Charles E W Bean, Diaries, AWM38 3DRL 606/280B/1 - August - October 1918 - Part 10

9

18/10/18

General Remarks

Some difficulties regardg informatn were

experienced as on 17 Oct. The only inform that cd be relied

on came from Arty observers who even on the spot had great

diffy in finding where the front line was.

Weather dull and misty both days, and contact

aeroplanes were able to fly only for short periods during the aftn.

Regrouping of Arty

During night 18/19 Oct 7 AFA Bde passed to the

command of CRA 4 Aust Div. and the 6 Army Bde AFA

became corps reserve.

Arty remg under CRA 5 Aust Div covering

30 Amer Div. as follows -

Right Group in [HQ W7d52], under command

of Lt Col HO Caddy

13 & 8  13& 14 AFA Bdes

Lef Group [HQ. W8a16] under Lt. Col FP
Derham

14 AFA Bde

Operations 19 & 20 Oct

30 Amer. Div ordered that the advance was to be

continued at 5.30a.m. 19 Oct. Bdes put down

bursts of fire for one hour to cover the advance.

FOO's reported 10 a.m. that the Infy had reached

line X4C20 - X3b70 - X3a82 - R33

central to R33a55.  Many reports recd from infy.

 

10
19 Oct
that they had advanced as far as line 1000 yds further E.
Either these reports were incorrect or the infy retired.
Considble M/g force met with espec from La Haie
Tonnoile Farm [R28] .
Arty action
14 AFA Bde again supplied two forward
sections, one from 53 Bty under Lt LC McCarthy
and one from 54 Bty under Lt C.A. Mayes. These
rendered very effective work engaging enemy M/gs
to E of Mazinhem. They also subjected La Haie
Tonnoile Fm to heavy fire.
During morning btys of right group moved fwd
five to X1a and c, two to X7a, & one to
X2a.
In afternoon btys of Left Group moved fwd
to neighbourhood of L'Arbre de Guise [W6b]
Relief of 60 Amer Inf bde
During night 19/20 Oct 60 Amer Bde was relieved
by the 2 Inf Bde [1 Brit Divn]. Arty under CRA
5 Aust Div. continued to be responsible for the defence of
the front, until 2 pm on 20th when CRA
1 Brit Div took over the responsibility. 
Btys remained in the same posns till follg day
General Remarks
By the 20th the horses were in a very
exhausted conditn owing to the hard work.
 

11
It was found that 4 horses were insufficient
for the 1st line waggons. 
The successful coopern of the arty would not have been poss
without the effective liaison arrgts. One Bde
had as many as 7 officers on liaison duty with the
infy.
 

 

3rd Div. Trench Mortars. Extracts from War Diary.

5th M.T.M. Battery.

25th Aug. 1918. Orders received for whole of personnel to report to 3rd
D.A.C. for duty.

29th August. Orders for all bty. personnel to leave D.A.C. and concentrate
at L.27.c.1.5.

30th Aug. 6 German Light M/werfer taken over by us and 100 rounds of ammn.
for same salved. All 6-in. Newton mortars and beds dumped and left under
guard.

31st Aug. Two detachments of 1 officer and 12 O.R. moved forward with 2
German light M/werfer to put them in action at C.20.c.5.0.3.0.

3rd Sept. Party with German M/werfer withdrawn from line.

5th Sept. The 6 M/werfer taken over by us were collected and sent back to
gun park.

7th Sept. a 6-in. Newton G.S. bed with spade attachment received from Army
workshops. Bed is designed for getting mortar into position quickly in
support of advancing inf. The limbered waggon is supplied with each bed
for the purpose of moving mortar bed and 30 rounds forward.

29th Sept. Two parties of 15 O.R. each moved forward to follow up 27th
American Div. attack, object being to locate and form a guard over captured
enemy guns. Parties moved first to crossroads near Ronssoy (F.16.c.80.0.5.)
and then separated. Situation very obscure and while waiting for information
as to position of inf. a shell landed among No. 1 party killing 3 and
wounding 6. No. 2 party also lost 3 men wounded. After getting wounded
back to dressing stations, parties withdrawn and returned to billets on
account of inf. not getting through.

30th Sept. No trench mortar work has been carried out by us owing to
mobile state of warfare now existing.

6th M.T.M. Battery.

26th Aug. Attached to 3rd D.A.C.

30th Aug. Another move forward in progress. 6-in. T.M.'s were left in
charge of 1 N.C.O. and 1 O.R. remainder of bty, moving forward with German
light M/werfer.

31st Aug. Lt. Gardiner, 4 N.C.O.'s and 4 O.R.'s left bty. with 36 hours’
rations and equipped with 2 light M/werfer and 100 rounds ammn.

