Charles E W Bean, Diaries, AWM38 3DRL 606/255/1 - 1916 - 1937 - Part 1

AWM38
Official History,
1914-18 War: Records of C E W Bean,
Official Historian.
Diaries and Notebooks
Item number: 3DRL606/255/1
Title: Folder, 1916 - 1937
Covers mainly aspects of AlF Headquarters
Intermediate Base and includes notes and
copies of reports and letters by Sir Robert
Anderson, Maj Gen V C M Selheim, Sir
Brudenell White and Maj Gen J G Legge.
AWM38-3DRL606/255/1
 

A.I.F. H.Q. Intermediate Base. etc. 255.
1st SET. AWM 38 #DRL 606 MEM 255[1] 
DIARIES AND NOTES OF C. E. W. BEAN
CONCERNING THE WAR OF 1914-1918
THE use of these diaries and notes is subject to conditions laid down in the terms
of gift to the Australian War Memorial. But, apart from those terms, wish the
following circumstances and considerations to be brought to the notice of every
reader and whiter who may use them.
These writings represent only what at the moment of making them I believed to be
true. The diaries were jotted down almost daily with the object of recording what
was then in the writer's mind. Often he wrote them when very tired and half asleep;
also, not infrequently, what he believed to be true was not so – but it does not
follow that he always discovered this, or remembered to correct the mistakes when
discovered. Indeed, be could not always remember that he had written them.
These records should, therefore, be used with great caution, as relating only what
their author, at the time of writing, believed. Further, he cannot, of course, vouch
for the accuracy of statements made to him by others and here recorded. But he
did try to ensure such accuracy by consulting, as far as possible, those who had
seen or otherwise taken part in the events. The constant falsity of second-hand
evidence (on which a large proportion of war stories are founded) was impressed
upon him by the second or third day of the Gallipoli campaign, notwithstanding that
those who passed on such stories usually themselves believed them to be true. All
second-hand evidence herein should be read with this in mind.
16 Sept, 1946.
C. E. W. BEAN.
 

TELEPHONE:
CENTRAL 7185.
No.

COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA.
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE.
MELBOURNE, S.C.1.
10th August 1937
Dear Bazley,
With reference to your 10388 dated
4th August 1937, enclosed herewith is a copy of
my letter of 8th February 1933 as requested.
The missing files were thoroughly
searched for on previous occasions but I have
again approached those I consider might be able
to suggest where they are,but without result.
I have procured a copy of the Defence
register and the outward letters from the serial
register,these are enclosed.
Yours sincerely,
A. J. [[?]]
A.W. Bazley Esq.
Victoria Barracks.
N.S.W.
PADDINGTON.
 

copy
8th February 1933
Dear Bazley,
Mr.Heyes has informed me that Dr.Bean
has asked for the files dealing with the formation
of the Australian Corps, the transfer of General
Birdwood to the Fifth Army, and the appointment
of General Monash to command the Australian Corps.
I am therefore forwarding ,herewith,the undermentioned
files including those you sent me under cover of
your letter No.7255 of the 21st January 1932 :-
Defence A469/2/124 re Formation of Australian Corps
   "      A469/2/366 (Substitute file)    "
    "      A568/69/98 re A.I.F. Command and Changes
D.A.G.,A.I.F. 31/391 re Reinforcements-General Situation.
You already have Defence A469/2/113 dealing
with the formation of the Australian Corps. I am sorry
to saythat I have had no luck in my search for the
missing files - Defence A469/2/366 was passed to Base
Records on 30.11.9122 and was not returned to the
Central Registry and cannot be located in B.R. although
everything has recently been handled. D.A.G.,A.I.F.file
25/207 has not been located and the register does not
show it marked out to anyone. You may have cross
references,  to other files that deal with these subjects.
should you come across any let me know and I will
endeavour to obtain them for you.
Yours sincerely,
A.W. Bazley Esq.
Victoria Barracks
Paddington.n.s.w.
 

A. I. F. 351/1/40

-2-
469/2/- (C'td.)

