Charles E W Bean, Diaries, AWM38 3DRL 606/280B/1 - August - October 1918 - Part 6

Conflict:
First World War, 1914–18
Subject:
  • Documents and letters
Status:
Awaiting approval
Accession number:
RCDIG1066722
Difficulty:

Page 1 / 10

52w Aite hon Tele wenop Sep 198 From Right Group. Hostite balloons up 790 74,770,89 11.10 am from N16d 22 [F.8) (Information passed to H.H. From peft Group. Situation as at 1210 him 1225pm 9220 89 - 322 caital - I22d85 928a 59 - post I33d 58 and 72 2 Dw. are trying to get on road in $17a & 6 work down - function us on road From right group. Confirned above. We fire 12.30 chairled, but rly o cair wd. Doigt 12noon Fromfeft Froup. Only report i patrolling Hamecourt. Arraafe to left Aity fire, but may fire on Nair Wd [HA Right Troup, & guaeke Hinformed 1210 pe To Set Group. To search Darnsteat with osewedfire bulnotto destroy 1 Caly wish to ocupy later. 1.35pm. From 12 Fadde. OP report our blys in action in 310d & traffic on road in 317. From 15 Infale, Bursts on Flamicourt 8pim regd at 9 pen 10 pm 11 pu 12 midaight 1am 3 am exam. West Lettle Flamecoart - Flanicourt Road SOS Lenes. tangd with poups & 9AekGH 9.10pm. From GOC Noshooting done on Darnistadt Y. (Passel to groups -9DdekCA
5DeArt. 10 Telephens messat 4 Sept 1918 From 15 Infade. 541ty require pushed up. 7 am. Maj. Kelly to report to 15 H1Ae. Discressed proposal with Col. Derham. 12.30 pe 52 Dis are not over canal and are From FS035DW not in Guvre. From 13 Fable. 6:25 pe Infy require fire lefted Hamicount and Chairbed [Passed to glde RG.A) To2owarty, advising that we taken over 7.20 pm command of front. From GS01SDw gpu Inly intend move o I22d occupy Daristadt E Manneheim Y. S Sept 1918 fron 13 take. SOS Teya 00 -24C 00 -34600 1.4Sam 1.50 am From 3 Dw Arty. Reguire 16 Aray Dek to report to 11Intbe H1C38. 7 am From 13 Fable. Inly report I hold Damistadt y &all own area. 15Infade + I23d 14 to rle embantment in (hair Wd. & then slightly t Flamicourt. This part line a bit obscure. Sylvia Tenan heavely held. Moving towards Le Mesnil. Probably want assistance I34 & 135. 10 am From Right Troup. OP reports our men walking abt 334 435 proceeding twos Doignt 1130 pm. CRA conferred with St, 14th, & S Infades a "60C resituation 2par Ypon From 13 Fadde. Inly report HA shelling Doiagt- he Mesnil road to stop. [Passedto HA4spint. Yum. 8dupbde report at 315pm Infy were at wood 312d and I186 Caster & Polliex Y. 432pm. Infy require I shooting west J31, P1central. (9DlCRGA intrmed]
11 SDwArty Tlepha ver 5 Sept 1918 5.40 pm From CRA to Bde Major SDwArty. Col de Satge to meet Cl. West at 8Infde at 6.30 pm to confer 615pm From CRA to DdeMapor. St Army de KGH will advance 6.40pm CRA explained to (0C purport of 2 Darty orders. G0C concened. 6155pm From 3 Fabde. Infy report Red Wood £15 fully Bahe. HH to shoot ap. reported to HH Estop 17.45p To 3 Fapele. 298ble Rt A regd down S. coverport with three bdes. 6Sept 7am. From Sdple. Tnly report C Greenfine. Ede leasson reports advance arty abt 016 one fection puished food to support each on 9.30 am. To 13 Fable. Reconnostie bugge I33 and drebble group over to 0.10-16 & 22. 11.Sam Fromfeaison, 8dftle. 13 FaBde aitting out & moving to O22c 11.30 am From 5 DlekHR. At10am. ten EA. bombardes 015 & 21. No AA fire & none of our planes up. 5.40 pon From 13 Fable. Plette O276 44 Btys in Observation 022. 144 Fadde. 016 Chmn To 13 Fadle. Get in touch with 8 dufade & keep support line behiend the blys in action pou To 13 Fabde. Inby Green fine. Getents action near Restin. 7. Shm DoCol Owen (9E8e KGA) called & conferred. RHA 9BdeRttH at 018 a 66. LH8). Two 6 btys Le Messil 2R6t One 60pdr. PSaO0. SBdeRHA PISC 1III