1st Sept. Position for the M/werfer had been located at approx. C.21.c.
the previous day and ammn. carted to position. Owing to advance of inf.
this gun was out of range so a fresh position was picked and the gun
carried forward. While putting the finishing touches to gun emplacement,
etc. Lt. Gardiner and Sgt. McDonald were killed in the gun pit and Cpl.
Spa Stapleton seriously wounded. Stapleton was being carried by the gunners
to a D.S. but a German shell fell killing Stapleton and Gunner Johnstone and
also wounding Gunner Callaghan. During earlier part of day another N.C.O.
and gunner were wounded while carrying ammn.
 

2.

2nd Sept. Personnel and guns were withdrawn from line to billets at Curlu.

6th Sept. M/werfer guns returned to gun park.

6th Sept. Bty. attached to D.A.C.

29th Sept. 3 officers, 8 N.C.O.s, 30 O.R.'s proceeded up line with
intention of manning captured enemy guns. When within about 100 yards
of our own front line a hostile shell fell among them killing 1 N.C.O.
and 2 gunners and wounding 3 N.C.O.'s and 4 gunners.

30th Sept. During month no T.M. work has been carried out, the personnel
during most of the time being away attached to field btys. Reinforcements
received are of good stamp and keen.

31st Oct. Owing to rate at which advance has been going on during past
month this unit has been out of action, though the personnel have been
assisting the other units of div. art
 

7 & 8 MTM Btys

4th Div. Trench Mortars. Extracts from War Diary D.T.M.O.

13th Aug. Personnel manning German guns were withdrawn during morning on
account of Div. moving to Lihons area, and came back to remainder of bty.
at Vaire.

14th Aug. Orders received at 12.30 that 7th M.T.M. Bty. would move into
action in Lihons area and be prepared to engage Polygone Wood in the stunt
that is to take place. D.T.M.O. and O.C. 7th Bty. reported to D.T.M.O. 1st
Div. and learned where likely positions were. Then to Guillaucourt and
heard particulars of stunt from 4th Div. Art. Afterwards went forward and
selected four mortar positions in front of Lihons - good offensive positions.
[*MT.M*] Meanwhile 7th Bty. moved from Vaire to Harbonnieres without mishap. Word
received at 8.30 p.m. that operation postponed indefinitely.

16th Aug. At midday word received that 7th Bty. would have to occupy
positions in the line. D.T.M.O. and Lt. Challoner selected positions for
two guns at approx. A.2.c.9.5.9.0. and two at A.c.a.95.27. Both positions
good as there are deep dugouts for personnel, plenty of flash cover and
allows plenty of range.

17th Aug. Guns and ammn. all arrived safely during night.

18th Aug. Two mortars registered. Observation difficult owing to enemy
snipers. Other two guns completed and in action. MG. positions engaged.

19th Aug. Mug Wood and Polygone Wood strafed in retaliation for barrage
that enemy put down at 10 a.m.

20th Aug. Hostile mortars at S.27.c.75.75 and S.27.d.30.40 engaged with 10
and 5 rounds respectively, also trenches in Polygone Wood. While Nos. 1 and
2 guns were firing hostile mortar from S.27.d.30.40. opened on our guns.
No. 3 gun retaliated and the Boche stood down after one round. Strength
11 officers and 113 O.R.' s. Ammn. expended 45 rounds.

21st Aug. Expended 74 rounds on various targets. Owing to enemy balloons
being up right in front of positions it was impossible to fire until 5.30 p.m.
when then went down.

22nd Aug. (More or less the same as 2lst).

23rd Aug. 4.45 a.m. Aust. Corps attacked. 7th M.T.M. Bty. fired for 15
minutes on communication trenches, 1 round per mortar per minute for first 5
minutes then 1 round per two minutes for 10 minutes. 40 rounds expended.
During day harassing fire continued.

24th Aug. On account of 7th Bty. being withdrawn from line and 32nd Brit.
Div. not putting any mortars into action, ammn. at guns was expended -
retaliation on M/werfer which was silenced after 6 rounds; against MGs. 40
rounds; and two other M/werfer 33 rounds; railway cutting in A.9.c. 10 rounds,
and enemy trenches 36 rounds. Enemy retaliation slight. One M/werfer at
A.3.a.90.80.  replied and was silenced with 11 rounds. After firing mortars
were dismantled and taken to ammn. dump.

25th Aug. HQs. and 7th Bty. moved to Longueau arriving there 11.30 p.m.
(8th Bty. from 4th Army School joined others during the afternoon.)

11th Sept. 4th Div. T.M.'s moved forward to relieve 5th Div. T.M.'s in line
in Peronne area. 7th M.T.M. Bty. took over from 9th M.T.M. Bty. at St. Cren.
8th M.T.M. Bty. proceeded to Cartigny. The four GS. limbered waggons carting
the mortars and beds fitted with spades had to be drawn the whole way fastened
to the back of motor lorries as no horses have yet been supplied.

