Charles E W Bean, Diaries, AWM38 3DRL 606/274/1 - 1918 - 1941 - Part 11

(3)
me, he said "I've got my issue, carry on".
Bert Bullus, another man who came with Sgt. Lowerson, was also
rounded in the leg, but refused to go out, saying "I want some
souvenirs off these bastards before I go".
With the assistance of others who had come along, we eventually
captured the position, taking fully 60 prisoners and 40 machine gens.
Just at this stage, we were joined by some men belonging to the
24th Battalion. They proceeded on round the Mont and established
the line on the other side. But the main and hardest part of the
job had been accomplished. Thus ended the final effort in the
capture of Mont St.Quentin, which is now admitted to be one of the
finest and most wonderful feats of the war.
rte.
Dobson.M.
2. T6 Nants Al
No. 9 Platoon.
.C* Company,
Albert bänk.
21st Battalion.
Nelbamons
 

Ihe Attack on Mont St. Quentin.
izt Tentenber 1919.
On the lst Tarlezber 1918, at about a.., C" Copany of he lat
fattalion was billeted in an old Germen Trench abcut 1400 yards frez
Ment St. Cuentin, and acting de support to the 23rd Battalion which
attaeked the villags the same morning at 6 a.x., but failed, and had
ts withdres to about 500 yarss from their chjcctive, and there hold
ca till 1.30 p.n., and until an attack was ecaised by the 2lst
Dattalion.
At about 9. a.m. we were given the order to move, and most of us
had an idea shat our job was to be.
As the Nun had command of all the surreunding country for tvo or
three miles, we were moving up in sections, direotly in front of the
village, across open country, making for an old comaunication trench,
n
which led to shere we jumpee off.
Things went well till we vere crossingk the railway line, which
the Hun had covered by machine gun fire, and there se were told to
double in threes to the trench, as several guns were firing at ue.
and one chap had already been killed, the bullet entering his neck.
We then crawled up the cle trench, as it was not deep enough to sall
in. Licut. oran Holt tried, and was shot through the head.
On arriving at a positicn just behind the Z3rd Battalion, we rere
told to keep down till 1.15 p.m., as we were to go over the top and
take the village.
After a short rest and come lunch, we moved up to the attack, as the
barrage, which ras only shrapnel, had already started. We vere no
sooner out of the hop off trench, than machine guns vere pounding us
frem all directicne, but fortunately we had no caswalties till alrost
through the wood on the far side of the village. When looking across,
I eaw a big mine cratew manned by about 50 Cermans, and fully 10
gachine guns: it looked a hepeless tesk, and the only thing wus to
rush it, which we started to do.
All at once I noticed a party of machine gunnera sith ügt. Fignall
enking along en old trench, and they did not get far rhen I saw
Wignall fall ecrnded, alco a young chap nemed May. There were several
ound them, ao I did not rtor, but rade straight for the crater with
Egt. Cmith and core of Ho. 10 Platoon, kneeling and firing as wo went,
as German heads were showing overyshere. Ühen wa got within a few
yards of the crater, we found that Sxt. Lowersen and his party had
slready started to bomb it. It was there that Sgt. Lowerson was
wounded and had to go back. Jot far from him, Frank Roberts fell, Ruuled
xxxx xxxxx xke kxuzt: xx K axllezzet kiz yeirais kulazags
by a machine gun bullot just abowe the heart; aa I collccted
his private bclongings that evening, I examined him to find out. Close
beside him were Pte. Kelly and Roy "zerdon, who hed heen killed by
wachine gun fire. I collected their private things and examined them
also. I did not knoz that Kolly was kibled till that cvenizg, but
ear Smerden fall, ond told some stretcher-bearers, and wes greatl:
currieed to find him dead shen Cpl. Jim White and I went ont to
recover his gun. After Sgt. Lowersen had been sounded, and nearly
all of his party, Egt. Trith and I bombed our way into the erater,
ont most of the Huns by lhis time had been killed wounded, and
chat rcmained ran into the dugouts. Thile we rers trying to got
them out, one of our trcach sortar bombs fell close by and weunded
Egt. Smith, who sont back. I then nent the prisoners back, and on
resching a treuch just belos, Sies. Jack Castle, G. Dobson and W.
Fabling reported to e, and from there wo joines wome of "DAtompany,
and started to clear the treache imyediately in Tront of the crater
took up a position in
es we had no idaa where sur ebjectivo wa
the trench, Ptes. Castle and Mabling both +
[ a gun. Ce rezained
there till Lieut. Dearden caes slong and took us up to a better
pocition. Abcut 7 r.M., a party of 24th men eane and took their
position juat below we; thay had not been there long when a Germen
5.9. thell lanied arong them, killing 5 and wounding 6.
we held the pasition all night, and at daen next morning the 7th
Brigade went shrough us. At about 9.a.m., we were chifted inte
toms dugeuts, and remeined there in support.
 

