Charles E W Bean, Diaries, AWM38 3DRL 606/281/1 - 1918 - 1933 - Part 5

C.R.E. 3rd Div. Extracts from report of 11th Field Coy., 1/10/18.

Old British Minefield.

Over 600 "plum pudding" tank mines were removed and firing

attachment removed from them in belt of wire running from F.23.b. 1. 1 to

F.23.b.4.5 to F. 17.c.85.  Mines were heaped in shell holes . No further

mine fields discovered in vicinity.

St. Quentin Canal Tunnel.

Lieut. Robinson investigated on top air shafts, bricked about

11 ft. diameter with wooden stairways.  Stairways all very bad condition and

do not appear to have been used. They do not continue down to tow path

level, and it is not possible to enter tunnel through air shafts ..........

Lieut. Murray and party traversed the tunnel itself from end 

to end.  At 50 yds., 1300 yds. from south end, there are large concrete blocks

loopholed for machine-guns extending to the roof with small openings for

traffic......Throughout whole tunnerl tunnel there is no sign of recent

habitation.......Murray was accompanied in exploration by party of 5th Div.

Pioneers.

9th Field Coy.

Extracts from war diary.

29th Sept. 1918.  Attack did not go in accordance with programme.  The

officer and party detailed to explore canal, anticipating that attack was

successful, went to rendezvous and was met by the enemy.  The party managed

to withdraw with one casualty only.

10th Field Coy.

Extracts from report on operations, Sept. 29th- Oct. 3rd inclusive.

(Capt. O. B. Williams)

Allotted to 10th Inf. Bde. area, left flank of attack.

No. 1 Section (Lieut. Roberts)

No. 2 Section (Lieut. Strong Strom)

No. 3 Section (Lieut. Graham)

No. 4 Section (Lieut. Liston)

On opening of barrage Roberts moved out with runner to join advance party of

10th Bde. H.Q. to select new H.Q. at Bony.  Remainder of his section left 20

minutes later to meet him at rendezvous.

Graham and his arty party moved out at 7 a.m. to start work on

art. track and crossing at Z Copse F. 17.c.2.6. working through Holland Post,

Duncan Ave. north to Gillemont Farm on to Hindenburg Line.

Strong's Strom's party moved out 7. 30 a.m. with orders to start work

E. of Green line, the roadwork to be done on what was known as the  Blue road

2.

running from B. 1.c.0.2 - B.8.a.0.5. to make this road passable for single

motor lorry traffic.

Coy. H.Q. with No. 4 section moved out 9 a.m. to establish

advance H.Q. in Bony.

On moving forward with Coy. H.Q.  it was found impossible to

get any clear information as to situation.  A halt was made at Z Copse.

From here H.Q. got in touch with Graham and found that advance of 10th Inf.

Bde. was held up just forward of Duncan Post (F. 17.d.6.6.) by heavy MG and

shell fire.  The majority of the tanks had been put out of action practically

on assembly position.  His party had cleared a track and marked it for art.

as far as F. 18.c.0.8. but like the inf. were held up and unable go further

forward.  He had seen Lieut. Roberts who was at advance Bde. H.Q. which had

been established at F. 17.d.8.5 and had also been unable proceed to Bony.

Coy. H.Q. therefore established for time being in sunken road at F. 16.a.7.5.,

No. 3 Section being F. 17.c.3.7.

MG. fire and shelling experienced throughout day as far back

as cross roads in F. 16.d.  Touch kept with Bde. H.Q. and No. 1 Section fully

employed in improving accommodation.  In afternoon Strongm's party located

in Duncan Ave. at approx. F. 18.a.8.2. They were with 39th Bn. and unable

do any work except examination of dugouts.  Line was then approx. E. and W.,

the 39th Bn. being on the left at F. 18.a.8.2 with 34th Bn. in Duncan Ave.

and extending across the gully on the left of 39th ∧on to the high ground beyond.

40th Bn. on right of 39th.

