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Tobruk Diaries: Illness, Moans and Mutiny

28 February 2011 by Carlie Walker. No comments
1941, Tobruk,Tobruk diaries, 2/17 Bn, 2/4 AGH, Bryant, Cosgriff, Lecky, Rats of Tobruk, Tobruk

For information on the locations mentioned in this blog entry, see the Eastern Mediterranean map in chapter 1, page 5 of the Second War official histories:

http://www.awm.gov.au/cms_images/histories/19/chapters/01.pdf

Bryant’s Diary: Friday 28^th February 1941

We travelled all last night and arrived at East Kantara this morning where we had breakfast.  We crossed the Suez Canal and boarded a train.  We travelled all day for Mersa Matruh.  At a railway station called Tanta a…“Gyppo” robbed me of 20 piastres when I brought some bread.  He paid some of my change in Italian money.  I spotted it though, but the train started to pull out and all I could do was to abuse him.  When we got into the desert we ran into a couple of beautiful sand storms and you couldn’t see more than ten yards in front of you.  Then we ran into rain.  As a matter of fact it was very cold. 

Cosgriff’s Diary: Friday 28^th February 1941

Pino defunctis [For the dead]. Len lit fag off candle after Mass.  Packed by 10 am, rolled tents, lunch at 11:15 hard ration of biscuits and herrings.  Lorries…thin on board, Knight of Malta and filthy small tub – Captain English, crew Greek,  R.A.F. Navy and us aboard.  Sailed 4 pm – no meal served.  Seasick at 8:30 and to bed.  Storm met at 10 pm and…everybody sick, troops flooded in holds.  Vomit, blood and ruined uniforms.  J. Horan mending wounds all night.  (Month spent in Egypt doing nothing.  Good times at Alex.  Wrote many letters – received few.  No word of parcels sent from Colombo).

 Bryant’s Diary: Saturday 1^st March 1941

We arrived at a station and were transported by M.T. to military barracks at Mersa Matruh.  It was cold and we hit the place about 6 o’clock this morning.  We were allowed to sleep until 2 o’clock in the afternoon.  We cleaned up around the place and during the afternoon some land mines went off and nearly shook the place down.  We had two rum issues today.  Two blokes couldn’t drink theirs so I showed them how.  I missed out in the second issue.

Bryant’s Diary: Sunday 2^nd March 1941

We had a quiet day today.  We went for a march in the afternoon to the township of Mersa Matruh.  I imagine that this was a pleasant holiday resort in peace time, but now it is only a ghost town – practically deserted.  The scars of war are evidenced by the damage done by bombs to various buildings.  There is no doubt about the effect these bombs have.  Where they hit is nothing but destruction while shrapnel arks can be seen on the buildings around the craters.  Of course, Gyppos, living up to their reputation, went for their lives, soldiers and all, and haven’t come back yet.  When we finished we went and had a swim in the Mediterranean.  We received our orders tonight to get ready to move on in the morning.  It looks as if we are going up to the front.

Cosgriff’s Diary: Sunday 2^nd March 1941

No Mass – too rough – and everyone too sick and no room.  Navy has taken over ship and set it on its course.  Sea a bit better.  Had tea made with salt water – no fresh water.   Helped clean ship and empty that filthy stinking hold – uniforms, hats, bags ruined – horrible show this morning.  Drank lemonade – sick again – no shave yet.  Stew for dinner – first meal since Friday.   Passed Sidi Barrani – wasting time as Tobruk port open only from 9 am.  Hope to arrive tomorrow early.

Bryant’s Diary: Monday 3^rd March 1941

We left by truck at 9 a.m. and arrived at Buq Buq at about 5pm.  The trip was made over pure desert.  During the journey we passed a considerable number of abandoned and destroyed war material.  Sidi Barrani was in complete ruins.

Cosgriff’s Diary: Monday 3^rd March 1941

Awakened at 3:50 am by grounding of ship.  Plenty of bumps and breakers visible – coast steep.  Order to abandon ship – only water bottles to be taken.  Three men off in the life-boat with life line – 12 volunteers to haul life-boats ashore and abandoning starts – Only the boat-load overturned – injuries not severe.  I nearly last off – in water to waist.  One meal floated ashore – one meal and then off for the road – 6 miles.  R.A.F. and free French with no water.  Hit road at 5pm.  Caught Aussie truck – oranges and water.  Two sick parties left.  Tom and the donkey transport. To British C.C.S at Bardia.  Meal wine cognac and good beds.

