Charles E W Bean, Diaries, AWM38 3DRL 606/280B/1 - August - October 1918 - Part 8

14th AFA Bde
Sept 17  During aftn 14 Bde took up posn. in line, HQ being
at Soyecourt & btys in near vicinity
Sept 18.  5.20 am. Btys took part in barrage. Abt 10 a.m. word came
through that second objective captured, & btys moved fwd
taking up posn ahead of Vendelles.   Later word that
final objective taken.  During aftn & evening btys
moved fwd towards Le Verguer.  During night
btys carried out harassing fire.
Guns in action - 16 eighteen pdrs & 4  4.5 hows.
(2  18 pdrs & 2 Hows at workshops)
Sept 20.  54 & 55 Btys moved up in front of Le Verguier
Sept 21  During evening 53 & 114 Btys "     "    "       " 

Signals.
3D.
Mtd ordlies v. useful. (13 LH)
3 Prs.
Mg 28 Aug C 3 Prs made good 10 6^x Vaux Causeway  )  Ready by 31 Aug. 

Later prepd these for HT. (w 10 F Coy) 35^x Faroy  Mill  " )  10 F Coy.     
By 29 Aug passable for FA. Others Aug 30.
9 FC. turning replacing foot bridges by Eclusier by MT trenches.) 
Aug 31
9 FC. ^(Maj G. Drake-Brockman) making Feulleres trenches into ^ 2 one-way MT trenches.
3 Pr Bn Stayed w 9 Bde.
9 FC on bridges.
10 FC - 10 Bde
11  __     11 __     
Water Supply.

[*Prs & F Coys.

Ham & Bray

dumps.

Bray ready to 

be blown but

not blown.

9 FC Engrs w

inf Aug 22

at Bray.

2 plns caught in

base. 3rd cleared

area of mines 

etc.*]

2 Prs.
28 Aug Instrd to make 20 footbridges 30' span.
1 Sept. Maintce of trenches handed to Prs - F Coys to wk w bdes.
2 Sept.   2 CRE )
                5 ___   ) arrange to lower level of Somme by opening sluices
down river.
5 Div.
Aug 31 - 15 F.C. regt 300^x footbs reqd to X Somme
2 started O 3D 42 & O 9c 80 65
1 Sept. Early mg. 
[*Lt Littler & No 3 Sect.
14 F Coy helped here.
Engrs 14 FC to bridge Cologne R.*]
[*15 F Coy (Maj H Greenway)
Aug 31. Lt Midelton
found track 500^x N of
Cork float bridge. This chosen from
several Capt Peacock's
Sector. Goes on old
Decauville line.
& ave. of trees -
bridge blown.
Lt Littler prepd
Xg from pontoon bridge
Collapsible boat.
Lts Bullen - Littler on S track*]
15 F.C. says br. O 3D longer than anticipd
wk to go on under Smoke.
(Matls Sent up by old G Lt Rly).
Main rd bridge to be ready for MT as soon as poss. Cdnt be done tt day
ready next day.
For MT by 4 Sept.
Prs ordd to lower level
2 Div Engrs making MT bridge at Halle.
NE bridge at Rer. good - only obstrd by barricade!
W bridge gap of 52 feet.
14 F.C.
Lts Burrows & Shaw alld 56 & 54
Moat nearly choked by debris - easily xd
2 Prs.
Aug 31  Bridge Baginct Fm to C. du N. cleared & passable. New bridge made
Sept 1. B Coy opened it.
D repd bridge I 32 D 42 Radegonde. 
Sept 2. Converting Baginct bridge for heavy tfc.
Old G. Baginct bridge cleared away this 
new bridge made for heavy traffic, ready
Sept 3.
Rds had already been repaired.
5 Div Sigs. Pigeons off.
Cable commun getg used. No buries. All gnd lines at 1st.
Poles or [shorthand] later. Visual in fwd areas more used

