Charles E W Bean, Diaries, AWM38 3DRL 606/274/1 - 1918 - 1941 - Part 18

"Chuignes"
Dunning Ave, 
Rosebery.
Dec 26th 1934.

Dear Dr Bean.,
I have been reading the A.I.F. in France, 1917. & on the
whole as far as the 3rd Bn, is concerned, it is fairly correct. You of 
course I take it, was guided to a large extent by reports. There are
parts in the book, wherein the Bn, could have been shown to better
advabtage.  As I want to confine my space, I will continue the paragraphs
We do not get the mention we deserve at Hermies. We left Ribbermont, 
early in April 1917, for Hermies, Velu Wood, being our final resting 
place, We were here informed what the Action was to be, on my way up, 
for the first time since Pozieries, & for the last time while I was 
an N.C.O. I was given an Officer, Lieut Shelly, a fine man.Before I go
[[*Hermies*]] any further, I want to inform you that I was never off an flank, at the
War. When we were told of the action,I went to the front line, to get
an view of the position, & if possible some mark to make for, as men 
cannot go straight in the day, let alone night time.I made the acquaintanance 
of the English, on my right, as they were not advancing.
I went back to the Wood, & informed my Sgt, Dowling, of the ground, he & 
[[*J.*]] again had a look at the position, I gave him his choice of positions
in the line of attack, he did not like the flank, choose the centre of 
Platoon, & did not go 50 yards, I afterwards buried him at Beaumetz, 
[[*action*]] The orders I received were to go about 400 yds, wait for the barrage, 
if I had of obeyed orders I, & my platoon would have been at Hermies-
in our graves, as the only barrage that fell was the German's, when we 
started, we commenced about 300 yds north of the Canal, this was to 
avoid the excavations from the Canal, as they were about 20 ft high,
after we went Half  a mile,we had to go half right, till I put my flank 
on the Canal, then again turn half left,& go straight east, to Havrincourt. 
When we turned half right, the remainder of my Company, went left 
to Hermies, I lost all touch despite sending men back, as arrangements 
were not going according to orders; I thought that the remainder of the 
Bn, had failed to get up. After spasmodic fighting, I arrived on our 
objective, the sunken Rd from Hermies to the Canal; at the bridge head
we encountered an M.G. which we captured,& the whole of the crew. I ^said to
my men that we appeared to be alone,& that we might have to fight our
way back in the night, as I thought that the Germans would be sure to 
get in behind us.Cpl N.Lee.M.M. & myself killed the Germans 

(2)
When this gun fired on us, Cpl Tilbrook who was on the road, had his foot
shot off right on top of the boot, he then went on his knee, & engaged the
^gun gun from 15 yds, a burst hit him under the left ear, I buried him beside
the road, I then turned our Lewis Gun, on the M.G. & under cover of it, 
we captured the crew. I did not recommend Tikbrook, because I expected
all of my men to do the same. When daylight broKE, we were consolidati- 
our position, I saw troops in Hermies, I sent up, & found Mr Shelly, who 
then joined us, we handed this position over about II days later.
You mention in the book, that South-east of the Villiage, German M.G. posts 
held out till dark, I do not think that is correct, my platoon, covered,
with 4 posts, I had 66 men, from out in front of the quarry, or chalk pit, 
[[*?*]] to the bank of the Canal, In daytime we went 1000 yds across the Canal,
of course we did not go about waving flags, I do not think that there 
were any Germans, west of the Canal in the daytime, I think that they
were in Havrincourt, I was out in NO mans land, with Cpl Miller, "B" Coy, 
when he was taken prisoner, we had both come from our H'qrs, when we 
went through our posts, I said that we have come too far, he replied "no" 
After Hermies, we went back to Beaumetz, thence to Doignes, to assist, 
where the Germans broke through, We were at Vaulx for the first Conscript
Conscription Vote,when we were informed that our Bn was loaned to the 
7th Bgde, one of whose Bns went to the English at Bullecourt. I went up
[[*Bullect*]] the Noreuil Valley, & releived a part of the 20th Bn, in order that they
might join in the attack, After being near the Railway, about lam, I found
myself in O.G.2.having releived portion of 6th Bgde, 24th Bn, I think.
I was again on the extreme left flank; I was not in touch with the 1st
Bn, on my left, when I went in the line, I was informed that a 60 pounder
[[*60 pdr*]] was dropping short. I found that it was so. I saw, I think, Lt O'Rielly,
who said that he had been trying for hours to get them to lift. As the
Germans were at Bullecourt, & between the Ist, & myself, around on my
front, before Reincourt, we were not being shelled by them at all. The 60
pounder was half mile short; eventually Reilly was killed by the gun.
After "stand to", was over, the men were about to take a little rest.
[[*Bullect 3Bn*]] On my platoons left, O.G.2. ran into a sunken road. I ^had put an observation
post, in this, behind a barracade. Immediately behind it, only but on top, I
mounted a Lewis Gun ^and also A German M.G. that I found in the trench. We also
found over 12 doz egg bombs, which came very handy as they went further
than the Mills.  After all the men had stood down, I saw about 150 Germans
coming down the road; they did not have any rifles.