Bryant’s Diary: Tuesday 4^th March 1941

Left Buq Buq this morning hit Sollum just before lunch.  Sollum was badly knocked about, but it is hard to understand how the Italians lost any engagement here.  On the Libyan side is a very steep spur which completely dominates the township.  We passed through barbed wire entanglements in Libya.  Just beyond the border stands, or lies in ruins to be exact, Fort Capuzzo.  We only passed on the outskirts of Bardia and the only thing of interest was the enormous number of smashed trucks in a gigantic wadi.  All along the road were captured Italian guns and material as well as crashed planes.  Tobruk is a pretty place and the approach to the port is very scenic.  We camped just west of the township.  During the night I ran into Les Short, Arthur Reilly, Noel Ford, Broughton…and Jack Delph of the 2/4^th Bn.  They were all well and had passed through the actions unscathed.

Cosgriff’s Diary: Tuesday 4^th March 1941

Awake and poverty-stricken – one razor among 14.  Got boots clean eventually.  Party to ship to see if salvage possible.  Meet of officers, wrote home.  Plenty of Eyeties here – aota Catholica.  To Bardia in afternoon – well shelled – only 4 Aussie graves.  Land mines and Creek bombs.  Millions of pounds worth of Eyetie stuff.   News this arvo of possibility of salvage.  C.O. – hopeless – not raising a finger to do anything- wired Burston – everything lost.  Australian beer arrived 8 accas a bot.

Bryant’s Diary: Wednesday 5^th March 1941

We spent all day at Tobruk and the majority of the fellows spent the day throwing “Eyetie” hand grenades and firing their rifles.  One or two were slightly hurt, and it was a wonder some were not killed.  Doug Benham had one lob at his feet, but only suffered a few scratches.  Some of the boys drunk some of the Cognac and nearly passed out.  They were very sick.

Cosgriff’s Diary: Wednesday 5^th March 1941

Awakened early – to embark at 6:30 at Bardia – Moans and Mutiny – Scare.  Eggs for breakfast then trucks to ship – rough ride of 12 miles. Good quantity of stuff on shore.  All my gear ashore including Mass kit D.G.  All worked to shift stuff from hold – up to trucks.  Sergeants looking – plaque of S.H. missing.  Stew for dinner – R.A.F and French a nuisance.  Camels and donks – paid in ship’s bucker?  Good day at beach with a wreck – 14 ft in sand – to play with.  Terrible ride home.  Saturday in dust – Mass kit – kit bag here, case and trunk to come.  Cooper, Steel and Ackland to go ahead tomorrow.  Mass Cras [Mass tomorrow].

Bryant’s Diary: Thursday 6^th March 1941

We set sail for Derna and the road was pretty good all the way.  The convoy suffered its first casualties when it was attacked by dive-bombers.  Two men from the 2/13^th (an officer and private) were killed by machine-gun bullets.  Two trucks and one sedan were destroyed.  Derna is a very attractive town with palm trees and the typical white, angular buildings of the Near East.  A steep winding road from the precipitous heights unfolds beautiful panoramic scenery.  At the Derna aerodome are about 16 or 17 destroyed Italian planes wrecked on the ground.  Two 2/17^th Bn men were injured when they were run down by a motor truck during the black-out.  I had a swim in the sea and felt a lot less grubby. 

World War One treasure trove found

25 February 2011 by Peter Burness. 25 Comments
News

Vignacourt is an old rural village in France, larger than most, 12 kilometres north of the city of Amiens. During the First World War it stood behind the front-line of the Somme fighting, although the action was never far away and soldiers were always present.  For much of the time it was a forward rest area where troops arrived to recover from recent battle and prepare for the next. Men were billeted in the houses, lofts, stables and barns, and mixed freely with the villagers.

The comings and goings of the troops, British, Indian, French, Australians, and Americans, and even some of the Chinese Labour Corps, was recorded by a local photographer, Louis Thuillier and his wife. Throughout much of the war they photographed the fighting men who came to their humble outdoor studio in the courtyard of their house. Thousands of their photographs must have found their way to homes around the world, including Australia.

