Charles E W Bean, Diaries, AWM38 3DRL 606/280B/1 - August - October 1918 - Part 5

CRA 5 Div. Report
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Brie].  It was considd advisable to avoid the Brie bridge as
much as poss owing to the certainty of heavy traffic.
298 Army Bde, & 5 Army Bde RHA formed the advanced
arty — the former being already N of the bend in the Somme
and the latter near the crossing.  During the early part of the night the 298
Bde moved via Flamicourt bridge to O16 & O22.
5 Army Bde moved to same area by Brie bridge.
13 & 14 AFA Bdes formed the support arty.
Without moving they were still able to cover the front
over the night 5/6 Sept.
6 Sept   A section from the advance arty was detailed to each of the two
bn commanders in front line.  Support arty moved across
Brie bridge during aftn & went to O16 & O22.
7 Sept  Advanced arty moved into action in Q14,
Q15, & Q26.
Support arty occupied posns in Q2, Q8,
Q20, Q26.

During morning enemy plane while attempting
to m/gun 5 Army Bde was brought down by one of our
scouts.
The fwd sections shelled the rly in R8, 15, & 20 

throughout day.  Enemy bty limbering up was engaged
& two teams & limbers knocked out.
8 Sept.  Owing to scarcity of targets arty activity
practically nil.
On aftn of 11 Sept. 11th & 10th AFA Bdes relieved ^13 & 14 Bdes.
Command of arty covering div front passed to CRA 4 Div. 

5 Div Arty
Location Report   6am 9/9/18
Advanced Group.
5th Army Bde RHA
HQ.     Q14d 73
G Bty  Q15c central
N   "     Q15a 96 - 4 guns
             Q15a 80 - 2 "
O    "    Q14b 61
298th Army Bde RFA
HQ      Q26d22
A Bty   Q26d46
B   "      Q27a35
C   "      Q31d85
D   "      Q27a01 

5 Div Arty.   Telephone messages
28/8/18    12 noon  to 8 Inf Bde.    Am pushing on a brigade for each bn
12.50 pm  from Right Group       M28b & d, & Liaison Officer has reported to
battalion.  1st FA Bde R24c rendezvous.
12 Army Bde R27b.
2 p.m.  from Left Group.    23 Army Bde RFA went fwd to M13d and
since moved on to get touch with infy
2 pm  to Left Group    Keep arty bdes in depth - one about M14            
3.55 pm  from Right Group    1st FA Bde in action M29d.
12th Army Bde AFA. posn of assembly R24
2 AFA Bde Laffin Wood M14.
9.50 pm.  from
2/1 Lowland Bty       All guns in action M21c28.  Instructed by
CRA not to shoot East of N23 central
and to harass all bridges & approaches over Somme.
29/8/18    7.30 am from G.S 5 Div    Infy are hustling forward and require arty to support them.
River should be reached with a few bounds.  Bridge heads to be estab
in 23 and 29 and fire reqd to cover it.  Field guns to
seize high xxxxxx ground M N30A
7.30am  from 12 FA Bde.    1st FA Bde now moving up in close support & 12
Army Bde followg.  2 FA Bde to remain in support.
8.10 a.m.  from
Bde Liaison    Within 800yds of river on main road & one bty
going into action in N29b.  Left obscure.
9.50 a.m.  from Liaison    Our infy on Canal on right & held up at Sterpigny
on left.
11 a.m. from Right Liaison    Infy are running wire to Right of Left bns.  Should be there in
half an hour.
12 noon from 2/1 Lowland
Bty    Officer reported that bty was on road moving to N29b.
30/8/18    To 13 FA Bde  12.30 pm    To send Liaison Officer to 29 Bn
4 p.m. from 8 Inf Bde    Posts withdrawn from E bank of Canal because of M/g fire
from trenches O22, 28, 34.  Do not shoot on Buire at
present.  No liaison at 31Bn.
23rd Army Bde instructed to send Liaison to 31 Bn
& to engage targets in O22, 28, 34 but not Buire
4.15  from 8 Inf Bde.    31 Bn being shelled, 4.2 & 5.9 from Le Mesnil
5.30 pm  from Left Liaison.    Proposed to drift across river tonight in two
objectives.  No arty preparn reqd.
5.45 pm  from 8 Inf Bde    Patrol across river & being heavily m/gunned from
Quarry O21d and 27b cemetery.  Arrange 30
minutes shoot to cover them.  23 Army Bde
and 69 Bde RGA advised, & 8 Inf Bde informed.

