Charles E W Bean, Diaries, AWM38 3DRL 606/5/1 - April - May 1915 - Part 9

28

Extracts of Signals.

Apr. 26.

 

3.42pm. Queen Elizabeth OK Aust Div. (Priority)

4.1 Queen Elizabeth OK continue

6.35 pm ∧Queen Enemy are shelling 224 on 8 from the NE can you locate & engage?

4.10 pm ^Queen Ships firing on left of our line O.J. 500 yds continue. Aust Div. (Priority)

3.55 pm (Priority) Queen The naval ships It are firing on our left flank shd fire 500 yds further in advance of our men. Aust. Div.

(80) 4.19. Queen. Search Valley 237 Y 7 Aust Div.

(Untimed) Can you get a battleship to fire at 224.0.9

4.30 Queen (Priority) OF. 224.0.9. with one ship please (Aust Div)

(repeated 4.40pm)

4.45 pm. (Priority) Queen Z.OF 224.K. 225.A, 237.Z.9 Arty Aust. Div.

4.35 pm. (Queen) Continue Please but keep further ahead on our left. Aust Div

(43) 10.37 pm. Queen (Priority) Please blow fisherman's Hut sky high Aust Div

(47) 12.5 pm. Priority Queen CA Knoll 224D 4 careful observation necessary avoid hitting our troops (Aust Div)

3.5 pm. Maj. Brand. It is far quicker and more accurately to write what 

you want to say & have it telegraphed. Mackworth

10.18 am. Queen BJ Aust.Div.

(35) 9.55 am. Queen BA 245 J 3 to 6 & 224.O.2. Urgent Aust. Div.

6.20 pm. Queen (Priority) Be on look out for battery shelling landing place

again one shell dropped just as you recommenced Aust Div.

4.57 pm. Queen. 2.O.F. Ridge 224 F to 224 O.9. Aust Div.

(79) 4.16. (Priority) Q. Elizabeth. O.K. give them a dose.

Queen. Lengthen their range 500 yds the guns on the left. Also Queen

Elizabeth shells are bursting on graze, lengthen their corrector, & they

should shorten their range by 300 yds.

[Hand drawn sketch see original document]

3.50 pm. Queen Elizabeth O.F.

3.52. Queen Elizabeth O.K.

3.46. Queen Elizabeth (Priority) S 200

3.45. Q.E. priority will spot now (Aust Div).

3.56. Queen B.M.

(81) 4.12. Queen Elizabeth O.K. Let them have it.

(78) 2.15. Enemy reported falling back on our left. Watch & increase

range gradually. (Aust Div)

5.27 pm. Priority Queen OF 225 V 8 Enemy Battery Aust Div.

5.19 pm. Priority Queen Fire on our left flank O.K. increase volume.

5.33 pm. Priority Queen OF 237 W3 Aust Div

5.45 pm Priority Queen BM all ships please Aust Div

6.38 pm Queen B.M. many thanks Aust Div.

6 pm. Queen Priority Please reopen fire same targets Aust Div

6.49 pm. Queen guns somewhere about 224 p. are seriously troubling our

infantry in 224 M8 Please try to locate & engage.

(same again 7.10pm).

(6.57 pm 1st Bn reports enemy have an observing stu 224 C 2)

 

29

From Glasfurd.

[Hand drawn diagram, see original document]
 

Maclagan & Mackey [Shorthand]

/ Coy of 7th to left of 3rd Bde

Ap 25  26  

[All entries have a large tick made on them. Refer original document]

3rd Bn sigs

Enemy will have

m g or field guns

at head of gully on

left of 3rd infantries

ship take position

2235 or 2223 to

enfthat  prevent

[enfilading.

3rd

 

11.47. 3rd Bde we

want every available

round as soon as [Shorthand]

(Ammn sent up w reinfs)
 

11.50-

Send guides

from each

Bn to

report to DHQ

& lead water  [Shorthand]

 

End of 1st day.

1.Where were our guns this day?
2.What ws strength of enemy at various time
3.What were [Shorthand] guns & where?
4.Other losses.

5.Where were 16th.
 

27  

To 16th Bn

Two Bns going

forward to help 3rd

Bde. You must

do your best to

organise

entrench & hold on.

 

11.35 2nd Bd.

Message to Gen.

Birdwood. Must organise

entrench & hold on.

24 [All entries have a large tick made on them. Refer original document]

7.5 from 3rd Bde

4^th Bde urgently

by

(NZ troops sent)

 

Hastie taking

stragglers to

take up ammn.

 

To Queen 2nd Brig how [Shorthand]

Enemy [Shorthand]

224.05

Ships please 

engage

 

To all 3 [Shorthand] Do you

[Shorthand]

To Gen Birdwood

Gen Godling & I both

consider[Shorthand]

ashore at once

10. 23 Aus 11 corp's being sent off

I shall jn you late after

getting everything off.

2nd Bn

Am digging in
on spur indicates
Post on spur firing
ridge to sea.

Inquiry. How many
rounds to complete
200 per rifle.