5Awdity 12 Teleplonewessafe 6 Sept SDw Arty 8:35 pm. Bm. & 8 Infade conferred resituation. Arty & baison aryts satisfacty 8.45 pm CRA & G5025Dw conferred. No further informer Bm to 13 Fable. C.O. still with infy. Gueas gou still 16 &22
3 Aug 2 Aug 28 Aug 39 (SDwdity 34 FaBde 23 Armyhde Rt A warned to move fivd close support of 32 6n. 51 & 113 Btys moved fivd, C having come out of range. Two blys of 14 Fabse also mived for swe reason. all ocupied posss in by SRI7 & R33 E of Coyart 23 army hde ordered move pod suppose of 32 Bn, remainder of poup following. Advance section of 49 Bty also sent. This section refoised its bly after 23Bde passed) M16a 1050 13 FaddeHA M22C 5050 49 M1665080 50" M21 a 3080 51 N 17d4315 113 " Lt WE CGregory detailed as parson officer sdvanced Bde laison offer reported caby as far as 013 &019. I am Dde ordered to advance. 14 Fadde ordered remain presentposn readiness 23 Bde folld 13 Tattile Considerably nor hostile shelling from [Somme Marbounel - Barlenx heavily shelled, Main road from Slancourt very heavily shelled, at parts Croad under direct obsewater I crowded carty other transport. Much diffy wa expenienced laying & maintaining teleshone line with 15 Indde He. which I situated buchworks E of W(Crbonuce was heavily shelled toughout afternoon per. Ix eveny aurplanes flew low over forward area.
13t Tabde 2 Aug 30 Hostile shelling comparatively slight early, increased consedely of day. Warfusce-Foucancourt Re shelled with HV gun & belloy, Carlens, Marlonncl + roads recd considble hosiles shelling, throughout day princially laye Alibre 6.10 pm. Ranage fired iatis O276 & O2id to cover withdrawal sme wfy who had crossed river were unable proceed on a/c-marshes, & were also troubled with enemy hfuns. Infy were successfully withdrawn altho bugge behind C I destroyed Tufire. Established commun. 15 IfDletter altho 6 H0 moved frequently very rarpont. After any parassingfire assistance infy, who proposed advancing poss, order reed further advance, but I details Reconnessance cd 1 t A Taylor & frward foins. Several found, but somewhat crowded, 113 ty moved to NSd 42 42 & 13 Tabdette to N16d 4030 Visibility poor. Areas again heavily shelled welg roads, Barleng, Carbonael. O0s & F00's saw much hostile acvemt (engaged Much aeridl acturly. morning 77 bty very persistently shelled Road NI5, 76, 17 causing Casnaltie to teams The gunsg to bde, generally, require consiable 31 Aud.
13 Tabde fired large quantities overhanding calibraling They amnum since last tested. 50 Bly guas - wist conditin. General health of bole o good. Horses also good condition Sept1 13414 Fades grouped as Light Froup Arty covering 15 Infae At 2 am orders recd get smole shell 6 I done "tasks given at 3 am, up to purposes. support 14 dfy te advance. S direction & somme 6) supported timed areashoots. Zerofexed eam. alto orders were given such shortustice the artyportion opern caried successfuly. The poson I somenhal obsaire, the county being very difficult having good old l, affoded very little cover advance. Enemy I recafored. o strongly posted refems Also destroyed allbuages across Somme, & covers same iuffun & some 775 50 & 55 tls moved appiod. Otainmore range I night 1/2 Sept. to N 18d68 01090 respectively. 54Dty left the group to work independently direct with 14 Infade. & were given special tast L8.W. F Osmond (4945) wounded o horse killed by shellfue. Lt. Att Mahon (1138t) wounded Mun bullet while Acting FOO. 5759 This Sheasy day for 13 Fadde - fired rounds.
