Charles E W Bean, Diaries, AWM38 3DRL 606/280B/1 - August - October 1918 - Part 13










5 Div. Arty. (Bessell Browne)
C.R.A.
Diary
25/9/18 x 5 DAHQ & 5 Div MTM Btys resting.
13 & 14 A FA Bdes in line
27/9/18 13 & 14 FA Bdes withdrew to Waggon lines & came
under CRA 5 Div.
28/9/18 CRA held conference of Bde Cdrs & discussed
forthcoming operns
CRA conferred with GOC 5 Div. re projected attack
on Hind Line
13 & 14 FA Bdes moved to assembly posns
w J 35 & 36
29/9/18 13 & 14 FA Bdes moved fwd in liaison
with 5 Div Inf Bdes.
30/9/18 During night 29/30 Sept follg arty, came under
CRA 5 Div.
4 & 5 A FA Bdes
6 & 12 Army A FA Bdes
84 " RFA Bde
65 " "
CRA conferred GOC 5 Div during day
& discussed the different phases of the opern
[shorthand] progress.
1/10/18 CRA 2 Div visited CRA 5 Div in connection
with taking over part of 5 Div Arty front
2/10/18 CRA 5 Div conferred with GOC 5 Div
re withdrawal of 5 Div Arty into reserve
At 0900 the follg bdes came under command
2
CRA 5 Div
Diary
2/10/18 (contd) of CRA 5 Div -
10 & 11 A FA Bdes
86 Army Bde RFA
Simultaneously follg bdes came under
CRA 2 Div _
12 Army Bde A FA
4 & 5 A FA Bdes
84 Army Bde RFA
65 " " "
At 1800 the six Bdes under CRA 5 Div
withdrew to waggon lines.
5 Div Arty
Messages & Signals Extracts from Telephone messages
29 Sept
9.50 a.m. Sigs 5 Div to 5 D.A. Infy reported that
13 FA Bde [shorthand] gone fwd [shorthand] out of communication.
10.20 a.m. From 14 FA Bde. Bde [shorthand] moving
2 p.m. From 13 FA Bde. Btys were to occupy posns
W. of Bellicourt xxx 11.30 a.m They were
further fwd but had to pull back.
line ran G 24 c O5 - G 18 d 00 - G 18 a 00 -
G 18 a 28.
2.10 pm [shorthand] CRA to ^GOC 5 Div. Conferred re 1st D.A.
assisting. Arrgd that they [shorthand] only help provided
they knew latest situation [shorthand] hardly [shorthand] possible
[shorthand] infy were involved.
2.25 pm From CRA to GOC 5 Div Asked whether
Cavalry had gone through. Arrgd with H.A.
support with 1½ hours
2.35 pm [shorthand] CRA to HA Aust Corps. Advised
of situation x GOC referred matter to higher
authority - ordered to carry out shoot. Shoot
on Red Line [shorthand] beyond [shorthand] 1½ hours
2.35 pm From 41 Bde RGA to 5 Div Arty HQ Message
time 11.50 from BM 15 Inf Bde "57 & 58 Bns to move to
attack with Americans in Le Catelet line and barrage
reqd ". Not received at DA HQ. At 1.45
[shorthand] ascertained that [shorthand] only a pocket holding out. Conferred
re moving [shorthand] CRA ordered [shorthand] move at once to posn reconnoitred
G 1 & 2.
2
Telephone messages
29/9/18
2.40 pm 15 Inf Bde to CRA. Asb [shorthand] barrage
from A 30 c 50 to A 24 c 03 on Green Line
at 3 pm & lifting 500 yds every 20 mins [shorthand]
1500 yds.
2.45 pm GOC 5 Div, advised accdly. 6 [shorthand] not affect
heavy shooting beyond Red Line.
2.50pm To 41 Bde RGA Shoot barrage [shorthand] reqd. [shorthand]
necy to delay [shorthand] move [shorthand] present to carry /
barrage.
3.10 pm From 41 Bde RGA Abty cdr [shorthand] living
with 15 AI Bde. He [shorthand] relieved & another officer
to take [shorthand] place. Col.Bond [shorthand] proceed to
Infy [shorthand] after barrage, move 6-inch hows and
if situation clears up to move 60 pdrs
later.
3.30 p.m. From Bde Major 5 Div Arty to 3 Div Arty.
Conferring on situation.
4.10 pm From 15 Inf Bde Barrage [shorthand] regd -
everything satisfactory. Are [shorthand] way to
Le Catelet Line [shorthand] there by [shorthand],
6.5 pm From 41 Bde RGA 15 AI Bde report not on
Green Line. Conferring. Situation
obscure. C.O. is at present with btys - 6"
hows [shorthand] moving [shorthand]. Expect to get line to
15 Bde tonight
6.18 pm From CRA to 6 A FA Bde. Conferring.
