Charles E W Bean, Diaries, AWM38 3DRL 606/275/1 - 1918 - 1938 - Part 6

Conflict:
First World War, 1914–18
Subject:
  • Documents and letters
Status:
Awaiting approval
Accession number:
RCDIG1066715
Difficulty:

Page 1 / 10

Narative of Operations of 35th Battalion, at MORLANCOURT, S/6th May, 1918 Our Dispositions. Our dispositions for the attack were as follows:- A.Coy (Major H.V.Carr) Right front. C. Coy (T(Mjr H.J.Connell Mc) Left front. Two Platoons, D.Coy 35th Bn. Centre front. Supports:- B. Coy 35th Bn (Lieut M.S.Findlay) held outpost line to the attack, and formed support company after Zero. Battalion A.L.F. (Lt.-Col H.F. White D.S.O.) 33rd. were in support to 35th. Bn. 1 coy 33rd. Battalion was detailed for carrying. The 35th. Battalion was under the command of Lieut.-Co!. H.A. Goddard, D.S.O. Artillery Our artillery put down a heavy barrage for 10 minutes before Lero. At Zero (11.48 p.m.) the barrage went forward at the rate of 109 yards every 3 minutes, The artillery barrage was successful, except on the front of the left company (C.Coy) where some short- shooting inflicted casualties on the attacking troops, including 3 officers wounded. The enemy artillery was practically nil until about 10.0 am, on the 6th., when the valley near Battalion This continued Headquarters was heavily shelled, The shelling in throughout the remainder of the tour, Forward area was light, and chiefly consisted of Trench Mortars. Communications. The signal communications were in charge of Lieut A Murray, M.C.. A report centre was established in the centre outpost on the Pattalion front, Immediately companies had reached their objectives the Signal Officer ran wires to each company headquarters, and thereafter communication with the rear was well-maintained, The first message was received from Major H.V. Carr about 12 30 a.m., stating that the objective wes reached and orisoners had been sent back. His casualties were light. The next message was from Major H.J.Connell, stating that all was O.K. except 300 vards of trench on the extreme left, which could not be entered owing to heavy casualties, This ground was not taken, but alstrong post was established before daylight and made the flank good. Our eperations. Zero hour was 11,48 p.m. Our troops encountered only slight resistance during the advance, except on C.Coys front where an unknown conmunication trench was encountered.
(2 This trench was not shewn on the acroplane maps; it was defended by an enemy strong post, which inflicted heavy casualties on the left company. The enemys second line was reached at 12,15 a.m., and our troops immediately began consolidation. The number of prisoners captured was 2 officers and 153 other ranks. They continued to reach Battalion H.9. until about 5.0 a.m. They stated that they were taken by surprise, our attack opening simultaneously with the arrival of a Large working party in their front line. This fact accounts for he large number of prisoers captured the ratio being almost one prisoner for every man in the attack, Prisoners were interrogated at Battalion Head-uarters by the Brigade Intelligence Officer (Lieut. G.Halford) and the Battalion interpreter, subsequently being d spatched in parties to cages in the rear. The Battalion continued to hold the new ground until the 10th May, when it was relieved by a unit of the 5th, Aust. Brigade. The casualties during the touf were:- OTYCORS Other Ranks. Killed 14 Wounded 79 The under mentioned officers and other ranks were subsequently awarded immediate henours for their work during the operations on 5 6th. May, 1918:- Military Cross:- Lieut. F.J. Devere Lieut. J.A. Purcell. Military Medal:- 16 Set. V.L. Ancrews 2762 B.D. Allen 2533 T. Burkitt 759 J.Donovan N.G. Fairall 3041 244 T/Sst. R. Williams 813 1 (Cp1 B. Johnson 1611 Pte E.J. Anderson 720 R. Bower 6871 J. Serrasanfelin F.J. Weight 1441 1275 J.H. Williams 1274 A.J. Woods. 33355--35-----0-----0---
8. Narative of Operations of 35th Battalion, at WOREANCOURT, 5/6th Way, 1918. our Dispositions. Our dispositions for the attack were as forlows:- A.Coy (Mator H.V.Carr) Right front. C. Coy (TMjr H.J.Connell Mc) Left front, Two Platoons, D.Coy 35th Bn. Centre front. Supports:- B.Coy 35th Bn (Lieut M.S.Findlay) held outpost line to the attack, and formed support company after Zero. 33rd Battalion A.L.F. (Lt.-Col H.F. White D.S.O.) were in support to 35th. Bn. 1 coy 33rd. Battalion was detailed for car-ying. The 35th. Battalion was under the command of Lieut.-Co'. H.A. Goddard, D.S.O. Artillery Our artillery put down a heavy barrage for 10 minutes before Zero. At Zero (11.48 p.m.) the barrage went forward at the rate of 100 yards every 3 minutes, The artillery barage was successful, except on the front of the left company (C.Coy) where some short- shooting inflicted casualties on the attacking troops, incjuding 3 officers wounded. The enemy artillery was practically nil, until about 10.0 am. on the 6th., when the valley near Battalion This continued Headquarters was heavily shelled. throughout the remainder of the tour. The shelling in Forwerd area was light, and chiefly cnsisted of Trench Mortars. Communications. The signs) communications were in charge of Lieut A Murray, M.C.. A report centre was established in the centre outpost on the Tatta) jon front, Immediately companies had reached their objectives the Signal Officer ran wires to each company head-uarters, and thereafter communication with the rear was well-maintained The first message was received from Major H.V. Carr about 12,30 a.m., stating that the objective was reached and prisoners had been sent back. His casuelties were light. The next message was from Major H.J. Connel!, stating that all was O.K. except 300 wards of trench on the extreme left, which could not be entered owing to heavy casualties, This ground was not taken, but alstrong post was established before daylight and made the flank good. Our aperations. Zero hour was 11,48 p.m. Our troops encountered only slight resistance during the advance, excent on C.Coys front where an unknown cormunication trench was encountered.