Remarkably the Thuilliers’ glass plate negatives still exist, sitting almost undisturbed for nearly a century.  They have recently been located by investigators from Australia’s Channel 7.   An unknown number of the photographs show Australian diggers, but they must number in the hundreds.

Research at the Australian War Memorial indicates that the Australian photographs were mostly taken in November 1916 and during November-December 1918.  Among the latter are scenes of celebration on the day the war ended, 11 November 1918. A study of the soldiers’ faces shows men pleased to be away from the dangers of the front-line, although many also show the strain of recent heavy action or that accumulated over years of fighting.

The first Australian troops in Vignacourt were men of the 1^st Division who were billeted there only days before facing the horror of the fighting at Pozieres on 23 July 1916.  A few months later the survivors of the battles of Fromelles and Pozieres moved into the Somme trenches where they would face the misery of the wet and frozen trenches in an ordeal some found worse than heavy battle. Some of the exhausted brigades went to Vignacourt to recover.

The history of the 5^th Australian Battalion records its move to Vignacourt:

The Australian regiment was weary, untidy, and muddy to the last degree … their despondency was noticeable, though not to be wondered at, when one remembers the misery of the preceding days in the mud. The Fifth underwent a rigid course of training in Vignacourt.  New clothes were issued, and the men were refitted generally.  Five hours daily of hard work soon had its effect, and the Regiment rapidly regained its physical and mental fitness.

The Vignacourt photographs are a record of Australian troops in France and their interaction with French civilians, and present unique evidence of the life and experiences of men following battle. The story of the amazing photographs and their discovery airs on Sunday Night at 6.30pm on the Seven Network.

Update: There is also a Facebook page called Lost diggers with more photos, video, and details about who to contact if you think you can identify any of the soldiers.

Lockheed Hudson – More Holes

25 February 2011 by Jamie Croker. No comments
Conservation

A second large hole has been cut into the fuselage this week, this being for the lower tunnel gun position.  A large amount of modification to the airframe had been carried out to support flooring, and various large camera mounts thorughout it’s time as a geo survey platform.  All these modifications were removed to clear the area, and open up the space ogininally occupied by the tunnel gun. 

Governor-General officially opens the Memorial’s Hall of Valour

24 February 2011 by Debra Holland. No comments
News

Before a gathering that included living Victoria Cross holders Keith Payne VC OAM, Corporal Mark Donaldson VC, Corporal Ben Roberts-Smith VC MG, Her Excellency Ms Quentin Bryce AC, the Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia officially opened the Hall of Valour on Monday 21 February.

The Hall of Valour honours the 98 Australians who have received the Victoria Cross, the highest award for bravery in action in the face of the enemy.  Symbolically located beneath the commemorative heart of the nation, namely the Hall of Memory and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier,  it is the home of the national collection of 63 Australian Victoria Cross medals as well as three British Victoria Cross and several George Cross medals.

Guests last Monday also included the descendants and families of more than 100 Victoria Cross and George Cross recipients including the Canberra based family of medical officer Major General Sir Neville Reginald Howse VC KCB KCMG, who was awarded Australia’s first Victoria Cross in 1900 for rescuing a wounded man under heavy fire while serving with a mounted infantry brigade during the Boer War.

Also in attendance was the Hon. Julia Gillard MP, Prime Minister of Australia, the Hon. Tony Abbott MP Leader of the Opposition, the Hon. Warren Snowdon MP Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Senator Michael Ronaldson Shadow Minister for Veterans’ Affairs.

The Hall of Valour has been one of the Memorial’s most ambitious redevelopment projects recently in the lead up to the refurbishment of the First World War Galleries in time for the centenary commemorations of the Gallipoli landings in April 2015.

The Victoria Cross was instituted in 1856 by Queen Victoria and made retrospective to 1854 to cover the period of the Crimean War. The metal used in all Victoria Crosses is taken from old captured cannons, reputedly from the Crimean War. 

