Charles E W Bean, Diaries, AWM38 3DRL 606/213/1 - 1915 - 1918 - Part 9

Conflict:
First World War, 1914–18
Subject:
  • Documents and letters
Status:
Open to contributions
Accession number:
RCDIG1066858
Difficulty:

Page 1 / 10

25t Sparkes of Coy went out straight away & scouted all round the ND & came back to say it as heavily held by Jerms. There had a 2 of germs in the objr also - but these had bn already taken. This SP we firing pretty heavily - it had Just abt D mp in action. As tept Portman & his loy were foing out agst it Sparkes came in w this informate. Portman ws abt 100ydo out. D He sent Sparkes & Thomas round I right & he went round I lef. They worked round (ferms. As soon as they were witin royds the Germs Surrendered. It ws
4Dr. Sn at this time the as going thro. The tank there ws I supply tank - She ws probly mined - She ws hecled over in a shell hole - she had come outs reentreat at 1S end of wood. Abt 55 ferms were in to Stn point out of whole collecte of S/Ps abt 150 germans were ot & abt 150 out of the trench S. of it - say 250 mall. It ws a good line - but it looked as if they reliev onthe SRS. No tant had by at these trenches or at the s before till loag after Iattack. By this time the rt. of 20 Bn as ahead in
Waytuate. They were not sure of their objic in 1 mist. When 18 Bn went thro they went to them. A number of Jermans were on the top by 12d at 29B2.7. & tere as a in old gun positis; the jermsfougeto fight there. when advance Mf to the next steep valley There they the 20 under Portman because certain they had fve too to properposit. far - & came back& 5th Divn 8 d had passed things were going well. There were guns in the Warfusce valley - to ws where they were first met with They were day in on I crest O1Gully. Some of sights were brought back - trail t tesl ceens were laid on timber
That eog some huge bursts occurred just near I main roas werfsce at hr intervals. They were taken for menes at fird but turned out to behae Shels. The first 3or 4 were near 1 road The 5th or 6th abt dusk - fell right near silhoeted traffic by road. I killed t0 german prisoners who were coming down in a ferman waggon - & the two tomnces beside them in/C of wazon -& cleared traffit on a space of 2d- perh 50yds ere fire. Tey came from Tnly abt 6 shells i o aindrahas decdition The aughs of five were very wide indeed - & 1 floor of garpit boarded 2/S Mackenzie ws hit at 1 strt by a miss bullet. D Elkington we hit in taking a my posite in the objic - working down 1Y - he ws hitt a poteto masher he fo had be too thick when the Sp as taken for them more than just to see tank abt voyds away. Eo Bn stayed there for day at aationities he (Aabove, with Capt. Elliott & capt shey A Hagg. Abt. 11 a.m. orders were ricd. to atteck at 11 am. In To O line ws 8000 yds away
B on cended Copt Portman While OO. Col Torbes rade to 1 Cruafir NW of Harbounieres. Te iust for attack were tere given but not (time The Bn came up in arti fornation. E of Lamotte as they came under fire tey crossed I road & passed N. of Bayonvillers. or trailine W. of & ashwelld Moscourt Valley my got then orders from C.O. Att Lam. They crossed Jully wh ws ander beaoy shellfire - they decided to To straight ahead & got thro without a casualty came just behind Blue line &
in by down in arty formate Bn started to deploy & a namber of ferm. planes came over very low. Jerm we shelling 1 Blue line then. When the attacking troops (18Bn) mooed out of 20 Bn moved Bll Aive into it. Stayed there till night of 9 - & took over line from 18 Bn on ng. of Aug 10. The line ws then short of Factory- abt Loyds stort of it Back thes. fru back at 1 dump ther side of ross were 45 Bn who werenot attacking I In regard to this flank, on after of 9th when
While Eortman ws looking at this Clusip (where he did so much of his work later) be saw the pair of lgs sticking out of a stack of wood there. He thought Hur - that must be are of our people. It ws an old English major gartilur who had fone out there to have a wht look for guns wh he ws seerching for (to sloot at. I suppose). 27n went abeat capt Portman went out and had a look at 1 Dump from 1 side of road? He ken saw tt 1 flank ws quite open as x5 Bn were back behind the Bomb & 5/9 Dump He reported to Maj. Pobinon who told him to put in his Coy to defend to flank. Portmen brought ap 2 Phs into dimp wh ws a hage Collecto of timber stacks v. pod Cover; he save instrus D Lt Holues 6o take out a plu to abt 25I. 7.C 18 anor at 26 C.7.9 to watch (flank Holves Lad to crowloaton his own & reconvertre posite. He took his plusout
also crawling under ng. fire from Royart. & they dug in there. had night Portman went ap to puch the Wesern of these posts out towds Boyart. They recomvitred I groond out there - tstan here going back wht & went to 45 Bn & saw Col Johnson to lett him of move oders to his posts - & he then heard to 65 Bn Lad orders to pash out to night. Holies, Sergt Cark & Cpt Portman then suided them up to be advanced post o1 20k & showed where road corner Ws. But when
45 Bn got up there thy came ander wif fire so they sevring back their flank to where te post was & threace to Iroad abt 150 yds in rear of left flank of 20th Bn. The posts of 20 Bn then witndol t Blue Line. Machine That after yours were fering from Royart. By nex! day abt Wcd be seen. (on 1 Afternoon of the 10th Aug- 3 motor torsies & a box car came tooling along road towds Royart from 1Blue Lene. They ot within Dooyds of Boyart when the dust iegan to be knocked up all aroun them. The in Ropartall
N Auy 10/4. This night the ferman Division pp. 20 Baws relieved & a new lob of troops came an howas provided I prisoners Capturn on 11ase opent. All I meen in the ferst 3 were k. The 4th stopped for a while. Saggenl he (boxcar) sheented back. twrne - & came back for dear life along I road. He got in to TBlue heere. The driver we shot this lung & other man killed. Aug 10/ Wight of 10 37 Bntried marching up Iroad w 3 tenks - 38 in rear & to on. Capt Fortmans Coyws to follow make a defensise flout atony Iroad (very much tike the flank he had made other way - as far as road in 28C. Portman jot up ahead parts as 37 ws late, & had 2 posts

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