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Saturday, 14 February 2009
Second Morlancourt, France, May 4 to 9, 1918 Topic: BatzWF - Westn Front
Second Morlancourt
France, 4-9 May 1918
Second Morlancourt, a series of small thrusts carried out during 4-9 May 1918 against the new German forward line established between the Ancre and Somme rivers to protect Morlancourt. The operations, conducted by the 9th Brigade of the 3rd Australian Division, had the effect of capturing the enemy's front-line and taking 170 prisoners for the relatively low cost of 264 casualties. This success provoked a German response shortly before 4 a.m. on 14 May, but the 200 attackers were cut off after penetrating the Australian positions (now held by troops of the 5th Brigade of the 2nd Division) and lost another 48 men captured: Australian casualties were 60 killed or wounded.
Extracted from the book produced by Chris Coulthard-Clark, Where Australians Fought - The Encyclopaedia of Australia's Battles, Allen and Unwin, Sydney, 1998, pp. 146-147.
Additional References cited by Chris Coulthard-Clark:
C.E.W. Bean (1937) The Australian Imperial Force in France during the Main German Offensive, 1918, Sydney: Angus & Robertson.
Bert Schramm's Diary, 14 February 1919 Topic: Diary - Schramm
Diaries of AIF Servicemen
Bert Schramm
During part of the course of his military service with the AIF, 2823 Private Herbert Leslie Schramm, a farmer from White's River, near Tumby Bay on the Eyre Peninsular, 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 1918 breakout 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.
Bert Schramm's Diary, 14 February 1919
Bert Schramm's Handwritten Diary, 14 - 17 February 1919
[Click on page for a larger print version.]
Diaries
Bert Schramm
Friday, February 14, 1919
Bert Schramm's Location - Tripoli, Lebanon.
Bert Schramm's Diary - Nothing worth recording but the weather has been fine.
El Burj, Palestine, 1 December 1917, 4th Light Horse Brigade War Diary Account Topic: AIF - 4B - 4 LHB
El Burj, Palestine, 1 December 1917
4th Light Horse Brigade War Diary Account
4th Light Horse Brigade War Diary, Saturday, 1 December 1917.
War Diary of the 4th Light Horse Brigade, AIF
The War Diary provides an excellent reference to the day to day activities of note that occurred within a particular unit. They were never designed to be histories in themselves but aids to future historians who wish to write about their deeds. The War Diary was often written up at the end of the day when most men were weary and seen as just another useless activity demanded by "the Heads" in far off places. It was only years later when unit histories were produced that the value of the War Diaries became to be realised by the men. The result is that the War Diary is usually light on detail. These details can be supplemented by Routine Orders and signals where these may exist.
The entry for Saturday, 1 December 1917 is transcribed below.
0430 - 8th Light Horse Regiment report enemy reinforcing on their right rear, left of 4th Light Horse Regiment.
0550 - Infantry moved up in support between left of 4th Light Horse Regiment and right of 8th Light Horse Regiment.
0750 - Left of 4th Light Horse Regiment moved up 100 yards to straighten out the line.
0845 - Enemy machine gun located at point J28.a.9.6. Throughout the day continuous sniping on both sides. Enemy machine guns at Kefr Rut and 22 Central located and shelled. One machine gun (enemy) knocked out. Patrol from left of 4th Light Horse Regiment got within 200 yards of Kefr Rut and observed enemy positions. Two men of this patrol were wounded. Bombs and Very Lights were distributed to regiments. General Officer Commanding and Brigade Major visited the line.
1800 - 2 Troops of 4th Light Horse Regiment extended left of 4th Light Horse Regiment to join up with 8th Light Horse Regiment closing a gap which had occurred. 31st Infantry Brigade relieving 156th Infantry Brigade on right of 12th Light Horse Regiment. Occasional sniping during the night otherwise quiet.
El Burj, Palestine, 1 December 1917, 3rd Light Horse Brigade War Diary Account Topic: AIF - 3B - 3 LHB
El Burj, Palestine, 1 December 1917
3rd Light Horse Brigade War Diary Account
3rd Light Horse Brigade War Diary, Saturday, 1 December 1917, page 1.