12th Sept. 8th Bty. detailed for duty in the line.

18th Sept. T.M’s took no part in the inf. operation.

27th Sept. 4th Div. M.T.M.'s left Cartigny and St. Cren and moved to billets
in Villers Faucon.
 

2.
Extract from Diary of 8th M.T.M. Battery
31st Aug. The school was not of great benefit to the unit as a whole. Too
much attention paid to gun drill which is practically of no use either in or
out of the line. The course was on the whole too theoretical and not
practical enough. . . . .

In the sports the bty. secured first in wrestling on horseback
and the high jump and also four seconds. The competition for digging in the
light sub bed was also won by the bty.
 

 

5th Div. T.M's. Extracts from Diary of D.T.M.O. 5th Div.

16th Aug. Near Gailly D.T.M.O. and O.C.'s 9th and 10th M.T.M. Btys.
reconnoitred with a view to emplacing active mortars.

18th Aug. 9th M.T.M. Bty. in action.

20th Aug. 9th and 10th M.T. Btys. in action.

24th Aug. As attack on previous day successful further medium mortar
support not required.

25th Aug. 9th and 10th M.T.M. Btys. handed over to 1st and 2nd Btys. and
withdrew to Glisy.

26th Aug. 9th M.T.M. Bty. moved forward to Proyart.

27th Aug. 9th Bty. took over 6-in. Newton mortars in reserve positions
from 1st Div. T.M. Bde.

1st Sept. 10th M.T.M. Bty. emplaced two 6-in. Newton mortars with object
of firing on Flamicourt Station and buildings at which point enemy was
showing considerable activity with MGs.

28th Sept. The mobile sections of 9th and 10th M.T.M. Btys. moved forward
for attachment to inf. bdes. (Apparently not called upon to undertake any
work.)

16th Oct. Mobile sections of 9th and 10th M.T.M. Btys. moved up for
affiliation with and support of 119th and 120th American Inf. Regts.

17th Oct. 119th and 120th American Regts. attacked, zero 0545, and the
mobile mortars of 9th and 10th M.T.M. Btys. followed in close contact with
the advance. 9th M.T.M. Bty. placed two mortars in position at W.12.c.76
and W.12.c.85 respectively. From 1600 to 1625 9 rounds (6-in. Newton)
were fired from former position on to MG. positions in Bellevue Wood, the
bed of the mortar breaking on the 9th round. At the same time 6 rounds
were fired from the latter position on to MG. positions concealed in an
orchard and hedges near Ribeauville, but the bed of this mortar also gave
out. As the 9th Bty. mortars were then out of action and the 10th Bty.
was not called upon to function the sections returned to billets in
Bequigny.

9th M.T.M. Bty. Extracts from monthly summary for Oct.

The month has been interesting. . . . .It has given the Bty.
the first opportunity to use the mobile guns in actual war operations since
they were taken on charge some little time ago. The beds of both guns
broke in the action on the 17th inst. . . . . .
The work of the T.M.s on that occasion was so much appreciated
by the American Inf. Regt. in support of which the Bty. was firing, that a
letter of appreciation of the assistance rendered was received by the Art.
H.Q.'s from the commander of the regt. concerned. Although only 15 bombs
were fired these rounds found their mark exactly, and blew out the machine
guns which were obstructing the advance besides destroying an enemy 77 field
gun. As these are the targets for which the 6-in. Newton gun is intended
it is considered that, with the improvements outlined in the report to the
C.R. A., the mortar could be used very successfully in xxxxxxxxx semi-mobile
and even open warfare.
                                                           

 

Extracts from war diary of 5th Field Art. Bde. (2nd Div. Artillery)

7th Oct. 1918. 5.15 a.m. took part in minor operation to help inf.
straighten out line between Montbrehain and Ponchaux. 7 p.m. slight
rain. . . . .All batteries have moved forward to battle positions preparatory
to big advance on Premont by 30th American Div. tomorrow.

8th Oct. Night fined up. Attack entirely successful all along line. As
advance is to continue our btys. had to move forward and keep in touch with
inf. though we were not actually the exploiting bde. for the day. For the
night positions taken up by btys. near Chateau Vaux le Pretre.

9th Oct.  2.30 a.m. orders received to take part in creeping barrage 6 a.m.
It was close running but the communications held and batteries able to
function. We were exploiting bde. and 14th Bty. moved forward in close
touch with inf. coy. cdrs. and dealt with MG. nests as they appeared.
Advance again a big one and little opposition met with. 14th Bty. of great
assistance in shelling MG. nests supporting enemy rearguards. Enemy art.
fire light, being confined to long range guns which shelled towns and woods
intermittently. Officers patrols as usual kept close touch with inf.
movements end at nightfall acting on their reconnaissance C.O. able to
detail to the group a protective barrage S.O.S.