5 D arty.
Aug 27  1 pm 30 m. shoot on Fct. v. effective
Aug 30  13 & 14 Bdes moved out
down to N11 N17, NW of Barleux  L Gp. 12 AFA 23 RFA
Rt. Gp. 13. 14 Bdes
Bty 60 pdrs lent to Div RA use but in
shellg long range targets.
Bombs wd many horses in this period.
Aug 31  Confce.  CRA at 14 & 15 Bde Confce; BM Arty at 6 Bde Confce
2.30 p. Bn Liaison rept Gs massing Bussu & B. wd
3 p. Inf. want fire on Darmstadt Bussu area. 3.46 p. Gs r/cg. same area as far as msg. Guns engg all time.
3.30 Gs & guns moving

W from Buire & Cartigny

4.40 Gs reptd on SE  Mag.

Rep to 2 D.
[*Aug 31
3.30p rept 14 Bde

probly not in actn

till late aftn.
6.5x p. 2 D dont
want 5 D to shoot
16 A or 21 C
Infd too late to
attend 6 Bde Confce
but allowed one
at 11 p.m.*]
Aug 27  Rt Gp 1 Derby & 12 Bde.
L  "  5  "  & 23 A Bde RFA
Aug 30. withdrl of inf. at 6.10p in O27B, O21D covered by arty fire.
Bombt 6am - 8.30
6 am barr.  7.40 - 8.30am
15 rd. bty to put smoke
on o18.23.22
10% all among smoke
2p open guns & hows.
Only 4 hrs after Confce.
Bties shelled
W of Barl. by balloon
obn.
Sept 1.  11 - 3pm  Smoke to screen bridges.
54 Bty to 14 Bde.  Lt AH Mahon (113) wd by mg as F.O.O.
13 Bde fired 5759 shells
5 - 6p. barr.
10.20am  big barr Expln nr Peronne: mine.
11.45am.  Gs str. SE of Per. shelling them.
1.45p.  300 Gs seen entering Cardinal Wd.
9.15 p  confce Herbect. 10.45p. Bdes warned to get up ammun.
arty ord issd 4 am
[*1/2 Sept. 50 & 55 Bties
moved up to Vy
E & NE of Barleux
to get range.
Sept 2 Rest moved up.
Peck replaced

by McColl this
day.*]
Sept 2.  Barr 2 hrs & 70m
5.30 to 8.50
2 rds pgpm Hows too.
[*14 Bde had
54 Bty attd.
9 Bde RGA
under 5D.*]
HA kept heavy fire on St D Wd,
w 2nd Doingt & Flact.
Hill S of Flamct swept w shelling
throught day. by F.A.
10.45am. Bart. to be kept E of St D Xrd
11.35 Bombt Flamict. (1 Bde)
20^th.
12.15p. E most on rd thro Cardl Wd.
1.15p. Inf rept M.A. shoot on St D Wd
v. good.
2.25p. 21 Bde RGA bomd W of Doingt
2.50p. 14 Bde dont want shoot
on St D Wd - keep E of it.
3.p. Infy going to occpy
Darmstadt trench.
4.20p Gs increasing in
Chair Wd.
Bursts contd. on it.
Sept 3. 113 H.bty fired on Flmct to direct obsvn.
heavy.
Sept 3/4 9-4am fire ev. hr on Flamct
Sept 4.  298 Bde Xd by new arty bridge at Halle.
5 Arty had moved.
Sept 5  5 p. 5 bridges ready for arty. 

298 Bde -
Lt Col HV de Satge
Aug 29:  9 am advd to 3000^x E of Herbect Covg 7 Bde.
One Sectn A, & one B/298 went forwd w ^ the 2 Bns

to 2000^x E. of Flamct.

D & N Sectns rejoined

Aug 30.  5 am. Fired on Doingt to cover ^ attemptd Xg of Somme
31. Aug  5 am. Barr. Bties 3000^x E of Herbect.
Sept 1  5 am. Barr. Bties 2000^x E of Flamct
6p. B & D fired on Inf. prepg to [[?]] Msq.
Sept 2.  Barr. in suppt of att. on Per'.
Observed shooting from O.P.'s nr Flamct.
Sept 4 Reld 5 AFA Bde Clery.
Sept 5.  3 - 3.30p. Fired on Bassu
7 p. ordd to X Somme at Brel 

5 x RHA Bde.
Aug 31.  Barr. Posns advd NE of Flamct durg mg.
Sept 1.  Barr.
Sept. 2.  Barr.