(2).
Ihere are several who were wounded in No. 9 Flatoon, whom I did not
see, but heard they had gone back, Ptes. Heath, Iegnulla, and two or
Noyoo
three others whose names I have forgotten.
On the 3rd September I left the trench and went on my 14 days'
furlough to England. On returning to the Battalion, I found it rest-
ing at a place called Cappy, and, after a week's rest there, we were
moved up to Mont Brehain, where we took part in the last stunt the
Australian Infantry were in in France.
The Armistice vas signed chile we were out resting, on 11th November
1918.
No. 615.
Sgt. V. J. Edverds. MMaud Bae
.e Company
21st Battalion, A. I. F.
oldbugh
Wassranea
 

at
.C. Comnany, 2lat Battalien at Mont St. Quentin.
On Friday, 30th August 1919, ce found ourselves in a trench running et
right-anies to the River Somme, directly in front of Clergesur-Somme.
Se stayedthere all night efter getting into our possy. I'wandered round
along with a few cobbers, and we struck a fishing trap left behind
Fritz, a huge affair. I think he must have caught enough fish daily
to feed an aray. My Compan; grabbed enough to do us for breakfast, and
it was here that our Company made a temporary foot-bridge scross the
Somme, naming it Duggen Bridge, after our C.O. It was great sport to
wee the boys skinning eels for the cooks for the morning breakfast.
A. Green was acting "C.0." for the skinning party. "e had a rretty
fair night here considering we had no blankets, but we made good use
of a few of Fritz's old coats and blankets.
Seturday. Jlst Auguet.
Te were awakened rather early, for we had received orders to move,
and had a breakfast of fried eels (a welcome change), then began'to
pack up ready for marching. We moved off in Platoons, in file, at e
distence of about 300 yards between platoons, along the canal bank,
well hidden by trees Yrom dermen observation.
I think along this bank must have been Fritz's Arry H.C., for there
wos a fair number of wooden huts fitted up as though they had
Intended to stay there for years. We paseed a bridge still burning
and partly destroyed by the enesy. Ahout 200 yards past this bridge
wo were halted, and held up while the engincers built a bridge for
Es to cross tho river. Around this ares there was nothing but sramry
country. This bridge finished, we crossed over and traversed about a
aile of ap, then came to a halt ea ay line behind a battery
of Australian 18 pounders. We had another snack hee, tightened our
belts and had a smoke. Ne stayed here about ank hour, and soved off
again in dingle file along a road righ; under observation of the cnery
and he gave o hell for a few pinutes, but he was doing sore bad shoot-
ing, for all hia shells fell either in front of or behind us, but he
had us ducking for a while.
"e arrived at a road hidden by huge cliffs, and under these along the
I saw a good bit of rork done by
road, the whole. Brigade took cover.
the 2nd Pivision Engineers, building a bridge across a swamp while
'under observation of the eney, and he gave them hell with all kinde of
ehells, but the Diggers stuck to it like "Bucks" until they had
finished the joh.
We stayed at this possy nearly all day, andésw a number of good
raees with cookers and limbers galloping doen the road dodging
Fritz shells. Fritz was trying hard to lob a few shells on the road,
hut his range ras always too long. He gave us a honzer exhibition of
weter splashing, for all his chells were dropping in the sramp.
were all greatly interesied in the enemy's shelling, when a stray
shell lobbed fa anong my platoon, covering every one of us with
dirt and wounding Cpl. Esker. Frank Roberts, Roy Smerdon, Jack
Chrtle and I were all sitting close together when it lobbed, and
strange to say, it only wounded Baker. It was a nice Blightt too.
e dreseed his wound and had him removed to a dressing station near by,
Later in the evening, sowe of the boys lit a fire, and they were all
talking round it when Pritz put a shell fair in the sidcle of the fire,
killing two men and wounding one. I think all were engincers.
Te had tea, received our rations end moved off again along the
road towerds Mont St. Quentin. At this time Fritz tock a
"jerry" and kept his guns quiet while se moved along the road.
struck a railwsy line, and folloved the line till we came to what
seemed to me to be a huge cutting. Te were then told that thiz
would be our poszy, so we all cormenced to make our posaies for the
hight. Te hed all practically finished when we received orders that
we were in the wrong place; then, of course, there was a huge out-
burst of language.
We went back ebout 100 yards and ceme to an old trench where we
rere told we would stay for the night. I might say it was pretty
cold, and I t there was only one dug-out in the treuch, and of
fourse C.H.d. must have it, so most of es had to lie in the cpen trench.
Abort 10 c'clock, some of my platoon and myself sent as a ration party
and returned quite safe. We were all dend tired co we tried to have
'forty winka'. Te must have been lying down in the open rith fresh air
over us to keep us carm, when it started to rain and ce all got pretty
wet.
 