(3)
I got all the men to stand "to", said dont fire till I tell you, I got
alongside the Machine Guns, When they were abo ut 40 yds away, I saw a
fellow shoot a jet  of flame into the bank. I fired, & shot the flamenwerfer

carrier through the belly, my machine guns let them have it hot,
& strong, you could not see a yard for smoke, It was the first flame-carrier,

I had seen, there was a hole in the road, the men fell into it,
& about a dozen men on top of them, they all appeared to catch fire, as
when my bullet went through the can, it caught my fire in the back, bombs
fell thick & heavy, this was where the egg bombs came in, the nearest 
[*Vol IV*] German reached 5 yds from the post in the Rd, in your book, you state that
the 3rd Bn captured I, & killed 30, my platoon killed over 89 in the
road alone, we counted them,
In this, by the shelling,from the time I
[*IV*] releived the 20th Bn,I had 12 men killed, & a number wounded, after this,&
attack had died, it was decided to bomb along towards the Ist Bn,
& while waiting,the 60 rounder blew down the parades, & went through my
leg,so, I dont know anymore about Bullecourt.
I was only away for a few weeks,
when I picked the Bn up. at Bray-sur-Somme, before we went North for
Polygon Wood. AT Passchendale on Nov 12th, I was on the Canadians right,
I had 3 posts. was relieved by 66th Div, at the relief I only had 3 men
for 3 Posts.
[*Strazeele*] It was at Strazeele that I suggested to Capt Plunkett, that
we detain the English troops pouring through our lines, as we did not
have any supports, he agreed. I stopped Colonels to cooks, till we had
nearly 1000, when Brigade took them over, we released all the animals in
Barns. Our Bn was the pioneers of the daylight raiding; I was the C.S.M.
I mentioned. In "Memories of Meteren" Reveille, June or July.
As I have stated, I only had an Officer in Frace twice, I never furnished
any reports, we did our job,my platoon proved in competition, the best in
the Coy, just as the Coy, did in the Bn,& Bn in Brigade.
I was L%Cpl, temp Cpl,Cpl,temp sgt,Sgt-temp C.S.M.& C.S.M.& 2 Lt in the
one platoon,I3. when I was made C.S.M. I was although 2nd senior in the
Bn,allowed to retain my platoon. I was never away from the Bn, when it
was ready for the line. I left it twice, after 2nd Bullecourt,& after
[*Sept 18*] the last Attack  Sept I8th. In this attack we came from Tincourt, we were
on the flank of 74th Div, the attack proceeded allright. There was a dense
fog, the smoke from the barrage did not lift,we chased the germans till
 