(COPY)
A.469/2/37.
20 Sept. 1917
(SECRET)
S.1694.
My Dear Prime Minister,
Referring to the suggestion that a senior Australian
Officer should be appointed for duty at the War Office in London, I have
received the following cablegram from General Birdwood on the subject:-
"Have just received confidentially copy of cable from
Governor-General received by Colonial Office on August 25th.
At the time of despatch you had not received my telegram
74490 August 29th.
I have no personal feelings whatever in the matter but I again
desire to inform you that no necessity exists for senior
Australian Officer at War Office.
Questions concerning supply of war material for Australia,
Base Records and other subjects are being efficiently
carried out by Griffiths.
Return of invalids to Australia could not be better managed
than as at present by Howse. Separate section already
created for historical records and war museum under Griffiths
who arranges after consultation with White Bean, and myself, and
in cooperation with High Commissioner.
Griffiths already acts in all these matters as your representative
at War Office. Appointment of another officer can only
embarras War Office Griffiths and myself and bound to lead to
endless confusion.
I hope you may be able to withdraw this particular request which
really would only be useless expense.
Birdwood.
First Anzac."
Colonal Griffiths is, as you know, Commandant of the
Administrative Headquarters of the Australian Imperial Force
in London, and I have every confidence in his ability to safeguard
Australian interests in any matter coming under his administration 
in connection with which reference to the War Office
may be necessary.
You will observe that General Birdwood in his cablegram above quoted indicates
that he also is satisfied to entrust Colonel Griffiths with the management
of matters needing War Office reference/ In view of this expression of
opinion from General Birdwood, I strongly recommend that the proposal to
appoint an officer for duty at the War Office be dropped.
Yours faithfully,
(sgd)
I.G.
The Right Hon. W. M. Hughes, P.C., M.P.,
Prime Minister of the Commonwealth,
Melbourne.
 

(COPY)
S.1666:
MELBOURNE,
September, 14th. 1917.
MEMORANDUM FOR:-
The Secretary,
Prime Minister's Department.
---------
With reference to this office memorandum S.1481 of the
22nd August, 1917. asking that a cablegram be despatched to the
Secretary of State for the Colonies, relative to the grouping of
Australian Divisions, the Minister deems it advisable that a further
cablegram should be sent making it quite clear to the Imperial
Government that it was the intention of the Commonwealth Government
that the suggested grouping of the Australian Divisions should be under
the command of General Birdwood.
(SGD) W. W.
for ACTING SECRETARY.
 

B. C4.
(COPY)
S.1481.
(CONFIDENTIAL).
22nd August 1917
MEMORANDUM FOR:-
The Secretary,
Prime Minister's Department.
____________
It is requested that a cablegram in the following
terms be despatched to the Secretary of State for the Colonies:-
"The Commonwealth Government is disappointed at the
terms of your reply of 11th August from which it is evident
that the Army Council is not in sympathy with the desire of this
Government that Australian Divisions should be grouped in one
or more Australian Corps with Australian staff officers. This
will be more acceptable to Australian sentiment than statement
that Australian staff officers are regarded as interchangeable with
British Staffs, which has not previously been actually put in
practice.
/As regards representation at War Office while Sir
William Birdwood is responsible for the fighting efficiency
of the Australian Imperial Force there are many questions concerning
supply of war material for Australia, base and historical
records, return of invalids to Australia, as well as subjects which
are difficult to explain by cablegrams and it is considered that
the services of a senior Australian officer in London would
facilitate decisions.
(sgd) T.T.
Acting Secretary.
 

(COPY)
AIF. 351/1/10.
C.C4.
(CONFIDENTIAL)
13th August, 1917.
S.1393.
My dear Prime Minister.
I forward herewith for your information copies of
cablegrams which have passed between the authorities overseas
and ourselves regarding the employment of Imperial officers
with the Australian Imperial Force.
It will be seen that General Birdwood has already
been taking action in the direction we desire.
No reply appears to have yet been received from the
Secretary/of State in the matter.
Yours faithfully,
Rt. Hon. W. M. Hughes, P.C., M.P.
Prime Minister for the Commonwealth,
MELBOURNE.