For images of the opening of the Hall of Valour http://www.flickr.com/photos/australianwarmemorial/sets/72157625746048143/

 

Tobruk Diaries: They’re off: Moving on

21 February 2011 by Carlie Walker. No comments
1941, Tobruk,Tobruk diaries, Battles, Commemoration, Exhibition, Second World War

Bryant’s Diary: Friday 21^st February 1941

Retired back to Wadi Chariar and took up positions in old Turkish trenches.

 

Cosgriff’s Diary: Friday 21^st February 1941

Pino Defunctis [For the Dead].  Slept in to 7:15.  Used private fruit knife at breakfast.  Found Byrne Nolee a Catholic.  Photos turned out…O.K.  Sent parcel to Elsa.  Letters to her and Jas Carragher.  Tom Steele back from Nile Boat.  John and Len on getting “stinkin” on peace night.  Bought lime-juice for water-bottle.  No news of active warfare and nothing to do.  Dr. Steele here today.  Mail day but no letter for John or I.  Len threatening to write Mary a stinker.

 

Bryant’s Diary: Saturday 22^nd February 1941

Marched back to camp and arrived a little after one o’clock.  Copped road guard to cap everything.  Coy off to range tomorrow to fire the Bren.

 

Bryant’s Diary: Sunday 23^rd February 1941

Left by transport for Jaffa range to fire the Bren.  Palestine improves as you move north along the coast and Richon and surroundings are very beautiful.  Richon is very close to the range and the majority of the population are Jewish.  The orchards there are first-class and where we camped oranges, lemons and grapefruit can be had for nothing.  The range itself is very extensive and facilities are available for Small Arms, grenades, Anti-Aircraft practices.  Gum trees are plentiful and improves the place immensely.  The Bren guns fired all right through day, but the shooting was very mediocre.  I got 62 out of 115.  Went to Richon on the Sunday night and saw “Wuthering Heights”, but it is a lousy show.

 

Cosgriff’s Diary: Monday 24^th February 1941

Alex with Len.  Mass at S. Catherina.  Kids singing at Exporition of SS.  Bath at Tim’s room – then tour to Moustapha barracks, Pompey’s pillar, catacombs lunch with Tim then car tour of seafront etc.  Home early by Len.  Zac’s scene with Dick over waiting for Mass – horrible dipler of Jew’s childish temper – went in to dinner alone.  Fr. Phillips on leave to Alex.  No letter today.

 

Lecky’s Letters: 25 February 1941: Red Shield Huts – Hostels for Australian troops, to Mum and Dad,

As you can see by the above address I have moved in and have begun a refresher course, so far I have only done 2 days but the methods and ideas are all the latest and seem to be very good.  I came down with a cobber and a batman between us so we lost no time in making ourselves as comfortable as possible – especially since we have a huge Indian Pattern tent with all mod cons. H & C showers, pictures and canteen handy, an excellent mess and best of all we are within 100 yds of some very nice nurses whom we met on the way over…Routine starts at 6:30 am (when its quite dark) and finishes at 4 with a game of football or basketball, with lectures in between so I hope to be very fit in mind and body when I return. 

Still no mail from you – last was dated 23 Jan 41… please write as often as you possibly can as you have no idea how much mail from home means… I must tell you about my leave to Jerusalem…We stayed at the Hotel Fast which was originally owned by a German, but he had to leave hurridly (sic) on a certain September morn in 1939 so the pub was taken over by the Comforts Fund…I was given 2 nights lodging, meals, bus fare there and back and a free sightseeing tour…so three cheers for the Comforts Fund…After an excellent meal I retired feeling very lonely and to the lounge where I found myself invited to join a party consisting of two New Zealand Nurses, an M.O. from the same place and an Aussie officer (whose language was shocking) who was just up from the scene of actions where he had spent some months and been mentioned in despatches.  We did the rounds of the city night clubs…and they invited me to accompany them on a trip next day which I very gladly accepted… [I] boarded a 7 seater Plymouth sedan with the others.  The trip meant missing the principal sights of Jerusalem but was well worth it as we saw nearly all of Palestine…

 

Bryant’s Diary: Wednesday 26^th February 1941

Rumours and indications are pretty strong today that our Brigade will move very soon, possibly to Egypt.  It has come.  We are moving all right.  We have received our orders to pack up and tonight we have to sleep without blankets and stand by.