(4)
we were too tired to run, we passed through Templeux- & after doing so,
the Bn on my left was held up by M.G.fire, as we had passed  on, I diverted
to the left, got in behind the Germans, captured 2 guns, & 32 men, I took
the English Officers name, but I lost it, we then proceeded to Hargicourt
where,just before, we captured 2 more M.G.'s, as we had to rush this post
I recommended Cpl. Graham. (He keeps a butcher shop in Willoughby Rd).
he was awarded the D.C.M. after about an hours halt,we commenced our move
towards Bellicourt - We crossed some very open country, the fire was severe
I had a cane cut in two twice by M.G.bullets, in the road ahead, some light
field pieces were firing direct,when we reached them, I observed that an
private of 10 platoon, had bayonetedthe gunners, I also recommended him, &
he was rewarded . as we proceeded along the trench we captured several Red
Cross men, who said that the gunners were beyond aid, I then caught a man
on top of a dug out, I asked how many men were in it,he said that he did
not know,I said “Grenade" he said  “No, No”, I said "how many men", he said, “5 Offic
Officers 55 men, “ I said “quick.” A Bn Commander & 5 officers, & 58 men came up
the  Commander  said That  I was a Gentleman, I gave these to Cpl Putrie,
who I also recommended, he was rewarded also.
C Coy on my right was held
up, as was Lt McDonald, who had got on to my left, there was nothing ahead
of me, I could see where McDonalds trouble was coming from, I had about 80
men, & was on top of the ground, when I saw a young fellow about 22yds
ahead of me, I was too shakey to fire the revolver, as we had been hurrying.
I kept my eyes on him , & felt for the hold I had lust stepped from as I 
stepped back, he fired,hitting me over the eye, & with this, after telling
the Corporal to continue on, I lost all interest in the War.
I was one of the early Australians to obtain the
M.M. Cpl Howarth & myself, being awarded it early -
July 1916,
Yours faithfully
P. Kinchington

Hargicourt. Sept 18th 1918.
In this last section the 3rd Bn was the left flank of a two
Division front, the Bn disposition was "X" Coy, Clifton, left,
"Y" Shelly, right, with "Z" McDonald, supporting. in this Coy, I
took up a position on the left flank, immediately the action
commenced, "X" Coy must have gone right off our sector, as,
early in the piece I found myself in the front line of the
advance, and captured prisoners etc, after about 20 minutes, to
the final objective, Minnow Trench.
We waited at Hargicourt Road
for over an hour, to allow our barrage to figure according to
plan, I assisted the English Troops prior to arriving at
Hargicourt, even during our wait at the latter place, I did not
see "X" Coy, It was not till I crossed Minnow Trench, our second
objective, that I saw Lieut McDonald, "X" Coy, who was then in
difficulties. The latter part of "The last days of the war"
fairly well explain my platoons connection with this action.
Herewith are included the duplicates of messages sent back on
Sept 18th. I recommended several men, Cpls Graham & Putrie,
amongst others, all of whom were rewarded.
P. Kinchington.
Dr C.W.Bean
Official Historian.

1/OC Z 18/9/19 550 L3C
Took 28 Prisoners near
Templeux Quarries, sent back
under Escort.
There is no sign of X Coy
in front of me, I have not
seen any casualties at all.
We will continue to Hargicourt
Kinchington 

2/O.C "Z" 18/9/19 700 L4B
Hargicourt
Lt Truscott 15 Bn [[Duney?]] was held
up with about 50 men, near the
quarries. We flanked the enemy
& got in behind them, capturing
2 M Guns & 3 men, the others ran
away, we had to lie on ground to see,
with these furious prisoners, we
released the [[?]] on the high ground,
& let them advance.
Arrived in Hargicourt Rd 6.50. the
Suffolks are now on my left,they do
not appear to know which way to go, I
have directed them.
I found Capt [[?]] 4 Bn on my
flank already directed home to his unit.
I have not seen "X" Coy.
My losses have been light
Some of our light shells are still falling
short, I was hit in the back twice
was also knocked out there are
hundreds of enemy in front of us over 
barrage is falling on them. we stopped
for over one hour. Kinchington