War Diary of the 3rd Light Horse Brigade, AIF
The War Diary provides an excellent reference to the day to day activities of note that occurred within a particular unit. They were never designed to be histories in themselves but aids to future historians who wish to write about their deeds. The War Diary was often written up at the end of the day when most men were weary and seen as just another useless activity demanded by "the Heads" in far off places. It was only years later when unit histories were produced that the value of the War Diaries became to be realised by the men. The result is that the War Diary is usually light on detail. These details can be supplemented by Routine Orders and signals where these may exist.
The entry for Saturday, 1 December 1917 is transcribed below.
War Diary Entry
Saturday, 1 December 1917
3rd Light Horse Brigade -
El Burj.
3rd Light Horse Brigade -
0100 - The post on the right of the Brigade Sector at approximately Sq J.26.2.o.7 heard movement in the immediate front.
0110 - Enemy estimated strength 500 attacked the above mentioned post with bombs and rifle grenades.
0115 - Part of Gloucester Yeomanry, 48 all ranks in strength under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Palmer, DSO, moved from position of support at El Burj to assist the 8th Light Horse Regiment.
0150 - The above mentioned party reinforced the 8th Light Horse Regiment on the right and was forced to withdraw 200 - 300 yards towards the main line of defence.
0200 - Enemy pressed on towards main line of defence delivering a strong attack using bombs of both Cricket Ball and Stick type, Rifle Grenades and Automatic Rifles. Whilst making this advance the enemy came under the enfilade fire of one Squadron 9th Light Horse Regiment and two machine guns from Sq. J.19.a.8.4.
0250 - One Company 1st/4th Royal Scottish Fusiliers, strength about 130 all ranks reinforced the 8th Light Horse Regiment and went into the firing line at once, arriving just prior to the full development of the enemy attack. This company at once operated with Mills Grenades with great effect and assisted materially in holding up the enemy attack.
0300 - Enemy held up within 30 yards of our main position.
0315 - 2nd Company 1st/4th Royal Scottish Fusiliers moved from El Burj to position of support immediately in rear of 8th Light Horse Regiment. Bombers of this company were sent into the firing line.
0400 - Enemy fire and bombing had considerably decreased with the exception of one trench mortar which was firing from the neighbourhood of Shilta.
0520 - The effect of the enfilade fire of the 9th Light Horse Regiment and the two machine guns in position Sq.J.19.a.8.4 prevented the retirement of the enemy.
3rd Light Horse Brigade War Diary, Saturday, 1 December 1917, page 2.
0520 - The effect of the enfilade fire of the 9th Light Horse Regiment and the two machine guns in position Sq.J.19.a.8.4 prevented the retirement of the enemy. On movements towards both flanks of the enemy, one by 1st/4th Royal Scottish Fusiliers and one by 8th Light Horse Regiment and assisted by fire from 8th Light Horse Regiment, the two flanking parties succeeded in securing 105 unwounded prisoners.
0545 - Detachments from 8th Light Horse Regiment and the Company 1st/4th Royal Scottish Fusiliers in support pushed forward and occupied the position located on the right flank in the early stage of the attack.
Artillery -
On the 8th Light Horse Regiment calling for Artillery support by means of flares, as the enemy attack commenced, 268th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery and the Hong Kong and Singapore Mountain Battery opened fire on enemy approaching from Shilta. As the enemy attack developed the battery searched all the wadis leading towards Shilta . At dawn a barrage was put down in rear of the attacking enemy so as to prevent any attempt at withdrawal.
Machine Guns -
With the 9th Light Horse Regiment at Sq.J.19.a.8.4 also put down a barrage rear of enemy and prevented several attempts at withdrawal.
Our Casualties -
8th Light Horse Regiment -
Killed: 1 Officer; 5 Other Ranks.
Wounded: 3 Officers; 31 Other Ranks.