Sept 2 Sept 3 Sexty 13 Tabde At 3am tasks for 5.30 am given- Fineday. Carried out punctually. timed area shoots Throughut day enemy advances fied on with food effect. Group frequently asked to shell areas + Msunposas. Some blys also cojaged sections of Geran arty Hostile Shelling considely below averae today 3pm. group I instructed to move forward all rear btys. Move completed by 9.30 pm. Hostile 5.9 I sas shells took effect on road W of Barlens just after btys passed Fiue bughtday. Nine German Ob. balloons up gmorning. One I shotdown acceplanes at 3.20 Mm. E Peronne Tufy requeested fire on various points, prencipally Hlamicourt Kly Sta – reported strong mfeun nests here. 113 Howbty fired on 1sdirect observater Drsts also fired on Doengt Van Wa. Warm dry day. More fire on Mfuns Hamicourt, 113Bty getting good vsults. Cpt CMOir relieved LoW E Greeory harson officer with Infy H.O. 515ty moved O1c 0020. Exceptionally guietday. Suchshells fallen Carea are very tired.
Sepe Sept6 13 Fadde Fine warm dry day. Hering lastnight (4/Stept eneny defences seemed. weaken, Dufs asked Ifire pubents $34, 335 also Chair ad. & to Stop all karassing fire N. of these points. Our infy lost touch evemy of night the 4 reported holding the line Nof S Dw Sector. At gam our It's reported cal advancing t a Rronne S Le Messil 54 Anny Bc RHA - 298 WlektA 6 advance Sapport ialy first, as advance yuard arty 13r 4 Atabdes to follow support arty 54 Bty rejoined procip. Reconnaissance buidges at Brie Peronne carried out. b reported (these? ready. Tpen, the only crossing at present being at Halle. At 2.15 Troup fired a smohe screen W of high ground 925 - J19 heep in by propess. Reported effective, On iapy attemptiy advance, considele opposition - 06 -012 & mfguas. These were shelled At G4sam Froup ordered to take up posos defence Du pont E somme. Poons taken up at various times during day, stips crossing river by bridee at Brie Bugge had been hastely prepared & some diffy experienced by 51Dtycrossing owing to conjestion of traffic. This bly did not complete crossing tell 4pon Touch I maintained Infydle by Learson offer
6 13 Fadde Teleshone live laid at 6 pin & was visited by the CO. Sde moved forward to posns St of Praignes, but no Seft cover for personall. Water scarce all towns. Posns, were approx 3000 yas -) ponbline but the iapy again advanced leaving the blys oover Calabt 5000 ya range. 8Sept Locations 820 a 1.9 13 FaddeH 932 649 49 50 i 826 b 38 51 920d 1520 1134 926 d1520 91 a86 14 FaddeH. A13C 3560 53 Bty 54 A1C57 554 81a85 114 " 81015 Relief completed at 9.15 pm. Dys to Feullieres for 11Sat rest Sde moved from Teullieres veakeronne, Doingt + Cartyny 16 Sept to K3zarea. Left at 10 am. arrived 3 pen. Ander 4 Dw Arty Good Positions selected between Fleckin & Soyccourt, butno coverfor personnel. Much aereal bombing at night Carting of ammeen. commenced, 600 rounds per guear dumped at each fiom. Partly done, balance completed tomorrow night.