3/OC Z. 18/9/18 900 a. 25. 'c'.
Around second objective had heavy
M.G. fire coming up Valley from Hargicourt
4 field guns were firing direct fire
We captured  5 Officers 55 men in
dugout Minnow Trench sent one m/g
Cpt Petrie  ‘Y’ on right appear to be 
held up by M G fire, I have 70 men &
of  ‘Y’ ‘Z’ does not appear to be any
opposition on my front, will try
exploit.
I have seen Lt McDonald of 'X' &
with a few men on my left, they 
are unable to advance.
Visibility very bad our losses 
have been light, despite the fire.
Kinchington

HN.
Mutineers of 1st Bn
from Glasgow 19/7/38.
After the Armistice when a big mtg ws
held & J.M. Gave up Aust Corps to go London for
Demobilisation. J.M. after the meeting asked 
Glasgow (who had been late) to see him.
He asked Glasgow abt the men sentenced
for mutiny in 1st Bn. As the end of the war was
approaching & presumably all wd soon be

returning to Aust, didn’t he think that he
might recommend that the sentences be not
carried out.  Glasgow said “When any man
under me commits a crime w his eyes open
he knows that he xx  incurs the punishment for 
tt crime, & ^tt if he is tried for it & convicted
of it, he will have to go thro’ tt punishment"
& refused to change his recommendation.
The man had bn follg 1st Div all in custody
for ^many weeks. Monash said “Oh, of course, if that
is your opinion -" or something to that effect.
Monash cd have made the recommendation himself, but wouldn’t.
Hobbs took over from J.M.& probably recommended
that the men be pardoned, but Rawlinson (Glasgow thinks)
refused & they served the sentence. Glasgow says that if he
had given way he would have had endless trouble after the
Armistice. 

726 AUSTRALIANS IN MESOPOTAMIA [June, 1917-Jan.1918
that both their armies were to withdraw from Persia. The
Bolshevik Government was not universally accepted in Russia;
but it was clear that Baratov's army was becoming worthless,
and neither Turks nor Germans were likely to abandon their 
efforts to penetrate Persia.  Moreover, in addition to German
propaganda, which was exceedingly clever, Bolshevik
propaganda was penetrating everywhere. The Pan-Turk and
other revolutionary movements were again flaming up, and at
this stage the British Minister at Teheran suggested that
General Marshall should take over from the Russians the
task of protecting the Persian road. This, however, would
mean an extension of his communications by 500 miles - twice
the direct distance from Baghdad to Basra. The project was
therefore impossible without a great increase in Marshall’s 
force- especially in his motor-transport. Moreover as, at
this time, the Russian peace negotiations had thrown the 
Allies upon the defensive, and reserves were needed to meet
the great German attack to be expected in 1918, the War
Office desired a reduction of it rather than any increase; and
in December the 3rd (Lahore) Division was sent to Palestine.
Sir William Robertson indicated that, for barring entry to
Persia, another-and a highly ingenious-method was being
adopted. Meanwhile early in January, at Baratov's request,
Bicherakov's group went on to Kermanshah in the hope of
rallying some elements of the Russian Army there. At the
same time a column under Lieutenant-Colonel Matthews⁴⁸
of the I/14th Hampshire (with "D” station) was sent to
protect the near end of the road at Khanigin. From there
Colonel Matthews and part of his column (with an improvised
station "VIS" in Ford vans) went on to meet the now returning
"AA" wireless station, which had been so long cut off
with the Russians. That station, originally at Qasr-i-Shirin,
had had to accompany the Russians eastwards when they left—
and looted-that town, retiring before the Turks. In withdrawing
along the great road through the hills, the Russians
were raided by Kurds and suffered many casualties. The
Australian transport sergeant, S. J. Ryan⁴⁹ took part in the

⁴⁸Col. C. L. Mathews, D.S.O.; Durham Light Infy. Commanded 1/14th Bn.,
Hampshire Regt., 1916/19. Officer of British Regular Army; b. Stoke Bishop,
Bristol, Eng., 27 Aug. 1877.
⁴⁹ Sgt. S. J. Ryan, D.C.M. (No. 14257: 1st Aust. Wireless Sig. Sqn.). Mail
contractor; of Armidale, N.S.W.; b. Dumaresq, N.SW., 15 Oct., 1879.