The Australian War Memorial have uploaded the link to the video of the Last Post Ceremony which commemorated the service of Athol Gladwyn Adams.
Could I recommend that you view this 15 minute video at: https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/PAFU2015/246.01/
Thursday, 6 August 2015
Wednesday, 5 August 2015
6-7 August - Unit diary - Battle of Lone Pine
Reinforcements arrived in the 2nd Brigade trenches starting at about 5am. The 5th Battalion was allocated four of these men. The 6th Battalion were allocated 1 officer and 117 other ranks. Some of these men were returning after previously being wounded. The 6th Battalion needed these fresh troops as they were about to attack the German Officers' Trench.
In the early morning of 6 August, the 3rd Brigade made a minor diversion near Ryrie's Post. This did divert the Turks as they opened up with heavy fire from machine gun and rifle on these trenches.
Arrangements were made for the attack on the German Officer's Trench (see map in 2 August blog post). This was opposite the northern most section of 2nd Brigade's trenches.
At 4:30 that afternoon, 6 August, 'intensive bombardment of Lone Pine followed at 5:30 by assault by 1st Brigade, assisted by rifle fire from whole of No 2 section. During assault, Turks observed leaving from trenches of Johnstone's Jolly, crowding to the rear'. This barrage of gun fire included support from warships off the coast. Unfortunately little damage was inflicted on the Lone Pine Turkish trenches as they were covered with a roof made of heavy timber logs.
At 4:30 whilst the bombardment was occurring, 'C' company of the 5th Battalion left their trenches at the front to allow the 1st Brigade to take their places. There were to be four waves of troops dashing from these trenches. The first were to spring out of pop-holes from the forward-most trenches, and the next waves were to follow up from the trenches behind.
At 5:30 that evening the Turks replied with heavy shelling of Northern No2 Section. Considerable damaged was inflicted on 2nd Brigade trenches by this shelling. At 8:30 further shelling by the Turks fell on the support trenches and further rear - firing at a rate of about a round a minute.
Whilst Northern No2 Section was being shelled at 5:30pm on 6 August, the 1st Brigade were ordered out of their trenches and ran forward towards Lone Pine. The Turks replied with devastating small arms fire. However, many of the 1st Brigade made it to the Turkish front lines. These men tried to prise open the timber lid of the trenches. Some were able to throw in bombs, others fired through gaps, some were able to jump down into the Turkish trenches and force their way along with rifle fire and bayonette and small bombs.
Some of the Australians which followed in the next waves passed over the lidded trenches and made it further inland where they captured three lines of enemy trenches.
The Turks' counterattacked quickly and the Australians made efforts to stop-up the communicating trenches. Most of this part of the battle was now at close quarters and in darkness.
At about 10:30 that evening the men of the 5th Battalion in the Northern No2 Section (opposite the German Officer's Trench) were ordered to remove all barbed wire from forward firing line recesses to allow attacking men to go over the top. The 6th Battalion were about attack the German Officers Trench.
By 11:30 that evening the 6th Battalion were ready for their assault and close to midnight three mines were successfully detonated hoping to blow up Turkish positions before their assault.
The 6th Battalion made their attack up this slope towards the German Officers' Trench rushing out of the trenches at 0035hrs. They were met with devastating machine gun fire. Few made their objective with many being cut down in the pop-ups thereby blocking the exits for the men following behind. The Division Headquarters ordered (at 1 in the morning) that the 6th Battalion should be withdrawn, re-organised and again put to the assault and that the German Officers' Trench must be taken. This message was telephoned through by a Colonel White. The Unit Diary understates: 'The Brigade Major assisted with the re-organisation which was very difficult in the darkness and the narrow confines of tunnels and the dead and wounded lying about. A very difficult operation'.
At 3:55 on 7 August the 6th Battalion again left their trenches but with the same tragic result. As soon as they started their run into the darkness devastating fire opened out from the flanks and front. The diary notes that 'the action of all ranks as gallant and brave as could be desired'.
Officer commanding the Brigade informed the Division Headquarters that this second assault had also failed. Further, they were informed that it was impossible to reorganise the remnants of the 6th Battalion. The Brigade commander was instructed (at 4:30am) to 'personally supervise a new reorganisation and then another assault is to proceed without delay, but to wait orders when to commence'.
