Charles E W Bean, Diaries, AWM38 3DRL 606/280B/1 - August - October 1918 - Part 11
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2nd Div. Art. Extracts from War Diary of C.R.A
7th Oct. 0515 117th Inf. Regt. (30th American Div.) attacked and
advanced line N. of Montbrehain under cover of art. barrage put down by
three bdes. Left Group stated that attack met with little resistance and
practically no retaliatory fire.
1330 Left Group reported Americans holding B.17.b.25.15
along railway to B.24.b.2.0. then gap to B.24.d.7.5. to B.25.d.60.90.
Two coys. badly cut up during morning but reinforcements being pushed up
and the gap filled. An Aust. inf. officer was in front line organising it.
8th Oct. 22 0120 heavy hostile bombardment opened out on line from
Ponchaux northwards. Numerous green light signals sent up by enemy.
0510 30th American Div. attacked enemy supported by creeping
barrage put down by ten field art. bdes.
0700 Major Matthews, 6th Aust. Inf. Bde. (attached 117th
American Regt.) reported 1st Bn. on jumping off tape on time and got away
in good order. 2nd Bn. arrived on tape at 0525 and 3rd Bn. arrived in
disorder.
0710 Left Group reported message received from observation
post timed 0700 that enemy retreating in disorder in C.13.b. and Bronx
Farm. On right situation obscure.
1055 Lt.-Col. Riggall reported that at 0930 our inf.
advancing into Premont and enemy observed to be withdrawing guns over
ridge at Beta Hill. 12th Army Bde, were well advanced.
1100 two 18 pdrs. of 12th Army Bde. A.F.A. in position C.10.a
1130 Capt. Macpherson (5th A.F.A. Bde.) reported having
been along objective from C.22.central to C.5.d.central and found it
strongly held by 117th American Inf.
1210 6th Army Bde. A.F.A. Btys. in action C.19.d.
1340 Cavalry returning through C.28 and C.29. 12th Army
Bde. A.F.A. in position C.14.a. c. and d.
9th Oct. 0520 30th American Div. continued advance.
0945 Repatriated civilians report enemy evacuated Fresnoy
at 0600.
1230 Bty. odrs. reported first objective secured at 1100
and inf. going well towards second objective.
1235 Owing to success of 30th American Div. further
objectives ordered. But as on 8th inst, this further exploitation not
carried out.
10th Oct. 0530 120th American Inf. on right and 119th on left advanced
with object of securing crossings of Selle River.
1000 Left Group report xx our troops on line of river all along.
4th A.F.A. Bde. have moved forward; 5th A.F.A. Bde. and 12th Army Bde.
proceeding to rendezvous near Proyart Wood.
11th Oct. 0530 118th and 119th American Inf. Regts. attacked enemy
positions on high ground beyond Selle under cover of art. barrage.
1030 Left Group reported that inf. had not attacked at zero hour but were
moving at 0945. Art. support had been arranged.
2.
1105. Inf. Bde. liaison officer stated our troops held up in W.3.d. and
W.4.c.
1632. Vaux-Andigny subjected to heavy bombardment.
1655. Enemy counter-attacked and drove line back to railway in W.26. The
brunt of attack fell on 6th Div., on right.
During operations between Oct. 6th and 11th considerable
difficulties experienced due to apparent inability of American Inf. to
locate their position. It was found that art. officers patrols sent at
frequent intervals to find position of front line was only way of obtaining
satisfactory information.
12th Oct. 27th American Div. relieved 30th in line. Command of art.
covering 27th Div. front passed from C.R.A. 2nd Aust. Div. to C.R.A. 4th
Aust. Div., the former assuming command of Left Group. Left Group consists
of 4th and 5th A.F.A. Bdes. covering right and left bns. and zones
respectively of left regt., with 12th Army Bde. A.F.A. superimposed over
the group front.
13th Oct. 2200. 5th Aust. Div. Art. reinforced the Left Group art. 14th
A.F.A. Bde. occupied selected positions in Q.25 superimposed over the whole
group front, but remained silent and is only to fire in event of S.O.S. or
to effect any necessary registration. 12th Army Bde. A.F.A. moved forward.