At 3 p.m. attempt made to move forward but an advance of

only a few hundred yards all that could be done.  Weather about this time

broke and rain commenced and continued intermittently for rest of day and

night.  At 6 p.m. the different sections were drawn in for the night in

vicinity of Coy. H.Q. with exception of those men detailed to assist Bn.

H.Q.'s who remained with them.

30th Sept.  10th Bde. moved forward about 8 a.m. The section on art.

tracks were able to make a reconnaissance as far forward as A.14.d.6.5.
(Bony Ave.) but were held up there by MG. fire.  They reported clear for

art. to that point.  Strongm's party again unable to carry out work but one

party got as far forward as A. 15.c.02 (cross roads).  They were then

opened on by MGs and had to make overland in a southerly direction and back

to Bony Ave. and return from there.  Coy. H.Q. established in Ronssoy at

F. 16.c.o.7.

1st Oct.  New allotment of areas made.  Area allotted to 10th F. Coy.

being approx. a line running N. and S. through Z Copse to N. Bde. boundary

on the W.  Southern Boundary E.W. grid line between F.17 and F.23 to

A. 14.c.0.0. then E. through A. 15.a.0.0., A. 10.d.0.0. to A. 12 central.  E.
boundary from A. 12  central to S. 29.c.0.7.

No. 3 Section now relieved from art. work and allotted half

the area for reconnaissance.  A party as far as the canal and to an air

shaft but did not get down to the water level. The 10th Bde. Bns. were

holding a line on the high ground above Le Catelet.  Outside the canal there

was very little of interest in this area.

2nd Oct.  No further advance of bns. took place over this period with

exception of reconnaissance patrols.  Nothing of interest found in area.

Party succeeded in entering subterranean canal and obtained a water test.

The tunnel at point of entry of party was approx. 120 ft. below ground level.

[*10 F.C.*]It consists of two parallel drives, the easterly one roughly 10' x 6' in the

clear and evidently for foot traffic of workmen on canal maintain

maintenance.  Cross cuts from this drive lead on to top of canal arch.  The

canal proper is reached by steps leading down from the drive to the tow path.

There is a path each side.  The canal being wide enough to allow of two

barges passing.  Several mines were removed from towpath by parties of 5th

Div. Pioneers and consisted of large charges of H.E. fixed to the sides to

be fired by electricity.

3.

11th Field Coy.

Extract from war diary (Major R. J. Donaldson).

1st Oct.  No. 1 Section destroyed old British anti-tank mines in F.17 and

23 and investigating St Quentin Canal tunnel.

Extract from report 29th Sept. 11.15 a.m. Lieut H.E.S. Melbourne to C.R.E.

Cyclists of 11th Field Coy. found it impossible keep up with

party going forward on foot this morning so I took them across on to road 

going from Ronssoy to Bony (the Blue road I think).  At place where this

road crosses J.O. line we were met by MG. fire from enemy.  Apparently these

machine gunners have been passed over by the Americans and whole advance is

hung up here temporarily.  I have my party sheltering behind some stranded

tanks on south side of road.  Enemy shelling both sides of road about 500

yds. in front of us but more on the N. side.  There is an 18 pdr. Aust.

battery 200 yds. in front of us and they are still firing.  There are a lot

of men coming back from the front both along road and cross country.  Cannot 

judge how far MGs are in front of us but the best thing I can do is to wait

here till the situation clears or until I hear from you .........Wire is full

of tank traps, will try and bring back a sample.  Have been here ¾ of an
hour.

3rd Div. Signal Coy.

Extracts from war diary.

Visual and wireless were the means to be relied on forward

of bdes. until Red Line has been consolidated.  Suitable sites for visual

stations had been selected and in determining these positions the possibility

of an extensive retreat by the enemy had been considered.