(2).
funday 'et Sentember,
Daylight arrived and we began to hear a fair amount of "furpheys".
Te were told that the 5th Brigade was going over at 5 o'clock, and our
srirade (the 6th) was to support them. The 23rd and 24th Battaliens were
ahead of us someshere, we couldn't cay shere, for we hardly knew where we
were ourselves. We were all standing to (that is, reasy to move off at
a fow moments' notice) when our guns opened up, then Fritz began to reply
s lobbing very close to cur trench.
with his artillery, sor:
the
2A4
The Sch Brigade atta
ere
ut, but Fritz counter-attacked and
recaptured the position.'hile we cere waiting to sove, a fes Fritz
prisoners came past our trench, and of course, the first to 'rat" them
were our "scuvenir kings", Frank Hoberts and Ted Heath, sho of course
scored. Things were not looking too good, and 'furpheys" vere flying
round that the 5th Brigade had bean wiped off the face of the earth by
Pritz,etc., when we received orders to move.
We moved acroas open country in artillery formation, and had gone e
fes hundred yards shen a huge Cerman mine exploded in our rear, Fritz
Having pulled the string too late. Fritz had us ducking nos for he was
using his machine guns very effectively. We all took cover along an
old railay line, and he pushed the dirt up all round us with his guns.
This was the place where a man heard a flow of language at men choving
themselves. I think I called a fes of them round me silly bastards, and
to keep their bloody heads down. We rushed in from the railsay line to
an old trench about 30 yards in our front, and you talk about a man deing
even tise; doing that 30 yards, some of never touched the greund at all,
for every time a man moved, Fritz turned two or three guns on him.
Ohe of our men was killed while trying to get into the trench. It was
Were that e 5th Brigade man came erasling up to us minus a leg, and asked
for a cigarette, and I mat eay, at that tise it was like asking a man
for a tenner, but one of the boys managed to scrape one from somewhere.
Se asked him if -e could carry him out, and he replied "You go and do
for the bastards that got me, I will manage to get out".
After get'ing into the trench se had a breather, then moved along the
aaof .Y.B..D. sgain, for Fritz had all his
machine guns playing on us, and an occasional shell was falling near
till se turned to our right along a narrow trench. A fey yards along
the trench, Lieut. Holt was killed, snired through the head. We had
great difficulties getting along this trench because of the barbed-wire
entangleents, having hed to crawl underneath them, but we arrived at
our 'hopping-off" piace. For the hour, our artillery had been rutting
over a fow shells, eighteen pounders) rith lit'le effect.
We homped the bags at l o'clook, and now was the time I had to have
Wy rits about me, for I was in chargeof He. 9 Flatoon in the hop-over.
sas in the second wave, one of "He Company's platcons under Sgt.
......., being the first. We were going A.l. and after crossing a road,
we struck a wood. Te were having a few pot shots at Fritz running asay;
The wouldn't stop to fight). Everything was going vell as we reached the
edge of the woed which was at the top of the Mount, when Egt.-.informed
e thet the cnery was ducking aray on our left along a trench, so I
turned to my platoon to say,"Come on boys, up and at the bastards", and
every man dashed with me. On leaving the wood, Pritz turned a machine gun
on to us, end got a fe of us, including Sgt. -.. Ihe last I saw of
him was shen He wes rolling don the incline towards t trench.
suppose he wes trying to roll into the tsench for cover. Those who
didn't get knocked, drooped to the ground end took cover, and aceounted
for a few Fritz's that were retiring along the trench. I managed, along
with the othera, to get into the trench down chich Fritz ras running, and
accounted for a few more, who put un their hands, but none of us had ang
mercy that day, and they all "slipped". Fritz ses still pleying hell with
hia nechine gun on our left, and I got Noy Amerdon on to thea with his gun.
Me could not see Fritz, eo he had to climb on to the perapet and expose
half his body to the enewy so that he could get a good pot at them, end
he soon put Fritz and his gun to sleep. I then noticed afew of ry
platoon on my right, under a bank, aniping and bombing: I rushed over and
found that they were held up by a very strong post of Fritzes.. I had a
look over the top and saw tons of Fritzes, who looked as though they sere
preparing for a counter-attack, for they were all in full kit. All the
time, the boy; sere giring them hell with bombs and sniring, so I told
Jack (aetle, who had a machine gun, to give them a burst. He didn't
need to be told twice, for he climbed on to the bank and ertied one
magazine after another into Fritz; Frank Roberts and Tegnulla fceding
 