It was not until 8:30 on the morning of 7 August that Division Headquarters advised that the 6th Battalion should rest for the day.
Further along the line and also on 7 August, at dawn, the 3rd Light Horse Brigade made a number of assaults towards the narrow bridge of land between Russell's Top and Baby 700 at the head of Monash Valley. This action became famous as the charge for 'The Nek' and remembered in Peter Weir's 1981 film 'Gallipoli. More on this tomorrow.
In the morning (7 August) daylight revealed the bodies of over 300 men of the 6th Battalion lying in the scrub of no-man's land between the Australian trenches and the German Officers' trench. But there were many more in the 1st Brigade who lost their lives in those Turkish trenches we know as Lone Pine. The intense fighting at Lone Pine continued until 9 August. In total, at the German Officers Trench and at Lone Pine and the Nek, six Battalions suffered the bulk of the casualties with nearly 2,300 killed and wounded during the battle. Seven Australians were awarded the Victoria Cross after the battle of Lone Pine, the highest number ever awarded to an Australian division for one action.
In the early morning of 6 August, the 3rd Brigade made a minor diversion near Ryrie's Post. This did divert the Turks as they opened up with heavy fire from machine gun and rifle on these trenches.
Arrangements were made for the attack on the German Officer's Trench (see map in 2 August blog post). This was opposite the northern most section of 2nd Brigade's trenches.
At 4:30 that afternoon, 6 August, 'intensive bombardment of Lone Pine followed at 5:30 by assault by 1st Brigade, assisted by rifle fire from whole of No 2 section. During assault, Turks observed leaving from trenches of Johnstone's Jolly, crowding to the rear'. This barrage of gun fire included support from warships off the coast. Unfortunately little damage was inflicted on the Lone Pine Turkish trenches as they were covered with a roof made of heavy timber logs.
At 4:30 whilst the bombardment was occurring, 'C' company of the 5th Battalion left their trenches at the front to allow the 1st Brigade to take their places. There were to be four waves of troops dashing from these trenches. The first were to spring out of pop-holes from the forward-most trenches, and the next waves were to follow up from the trenches behind.
At 5:30 that evening the Turks replied with heavy shelling of Northern No2 Section. Considerable damaged was inflicted on 2nd Brigade trenches by this shelling. At 8:30 further shelling by the Turks fell on the support trenches and further rear - firing at a rate of about a round a minute.
Whilst Northern No2 Section was being shelled at 5:30pm on 6 August, the 1st Brigade were ordered out of their trenches and ran forward towards Lone Pine. The Turks replied with devastating small arms fire. However, many of the 1st Brigade made it to the Turkish front lines. These men tried to prise open the timber lid of the trenches. Some were able to throw in bombs, others fired through gaps, some were able to jump down into the Turkish trenches and force their way along with rifle fire and bayonette and small bombs.
Some of the Australians which followed in the next waves passed over the lidded trenches and made it further inland where they captured three lines of enemy trenches.
The Turks' counterattacked quickly and the Australians made efforts to stop-up the communicating trenches. Most of this part of the battle was now at close quarters and in darkness.
At about 10:30 that evening the men of the 5th Battalion in the Northern No2 Section (opposite the German Officer's Trench) were ordered to remove all barbed wire from forward firing line recesses to allow attacking men to go over the top. The 6th Battalion were about attack the German Officers Trench.
By 11:30 that evening the 6th Battalion were ready for their assault and close to midnight three mines were successfully detonated hoping to blow up Turkish positions before their assault.
AWM image G01129 (Photograph taken by CEW Bean) Gallipoli Peninsula, Turkey.
Bean says 'this remarkable photograph was taken on the date of the Battle, 6 August 1915. It shows the position of a trench, occupied by German officers, which was assaulted after midnight. Our trench ran round the near side of the distant hill on the right. German officers' trench was situated in the distance, a little to the right of the highest point of the sandbags in the foreground'.
The 6th Battalion made their attack up this slope towards the German Officers' Trench rushing out of the trenches at 0035hrs. They were met with devastating machine gun fire. Few made their objective with many being cut down in the pop-ups thereby blocking the exits for the men following behind. The Division Headquarters ordered (at 1 in the morning) that the 6th Battalion should be withdrawn, re-organised and again put to the assault and that the German Officers' Trench must be taken. This message was telephoned through by a Colonel White. The Unit Diary understates: 'The Brigade Major assisted with the re-organisation which was very difficult in the darkness and the narrow confines of tunnels and the dead and wounded lying about. A very difficult operation'.