Forward parties from 10th and 11th Inf. Bdes. moved off at

approx. 6.30 a.m.  At this hour two cable detachments in charge of Lieut.
J. F. Sims left to lay line to Bony.  It was soon ascertained that Americans

had failed to mop up intervening strong posts with result that troops of

this Div. encountered MG fire of such intensity as completely to check their

advance beyond general line running W. of Claymore Valley and Gillemont

Farm.  Bde. forward parties forced to take shelter early and await

developments.  Cable detachments had constructed lines as far as F. 18.c.9.9

when the apparent obscure situation ahead and intense MG. fire from Gillemont

rendered necessary the withdrawal of the detachments to place of safety and

they moved back to sunken road F .21.d.7.0.  American troops were in an

apparently demoralised state and had no knowledge of the battle situation.

Subsequently as inf. pushed ahead 11th Inf. Bde. forward station was

established in vicinity Benjamin Post at 3 p.m.  At 5 p.m. line communication

was arranged to bde. forward station from whence bns. were connected.  Lines

held well throughout night.  10th Inf. Bde. established H.Q. F. 17.d.7.4 and

lines were run to bns. of this Bde.  The 7th and 8th Art. Bdes. established

offices in conjunction with 10th and 11th Inf. Bdes. respectively.  Their

batteries did not move forward until the evening when position became

clearer.  Several casualties occurred to personnel of this unit but were not

of serious nature.  Much interruption to Div. Art. lines been caused by

heavy transport, particularly tanks, passing over routes where ground cable

exists.

xxxxx.x5THxAUST.xDIVN.

4.

C.R.E. 5th Aust. Divn.

Extracts from war diary 30th September.

C.R.E. was informed by G.O.C. at about 6 p.m. that Corps

said that 3rd Aust. Div. were mopping up Bellicourt Tunnel from the northern

entrance and that Corps required a reconnaissance and a report on the tunnel

in our area.  G.O.C. asked the C.R.E. to have this done and suggested that

C.R.E. should use Pioneers to mop up the tunnel as this work has not yet

been done.  As the Bellicourt Tunnel in the 3rd Div. area is about 2000 yds.

E. of our front line, it seems hardly credible that this mopping up is being

done by 3rd Div.  C.R.E. left at 6.45 p.m. to instruct 14th Field Coy. to

make reconnaissance and report and work in conjunction with Pioneers.

8th Field Coy. - Extracts from war diary.

At 7 a.m. 29th Sept. the two advance sections and water

point section moved from their shelters at L. 1.a.6.1 but could not reach the

area in which they had to work.  Hostile shell and MG fire being very heavy,

sections took cover in old German dugouts to await developments.  Information

was received that the American troops had reached their objective (Green

Line) and at 11 a.m. one officer and two cyclists went forward to establish

C.R.E. report centre at G. 10.b.7.5.  After some delay the report centre was

established at G. 10.b.8.3. at 1.30 but was too far forward to be of any

service and was withdrawn the same evening, and re-established next day at

L.4.c.5.5.  Sections withdrawn for night.

30th Sept.  Situation would not permit of work being carried out in allotted

area and sections stood by waiting developments.  At 4.30 reserve section

moved forward to reconnoitre southern end of Bellicourt Tunnel to locate and

fix up an advance Bde. H.Q.  No suitable dugouts could be located in tunnel

which was reconnoitred for 1000 yds.

1st Oct.  At 6 a.m. attack made on whole Div. front.  Advanced sections

moved up and commenced work the section on right completing repairs to foot

bridge across canal at G. 16.a.8.6. (destroyed previous night) before moving.

At 10 a.m. advanced H.Q. established in trench G.2.d.6.3., and moved to

G. 16.a.8.6. 11 a.m.  Roads found to be in good condition except for occasional

shell holes.  No mines located.

14th Field Coy. - Extracts from war diary.