Necy [shorthand] place [shorthand] where C [shorthand] operate [shorthand] SOS
if reqd. Villeret - give [shorthand] suffic range.
Take Northern front. From Hind Line to
where it joins Le Catelet Line
3
Telephone Message
29/9/18
6.30 pm GOC authorises CRA to take over
command of arty covering front.
6.50 pm CRA 5 Div to CRA 1 Div. Conferring re
situation. [shorthand] give [shorthand] assistance
reqd.
7.15pm CRA 5 Div to GSO1. 5Div. Conferring
re situation [shorthand] arranging [shorthand] 1 D.A. to cover whole
front if reqd. Our arty to remain under
orders of Inf Bdes. SOS. A 22 d central -
A 29 central - G 6 c central & roads
G1 2 b 48 - along sunken road.
7.20 pm Arrgd with CRA 1 Div to coverwhole front as above.
7.40 pm From CRA 1 Div. Information shows
that Americans outside of SOS line & require [shorthand]
put at A22 d59 - 29 b82 - G6 a46 -
G12 d 86. Approved.
9.35 pm From CRA to Bde Main 5 Div Arty.
14 A I Bde to attack tomorrow. Three Bdes [shorthand] fire
creeping barrage 120 mins A 27-28 central
N. to LeCatelet. One bty to fire smoke barrage
on E edge of barrage.
9.45 pm 6 A FA Bde advised accordingly.
Bty posns. 18 Bty L17 a 78
16 Bty L17 a 3015
17 Bty L 23 c 76
106 Bty L 23 c 33
Col Cohen has no commun to Btys [shorthand]
L 3 a
4.
Telephone message
29/9/18
10 pm. To Capt Prior. To inform 13 FA Bde
of attack in morning . Most Easterly bty to
fire smoke.
10.30pm to 14 FA Bde advising scheme of attack
10.45 From CRA Have [shorthand] touch with Bdes? Yes.
Ammun [shorthand] a difficulty. Staff Captn [shorthand] dealing
with wtr. A 6th Army Bde AFA cannot
reach objective [shorthand] present posns. CRA orders
[shorthand] move to such posns [shorthand] enable [shorthand] do so.
10.55 To 6 FA bde. Conferring re attack.
CRA orders guns [shorthand] put such [shorthand] posn [shorthand]
support attack. C.O. [shorthand] confer [shorthand]
CRA. re move [shorthand] guns.
Zero. 6 am. 240 rds per gun. 6 Army
Bde [shorthand] not operate but [shorthand] cover 8 A1 Bde
front. Only 13 & 14 FA Bdes [shorthand] participate
41 Bde RGA [shorthand] [not?] participate. HA support
reqd on Prospect Hill only.
30/9/18 7.45 am. From G.O.C. Infy being shelled [shorthand] Cabaret Fm
by 77mm over open uyts sights. Passed to Lt Col Cohen. He
had [shorthand] communication. Passed to H.A.
8 am From Capt Prior. Asking [shorthand] information on movement at
Sugar Factory [shorthand] confer[shorthand] Infy [shorthand] then latest situation.
Liaison reported all Bn liaison lines out of order.
8.45 am CRA to 14 FA Bde. Barrage ragged. Reported
all guns in action.
10 am To 6 FA Bde Tp reconnoitre & move forward.
3 pm. From 14 FA Bde 15 A I Bde prepare push fwd right bn to
Green Line & take Cabaret Wood [shorthand] Sig Stn. 8 AI Bde [shorthand]meet [shorthand] require
HA. on Estrees
5
Telephone message
30/9/18
3.10 pm To H.A. HA cannot fire inside A 27 central - A 27 d 00
- E to T 25 d 00 - South to B 13 d 00 - E to B 18 c 00
South.
3.20 pm To 12 FA Bde. Two Bdes to bombard trench system. G6 and
H1 till 4.15 pm. One rd [?] [shorthand] then lift on to
Folemprise [shorthand] NW part of Estrees.
3.20 pm From G1, 5 Div. Corps [shorthand] approved [shorthand] HA to
shoot as reqd [shorthand] opern.
3.40 To Right Group ne Bde to fire [shorthand] opern [shorthand] Left Gp.
3.45 To HA Corps. Explaining situation to [shorthand] they [shorthand] fire
Field Guns programme
3.55 From R.A. Corps 13 & 14 Btys will not move [shorthand] Cavalry but [shorthand]
remain in action under CRA 5 Div
4.5 pm From GI 5 Div. Reported that all calibres
[shorthand] engaging Le Catelet Line opp G6 - H1.
