Charles E W Bean, Diaries, AWM38 3DRL 606/280B/1 - August - October 1918 - Part 12

5.
Throughout night harassing fire carried out on main roads
and approaches trench systems and likely places of activity. 111th How.
Bty. using gas. One section per bty. moved up to forward positions in
F.17.d. and a quantity of ammunition. Considerable art. and MG. fire
experienced and some casualties to personnel and animals.
28th Sept. Harassing fire throughout day in addition to which 111th How.
Bty. cut wire. Attack by 27th American Div. appears to have been only
partially successful and great difficulty is being experienced in obtaining
any definite information as to actual situation which is great handicap to
art. Lt. E. C. King, 41st Bty. and Lt. T. P. Clarke, 42nd Bty. are doing
liaison with 105th American Regt. Hostile art. again active throughout
day - shelling general and scattered. Enemy MGs. also active on forward
cross roads. Remaining sections of btys. have been moved up to forward
positions tonight and ammn. carting completed and final preparations made
for second attack by Americans and 3rd and 5th Aust. Divs. in morning.
29th Sept. 5.50 a.m. creeping barrage in support of American attack.........
Retaliation from enemy heavy for first half hour on forward areas and bty.
positions and much MG. fire experienced at bty. positions, accountable for
many of the casualties sustained. Retaliation from enemy heavy
At 9.35 a.m. 42nd Bty. fired on trenches in S.27.b. and at 10 a.m. the same
bty. engaged trenches in S.21.d. 11.35 a.m. 41st, 43rd and 111th Btys.
swept and searched trench systems in S.21.d. at a slow rate of fire for 15
minutes. At 12.30 p.m. 42nd Bty. fired on S.27.b. and d. at 2 rounds per
gun per minute for 20 minutes. 2.55 p.m. 41st Bty. engaged trench junction
A.1.b. central and 43rd Bty. Jager trench in A.2.a. at rate of 2 rounds
p.g.p.m. for 10 minutes. At 2.57 111th How. fired 40 rounds BX on sunken
road in A.2.b. 3.15 p.m. 42nd Bty. engaged same target for 12 minutes at
2 rounds p.g.p.m. 4 p.m. 111th Bty. effectively engaged hostile bty. at
A.11.c.0.0.30 (70 rounds BX).
The same difficulty experienced today in obtaining definite
information as to actual situation at the front. Day has been another
strenuous one for all ranks.. Special mention might be made of the drivers
who despite heavy shell and MG. fire kept the guns supplied with ammunition
throughout. Casualties - one officer killed, one officer wounded. 10 
other ranks killed, 25 wounded. One other rank gassed. 17 animals killed.
30th Sept. Marked absence of enemy planes during day, the only one that
ventured over being show down by our MGs. Our planes active throughout
day.
1st Oct. Day broke fine and except for early morning mist visibility good.
12.15 p.m. 41st Bty. searched and swept S.E. corner A.10.b. for 15 minutes
and then lifted to A.5.d. (200 rounds). 42nd Bty. searched and swept N.E.
corner A.10.b. for 15 minutes then lifted to trenches in A.5.a. for 15
minutes (200 rounds). 43rd Bty. engaged trenches in A.11.c. (N. half) and
then lifted to trenches in A.11.b. for 15 minutes (200 rounds). 111th Bty.
searched wood in A.10.b. and then trenches in A.5.d. (200 rounds). These
shoots were repeated by all btys. 3.40 p.m. (800 rounds). At 5.30 p.m.
41st Bty. effectively engaged MGs in A.4.c. and d., S.29.c. and S.28.d.
(190 rounds) and silenced them.
The C.O. 105th American Regt. visited Bde. H.Q.'s this
afternoon and expressed his thanks for all the assistance the Australians
had given them in their recent operations.
2nd Oct. Bde. moved to Bellicourt area at daylight and came into action
at A.28.c. at 9 a.m. Bty. positions good and just behind crest of ridge
giving commanding view of enemy country.

6.
C.R.A. 4th Aust. Div. Extracts from war diary.
5th Oct. Information received that 4th Div. Art. would again act as 
Div. art. for 30th American Div.
6th Oct. 9.a.m. G.O.C. R.A. 7th Corps assumed command of Aust. Div.
Artys. and Army Bdes. covering 2nd American Corps. C.R.A. attended
conference 30th American Div. H.Q., Buire Wood, 10 a.m. and information
received that C.R.A. 4th Aust. Div. would subsequently have command of Right
Group under orders of C.R.A. 2nd Aust. Div. in the line covering 30th
American Div. Owing shortage of officers and men in 10th and 11th A.F.A.
Bdes. it was found necessary to absorb the trench mortar personnel
temporarily.
7th Oct. 18.30 command Right Group passed to C.R.A. 4th Div. from C.O.
6th Army Bde. A.F.A. The art. under command of C.R.A. is composed of :-
6th Amy Bde. A.F.A. (Lt.-Col. H. E. Cohen)
10th A.F.A. (Lt.-Col. T. I. C. Williams)
11th A.F.A. Bde. (Lt.-Col C. H. Spurge)
13th A.F.A. Bde. (Lt.-Col. H. O. Caddy)
14th A.F.A. Bde. (Lt.-Col. F. P. Derham).
8th Oct. at 0510 30th American Div. attacked between Beaurevoir and
Montbrehain under cover of creeping barrage put down by ten F.A. Bdes.
In advance to exploitation line 6th A.F.A. Bde. moved forward to cover the
advancing inf. At 16.30 information received that 13th and 14th A.F.A.
Bdes. were to withdraw and become div. reserve.
9th Oct. Attack continued 5.20 a.m. to line adjoining Becquigny-Busigny.
11th A.F.A. Bde. advanced in close touch with inf.
10th Oct. Advance again continued at 0530 with object of gaining west
bank of Selle River. At Vaux-Andigny resistance by enemy stiffened
considerably and inf. unable to take St, Benin and St. Souplet.
11th Oct. In morning at 0530 attempt made obtain position bridgeheads of
Selle and ridge to E. of river between St. Benin, St. Souplet and Andigny.
St. Benin and St. Souplet captured but 60th American Inf. Bde. unable to
occupy Vaux-Andigny completely. 10th A.F.A. Bde. detailed to act as
advance guard bde. covering 60th American Inf. Bde. During night 30th
American Div. relieved in line by 27th American Div.
12th Oct. Command of Field Art. covering 27th American Div. passed at
1000 from C.R.A. 2nd Aust. Div. to C.R.A. 4th Aust. Div. Art. under
command C.R.A. 4th Aust. Div. grouped as follows :-
Right Group (Lt.-Col. H. E. Gohen)
6th Army Bde. A.F.A.
10th and 11th A.F.A. Bdes.
Left Group (Brig.-Gen. O. F. Phillips)
4th and 5th A.F.A. Bdes.
12th Army Bde. A.F.A.
13th Oct. 3rd and 5th Aust. Div. Artys. marched into 27th American Div.
area under orders of C.R.A. 4th Aust. Div. and reinforced Right and Left
Groups respectively. Lieut. A. J. Bussell, 37th Bty. killed in action.
14th Oct. Art. grouped as follows :-
Right Group (Lt-Col. T. I. C. Williams)
10th, 11th, 8th, and 13th A.F.A. Bdes, - in the line

7. 
Left Group (Brig.-Gen O. F. Phillips)
5th, 4th, 7th & 14th A.F.A. Bdes. - in the line
Right Reserve Bde. - 6th Army Bde. A.F.A.
Left Reserve Bde. - 12th Army Bde. A.F.A.
16th Oct. At 1000 30th American Div. took over portion of line held by
27th American Div. and C.R.A. 5th Aust. Div. - acting as C.R.A. for 30th
American Div. - assumed command of 10th, 11th and 8th A.F.A. Bdes. and the
6th Army Bde. from C.R.A. 4th Aust. Div. Consequently art. under C.R.A.
4th Aust. Div. (covering 27th American Div.) grouped as follows :-
Right Group (Lt.-Col. H. W. Riggall)
5th and 4th A.F.A. Bdes.