10th Oct. At dawn inf. supported by our light barrage moved forward and
cleared the country as far forward as the River Selle between St. Benign
and St. Souplet. Here strong opposition was met, enemy evidently meaning
to make stand along here as river guarded on the E. by a big railway
embankment. Had this railway been rushed immediately on arrival of inf.
our position in this sector would have been strong but unfortunately inf.
orders were definite, the River Selle being given as objective, and so at
nightfall we found ourselves in an unsatisfactory position. The inf.
reported the river was held, also St. Benign, St. Souplet and Molain. Had
the situation been as reported by inf. all would have gone well, but a
reconnaissance by an F.O.O. showed that Germans had penetrated our line on
the N.E. to within 2000 yds. of the guns and on S.E. to within 1500 yds.,
holding La Haie Menneresse.

11th Oct. Fortunately 30th American Div. restored line in morning. We
harassed railway and high ground E. of it during night and day. Enemy does
not appear to be in force but is well supplied with MGs. which he used to
considerable advantage. It is evident that whole of line is being held up

here and we will not be continuing advance for some days. Enemy shellfire
not heavy though his light shelling consistent over all areas. This
lightness is merciful as it permits civilians in villages of battle area to
be evacuated. Civilians are wonderful in the brave show they made in face
of so many and so great dangers.

12th Oct.  Situation unchanged. Increased enemy shelling. 15th Bty. had
10 horses killed and 9 wounded by long range shells. Noticeable feature at
present is that enemy's bombing planes inactive absolutely during night.
Art. personnel been doing fine work in volunteering to assist French
civilians to get out of the shell zone with their few remaining belongings.

14th Oct. Enemy shellfire daily increases. During night village of
Escaufort severely drenched with mustard gas from 2 a.m. to 5 a.m.

15th Oct. As attack is being arranged for in near future btys. have to get
up to 600 rounds per gun to the pits. 15th Bty. being fitted with spring
buffers has to move forward slightly in order to cover protective barrage
line. Trouble at present is ammn. supply which is rendered difficult owing
to railhead being so far behind the line.

16th Oct. Enemy gas shelling again severe in village areas especially
Escaufort. Our observers and liaison officers kept very busy with American
inf. and rendered much assistance to them not only in shelling as required
 

 

2.

but in correctly locating and recording and co-ordinating their outposts.

17th Oct. Ammn. delivered and 15th and 105th Btys. moved forward without
casualties.

18th Oct. Enemy shellfire, which on 17th had slackened, was again severe
from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. and Escaufort once more heavily drenched with gas.
At 0530 barrage commenced; attack by 27th American Div. on our immediate
front very successful but troops on left had extremely difficult and
arduous task and after heavy fighting just managed to form up in advance of
River Selle. Americans conformed to their movements.

19th Oct. 0530 attack again renewed and advance continued beyond range of
our Bde's guns. Our orders were to remain in position although guns could
not cover inf. This was great help to the xxxxxxx much fatigued men
who sorely needed sleep and rest. Towards night btys. withdrawn to waggon
lines.

21st Oct. Bde. moved to Buire and men allowed as much rest as possible.
Inter-bty. football matches played on 24th.

30th Oct. Btys. arrived at nightfall. All men and horses comfortably
quartered. Excellent training area, and men will also have added zest
of being among civilians.

 

2nd Div. Art. Extract from Instruction No. 26. 18th Nov. 1918.

The advance of the Allied Forces towards the Rhine commenced
on the 17th instant.

The British forces advancing are organised in two Armies, the
2nd and the 4th, each of 4 Corps and 16 Divisions.

The 4th Army is to consist of :-

2nd Cavalry Divisions, 6th Corps, 4th Corps, Australian Corps
and 9th Corps, each of 4 Divisions.

The Australian Corps is to consist of the 1st, 2nd, 4th and
5th Australian Divisions.

 

2nd Div Arty Extract from Instruction No. 28, 29th Nov. 1918.

British troops are to hold the Cologne bridgehead. The
American Army is to hold the territory on our right and the Belgian Army
the territory on our left.
The British Sector of the German territory is to be occupied
by the British Second Army consisting of four Corps (11 Divisions) and one
Cavalry Division.

The Sector between the German Frontier and the line Avesnes -
Maubege - Charleroi - Brussels is to be occupied by the British Fourth Army
consisting of three Corps (14 Divisions) and Cavalry Corps (less one
Cavalry Division).

The Australian Corps for the present is to occupy the South
Western portion of the Fourth Army Area. Portion of the Corps is to
relieve the Canadian Corps in the occupied territory at a later period.