Charles E W Bean, Diaries, AWM38 3DRL 606/280A/1 - August - October 1918 - Part 2

Conflict:
First World War, 1914–18
Subject:
  • Documents and letters
Status:
Awaiting approval
Accession number:
RCDIG1066721
Difficulty:

Page 1 / 10

1s. Dw Aity Orderrs 21/8/58 Copdr barrage Copen zero 200yds E Infy formng up line. At Zers & 3 left at rate 1007ds 2 mins C 3 lifts. From you teft inclusive banage to left at rate 100400 3mins up to Probectios Wanagh Infy Hall fine where it halts Wil of 10 2 DTEr 1571 MLREIRDT Logx Lad Brobb] as at Zeis #63 banage advance rate 100yds I mins Ma yrol Ellsi dy until anwal pistective banage line s final objective. R i bus yindast sack be arrives protector I finst objective I hall 133 te rd boane hillamih JE son cont itttagates t ftt line after sviis c1smins chases fine, all fun reares at sero & 105 unless asked to continue, by dive. 1111 A13 NO 4S hows b conforms lefts time 18 pdr banage o oor G o 31 205978 pa line. but t move. 11 ori2 of robto ni sidiceog es d at a ER sriih Wsbnt Frns Miitsbbitl MiIIS bnt Mt 1 of b o bo e sl Ob ot no sonit rodt om i niswonge EorI d per jen per men Gergan Adidit 18 pdrs han to T Tsiceh sct R Edoss Zero & 3 to anival protective banage. diual TO 3:1:112611 3id 7 S ective pm SEg of EF Seo t W1 No 1en ESOEHE EHO 1 ad p. 9.p. m "While" Protective Banage. H AMHI and hinow Mnane d p 9. p.m. Rroryhont banage GShows. 1" On Protective 6 Newton Mortars Cunder DtMo. 1Dw. Rygheflant 6 to be enplaied behinnd supform up live "SDe 6 left in Nobtofere closertan plus 300 yds 218 pdr banage
Dwarty RI9C 20.05 ty pose heavily shelled deviig day 21 Aug aortally Apt W.S. Laidley wounded & 2quaners Bty posn arrvedto Q30d 40 95 killed. during night 21/22. 1Sty O30d4095 TRIHIT H.TIIDH107 2. R19a 21 l ang f Mot W od isb pot 3 RBC OOD s of Reg 101 Howdty 24a72112 o 1 3 113 11 l out Tos-an motting benols wstl s beig o staving inii b y t rd 4Sty T F bt S eillt sr ot borne R25 vorlist psi will mansmugas s oe bemstaor i 5Bty sres b sa eo edold wllk oa ESrSIW 684 Lenn et Farte IsmareneI miriont ail teil crewne RLe 102 Howly de of bered bersiesd of s b sal s osd of of t betg o To sa Mo Hin A Sdt tCartest Frotst Amont Miii Soirunt E a Buist aged bat hoitf irit s prwd o t ngst badingas to eest ont retts, bus. he poderd ie A.OI MEO UIIV WHLWVT WIAe VV AMgerg And arad He v Aid a sond a of be m fe oo AS bbat Mr o or aaiteomr men S A h B wi mi t bo A ar has s no Mr Enlt tne aue b te be remyn an te m eneshen m Ed of bt AMEM SM SSHIS S R l o Rph2& net Tinto of t s FrE at Pise lina pit dos de s Re M&, Ngmr we Cot b o is h amadme LOE AMITH S s t M v a Da B H bws bad rt anret brge wpte Mr aBhgan oemaain S eve o yo oe aned d b ta suymes ai
1Dw Ary 23 Aug Wity reorganicedasfolls covering 2 Inflde. Right grocp (as before) Cuendlong (under Caddy covering 1dfe Catre EITI 0T 13 At Bad Holdieeny bose lik Rorisibe 16 an IS Heraid Blse lader wasecovering 3de heft Grous IA LT TEt i i E s 1edt Iie He hone of mooollo eid barsl S PDadT gaarD ot grosiei blo o a b o e MRE 298 1 owned sM M BTSI su bes eoss at to wabsont olt to g ot tt Kinghst ss of o bsss Bra p e a b e o S a o sg d s of b ego Hotean boddngod or mrst na Ed bislrs b e So b no sidg Hsdes of has Bastad bas sasI to elsed s ts e o theo i a isd b y t e s a of mrg of d o b bod i b i e S rewed te se i Fb Hiate o to mbe sf smeeg d Ai t D t W to AAI MTII LY entie t a bumis un abt em te B a a me to r ad t m Be e trn t Ro Hm ant to a Atron Mr SWIRE SM D R sads me fror dine ronyin to nan a M T M n b0 b Fa N DEBil a M S RSIA he t l muh wignts ans mmin sinan ls as wnae