Sept 5.  Evg. Xd  to rue le Mesnill. by Brie
Bridge ready early Sep. 6
5 Bde RHA G.N.O. Bties

[*Lt Col J. West*]
Aug 29. G to N x of Herbect.
N & O from Herbect to NE of Flauct.
& S. of G.

O trying to avoid trench & wire intensely shelled.

G fired N of river.  Splendid targets for all.

Aug 30 Same posns.

Aug 31. After Barr. moved to posns w of Biaches.

[*No sectns datd
Horses too far.*]

(Sept 1. Barr.

Sept 2.  Barr.  Also fired on G. movt.

Commn by orderly, vis, & tel.

Mtd patrols w inf.

16 RHA Bde. Chest. U & Q

Maj AQ Archdale

Aug 29. Chestnuts N5C79 - later O1C.

Q  to N 11 C.

U  to N 11

Aug 30. 5.30 am Barr. to cover Somme Xg.

(Water scarce for BAC.  Moved to Frise)

Aug 31.  5am.  Barr.

10.30am. Ordd to Feuilleres. (Exit of Barl. Vq under obvn)

2.15p. Feuilleres. Recssce for posns N of Halle.

8p. Began to move. but cancelled as inf not on St Q,

stayed Feuilleres.

Sept 1.  5am to W of Clery.

11am. Firing on Per'. rd. barr on Msq.

N 7 A & C.

Sept 2. 4.30am  Barr for minor opns unsuccessf.

Situ obscure - Bde didn't adv. as intended.

Note. 16 Bde ws delayed by Inf bdr asking for it to be in liaison w Bde HQ

Bty C.O's cdnt find Bn HQs - no flag.

Detached sectn a failure owing to lack of liaison.

O C advd arty shd be in F. as most advd unit

covered by his guns.
Runners too slow.
23 Army Bde.

Aug 3029 Bties W of Barleux.

under rt Gs 5 DA (Lt Col Lloyd. 12 AFA Bde)

Aug 30. Advd to behind ridge just N of Barl.

Hindbg Line.

Arty.

Corrections &

Additions for a/c of

Sept 18.  1918

Cdns.
C.R.A. 3rd Aust. Div.

Nothing of interest in war diary for period 7th - 31st 

October.  During this time 3rd Div. Art. Bdes. were not operating under

own C.R.A.

Extracts from report on horses and mules of 3rd Div. Art. by Captain J.
Joicey, Horsemaster.

Horses and Mules passed through very severe trial during

October, bdes. and D.A.C. moving forward every few days and on many
occasions every day. . . . . . . .In many areas water difficult to obtain and

this has added much to the loss of condition of animals.  Corn and hay

feed not commensurate with the work the horses have been called upon to 

perform.

7th Field Art. Bde.  Extracts from war diary.

7th Oct.  30th American Div. carried out minor operation 5.15 a.m. and

secured jumping off line for main operation.  Owing to positions occupied

by this Bde. being well forward btys. did not take part in barrage.

8th Oct.  Barrage opened 5.10a.m. and operation successful, very little

resistance being met.  After finishing barrage btys. of this bde. remained
quiet for remainder of day.  When our troops arrived in Premont a number

of civilians found in cellars.  These people showed their gratitude and

appreciation of our troops in many ways.

10th Oct.  Received delayed orders from 2nd Div. Art. advising that 3rd
Div. Art. would pass to command of 5th Div. Art., and with 5th Div. Art.
form Corps Reserve.  Btys. withdrew to waggon lines near Bellicourt on
12th Oct.

13th Oct.  On night 12th/13th orders received from 5th Div. Art. to
proceed to Busigny on 13th to receive orders re going into action under 

Right Group (Colonel H. E. Cohen, 6th Army Bde. A.F.A.).  Further orders

received to effect that 7th A.F.A. Bde. would become Mobile Reserve and

could remain in waggon lines.