25
7.18 8th Bn
reports enemys
trenches at 72 yds
first 224 X 9)
To Queen
xxxx
7.5 6th Bn holding

same line as 2 hrs

before digging in

Guns due E of [Shorthand] HQ

Still [Shorthand] shrapnel

7.45 Blaney returns to HQ

 

10.26  8th Bn reports

enemy attacked w

bayonets shouting allah allah

but were driven back strength weakened

 

10.45 6th reports attack threating

on left of 4th I think reserves half
bn of 8th has bn taken into firing line. 8K

5th 6th 7th want ammo

7th report sneak attack in front
 

Gap of 300 yds Gets left of 5th & 3rd Bde

All afternoon 5th was [[? infalened/]] by
[Shorthand]

 

11.15 16th Bn on left

of line wh I was

ordered to reinforce

Turks L. Captain

Capt McDonald &

Lieut Elston in

quiet confusion

owing not firing

A [[?late]] [[?il]]

? indistinct
[Shorthand]

22 [All entries have a large tick made on them. Refer original document]
4.20 68,000 units

sent till 3.30

Another 40,000 being sent

 

5.12 Send 20 gunners of 2nd

Bde Ammun Col. ashore to Helbo

to assist Indian Gunners

(many [Shorthand] knocked out & our

gunners were long at them)
 

5.37 3rd Heavily attacked
on left flank
 

5.45 P.m. from NZ Inf Bde to N Z & A D.H.Q.

Cannot give Bridges Wellington Inf.

Psn situation bad here. Require whole Bde

Send Wellington ∧up as quickly as possible.

 

5.44 DHQ to Queen

4th Inf Bde [[?argully?]]

reqd. Can you 

expedite the 

disembarkation
 

5.55 To Queen

237 Z

6-3 can you engage

enemys guns to 22qT 6&9

From K.B. 5.55 send guns (prob not more

than 3) due eff 224K5

 

6.15 3rd Bat

Firing line being 

[Shorthand] on left flank

rapidly

 

6.4 Troops on ridge 224H

being shelled forging direct

238m comtships help

from 236A
Serious (Message

sent to Queen)

6.26 [[?]] when they on
224 X 9 (is taking up
make ridge a [[?rt?]]
warships shell?
(Queen asked to engage)

23

2nd Bde

Has anyone seen 8th?

If so, tell to return 

at once to right

 

4.45 3rd Bde

Has not seen 8th

 

5.20 Regret say

[Shorthand] wounded

[Shorthand]

 

5.50 12 [Shorthand] ammunition

now on its way to you

on mules
557. 3rd Bn

8th Bn to show right
of posit by sharing [[?]]
left to seaward & after dark.
Col many send[[?moth?]]
southward during night.

20  [All entries have a large tick made on them. Refer original document]

2.20 Maclayan 

Aust locate [Shorthand]

wh shelling this left

 

2.6 (From 3rd Bn)

NZ 2 Brg apparently

now up

have secured

my life.

 

From DHQ to Queen 

3.10 hostile shelling located

in 238M5

(3.25 Field Guns

arrived on 

beach)

(3.25 water )

[[B ashore?]])
[[?in?ter]] )

Please send as many 

animals as you can

(Reply) 15 Pack mules sent

 

Lotb to Q. 3.34 send us Pumps hoses &

water tanks for water lighter

 

3.35 to 3rd Batt

Has ammn arrived

 

3.56 From KC

can you see how

far 9th Divn 

has reached

 

4.30 DHQ to

KC 68,000 rounds

have been sent you up

to 4.30. 40000 is

being [Shorthand]

 

4pm 29th Div captured

Siddel Bahha

Landed on their left

4.7 Ammn not arriving please

Distant over the front

 

21
2.55 to 2nd Bde

Establish yourself

on line RND wh

proces  [Shorthand] trench

 

7th Bn 6th Bn 8 th Bn grp 1600 yds / [[?coy pt over?]]

In trench

3rd bde
5th

in with them

 

From 3rd Bde

cannot locate'

/ ish to shelling

7.24M

 

3rd, 6th, 8th built up

defencse firing line but

shrapne still [Shorthand]

 

Guns located by

[Shorthand]Bn says enemys guns are in position on south 224B

Mackay doesn't vouch for it. Divl staff says cannot be accurate
As lines to our [[??]]
beach obviously writing 3.30 A Bn promised if
available (Staff say it was needed)
 

3.36 Order to hold RN(1) 

acknowleged that (In Blameys opinion
situation v. [Shorthand]

& I will not be holding the line 

in satisfactory strength (from K.B.)

4.50 4th Bn ordered to

firm up

 

4.45 Blamey to lead

4th Bn up

18

3rd Bde
inquire
position of
2nd [Shorthand]
 

2.15

D. N. Q to Anzac
1 guns [[?]] about
be advantageous
2 Teams needs.

(To 3rd Bde)
3rd Bn sent upon
your left.

19
1.40
6th Bn reported [Shorthand]
our front ceased
8th coming upon
his right

[[?]] Mountain battery
engaging attack
from NE.

1st Enemy has taken drmbook
right of  G K
Inquiry D H. Q. can 
8C locations?

2 [Shorthand]
(Te 3rd Bde)
7th 224 (N-)6th B 224S 8th Bn 224 S
5th Bne.