()
him with magazines. At this time Dobson was doing good work as a
runner for me: I was doing a little sniping ryself, and was having
good sport till a Fritz bomb lobbed fair into sy heni chile I vas
kneeling down filling my magazine. It burst alrost immediately, and
wounded me in the stomach and hand. This put me out of action, so I
cravled back to a shell hole where some of our boys vere lying, some
dead and some wounded. I must have been lying there a fes minutes, when
Sgt. Lowerson came to me and said, "Come on Yig., they have got me in the
leg as well". So, assisted by him, I got back to the trench, and "Lowy"
ordcred a Pritz ambulance man, cho vas going back as a prisoner, to
dress my wounds: then, asaisted by others, he helped to carry se to the
dreszing station. After this my mind was a blank.
I believe I wae conveyed to the dressing station, and from there by
train to Houen. There I was operated on, and after three wecks, was
sent to Elighty.
. N.
Wignall,
Sgt.
Ho. 9 Platcon,
. Company, 2lst En.
Zit Llaneast ot
4/3/20.
Malvorn.
Kelborng
 

NONT ST.CTTN:IN.
Sunday, lat Tertember 1918.
The night of Friday, 30th August 1918 found the 2lst Nattalion
bivouacked plong the Somme Canal, and the same evening, Frank Noberts
of "C* Company came along for me (in "A" Company). We strolled aleng
the Canal Bank, yarning and emoking for a couple of hours; talking of
nothing in particular, pevhaps exchanging an experience of the laat
day or so, with an cccasional reference to some incident of home life,
just as good rals would, satisfied with esch othert company, not knov.
ing when we vould meet again. As a matter of fset, it was our leet
yarn ogether, although, the next day, I spoke to him for a little
time.
Saturday morning, the jist, ve meved off, halting a while near the
advanced artillery for lunch. After leaving, we came to the main
road leading past the village of Clery, which sas s maes of ruins
hardly a wall being left standing. In this respect, it herdly differed
from sceres of other villagss in France and Helgiuw. The road was
being heavily shelled, but we panaged to get through without any cas¬
ualties. We halted under a steep bank by ihs foadaide until dusk, and
the shalls were coming all the tine, some being very close. I think
it waa just after this thot Les. Eaker was wounded. Not long before,
I had seen Frank Hoherts, and noved over near enough to say 'good-day
but I never saw him again. "e had tea at this apot, and were all glad
when night came, and se moved along to another position nearer the front
line. Ihis was a etting neafer the Peronne Hailay line, and here
we waited until 2 o'clock in the morning of lat September. It
a little and was bitterly cold, but, as a carrying
had
Geeen
Ady
there in possession of all the available dugoute,
pary