Cam. 22 Aug to to Dev. Arty Intell Tumwaries Cam 23 Aug. cooperated by bombarding 7/Ms to R22d 36 R22 a 84 to R 160.7510 1 R22 a 38 & Roads at R23 a 7063 & tye N. E g H ee Hal t ter e 23/24ang Etnn crabl i 11 se 11573 p lenol takle succeeded clearing Cansine wd of laeny M/f. nexts expaged movement reported £00 M 26 6 of N. S pud 9 M2644000 51 It 2cl 2 to M26 C 4000 M27 A C48 TMIEE Speval attaton also paid to R5 a central to Rsc cntal 3 C 237& to R6 catral Chuignies 6 curie mnt Froissy Deacon, bylon Wd, Berthonval wa, MISa & MGc dunng advance noinititesr inor m e S tals is M.Hi AISHt RMMISRE MIN tald Ad at Bids t das p s RONSI Aisenin Hostile arty very active c abl first ten minutes but after them his heldgens practically ceased foriag. Heavies mantained heary boubdt our reserve anas espec. viciity Projart. From Then tell andnght, area round Mill & 8t was consistenty shelled 5.9. Actoam ten eneay places flew over forward areas dopbey bombs. Repeated this during late evening Q236. partic
1st De. Intell. Scimmaries 24/25 Au Much every activity in Cuisine & ferthouval Was between 10.30 par and 145aa. Exgaed with heavy buists of fire by 1 Fable Reprated during early morning Hostile bly at M29 C 93 silenced by 102 Howbty t 1OM blisg 0 KOE BABRT od as ist gd sd AM Id Fo bas T Mis OtS. et 21 a7 of batng ead Jods mort s below nowal during day but displayed nas a bres TGHTys great activity at ought Mi Sints esirg drom 9 am to 3har 10cm and 15 cmn hows or Grod Edsm of intermibently shelled Proyart Shrmand bast At Iam farily heary banige on Matto and scMailas Woods chiefly 4123 Repeated at 2.35 11S SIE.I 45B hon 3 IesrI I considerable aut of yar sailling at night partic in R26 R21d. aerial very little evemy arral acty dining day but great bombing acturty at nught
1St F.A. Ade wardiary 23 Aug. 1918 101 Howdty moved forward. Inpation at 7.30 am R.21d 2020 at 8 am. 12 enemy planes over A24 drifbey bombs & Mgunany 8.35 woods ite Mt F Mi to ty on more to R21d 25 28 10. 15 Newination, 8.45 65 II w 2085 3bly moved torand to R26 b 10.15 T d tdi m i 1d M Horngs 3b orderd to fire 3o nds per jun on Cuisine wa Ipm. Misd and Mela ob Sm B 3 P3. WHlsA iil 7 its al Fnlne M 26 O 5660 6 8090 much enem movement in 2.30 2and 36 ordered to fire 30rds perfun onts area E of N+S. gred line rnnng o N26 $40.00 t M20040 vo to Central W.&S and 1B4 menct fere 20 rds per through M26 d in ahas sun on some tayet 1 20 1 br 10ty ordered to fire 4ords on enemy 77 man 6 pam siun ahiget bly firing o M26600.10 sig Ed ad mt Blg i tat be ty location t StSert Bant A 20 B aubars bas DmE oll ww it to enu t 2fty R19 a 2783 36t R26 6 9085 1018t R21d20 30 26tymoved forward to R14645 50 9.45 pe 24Aug From Spen 1 Fabde came under Centre Froup HB commanded by LRol Archdale, 16 Dde RHA. 1Falde now under Right Growk Aloyd 26Aug Mm.
Fadde LColSelwes privatedeary Orders to move bole forward again on Any 20, caue upon some wonderful chalets near sailly (awrette where we found hundreds haudreds of cases of eneay flares; & to pass the night away we sat on the verandah ofine I chalets fired feares sin of all colours, golden silver rain, etc I pyrotechnic desplay was sinaly wonderful. Generall all ranks proticted like chiedren the end, nightware years seened hand. ido n a at bas srge wil o h es MOMEAA SMH i has t C an M C Proyan battle e n ber T S F i E M MISI Amnaun supplies save all Ade COs cause fr unarn and the pealet care I necy- husband sapalies lonsquents all blys were ordered send an 500 well ahead while sent the Hle I.0. act Ide 00 enable to auticipate the poss. 431 reguirants? IntyI direct the fire?Dtys. s mt sud stiss tod And Brge HihB o 1 1 wind throrka M Mi Re TS N it M Antorties 3 tMie Di Mn 6 at wo wans ams ses Cillaatas, aly ming ca te u 203004 Tterat sit mntte anot biatt n snt eutr ie of lains bamd& thit riniermorrl cot bas myreing Se at o Bithiose Sat