6.45 pm from 8 Inf Bde    Shoot very effective.
7.30 p.m. to 13 xxxx

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5 Div Arty, Telephone messages 

31/8/18.  8.30 a.m. From 12 FA Bde.    Infy want O12d 30.75 and O5d 99
strafed

(Message repeated to 69 Bde RGA)
10 a.m.                          "         "       "        Infy require more H.A. on above s/points

(H.A. advised)

12.15 pm  From 13 FA Bde      Col Caddy reports Liaison sent to 14 A1 Bde.

2.20 pm      "         "     "              Battalion Liaison reports enemy massing
I 12 and 18, and J 13. (H.A. advised)
2.30 pm  From 12 FA Bde.     Infy request C/battery on hostile posns

while they push fwd.

(C.B. advised. They will increase fire) 

3 pm            "         "        "         Infy require fire I 17, 18, 12.

(HA advised, they stated they were already shooting)

3.46  From 15 Inf Bde.    Enemy reinforcing I 17, 16, 18, 12.

Informed that H.A. & field arty engaging)

3.30 pm  From CRA (advanced)    Guns moving fwd on roads in J 31 & 32.

(Passed to HA)

3.35            "           "            "       Guns on roads J 30, 31, P1, 2 moving

towards us.

4.40 pm  To H.A.    Advised of movement twds us in J 30, 31, P1, 2

4.50  From 12 FA Bde.    We are dealing with P1 & 2 with observed shooting

4.40 from CRA    15 Inf Bde report enemy arty moving in T 16b.

Owing this being so close to where we expect our troops to be 
Mtr refd to G1 who passed to 2 Divn.

5.45 from G1, 5 Div    14 Inf Bde report 3.30 no Liaison Officer reported R17

central.  Situation of 14 Bde doubtful, Unable

cross Omiecourt and crossed 2 miles further W.

Prob. will not be in action until late in aftn.

5.45 pm  To 13 FA Bde    Lt. A.C. Mann is Liaison.  He reported during morning

and was to report again.

6.58 pm  From GS, 5 Div.    2 Div do not want us to shoot on I 16a and I 21c

but think that enemy will dribble W through Peronne

with view to c/attack.  G 5 Div. want us to shoot on

Peronne.

7 pm  From 13 FA Bde.    Lt Mann was at O.P. at 1 p.m. & left for Inf Bde
7.30 pm    Conferring with 15 Bde re situation.  No. 15 Bde N on E of

Canal but unaware where 14 Bde are.

8.25 pm  To 12 FA Bde.    Left bn have no objection to shooting on Peronne

but do not shoot on 33, 26a, 26d, 34a & c.

From 5DHQ.  10 p.m.    C.R.A. confirming with G.O.C. 5 Div.  Informed of conference at 6th

Inf Bde but too late to attend. (? BM too late)

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Telephone Messages.       5 Div Arty                                                                       

31/8/18.  11 pm.    Brigade Major left to attend conference with 6 Inf Bde.

Conference attended, scheme considered & approved.

B/Major returned to 5 Div Arty HQ at 1.15 a.m. & conferred

with G.O.C. & Groups re scheme.                                                                       

1/9/18  10 a.m.    Large mine exploded in Peronne

10.30 a.m.  From C.R.E.    Can smoke screen be put down in O10, 16, 22

10.40 am  To 13 FA Bde    Have you any smoke.  (Will advise later.
They think we have O 10)
→
11 a.m.  From GI, 5 Div.    Situation in O 10 doubtful.  Do not shoot on

it.  Keep outside of line East I 35, O5 to

O 10c 0.0.

11am        "        "     "     Divn. on right not crossing river & to shoot

O16, 22, but get in touch with 32 Div. Arty.

(Informed "G" screen would be started at once

& G to advise CRE)

↑(10.55 from C/Bty.

Counter/Bty    We have recd report that we are crossing Somme in
rather large numbers and that enemy is returning                        

11 a.m. From To 13 FA Bde.    181 smoke shell in pits. 150 up in 1½ hours.
(Ordered to keep up steady flow & produce

screen in O16, 22.)

11.45 am  From 12th Army Bde    I 28b, 29a Enemy in strength.  Being shelled

by us.  We have an F.O.O. across river with infy.

Infy requres HA to fire on J 31 to Tincourt.

Enemy moving in NE direction.

12 noon  From 13 FA Bde.    Right group report firing smoke screen.  Ammun

now run out but will have the other as later.