(2) This trench was not shewn on the acroplane maps; it was defended by an enemy strong post, which inflicted heavy casualties on the left company. The enemy’s second line was reached at 12,15 a.m., and our troops immediately began consolidation. The number of prisoners captured was 2 officers and 153 other ranks. They continued to reach Battalion H.9. until about 5.0 a.m. They stated that they were taken by surprise, our attack opening simultaneously with the arriva) of a Large working party in their front line. This fact accounts for he large number of prisoers captured, the ratio being almost one prisoner for every man in the attack, Prisoners were interrogated at Battalion Hend-uarters by the Brigede Intelligence Officer (Lient, G.Halford) and the Battalion interpreter, subsequently being dispatched in parties to cages in the rear. The Battalion continued to hold the new ground until the 10th May, when it was relieved by a unit of the Sth, Aust. Brigade The casualties during the touf were:- OPTSCOTS Other Ranks. Killed 14 Wounded 79 other ranks were The under mentioned ofCicers and subsequently awarded immediate honours for their work juring the operaions on 5 6th. May, 1918.- Military Cross:- Lieut. F.J.Devere Lieut. J.A. Purcell. Military Medal:- 16 Sgt. V.L. Ancrews 2762 B.D. Allen 2533 Burkitt 758 J. Donovan 3041 N.G.Faival) 244 T/Sst. R. Williams 813 1 (Cp1 B. Johnson E.J. Anderson 1611 Pte 720 R. Bower 6871 J. Serrasanfelin F.J. Weight 1441 1275 J.H. Williams 1274 A.J. Woods. -0555--53------------5-
25 pd te Messunger Dogs. HN. trom of in/o Messenger Dog service Anst. Coos. 24 May 1918. Jag 113 was sent to Bth Ba from the 5th A 1 130l fr message caurying. While there it was taken cnto 1 officers weas where I officers fondled & patted it, & finally fed it. Then a message was put on but, being 1 doe overfed & spoitt, it refused to leave I head quarters. antil this occasion 1 doe has always poved rehabl.
Kipplesmere 34 Grey Street H. Kilda Victoria 26/6/37. The Official Historian. Victoria Barracks Sydney, Ns.W Dear Sir I am in receipt of your for which I June letter of I regret that thank you owing to my having been absent in Mildura, your letter has only me. just reached memory of the events my dealt with in the attached summary, is quite clear from the may lst, when we releived period 18th Battalion till I think the th when the early hours of may 6 I was wounded and evacuated C.C.S. at Vignacourt to the to I will outline & forward you as fully as I can remember
covered by the above the events the nights of 4/5th For period 5/6th may, I was may and associated with happenings intimately 5th laid night the as on tapelines for operations out the & was with Brig. Gen. Rosenthal he inspecting same. It was after had left me he encountered the ration party, near or on, the the Bray- Corbie road, and on 5/6th may I half led a night boy of Don Coy in attack and whos it was Lieut. monfries of A had charge of wiring operations The orders as issued pre supposed point the existence of a strong a this proved to be but of trench with continuous line break near only one short Bray Corbie road. the At my home in Glossop near Kenmark South australia, I have a map of the Area with all time details sketched in at the book with a copy also my note
of Operation orders as issued to me and all messages sent. I have written, describing the map & note that search be book & asked I will willingly them. for made them on to you is forward too to be of assistance. not. late proceed to immediately will operations and forward detail the and I beg to suggest on to you memory of the 34th Bn. that as my in France is clear operations able to help in other may be and would willingly directions it desired. were cooperate Yours faithfully Arthur Baillie
Battalion ad 2 34 France On ist may the Battalion was 1918. lying at Tranvillers, having come there from the Villers Brettonex on the afternoon of May 1st area. Capt. McMinn and myself went forward with an advance party area immediately to inspect the before morlancourt in preparation the, I think 18th for the relief o Bn, (this is not clear) to take place that night. The relief proceeded being quite smoothly, the night The distribution dark and moonless. Company holding of boys. was Don C four forward posts, (B holding a line of trench on the crest of a stope with A Coy in reserve behind them. Battalion headquarters lay in a small re entrant gully of a larger gully running towards the Somme River and here lay a Field Dressing was The whole system station. open and scattered comparatively
in comparison to areas previously occapied by the unit. Approximate position as sketch hereunder: Positian of Cerman JincS. ApprOK 8 5 4 in Dop Co Po5t5 19 0 CEoY Eq Pt.H. Drexing ASt