there was no shelter for us. However, noticing e couple of the
carrying party leave their dugout, to go on a job, two of us promptly
cravled inside and remsined there till they returned. As we were
half asleap shen they did return, we did not hear them till they were
right in on us. We yelled and they junped; they vere considerably
tartled, but they were very decent about it, and as they expected to
go on another job shortly, allowad us te renitn. Breakfast was issued
here, and at the appointed hour, we set out for the front line, coming
immediately under shell fire. Ihis cost es a fer men in Tom Ryan end
Syd. Hieke, both chine gunners (the latter a No. 1), and men we
could ill afford to lose. Our platcon (No. 4) yas last out of the
cutting, and a shell came close enough to make ce all duck our heads,
one chap embracing Bother Kath with auch aned and effection, that he
bumned his nose against a jutting railway aleeper, and his language
though perhaps excusable, was certainly not publishable.
We soon left this nasty spot behind, and not long after, reached the
front line. The weather was cold and crisp at thie siage, with just
enough starlight to enable us to see our way. About 3 a.m. or there¬
abouts we relicved the 23rd Mattalion in the line, and at 6 a.m., the
lith Brigade went over to take a village in front of Feronne while
we held the line. Holding the line for a 'hop over' is little better
than the 'hop over' itself in some respects, and se lost several good
men including Lieut. Dickson and a Lance Corporal whose nare I cannot
recall. Ihey wore killed by the one shell. Lieut Dichson had been
with us only a few weeks, but was well liked, being a good game officer.
The attack of the leth Brigade was completely successful, and we were
all very busy collecting our wounded and Cerman prisoners, and sending
them cut. About I1 a.m, we moved along the trench about 800 yards to
the left, halting at the foot of Mont St.Cuentin. On our way werassed
many of oue dead, it being difficult to pass some places without
touching them. This, in itself, gave us some idea of the desperate
etand the enemy was making at this atage. We had been given to undere
stand that Yonte St.euentin had been token by the 5th Brigade in the
sorning, and indeed that belief sas general and was widely published.
Te were weary end hungry, and generally played out, so threw purselves
ine
down almost anyshere to rest. The cun was shining at this , and
it was not too cold. We were relieved at the thought that we were to
have short spell, and a very short one it turned out to be, as about an
hour later, we vere called out and told that we had to take Mont "t.
Quentin. Ihe 5th Brigade had attacked and got through, but an immediete
counter-attack ihres them back and badly cut them up in the TrOCeEF.
 