Ametes morroy forward 2 Fadde LNDelany went forward? Dn Leasson Aug 23 officer but owing to broken communicatis ed get very little entormer back to us altho I Tabde bear tayets observed by was able to briag fire o ir ts av e pa o Delany 1015 EE tt a b t c t bt M a Wrts tf Rst i M K Mite Broad Aug 24425 Harassing fire on eneay Siy ET Eneny fine active on fowardared W bas 1odei esp Meci inan A TI 3- 210 RWSa Ferbar Btyial AIII 29.1 1S s 30 nvi t e us Mamn feature of bode's operrs 1 Proyart Aug. 23 attack I close procuity bty posss's eveny line. Great care taken during previousday to keep down any movemt. Tueas & ammun taken ap after daid. Back area Ialive broop all descriptions moving up. Altho Termanarty very active on div. area of afttnoon, the fire quietened down at dust & blys were able to take af their posas without any opposition Leavy During night area shoots put down, but very few camalties suffered. Our banage opened well. Half anhour after culy weat forward 400 prisoners marched past 2 Faddete incharge of 2 Australians & one infront the other in rear. It was a good sight see blys moving foward as the attack develifed. They had pass over well shelled pound but despite the fact that little opportunties had I given past oferas - do bly manoenvre, the deivers excelled themalves in avoiding shellea fround & took the runs just s peaces regd ? God mililary Style. Very few 6672
23 Aug Cast. HH Morris 1 De Mt Mode three mortars placed 1action by Sminute even action prior to opening attach. but remaining three completed their tash firing 50rds each I Smins allotted them W personacl then assisted in carrying wourded. it hed eri 267 Tdht I ntant Moromsit r Smlson wonsa mall nt ct o t t o Br si d assa ndb sid roA h ea w t Btasvery psd B we cst wt a p ht wegs a en at pmor h nd eid t bd At w te t wt be Bia e st ite t w &t p Shesittt w o 10 as ont buited as deme n hnds a b ibam hrisg adr to E pt ei E b itl Mn Ba da TH TF EAS SM FE Se Fiands bisrt t AJFbr Hamaly si r enoraunt rent id D wds
28ay M De Arty (Part of Right Froup, 1Fadde Aug 28 hde received orders to advance & take up posss "advance guard arty. M 29C9590 t1Bty took poen at 2.30 pe WNO M 29C 706 3 Bty A 533 3po it01 N298010 3B9 1 1AB 101 Howis29 80060 2pi barideiC 1310 A A5 Al i at osr af Co got touk with He Solon HERES SISI MER 4pe learson estab with 31 n. to continue aack. Two F003 (H JCG Johnstone & HR Beer) sent 177 forward to accompany infy in attect EnEM in Ments mortally 715 pm May. J W. Lexton commay 101 Howltey smously wounded by shell speiaters. Harted 700yds Barrage fired in export of infy advance. Aug 29 east of wpy live at 4.30 a.m 18pdis. on start line for 2 meas. then left E 200ys every 2 meas to depth of 2000 yus. 2rds perjun per min Rate 200yds plus of 18 pdi barage C5 Hows Rate 12d p.9.P.m. fom 0mt ame into action at 101 Howdt N35694, 11.45am 3Dt N29 822 1pe. 28t N29C00 S.O. the 1Bt N29b 33, 1po W1 lty selened eneny bty in O22 a 99