 

Bryant’s Diary: Thursday 27^th February 1941

We got our gear ready to move and should leave sometime tonight.  I received a big batch of letters today, the first Air Mail lot in a fortnight.  It must have been held up for some reason.  Received advice of Geoff’s marriage.  Good luck to him.  We left Gaza Ridge about 9:30 in the night by train for Egypt. 

 

Cosgriff’s Diary: Thursday 27^th February 1941

Pino defunctis.  Len waiting hour and half for pay conveyance.  While we were at Alex returning pay, C.O. made his famous announcement “there off armoured boys”.  That it all the news we got of departure.  Chas Littlejohn apologises for Zoe and resigns chair.  Marsh and Morton home for departure…

For Valentine’s Day – The airman who married the general’s daughter

14 February 2011 by Nicholas Schmidt. 2 Comments
ANZACS online,Collection,Collection Highlights,From the collection,News,Personal Stories

Recently, I have been working on the papers of Field Marshal the Lord Birdwood, the First World War British General who commanded the Australian Corps for much of the First World War (including at Gallipoli). Amongst the papers, donated by the Birdwood family in the 1960s, I have found a story I think is suitable for a Valentine’s Day blog entry.

My research is continuing but it was the romantic notion of ‘The airman who married the General’s daughter’ that caught my attention. It is the story of Constance ‘Nancy’ Birdwood, the eldest daughter of Birdwood, who married a Western Australian grazier, Colin Craig. Nancy was an Australian Red Cross nurse while Colin was an airman who flew for the Royal Flying Corp during the First World War.

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Tobruk Diaries: Preparing to move – Reprimands, Promotions and Confessions

14 February 2011 by Carlie Walker. No comments
1941, Tobruk,Tobruk diaries, Battles, Exhibition, Research material, Second World War

Cosgriff’s Diary: Friday 14^th February 1941

Pro pace [For peace].  Only Horan and Carroll at Mass.  Lecture on Arabic – too hard for me.  Tim and Owen here for lunch.  Visited McCormack and Ronald.  Hours too long at evening meets.  Arthur Amies the only one working.  Horan filling his torch.

 

Bryant’s Diary: Saturday 15^th February 1941

Finished the instruction at the 2/15^th Bn.

 

Cosgriff’s Diary: Saturday 15^th February 1941

Pino Defunctis [For the dead].  Walked 24 miles arranging Mass for Hampshires, Cheshires, and regs – hot and rag bath after.  Lost my identity discs.  Tried shorts today but pretty cold.  No mail for a week…Alex tonight…

 

Bryant’s Diary: Sunday 16^th February 1941

Received a reprimand from Capt Balfe through Bob Proud.  He can go to hell.  So can the Sgt-Major.

 

Cosgriff’s Diary: Sunday 16^th February 1941

Mass at staging and A.G.H.  Had to wait for transport.  Good crowd at Communion there and plenty of Hampshires here.  After Mass to Alex with Tim and Owen Steele.  Meet two English priests.  Tour in afternoon of water front – 10 miles and environs.  Sports Club – Sir P. Sarcoon’s home. – Greek hospital.  Tim without a penny in his pay-book.  Confession today. 

 

Bryant’s Diary: Monday 17^th February 1941

Mick Hill was promoted to Cpl.  He deserves it.  We did a 19 mile route march today and it was hard going because of the pace.  I received a chafed crutch.  I put some metho on it and nearly jumped through the roof of the tent.

 

Bryant’s Diary: Tuesday 18^th February 1941

Spent most of the day preparing for the four-day bivouac which commences tomorrow.

 

Cosgriff’s Diary: Tuesday 18^th February 1941

Pro pace [For peace].  Experimenting with Tim’s camera today – photos in bed.  Moving to Berd when gear arrives.  Rang Jack McCormack – cold still bad gave him invitation from Rowlands.  Hampshires went today.  Our transport arrived truck and utility.  Another mess call this week – 2 pounds pretty hot.  Sleep until all hours these mornings.

 

Bryant’s Diary: Wednesday 19^th February 1941

Bn marched to Wadi Chariar Gaza and Beersheeba.  The weather was pretty hot and our water went just after mid-day meal.  When we got there we had to dig in and we were beggared.