14th Oct. 7th A.F.A. Bde. (3rd Aust. Div. Art.) allotted to Left Group and
relieved 12th Army Bde. which withdrew to waggon lines. 13th A.F.A. Bde.
(5th Div. Art.) transferred to Right Group.
1600. 108th Inf. successfully raided enemy positions E. of St. Souplet under
creeping barrage.
2120. Regimental Liaison Officer reported bns. out of touch with enemy.
Both regts. sent out patrols in endeavour to gain touch with enemy.
2135. 4th, 5th, 7th and 14th A.F.A. Bdes. informed that S.O.S. would be
inoperative until further orders.
15th Oct. 0700. Patrols returned after obtaining touch with enemy. S.O.S.
made operative.
1500. Four medium trench mortars (6-in. Newton) emplaced in St. Souplet
with a view to bombarding enemy trenches in Q.24.
16th Oct. 1000. Command of Left Group art. passed from C.R.A. 2nd Aust.
Div. to C.R.A. 4th Aust. Div.
1420. D.T.M.O. 2nd Aust. Div. instructed that 4th Aust. Div. Art. do not
wish medium T.M.'s to fire during barrage in forthcoming operation or for
one hour prior to it. Wire in Q.34 and W.4.b. will be engaged this afternoon
and during the evening. 160 rounds, were fired with good results.
18th Oct. 2330. 2nd Aust. Div. Art. transferred to Corps Reserve.
19th Oct. 0915. 4th and 5th A.F.A. Bdes. withdrew to waggon lines - completed
by noon.
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4th A.F.A. Bde. Extracts from War Diary.
8th Oct. 0510. Barrage opened on time and inf. got well away. No news
received from inf. Our mounted patrol and F.O.O. sent back messages which
were telephoned from btys. Attack was successful and after midday btys.
were all ordered to move forward to valley behind Premont. Enemy bombed
back areas intensely with numerous machines all night.
3.
9th Oct. 0530 btys. fired creeping barrage. No news received from inf.
At midday btys. all ordered forward to positions in front of Premont.
1600. C.O. Group informed us that he could not get into touch with
exploiting art. and asked the 4th F.A. Bde. to take the forward positions
in close support of inf. Positions were allotted in V.3 and 4.
1700. Orderly sent around to btys. on the move telling them to move forward
and gave them a report centre for bde.
2000. Bty. odrs. reported they had made reconnaissance of V.3 and 4 and
had found they were within 500 and 600 yds. of front line and under MG.
fire, and that they had selected positions in V.13 and 14.
1Oth Oct. 0400. Mounted orderly brought despatches from Group stating
that 30th American Div. would attack at 0530.
0530. Btys. opened on creeping barrage.
0900. Heard that American zero hour was different from ours and that
orderlies from the American inf. were sent back to stop art. from shooting.
0930. Btys. reported they fired very little ammn. as they were stopped by
the inf. Reports received from Lt. Bush (Mounted Patrol) stating that
inf. going well.
1515. Btys. ordered to take up positions in Q.31.a.
11th Oct. 0445. Telephone from Group giving particulars of operation,
zero hour 0530. Orders to fire for 71 minutes on start line then due E.
in 100 yd. lifts every 3 minutes until limit of range reached. Rate of
fire one round p.g. per 2 minutes to commencement of creeping barrage then
3 rounds p.g.p.m. for 10 minutes.
0530 btys. commenced barrage.
0535. Heard from Group that inf. zero time was 1½ hrs. later than ours.
Slackened our fire down to 1 round p.g. per 4 minutes.
0900. Reports received from Group that inf. had not followed up our
barrage.
17th Oct. Barrage opened to time. Btys. reported very little enemy
shellfire in their vicinity and continued to fire to completion of barrage
without incident.
1250. Ordered by Group to fire 300 yds. E. of northern half of road in
Q.30.a. at 2 rounds p.g.p.m. for 20 minutes. 10th and 11th Btys. ordered
to do this.
