The Road to Chunuk Bair

An easy days work. Orders for a Divisional Parade at 5 p.m. We had early tea and at 5 o’clock the Brigade moved out in line of Battalions in column of route.  We picked up the Australian Brigade as we passed their camp and proceeded out about 4 miles. The scheme for the nights work was that we were facing an enemy in trenches on a front of 800 yards for the Division. 400 yards was allotted to the Australian Infty Brigade and 400 yards to ourselves. Our 400 yards was divided up between two Battalions, two being in reserve. Our Battalion front was divided up 100 yards to each of two companies with two companies in support. We arrived in our theoretical trenches just at dark and bivouaced for the night. The enemy’s position about 450 yards in front of ours on some low hills was actually entrenched, provided with entanglements and flares and whatever the engineers could fix up. We were to make a night assault on the trenches and if successful dig ourselves in. At midnight we got word that the Division would advance to the assault at 2 a.m. Prior to the assault patrols had been sent out who thoroughly reconnoitred the enemy’s position and pulled down a number of the obstacles. Most of the evening’s flares were fired before the assault by these patrols. At 2 a.m. the two Brigades advanced to the assault. The first line moved straight on the enemys position closely followed by the successive supporting lines. Despite a hot fire and the obstacles the position was carried and the enemy retired in disorder; the position gained was at once entrenched by the Reserve Battalions, the assaulting Battalions covering the work. Despite darkness and the inevitable confusion of the assault the Company reassembled complete within a few minutes of the assault being over. This showed excellent handling of their men on the part of the officers and N.C.O.s. We remained in our positions until daybreak when the dismiss was sounded and units returned to camp reaching there by about 8 a.m. The men behaved splendidly during the operations and they quickly got into their bivouacs and settled down for the night.

Reveille seemed to go in the middle of the night. It was very dark and blowing. We were just falling in in shirts without tunics, in fact several companies were in column of route on the road when a heavy downpour came down. There had been a shower or two the previous evening and we rejoiced at the prospect of being minus the dust for once. Overcoats were quickly got out and the parade fell in again. We marched out about six miles and took part in a Brigade against Brigade attack and defence scheme. Our Brigade was on the defensive and occupied about 800 yards of front which was held by two Battalions, two Battalions being in reserve. We were one of the two Battalions in Reserve and took part in the counter stroke which was launched after the attack developed. We returned to camp at 2 p.m.

The Battalion paraded under the adjutant going to Mataria while the officers went out for special instruction under the 2^nd in command in extended order work. Orders for tomorrow are for 4 a.m. Reveille and parade 5.30 a.m. Todays Batn. Orders contained a highly complimentary reference to the Coy as regards yesterdays tent inspection.

Usual bright sunshine. Brigade Church Parade and General Leave. The C.O. held tent inspection at 8.30 a.m. and was exceedingly complimentary as to the state of our lines.

Washing and cleaning up camp. Last night was a sharp cold night and today is going to be very hot. General leave after dinner.

Battalion paraded at 7.30 and with the Brigade marched out 7 miles to the Divisional Rendez-vous for Divisional Training. Our Division was pitted against the English Territorials. The day was cool with a fresh northerly breeze and though in the course of the day the men covered 20 miles they were not distressed and we did not have a single man fall out. It was difficult as our Regiment was in Brigade reserve to get much idea of the operations as the frontage was several miles in length. However we managed to get into action and take part in the final charge. We returned to camp about 5.15 p.m.

Mataria and Musketry. Mataria is the only green spot about here. We get shade and the eye rests on fertile fields of Oats Barley and Alfalfa. One sees the two team oxen drawing an old wooden plough along the heavy earth, camels in the fields kneeling to take their huge loads of forage, and here and there the cattle tethered on their feeding ground for the day. The land is heavy and wet with the irrigation waters continually flooded on to it but is immensely productive. We returned to Camp at 4.30 p.m. Dusty and dry.

The Battalion paraded at 7 a.m. and with the Brigade marched out about 6 miles to take part in a Brigade attack. Our Brigade was opposed by the 4^th Australian Infantry Brigade and an interesting days training resulted. Our Regiment was in the advance guard and got into action very early. We were able to hold our own and did not come in for any adverse criticism from the umpires. The day was most oppressively hot and dusty. What wind there was came from the South in fiery breaths, which created the most intense thirst. We were all delighted to return to camp and get wet inside and out.

Devoted to Drill in vicinity of the Camp. In the evening a night march or rather a night advance was practiced by the Brigade. The Brigade moved in line of Regiments in column of platoons at deploying interval. The Brigade thus extended advanced for half an hour and distances and direction were very well kept. The Brigade returned to camp about 8 p.m.

The Battalion marched to Mataria and spent the day in musketry instruction. There was a stiff wind blowing all day and heat and dust had everyone in a bad temper by 11 a.m. A D.C.M was held for trial of S.M. B Woodhead.