 

Cosgriff’s Diary: Wednesday 19^th February 1941

Dr Williams.  Completed two spools of film – Horan wasting half of it.  Harry Furnell here for lunch – interesting on news of battle-front.  He  – won officer’s Cup… Looks like no more fighting past Benghazi.  8^th Div landed in Malaya – probably 7 A.G.H too.  Bish. Riley here today.

 

Bryant’s Diary: Thursday 20^th February 1941

Went farther on to Wadi Karkur and dug in. Didn’t feel the march so much this time.  Just forward of our position is the commencement of some sort if excavation of what appears to be an old hidden city.

Japanese Ha-Go tank conservation – Part two

10 February 2011 by John Kemister. 1 Comment
Collection,Conservation

Three months into this phase of the project has seen significant progress on both the external and internal conservation of the tank. Externally, all original armour plate components have been repaired. Replica plating has been fitted to replace inaccurate or missing components, with some plates requiring considerable modification to fit this individual tank, and to correct minor errors in externally supplied fabrications. 

All the original running gear and mudguards have been conserved or remanufactured, and refitted, with replica components installed as necessary. Hubcaps on the track return rollers and idler sprocket are still to come, and the replica tracks have not been installed at this stage as further surface work is required on the hull exterior.

As a project ‘milestone’, all rear armour plating was fitted, and missing external fittings and equipment, replicated from collection images of other Ha-Go tanks, was made ‘in house’ and installed. The turret has not been reinstalled at this stage.

In parallel with this external work, internal transmission components were investigated for ease of removal. Given the severe degree of water induced corrosion inside the tank, the main gearbox and transfer gearbox were able to be removed, with badly corroded mounting bolts requiring removal by oxy cutting. Removal of the main gearbox enabled the final reduction gear and drive sprockets to be treated.  As these sub-assembies had very corroded and inaccessable fasteners, to reduce dismantling impact  it was decided not to remove these assemblies from the tank, but to treat in situ. After rust removal from the badly corroded brake drums, the final drives now rotate freely.

Given the past 70 years of weathering, neglect and abuse, it was surprising to find the main and transfer gearboxes were in virtually pristine condition internally, with no corrosion and no wear marks on the gear teeth. It appears that the tank was landed by the Japanese marine landing force at Milne Bay and travelled only a relatively short distance. It was engaged in four actions with men of the Australian 61st, 2/10th,  and 25th Battallions. It was stopped during the third encounter by Corporal JFP O’Brien, recovered by the Japanese, and  later captured after the fourth encounter by the Australians on 29th August 1942. (One careful owner, low mileage!)

Of considerable interest, after all these years, two more  cartridge cases from the 7.7mm Japanese machine guns were found under the gearboxes. These are highly likely to be relics from those actions in 1942, and complement the battle damage found on the tank.

The success of the progressive dismantling of the transmission has now enabled a serious attempt at removing the badly deteriorated engine for treatment. The tank had been sitting exposed  to the weather in a scrap yard for many years, with five of the six cylinder heads missing, and at this stage the engine appears to be rusted solid. Interior examination with a borescope shows no oil in the sump and the engine interior has surface rust.

   

Interesting aspects of this project are the identification and preservation of battlefield damage and relics still present that relate directly to the known history of the tank, and the progressive nature of the treatment, as initial unknowns are resolved and future actions become clearer.

Update!

The engine has been removed from the tank. Note the five missing heads.

(Tech specs: The engine is a 14.3 litre, six cylinder, air cooled diesel engine, of 240 BHP at 2000 rpm)

From now on it will be slow and steady work investigating, cleaning and treating the engine ,

 and the internal hull surfaces!

Part of the work involves sourcing or replicating missing components to complete the external appearance. For example, the tank jack mounted on the mudguard - 

  

Fortunately, a modern 10 tonne ratchet jack was virtually identical in overall appearance. After removing English lettering cast into the jack and unobtrusively stamping “AWM II” to identify it as a replica, it fittted perfectly into the replica mounting bracket (made in-house from an original image of a Ha-Go tank).