Narative of Operations of 35th Battalion, at
MORLANCOURT, 5th/6th May, 1918

Our Dispositions.
Our dispositions for the attack were as follows:-

A.Coy (Major H.V.Carr)           Right front.
C. Coy (T/Mjr H.J.Connell MC) Left front.
Two Platoons, D.Coy 35th Bn.  Centre front.

Supports:-
B. Coy 35th Bn (Lieut M.S.Findlay) held outpost
line to the attack, and formed support
company after Zero.
33rd Battalion A.I.F. (Lt.-Col H.F. White D.S.O.)
were in support to 35th. Bn.
1 coy 33rd. Battalion was detailed for carrying.

The 35th. Battalion was under the command of
Lieut.-Col. H.A. Goddard, D.S.O.
Artillery
a.     Our artillery put down a heavy barrage for 10
minutes before Zero.
At Zero (11.48 p.m.) the barrage went forward
at the rate of 100 yards every 3 minutes,
The artillery barrage was successful, except on
the front of the left company (C.Coy) where some short-
shooting inflicted casualties on the attacking troops,
including 3 officers wounded.
 b.     The enemy artillery was practically nil until about
10.0 am, on the 6th., when the valley near Battalion
Headquarters was heavily shelled.  This continued
throughout the remainder of the tour.  The shelling in
forward area was light, and chiefly consisted of Trench
Mortars.

Communications.
The signal communications were in charge of Lieut
A Murray, M.C.,  A report centre was established in the centre
outpost on the Battalion front.   Immediately companies had
reached their objectives the Signal Officer ran wires to each
company headquarters, and thereafter communication with the
rear was well-maintained.
The first message was received from Major H.V. Carr
about 12.30 a.m., stating that the objective was reached and
prisoners had been sent back.  His casualties were light.
The next message was from Major H.J.Connell, stating
that all was O.K. except 300 yards of trench on the extreme
left, which could not be entered owing to heavy casualties.
This ground was not taken, but asstrong post was established
before daylight and made the flank good.
Our Operations.
Zero hour was 11.48 p.m.  Our troops encountered
only slight resistance during the advance, except on C.Coys front
where an unknown communication trench was encountered.
 

 

(2)
This trench was not shewn on the aeroplane maps; it was
defended by an enemy strong post, which inflicted heavy
casualties on the left company.
The enemy's second line was reached at 12.15 a.m., and
our troops immediately began consolidation.