At 3:55 on 7 August the 6th Battalion again left their trenches but with the same tragic result. As soon as they started their run into the darkness devastating fire opened out from the flanks and front. The diary notes that 'the action of all ranks as gallant and brave as could be desired'.
Officer commanding the Brigade informed the Division Headquarters that this second assault had also failed. Further, they were informed that it was impossible to reorganise the remnants of the 6th Battalion. The Brigade commander was instructed (at 4:30am) to 'personally supervise a new reorganisation and then another assault is to proceed without delay, but to wait orders when to commence'.
It was not until 8:30 on the morning of 7 August that Division Headquarters advised that the 6th Battalion should rest for the day.
Further along the line and also on 7 August, at dawn, the 3rd Light Horse Brigade made a number of assaults towards the narrow bridge of land between Russell's Top and Baby 700 at the head of Monash Valley. This action became famous as the charge for 'The Nek' and remembered in Peter Weir's 1981 film 'Gallipoli. More on this tomorrow.
In the morning (7 August) daylight revealed the bodies of over 300 men of the 6th Battalion lying in the scrub of no-man's land between the Australian trenches and the German Officers' trench. But there were many more in the 1st Brigade who lost their lives in those Turkish trenches we know as Lone Pine. The intense fighting at Lone Pine continued until 9 August. In total, at the German Officers Trench and at Lone Pine and the Nek, six Battalions suffered the bulk of the casualties with nearly 2,300 killed and wounded during the battle. Seven Australians were awarded the Victoria Cross after the battle of Lone Pine, the highest number ever awarded to an Australian division for one action.
This wooden cross was erected in one of the Gallipoli battlefield cemeteries by soldiers of the 2nd Brigade, AIF, who fought at the Battle of Lone Pine, 6-9 August 1915. [AWM C03193]
The location of this grave is possibly Brown's Dip which lay in the gully behind the Lone Pine plateau.
The graves at Brown's Dip were removed to Lone Pine Cemetery after the war.
Brown's Dip was the position of the 1st Division's headquarters during the Battle of Lone Pine.
Field Service Post Card - 6 August 1915 - I am well
Athol sent a Field Service Post Card to his mother saying that he is 'quite well' and received her letter dated 15 (perhaps this was letter number 15). It was processed by the 1st Division mail centre on 19 August and didn't arrive in Melbourne until 1 October.
You will note the date, 6 August 1915. This marks the commencement of the series of attacks known as the Battle of Lone Pine.
Tuesday, 4 August 2015
5 August - Unit diary
On 5 August the unit diary for 2nd Brigade reports that the main concern for their troops was the Turks' 12-pounder gun which fired 53 shells into the unit's trenches during the day starting at about 6:15am.
During the morning reinforcements arrived at these trenches with the 5th Battalion gaining 140 of the fresh troops.
The re-organisation of the 2nd Brigade then commenced at 9am. The 1st Brigade were moved out of their positions (facing Lone Pine, Southern No2 section) and the 2nd Brigade took over this section. From the afternoon of 5 August the 2nd Brigade were manning both this new section as well as their old trenches opposite Johnstone's Jolly. This rearrangement was completed by about 5pm that day.
At about 12:30 Gun Trench was blown in by the Turk's 12-pounder gun firing from Mortar Ridge.
In preparation for the next day's assault the General Officer Commanding and General Staff of 1st Division established their Headquarters behind the Southern No.2 trenches in an area called Brown's Dip. (This can be seen on the map - see Blog post 2 August), behind 'the Pimple'. The 1st Australian Division's commander was Brigadier General Harold Walker, a British officer who had replaced Major General William Bridges (Australian) as temporary commander after Bridges had been killed by sniper in May 1915.
Athol notes in his correspondence of 15 August that he moved from 'B' Company back to 'D' Company at about this time. He became acting second in command after the re-organisation, Athol and 'D' Company were placed in the old 4th Battalion trenches at 'The Pimple'.
The 5th Battalion was under the command of Lt Col Le Maistre (more below).
At about 7 in the evening 'a lot of traffic was noticed back down at Mule Gully'. This would have been further supplies coming ashore for the Imperial troops. It took a great deal of effort to move these supplies up to the forward trenches.
Casualties for this day amounted to 7 wounded.
-----________________________________----
Below is an image of Lt Col Frank William Le Maistre, who commanded 5th Battlaion during the Lone Pine assault. During WW1 he was mentioned in dispatches and awarded at DSO. He died in 1951. He enlisted on August 17 at about the same time as Athol.
During the morning reinforcements arrived at these trenches with the 5th Battalion gaining 140 of the fresh troops.
The re-organisation of the 2nd Brigade then commenced at 9am. The 1st Brigade were moved out of their positions (facing Lone Pine, Southern No2 section) and the 2nd Brigade took over this section. From the afternoon of 5 August the 2nd Brigade were manning both this new section as well as their old trenches opposite Johnstone's Jolly. This rearrangement was completed by about 5pm that day.
At about 12:30 Gun Trench was blown in by the Turk's 12-pounder gun firing from Mortar Ridge.
In preparation for the next day's assault the General Officer Commanding and General Staff of 1st Division established their Headquarters behind the Southern No.2 trenches in an area called Brown's Dip. (This can be seen on the map - see Blog post 2 August), behind 'the Pimple'. The 1st Australian Division's commander was Brigadier General Harold Walker, a British officer who had replaced Major General William Bridges (Australian) as temporary commander after Bridges had been killed by sniper in May 1915.
Athol notes in his correspondence of 15 August that he moved from 'B' Company back to 'D' Company at about this time. He became acting second in command after the re-organisation, Athol and 'D' Company were placed in the old 4th Battalion trenches at 'The Pimple'.
This is CEW Bean's map of the Lone Pine trenches. Athol's unit 'B' Company were holding the trenches at 'The Pimple' when the battle commenced. CEW Bean's Official War History, p.498. AWM.
The 5th Battalion was under the command of Lt Col Le Maistre (more below).
At about 7 in the evening 'a lot of traffic was noticed back down at Mule Gully'. This would have been further supplies coming ashore for the Imperial troops. It took a great deal of effort to move these supplies up to the forward trenches.
Casualties for this day amounted to 7 wounded.
-----________________________________----
Below is an image of Lt Col Frank William Le Maistre, who commanded 5th Battlaion during the Lone Pine assault. During WW1 he was mentioned in dispatches and awarded at DSO. He died in 1951. He enlisted on August 17 at about the same time as Athol.
Reference: http://vic.ww1anzac.com/le.html
Below is an image of Brigadier General Harold Walker. General Walker, nicknamed 'Hooky' by the Australian troops, strongly objected to the Lone Pine assault plans as he had the initial landing at Gallipoli. He could see no chance of success for either operation. He was well regarded by the men and was personally very brave. He took part in the landings (the first of Birdwood's staff to step ashore) and impressed those around him with his sharpness and the value he placed on his soldier's lives. In September he was half-buried by a shell which burst in his dug-out. A few days later, whilst inspecting a post he was severely wounded by machine gun fire. He refused attention until another wounded soldier had received treatment. He was nine times mentioned in dispatches during his WW1 service.
Harold Bridgwood Walker (1862-1934), by James Quinn, 1918
Sunday, 2 August 2015
3 August 1915 - Unit diary
The unit diary for 2nd Brigade notes that it was again 'a wet day' on 3 August.
The diary also notes 'large number of Imperial troops arrived during the night'. An enemy plane flew over the 2nd Brigade trenches at about 4:30 in the afternoon. 'A large number of Turkish troops were visible in the trenches on Chessboard' which was a little to the north (see map in 2 August blog post). There was a mortar attack at about 9:30 that evening and an incendiary bomb was fired from Johnstone's Jolly just before mid-night.
'Arrangements being made for taking over Southern No.2 Section as well as present section to allow 1st Brigade to rest and reform for assault of Lone Pine.'
No casualties that day.
The diary also notes 'large number of Imperial troops arrived during the night'. An enemy plane flew over the 2nd Brigade trenches at about 4:30 in the afternoon. 'A large number of Turkish troops were visible in the trenches on Chessboard' which was a little to the north (see map in 2 August blog post). There was a mortar attack at about 9:30 that evening and an incendiary bomb was fired from Johnstone's Jolly just before mid-night.
'Arrangements being made for taking over Southern No.2 Section as well as present section to allow 1st Brigade to rest and reform for assault of Lone Pine.'
No casualties that day.
Saturday, 1 August 2015
4 August - Unit diary
Nineteen rounds from a 12-pounder landed on the left sub-section of 2nd Brigade's trenches at about 5:30 in the morning. More Imperial troops arrived at about the same time.
Another Turkish reconnaissance aeroplane flew over the area and dropped a bomb at about 6am.
More 11 inch shells fired from the Turks at about the same time as the plane flew past.
At 9:30 more shelling.
Further arrangements made for taking over Southern No.2 section as well as present section to allow 1st Brigade to rest and reform for assault of Lone Pine.
'Day otherwise quiet'.
[This entry slipped out of order. The date is correct - 4 August]. Apologies.
Another Turkish reconnaissance aeroplane flew over the area and dropped a bomb at about 6am.
More 11 inch shells fired from the Turks at about the same time as the plane flew past.
At 9:30 more shelling.
Further arrangements made for taking over Southern No.2 section as well as present section to allow 1st Brigade to rest and reform for assault of Lone Pine.
'Day otherwise quiet'.
[This entry slipped out of order. The date is correct - 4 August]. Apologies.
2 August 1915 - Unit Diary - MAP
By 2 August, preparations were being made for the next offensive. Athol's 'B' company made up part of the 5th Battalion within the 2nd Brigade. The 2nd Brigade were in a section of trenches known as the Northern No.11 Defence Section looking out onto Johnstone's Jolly. The 5th Battalion were in the right subsection.
Immediately south of the 2nd Brigade was the 1st Brigade. These men were facing the Lone Pine position. The plan was for them to attack these Turkish trenches on 6 August.
The 2nd Brigade unit diary states that on the evening of 1-2 August the weather was 'wet. Usual sniping, Day normal.' An enemy plane flew over their positions at about 6:15 in the evening. The diary records pretty much constant shelling from about 5 in the afternoon until about 9pm and heavy rifle fire around 11pm.
That day the Brigade suffered 1 killed and 1 wounded.
This excellent map shows the position of the Anzac trenches after capturing the Turkish trenches at Lone Pine. See the heavy-dotted lined running through the beige sections inland from Brighton Beach. These areas are marked 'Lonesome Pine Plateau' and 'Johnstone's Jolly'. The curved bulge shows the area captured during the Battle.
Map attributed to: "Anzac Cove region topographic battlefield map H.E.C. Robinson 1916 (georeferenced)" by Gerald R. Campbell (map face); H.E.C. Robinson (publisher); Brass razoo (georeference) - National Library of Australia MAP G7431.S65 1916. Licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Anzac_Cove_region_topographic_battlefield_map_H.E.C._Robinson_1916_(georeferenced).jpg#/media/File:Anzac_Cove_region_topographic_battlefield_map_H.E.C._Robinson_1916_(georeferenced).jpg
Immediately south of the 2nd Brigade was the 1st Brigade. These men were facing the Lone Pine position. The plan was for them to attack these Turkish trenches on 6 August.
The 2nd Brigade unit diary states that on the evening of 1-2 August the weather was 'wet. Usual sniping, Day normal.' An enemy plane flew over their positions at about 6:15 in the evening. The diary records pretty much constant shelling from about 5 in the afternoon until about 9pm and heavy rifle fire around 11pm.
That day the Brigade suffered 1 killed and 1 wounded.
This excellent map shows the position of the Anzac trenches after capturing the Turkish trenches at Lone Pine. See the heavy-dotted lined running through the beige sections inland from Brighton Beach. These areas are marked 'Lonesome Pine Plateau' and 'Johnstone's Jolly'. The curved bulge shows the area captured during the Battle.
Map attributed to: "Anzac Cove region topographic battlefield map H.E.C. Robinson 1916 (georeferenced)" by Gerald R. Campbell (map face); H.E.C. Robinson (publisher); Brass razoo (georeference) - National Library of Australia MAP G7431.S65 1916. Licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Anzac_Cove_region_topographic_battlefield_map_H.E.C._Robinson_1916_(georeferenced).jpg#/media/File:Anzac_Cove_region_topographic_battlefield_map_H.E.C._Robinson_1916_(georeferenced).jpg
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