriber 30085
Last edited on:

Last updated: