Charles E W Bean, Diaries, AWM38 3DRL 606/274A/1 - 1918 - 1941 - Part 4

10231.
19 May 1937.
Captain W.J. Rose.M.C.
Commonwealth Tariff Board,
Commonwealth Offices,
Treasury Gardens,
Melbourne, C.2. Vic.
Dear Captain Rose.
Your letter has been forwarded to me from Canberra.
I should be glad of any help that you can give me with regard to
the attack by the 27th American Division and the 3rd Australian
Division, in September 1918. All such information, however
detailed, is useful, provided in is accurate.
Many thanks for your courtesy.
Yours truly,
C.E.W. Bean
 

2252 Pte F J De La Rey M.M
38 Bn.
Mortally wounded 29/9/18 at Sony.
Born in the Transvaal under the Republican
regime in 1889. Was a member of a 
leading Transvaal family - nephew of
the late General xx Jacobus De La Rey.
His father, Alfred De La Rey, a lesser
leader, was killed in the Boar War

H.N
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[[*Landing  &
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November 1, 1933.
PO. BOX DI62. PERTH
Dr. C.E.W. Bean,
Official War Historian
CANBERRA, N.S.W.
Dear Dr. Bean,
Herewith I am sending you an article [[*To War Memorial*]] and pictures which appeared 
in "The West Australian" today. Before publication I 
submitted them to several 3rd F.A. men, who stated that they were correct
in all details(apart from the donkey's origin, of which they knew
nothing). Mr. Andy Davidson [[*D.C.M., M.M.) (ex-3rd F.A.), now of Brennan's Arcade,
Perth, was Kirkpatrick's pal, picked him up when he was shot, and
was one of the burial party the evening of May 19, 1915. The men
here state that the Australian War Museum photo is not of Kirkpatrick;
neither is the one hanging in the Soldiers' Institute, Perth. If you
require further information Davidson, who is a reliable citizen, would
be pleased to give it.
[[*Landing*]] The origin of the donkey's presence on Gallipoli I got from
Captain H.J. Sykes (ex-16th Battalion M.G.S.), now of Kondinin, W.A.
I heard other members of the section speak of "doing in our good
piastres" on the donkey stunt, so it is probably correct. Sykes
could confirm this and so, perhaps, could Murray.
[[*29 Sept*]] By the way, I have my F.S. Message books at home, and one
deals with the events of September 29, 1918. Somewhere about ten a.m.
I found myself on the Canal Tunnel with two Companies of 44th - -Fritz
on the left, a battery in front at Cabaret Wood Farm firing at us over
open sights, and the 5th Division apparently progressing well on the
right. I decided to feed the companies into a long C.T. from the
Hindenburg Line to the Tunnel and from there we connected up the two
flanks. Personally, I believe we did better than we knew when we 
occupied that C.T., as it protected the 5th Divvy's flank. The copy of
the message I sent back sometime after ten o'clock, has a pencilled
note in the corner "One runner killed, the other wounded. Don't know
whether message was delivered or not." It may be of interest to you
and if you think so I will send it, but I would like it returned. Other
 

- 2 -
Dr. C.E.W. Bean, Canberra.
1/11/1933.
messages in the same book reporting on the Yanks' morale
and our own physical condition may also be of more than
passing interest, as they were written on the spot in the
front line. We were very tired men then.
With best wishes,
Yours sincerely,
C Longmore (late Captain, 44^th Batt., A.I.F.) 
("Non-Com" of "The Western Mail")
Encs.
 

Major Gen E Tivey
BATTLE OF THE HINDENBURG LINE.
The Australian Corps with the 2nd American Corps attached, attacked
the Hindenburg Line in the Nauroy-Gouy sector on September 29th, 1918. The
3Oth American Division on the right, and the 27th American Division on the left
were ordered to attack at zero hour, 5.30 a.m. and capture the first objective
(Green Line). The 5th Australian Division on the right, and the 3rd Australian
Division on the left were to pass through the American Divisions, when the first
objective was captured, and advance and capture the final objective (Red Line).
The 8th Australian Infantry Brigade Group, on the right of the 5th
Division, and the 15th Infantry Brigade on the left, were to pass through the
3Oth American Division. The 14th Australian Infantry Brigade was Divisional
Reserve. The 46th British Division on the right of the 30th American Division
were was to attack also, and if successful in crossing the Bellicourt Canal, were was
to move forward, followed by the 32nd British Division. The objective of the
8th Brigade was Johncourt Ridge with exploitation to Lehancourt Ridge, Johncourt 
Hill inclusive. The objective of the 15th (on our left) was Swiss Hill
and Wiancourt.
I was in command of the 5th Division at this time, and made all
arrangements for the Battle.  Attended the conference at Corps Hd Qrs on Sept 26^th General Hobbs was away on leave. The 8th Brigade
was resting in the area just east of Peronne; Colonel C. S. Davies being in 
command. The orders for the Battle were issued on the night of September 27th,
and the Brigade Group moved to the area of Hesbecourt and Templeaux le Guerard,
with Brigade Headquarters in a hill east of Templeaux. The 117th and 120th
American Regiments of the 30th American Division were operating with the 8th
Brigade, and these Regiments were to capture and hold the first objective, while
the 8th Brigade were was to pass through them and capture the final objective.
The 8th Brigade Group consisted of our four infantry battalions 13th Field Artillery, 
8th Light Trench Mortar Battery, 8th Field Company Engineers, 25th
Machine Gun Company, Bearer Division 8th Field Ambulance, "B" Company 8th Tank Battalion, 4 Whippet Tanks, and 2 Troops 13th Light Horse.
General Hobbs returned to the Division, and I handed over to him,
and went forward and took over the command of the 8th Brigade on the 28th September.  The final instructions were issued to the Commanders of units at 4 p.m.
and the Brigade lay in readiness for the attack. At 7 a.m. on the 29th September
the Assaulting Battalions began to move forward, so as to be in time to cross the
Brown Line at 9 a.m. The advance was carried out in Artillery Formation; 32nd
Battalion on the right; 29th Battalion on the left: 31st Battalion on the right
 

-2.
flank, in rear of the 32nd, with the 30th Battalion in reserve. A thick
fog hung over the Battlefield, and this was intensified by the smoke shells
used by the artillery, and it was impossible to see what was going on, and
we could not get any information from the Americans who were supposed to be
in front of us.
Before reaching the Bellicourt Tunnel our troops came under machine
gun fire and the situation was very obscure. Serious opposition was met
with from parties of Germans, but our men disposed of this unexpected resistance, 
and entered the main Hindenburg Line defences. Owing to the broken
ground, deep trenches and wire entanglements, and bad visibility, the assaulting 
Battalions had a very difficult task.
Corps Headquarters were informed by the Flying Corps that the
Americans were in front of us, and our Artillery were ordered to cease fire.
In spite of all these difficulties our men advanced with great dash and gallantry,
crossed the line of the tunnel, and entered Bellicourt, capturing prisoners
and guns. By 11.15 a.m. the 29th and 32nd Battalions were advancing on
Nauroy, supported by their tanks and artillery. The 32nd Battalion passed
through the southern part of Nauroy, capturing 50 prisoners. Led by their
acting C.O.. Major B. A. Wark, they pushed on, encountering serious opposition,
until they reached Mangyle Fosse. On this position, Major Wark, who was out
in front accompanied by two runners, captured single handed, a battery of ??
m.m. guns, their crews, and 55 other prisoners. For this and other gallant
deeds, during the three days fighting, Major Wark was subsequently awarded the
Victoria Cross.
At this time our left Battalion (29th) had reached the Le Catelet-
Nauroy line, but could not advance owing to the situation on their left.
They were being swept by enfilade fire from a German Strong Post north of
Nauroy. No support was being given by the 15th Brigade on their left, who
were at this time still held up in the main Hindenburg Line about two miles in
the rear. The 3rd Division on the left of the 15th Brigade was definitely
held up opposite Boney. There was a German Tank Fort just west of Nauroy, and
as our infantry and tanks advanced on the town, a heavy fire was opened on the
tanks and they were all knocked out in succession. One tank caught fire, and
the officer and crew were burnt to death. I expected a German counter-attack,
and knowing the position of our troops, I thought we were in for a bad time.
I was asked by the Corps if I would gaurantee that there were no Americans in
front of us. I did so without hesitation, and the Artillery were ordered to
 