14th Oct.  Bde. now came under orders of 4th Aust. Div. Art.  Relieved

12th Army Bde. A.F.A.  Although under orders from 4th Div. Art., the

Bde. formed part of 2nd Div. Art. group. . . . . . . . .7th Bde.  superimposed over

4th F.A. Bde., the line being equally divided among the 18 pdr. btys. with

the how. bty. 200 yds. E. of the 18 pdr. zone.  Instructions received from

5th Div. Art. that 2nd American Corps in conjunction with the Corps on each

flank would advance in N.E. direction to extent of 6000 yards. and exploit

the ground as far as the Sambre Canal.  27th American Div. were to attack

supported by creeping barrage.  Art. was under command of C.R.A. 5th Aust.

Div., 7th Bde. forming part of Left Group under Lt.-Col. Derham.  The

change of command from 2nd D.A. to 5th D.A. to take effect after inf. had
crossed River Selle.

16th Oct.  Conference of Group and Bde. Cdrs. held at 4th D.A. H.Q. at

Busigny to discuss forthcoming operation.  C.R.A. 4th Div. laid particular

stress on work of liaison and forward patrol officers, as art. movement

and support would largely depend on them as a means of communication.

During night 27th and 107th Btys. moved forward to enable their guns to
reach protective barrage line.

2.

17th Oct.  Zero hour 5.20 a.m. and attack commenced in very thick mist -

btys. had some difficulty in picking up their aiming posts. . . . . .Information

of any kind very scanty.  A number of prisoners captured but Americans did

not remain on their final objective and no exploiting was done.

18th Oct.  Another barrage put down 5.30 a.m. to support American advance.

Barrage reported to be excellent but MG. fire held up attacking inf.  C.O.

and staff went forward to reconnoitre  vicinity of St. Martin Reviere.

Enemy had blown up bridges crossing Selle but American engineers quickly

repairing them.  Another barrage fired 11.30 a.m. but again inf. held up

and made very little progress.  At dusk 25th and 26th Btys. in positions

of previous night.  American inf. suffered severe casualties during day

mostly from MG. fire and in spite of gallant attempts made to advance the

line little progress made.

20th Oct.  Day wet and misty.  Orders received that 27th American Div.

would be relieved by 6th Brit. Div. on night of 20th.  Art. of 4th Aust.

Div., 6th Army Bde. A.F.A., and 7th A.F.A. Bde. after relief came, Orderx
of C.R.A. 6th Brit. under orders of C.R.A. 6th Brit. Div.  Right Group

(under Brig.-Gen. W. L. H. Burgess) consisting of 14th Army Bde. R.F.A.,

7th, 10th and 11th A.F.A. Bdes.  Left Group (under Brig.-Gen. Bessell-

Browne) with 8th, 13th and 14th  A.F.A. Bdes.

22nd Oct.  About 5 a.m. enemy put down strong counter preparation in

expectation of our attack, searching well back among bty. areas.  Btys.

remained silent during the day and proceeded with the carting of ammn.,

which was completed by 8 p.m.

23rd Oct.  Attack began 1.20 a.m. on clear moonlight morning.  Early

information reported 18th Bde. (6th Div.) on their objective having met

little opposition.

24th Oct.  Enemy art. fairly active.  5 p.m. orders received that 7th

A.F.A. Bde. was to withdraw forthwith to waggon lines.

26th Oct.  Bde. marched to Montbrehain.

31st Oct.  10 a.m. warning order received that 3rd Div. Art. allotted to 

1st Brit. Div. for forthcoming attack.

For operation of 17th Oct. Lt. Drinkwater and party (2

telephonists and 2 runners) from 26th Bty. detailed to report to left

bn. 120th American Inf.

Lt. Slade and similar party from 27th Bty. to report to

right bn. 120th American Inf. Slade and Drinkwater to report to respective

bns. at 6 p.m. 16th Oct.

Extracts from War Diary 8th F.A. Bde.