1.45 pm  From 14 Inf Bde.    Message timed 12.45 12.35.  Abt 300 of enemy

entered wood I 24a.  Our infy are not

forward of I 23 central.  Mont St Q will be

bombarded till 1.30 pm 

(Left Group advised of above message)

2.10 pm  From 13 FA Bde.    Smoke screen continuing.

3.10 pm  From G3, 5 Div.    14 AI Bde complain not suffic. commun. between

Liaison & his bde.

3.30 pm  To 13 FA Bde.    3 FA Bd states it will try and get in touch with 14 AI Bde.
Lt Mann conferred with & he said that he was getting

line put through.                        

4

5 Div Arty   (Telephone messages)

1/9/18 (contd)  3.30 pm.  To 12 Army Bde & 13 AFA Bde.      

B.M. Explaining new scheme of advance
3.50 pm.  
(From 14 AI Bde)    Observers report movement and parties in Quarry and
sunken road I 24d & J 19a.  (Passed to 

Left Group)

4 p.m.  From CRA (in forward area) to B.M. 5 Div Arty.  Right group

will have one bty with 48 rations and ammun to move

fwd in support of infy.  (Right group advised).

Probable posn I 28a.

6 pm.  From 14th A.I. Bde to 5 Div Arty.    O.P. reports much

movement in I 17b & 18a.

6.10. p.m.  From Left Group.    Much movement about trench
I 17c 25 to 5.5. (Passed to HA)
7.30 pm  From 14 Inf Bde.     Movement into trench I24d. x

report no fire on this spot since 5.35 p.m.

7.35 p.m.    Left group ordered to put down short concentration

on I 24d.

7.40  From 5th Div Arty to Heavy Arty.    HA will put

down 15 mins concentration at once 6" hows.  A few

rounds were put over, but were considering

a concentration when I rang.

7.45 pm.    Left Group advised of above.  Whole of Left

Group would join in.

8.18.  From G.O.C. to CRA.       CRA to attend

conference at 9.15pm at Herbecourt.

10.40 p.m.  C.RA to Bde Maj. 5 Div Arty.      Warn groups

that they must be prepared to carry out a task tomorrow
morning at short notice.  300 rds per gun at

least at Zero. 

5.

5 Div Arty, Telephone messages                      

2 Sept 1918

1.30 a.m.  CRA arrived back from conference.

4 a.m.  5 Div Arty Order issued re attack at 6 a.m.

8 a.m  From GSO3 5 Div. Air report our troops in I 22b.

9am        "      Left Group.  Four 77 guns in action O17 behind

village

10.45 am.  From GO.C 5 Div.  To place barrage on E of road

St Denis Xrds. I 22b to N. grid line sq. I 22.

(Left Group asked to place this fire, 10.55 am).

11 am  From GO.C. Cancel above shoot

11.10  From GSO2 5 Div.  Engage wood I 16d 00 with

heavies & field guns.

11.12  To. 69 Bde RGA.  Asked to pass the above onto
21st Bde RGA. & to tell them to bombard for 20 mins
steady rate.

11.12  To Left Group.  Told to engage wood I 16d. 00 on bty

for 20' with one bde.

11.30 am  To GSO1 5 Div. Col McColl that he had taken

over.  CRA reported front line to me [recd from

14 Inf Bde at 11.20].  I 22a 79 - I 22a 32

to ramparts of Peronne I 22c 26. 

11.35  To 12 AFA Bde.   Bombard Flamicourt with one

bde.  HA will cooperate.  Keep S of xxx railway.

11.40  From 12 AFA Bde.  Infy report much movement.

on roads I 21, J 17, J 7a, I 12b.  All

movement observed during day has been westward

[Passed to HA 12 noon]

11.48 a.m.  To 21 Bde RGA.  Reporting latest line.

Keep little fire on St Denis Wd.  Bombard

Flamicourt.  Keep SE of rly.  Half an hour

to 20 mins bombdt, also bombard gridiron

in 35a & c.

6

5 Div Arty

Telephone messages                     

2nd Sept 1918
12.15 pm.  From 2nd Div Arty.    Much movement on roads
T 23b - 24a and I 23d-24e going East
Line reported objectives gained J 1central along
road to Rupprecht trench - Koras trench -
Gott Mutt trench to I 15d - not in touch with our left.

12.20 p.m.  From 13th FA Bde.    Remnants of 55, 56, 59 Bns 
holding I 22a72 to I 22a79.  60th in
support I 22a55. & 58 Bn mopping up
Peronne.  14th Bde getting trouble I 16b
and 17a at 11.5 a.m.

1.15 p.m.  From 14 Inf Bde.    Infy report that H.A. short

on St Denis Wd very good & close to our line.  Not

to come any closer.