-3-
open fire again. On our right the 32nd Battalion had reached their objective,
Joncourt. The 29th Battalion were trying to establish themselves on the Green
Line (which was the American objective) and I ordered the 31st Battalion to
advance and link up the right of the 29th with the left of the 32nd. If the
Germans had counter attacked north of Nauroy, the 8th Brigade would have been
cut off from the rest of the Division. Fortunately the counter attack came from
the direction of Mill Ridge, and was beaten off by rifle and machine gun fire
by the 31st and 32nd Battalions. The 31st could not advance owing to direct
fire from artillery and machine guns, emplaced in the Sugar Factory east of
Nauroy, and as the left flank of the 32nd was exposed to this fire, the Battalion
was withdrawn to a line west of Joncourt to a point east of Etricourt. Touch
was maintained with the Leicester Regiment on the right, on Knobkerry Ridge,
and the t6th Division had successfully crossed the Bellicourt Canal. When darkness 
set in, the situation looked very serious, as we could not get any 
information about the troops on our left, and our left flank was dangerously exposed.
At 8 p.m. I issued orders that a definite line was to be established
east of Nauroy, and a Company of the 30th Battalion was pushed through the town,
and linked up the right flank of the 29th, with the left flank of the 31st.
This was completed by 11 p.m. and the position of the Brigade was consolidated.
This closed the first day's fighting, with the 8th Brigade on the Green Line which
was the American objective, and the 15th Brigade and the 3rd Australian Division
still fighting in the main Hindenburg defences, two miles behind on the left of
our position. The 8th Brigade had fought through forests of barbed wire entanglements, 
concrete dug-outs, deep trenches, tank forts, machine gun emplacements,
and other defensive works in the Hindenburg Line, and had advanced further than
any troops of the 4th Army on the first day of the Battle.
After a conference at Divisional Head Quarters it was decided to attack
with the 14th Brigade in conjunction with the 3rd Division at 6 a.m. on the 30th
September, and the 8th Brigade with the 15th Brigade were to co-operate with
local attacks. Our troops met with a stubborn resistance from the Germans,
and the result of the second day's fighting was a slight advance on the left of
the 5th Division. The offensive spirit of our men, and the constant pressure
all along our line, in addition to the losses that were being inflicted on the
enemy, made us feel that we were on the eve of victory. A conference was held
at my Head Quarters on the night of the 30th, and it was decided to attack with
the three Brigades at 6 a.m. on October 1st. It rained heavily during the
night, and the morning was very misty. Our Troops advanced rapidly under the
 