The number of prisoners captured was 2 officers and
153 other ranks. They continued to reach Battalion H.Q.
until about 5.0 a.m. They stated that they were taken by
surprise, our attack opening simultaneously with the arrival
of a Large working party in their front line. This fact
accounts for the large number of prisoners captured. the ratio
being almost one prisoner for every man in the attack.

Prisoners were interrogated at Battalion Headquarters
by the Brigade Intelligence Officer (Lieut. G.Halford) and
the Battalion interpreter, subsequently being dispatched in
parties to cages in the rear.

The Battalion continued to hold the new ground until the
10th May, when it was relieved by a unit of the 5th. Aust.
Brigade.
The casualties during the tour were:-
                                Officers           Other Ranks
Killed                             1                           14
Wounded                    5                           79
The under mentioned officers and other ranks were
subsequently awarded immediate honours for their work
during the operations on 5/ 6th. May, 1918:-
Military Cross:-    Lieut. F.J. Devere
                                Lieut. J.A. Purcell.                                 
Military Medal:-            16             Sgt.     V.L. Andrews
                                         2762         "          A.D. Allen       
                                         2535         "          C.T. Burkitt
                                           759         "          J. Donovan

                                         3041         "          N.G. Fairall

                                           244       T/Sgt.  R. Williams

                                           813        L/Cpl   B. Johnson

                                          1611         Pte      E.J. Anderson

                                           720       "            R. Bower

                                          6871        "          J. Serrasanfelin

                                           1441         "         F. J. Weight

                                           1275         "         J. H. Williams

                                           1274         "         A. J. Woods.

 

Narative of Operations of 35th Battalion, at
MORLANCOURT, 5/6th May, 1918.

Our Dispositions.
Our dispositions for the attack were as follows:-
A.Coy (Major H.V.Carr)                     Right front.
C. Coy (T/Mjr H.J.Connell MC)        Left front,
Two Platoons, D.Coy 35th Bn.        Centre front.
Supports:-
B.Coy 35th Bn (Lieut M.S.Findlay) held outpost
line to the attack, and formed support
company after Zero.
33rd. Battalion A.I.F. (Lt.-Col H.F. White D.S.O.)
were in support to 35th. Bn.
1 coy 33rd. Battalion was detailed for carrying.

The 35th. Battalion was under the command of
Lieut.-Col. H.A. Goddard, D.S.O.

Artillery
a. Our artillery put down a heavy barrage for 10
minutes before Zero.
At Zero (11.48 p.m.) the barrage went forward
at the rate of 100 yards every 3 minutes,
The artillery barage was successful, except on
the front of the left company (C.Coy) where some short-
shooting inflicted casualties on the attacking troops,
including 3 officers wounded.
 b.  The enemy artillery was practically nil, until about
10.0 am. on the 6th., when the valley near Battalion
Headquarters was heavily shelled.  This continued
throughout the remainder of the tour.  The shelling in
forward area was light, and chiefly consisted of Trench
Mortars.

Communications.
The signal communications were in charge of Lieut.
A Murray, M.C.,  A report centre was established in the centre
outpost on the Battalion front. Immediately companies had
reached their objectives the Signal Officer ran wires to each
company headquarters, and thereafter communication with the
rear was well-maintained
The first message was received from Major H.V. Carr
about 12.30 a.m., stating that the objective was reached and
prisoners had been sent back. His casualties were light.
The next message was from Major H.J. Connell, stating
that all was O.K. except 300 yards of trench on the extreme
left, which could not be entered owing to heavy casualties,
This ground was not taken, but asstrong post was established
before daylight and made the flank good.
 Our operations.
Zero hour was 11.48 p.m.  Our troops encountered
only slight resistance during the advance, except on C. Coys front
where an unknown communication trench was encountered.
 

 

(2)
This trench was not shewn on the aeroplane maps; it was
defended by an enemy strong post, which inflicted heavy
casualties on the left company.

The enemy’s second line was reached at 12,15 a.m., and
our troops immediately began consolidation.

The number of prisoners captured was 2 officers and
153 other ranks. They continued to reach Battalion H.Q.
until about 5.0 a.m. They stated that they were taken by
surprise, our attack opening simultaneously with the arrival
of a Large working party in their front line. This fact
accounts for the large number of prisoners captured, the ratio
being almost one prisoner for every man in the attack.

Prisoners were interrogated at Battalion Headquarters
by the Brigade Intelligence Officer (Lieut. G.Halford) and
the Battalion interpreter, subsequently being dispatched in
parties to cages in the rear.