Left Group (Lt.-Col. F. P. Derham)
14th and 7th A.F.A. Bdes.
Mobile Reserve Group (Lt.-Col. H. W. Lloyd)
12th Army Bde. A.F.A.
During night btys. moved into forward positions in readiness for attack.
17th Oct. At 0520 2nd American Corps between St. Souplet and Molain, under
cover of creeping barrage put down by four F.A. bdes. covering 27th American
Div. with a fifth bde. superimposed for special task of sweeping and searching 
St. Maurice Valley. At 0638 12th Army Bde. moved forward to positions
just W. of St. Souplet in order to cover inf. on their final objective.
11th A.F.A. Bde. had been detailed to advance across Selle River in close
support of inf. but owing to inf. advance being checked this move was not
possible. After end of barrage art. grouped as follows :-
Right Group
12th Army Bde. A.F.A.
10th A.F.A. Bde.
Left Group
5th and 4th A.F.A. Bdes.
Superimposed Group
11th A.F.A. Bde.
Lt. N. C. Taylor, 38th Bty., killed in action.

4th Div. Artillery. Extracts from war diary of C.R.A.
18th Oct. 1918./ At 5.30 a.m. attack resumed. Arty. again put down
creeping barrage and this was continued until each gun reached its extreme
range when fire ceased. The line was advanced about 1500 yds. The 10th
and 11th A.F.A. Bdes. crossed the Selle River and came into action near
Bandival Farm. From 2000 the arty. under command of C.R.A. 4th Aust. Div.
grouped as follows :-
Right Group - 10th A.F.A. Bde.
Left Group - 11th A.F.A. Bde.
Superimposed Bde. - 12th Army Bde. A.F.A.
19th Oct. 2nd Aust. Div. Arty. and 12th Army Bde. A.F.A. passed to corps
reserve, and 7th A.F.A. Bde. came under orders of C.R.A. 4th Div. All art.
emplaced E. of Selle River and grouped - 
Right Group - 10th A.F.A. Bde.
Left Group - 11th A.F.A. Bde.
Superimposed Group - 7th A.F.A. Bde.
20th Oct. During night 20th/21st 6th British Div. relieved 27th American
Div. in the line, and on completion of relief command of art. passed to the
C.R.A. 6th Brit. Div. (9th Corps), with C.R.A.'s 5th and 4th Aust. Divs.
acting as Right and Left Group commanders respectively.
21st Oct. 6th Army Bde. A.F.A. came under orders of C.R.A. 4th Div. but
it was found necessary to relieve this Bde. by the 14th Army Bde. R.F.A.
owing to the exhausted state of men and horses. Art. under C.R.A. grouped
as follows :_
No. 1 Sub Group (Lt.-Col. T. I. C. Williams)
10th & 11th A.F.A. Bdes.
No. 2 Sub Group (Lt.-Col. J. H. Gibbon)
14th Army Bde. R.F.A.
7th A.F.A. Bde.
23rd Oct. At 0120 art. under C.R.A. 4th Aust. Div. put down creeping
barrage in support of attack by 6th Brit. Div. Role of 6th Div. was to
form a pivoting protecting flank to the canal but not to cross it. Attack
successful in spite of fact that just prior to zero enemy put down heavy
concentrated shoot on front line when troops forming up. At 1800 14th
Army Bde. R.F.A. withdrew to Corps Reserve and art. then regrouped - 
No. 1 Group - 10th A.F.A. Bde.
No. 2 Group - 7th A.F.A. Bde.
Superimposed Group - 11th A.F.A. Bde.
24th Oct. 7th A.F.A. Bde. withdrew to Corps Reserve at 1800. 11th A.F.A.
Bde. moved up to forward positions to conform with inf. advance on left.
25th Oct. At 1700 10th A.F.A. Bde. withdrew to Corps Reserve and command
of the Right Group passed to Lt.-Col. C.H. Spurge, 11th A.F.A. Bde.

2.
Extracts from C.R.A.'s Summary of Operations Oct. 1918.