C.B. [?Counter bty A.W.R.] informed [shorthand] state they cannot
fire without orders [shorthand] Corps. Reported to GOC 5 Div
who [shorthand] ring Corps [shorthand embargo [shorthand] removed.
[*HA not alld*]
4.15 From C.B.S.O. CRA reported that GOC 5Div had asked Corps
to allow HA enjoy guns firing on Le Catelet.
4.35 From 14 XXX AI Bde 60 pdrs start shooting in G6 c
4.35 From 8 AI Bde 60 pdrs falling W of Etrecourt
G18 d. HA advised accordingly. They think it is IX Corps
6.45pm From GI 5 Div. 1st Guards [shorthand] manned Le Catelet trench.
[*H.A. alld*]
Arrange to bombard [shorthand] ¼ hour. From H 23 c 37 up
to A11 central. Arranged with 68 Bde RGA
6.45 From RA Corps. Restrictions on HA [shorthand] lifted
7 pm From CRA to BM 5 Div Arty. Shoot on Le Catelet system
[shorthand]
short bursts [shorthand] night [shorthand] not as arrgd. Arrgd with 68 Bde
accordingly & 3 DA informed.
7.15 pm From GOC to CRA. Arrange to put down burst of fire [shorthand]
both FA & HA [shorthand] night on Sugar Factory H7 c 3 . Lamp Sig
Stn. G6 d, trench system A B C H.
11pm CRA returned [shorthand] conference held at HQ 14 AI Bde
6.
Telephone
messages
1/10/18 2.45 am. 5 DA. order 93 re 5 Div straightening its front [shorthand] general
line HI5 central - A 22 central issued,
7.45 am From 14 FA B. Inf [shorthand] advancing beyond Cabaret Fm8.10 8.5. am From 15 AI Bde. All objectives [shorthand] gained
All guns extreme range.
8.10 From Liaison 8 AI Bde All objectives reported
joined by the 3 bdes. Moving on.
9.10 From Liaison 8 AI Bde 8 Bde in 9 a & b E [shorthand] Joncourt
15 A1 Bde reported with tanks. [shorthand] Estrees & A24 b
9.50 am To Left Group. Occupy posns to cover Beaurevoir Line
10.5.am To Right Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
in vicinity of Nauroy.
11.50 a.m. From G.2, 5 Div. Report from air Enemy hold
Beaurevoir Line [shorthand] retiring [shorthand] Estrees - Joncourt.
Conferred re arty.
3 p.m. From 14 FA Bde. Line now runs A 23 central -
A 30 b 44 - H 1 a 58 - trenches 'Wedge' Estrees.
Enemy shelling Estrees [shorthand] along the front heavily.
55 Bty [shorthand] action G9 d 4728, 114th G9 b 0590.
During morning field guns [shorthand] engaged enemy
advancing skirmishing order on line Jack, Jill,
Pail Copses B 19 & B 25.
3.30 pm From 14 FA Bde. 54 Bty forward section G 10 d 9588.
53 forward section G 10 b 7540.
5.15 pm BM 5 DA told G3, 5 Div of report that enemy barrage
[shorthand] being placed [shorthand] E [shorthand] Estrees [shorthand] NF calls show that the [shorthand] guns
[shorthand] 5000 yds E [shorthand] Beaurevoir Line.
5 Div Arty. 4 pm. 30/9/18
Right Group under command Lt Col H. Cornes, DSO.
HQ. L20 d 84
84 Army Bde RFA
HQ L20 d 84
A Bty L17 a 8815
B " L17 c 2797
C " L17 c 7585
D " L24 7386
65 Army Bde RFA
HQ L13 d 9545
465 Bty L11 a 1631
466 L 11 c 1593
46
504 " L11 a05 73
505 " L10 a 8976
Left Group under command Lt Col HW Lloyd
(HQ L10 a25)
12 Army Bde A FA.
HQ, L10 a 25
45 Bty. L11 b 7260
46 " L11 a 9115
47 " L11 a 9025
112 " L5 d 6015
4 A FA Bde
HQ L9 c 59
10 Bty L5 a 3640
11 " L5 a 6364
12 " L5 a 3754
104 " L5 b 4030
13 A FA Bde. (Lt Col HO Caddy) supporting 8 AI Bde
H.Q. G7 d 42
49 Bty G13 b 2095
50 " G8 d 8020
51 " G8 c 8080
113 " G9 c 91
2.
4 pm 30/9/18
14 A FA Bde (Lt. Col. F P Denham) supporting 15 A1 Bde
HQ G3 c 52
53 Bty G9 a 39
54 G9 a 24
55 G2 d 81
114 X L6 a 53
6 Army Bde A FA (Lt. Col HE Cohen) supporting 14 AI Bde
HQ G8 c 73
16 Bty G14 b 97
17 G14 b 28
18 G14 b 65
106 G14 a 97

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