9

5 Div Arty

Telephone
messages
3 Sept 1918
11.10 a.m.   ^From Right Group.  Hostile balloons up 79°, 74°, 77°, 89°
from N 16d 22 [T.B]  (Information passed

to H.A.]

→

12.25 pm  From Left Group.  Situation as at 12.10 pm.
I 22a 89 - I 22 central - I 22d 85 -
I 28a 59 - post I 33d 58 and 7.2.
2 Div. are trying to get on road in I 17a & will
work down to junction with us on road.
12.30.  From right group.  Confirmed above.  No fire to be on

Chair Wd, but on rly from Chair Wd to Doingt.

↑12 noon.  From Left Group.  Infy report we are patrolling

Flamicourt.  Arrange to left Arty fire, but

may fire on Chair Wd [HA, Right Group, &

9 Bde RGA informed.]
12.10 pm  To Left Group.  To search out Darmstadt trench

with observed fire but not to destroy it as infy

wish to occupy it later.
1.35pm.  From 12 FA Bde.  O.P. report our btys in
action in I 10d & traffic on road in I 17.
8p.m.  From 15 Inf Bde.  Bursts on Flamicourt
reqd at 9 pm 10 pm 11 pm 12 midnight 1 am 3am
4 a.m.  West Little Flamicourt–Flamicourt Road. SOS
Lines.  [Arrgd with groups & 9 Bde RGA]
9.10pm.  From GOC.  No shooting to be done on Darmstadt trench.
[Passed to groups and 9 Bde RGA] 

 

10.

5 Div Arty

Telephone
Messages
4 Sept 1918
7a.m.  From 15 Inf Bde.  54 Bty require to be pushed up.
Maj. Kelly to report to 15 AI Bde.  Discussed proposal
with Col. Derham.
12.30pm  From GSO3 5 Div.  32 Div are not over canal and are
not in Buire.
6.25p.m.  From 13 FA Bde.  Infy require fire lifted from
Flamicourt and Chair Wd  [Passed to 9Bde RGA]
7.20pm  To 2 Div Arty. advising that we / taken have taken over
command of front.
9pm.  From GSO1 5 Div.  Infy intend move through I 22d and

occupy Darmstadt trench and Manneheim trench.
5 Sept 1918
1.45am  ^From 13 FA Bde. SOS I 24a 00 – 24c 00 – 34b 00
1.50am  From 3 Div Arty.  Require 16 Army Bde RHA to report
to 11 Inf Bde H 1c 38.
7am  From 13 FA Bde.  Infy report that we hold Darmstadt trench
- all in our own area.  15 Infy Bde from I 23d 14
to rly embankment in Chair Wd. & then slightly E

Flamicourt.  This part of line a bit obscure.
Sylvia Tenace heavily held.  Moving towards
Le Mesnil.  Probably want assistance I 34 & I 35.
10am  From Right Group . OP reports our men walking abt
I 34 & 35 proceeding twds Doignt
1.30p.m.  CRA conferred with 8th, 14th, & S Inf Bdes
2pm          "            "             "   GOC re situation
4pm  From 13 FA Bde.  Infy report HA shelling Doingt-
Le Mesnil road to stop.  [Passed to HA 4.5pm].
4pm.  8 Inf Bde report at 3.15pm that Infy were at wood I 12d
and I 18b Caster & Pollux trenches.
4.32pm.  Infy require no shooting west J 31, P 1 central.
[9 Bde RGA informed] 

 

11
5 Div Arty
Telephone messages
5 Sept 1918
5.40p.m.  From CRA to Bde Major 5 Div Arty.  Col de Satge to meet
Col. West at 8 Inf Bde at 6.30 pm to confer.
6.15pm  From CRA to Bde Major.  5th Army Bde RGA will advance
6.40pm  CRA explained to G0C purport of 2 D.Arty orders.  G0C
concurred.
6.55pm  From 3 FA Bde.  Infy report Red Wood J 15 fully  Boche.
HA to shoot up.  Reported to HA they will stop at 7.45pm.
–  To 3 FA Bde.  298 Bde RFA reqd down S. and you must cover front
with three Bdes.
6 Sept  7am.  From 8 Inf Bde.  Infy report they are on Green Line.
Bde liaison reports that advance Arty abt 0 16  and one
Section pushed fwd to support each bn.
9.30a.m.  To 13 FA Bde.  Reconnoitre bridge I 33 and
dribble group over to 0.10 - 16 & 22.
11.5am  From Liaison, 8 Inf Bde.  13 FA Bde cutting out
& moving to O 22c.
11.30am  From 5 Bde RHA.  At 10a.m. ten E.A. bombarded
0 15 & 21.  No A.A. fire & none of our planes up.
5.40pm  From 13 FA Bde.  Bde HQ O 27b 44
Btys in observation 0 22.  14 FA Bde.  0 16.