1.30 p.m.  From Right Group.    Bde liaison report
[*?22*] line now runs I 22a96 to ?aa. b32 to
22d00.  54Bn mopping up Peronne.  Town
held on east and south facing Flamicourt, but
not Bretagne.

2 p.m.  From GOC to CRA.    Confer^ring re Situation.
Reporting to me line as given by liaison.  You require
bombdt of Doignt for half an hour with HA.
Keep FA. on trench system I 34-35.

2.25 pm.  To. 21^st Bde RGA.    Bombard Western
entrance to Doignt for half an hour.

2.50 pm  From 14 Inf Bde.    No shooting in
I 23 west of N & S.  I 23central.  You can

still shoot I 29 and I 35.  [Corps Arty, 12 & 13
FA Bdes & 21 RGA advised at 2.53 ]; 21 RGA
at 3 pm]

3 pm.  From GSO1 5 Div.    Infy are going to occupy
Darmstadt trench.  Our infy are at I 22 d55.

7

5 Div Arty
Telephone
messages
2 Sept 1918
3.15pm  To 13 FA Bde.    For next hour put down bursts of
on trenches I 34 & 35.  Advised of Infy
Situation and intention.
To 12 FA Bde.    Bombard Chair Wd for next hour.
4.20pm.  From 13 FA Bde.    Bde liaison report enemy
massing in I 28 & Chair Wd.  Right group
have area under observatn and firing bursts.  I will
arrange with Left Group and HA.
GOC RA called and conferred re grouping of
affiliated H.A.
4.40pm.  To 12 FA Bde.    Keep on with bursts of fire on  I28
and 29 for another hour.
4.40pm  From G.O.C. to CRA.    CRA to attend conference
at 15th Inf Bde I 32d32
4.55  To 21 Bde RGA.    Put down bursts on I 28d and
Chair Wd for ½hr
6.10  From 12 Army Bde.    Flashes J 31d2540.  92° from
I 31d76.  Shooting on 2 Div front.  [Passed to HA]
6.40pm.  From CRA to Bde Maj. 5 Div  Arty.     Brigade liaison
reports most of xxx enemy firing coming from 010, P19.
[Passed to HA]
7.10  From CRA to Bde Maj.    Keep on bursts of fire on
Chair Wood.
7.12pm.  From To Right Group.    Keep on bursts of fire on
Flamicourt
7.20 pm  To 21 Bde RGA.    Keep on bursts on Chair Wd
& Flamicourt.  Our infy still hold railway I 28c & b.
7.45  From 12 FA Bde.    Please advise SOS on right 2nd
Div Arty
8pm  From 2Div Arty.    SOS I 17d20
8pm To Left Group.    12 FA Bde advised of above and also
junction with right group I 29a 00 90. 

8.
5 Div Arty
Telephone messages
2 Sept 1918
8.15p.m.    Lt Col Owen 9 Bde RGA conferred re situation.
9 pm.     From Right Group.  SOS I 29a89 - I 28d29 -
I 34a08.
9 pm    From 14 Inf Bde.  Being relieved tonight and
will hand over 54th Bty to 15 Inf Bde.
10.55pm    From Liaison, 15 Inf Bde.  No firing on
Flamicourt or I 28 and T35 till after
midnight.  [Left and Right Groups advised at
10.55; 9 Bde RGA. at 11.5]
11.30 pm.    From GS0 at 5Div.  Left fire from I 28d
to I 35 over the whole of the night.  [Both groups and 9Bde RGA
advised].
3 Sept 1918
5 a.m.  ^From 15 Inf Bde.    Flamicourt strongly held.  Put down bursts
of fire on it and Chair Wd.  (Groups & 9 Bde RGA advised]
5.15 am  From G.0.C  Situation.    His line to 15 Inf Bde
dis.  G0C says put down a concentration and
search out the place systematically.
5.20  To Groups. & 9 BdeRGA.    Instructed to put down
concentration for ½hr and then search out I 28d
and trench system in I 35d.
10.30 am  From Right Group.    Infy ask for harassing
fire Flamicourt - along rly to Doingt - Le Masnil
- during the day.  [9 Bde RGA instructed to do this at
10.40 & advised that HA will join in.]
10.40.    Left Group ordered to put down bursts on
Flamicourt & Doingt during morning.
10.40  From Left Liaison.    Situation at St Denis obscure.
10.45  To 15 Inf Bde.    Has Maj. Kelly reported to you yet
[He reported and was sent to 59 Bn.  Infy will get in touch with me]