1st Div Arty Orders 21/8/18

18 pdr barrage [Shorthand} open {Shorthand} zero 200 yds E  [Shorthand} Infy formng up line. At Zero + 3 lift at rate [Shorthand} 100yds [Shorthand} 2 mins [Shorthand} 3 lifts.
From 4th lift inclusive barrage [Shorthand} lift at rate [Shorthand] 100 yds [Shorthand] 3 mins
up to Protective barrage [Shorthand] Inf Halt Line where it halts
[Shorthand]  zero +48 to zero +63
At Zero + 63 barrage  [Shorthand] advance  rate [Shorthand] 100 yds [Shprthand] 3 mins
until arrival [Shorthand] protective barrage line >final objective.
[Shorthand} each bty arrives [Shorthand] protector > final objective [Shorthand] halts [Shorthand}
line  continues [ protective barrage rates until Zero + 105.
line after firing  [Shorthand] 15 mins ceases fire. All fire ceases at zero + 105
unless asked to continue by divn. 
4.5 hours  [Shhorthand] conform> lifts [Shorthand] times [Shorthand] 18 pdr barrage
but [Shorthand] move 200 yds E [Shorthand] 18 pdr line.
Rates of Fire
18 pdrs.       Zero to Zero +3 4 rds per gun per min
Zero + 3 to arrival Protective barrage.  Final
objective - 3 rds p.g.p.m.
while [Shorthand] Protective Barrage - 1 rd p.g.p.m.
4.5 hours  Throughout barrage 2½ rds p.g.p.m.
                    On Protective     "           1       "    "  "  "  "

6" Newton Mortars
Right flank 6  to be emplaced behind Inf. form-up line (under DTMO. 1 Div)
Left       "       6    "  "           "              "           "                "     "     (   "           "         5 Div)
Not to fire closer than plus 300 yds > 18 pdr barrage
 

 

1 Div Arty
21 Aug  1st Bty posn ^(R 19c 20.05) heavily shelled during day
Capt W.S. Laidley badly^ mortally wounded & 2 gunners
killed. Bty posn moved to Q 30 d 40 95
during night 21/22.

1 Bty Q 30 d 40 95
2   "    R 19 a 21 83
3   "    R 13 c 00 00
101 How Bty Q 24 a 92 12

4 Bty }
5 Bty  } R 25
6 Bty               }
102 How Bty  } R 20.
 

 

1 Div Arty
23 Aug
Arty reorganised as folls —
Right group (as before) (under Lloyd) covering 2 Inf Bde
Centre   "     (under Caddy)   covering 1 Inf Bde
13 AF A Bde
 14    "      "
16 Army Bde RHA.
Left Group (under West) covering 3 Inf Bde
5 Army Bde RHA
298   "   " RFA
 

 

1st Div. Arty Intell Summaries  6 a.m. 22 Aug to
6 am 23 Aug.