(2).
The 23rd nattalion, sent to asaist then, met with a semilar fate.
There was no great cause for wonder in this, for the French Ceneral
Staff had described the Mont as impregnable, and the British Author-
ities doubted if it could be taken by direct frontal assault, but e
only knew of that afterwards.
Everything being ready, we started out, soving briskly, and in good
order, and with the sun bright overhead. Almost ismediately we vere
under shell-fire, and about here we passed several men coming in wounded
from the earlier attacke. "Dont spare any machine gunners' they satd.
e cane into a shallow trench that zig-zagged p the side of the hill.
Ze moved along briskly and in good order, although continually harrassed
by shelland machine gun fire. This was really the starting point
of the at'ack for us, because, although we could not see the enery, it
as apparent we were visible to him. However, when we neared the
village, we were for a time concealed, and were enabled to take up our
position close by a brick wall which seemed to run slong the lower edge
of the village. From here we started on the actual attack. The other
Companies en the left won their way through the village and ssung
around into line with us. I de not know the pesitions of those other
companies, but re ("A" Company; were on the right of the attaek with
our right flank in the air, but, as the nearest unit on the right was
ahend of us, and our field of fire covered the apace between, this did
not zatter a great deal. "'ill it vill give sone idea of the importence
to the chole line, of taking and helding Mont St.Quentin. It sould
certainly have meant the withdrawal of the force threatening Peronne,
and the postponement of the latter's capture, had we failed.
Our way led through a thick conse of emall bushy trees, and through
this we pushed, forcing aside the leaves with our bayonets. Se were
meeting a pretty solid fire from the well concealed eneny, the bullete
clipping the leaves about ue. It was intended to advance in line with
interynls hetseen the men, but this was not possible owing to our
having to follow a path leading streight shead. "C* Company and the
othere were further up the hell on the left, and it wasthere the
opposition was strongest, although we on the right were having no eazy
tsek. Emerging from the bushes, we came to an open space in which there
were some old huts that the enomy had evidently just vacsted. Anothey
bushy arace then confronted us, from which we had to clear the enemy
tho was putting up a solid fight. This brought us to a road where we
halte
chile, until our left flank should come up to us, as we

cone chead a little faster than they had. They, on their
part, were evidently having a etitf fight about the aummit of the hill,
and it was here that Frank Noberts and so many of nis mates fellk.
The gjuns had fallen back to a place of concealment, and cere pouring
in a deadly fire before falling further hack. It availed them little
however, beeauee ye were not in the mood to be stopped that eay, and
exacted a full penalty from the beaten hun. However, ws had searcely
settled in the road, before machine guns opened on us, and Private
McIntosh was killed. Ne was struck in the. brenst, and dicd instantly.
We dashed scross to the other side of the road, but the bullets followed
us. It was no use going beck, so we crossed over and pushed on. Some
of us came to a large shell-hole which we occupied and found two men
slready in possession. They belonged to the unit that had attacked in
the morning, and their astoniahment was profound when they learned that
the hill had been retaken by the eremy. They care along with us when
we reeumed, and having got into order sgain, we reached a trench
strongly held by the enemy. With bomb and bayonet we forced them back,
making our way gredually along, so that the rest of the Nune (on the
left) falling back from the determined advance of our left Companies,
came under our fire, and forced to give ray or surrender, quite a large
number accerting the latter alternative. The German eavy artillery
was unconsciously giving us assistarce at this stage. Those at the
head of our Company were slowly making their way along the trench, but
those in the rear of the Company were in the open, and the big 6" and
5.9s were coming very close to us. We were thus extresely anxious to
get into the trench, and our advice to the others was so sound, and so
very much to the point that they quickened themselves up a little, and
enabled us to got in. Our worry then was not so much the enny in
front as the shells behind. This trench was the last stronghold of the
defencee of Yont St.Quentin, and shortly after. we connected with our
other coppaniew, end had reeched our objective. But much yet remained
to be done. Se had to consclidate our rosition in the event of cornter-
attacks which vere reasonably sure to take place, and in fact did, but
 