6pm  To 13 FA Bde.  Get in touch with 8 Inf Bde
& keep in support of line behind the btys in action.
7pm  To 13 FA Bde.  Inyf are on Green Line . . . . Get into
action near Meslin.
7.5pm  Lt Col Owen (9Bde RGA ?RHA) called & conferred.
9 Bde RHA ?RGA at 0 18a 66. (HQ).  Two 6"  btys Le Mesnil
One 60 pdr. P 8a O0.  5 Bde  RHA P 15c 

 

12
5 Div Arty
Telephone messages

6 Sept
8.35pm.   B.M.^5 Div Arty & 8 Inf Bde conferred re situation.  Arty &
liaison arrgts satisfacty
8.45pm  CRA & GS02 5 Div conferred.  No further informn
9pm  B.M. to 13 FA Bde.  C.O. still with infy.  Guns
still in 16 &22. 

 

13th FA Bde    (5 Div Arty)

Aug 27  
23 Army Bde RFA warned to move fwd in close support of 32 Bn.
51 & 113 Btys moved fwd, they having come out of range.
Two btys of 14 FA Bde also moved for same reason.
All ocupied posns in Vy in RI7 & R23 E of Proyart. 

Aug 28  23 Army Bde ordered move fwd in support of 32 Bn,
remainder of group following.  Advance section of 49
Bty also sent.  This section rejoined its bty after 23Bde
passed through.
13 FA Bde HQ  M16a 10 50
49 Bty   M22C 50 50
50   "   M16b 50 80
51   "   M21a 30 80
113  "  M 17d 43 15
Lt WEC Gregory detailed as Liaison Officer 

Aug 29  Bde liaison officer reported infy ^advanced as far as
013 & 019.  8 am Bde ordered to advance.
14 FA Bde ordered remain in present posn in readiness
23 Bde folld 13 FA Bde.
Considerably more hostile shelling from E of Somme
V/Carbonnel and Barleux heavily shelled.  Main road
from Flaucourt very heavily shelled, at parts this road
under direct observatn and was crowded with arty and other
transport.  Much diffy was experienced in laying &
maintaining telephone line with 15 Inf Bde HQ,
which was situated in brickworks E of V/Carbonnel
and was heavily shelled throughout afternoon.
7pm.  24 enemy aeroplanes flew low over
forward area. 

 

13th FA Bde    (2)
Aug 30
Hostile shelling comparatively slight early,
increased considbly during day.  Warfusee-Foucaucourt Rd 

shelled with HV gun.  Belloy, Barleux, V/Carbonnel
& roads recd considble hostile shelling, throughout day,
principally large calibre.
6.10 pm.  Barrage fired into O27b & O21d to cover
withdrawal of some of our infy who had crossed river and were
unable proceed on a/c of marshes, & were also
troubled with enemy M/guns.  Infy were
successfully withdrawn altho bridge behind them had been destroyed
by T/M fire.
Established commun. with 15 Inf Bde HQ altho this HQ
moved frequently and very near front.
After any harassing fire and assistance of the infy, who
proposed advancing for poss, orders recd for
further advance, but no details.
Reconnaissance cd out by Lt A Taylor for forward
posns.  Several found, but somewhat crowded.
113 Bty moved to N5d 42 42 & 13 FA Bde HQ
to N16d 40 20. 

31 Aug  Visibility poor.  Areas again heavily shelled
inclg roads, Barleax, V/Carbonnel.
00's & F00's saw much hostile movemt which was engaged.
Much aerial activity.
During morning 77 bty very persistently shelled Road
NI5, 16, 17 causing casualties to teams
The guns of this bde, generally, require considble 

 

13 FA Bde    (3) 

overhauling and calibrating.  They have fired large quantities
of ammun since last tested.  50 Bty guns are in worst conditn.
General health of bde is good.  Horses also in good condition 

Sept 1
13 & 14 FA Bdes grouped as Right Group Arty covering
15 Inf Bde.  At 2am orders recd to get smoke shell
up to gun posns.  This was done and tasks given at 3am, in
Support of 14 Infy Bde advance in S direction E of Somme.
This was to be supported by timed area shoots.  Zero fixed for
4am, and altho orders were given at such short notice
the arty portion of opern carried out successfully. The posn was
somewhat obscure, the county being very difficult
having good old trenches but which afforded very little cover for our
advance.  Enemy has been reinforced and is strongly posted with M/guns.
Also destroyed all bridges across Somme, & covers same with
M/guns & some 77's
50 & 55 Btys moved up fwd to obtain more range,
during night 1/2 Sept. to N 18d 68 and 0 1C 90
respectively.
54 Bty left the group to work independently
direct with 14 Inf Bde. & were given special tasks.
Lt. W.F. Osmond (49Bty) wounded and his horse Killed
by shellfire.  Lt. AH Mahon (113 Bty) wounded
by M/gun bullet while Acting as FOO.
This was heavy day for 13 FA Bde. – fired 5759
rounds. 