29th Sept.  14th Field Coy. unable reach its reconnoitring area on this day.
Forward sections therefore held in readiness at L. 16.b.5.7. in small sunken
road.  O.C. remained at Bde. H.Q. throughout day.  Coy. supplied relays of
runners between C.R.E.x forward report centre and Div. H.Q.  Report centre
established at G. 10.b.8.3. but as no reconnoitring was possible forward of
Bellicourt  very little use was made of it.
On night of 30th September orders received from Div. for 14th
Field Coy. to carry out complete engineer reconnaissance of Bellicourt Tunnel
.......Arrangements were at once put in hand and a platoon of 5th Pioneer
Bn. to form a mopping up party was detailed by C.R.E. to assist in work of
clearing tunnel.  At the time this work was taken in hand the S. end of
tunnel was in our possession but the N. end still in hands of enemy .........
Thus fully half the ground over the main tunnel was enemy country.
Arrangements therefore made for Lewis gun detachment and for building
barricades in the tunnel.  Party started at S. entrance, O.G. in command,
[*1pm
Oct 1*]with lanterns at 1300 on 1st Oct. and reached the air shaft N. of Bellicourt
at 1415.  Owing to the narrowness of tow path party could only proceed in
single file and the darkness was so great that the lanterns only showed

5.
dimly in the big tunnel.  A few feet ahead was all that could clearly be
seen.  As each branch was reached a sentry was posted and in some cases
where the stairway was broad two sentries were posted; in each case before
proceeding a rapid search was made in the immediate vicinity of the branch
tunnels.  The same procedure was adopted throughout and the N. end of the
tunnel was reached at 1730 on 1st Oct. without encountering the enemy.
Lewis gun post established and a barricade built 150 yds. inside N. end of
tunnel having complete command over entrance.  Party of  sappers under Lieut.
F. M. Best then began to explore all branches beginning from the N. end.
This was completed by 0300 on 2nd Oct.  The branches were found to be only
short ones and in no case were they as extensive as shown on the map on
suspected tunnels, so that the survey was a much simpler task than was
expected.
15th Field coy. - Extracts from war diary.
29th Sept. 10.30 a.m. O.C. and Lieut. Bullen moved forward with Brig.
staff to Hindenburg Line at G.2.c.7.5. arriving there 11.30 a.m.  On
arrival news received that Americans not yet reached their objective.
12.15.  Message from Lieut. Gilbert that Americans ^still mopping up Bellicourt.
1.45.  Message from Gilbert that Americans are about the Le Catelet-Nauroy
Line.
3 p.m.  Message from Lieut. Hardinge that inf. had not moved.  Message sent
by O.C. to Hardinge and Gilbert to make their sections as safe and as
comfortable as possible till inf. moved forward.
4.50.  Message from Gilbert that 15th Bde. going forward with Americans to
gain their objective.
Message from Lieut. W. C. Gilbert 11.45 a.m. 29th Sept. to Capt. Caddy,
Acting O.C.  15th Field Coy.
Have established section H.Q.  G. 3.d.5.2. in Boche pillbox.
The Yanks are still mopping Bellicourt.  Am going forward with a few sappers
to find out what the situation really is.  Have left the transport back at
Hargicourt for the present.  Met Lieut. Hardinge here and he is leaving
immediately with his section for Cabaret Farm.  Bde. H.Q. is now at
G.2.c.7.5.  Saw the Bde. there as we came past.
1.30 p.m.  Gilbert to Caddy -
At present the situation forward is very obscure.  I have
been forward to the position occupied by 57th and 58th Bns. which is on
roadside at G.4.a.2.4.  Hardinge is with the 57th.  Yanks are having hard
going ahead of Bellicourt and at present are about to the Catelet-Nauroy
Line.  Will keep the section at G. 3.d.5.2. until inf. get a move on.
4.40 p.m.  Gilbert to O.C.  15th Field Coy.
Situation forward still obscure.  Our inf. have gone forward
with tanks to assist Yanks.......At present meeting with firm resistance
along Catelet-Nauroy Line.  Section still at same place.  Fritz sending
over lot of stuff and quite a bit of gas mixed with it in vicinity of our
present position.  Hardinge is in a warm spot but was O.K. half an hour ago.