(3)
they were half-hearted attempts, and were, in the main, scattered by our
artillery. It was here that the official photographer left us, after
having been with us from the start. He was a game man, and took some
good snaps.
During the night, patrols were sent out to examine scattered trenches,
and places likely to conceal small bodies of the enemy. We were rather
glad when night came, because we could move about, which was more than
we)could do during the day. The trench was wide and shallow, so re could
not welk upright, but had to dieentangle ourselves by crasling along on
hands and knees. The position having been previously occupied by the
enemy, he knew the range to the yard, a fact he was very fond of demon¬
strating. Obcervers had been plased at different pointe, and an occasional
peep over showed us small bodies of the enery dashing for cover, and
protected by machine gun fire that ewept our parapet. During the night.
those of us not othrwise occupied, dug rhelters in the trench, as the
big guns were sending in frequent hurets of heavy and accurate fire.
Dy morning, we wers fairly well protected, but it had been a long and
auxious night.
At 6 o'clock on the merning of Yonday 2nd September, the 7th Brigade
hopped over from our line, and pushed the Cermens back a further 800 yards.
They were assisted by a light tarrage of 18 pounders, the opening of
rhich was a signal for more ausic from the enesy'a big fellows. This
caused us to dive for our funk holes. A 7th Brigade man attempted to
follow us, but was stopred by one of his officers who ordered hla over
the top. Ahe chap had nearly given way to panie, but pulled himself
together at once, and went with his mates. It was quite evident that
he had mistaken as for sose of his hattalion. His recovery, and the
game way he went at it seemed to me to be rather a fine example of reral
coursce. This atteck was quite succeseful, end made the pesition secure.
During the rest of that day, our trench was severbly knockei about by
enemy shelle, and our ('A* Coy.) casualties were very heavy, Ptes.
nottomly and Kelly being amongst the killed. Only the walking counded
could get out, and the trench was becoming filled with the more serious
casee. Stretcher bearers were scarce, and, although the fes ihat remainad
were working hard, it was a long time before they made any impression on
the nomber. It was a long and trying day, and ell through it ou
casualties continued, ons platoon mustering 5 out of 18 men, another 8
fro about the same number, and the others very little better. In the
afternoon a sheil dropred o 'A* Cemgsny H.C. in the crater and tempor¬
arily buried Lieut, Yeen and Sgt. Peel of 'A" Coy., both of whom cere
severely shaken and had to be evecuated. That left us with one officer
hesides the Coy. Commander, Cantain Sulliven; thie was Lieut. Erett.
Mr. Brett later on paic a visit to Cay. H.Q. He left his nack in the
trench close to his little dugout, and on his return, all that rezained
of his pack was helf a boot, end, ne doubt, many a tressrred couvenir
had gone up as an offering to Kars. He was rather diagested, but very
grateful for his narrow eqceak.
Karly next morning, 3rd September, we heard a meot pleasant sound.
It
was that of our big guns which had come up during the night, and were
putting in great work. Burst after hurst wae sent in whenever an enemy
gun was susnected, and the effest was felt almost immediately. A half-
haarted reply was attompted, and then se had a fairly peaceful time until
our relief.
The enemy had been using a lot of shells on us that conteined an
fritating gas. This penetrated to the lungs, and affected the eyes,
noee and throat, so we were very nigased to be rid of then.
Our relief took place about 4.30 and was effected speedily. It was
still daylight, and as we case into prominence noy and again on the way
out, we had to be quick. Nowever, we managed it safcly: We went out
through the village, and on the way, saw many evidencee of the strenuous
fight. Cerman dead were everyshere, our cen having been collected and
reverently buried during the previous night of 2nd September.
The cookers were waiting for us with somsthing to eat, and drink a little
way back, and we then set out on a long night march to the village of
Cappy. It was during our stay here that the order to disband the Battslion
was issued. That however, is another story.
Memorials are to be erected to ench Australian Division in France.
Wont St.Quentin is to have one to iteelf, and nons who took part in the
battle, and few who didn't, will deny its right.
. H Starr. Nba
cpl.
Healesville. Aleh
LOmnelege Bart
2773/1920.
Saales e
 