9th Light Horse Regiment -
Wounded: 0 Officers; 2 Other Ranks.
3rd Light Horse Machine Gun Squadron -
Wounded: 0 Officers; 3 Other Ranks.
Missing: 0 Officers; 1 Other Ranks.
Gloucester Yeomanry -
Killed: 1 Officer; 1 Other Ranks.
Wounded: 0 Officers; 4 Other Ranks.
1st/4th Royal Scottish Fusiliers -
Killed: 0 Officers; 1 Other Ranks.
Wounded: 1 Officer; 2 Other Ranks.
Total Casualties -
Killed: 2 Officers; 7 Other Ranks.
Wounded: 4 Officers; 42 Other Ranks.
Missing: 0 Officers; 1 Other Ranks.
3rd Light Horse Brigade War Diary, Saturday, 1 December 1917, page 3.
Total Turkish Casualties -
Killed: 120 All Ranks.
Wounded Prisoners: 0 Officers; 20 Other Ranks.
Unwounded Prisoners: 6 Officers; 98 Other Ranks.
Total Prisoners: 6 Officers; 118 Other Ranks.
Enemy dead on the right of the 8th Light Horse Regiment Sector 20 and opposite the left of the same sector 100.
Included in the captured material were 8 Automatic Rifles similar to Hotchkiss Guns, 72 Rifles, 38 Bayonets, 8 tripods, one box spare parts, 2 spare barrels.
1000 - Enemy shelling El Burj intermittently, otherwise situation quiet.
1200 - 9th Light Horse Regiment reported enemy consolidating position Sq.J.1.D.0.0. 16 enemy in vicinity of the position.
1400 - Following message received from 20th Corps. "Corps Commander much admires the staunchness of your troops who with small forces beat off strong attack of the enemy last night, and captured so many prisoners."
1415 - Following message received from Desert Mounted Corps. "Please convey Corps Commander's congratulations to Lieutenant Colonel McLaurin and all ranks 8th Light Horse Regiment on their brilliant fight last night."
1700 - 1st/4th Royal Scottish Fusiliers moved from El Burj to join 156th Brigade en route to Latron.
1730 - Dispositions for night as follows:-
8th Light Horse Regiment holding right sector;
9th Light Horse Regiment holding left sector;
Gloucester Yeomanry in support 400 yards north of El Burj.
3rd Light Horse Brigade War Diary, Saturday, 1 December 1917, page 4.
1930 - 7th Mounted Brigade moved from position of Divisional Reserve and was placed at the disposal of the General Officer Commanding 3rd Light Horse Brigade who disposed as follows:
El Burj - One regiment and 4 machine guns in reserve to Brigade;
One Regiment and 2 machine guns in support of Brigade at Sq.D85.J.26.a.5.10.
7th Mounted Brigade took up these positions at 2030.
2215 - Two Companies, 6th Dublin Fusiliers arrived at El Burj -
One Company to be employed by 3rd Light Horse Brigade in case of attack.
Second Company Divisional Reserve and not to be employed without reference to Headquarters, Australian Mounted Division.
Ville-sur-Ancre, France, May 19, 1918 Topic: BatzWF - Westn Front
Ville-sur-Ancre
France, 19 May 1918
Ville-sur-Ancre, located about three kilometres west of Dernancourt, was the scene of a successful attack by the 6th Brigade of the 2nd Australian Division at a.m. on 19 May 1918. In a cleverly planned operation which required the river to be bridged, the attackers passed pincer movements around the northern and southern sides of the hamlet before raiding parties were sent through to clear the place. Australian casualties were 418, but German losses included 330 prisoners and 45 machine-guns captured.
Extracted from the book produced by Chris Coulthard-Clark, Where Australians Fought - The Encyclopaedia of Australia's Battles, Allen and Unwin, Sydney, 1998, p. 147.
Additional References cited by Chris Coulthard-Clark:
C.E.W. Bean (1937) The Australian Imperial Force in France during the Main German Offensive, 1918, Sydney: Angus & Robertson.
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