Charles E W Bean, Diaries, AWM38 3DRL 606/274A/1 - 1918 - 1941 - Part 13

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place before the teams entered the railway cutting. In front of
the teams, as they rested, was an off-shoot from the railway cutting
in the shape of a small spur, possibly 200 yards distant. As the
teams moved forward, two machine-guns opened fire from the direction
of the spur. From the right-hand team Sergeant Adam, Private D.
Lazarus and another crept forward and located one gun on the spur.
Dashing over some open ground, Private Lazarus reached the gun first
and shot two of the gunners with his revolver, thereupon six others
put up their hands and surrendered. For this courageous act, Lazarus
received the award of the Distinguished Conduct Medal. Scarcely had
this been done when the enemy gun on the left was located by some
members of the left-hand team. Making use of the cover afforded by
some straggling wheat, Lance Corporal N. C. Hammon and others got
within ten yards and a final rush and shots from their revolvers
induced the five or six occupants of a T shaped trench on lower ground
on the left of the spur to surrender. Immediately they did, one was
seen to tie a Red Cross badge on his arm.
The position of the two captured guns indicated that they had
been so placed to give left flank protection to the large group
situated on the railway embankment. At all events, their disposal
had the very important result of permitting the teams to enter the
railway cutting and engage the numerous guns on the embankment.
The way being clear, Lieutenant Wilkinson then took his teams to the
bend in the cutting and placed his guns xxx at a point where the
gunners had a clear view of their targets and at the same time
giving a minimum of exposure of themselves. Then followed a few
hectic minutes. Two belts were fired from each gun, Lance Corporal
A. E. D. Marsh operating one and Private J.T. Bates and Corporal
Barrand (in turn; the other. Before such a dreadful concentration
helplessly and quickly faded out. On moving to the embankment, the
annihilating effect of the fire was revealed. No less than fourt-
een enemy guns had been put out of action and out of nearly a
hundred men men estimated to have been on the embankment, about
thirty were killed and fifty wounded; the others made good their
The way being now open, the teams proceeded to
escape to the rear.
Neville's Cross. On the right rear of tne embankment, the teams
came upon two machine-guns mounted in shell holes, evidently so
placed to give right-flank protection to the embankment guns, but the
wiping out of the main line of degence appeared to have unnerved.e
because they retired hurridly to the rear; some of the gusners
taking pot-shots as they ran. Lieutenant Wilkinson fired his
revolver at one fat, ungainly German, who sprawled ludicrrously into
a shell-hole with a wound in his hip, but others were firing and
claimed the hit. Other Germans rose from cover and were fired on,
the Pioneers appearing at this stage and joining in the shooting.
The low-lying ground at Neville's Cross did not commend
itself to Lieutenant Wilkinson so he took his teams forward till
he reached the high ground south east of Montbrehain and from that
vantage point was able to command a view for miles eastwards and
southwards. The guns were mounted without any immediate opposition
and feeling satisfied with his position, he sent a message to the
nearest Pioneer officer on his right rear, proposing that he come
forward with his men and establish a line on favourable ground. But
the Pioneer could not be moved. He insisted that he was at his
objective and intended to remain so. Actually, he was correct but
his position on the low ground was not a good one. A quiet period
followed and some of the teams did a little "souveniring" but
presently parties of the enemy were observed making their way up
the valley on the right of the guns so Lieutenant Wilkinson decided
that his advanced and unsupported position was becoming dangerous
and fell back to an embankment close to Neville's Cross. "We did
the return trip in double quick time" said Sergeant Adam "as small
shells and bullets were rather busy" The guns were again mounted
and fire directed on the parties in the valley which were scattered.
Later, reports indicated that massing was taking place in the same
quarter and again fire was opened. Further reports stated that
much havoc had been caused,
 

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the half-section sustained its only casualty
About 4 p.m.,
when Lieutenant Wilkinson received a bullet in the leg and was
carried out. Late at night, relief was provided by teams from
"B" Company II4th Machine Gun Battalion. The exchange was carried
through without mishap and the teams retired to camp near Bellicourt,
Such was the most effective blow delivered by the Company.
The operation was carried through without any assistance from the
Pioneers or tanks and affords a striking example of intelligent
initiative in leadership supported by courageous and dashing team
work. Admittedly an element of good fortune was present but that
would have been of no avail had the leader and teams not seized
their opportunitte With determination and skill. Attacking emplaced
machine-guns in infantry fashion was not regarded as part of the
gun-team's training or work but as no other solution was at hand
the gunners - for the moment - assumed infantry tactics successfully,
The disposal of the enemy guns on the embankment was an opportunity
for gun work; to be seized quickly and skilfully.
The fortunes of war decreed that the blow should be reserved
for the Company's last fight and, incidentally, the last ground
fight of the A.I.F. The writer is not competent to assess its value
in relation to the Brigade attack as a whole. It must, however
have been one of the determining factors in the Brigade's success
because the enemy guns on the embankment and vicinity commanded the
whole of the valley on the south of Montbrehain as well as most of
the l ground which fell away from the village itself. The
reports of the Brigade and Pioneer Battalion made but passing
reference to the Company's activities and it would appear that
both units were unawareof the latter's part in the operation.
Generous acknowledgement came from higher sources. In addition to
Private Lazarus' Distinguished Conduct Medal, Lieutenant Wiklinson's
leadership and enterprise brought him the award of the Belgian
Croix de Guerre while his principal gunners were decorated for their
nertLon CornorolA
D. March received the Distinguished
Add 6
It should be added that throughout the operation Sergeant Adam render-
ed invaluable service. Lieutenant Wilkinson subsequently testified
to the assistance received and added that each move was the outcome
of consultation with his Sergeant.
 