2.25 DHQ. Queen 2 Field guns
wd how be also out aprons; 2 teams
of horses would be needed.

Indian[Shorthand]
action S. Q

2.35 No [Shorthand] yet
under Bde.  Today
covering all my left
Centre

8th reports troops
on its left [Shorthand]. table
to be cut off.

2.50
3rd Bde left centre
Sarg cant stand [[?ayet?]]
Enemy fire continues [Shorthand]
Aw trying to def but fire
too hot. Very few men left.
6th Bn ∧heavily attacked ∧ in pour by M
shrapnel & after Enemy apparently
trying to feel round night
support [[ending?]] required.
Am ordering myself to move
[[ag?]] his left.
 

16 
1.5
(to 3rd [Shorthand])
N. A. landed &
gone in on up left. 
"Heard
Incid 7.29th
Div.getting on"

1.15
[Shorthand] Bn
reports that
Arnsteland
Bn went
forwd at 12.25
on left.
 

(1.15
Revise
4th Bn note
completed in hand)

(1.15 [[?bo?]] for
[Shorthand] amuni [Shorthand])

17
1.30
C as of 1st Bn co with
Reserve [Shorthand] 2nd [Shorthand]
Not wanted for moment.

1.30 From DHQ. To Queen

more S a a &
10pds ammun [Shorthand]
[Shorthand]

1. Po 6th must be reinf imid,
Note. C. Co 1st Bn sent in
for you in status
Position of 6th critical, ∧(while authorised putting in of
C. Cay 1st Bn.)
& 8th [Shorthand] one can ordered to come on left of [[?]] [[Aus?]] 500 yds transported
 

14   3+2        2nd B      
[All entries have a large tick made on them. Refer original document]
These entries are written across both pages have transcribed in time order
 

10.39 Birdwood Queen to O.C. 3rd Bde.
"Well done 3rd Bde. you have done
magnificently. We are all proud
of you. Open [[with?]] commn. as soon

as possible."

10.45 From R.A. "Officers & men 2nd squadron
congratulate you & your Bde."

10.50 6th Bn
advancing under
shrapnel

10.52 From Walkin to Bridge
Recommend a Bde of N Zers
be sent to reinforce Gen
Bridges left. Walker.

11. Mules asked for 

11.2 To Aust Div.
6th Bn report party
of 3Bde in front of it
being driven S. at 10.20
am.

11.10 Ammn just
arrving at  3 2
11.32
6th & 7th under
accurate shapnel
from 2 or 3 [Shorthand]
Possibly S. of
Koyadere

From Anzac (Queen).
11.30 N.Z. Bde
on way to
shore. To come
under fire [Shorthand] on arrival.
Gen Walker to
[Shorthand]
Vice. Johnson (ill)

11.30 7th Bn 2 2 4 N
Half 6th Bn. 1 corp of 5th
just to south (2 2 4 5)
(cr. along 400)
Half 6th Bn & Half
8 [[?]] B. (ie well
done Spaten Gully)
Rest 8th moving to
support Right.

11.49 From Lt Col Johnston
O.C. N Z art. to [[?adley?]] on
Queen: can I have three
howitzers battery sent in

quickly & the same of the
balloon to send one of
my officers to locate guns.

11.55 To 3rd Bde from 12 Brr.
Reinforcements urgently
requd. on left. Cap Lalor.

[Shorthand] (comes right to D. H. Q.)
 

From 1sr Bde.
Outpost Co. on
left withdrawn.

N. Zealanders
informed by 2nd Bn.

12. Telephone communication
us right & left of 2nd [Shorthand]
being estab.
Ammun. much needed.

[[S??ing]] firing shall dintly after left [Shorthand]
No reserve leftops left.
(Maj. Blamey sent for
ammunition - to escort
it himself).

12.15 Ammm being sent
up to 2nd [Shorthand]
is it away?
12.15 from McLagam
can [Shorthand]
[Shorthand]
 

12.30 Queen's fire
wanted
on 2 2 4 [Shorthand]
(v. urgent)

12.30

Queen asked
to fire on sop

224 K. - ie in first
of left of 3rd [Shorthand]
Queen [Shorthand] too
near. says
DHQ says : Ask[Shorthand] 
feels [Shorthand] ∧being landed
soon.
 

D.H.Q. Sig. Can guns
to KB  be located in 224Y ?
 

12.55 Where are
Indian [Shorthand] uns
in action?
 

12.55 [Shorthand]
[Shorthand] . Please let me
know where yr guns
are in action.


[All entries have a large tick made on them. Refer original document]
 

10
[Blank page]

 

11
A Q 70 (Senders No) 25th
8.15 Message Palteram to Queen (1st sent \ Divl. Staff ashore).
To Queen : send s.a. ammn. ashore urgent. from 1st Austln Divn
Beach W. G. Patterson Col.

10.30 [[7 or 9?]] sent to Col. Ward ( I. G. Q. Eliz) Prisoners status 3 Bns 27 Regt defending
Kaba Tepe. 26th Regt at Serafim Chiftlik apparently
reserve formations - 10.30.