THE 21st. BATTALION A.1.F. at NONT ST. QUENTIN.
On Friday. 3Oth August 1918, we were temporerily stationed in a
trench in front of the village, Clery-sur-Somme, and on the following day
(Saturday) 3lst. August) we moved forward, marching alongside a canal,into
which shells were falling occasionally. Passing over a bridge made by
Engineers, we halted on a road, near a battery of 18 Pounders, which were
manned by Australians, had our mid-day meal, rested for an hour er so,
then proceeded in single file forward. We passed through the remains of a
very {?s?}mall village, which the Germans were shelling heavily, and everybody
breathed a sigh of relief when we reached the outskirts. Our Company ("C")
took cover at the side of a hill; meanwhile shells were falling thick and
fast in a swamp on our right. Towards evening when everybody was scattered
around and resting beside the hill, a shell landed right amidst us,
wounding Corporal A. L. Baker in the leg.
We had tea, which had just arrived by the limbers and were ordered
forward again, so we marched in single file, in sections, along a road,
then on te a railway line, and presently were ordered to halt. In the
darkness we discerned a trench with one or two small bivou{?s?}ce, and we
naturally prepared to make ourselves comfortable there. Later came the
order to move back and we had to abandon our new positions and were allo-
cated to a trench a little way back. Here we remained until about 11.30
a.m. next day (1st September) when we were again ordered to advance.
We were informed that Mont St. Quentin had been captured by the 5th Brigade
but that the Germans had re-captured it.

We moved out over open country for a few hundred yards, crawling under
and getting over barbed wire entanglements which were everywhere. Mean-
while the Germans were shelling on our right with 18 pounders, and on our
half-right a German mine exploded, scattering debris around. We passed
by the body of Lieutenant Norman Holt, apparently sniped through the head.
As we vere now under direct observation by the Germans, heavy machine gun
fire was directed at us, the bullete whizzing past, and whilst crossing the
railway line one of our men fell, shot through the neck. We scrambled
along until we came to a communication trench, where we took cover, and
after about half-an-hour's waiting, were told that we were to go over the
top at 1.30 p.m. As we waited Frank Roberts with whom I had Paris leave
early in March was cheerily eating something and was sitting next to
Private May; this was the last I saw of Frank. Ted Heath sat a little
way off, and Private Kelly and I sat together. A piece of shrapnel went
clean through Kelly's hat, but he was alright then.

At about 1.25 we moved along the communication trench and struck the
front line, in which numerous 23rd Battalion dead lay - mostly all shet
through the head. Our Artillery meanwhile had opened up and in a few
minutes came the order "Over" and over we went. I was temporarily attached
to No.10 Platoon in command by Lieut. Deardon. No. 9 Platoon went over
on the extreme left and No. 10 on the right and so on. As we advanced in
single file much machine gun fire was coming from a ruined tower right
in front of us, obviously a nest of guns was there. A broken brick wall
lay on our right and formed an admirable position for enemy machine gunners.  
Nearly every man was quite composed and each individual looked furtively
at every broken building he came across. My platoon passed through the
village, not meeting with much opposition, and then we went through a
wood. A big space then confronted us a huge crater lay a little on our
left. I noticed several heads above the edge of the crater, then several
aras became visible, and potato masher bombs were thrown at men on my left.
I noticed what appeared to be doxens of Germans making off right in front
of me, and called out to Private Gilmour who was carrying a machine gun
right behind me, to direct hie gun in front of me. He did so, and
immediately, I felt a dull pain in my left shoulder. After I had pro¬
gressed a few yards I became conscious of the fact that I was shot through
the shoulder, as my tunic was dripping with blood. I turned round, saw
 Jack Castle, shook hands with him and made my way back to our old front
line, where my wound was dressed. Afterwards I was sent to Kngland.
Private N. J. Norwood,
No. 6364. C. Company,

21st Battalion, A.1.F.
A change

Brok Defelml

Brango Llo.
Uunay SG. Perth WA