T/M's co-operated by bombarding [shorthand]
R 22 a 84 to R 22 d 36
R 22 a 38 to R 16: 15 0. 75 10
X Roads at R 23 a 70 63
& other targets

23/24 Aug
1.  FA Bde succeeded [Shorthand] clearing Cuisine Wd of 
enemy m/g. nests [Shorthand] engaged movement reported [Shorthand]
FOO [Shorthand] M 26, E of N [Shorthand]S grid  [Shorthand] 26 A 40 00
to M 26 C 40 00 [Shorthand] M 27 A C & D
Special attention also paid to R 5 a central to R5 c central
to R6 central, L 35 C   L 3 & D, Chuignies
Froissy Beacon, Pylon Wd, Berthonval Wd,
M 15 a & M 9 c during advance

Hostile arty very active [Shorthand] abt first ten minutes
but after then his field guns practically ceased
firing. Heavies maintained heavy bombdt [Shorthand] our
reserve areas esp [Shorthand] vicinity  [Shorthand] Proyart. From
7 pm till midnight area round Mill [Shorthand] X 8 b was
consistently shelled [Shorthand] 5.9.

At 10 a.m. ten enemy planes flew over forward areas,
dropping bombs. Repeated this during late evening
partic  [Shorthand] Q 23b.
 

 

1st Div. Intell. Summaries
24/25 Aug
Much enemy activity in Cuisine & Berthouval Wds
between 10.30 pm and 1.45 am. Engaged
with heavy bursts of fire by 1 FA Bde.
Repeated during early morning.
Hostile bty at M 29 C 93 silenced by 102 How Bty

?O

Hostile Arty
Below normal during day but displayed
great activity at night.
From 9 am to 3 pm. 10 c.m. and 15 cm hows
intermittently shelled Proyart.
At 11 am. fairly heavy barrage on Matto and
St Martins Woods. chiefly 4.2" Repeated at 2.25 p.m.
Considerable amt of gas shelling at night partic in 
R 26 - R 21 d.
Aerial
Very little enemy aerial activity during day
but great bombing activity at night
 

 

1st F.A. Bde war diary

23 Aug. 1918

7.30 a.m. 101 How Bty moved forward. In position action at
R 21 d 20 20 at 8 am.
8.35     12 enemy planes over Q24 dropping bombs & m/gunning
roads etc
8.45     1st Bty on move to R 21 d 25 70.  10.15 Now in action.
10.15     3 Bty moved forward to R 26 b 90 85
In action at 11.15.
2 p.m.   3 Bty ordered to fire 20 rds per gun on Cuisine Wd
M 15 d and M 21 a & b
2.30     Much enemy movement in M 26 c 50 60 to 90 90
2 and 3 Bties xxxx ordered to fire 30 rds per gun onto area
E of N & S grid line running [Shorthand] M 26 A 40 00
to M 26 c 40 00 to Central N & S Grid
through M 26. 1 Bty ordered to fire 20 rds per
gun on same target.
6 p.m.   101 Bty ordered to fire 40 rds on enemy 77 mm
 xxx bty firing [Shorthand] M 26 b 80 10
Bty locations
1 Bty  R 21 d 21 63
2 Bty  R 19 a 21 83
3 Bty  R 26 b 90 85
101 Bty R 21 d 20 20

24 Aug       2 Bty moved forward to R 14 b 45 50 9.45 pm
From 8 pm 1 FA bde came under Centre Group H.Q.
commanded by Lt Col Archdale, 16 Bde RHA
26 Aug 7 p.m.    1 FA Bde now under Right Group (Lloyd)
 

 

1 FA Bde
Lt Col Selmes private diary
Orders to move bde forward again on Aug 20.
Came upon some wonderful chalets near
Sailly Laurette where we found hundreds [Shorthand] hundreds of
cases of enemy flares & to pass the night away we
sat on the verandah of one [Shorthand] chalets [Shorthand] fired flares
of all colours, golden silver rain, etc, pyrotechnic display
was simply wonderful. Generally all ranks frolicked
like children [Shorthand] the end [Shorthand] nightmare [Shorthand] years seemed [Shorthand] hand.

Proyart battle

Ammun supplies gave all Bde C O's cause for concern and
the greatest care [Shorthand] necy [Shorthand] husband supplies. Consequently all
btys were ordered [Shorthand] send an FOO well ahead while [Shorthand] sent the
Bde I.O. [Shorthand] act [Shorthand] Bde FOO to enable  [Shorthand] to anticipate the poss.
requirements  [Shorthand] Infy [Shorthand] direct the fire >Btys.
 

 

2 F A Bde

Aug 23 Lt N J Delaney went forward [Shorthand] Bn Liaison
officer but owing to broken communication cd get very
little informn back to us, altho / FA Bde
was able to bring fire[Shorthand] bear. [Shorthand] targets observed by
Delany.

Aug 24 & 25 Harassing fire on enemy
Enemy fire active on forward areas.

Aug. 23 attack Main feature of xxx bde's operns [Shorthand]Proyart
[shorthand] close proximity [shorthand] bty posns [Shorthand] enemy line.
Great care taken during previous day to keep
down any movemt. Guns & ammun. taken up after
dark. Back area [Shorthand] alive [Shorthand] troops  [Shorthand] all
descriptions moving up. Altho German arty
very active on div. area  [Shorthand] afternoon, the fire
quietened down at dusk & btys were able to
take up their posns without any opposition.
During night^ heavy area shoots put down but very
few casualties suffered.
Our barrage opened well. Half an hour after infy
went forward 400 prisoners marched past 2 FA Bde HQ
in charge of 2 Australians I—I one in front, the other
in rear. "It was a good sight see [Shorthand] btys moving
forward as the attack developed . . . . . They had to pass over
well shelled ground but despite the fact that little opportunities
had [Shorthand] given past operns the bty manoeuvres, the drivers
excelled themselves in avoiding shelled ground & took the guns
just [Shorthand] places reqd good military style." xxxx Very few
[*Casualties moving foward*]

 

 

1 Div MTM Bde       (Capt H H Morris)
23 Aug      Three mortars placed [Shorthand] action by
enemy action xxxx 15 minutes prior to opening [Shorthand] attack.
but remaining three completed their task
firing 50 rds each [Shorthand] 5 mins allotted them.
T/M personnel then assisted in carrying [Shorthand] wounded.
 

 

1 Div Arty            28 Aug 1918                           
 1 FA Bde             (Part of Right Group)
Aug 28  Bde received orders to advance & take up posns [Shorthand]
"advance guard arty."
xx 1 Bty took posn at     M 29 C 95 90      2.30pm
2 Bty                                   M 29 C 70 60     }
3 Bty                                   M 29 B 05 10      }  3pm
101 How Bty                       M 29 B 00 60       2 p.m.

C.O. got touch with HQ 30 Bn.

4 pm liaison estab with 31 Bn to continue attack.
Two FOO's (Lt J L G Johnstone & H R Beer) sent
forward to accompany infy in attack.

7.15 pm Maj. J W. Sexton commdg 101 Hows Bty seriously mortally
wounded by shell splinters.

Aug 29 Barrage fired in support of infy advance. Started 700 yds
east of infy line at 4.30 a.m.
18 pdrs. on start line for 2 mins, then left E 200 yds
xxx every 2 mins to depth of 2000 yds.
Rate 2 rds per gun per min.
4.5 Hows   200 yds plus of 18 pdr barrage
Rate 1 rd p.g.p.m.
7 a.m. 
10.15 a.m. Btys xxxx came into action at—
 101 How Bty  N 35 b 94, 11.45 a.m.
 3 Bty               N 29  B 22   1 p.m.
 2 Bty               N 29 c 00 5.0.  1 p.m.
 1 Bty               N 29 b 33  1 pm
101 Bty silenced enemy bty in O 22 a 99
 

 










 

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