8th Oct.   2 or 3 minutes prior to zero (5.10 a.m.) bombing planes appeared

over the btys. and caused casualties - 29th Bty. had 1 man killed and 3

wounded.  On completion of barrage did not advance but remained in action

until evening of the 9th when Bde. transferred from 2nd D.A. to 5th D.A.

and went into Corps Reserve.

13th Oct.  Bde received orders and marched to Busigny coming under 4th

D.A.  First the Bde. became Sub-group under 10th A.F.A. Bde., then on 15th
a regrouping took place and this Bde. came under 13th A.F.A. Bde. in Right 

Group administered by 5th D.A.

3.

16th Oct.  Attack was to be carried out by Americans across Selle River

this morning but postponed 24 hours so btys. moved into battle positions 

on night 16th/17th Oct.

17th Oct.  Zero hour 5.20 a.m. and was more or less successful.  Americans

again showed greater dash than tactics and consequently got across Selle

all right but not further forward than Ribeauville.  However the Tommies

on right and left did better and Americans were later in day enabled to

push forward to Mazinghien without much opposition.  In late afternoon

orders received for positions to be reconnoitred and occupied before night

in W.15.  Owing to late hour only 29th and 51st Btys. able to take up new 

positions that night.  30th and 108th Btys. moved at dawn on 18th and

occupied positions across the Selle River in W.10.b.

19th Oct.  Btys. moved forward in morning and occupied positions in X.1.

20th Oct.  Americans relieved in line by 1st Brit. Div. night 20th/21st.

During the period from our arrival at Busigny on 13th Oct.

the Bde. casualties in comparison those suffered in the last three months'

fighting were very high - 16 in number. 

21st Oct.  Received orders 6 a.m. to move up to and be responsible for

defence of the line in front of positions in R.18, Le Cateau area, from

12 noon.  Here Bde. is still part of the Right Group Art. (Colonel Caddy,

C.O. 13th A.F.A. Bde.).  300 rounds per gun placed in bty. positions and

the btys. remained there until opening of attack at 1.20 a.m. on 23rd.

Attack carried out on extensive front, our art. covering 6th Brit. Div.

with 1st Brit. Div. on right and 25th Brit. Div. on left.  Barrage opened

to time with a terrific crash and at zero plus 56 our btys. moved forward

and occupied previously reconnoitred positions in R.7.d. and R.14.a and

continued the barrage at zero plus 180.  This was done to timetable

although a risk was taken in owing to fact that inf. had not advanced

beyond R. 3 and 9 central on our front. . . . . .In addition to occupying forward

positions in R. 7 btys. had dumped 480 rounds per gun on each position.

8th F.A. Bde. told off as exploiting bde. but owing incomplete success of

inf. no further advance from R.7 and 14 was necessary.

24th Oct.  9.30 a.m. barrage placed down to enable final objective line,

which had been partly gained, to be linked up to canal on the right.

This was successful.  Owing to 5th Div. Art. being relieved, the 8th F.A.

Bde. became sub-group under 24th R.F.A. Bde.   4 p.m. orders received to

withdraw bde.  to waggon lines as Corps Reserve, at dusk.

26th Oct.  Bde.  arrived at Wiancourt.

5th Div. Ammn. Column.  Extracts from war diary.

17th Oct.  In Busigny are a number of releastxed civilians who have lived the

past four years under Boche regime.  Attitude of inhabitants towards

Boche now that they are at liberty to display their feelings is one of 

intense hatred. . . . . .Following is an instance of this feeling. . . . .In attack

on German positions this morning allies obtained good haul of prisoners

and as they were being marched through village they were subjected to 

innumerable taunts from the townsfolk.  Women clapped their hands, men
made gesticulations of drawing their hands across their throats, while

one Frenchman. . . . . . .was so carried away in his pent-up hatred that as the

Boche's went by he carefully scrutinised them. . . . .Suddenly he picked out

a man and sprang towards him, brandishing a short cane in his hand.  The 

German shrank from the impending blow but the Frenchman stayed his hand

and let his cringing victim go.