For attack of Nov. 9th at 0520, no art. barrage map was
issued, but all btys. assisted the inf. advance by searching back on
co-ordinated lines in lifts of 100 yds. every 3 minutes to their extreme
range when all fire ceased.
17th Oct. 27th American Div. unable to advance farther than Le Cateau-Ribeauville 
Road and in view of this fact two sections only of 42nd and
111th Btys. (11th A.F.A. Bde) crossed the River Selle as the remainder
of the Bde. were able to cover effectively the front lines from positions
W. of the river.........All bridges over river blown up by enemy and a 
trench system lightly wired had been dug along railway embankment which
made the position one of considerable strength.
Following on successful attacks on Hindenburg Line on
September 18th-29th, this Div. Art. has been continuously in action covering
2nd American Corps and 6th Brit. Div. In addition to daily harassing and
protective fire, six successive attacks necessitating considerable
preparatory fire and cover by creeping barrages for 5000 yds. in depth have
dominated demanded almost continuous and most enduring service from all
ranks of the arty. The repeated barrages, protracted periods of fire and
heavy demands on ammn. supply have at all times been successfully met by
the consistent efforts of the btys. and the D.A.C.

Heavy hostile art. fire has frequently been encountered,
especially during the firing of our barrages, and has resulted in considerable 
casualties to personnel, but except where guns have been put out of acti
action by direct hits no bty. or gun has ever been silenced. Hostile fire,
air shoots and searching of waggon line areas have also resulted in losses
of animals, and the protracted periods of heavy work entailed by abnormal
expenditure and urgent requirements of ammn. have lowered the condition of
horses and mules considerably.
Battle casualties during month of Oct. of ^4th Div. Arty. (10th and 11th
A.F.A. Bdes. and 4th D.A.C.) -
Officers - 3 killed; 6 wounded, 3 gassed
Other ranks - 5 killed; 99 wounded; 29 gassed; 1 missing.
Ammn. expended during Oct. by 10th and 11th A.F.A. Bdes. -
18 pdrs. - 28070 shrapnel; 24209 H.E.; 2121 smoke.
4.5 hows. - 14478 H.E.; 500 gas; 570 smoke
10th A.F.A. Bde. Extracts from war diary..
17th Oct. Supported 27th and 30th American Divs. in attack. Very foggy
until 9 a.m. Btys. heavily engaged with all calibre guns to 8 inch and
with T.M.'s - but casualties not as great as expected. Btys. moved up to
vicinity of Escaufort to support inf. 2nd Lt. N. C. Taylor killed, 28 
other ranks casualties.
22nd Oct. Final preparations made for continuance of attack next day.
Carting of ammn. was a heavy strain on the horses owing to their tired
condition and the distance over open - water sodden and sticky ground.
In early evening btys. subjected to heavy harassing fire up to 8 inch.
This was the more trying as all were living in holes dug in the ground

3.
and in some cases into banks. Each morning from 5 a.m. to 6.30 btys. have
been under enemy counter preparation fire - the hard time lately has not
only considerably thinned our ranks but has given a number of men nerves. 
An epidemic of P.U.O. has also visited us.
Now supporting the 6th Brit. Div.
23rd Oct. A barrage put down at 1.20 a.m. in support of further advance. 
During morning C.O. and O.O. reconnoitred front line and outposts and found 
the inf. dug in short of their objective and out of touch with the enemy. 
They then went forward of the outposts but there was no enemy in sight and
throughout the day very little hostile art. fire was put over except near
zero hour when a C.P. scheme and gas bombardment was put down on our inf.
rather disorganising them.
25th Oct. Batteries pulled out to waggon lines.
11th A.F.A. Bde. Extracts from war diary.
7th Oct. 5.15 a.m. to 6.6 a.m. all btys. supported attack by 30th American
Div. between Montbrehain and Beaurevoir - one round p.g.p.m.
8th Oct. At 5.10 a.m. bde. supported attack by 30th American Div. on 
Primont andBohain remaining on start line for 4 minutes and then advancing
in lifts of 100 yds. every 4 minutes to protective barrage line on which
they remained for 20 minutes at 2 rounds p.g.p.m. During morning btys.
moved up to new positions in C.26.c and d. Hostile art. quiet today
except for scattered shelling of roads and valleys and villages. Enemy
planes very active tonight bombing Montbrehain and roads.
9th Oct. 30th American Div. again attacked this morning at 5.30 a.m. with
Busigny and Beoquigny as their objectives. This Bde. supported the 118th
Regt., remaining on start line for 4 minutes at rate of 2 rounds p.g.p.m.
and then advancing in lifts of 100 yds. every 4 minutes at the same rate
to extreme range. One section of 43rd Bty. moved forward with inf. at zero
and engaged section of hostile guns (77's) at D.11.b.80.4.5 and parties of
enemy troops. The Bde. was again handicapped in not being able to obtain
any definite information as to the situation at the front but harassing
fire was maintained throughout the morning on roads, woods and valleys in 
rear areas. At 11 a.m. 118th Regt. was reported held up by MGs. in V.27.
This point was eventually cleared and by evening the final objective had
been reached. During afternoon btys. moved forward to new positions in C.12.
Lt. L. E. Bott, 43rd Bty., acted as liaison officer with the inf.
10th Oct. 5.30 a.m. attack by 30th American Div. continued their objective
being the Selle River. This Bde. supported attack putting down a barrage on
start line for 3 minutes then lifting to selected points (woods, cross roads
and villages) at 100 yrds. every 3 minutes up to extreme range. One section
of 41st Bty. advanced at zero keeping in touch with 120th Regt. and
engaging all opportune targets. During morning rest of bde. moved forward
into V.11. 41st Bty. manned a captured Boche bty. of 5.9's and fired
100 rounds from same on to Buire l'Eveque......The inf. on the left were
reported to have reached their objective early in the afternoon but the
120th Regt. on the right was held up by MGs. in Vaux Andigny.
11th Oct. 5.30 a.m. 30th Div. again attacked and was again supported by 
this Bde. putting down a creeping barrage remaining on start line for 20
minutes then advancing in lifts of 100 yds. every 4 minutes till protective
barrage line reached when fire ceased. 1.30 p.m. creeping barrage put down
on W.15.a. b. c. and d. by all btys. firing half a round p.g.p.m. During
the afternoon concentrated shoots put down at irregular intervals on 
trenches in W.20 b and d. and W.26.b. Lts. Willott, King and Crozier 
carried out liaison duties with inf. today. Through night trenches from 
W.20.d.8.7. to W.20.d.6.0. constantly harassed.
12th Oct. At 5 p.m. enemy attacked on our immediate left and this Bde. on 
orders from Group fired on line W.14.d.7.0 - W.9.c.20 at rate of one round 
p.g.p.m for 15 minutes. Attack repulsed. During the attack a heavy area

4.
shoot was put down by the enemy on rear areas and bty. positions. Germans
appear to have considerable amount of art. on this sector.
14th Oct. Owing to difficulty of obtaining ammn. from forward dumps
harassing fire has been curtailed till available in greater quantities.
As result of raid this afternoon 107th American Regt. brought in 2 officers
and 28 other ranks. It is believed that the German is evacuating this part 
of the line and there is much rumour of peace.
15th Oct. As a result of last night's patrolling it was found that the
enemy had been not withdrawn from these parts as thought. At 1.5 p.m. all
btys. put down a crash on H.Q. W.17.b.20.35. The 111th How. Bty.
calibrated its guns today and found them in fair condition.
16th Oct. Harassing fire carried out during day. 11 a.m. C.O. attended
conference of bde. commanders at Div. Art. H.Q. when tactics to be employed
in the coming operations were discussed. At 2 p.m. bty. cdrs. met at
B.H.Q. to discuss coming operations.
17th Oct. 5.20 a.m. 53rd & 54th American Bdes. attacked on a 4000 yd.
front with Sambre Canal as their xx final objective. this Bde. co-operated
putting down a creeping barrage - remained on start line for 3 minutes and
then advanced in lifts of 100 yds. every 3 minutes. On the completion of 
the barrage this Bde. became advance guard art. and was to follow in the
wake of the inf. Owing to the obscurity of the situation and the lack of
any definite information from the front this was impracticable. One
section of 42nd and 43rd Btys. crossed Selle River in support of the inf.
during afternoon but owing to left flank having been reported to have
fallen back leaving these guns in precarious position they were withdrawn
to the W. bank of the river this evening.
18th Oct. 5.30 a.m. 27th & 30th Divs. resumed attack supported by creeping
barrage advancing in lifts of 100 yds. every 3 minutes. This Bde. is,
with the 10th A.F.A. Bde., the advance guard art. and on reaching extreme
range advanced in support of the inf. eventually taking up positions in
Q.29.a. and c. with the inf. on a line along road running through R.19,
R.25.b. and R.26.c. Most of the opposition encountered today has again
been from MGs. which are numerous, the hedges and woods in this vicinity
affording excellent cover for them.
The constant strain and long run in the line under present
conditions of warfare is having its effect on both men and horses. Owing
to the shortage of personnel it is impossible to spell any of the detachments - 
for the same reason the bathing of the men and changing of their
clothes is a difficult problem, but with it all their spirits are still
buoyant.
19th Oct. During the night 53rd and 54th American Bdes. advanced the line
about 1000 yds. with practically no opposition and without art. support.
In consequence of all btys. of this Bde. moved forward into R.13. Hostile
art. very active today on forward areas and in vicinity of new bty.
positions. Hostile MGs. from direction of Basnel also been troublesome
about bty. positions.
20th Oct. British troops on left (25th Div.) attacked at 5.30 a.m. and
pushed line out in front of Basnel. Quiet on our front during the day.
42nd and 43rd Btys. moved back to le Quennelet Grange this morning having
been heavily shelled in their previous positions. Still within effective
range of the canal.
21st Oct. During afternoon enemy art. showed increased activity and any
movement on crests received attention from guns of all calibres, observation
being obtained from a balloon in the direction of Catillon.
22nd Oct. During afternoon 42nd and 43rd Btys. moved up to new positions
in Q.13.c. and carting of ammn. completed by all btys. tonight in
preparation for stunt in morning.

5.
23rd Oct. At 1.20 a.m the 6th Brit. Div. attacked in conjunction with 
First and Third Armies on our left. This Bde. put down a creeping
barrage - 18 pdrs. remaining on start line for 4 minutes and then advancing
in lifts of 100 yds. every 4 minutes to first protector, then searching 
eastwards to a depth of 1000 yds. for 15 minutes and then stopped firing.
At zero plus 180 minutes the barrage again moved forward in lifts of 100
yds. every 6 minutes to limit the range and then ceased. From zero to
zero plus 70 minutes 4.5 How. bty. smoked village of Ors and from that
hour to zero plus 100 fired gas into it. From 6.30 to 7.30 a.m. 42nd and
43rd Btys. continued smoke screen firing 4 rounds per bty. per minute.
The objective on our Div. front was attained without much resistance
except from trenches in R.10.a.b. and d. which were strongly held by the
enemy but considerable opposition was met with on our left.
24th Oct. Day passed without incident. During afternoon 42nd and 43rd 
btys. moved forward and 41st and 111th moved up tonight. Little news 
comes from the front but all is reported to be well and tonight the S.O.S.
line has been pushed out E. of the canal.
25th Oct. 5 p.m. 10th A.F.A. withdrew to waggon lines and we became right
Group under Lt.-Col. Spurge. This unit is now the only unit of the Aust.
Corps in the line. Harassing fire carried out during the day and night.....
The health of personnel is low as a result of constant strenuous time in
the line and a spell is ardently looked for. The condition of the animals 
is also low as a result of constant hard work, and are much below 
establishment.
26th Oct. Day passed without incident.
27th Oct. Hostile art. active before daylight - considerable amount of 
gas has been used in vicinity of bty. positions and B.H.Q. ^On orders from 
6th Brit. Div. Art. bty. cdrs. this morning reconnoitred positions for
incoming bdes. in R.15, R.16, R.21, R.22 and R.10.b. and as a result many
good positions found.
28th Oct. Enemy art. showed increased activity today especially during
afternoon and evening. Between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. all btys. of this Bde. 
retaliated with harassing fire, and again throughout the night.
29th Oct. Increased activity in the air today. At 2.30 p.m. enemy plane 
attacked one of our observation balloons but was driven off by our airmen
who eventually bought him down in flames, the pilot escaping in a
parachute. Harassing fire carried out all night by all 18 pdr. btys. A
heavy concentration of gas put down tonight by the H.A. in which the 111th
Bty. co-operated - from 7.30 p.m. to 3.30 a.m. The Vet. Officer (Major
C. T. McKenna) today wounded by MG. bullet from hostile plane.
30th Oct. Day passed without incident. Hostile art. fairly active on
forward areas and in vicinity of bty. positions throughout afternoon.
31st Oct. Enemy art. again active today with 77's and 4.2's. Between 4 p.m.
and 7 p.m. all btys. carried out harassing fire which was continued at
intervals throughout the night. Silent periods throughout day and night are
being observed for the next few days to enable sound ranging to be carried
out. 6th Div. being relieved by 32nd Div. in line tonight.
1st Nov. Enemy art. fairly active throughout day, battery areas coming in 
for good deal of attention. Between 5 and 7 p.m. all batteries carried out 
harassing fire on main roads and approaches, aeroplanes having reported
much movement in R.12.a. and M.15.a. and c. Throughout night usual
harassing of roads and points of activity.
2nd Nov. Day dull with some rain and visibility low. This has favoured
preparations for forthcoming attack and the carting of ammn. has been
proceeded with throughout day to new bty. positions. Hostile art. less
active today. Between 6 and 8 p.m. all btys. carried out harassing fire 
in R.12.a. and M.9.b. and d., 200 rounds, and again throughout night bursts
of fire put down ar irregular intervals. Lt. C. J. Peek of 41st Bty. 
slightly wounded but remained on duty.

6.
3rd Nov. At 8 a.m. 14th Bde. R.F.A. took over defence of line from this 
Bde., when btys. pulled out and moved up to new positions in L.28. At
10.30 bde. cdrs. met in conference at Group H.Q. (4th A.D.A.) when the
proposed operations for taking of canal on 4th were discussed - followed
by conference of bty. commanders at B.H.Q. At 10 a.m. we became No. 2 Sub
[* Still in 
but silent*]
Group consisting of 5th Army Bde. R.F.A., 10th and 11th A.F.A. Bdes. under
command of Lt.-Col. Spurge. Btys. remained silent during the day and night and
carting of ammn. completed tonight - establishment at guns 400 rounds per
18 pdr., 350 rounds per how. Enemy art. active during afternoon and night.
4th Nov. Day broke fine but gradually became foggier. At 5.45 a.m.
barrage opened, remaining on start line for 5 minutes then lifting 300 yds.
where it remained until zero plus 35, and then creeping Eastwards in lifts
of 100 yds. each 6 minutes to Yellow protective barrage and remained on
this line for 15 minutes and stopped firing. At zero plus 134 minutes
barrage reopened on line marked 130-140 with 25% 18 pdrs. and 4.5 hows.
superimposed in depth. Remained on this line for 6 minutes and then crept
Eastwards in lifts of 100 yds. per 6 minutes to line "Dotted Blue Protector",
remaining on this line for 15 minutes and then stopped firing. During this
latter operation 5th Bde. R.F.A. established a flank barrage "A" firing 10%
smoke. Reports received that left bn. meeting with strong opposition on
our front from MGs. on E. of canal and great difficulty experienced in 
erecting bridges to cross. At 7.20 light retaliation on bty. areas, and
very scattered. One other rank and 3 other ranks wounded in 43rd Bty.
7.55 a.m. reported that right bn. was crossing canal by bridge near Ors
Church and working N. along E. side of canal. Left bn. digging in on W.
bank - opposite lined with MGs.  8.30 a.m. Yellow line reported to have been
reached on right. From L.36.c.7.2. to G.26.c.8.7 inf. still held up on
canal. 9 a.m. orders received from Group to drop barrage to zero plus
59-65 minutes line for 15 minutes at 1 round p.g.p.m. and then half round
p.g.p.m. till further orders. 9.10 a.m. one coy. of left bn. reported on
W. bank of canal at G.27.c.5.2. to G.27.b.9.2; one coy. on high spur in
G.27.a., and one coy. in support on W. of railway line in G.27.a. 10 a.m.
reports received that good advancement being made by 25th Div. on left and 1st
Div. on right and prisoners numerous. 10.25 a.m. protective barrage lifted
to zero plus 101-107 minutes line at same rate of fire. Much opposition
still being met with from spur in G.32.a. and b. 12.50 p.m. 111th How. Bty.
searched area 500 yds. E. of barrage line and at 1 p.m. engaged MG. nest at
G.32.a.4.5.  1.5 p.m. instructions received from Div. Art. for Bty. Cdrs.
to reconnoitre positions for one section per bty. in L.24.a.  1.30 p.m.
orders from D.A. to cease fire. Btys. stood down on last line as provisional
S.O.S. Prisoners continue to come in freely. Afternoon quiet and planes
report tonight that Boche is in full retreat all along front and roads
congested with traffic going Eastwards. All btys. with air recuperator
buffers fired 100 rounds per bty. on these roads during the night up to
extreme range.
5th Nov. Day wet and visibility low. Orders received from D.A. that Bde.
would withdraw during the day. Btys. withdrew to waggon lines at Le Cateau
and became IX Corps Reserve. Gen. Budworth, M.G.R.A., visited B.H.Q. this
afternoon and congratulated the Bde. on its work throughout the operations.
7th Nov. Conference of bde. cdrs. at 4th D.A.H.Q. this morning to meet Gen.
Budworth when situation generally was discussed. Difficulty is being
experienced in keeping touch with the Germans who appear to be in headlong
flight. Btys. busy reorganising and re-equipping and cleaning up generally.
8th Nov. The health of the men is mostly good and the relief from the
constant strain of fighting has even in these few days shown its effect on
their spirits. Odd cases of influenza are daily reported but there are few
evacuations. The horses too are showing sign of improvement from the few
days' rest and with the grazing that is here and hay from the farmhouses in
the vicinity will shortly be in good condition.
11th Nov. News received this morning that an armistice had been granted to
Germany and that hostilities would cease at 11 a.m. for which all ranks are
truly thankful. The good news was received very placidly by the troops but 
all wore a very self-satisfied expression. This afternoon was observed as

7.
a half holiday by the Bde. in honour of the occasion. It is proposed to
hold a bde. sports meeting at an early date and a meeting was held this
afternoon to discuss preliminary arrangements.
13th Nov. Conference of Bde. Bty. Cdrs. held at D.A.H.Q. this morning 
when future movements were discussed. It is intended that 2 Brit. and two
French Armies and an American Corps should form armies in occupation on the
frontier. The Aust. Corps is expected to occupy the bridgehead at Coblence
but no moves are likely to take place for a fortnight. In the meantime
btys. are to pay special attention to the training of the men and their
turnout generally. Afternoons now being devoted to sport.
20th Nov. Orders received today that this Div. would start on its march
to the Rhine tomorrow. Btys. busily preparing for move.
21st Nov. Bde. moved out this morning for La Groise. Only sufficient
accommodation here for 2 btys. so remainder of Bde. moved to Le Sart.
22nd Nov. Expected that we will be her for four or five days and all
are very comfortable.
24th Nov. Comforts in form of food, underclothes, sporting material and
costumes today received from Aust. Comforts Fund and much appreciated by
all ranks.
25th Nov. Orders received tonight that Div. would continue its march to
the Rhine on 27th.
27th Nov. Bde. moved up to Cartignies during morning.
28th Nov. Bde. moved on to Liessies this morning.
29th Nov. Conference of bde. and bty. cdrs. held at 4th D.A.H.Q. when
C.R.A. gave an address on demobilisation and the form it would take.
Div. Educ. Officer also lectured on Education Scheme.