Topic: Diary - Schramm
Diaries of AIF Servicemen
Bert Schramm
18 September 1918
Bert Schramm
2823 Private Herbert Leslie SCHRAMM, a 22 year old Farmer from Whites River, South Australia. He enlisted on 17 February 1916; and at the conclusion of the war Returned to Australia, 10 July 1919.
During part of the course of his military service with the AIF, Bert Schramm kept a diary of his life. Bert was not a man of letters so this diary was produced with great effort on his behalf. Bert made a promise to his sweetheart, Lucy Solley, that he would do so after he received the blank pocket notebook wherein these entries are found. As a Brigade Scout since September 1918, he took a lead part in the September Offensive by the Allied forces in Palestine. Bert's diary entries are placed alongside those of the 9th Light Horse Regiment to which he belonged and to the 3rd Light Horse Brigade to which the 9th LHR was attached. On this basis we can follow Bert in the context of his formation.
The Diaries
The complete diary is now available on the Australian Light Horse Studies Centre Site at:
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Bert Schramm's Handwritten Diary, 18 - 22 September 1918
[Click on page for a larger print version.]
Bert Schramm
Wednesday, September 18, 1918
Bert Schramm's Location - Ludd area
Bert Schramm's Diary - The brigade moved onto Selmieh near Jaffa tonight. The big offensive starts very soon and the infantry make the first attack.
9th Light Horse Regiment War Diary
9th Light Horse Regiment Location - Ludd area
9th Light Horse Regiment War Diary - Orders received that the Brigade would march out fully equipped for lengthy operations at 1900 and concentrate near Sarona and bivouac for night. Several improvised packs had been issued to carry explosives and all off side horses of the transport had been equipped with pack saddles for use in packing loads over rough country if found necessary.
1845 The Regiment moved out 388 strong, joined remainder of Brigade and travelling at the rate of five miles an hour arrived in SqJ31 [Sheet 13] at 2245 where horses were off-saddled and bivouac made for night. Orders received were to get as much sleep as possible. Reveille at 0500 and after 0800 be ready to move out at half hours notice.
3rd Light Horse Brigade War Diary
On the evening of 18th September 1918, the Turkish 7th Army and Turkish 8th Army held an entrenched line from Tabsor on the coast to a point on the Jordan River about ten miles north of Jericho. The Turkish 4th Army held the hills commanding the Jordan Valley east of the river. It was the intention of the Commander in Chief to concentrate a superior force of Infantry on the coastal sector, break the line there, and push three of the four cavalry Divisions through the gap to the rear of the Turkish forces. This cavalry force was to then, capture or destroy the Turkish armies south of the line Damascus - Beirut. The fourth available cavalry division [Australian and New Zealand Mounted Division], with four infantry battalions, one Indian infantry Brigade and certain artillery - all known as Chaytor's force, were to operate in the Jordan Valley against the 4th Turkish army based at Es Salt and the Hejaz Railway. The Australian Mourned Division was to pass through the gap in the rear of the 4th and 5th Cavalry Divisions, and follow the 4th Cavalry Division in close support as far as El Lejjun and then operate as the exigencies of the situation required.
After a three weeks period of intensive training the Brigade marched on the evening of 18th September 1918 to a bivouac site near Selmieh in preparation for the offensive which was to commence at dawn on 20th September 1918.
9th LHR AIF War Diary, 18 September
Darley
Darley, TH, With the Ninth Light Horse in the Great War, Adelaide, Hassell Press, 1924.
No Entry
Previous: Bert Schramm's Diary, 17 September 1918
Next: Bert Schramm's Diary, 19 September 1918
Sources Used:
Bert Schramm's DiaryNational Archives Service File.
Embarkation Roll, AWM8.
Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour
Nominal Roll, AWM133, Nominal Roll of Australian Imperial Force who left Australia for service abroad, 1914-1918 War.
War Diaries and Letters
All War Diaries and letters cited on this site should be read in conjunction with the Australian Light Horse Studies Centre, War Diaries and Letters, Site Transcription Policy which may be accessed at:
Australian Light Horse Studies Centre, War Diaries and Letters, Site Transcription Policy
Further Reading:
9th Australian Light Horse Regiment, AIF
9th Australian Light Horse Regiment, War Diary, Day by Day Account
Battles where Australians fought, 1899-1920
Citation: Diaries of AIF Servicemen, Bert Schramm, 18 September 1918
