Charles E W Bean, Diaries, AWM38 3DRL 606/280A/1 - August - October 1918 - Part 15

3 DAC (2)

as visibility would allow, and the latter by ^the careful
roadmap work of officers and NCOs.
Casualties 1 NCO & 1 driver wounded, 4 mules killed
From 27 to 31 Aug. SAA  section delivered xx -

To Inf. Bdes.  502,000 rds SAA

10,538  Grenades

1668  3" Stokes Shells

SOS rockets flares etc.

To 3 MG Bn.    200,000 rounds SAA MG.

Owing to low feed ration xx it was necy to graze

animals frequently during this period of heavy work.

Stood the strain well & none but minor casualties

incurred.

O.C. No. 1 Section of 3 DAC (Capt A. D. Green) in monthly

report says that 4 mule teams xxxxx are insufficient for the 4.5 how.

timbered waggons. On several occasions it was necy to

put 6 & 8 mule team in 18 pdr limbered waggons to

get them up hilly tracks leading to the bty posns. When

working over unmade roads in ∧wet weather 4-mule teams

not sufficient for the 18 pdr lumbered waggons.

War diary    7th FA Bde (3 Div Arty)

6/9/18  At 5 a.m. 107 How Bty marched out from Suzanne

to be attached to 16 Bde RHA with the advanced

guard.

8.30 a.m. 7 FA Bde (less 107 Bty) marched to Clery

HQ estab 11 a.m. at H10a51, btys in H10a & c.

Bde stood fast for rest of day.

107 Bty reported to 16 Bde RHA at J19d5 3

& came into action at 11.15 am at

J 25b6530. An OP estab in copse at

J 23c2590.

11. 11.18 am. Very effective shoot

carried out on trenches in K 23b and the W edge of

Tincourt.

1.30 p.m. MGs at J 18b6550 silenced

1.35 pm. enemy leaving Hamel in K19a

heavily engaged.

1.45 Concentration carried out on

Copses in K 25central and K31b

central and the trenches in K19d & K31b.

Total expend of Ammun for day was

330 rds HE.

7/9/18  Quiet day. 107 How Bty rejoined

7 FA Bde at 6 p.m.

8/9/18  8 a.m. 7 FA Bde marched to waggon lines

around Courcelles. HQ in Village at J32c7 8.

7 FA Bde (2)

War diary

9-14 Sept 1918  Bde remained in waggon lines at Courcelles, becoming Corps Reserve at

midnight 11/12th when relieved by 1 Div Arty.  A programme of open warfare

training commenced on 11 Sept but had to be abandoned owing to wet

weather and all ranks enjoyed a good rest and had an opportunity to get bath

& clean underclothing.  During recent strenuous operns it had been

imposs. to give accustomed attention to harness and vehicles but these were

now restored to their usual state of cleanliness.

15/9/18  9 a.m.  Came under orders CRA 1 Div as reinforcing arty for an

attack on Hind O/Line on 18 Sept.  Advance party consisting of Bde Cdr,

& Bty Cdrs reported to 1 DA HQ at 9.30 a.m. to receive instructions.  Maps

were handed out showing objectives & Bde boundaries.  7 & 8 FA Bdes

formed Right Sub Group of Right Group under Lt. Col. Dean (1 FA Bde)

and to cover the Right Bn of the 3rd Inf. Bde.  Advance party then

proceeded to 1 FA Bde HQ at K20c1 5.  C.O., Bty Cdrs, & C.0. 1 FA Bde

went fwd & reconnoitred bty posns in vicinity of Hervilly.  600

rds per gun had to be dumped on Bty posns by midnight 17/18th  and

ammun. carting was commenced by btys at once, assistance being

given by 1 DAC on night 15/16th.  7 Bde HQ & Btys remained in

waggon lines at Courcelles till aftn. of 17th  Weather cleared

up & day beautifully fine.

17/9/18  Heavy thunderstorm at 1 a.m. but rest of day fine.  11 a.m. ∧short conference

of Bty Cdrs held at the Bde HQ Courcelles when barrage order xxxxxx & maps

were issued & discussed.  4p.m. 7 FA Bde HQ moved to railway

cutting at K22a37, the posn. previously selected at K22a32

having been blown up by hostile shellfire.  At 7 pm zero hour

& synchronised time obtd from 1 FA Bde HQ and given to Btys at

8 p.m.  At 9 p.m. Right Sub Group was formed & commun.

estab. with the Right Group Report Centre  at K30c07.  After dark btys

moved into their posns from Courcelles & at 11 p.m. were

located as follows:-

25 Bty.    K29b0632 (3 guns) }

K29b24     (3 guns) }

26 Bty    K23C64

27 Bty    K23d3374

107 Bty   K24d5500

Enemy arty fire ∧very active during day but quietened twds evening.

All our fwd areas heavily bombed x throughout night.

7 FA Bde (3)

War diary

(contd)

18/9/18  About 3.30 a.m. enemy put down general gas strafe on our

forward areas with special attention to the valley in K22a & c and

K23c & d.  The effect of this was considbly minimised by rain which had been falling

steadily since 3.30 a.m.  At 5.20 our barrage opened and the gas shelling

ceased almost at once.  Enemy retaliation weak - a light

barrage being put down on our old front line.  Rain still

falling at Zero hour but cleared off abt 7.30 and the remainder of day

was fine with dull intervals.

5.20 a.m.  an officer from each bty went fwd to reconnoitre posns

in vicinity of Start Line in L20 b & d.  And during the infy halt on the Halt

Line the 18 pdr btys moved fwd.  25 Bty to L14d21, 27 Bty to

L14d75, both btys being in action before the barrage advanced to the

second objective at 8.30 a.m.  26 Bty came into action at

L14d82 but owing to heavy gas shelling was forced to withdraw to

L20b99 and was prevented from pushing up the barrage again until 9 a.m.

18 pdr expenditure during barrage accounted to 5500 rounds

& 4.5 hows to 1500 rds.

During the barrage and the advance no casualties were suffered by the btys  from
enemy action. 107 Bty had three men wounded by a

premature burst in No. 6 gun.

7 FA Bde HQ moved fwd to Hervilly (approx. K23d33)

at 8 a.m.

At conclusion of barrage at 9.50 a.m. the 107 Bty 
moved fwd to L20a58.

At 12 noon news recd that attack completely successful. that 
our infy on Blue Line.  Opposn. slight owing to accuracy of 

barrage.  Afternoon quiet.  Twds evening orders received

to dispose Bde in depth., & a.t 5 pm 107 Bty moved to L21b38

and ∧at 7 p.m. 26 Bty to L17c28.  At night. 25 & 27 Btys each fired

100 rounds harassing fire.  26 Bty expended 50 rds on enemy

movement at request of infy.  SOS Line ran 400 yds E of

Blue Line.

19/9/18  4.55 a.m. & again at 5.20 Bde fired 10 minute Counter Preparation

in expectation of hostile C/attack.  But attack did not develop.

2.30 p.m. Bde HQ estab at. L20d54.  Btys & forward OPs

as follows ;-

25 Bty  G 14a6005

26  "     G 14c76

27  "     G 14c63

107 "    G 14a47.

7 FA Bde (4)

War diary

19/9/18

(contd)  During aftn. considerable movement engaged espec on roads & in trenches

in G10 & 11.  At 6 pm. 100 rds fired in short bursts on traffic

and movement in G1 c & G16b and

At 4p.m.  25 Bty moved to L21a71.  A hostile

c/attack expected twds dusk and Bde stood to from 6.30 pm to

7.30 p.m.  During night 150 rds per bty expended on

harassing fire.

20/9/18  Counter preparation fired for 10 mins. at 5.15 and at 5.30 a.m.

while btys were standing to between 5 & 7 a.m.  Weather beautifully. 

fine.

During morning much enemy movement, of both men & transport, along

roads between Bellicourt & Nauroy. was engaged by 26 Bty.

with ground observation, with excellent results.  Enemy Arty

showed increased activity during aftn and 26 Bty was neutralised by

short bursts of fire.  OP's in G14 also recd attention.

Enemy aeroplanes extremely active & crossed our lines on several

occasions on reconnaissance work, while at night fwd areas

heavily bombed.

Bde expended 200 rds in harassing fire during night.

21/9/18.  5.40 a.m. fired creeping barrage on Right Group front to create

a diversion for an attack by 1 Inf Bde AIF. & 74 Div.  Day was

fine & visibility excellent.

Between 11 am & 12 noon abnormal movement of large bodies 

of infy  reported in B25 & G5 & 6.  This was fired on as well as

movement in and around Bellicourt.  Enemy aircraft less

active and his Arty unusual quiet.  Bde expended 400 rds on

harassing fire during night on roads and bridges across the canal,

making the total expend 1500 rds for the period.

22/9/18  Morning began cloudy. but very quiet.  Abt 7 a.m. a low flying

flight of enemy planes crossed our lines, being driven off only after

making good reconnaissance.

10 a.m. new Corps southern boundary came into force,

necessitating new group boundaries & SOS lines.

Movement on roads from Bellicourt was engaged during afternoon.

At night Bde fired 400 rds in harassing shoots.

23/9/18  10 a.m. Officer from 7 FA Bde met advance parties from 84 Army Bde RFA

in Hervilly & conducted them to Waggon lines.

7 FA Bde (5)

War diary

23/9/18 

(contd)  Usual 400 rds in harassing fire at night.

24/9/18.  During early hours enemy put down heavy counter preparation 
shoot on fwd areas, evidently in expectation of attack by us.

Fire ceases abt 8 a.m. & rest of day very quiet.

10 a.m. C.O. & Bty Cdrs of 84 Army Bde arrived at Bde H.Q.

Relief completed by 9.30 p.m. & 7 FA Bde withdrew to

vicinity of Hervilly.  On completion of relief 7 FA Bde

again came under orders of CRA 3 Div.

8 FA Bde    (Maj. SG Rowe

temporarily commdg)

War diary

13/9/18  Lt Col WG Allsop left for England on 14 days leave.  Major S.G.

Rowe. [C.O. 31 Bty) temporarily commanding 8 Bde.

14/9/18  In coming operns. 3 Div Arty to form a sub-group of

Right Group under command of Lt Col GHM King [C.O. 7 FA Bde).

17/9/18  Btys ordered to be in posn. by midnight 17/18 Sept. at following

locations.     (H.Q. 8 FA Bde on re-entrant at K35c63.)

29Bty.     K 36b59

30 Bty    L 25c21

31 Bty     K 3 b35 35 ?

108 Bty   K 36b75 55

18/9/18  Zero hour 5.20 a.m. after night of active hostile bombing

& shelling.  Abt 2.30 am. rain fell heavily xxx but the operation

opened up successfully. Two Btys had to move forward

at zero + 2 hours, length of advance being abt 1500 yds and to be in

action & continue the barrage on the advance from the protection of the first

objective.  At zero + 5 hours the remaining 2 btys moved up

& later in the day information recd that the whole objective had been taken,

necessitating further advance of btys to -
[* 2moves*]

HQ         L 21b6575

29 Bty   L 22a15

30   "      L 21d42

31    "      L 16c26

108 "      L 21b4560
21/9/18  5.40 a.m. btys carried out covering fire for minor opern

From then till night 24/25 Sept when 8 FA Bde withdrew to

waggon lines, nothing of any importance occurred. on the front.

SOS lines allotted to btys & 400 rds per gun were kept on each

position.  Harassing fire carried out during night &

on observed movement during day.

General comments

During month of Sept only 4 men wounded & a dozen sick

evacuated.  Health of Bde continued good. - a few cases of boils

& influenza being only troubles.  Horses, in view of the long span of

strenuous work, are in good nick.  In the last country passed over,

8 FA Bde (2)

water has been getting scarcer every day.  And if the advance continues water will have

to be transported many miles for the horses.  Noticeable change  in
weather during last few days.- rain always not very far

distant, cold nights, & signs of coming posts.

3 DAC

War diary

8/9/18  HQ & Sections moved to lines situated in open just near

Doingt.  During the mobile conditions of warfare at present time does not

permit of extra precautions being taken against casualties to

animals by enemy bombers - such as revetting the lines,
This entails considble work and it is only where there is a 

likelihood of the unit  staying for some time that this work is u/taken.

Full advantage is always taken of any natural

protection afforded by the contour of the country, such as

narrow valleys.

3rd Div Arty

War diary

27/8/18  Arty carried out barrage in accord with 0.0.9.7.  Harassing fire was

maintained on trenches & S/Ps, partic attention being paid to

[*7 & 8 Bdes

290 & 251 Bdes.*]

Chateau Le Gendarmes,  Curlu village, & high ground to North.

While roads, chiefly in A 30b, B25, B26, H1a & c -

where considble enemy transport observed -  were

constantly shelled.

During morning 290 Bde RFA withdrew from action & moved

into 58 Div area on left.  In exchange 3 Div. Arty recd 250 Bde

[*250 Bde to 3D

Vice 290*]
[*250-1 &

7 & 8 Bdes

Barr.

Aug 28↓*]

(50 Div Arty).  This Bde arrived abt noon & took xx up posns.

Owing to advance of our line, necy to move fwd our btys.  New posns

taken up during afternoon. 
(7Bde             8Bde    251Bde)
(Curlu-Jutn,  Rly Vy,  E of Bray).  290 withdrew.
NWSuz         SWSuz.                       Good obsvtn.

Verbal orders recd from 3 Div that the  attack would be renewed at 4.45 a.m.

28 Aug. Orders immed drawn up and issued. 0.0.98.
in support of our fire H.A. instructed verbally to  engage follg

targets -  Curlu, Quarry in B25c, trench system in B25a

& c, H 1.b. trenches in A24d..

During day a letter was forwarded by the CRA requesting that arrgts be made at

once to supply 3 Div TMs with a bty of 6 German light minenwerfers 
complete with 1200 rds of ammun and carriers - the CRA

undertaking to have them manned and ready for action in 3 days, if this

could be arrgd.
[*6^th MTMs not useful then

After to form a 

Lt. Mwfr bty

12 Lt Mwfr obt

bties formed but

adv. too fast.*]

28/8/18  4.45 a.m. attack carried out. During day btys moved forward.

Orders recd from Aust Corps that one 60 pdr bty would come under

direct orders of CRA.  137 Bty being allotted.  Bty went into

action W. of Vaux Wd. in G3.  (other bties moved here too)
[*137 Bty to 

3 D*]

In early afternoon enemy was reported to be holding in strength trench

system B25b4500 - B25d20 - H1b5038 -

[*trenches on First Ridge

E of Curlu*]

Quarry H1c9550.  Orders issued immed. by wire for the

bombdt of this system by all Bdes.

Extract from letter from Aust Corps issued re enemy's bold and

dexterous use of single guns or sections of guns left in copses and

other favble places, to cover retirement of infy and delay our infy.