-4-
barrage. The objectives were, 8th Brigade, Sugar Factory and Mill Ridge, 14th
Brigade Lamp Signal Station, 15th Brigade Cabaret Wood Farm. These strong defensive
positions were captured by 7.15 p.m.and the towns of Joncourt and Estrees were soon
afterwards taken by our troops. Exploitation patrols were pushed to the Beaurevoir
Line, which was still held by the Germans. This ended the Battle of the Hindenburg 
Line, and the 5th Australian Division was relieved by the 2nd Australian Division 
on the night of October 1st/2nd. The 8th Brigade was relieved by the 5th
Brigade, and moved back to Malakoff Farm, an old German Strong Post. On the
second day of the Battle we established Brigade Headquarters in a dug-out near the
entrance of the Bellicourt Tunnel. This interesting canal tunnel was opened by
Napoleon in 1812, and is built of masonry, about three miles long. It was used
by the Germans to shelter their troops during a bombardment. We discovered
large numbers of Americans in this tunnel during the battle, when our men were
fighting desperately in the front line. I examined a chamber about 60 feet below
ground level, filled with German dead. This room gave rise to the rumour that
it was a boiling down place for German bodies. I have no doubt that it was a
cook-house, and during our heavy bombardment a crowd of German soldiers took
shelter there. One of our large shells landed near the entrance to the tunnel,
and crashed through the masonry, and then burst killing xxxx everyone and scattering
the remains, even into the cookers.
During the night when we were handing over to the incomingBrigade, my
Brigade Major (F. Wisdom) collapsed through exhaustion and it took me a long time
to awaken him. The Brigade Bombing Officer was blown up by a mine, and although
he was black and bleeding with the explosion, he insisted on following me about
all night, until I had him evacuated. Before the Battle, the Corps Commander,
Lieut. General Sir John Monash, made me personally responsible for the advance of
the 5th British Cavalry Brigade. If a favourable opportunity occured for exploitation 
I was to let the Cavalry through our sector. Brigadier General Neil Haig,
commanding the Cavalry, was with me, but owing to the stubborn resistance of the
Germans, and the barbed wire, deep trenches, and other defensive works of the 
Hindenburg Line, I decided that this Battle was not the occasion for the use of
Cavalry, and did not let them go. The Cavalry Liason Officer, Major Charrington,
who was attached to the 8th Brigade, gave me a glowing account of the wonderful
advance of our men on Bellicourt. We left the Bellicourt Tunnel at 5.30 a.m.
and met the men of the Brigade, who were on their way to rest arMalakoff Farm.
I have never seen troops so worn and weary as these gallant ment, who were the
survivors of the 8th Brigade. Some of them could hardly walk, and their pale,
 

-5-
drawn faces, showed the strain of three days and nights of incessant fighting.
These men had been in the line practically for eight months, and when called
on to face the great Hindenburg Line, they responded in a way that is beyond praise.
The casualties were fairly heavy, and included officers and men who had been with
us since the formation of the Brigade.
We arrived at Malakoff Farm at 7 a.m. and the Brigade Staff cleaned
out a dug-out that had been used as a dressing station, and we slept for the rest
of the day. The Germans were shelling with long range artillery, and the dead
were still lying about, but the men were too tired to worry about these things,
and we let them rest until the next daywhen we moved back to the Roisel Area.
 

H.N.
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TELEPHONE CENTRAL NO. 4797 (A LINES)
P.O. BOX 82
107-113 Elizabeth Street,
Melbourne, C.1
May 5th 1933.
C.E.W.Bean Esq.
Official Historian,
CANBERRA. F.C.T.
Dear Captain Bean,
Today I had a call from a friend of mine
[* a member of  t*]he Legacy Club who mentioned a fact which
appeared to me quite important that I should pass
on to you, hoping that it would be in time for
inclusion in the coming volume of the War History.
It concerns an error made by Dr.Ellis in his
"History of the 5th Division" in which he states
that the 29th Battalion on the 29th of September
was commanded by Colonel J.E.W.Macarthur, who was
at the time lying wounded in England. Actually
the Battalion was commanded by Captain C.A.M.Derham
M.C., and as he did an excellent job of work there
it seems hard that the credit should not go to him.
I may mention that this has come to me, not from
Captain Derham, but from our mutual friend, C.H.Read,
who was also a Captain ^ N/c and second in command to
Captain Derham on that great day. Captain Read who
is with me as I dictate this letter, says, "Of course
it is only for Derham's sake that I bring the matter up"
so that Derham should get the credit for a good show
but perhaps this note is not necessary, for I am aware
that you have other sources of information than Ellis's
History, but it is possible that the sources are not
correct, and that Captain Ellis may have got his
information from some record which will be available
to you and which will give you the same mis-information.
I know you don't mind my writing to you along
these lines, I am happy to do a service mutually for
you and the good chap who has approached me.
With kind regards,
Sincerely yours,
Charles H.Peters.
over