1700. Lt. Bevan (Mounted Patrol) reported that he had made a reconnaissance
of front and that our troops were digging in about 200 or 300 yds. short of
road running through Q.23.d. - q.30.a. and d. and Q.36.b. and d. He stated
he had explored whole of line but had seen very few Americans. Northumberland
Fusiliers were going up into Q.36.a. and Wilts were in Q.29.b. in the
morning. Enemy shelling railway and river constantly with few btys. but
continuous fire, direction of shelling due E. and mostly 15 cm. Enemy MGs.
well placed and caused. considerable casualties. None of our art. yet
crossed river. 112th How. Bty. in position about Q.38.c.2.2. Other art.
in Q.21.c. and d. and Q.37.
18th Oct. Group telephoned orders for creeping barrage. Bty. tasks were
allotted and sent by telephone - to commence fire on start line and to
remain there fore 3 minutes, then lift 100 yds. every 3 minutes due N.E.
until extreme range reached then cease fire. 18 pdrs. 3 rounds p.g.p.m.
4.5 hows. 2 rounds p.g.p.m.
0530. Batteries commenced firing.
4.
19th Oct. Btys. ordered to remove guns from gun positions to waggon
lines. Ammn. to remain in pits.
20th Oct. 0830. Btys. moved out of Busigny and arrived in Villeret area
1400.
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4th A.F.A. Bde. Extract from Monthly Summary. Oct. 1918.
Casualties in officers heavy as at times btys. had to move
up close to the inf. when it was found later that on the flanks the enemy
had points of observation from which btys. could be seen coming into
action. At same time our officers mounted patrols did exceedingly good
work in moving forward and obtaining information from advancing inf. and
sending same back by mounted orderly. Lt. Bush (11th Bty.) in one instance
entered the town of Haie Manneresse before American inf. and immediately
after the enemy's evacuation and was enthusiastically welcomed by civilian
population. These patrols were detailed almost daily and ran great risks
but were always fortunate enough to win through. The employment of
advanced sections also again successfully used and our subalterns showed
great boldness in choosing positions and opening fire on targets presented
by enemy.
Bde. is recuperating quickly and will soon be ready to
make a final big effort to overthrow enemy. We are still short of men and
horses, and with men on leave btys. have been working very much shorthanded.
The men prefer to have to work harder and get their leave at
shorter intervals than to have to wait a long time for leave, and as they
have well earned any leave that can possibly be obtained for them it is
considered best to work under difficulties until reinforcements arrive.
----------------------
4th Div. Artillery. Extracts from War Diary of C.R.A
4th Div. Art. H.Q. closed at Busigny at 1000 and reopened
at Le Cateau at same hour. From 1800 command of 10th and 11th A.F.A.
Bdes., 16th and 5th Army Bdes. R.F.A., and 24th and 2nd Bdes. R.F.A.
passed to C.R.A. 4th Aust. Div. With exception of 11th A.F.A. Bde., which
remains in action, these Bdes. are concentrated at waggon lines and are to
move into action on night 2nd/3rd Nov.
C.R.A. 4th Aust. Div. commands the Left Group under orders
of C.R.A. 32nd Div. Art. grouped as follows :-
No. 1 Sub Group (Lt.-Col. Spencer-Smith)
16th Army Bde. R.H.A.
24th and 2nd Bdes. R.F.A.
No. 2 Sub Group (Lt.-Col. C. H. Spurge)
11th and 10th A.F.A. Bdes.
5th Army Bde. R.F.A.
3rd Nov. At early hour minor operation carried out on northern portion of
32nd Div. front, and at 0830 enemy launched counter-attack. 2nd Bde.
R.F.A. fired on S.O.S. and it was not found necessary to call on remaining
art. bdes. of group for support. All preparations completed by nightfall
for attack on Nov. 4th.
4th Nov. At 0545 attack began on 37 mile front. 32nd Div. attacked on
front of 2500 yds. and had considerable difficulty in crossing the Oise
Canal owing to heavy MG. fire. Eventually the 14th Inf. Bde. crossed S.
of Ors and 96th Bde. deployed and crossed at same place and then worked
up N. into own boundaries. The Left Group, under C.R.A. 4th Aust. Div.,
fired in support of this attack, and owing to fact that inf. had been held
up on the canal, the barrage was brought back at 0846 on to a line about
800 yds. E. of the canal and the Btys. fired on this at a slow rate until
1200. Barrage then advanced up to yellow protective barrage line and
remained until 1340 here when all fire ceased. Later the line was advanced
to the Landrecies-La Groise Road (Red Line final objective) as the flank
divs. had overcome all opposition and the reconnaissance planes had
reported that the enemy was in full retreat.
5th Nov. At 0800 attack was continued by the 32nd Div. The 6th Div. Art.
passed from No. 1 Sub Group at that hour to the 32nd Div. in support of the
attack. The 4th Aust. Div. Art., 16th Army Bde. R.H.A., and 5th Army Bde.
R.F.A. passed to IX Corps Reserve from that hour.
The 4th and 3rd Aust. Div. Artys. were the last units of the
A.I.F. to be in action prior to the Armistice.
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Extracts from C.R.A. 4th Div. Arty's Summary of Operations.
IX and XIII Corps (Fourth Army) attacked at early hour on
November 4th. First French Army attacked on right and Third and First
Armies on left. 32nd Div. (IX Corps) was flanked on right by First Brit.
Div. and on left by 25th Div. Art. under command of C.R.A. 32nd Div. was
grouped as follows :-
Right Group (Major J. C. Poole)
14th Army Bde. R.F.A.
168th Bde. R.F.A.
Left Group (Brig.-Gen. W. L. H. Burgess, C.R.A. 4th Aust. Div.)
No. 1 Sub Group
16th Army Bde. R.H.A.
24th and 2nd Bdes. R.F.A.
2.
No. 2 Sub Group
11th and 10th A.F.A. Bdes.
5th Army Bde. R. F. A.
Special Bde. (under direct orders C.R.A. 32nd Div.)
161 Bde. R.F.A. (Lt.-Col. Hulton)
14th Inf. Bde. on right crossed the canal by rafts and floats
but 96th Bde. (left) encountered heavy MG. fire from bend of canal at G.26.d.
Notwithstanding this Royal Engineers attempted to construct bridges N. of Ors
but sustained very heavy casualties; no crossing could be effected there.
On 14th Bde. front bridges soon constructed as opposition not so great, and
the right bn. of 96th Bde. deployed to the S. of Ors and crossed on these
bridges..........At 1300 a bridge had been constructed in Ors capable of
carrying tanks. This proved invaluable for continuation of operations.
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Extracts from War Diary 10th A.F.A. Bde.
4th Nov. At 0645 btys. fired barrage.......Misty until about 0900 but
afterwards became warm, fine and bright and continued so all day. Btys.
not engaged by enemy art. so no casualties. Officer patrols from each bty.
and Bde. H.Q. kept in constant touch with inf. and the front line. The
canal is approx. 15 yds. wide on an average with high banks both sides.
The enemy was well dug in on Eastern bank and heavily manned with MGs.
Most of troops crossed by improvised bridges of petrol tins put out while
our barrage rested on the canal bank. Approaches to canal very wet and
boggy.
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4th Aust Div. Artillery
C.R.A. Extracts from war diary.
25th Sept. Command of art. covering the 27th American Div. passed from
C.R.A.'s 18th and 74th Divs. at 10 a.m. to C.R.A. 4th Aust. Div. The art.
under the command of C.R.A. 4th Div. grouped as follows :-
Right Group (Lieut.-Col. H. Ward)
104th, 108th and 86th Army Bdes. R.F.A.
Centre Group (Lieut.-Col. W. A. F. Jones)
290th, 291st and 110th Bdes. R.F.A.
Left group (Lieut.-Col. T. I. C. Williams)
10th & 11th A.F.A. Bdes. & 112th Bde. R.F.A.
C.R.A attended conference at 27th American Div. H.Q. at J.11.c.3.6. at
3 p.m.
26th Sept. C.R.A. held conference at Div. Art. H.Q. 10.30 a.m. of Group
and Bde. Cdrs. Lieut.-Col. G. I. Stevenson (3rd Army Bde. A.F.A.) also
attended. Four synchronised bombardments of 15 minutes' duration carried
out during night upon selected points - gas shell (B.B.) and 18 pdr. H.E.
This is the first time that 18 pdrs. have fired gas shell. 3rd Army Bde.
A.F.A. marched into 27th American Div. area and came under orders of C.R.A.
4th Div., becoming left flank barrage bde.
27th Sept. 5.30 a.m. 27th Div. attacked between Epehy and Hargicourt.
Art. co-operated with creeping barrage in depth.
28th Sept. 4.30 p.m. right group fired on S.O.S. for 15 minutes. Situation
then reported well in hand and fire ceased. Art. under command C.R.A. 4th
Aust. Div. moved up during night into forward positions on a general line
1500 yds. W. of barrage start line.
29th Sept. Attack on Hindenburg Line 5.50 a.m. by IInd American Corps.
Art. under C.R.A. 4th Div. put down creeping barrage in support 27th
American Div. Art. had had great trouble in getting their guns and
ammunition up to forward positions owing to hostile indirect MG. fire but
all btys. were ready by zero hour. xxx 10 p.m. information received
from Aust. Corps R.A. that 3rd Aust. Div. taking over command of sector
from 27th American Div. and 3rd Aust. Div. Art, would take over art.
covering the sector from 4th Aust. Div. Art. (less 10th and 11th A.F.A.
Bdes. and 108th Army Bde. R.F.A. which remained as a left flank protecting
group under C.R.A. 4th Aust. Div.)
1st Oct. Information received that bdes. of 4th Aust. Div. Art. would pass
to command of C.R.A. 5th Aust. Div. at 5 p.m., 108th Army Bde. R.F.A. to
C.R.A. 2nd Aust. Div. at same hour.
2nd Oct. During evening personnel of 4th Div. Art. withdrew from bty.
positions in the line to waggon lines under orders of C.R.A. 5th Aust.
Div. The guns were left in position under a guard.
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Extracts from report of C.R.A. 4th Div.
For the battle 3rd Army Bde. A.F.A was affiliated to the
Left Group Art. 85th Bde. R.G.A. also placed under orders of C.R.A. 4th
Div. after capture of the Green Line to support the exploitation of the
2.
105th American Regt. in a N.E. direction towards Red Line, approx. high
ground 2000 yds. N.E. of Vendhuile.
Commencing at 9.30 p.m. on 26th Sept. heavy and continuous
gas bombardment opened and maintained for 8 hours by all natures of art.
This was first time that new B.B. gas shell employed and owing to its
persistency this bombardment was directed against main Hindenburg system
and with a clear margin of 48 hrs. before our troops would be required to
cross the area shelled. It is an interesting and significant fact that
the enemy btys., which were very active on 27th Div. front, became
practically silent at 5 minutes after the commencement of the gas
bombardment - one 10.5 c.m. bty. alone remaining in action at very long
range. It is a great disadvantage that the 18 pdr. gas shell of this nature
will not fit ammunition waggons and limbers. At approx. 48 hrs. before
zero (5.30 a.m. 27th Sept.) this gas bombardment ceased and a creeping
barrage covering preliminary attack commenced, and simultaneously a heavy
and continuous destructive neutralising and wire-cutting bombardment was
opened by all natures of art. not engaged in the barrage. On completion
of the barrage the field art. joined in this bombardment which was continued
right up to zero hour of the main attack. During this 48 hrs. bombardment
the barrage btys. of the field art. had to advance in readiness to provide
a creeping barrage for the main attack on 29th. Owing to great depth of
main attack it was necessary to emplace all barrage btys. very close up to
our front line. A difficult task at any time, this work greatly increased
by inability of attacking inf. to completely establish themselves on J.O.
line and consequently uncertainty of the situation. Though frequently
coming under indirect MG. fire the advance of the btys. and their
emplacement within effective distance of final protective barrage on Green
Line with 550 rounds per 18 pdr. and 450 per 5-inch how. were successfully
accomplished and all btys. were in readiness to open fire at zero hour.
By retaining all our sections and recuperator guns in
original positions until last possible moment the preparatory bombardment
was maintained during advance of btys. to their forward positions and
without divulging their final close proximity to the enemy.
The situation following the preliminary attack by 105∧th American
Regt. on 27th Sept. remained somewhat uncertain and obscure throughout day.
Preparations therefore made to slow rate of lifts of creeping barrage
covering the attack, should the American regts. be unable to establish
themselves on J.O. line before zero. Later information and progress on
following day, however, rendered any change in original times of lifts
unnecessary, and the barrage map and time-table issued by Aust. Corps were
adhered to in all details.
At zero hour (5.50 a.m.) on 29th Sept. the 27th American
Div. covered by a creeping barrage and supported by tanks with 30th American
Div. on right, attacked the main Hindenburg Line.
The creeping barrage covering the 27th American Div. was
provided by nine bdes. of field art. and with a flank barrage and smoke
screen provided by the 3rd Army Bde. A.F.A. Position of barrage :
Creeping Barrage: 18 pdrs. 50% shrapnel
40% H.E. (non delay)
10% Smoke shell
4.5 hows. H.E., 106 fuzes.
Flank Barrage. 50% shrapnel
30% H.E. 106 fuzes.
20% smoke shell.
Rate of Fire.
3 rounds per gun and 2 rounds per how. throughout
creeping barrage, slowing to one round per gun
and how. while on art. halt line and protective
standing barrage.
3.
Rate of Barrage. Standing for 3 mins. on art. start
line, next six lifts at rate of 100 yds. every 3 mins., all subsequent
lifts being at uniform rate of 100 yds. every 4 mins. After crossing the
canal tunnel the barrage rested for 15 mins. 500 yds. beyond it to enable
assaulting troops to reform and move northwards round the open part of the
canal towards Hargival Farm.
Flank Barrages. A similar barrage connecting and
conforming in all respects to that of 27th Div. covered the simultaneous
advance of the 30th American Div. on right. The 18th and 74th Divs.
(III Corps) provided a creeping barrage moving outwards towards Vendhuile
and the canal for the protection of our left flank S. and S.W. of that
village, and also "smoked" the high ground to the N.E. during progress of
attack.
Well synchronised and distributed, the barrage appeared to
be very effective. A quiet and misty dawn with the large proportion of
smoke shell used ensured thick curtain of smoke being maintained in front
of the attacking inf. The smoke screens on left flank appeared particularly
effective in this respect and dense bank of smoke and mist screened
the left of the attack through practically whole depth. The American
regts. closely followed the barrage, and though even up to time of writing,
information on this subject is somewhat indefinite, it appears almost
certain that elements of these regts. reached their final objective, the
Green Line...........New to this form of warfare, with a most difficult
and intricate trench system, strongly wired and garrisoned,to traverse,
and above all imbued with the necessity of closely following the advancing
barrage, it is perhaps not to be wondered at that the leading waves of
inf. should become disorganised and lack cohesion in the latter stages of
the attack. From the reports of my F.O.O.'s and art. liaison officers,
there can be no question of the dashing spirit and fighting qualities of
the regts. who followed our barrage.
Consequent on inability of American regts. to establish
themselves on Green Line, 3rd Aust. Div. put in to clear up situation.......
For this purpose, with the exception of 10th and 11th A.F.A. Bdes. and
108th Army Bde. R.F.A., the whole of the field art. covering 27th Div.
was handed over to C.R.A. 3rd Aust. Div. at 1 a.m. on 30th.
In the original plan of operations the above three field
art. bdes. were detailed to support the exploitation of the 105th
American Regt. towards Red Line, N.E. from Vendhuile. As the left of the
Green Line was still strongly held by the enemy these bdes. were retained
under the C.R.A. 4th Div. for defence of left flank. While dealing with
this part of the operations I wish to place on record my appreciation
and admiration of the splendid fight put up by the inf, of the 18th Div.
holding the "bird cage" system of trenches about 13,000 yds. W. of
Vendhuile during afternoon 29th. In my reconnaissance of left flank I
witnessed enemy attack on posts established there. In spite of a very
heavy and converging attack covered by most accurate bombing inf. in these
trenches most gallantly held their ground. I cannot speak too highly of
their splendid defence of this important trench system at very critical
and difficult period. From dead subsequently found in locality it would
appear that the Buffs garrisoned these posts. I wish to express our
indebtedness to them.
Liaison Service. Liaison between units of 27th Div. and
and their covering art. most intimate and very necessary to ensure mutual
understanding and full development of our preparatory and protective
art. fire. A liaison officer from 4th Div. Art. H.Q. was permanently
stationed with H.Q. 54th American Inf. Bde. Both flank art. groups
provided a liaison officer with H.Q. of 107th and 108th American Inf.
Regts., and in addition the artillery groups provided a liaison officer
with each of the five line bns. they were respectively covering.
Communications. Worked well throughout operations and
were seldom, and then only temporarily interrupted. They were not only
used by art. units but also as far as practicable placed at service of
4.
American inf. A much closer touch and receipt of timely information thus
ensured without prejudice.
Ammunition expended by ten field art. bdes. under command
of C.R.A. 4th Div. from 9.30 Sept. 26th to midnight Sept. 29th/30th:-
Shrapnel 61,603
H.E. 81,594
Smoke 8,817
Gas 7,726
Total rounds 159,740
Casualties sustained by the same ten field art. bdes. and
the 4th Aust. and 58th Brit. D.A.C.'s during same period:-
Killed 3 officers, 25 other ranks.
Wounded 13 " 185 "
Gassed 8 other ranks
Missing 2 "
In view of unavoidably advanced positions of btys. and close
proximity of enemy front line during preliminary bombardment and initial
phase of the attack, and also subsequent intermittent but at times very
heavy hostile art. activity, air shooting and gas bombardments against
bty. areas, the casualties to our covering art. are very light.
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Sept 18 Extract from C.R.A.'s summary.
A few tanks assisted by dummy tanks made of wood and hessian
no doubt helped to lower the enemy's morale. The first and second
objectives were reached with very little opposition, and enemy barrage was
very slow in coming down, and thin and badly placed. When second objective
reached, inf. advanced towards Blue line. The 38th and 41st Btys. were
detailed to advance to positions from which they could actively support
inf. moving up to Blue line.
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10th F.A. Brigade.
Nothing of any importance.
----------------
Extracts from diary 11th A.F.A. Brigade.
27th Sept. Gas bombardment continued throughout hours of darkness. 5.30 a.m.
bde. co-operated in creeping ∧ barrage in support of preliminary attack by 27th
American Div., remaining on the start line for 3 minutes then advancing in
lifts of 100 yds. every three minutes and remaining on protective barrage
line for 30 minutes. During the morning bty. cdrs. reconnoitred new bty.
positions forward. At 11.45 a.m. S.O.S. call received and this was
repeated at 12.15 p.m. Some retaliation from enemy in vicinity of bty.
positions during which one other rank was wounded. At 10.45 a.m.
protective barrage was put down by all btys. for 5 minutes. At 2.5 p.m.
creeping barrage put down by all btys. as a counter preparation and at
irregular intervals throughout the night all btys. swept and searched
communication trenches E. of S.W. line. Hostile art. active throughout day
on forward areas and in vicinity of Ronssoy and heavy concentrations at
intervals throughout the night on roads in vicinity of bty. positions with
casualties to men and horses. Some gas also used. Planes active on both
sides and several enemy observation balloons up all day.
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