The Battalion continued to hold the new ground until the
10th May, when it was relieved by a unit of the 5th. Aust.
Brigade
The casualties during the tour were:-
                   Officers            Other Ranks
Killed                 1                          14
Wounded         5                         79

The under mentioned officers and other ranks were
subsequently awarded immediate honours for their work
during the operations on 5 /6th. May, 1918.-

Military Cross:-      Lieut. F.J. Devere       
                                  Lieut. J.A. Purcell.
Military Medal        16  Sgt.      V.L. Andrews
                              2762      "        A.D. Allen
                              2533       "       C.T. Burkitt

                                759      "        J. Donovan

                              3041        "      N.G. Fairall

                                244   T/Sgt.  R. Williams

                                 813    L/Cpl  B. Johnson

                                 1611     Pte    E.J. Anderson

                                 720      "        R. Bower

                                6871       "       J. Serrasanfelin

                                 1441       "      F.J. Weight

                                 1275       "      J.H. Williams

                                 1274       "      A.J. Woods

 

 

Messenger Dogs       HN

From offr in/c Messenger Dog service, Aust.

Corps.  24 May 1918.

" Dog 113 was sent to 18th Bn from the 5th A'Bde

for message carrying. While there it was taken

into / officers mess where / officers fondled

[*noted.*]  & patted it, & finally fed it.  Then a 

message was put on / dog, but, being

overfed & spoilt, it refused to leave / headquarters.

Until this occasion / dog has always

proved reliable."
 


                                                                                 

[*Acknowleged*]
"Ripplesmere,"
34 Grey Street,
St. Kilda
Victoria 26/6/37.
The Official Historian,
Victoria Barracks,
Sydney, N.S.W.

Dear Sir,
I am in receipt of your 
letter of June 11th for which I
thank you.  I regret that
owing to my having been absent
in Mildura, your letter has only
just reached me.
My memory of the events
dealt with in the attached
summary,  is quite clear from the
period May lst, when we releived
I think the 18th Battalion till

the early hours of May 6th, when

I was wounded and evacuated

to the C.C.S. at Vignacourt.
I will outline & forward to
you as fully as I can remember
 

 

the events covered by the above

period.  For the nights of 4/5th

May and 5/6th May, I was

intimately associated with happenings

as on the night 4/5th I laid

out the tapelines for operations

& was with Brig. Gen. Rosenthal

inspecting same.  It was after he

had left me he encountered the

ration party, near or on, the

Bray-Corbie road, and on the

night 5/6th May I led a half

Coy of "Don" Coy in attack and

it was Lient. Monfries of "A" who

had charge of wiring operations.

The orders as issued fire supposed

the existence of the "strong point"

but this proved to be a

continuous line of trench with

only one short break near

the Bray Corbie road.

At my home in Glossop, near

Renmark South Australia, I have

a map of the area with all

details sketched in at the time

also my note book with a copy

 

 

of operation orders as issued to me

and all messages sent.  I have

written, describing the map & note

book & asked that search be

made for them.  I will willingly

forward them on to you, if

not too late to be of assistance.

I will proceed to immediately 

detail the operations and forward

on to you, and I beg to suggest

that as my memory of the 34th Bn.

operations in France is clear

I may be able to help in other

directions, and would willingly

co-operate, were it desired.
Yours faithfully,
Arthur Baillie
 

 


34th Battalion A.I.F.

France

1918.  On 1st May the Battalion was

lying at Franvillers, having

come there from the Villers Brettoneux

area.  On the afternoon of May 1st.

Capt. McMinn and myself went

forward with an advance party

to inspect the area immediately

before Morlancourt in preparation

for the relief of the, I think 18th

Bn. (this is not clear) to take place

that night.  The relief proceeded

smoothly, the night being quite

dark and moonless.  The distribution

of Coys. was "Don" Company holding

four forward posts, and "B" & "C"

holding a line of trench on the

crest of a slope with "A" Coy in

reserve behind them.  Battalion

headquarters lay in a small

re entrant gully off a larger

gully running towards the Somme

River and here lay a Field Dressing

Station.  The whole system was

comparatively "open" and scattered

 

in comparison to areas previously
occupied by the unit. Approximate
position as sketch hereunder:-
 Hand drawn diagram, - see original document

 

 

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