6,
5th Div. Signal Coy. - Extracts from war diary.
1st Oct.  14th Inf. Bde. attacked at 6 a.m.  For this operation two
metallic circuits were run from Bde. H.Q. to joint Bn. H.Q. at G. 11.b.central.
Although the lines were working well at 6 a.m. they were of little use for
about half-an-hour on account of heavy enemy shelling.  Four linesmen were
working hard and continuously but were unable keep pace with the faults.
After about 7 a.m. hostile art. fire eased considerably and there was less
difficulty in maintaining communication throughout the rest of the day.
2nd Oct.  Cables were subject to considerable damage from enemy shelling
and communications forward of bde. were maintained with difficulty.
3rd Pioneer Battalion.
(Nothing of importance in diary.  Probably more in 3rd
Pioneer Bn. History.
A.W.B.)
5th Pioneer Battalion.
Extracts from report 29th-30th September, 1918.
Work on the Black and Red Roads.
At zero - 20 minutes "A" and "B" Coys. with half Coy. of 105th
U.S. Engineers, reached assembly point L.17.b.9.9.  Owing to heavy enemy
shelling advance delayed till zero + 20.
Black Road.
The men then very quickly got to work and the inf. were
overtaken.  At 0650 a report was forwarded that 300 yds. been made good for
horse transport thence to sunken road leading into Bellicourt Road rapidly
made fit for horse transport.  Sunken road in very bad condition containing
long chain of shell holes filled with water.  This, however, was coped with
and at 0750 2700 yds. of road had been made fit for horse transport.  On
reaching Bellicourt movement forward was delayed by failure of inf. to
advance and dense fog made any further reconnaissance inadvisable.  At 0830
a reconnaissance made as far as G. 10.a.8.8 under cover of a platoon and
Lewis gun section as position in front was unknown.  The reconnaissance was
made as far at G.10.b.8.5. and owing to position becoming quite obscure and
enemy shelling heavy, party withdrawn about 1000 yds. behind Bellicourt.
During advance through Bellicourt it was found that mopping up had not been
done or if so it was incomplete, and a number of prisoners were collected
from dugouts in the village:  33 by "A" Coy., 14 by "B" Coy.  At 0930 enemy
shelling slackened and road through Bellicourt cleaned up.  Later
reconnaissance made at 10.15 as far as G. 11.b.5.4. but owing to absence of
inf. in front, and heavy MG. fire, it was impossible to get further ahead.
A report was, however, sent back that road fit for H.T. as far as cross
roads in G. 11.b., although the inf. at 1200 had not got beyond the sunken
road in G. 11.c. at this particular point.
Red Road.
"C" and "D" Coys. with half Coy. of 105th U.S. Engineers
assembled at zero - 20 at L.6.s.9.3. but owing to heavy gas shelling could
not get to work till about zero + 25.  Owing to slow advance of inf. work
was done in rear of starting point for about 500 yds.  After shelling had

7.
died down some parties caught up to inf. and made road good, Bellicourt
(G.4.c.2.2.) being reached at 0830.  Before it was possible to work through
the village a considerable amount of mopping up had to be done and a number
of prisoners were taken.  Coys. then moved through the village, cleared
roads and moved out to trench system in G.4.b.central.  Road was repaired
to that point.
10.00.  Owing to absence of inf. in front a defensive line was formed at
this point.  While here an anti-tank crew put out of action by Lewis gun
fire.  This gun had already caused casualties to tanks and was engaged at
about 200 yds. range.
10.15 - a machine gun which had been firing on parties was engaged on the
right of the road at G.4.b.central.  This was put out of action and about
50 prisoners secured in the vicinity.  About 11.30 owing to heavy shelling
coys. were withdrawn W. of Bellicourt and no further work was done.
Prisoners taken, by "D" Coy., 6 officers, 154 other ranks.  At 18.30 all
coys. withdrawn and returned to camp under instructions from C.R.E. Aust.
Corps.
General.
The party of one officer and 20 other ranks of 2nd Aust.
Tunnelling Coy. were of great assistance and kept well forward of Pioneers,
and examined all points liable to be mined, no casualties from booby traps
or suchlike taking place.
Casualties.
5th Pioneer Bn.  4 other ranks killed;  2 officers 56 other ranks wounded;
1 officer  1 other rank died of wounds.
105th U.S. Engineers.  1 officer,  3 other ranks killed;  1 officer 43 other
ranks wounded.
2nd Aust. Tunnelling Coy.  1 other rank killed;  8 other ranks wounded.