 

4

13 FA Bde
Sept 2  Fine day.   At 3am tasks for 5.30 am given -
timed area shoots.  Carried out punctually.
Throughout day enemy advances fired on with good
effect.  Group frequently asked to shell areas &
M/gun posns.  Some btys also engaged sections of
German arty.
Hostile shelling considbly below average today
3pm.  group was instructed to move forward all rear
btys.  Move completed by 9.30pm.  Hostile 5.9
and 8" gas shells took effect on road W of Barleux
just after btys passed.
Sept 3   Fine bright day.  Nine German OG. balloons up
during morning.  One was shot down by our aeroplanes at 3.20
p.m. E  of Peronne.
Infy requested fire on various points, principally
Flamicourt Rly Stn – reported strong M/gun
nests here.  113 How Bty fired on [shorthand] with direct observatn.
Bursts also fired on Doingt and Chair Wd.
Sept 4   Warm dry day.  More fire on M/guns in
Flamicourt, 113 Bty getting good results.
Capt C.M. Orr relieved Lt WE Gregory as
liaison officer with Infy HQ.
51 Bty moved to O1c 00 20.  Exceptionally
quiet day.  Such shells as have fallen in this area
are very tired. 

 

5

13 FA Bde

Sept 5  Fine warm dry day.  During last night
(4/5 Sept) enemy defences seemed to weaken, and Infy
asked that no fire be put into I 34, I 35 also
Chair Wd. & to stop all harassing fire W. of these
points.  Our infy lost touch with enemy during night
tho it was reported that it was holding the line N of 5 Div sector.
At 9am our OP's reported our infy advancing E from
Peronne and S of Le Mesnil
5th Army Bde RHA and 298 Bde RFA will advance in
Support of infy first, as advance guard arty, and 13 &
14 FA Bdes to follow as Support arty.
54 Bty rejoined group.  Reconnaissance of bridges
at Brie and Peronne carried out.  It was reported that these would be 

ready by 7p.m, the only crossing at present being
at Halle.
At 2.15 Group fired a smoke screen W of
high ground in J25 and J19 to keep infy progress.
Reported effective.  On infy attempting to advance, considble
opposition from 06 and 012 from M/guns.  These were
shelled 

Sept. 6   At 9.45am  Group ordered to take up posns for the
defence of Div front E of Somme.  Posns taken up at
various times during day, btys crossing river by
bridge at Brie.  Bridge had been hastily prepared
& some diffy experienced by 51 Bty in crossing owing to
congestion of traffic. This bty did not complete crossing
till 4pm.  Touch was maintained with Infy bde by Liaison officer 

 

6.
13 FA Bde

& was visited by the C.O.  Telephone line laid at 6 pm.
Sept 7  Bde moved forward to ^good posns SE of Vraignes, but no
cover for personnel.  Water scarce in all towns.
Posns, were approx 3000 yds from front line but the infy
again advanced leaving the btys to cover them at abt 5000 yds
range.
8 Sept Locations
13 FA Bde HQ  Q20 a 19
49 Bty               Q32 b 49
50   "                  Q26 b 38
51    "                  Q20d 15 20
113   "                  Q26 d 15 20
14 FA Bde H.Q.  Q1a 86

53 Bty                  Q 13c 35 60
54   "                     Q1c 57
55   "                     Q1a 85
114  "                     Q1 a 15
11 Sept   Relief completed at 9.15pm.  Btys to Feullieres for
rest.
16 Sept  Bde moved from Feullieres via Peronne, Doingt & Cartigny
to K32 area.  Left at 10 a.m. arrived 3 p.m. under 4 Div Arty.
Good Positions selected between Flechin & Soyecourt. but no
cover for personnel.  Much aerial bombing at night
Carting of ammun. commenced, 600 rounds per gun to be
dumped at each posn.  Partly done, balance to be completed
tomorrow night. 

 
Last edited by:
Sam scottSam scott
Last edited on:

Last updated: