Charles E W Bean, Diaries, AWM38 3DRL 606/280A/1 - August - October 1918 - Part 17

3.
R.5.b.10.14 at 10.35.  This withdrawal was on account of uncertainty of the
scituation on the right and heavy shelling in vicinity of bty........At 10.15
I found H.Q. 45th Bn. in an altogether different place to where they had
intended going and got into communication with 46th Bn. and the Bty. The bty.
line was cut almost immediately. At Col. Corrigan's request I rang up the
| Adjt. and got him to engage several targets. I then moved on to the 46th Bn.

[*gt diffy
of commun*]
and no further communication was got until 3.30 p.m. owing to line between
46th and 45th Bn. H.Q. being continually cut by shell-fire. The whole of my
bty's. show in the part was very unsatisfactory owing to complete lack of
| communication other than by runner and difficulty in picking up Inf. Bn. H.Q.
I am of opinion that instead of taking my bty. up so far forward, had I come
into action in the bde. area and myself at once pushed forward to an O.P.
instead of wasting time looking for Bn. H.Q., I could have given the inf. much
more assistance and been in action at least half-an-hour earlier than I was.
As it happened 46th Bn. H.Q. was in an excellent position for an O.P. If one
| gun under an officer had been pushed forward in very close support of inf. it
could have done excellent work. This would have been much better scheme than
trying to push a bty. forward as any target that cropped up could have been
effectively engaged with one gun and owing to its increased mobility could
have been in action sooner. A liaison officer with the bn. could have done
anything that I did. About 700 rounds fired from time barrage ceased up to
4 o'clock at various targets. Casualties nil.                                                         

Summary
38th Battery report on 18th Sept. operation.
(Major H. C. De Low).
Barrage followed fired from Q.14.d. - approx. 525 rounds per gun
being expended. Everything went off well, all guns remaining in action,
though considerable difficulty experienced with one gun through block jamming.
About 7 a.m. Lieut. Jolly and I and necessary staff pushed off and reached
Dean Copse about 8 a.m.  Here I selected position which Lt. Jolly resected
and laid out necessary lines of fire on a pre-arranged point. On the inf.
advancing at 8.20 Sgt. Sharp and I and necessary staff followed paying out a
line as we went and leaving intermediate linesmen as we went along.  Red line
was reached about 9.20.  At this time I was in communication with Lt. Jolly at
selected position though the guns had not of course left Q.14.d.  At 9.50 a
message was sent through to Group that I was at G.31.a.7.2. and also that
things were going well. O.P. was established at 58th German Inf. Regt. H.Q.
G.31.a.7.2. and prisoners including bn. commander and 5 officers were sent
down under one of my signallers. This was reported in message timed 10.25 a.m.
As observation was not very good from there, moved forward about 100 yds. to
approx G.31.c.9.8.  Up till now hostile opposition slight and shellfire
comparatively light, but hostile MGs from Helene Ridge were consistently
sweeping Red Line ridge.  By this time the Bty. - leaving by sections at a
|trot - had come into action. At request of 46th Bn. Cdr. (Col. Corrigan) I
heavily engaged hostile MGs at Eleven Trees G.33.c.  These were knocked out and
inf. occupied the line of trees.  I assisted another advance by consistently
bombarding hostile trenches in G.33.a.c. to keep German heads down.  Approx.
600 rounds expended. As no liaison officer present, I informed C.O. 46th to
consider me as such and subsequently consulted with him re barrage to enable
further advance and necessary cutting of wire. By this time (4 p.m.) our line
had been pushed forward to road running S.E. from Victoria Cross Roads. At
| 5 p.m. at request of Btn. Cdr. I commenced cutting wire and expended 300 rounds
|of "106" on this. Btn. I.O. was with me and expressed great satisfaction with
the shooting. Subsequently under orders from Group a barrage put down at
11 p.m. which enabled final objective to be taken.
Throughout operations communications good and Bty. and O.P.
never out of communication longer than 5 minutes. This was due to splendid
work of my staff and their efforts in repar repairing the lines which were
constantly cut. The system of having a prearranged place or places worked
well. 

4.
Message from Major H. C. de Low O.C. 38th Battery,
4.30 p.m. 18th Sept.

Summary
Am at 46th Bn. H.Q. approx. G.31.a.5.2 in trench.   Am doing
liaison with Col. Corrigan as no art. officer is here. Have a line back to
the Bty. (approx) R.14.d.4.8.   We had this line here while the Red Line was
being taken. The Bn. Cdr. Capt. Voss and other officers were captured while
I was here and I sent them down to you by Gunner Steel one of my signallers.
I then pushed out to G.31.a.8.3 (in small trench).   By this time the Bty. was
up at R.4.d.4.8.   I then engaged Blue Line in G.27.c. On personal request of
Col. Corrigan I heavily engaged hostile MGs in road at Eleven Trees (G.33.c.).
These I knocked out and to enable inf. to advance fired rapid fire (gun fire)
bursts on F.L.T. G.33.c.7.0. along trench to Square Copse G.33.a. approx.
600 rounds expended - all of it observed. The telephone line held well as I
had an intermediate station. I sent off a lot of messages over phone - hope
you got them. The inf. front line now runs along sunken road running S.E.
(from G.26.d.1.8. to G.33.c.6.6) with a couple of posts about G.33.a.5.5 and
one in wire at G.33.c.7.2 (about). They are in touch with right and left on
left. I understand 14th Bn. are in Blue Line. Btn. Cdr. wants to go for
Blue Line about 10.30 p.m. tonight with a creeping barrage but first wants wire
cut which is very strong. Barrage to rest on Hun F.L.T. for 5 minutes and
creep forward 100 yds. in 3 minutes and sit on next trench for 5 minutes and
then creep forward and put down protective barrage 500 yds. in front. I have
told him in view of ammunition carting I do not consider it possible for 18
pdrs. to cut wire but Bde. officer has been here and he probably will tell you
all about it. I pointed out the heavy ground and the excessive ammn. carting
and distance of dumps to fill up so he knows how things are.   Tommies I
believe are at G.33.c.7.3. Have had some good targets and a good day but am
very tired - so's everyone!
39th Battery report on operations 18th Sept.
Summary
5.20 a.m. Bty. opened on the start line and carried on till 9.49.   At 9.45
the B.C.'s party and R.O.'s moved forward and selected a position at about
R.4.d.4.1.  The Bty. arrived at this position at 11 a.m. and opened fire on
Chopin Ravine G.33.b. and 34.a., also G.33.d. and G.34.c. After selecting
position B.C. party went forward and selected O.P. near Red Wood but signaller
and instruments became a casualty so moved and established one in M.2.a. On
account of hostile shelling I was unable to get communication to Bty., the
line being repeatedly cut. Every effort was made to keep communication -
O.C. 110th who was in same O.P. on two occasions used my runners to deliver
observations. C. A. Webber, Major.                     

Report on 18th Sept. of Major E. K. Smart, O.C.,
110 How. Battery.

Summary
At zero hour steady rain was falling and this continued till
zero plus 3½ hrs. when the rain cleared off and weather became fine. Enemy
reply to our barrage slight.
Barrage was completed (zero + 269? and 10 minutes later (10 a.m.
the bty. moved forward to position R.4.c.5.6 (in action 10.20 a.m.). This
position was occupied instead of position in R.11.a. as there was some doubt
as to the situation on the right near Kooka Quarry.   From this position
harassing fire was opened on Chopper Ravine and 40 rounds fired, also 30
rounds on Victoria Cross Roads, and 60 rounds on Neutralisation of machine
guns and movement in G.23.d. central. O.P. was established at M.2.a.5.5 at
11 a.m. This long line was difficult to maintain and was cut frequently by
shellfire. The advance of our inf. torwards the Blue Line met with slight 

5.

opposition except from MGs and sniping about G.33 central and high ground
in G.33.d. The former were neutralised by an 18 pdr. bty., the latter by
the 110th.   By 2 p.m. our inf. patrols were in sunken road at Eleven Trees
along scarp leading to G.33.c.o.o. and to scarps about M.2.b.9.9., and thence
to quarry in M.2.d.   On the right considerable M.G. was coming from village
of Pontruet which held up the advance there.   From 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. bty. moved
a section at a time to position R.11.a.6.7.  The bty. was in action firing
continuously during this time. From 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.........there was
considerably movement by individuals and small parties in M.4., 10, & 11 and
along track M.10.a.9.9 to M.4.c.O.4. (Line to bty. was cut several times so
these could not be engaged.)   During this time 3 ammn. limbers, 1 two-wheeled
|vehicle, and 1 G.S. waggon came along track M.4.c. - M.10.a. The ammn.
|waggons, after considerable hesitation on the part of the drivers, dumped
|their loads about M.10.a.O.4.   The other vehicles halted and unloaded

[*110 in
Gs*]
|M.10.a.9.9.   At 5 p.m. parties of Germans in marching order began to move up
|to trenches M.10.b., M.9.b. and d., M.10.c. and 16.a.   This movement was
|engaged by 110th Bty. - 40 rounds fired with good results.   Also engaged by
|field art. on our right.   At 5.15 Germans could be seen occupying trenches in
G.33.c. and d.   Fired 100 rounds on these with good results.   Continued
harassing fire on trenches G.33.d. till 6.30 p.m.  At 6.30 a hostile bty.
could be seen in action at M.16.b.5.8 in a ?semi-covered position - 20 rounds were fired
which neutralised it. From 11 to 11.20 p.m. barrage was fired in support of
our attack on the Blue Line .....

German art. did not appear to use much heavy art. on the front
during the day.  He put down distributed harassing fire with four 21s 4.2's and 77's
using a large percentage of blue-cross gas.
A marked difference between this operation and the operation
on Aug. 8th was the amount of art. fire both field and heavy after completion
of the barrage.  During the whole day our art. was very active and the enemy
was given no quiet periods in which to reorganise.   All ranks of inf. are
enthusiastic about the barrage.                              

11th Field Art. Bde.
Extracts from War Diary.

11th Sept. 8.30 a.m.  Bde. left Feuiller^es and took over bty. positions
occupied by 14th Bde. in vicinity Hancourt, arriving 2.30 p.m. Bde. became
advance guard bde. working in conjunction with 13th Inf. Bde.   It was
necessary to move the btys. forward and C.O. and Bty. Cdrs. reconnoitred the
area; positions chosen for all btys. in front of Flechin.   Btys. occupied
positions that night.   Men tired after somewhat strenuous day but quite
cheerful.   Horses had very heavy day but stood it well.

13th Sept.  Weather continued wet.  Inf. have been gradually working forward
and from time to time we are called on to deal with MGs and also personnel.
The wood in L.33.d. and R.3.b. receiving particular attention.  At 8.15 p.m.
S.O.S. barrage lin observed and btys. fired on S.O.S. barrage line.  Commn.
between inf. bde and bns, was cut and we were requested by inf. to continue
firing, which was done.  Subsequently ascertained we had had a post pushed
back.   During night harassing fire carried out on areas requested by inf.

14th Sept.  During morning enemy art. much more active.  Our art. carried out
a number of shoots.   One by 41 and 111th Btys. on MGs in R.9.b reported by inf.
very effective.  The MGs have not since fired.

15th Sept.  During day enemy very persistent in shelling btys. - as a result
43 Bty. moved to Q.24.a.70.30.   Commenced carrying up ammn. to the positions
selected yesterday.   The establishment is 600 rounds per gun and 400 per how.
and this means a good deal for the horses. (Establishment was completed by
the night of the 17th.)

6.
16th Sept.  Enemy continued shell our positions and 111 Bty. has moved to
Q.18.b.

17th Sept. 10 p.m.  All Btys. and B.H.Q. moved forward into battle positions
in vicinity R.14.a.  600 rounds per 18 pdr. and 400 for 4.5 how. having been
taken forward the previous night.

18th Sept.  Heavy rain during night and still falling at zero (5.20).
Barrage opened well and very little enemy retaliation experienced.  At 9.10
|a.m. 41 Bty. moved forward in support of the 14th Bn. and B.H.Q. moved to
R.2.c.35.15 to be in touch with 4th Inf. Bde.  At 9.49, 10, and 10.10 a.m.
the 43rd, 111th and 42nd Btys. moved forward to positions previously picked
out on the map, in vicinity R.4.a.  By this time our inf. had captured the
second objective.  The 14th Bn. on the left supported by the 41st Bty. now
went on and exploited the success.....
11 p.m.  Inf. again advanced under our barrage.

19th Sept.  Men all in good spirits and delighted with their success.

20th Sept.  Men do not appear to be tired after their strenuous time.

21st Sept.  Inf. very active patrolling during night and pushed forward
line about 300 yards.  Our guns kept going all night covering them.