tor
 

(3)
About 4 p.m.
the half-section sustained its only casualty
when Lieutenant Wilkinson received a bullet in the leg and was
carried out. Late at night, relief was provided by teams from
"B" Company II4th Machine Gun Battalion. The exchange was carried
through without mishap and the teams retired to camp near Bellicourt.
Such was the most effective blow delivered by the Company.
The operation was carried through without any assistance from the
Pioneers or tanks and affords a striking example of intelligent
initiative in leadership supported by courageous and dashing team
work. Admittedly an element of good fortune was present but that
would have been of no avail had the leader and teams not seized
their opportunitt With determination and skill. Attacking emplaced
machine-guns in infantry fashion was not regarded as part of the
gun-team's training or work but as no other solution was at hand
the gunners - for the moment - assumed infantry tactics successfully.
The disposal of the enemy guns on the embankment was an opportunity
for gun work; to be seized quickly and skilfully.
The fortunes of war decreed that the blow should be reserved
for the Company's last fight and, incidentally, the last ground
fight of the A.I.F. The writer is not competent to assess its value
in relation to the Brigade attack as a whole. It must, however
have been one of the determining factors in the Brigade's success
because the enemy guns on the embankment and vicinity commanded the
whole of the valley on the south of Montbrehain as well as most of
the ground which fell away from the village itself. The
reports of the Brigade and Pioneer Battalion made but passing
reference to the Company's activities and it would appear that
both units were unawareof the latter's part in the operation.
Generous acknowledgement came from higher sources. An addition to
Private Lazarus' Distinguished Conduct Medal, Lieutenant Wiklinson's
leadership and enterprise brought him the award of the Belgian
Croix de Guerre while his principal gunners were decorated for their
part. Lance Corporal A. E. D. Marsh received the Distinguished
Conduct Medal and Private J. T. Bates the Military Medal.g
S
 

6th MACHINE GUN COMPANY ASSOCLATTON
Incorporating and Machine Gun Battalion
c/o George Batchelor Pty. Ltd.
12 McKillop Street,
Melbourne, C.I.
3/12/36
The Editor
"Reveille"
Sydney.
Dear Sir,
Many thanks for passing to me Mr. H. O. C. Hunter's
letter dated 7th September last. Incidentally, it is striking
evidence of the far-reaching drculation of "Reveille" that it
should bring a response from British East Africa in respect to
my claim that the 6th Machine Gun Company was the last A.I.F.
machine gun company to leave the line in France and that it fired
the last shot of the machine gun companies.
My thanks are due to Mr. Hunter for his congratulations
on the writing of the 6th M.G.Company's history as well as his
kind references to the unit.
With regard to the points raised in Mr. Hunter's letter,
I would like to make the following comments.
Apparently Mr. Hunter was writing from memory when he
penned his letter to you because his remarks are at variance
with his report on the doings of No.2 Section, 7th Machine Gun
Company at Montbrehain. According to the report, Mr. Hunter and
his Section left the vicinity of Bellicourt at I p.m. on the
day of the attack on Montbrehain (5th October) and reported to
the headquarters of the 2Ist Battalion. The C.O. directed him to
bring indirect fire on two points north of the village where the
enemy was reported to be massing and where movement was observed.
His weapons were used as a four gun battery and were in operation
åla
at 3.30 p.m About a thousand rounds were, fired at hostile air
craft. Mr. Hunter goes on to remark that "At 8.30 p.m. the C.O.
21st Battalion gave me orders to withdraw, which I did. The Section
moved to west of Hargicourt
It is safe to assume that Mr. Hunter lost no time in
complying with the order for withdrawal. In that case, he would
have been clear of the village and environs well before midnight.
The 6th Company with eight of its guns in the front line with the
infantry was not able to report its relief complete until 12.30
on the morning of the 6th October. On the evidence, there can be no
144
 

(2)
doubt whatever that the 6th Company was the last to leave the line.
As to my other claim that the 6th Company fired the last
shot of the machine gun companies in France, the evidence clearly
and definitely supports my cont
ention rewr. Hunter's report states
ndl
that his guns were in actionnat 5.30 in the afternoon. His fire
directed against hostile aircraft may have taken place at a later
hour but low-flying enemy machines would hardly afford a target
at dusk when the Company's line guns on the north of the village
fired on enemy movement in their vicinity.
I appreciate the friendly tone of Mr. Hunter's letter and
will have pleasure in giving due credit in the 6th Company's history
for the part played by the Section from the 7th Company. I may
add that the history has received very favorable comments from
Sir John Gellibrand who has written a Foreword and that it is
almost ready for the printer.
Yours faithfully,
lbarere
W. A. Carne.-
P.S.
Iam enclosing Mr. Hunter's
letter herewith.
r
P.P.S.
Will you please note to send me three copies (in addition
to my usual copy) of the issue of "Reveille" in which you
insert Mr. Hunter's letter.
Should you insert my reply in a subsequent issue, I desire
three extra copies also. Payment will be remitted on
receipt.
Wly
 

8
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