Tobruk Diaries: Doing our jobs…

07 February 2011 by Carlie Walker. No comments
1941, Tobruk,Tobruk diaries, Battles, Second World War

Cosgriff’s Diary: Friday 7^th February 1941

Fallen soldiers.  Letters from Aileen, Elsa, home (2), Dr Pascal. Tom missed out on mail – sent cable.  Pay day 13 pounds short.  Alex this arvo with Len.  Bath in Errington’s bath-room.  Met Sam Johnston at Windsor Hotel.  Found whereabouts of Owen Steele.  Coffee with Campbell and Honils.  Home at 12:30. 

 

Bryant’s Diary: Saturday 8^th February 1941

Appointed a Bren instructor for a fortnight to 2/15^th Bn.  The squad members are keen and should do all right.

 

 

 

Cosgriff’s Diary: Saturday 8^th February 1941

Alarm hopeless.  Mass at 7:30.  Steele here and with him all adj at 2/9^th.  Churchill,… O’Connor and Surn back from Derna.  Our future uncertain but not operating here.  Arranged Masses here and staging – hope I get some.  No more office.  Plenty to do – but no conveyance.  Wrote to Aileen and expect never to hear from her again. 

 

Bryant’s Diary: Sunday 9^th February 1941

Went up to the A.G.H. today and saw Wal Legge, the first Mudgee casualty in this war. Wal is in the 2/4^th Bn and received shell shock at Tobruk but only his ears were affected.  He is O.K. now and expects to be out of hospital in a day or so.  Also saw Ted Taylor.  Nothing else happened.

 

Bryant’s Diary: Monday 10^th February 1941

Kept instructing Bren all day at the 2/15^th Bn.  It was as cold as hell.

 

Cosgriff’s Diary: Monday 10^th February 1941

Mass at S. Catharina.  Breakfast – steak and eggs.  New watch protection.  Lunch at Union Club with Len.  Bath in matron’s room.  Ackland and Horan had breakfast on train to Alex – jam sands and cake.  Mary held Tom’s hand in sympathy of no letters.  Benediction at S. Catherina.  People reciting prayers and singing Pangi in latin.  Handsome youth at book-shop – nun speaking French – two bots of altar wine. – Rudd loaned us his car – home 11:30 slept most of way – letter from J. McGlynn.  Horan saw… French navy. – Saw Adam Johnston again.  Best day so far – Mass at St. Saluna altar.

 

Bryant’s Diary: Tuesday 11^th February 1941

Tom Dinnen sent to hospital yesterday.  Nothing else happened.

 

Cosgriff’s Diary: Tuesday 11^th February 1941

Missa in Tempore Belli [Mass in Time of War]. Jack Chambers has mumbs. Rothstadt  –  probably malaria.  John Devine to go with C.C.S.  Doctors visiting hospitals in Alex.

 

Bryant’s Diary: Wednesday 12^th February 1941

Nothing happened today.

 

Cosgriff’s Diary: Wednesday 12^th February 1941

Pino Defunctis [For the dead]. All thrill alarms failing no function now and we always sleep in.  Nurse went to see Kantara today.  Put up tent for batmen.  Shifted into new mess.  John Devine – pretty homesick left at 10 pm.  Rudd under orders to go too.  Marsh’s lid’s pinched by Gyppos making box.

 

Bryant’s Diary: Thursday 13^th February 1941

Jack Wilson returned from 28 days in Jerusalem jail. He had a pretty rough time.  Reg Tait went to hospital again.  That makes 3 out of the section in hospital now.

 

Cosgriff’s Diary: Thursday 13^th February 1941

Pro pace [For Peace].  No mail for days.  Tim McCarthy in Alex.  To Alex after paying Men. Wally Condar and Rouelands of H.M.S “Perth”.  Meet Tim and Steele.  Driver’s name – Gerrard from Canberra.  Home early with Horan.  Boys stayed late and visited Mary’s home at 3:45 am.  Wrote to Dave, Elsa, Tooze and Doyle kids.

Lockheed Hudson – Support structure fitout begins.

01 February 2011 by Jamie Croker. 1 Comment
Collection,Conservation,News

The aft turret support bulkhead was fitted to the fuselage late last week, and is the first major peice of the turret support structure to be completed and installed.  The installation of this bulkhead will give the structural integrity to allow the removal of damaged and modified floor structure, and the continuing installation of support structure further forward in the fuselage.

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