Extracts from report re 1st October.
Information being received from 14th Bde. at about 0930 that
situation was liquid, two coys. ("B" and "D") were immediately ordered out
with object of pushing further forward the Black and Red Roads.  Both roads
were cleared through Bellicourt and Black road considerably improved up to
and beyond Nauroy about G. 12.b.5.7.  Road was reconnoitred from here to
Joncourt and found to be in fair condition.
Red Road reconnoitred as far as Cabaret Farm, A.29.central
and found generally in good order except for minor shell holes.  As this
road was heavily shelled during whole of afternoon from N.E. direction, it
was not considered advisable to effect further improvements.
During operations at Bellicourt 5th Pioneers under C.R.E.
Corps troops.

CRE 2 Div
Diary
28/8/18  Pioneers instructed to make 20 foot-bridges 30 ft span
in anticipation of a crossing of the Somme having to be made.
31/8/18  5 FCoy instructed to push on with crossing at Omniecourt & try
to open road for horse transport ion case 5 Div have to cross that way.  This was
opened up at 7.30 p.m.
Also instructed 5 FCoy to erect bridge over lock at H17a39
suitable for M.T. in case an emergency route was necy through
Omniecourt and Clery.
6 FCoy instructed to widen and strengthen bridge across canal at
[[Feiulleres?]] to take M.T.
1/9/18  In anticipatn of a raid advance by the divn the maintenance of bridges
and crossings was handed over to Pioneers, leaving all the FCoys
free to work with bde groups.
2/9/18  The Lock float bridges that were used were found to be very
cumbersome, involving a great deal of transport and shift even
sufficient to make one crossing of canal.
Arrgts made that CRE 5 Div. lower the level of Somme
in front of the two divs by opening the sluice gates from
Froissy to Peronne.
3/9/18  Water details were attached to FCoys over bdes and supplied with testing
apparatus and instructed on its use by RMO.  This arrgt proved very
satisfacty as it enabled water to be tested and wells marked by FCoys
immediately.

2 Div Engrs.
Extracts from report of C.R.E.
25/8/18  In anticipatn of 2 Div relieving 1 Div conference held at 7 FCoy HQ
and a scheme of employmt of FCoys laid down.  A FCoy was included in each Bde
group and its duty was reconnaissance, testing, & marking of wells for immed use
opening up of routes for horse and M.T.; also erection of horse troughs
searching for mines, & bridging.
26/8/18  5 & 6 FCoys moved up.
27/8/18  The FCoys started on repair and marking of main roads as far forward
as possible  A great number of roads were blocked by trees, but they were
not much damaged by s/fire.  Large enemy dumps of engr
material were found in R4, which greatly assisted in repairs of
bridges.  Wells opened in Chuignes & Chuignolles.  Few mines
were found on roads.
7 FCoy moved up in morning.
28/8/18  FCoys kept touch with their bdes & moved with them.
The 5th FCoy recd information that 5 Bde were pushing in on left of 6 Bde early in
morning to advance and secure high ground in H19, 20, 21, 22.  At 6 p.m.
the FCoy. moved over Long Wd near Chuignolles and bivouached for
night near4 Cappy.
6 FCoy carried out reconnaissance and removed number of tank
mines from roads.  No.1 Section (Lt Renshaw) worked at night
on Cappy-Herbecourt Road, opening it up for M.T. and also cleared out
dugouts at L30c90 for DHQ.
7FCoy reconnoitred and repaired roads as far as Chuignes and Cappy and along
canal to Eclusiere.
Fxx(Details of work on succeeding days covered in
F.Coy notes)

6th Foreway Coy RE. (report to CRE 2 Aust Div.)
Light railway line clear to G 20 b 0? 3 by 10 a.m.
& work of repairing going on fwd rapidly.  This establishes
connection [shorthand] Froissy and Proyart to Wrencourt.
Estimate to be able to reach G 29 d 5 9 (Junction of lines to Frise
& Herbecourt) by 6 p.m.