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Closure of the Birdwood papers between 11 April and 2 May 2011
31 March 2011 by Nicholas Schmidt.
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ANZACS online,Collection,Conservation,News
The papers of Field Marshal the Lord Birdwood will be undergoing conservation, rehousing and digitisation for their long term preservation.
This important collection has been held in the Memorial’s Research Centre since the 1960s. Birdwood is a significant figure in Australian military history. He commanded the Australians for much of the First World War, including during the Gallipoli Campaign, and as a result the collection is in constant use by researchers. We hope to limit the pressure on the original items by making digital copies available in the future.
Initially, the collection will be closed for 3 weeks between 11 April and 2 May 2011. This large collection, however, will take us longer than three weeks to digitise so access to the material after this period will need to be negotiated by appointment. Please contact Nicholas Schmidt (nicholas.schmidt @awm.gov.au) for more information.
For more information about the collection, you might like to look at Guide to the papers of Lord Birdwood which can be found here. For more information about Lord Birdwood see here.
Tobruk Diaries: Evacuating Benghazi
28 March 2011 by Carlie Walker.
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1941, Tobruk,Tobruk diaries, Battles, Benghazi, Exhibition, Rats of Tobruk, Tobruk
Bryant’s Diary: Friday 28th March 1941
We took up our position and we caught a couple of donkeys to carry most of our heavy gear up. It is definitely impossible to dig in so we just cut out the middle of bushes to sleep in. We do our own cooking and there are plenty of rations. Away to the left are Bengasi and Benina and can only just be seen. Our only problem is the carriage of water. The Senoussi here seems friendly and offer us eggs and milk.
Cosgriff’s Diary: Saturday 29th March 1941
Two Masses. Washed altar linen Tom shot the pet pig. Had orders to do. Howell’s AOL this weekend. Howell – herpes. Confessions through hospital this arvo. Then to Barce for confessions. Benediction – Beautiful with magnificent singing. Tour of hospital at night. Had radio working for news. Have to rise at 6 without clock tomorrow. Plane… of wounded leaving tomorrow. Wish we were staying at Barce.
Lecky’s letters: Sunday 30th March 1941
Well here I am still in the same place as I was last letter but this time I can tell you its somewhere in Libya near the sea which is as much as I know myself…Libya consists of very little else other than desert, which is inhabited chiefly by fleas, flies, mosquitoes and dust storms. The site of the camp is very pretty indeed but the desert gives the impression of a hard cruel type of beauty emphathised by the numerous animal skeletons and I suspect a few human bones here and there. After leaving the school where… I got 90% and was issued with a pretty little blue certificate marked “Distinguished”, I travelled for Palestine – Egyptian State Railways to Alexandria…At Alexandria I was fortunate enough to have a nice spot of leave. Here began what I consider to be an epic journey, which would certainly have made headlines in peacetime but is all in the days work now. We travelled entirely at the expense if Benito Musso for about four days and nights to our present location, in huge diesel fiat and lancia trucks run on captured road, only we lived on extremely Australian “Bully” and biscuits. I rode in absolute comfort in the roomy lab of a fiat truck. Finally the darn thing broke down and had to be towed but unfortunately we hit an almighty bump…I suddenly discovered that the tow rope had broken and the foster truck (towing us) was disappearing over the horizon with half a broken tow rope dangling merrily behind, leaving us stranded in the middle of the Libyan desert. Were we downhearted? No not us…Finally we reached port and found the unit, but sheer accident and settled down again…My section was waiting for me with open arms…News is scarce here but I just heard of the 72 hr raid on Berlin by the RAF – Winston’s reply to Germany…also of Yugoslavia’s rejection of the tri-perte pact all at once. Don’t know yet if its all true but if so – three loud cheers…
Cosgriff’s Diary: Monday 31st March 1941
Two masses. C.C.S. all arrived today and take over tomorrow. Letters from Bert and Jas McGlynn. Daly said impossible to retain my car. Buried unknown soldier in evening. Lost at solo… Jas Peters a DMS to Harry Furnell. Sent tapestry to Patricia. Put all letters on file. Soldiers shot by Germans arrived in hospital – armoured car victims.
Bryant’s Diary: Tuesday 1st April 1941
The steak was a bit tough and i think we ate it too fresh. Snakes are plentiful here and every day somebody sees at least one. Lieut. Trebeck looked over our area this morning and it was decided that we should shift right to Wadi Anoinat itself. This is better place all round and it did not take much to shift as a truck was made available. It is closer to water and at last we should have a little time to ourselves.
Bryant’s Diary: Wednesday 2nd April 1941
We spent a quiet day, but late in the afternoon orders came out that German mechanised units were advancing on Bengasi and that we were to prepare our positions. Extra ammunition was to be made available.
Bryant’s Diary: Thursday 3rd April 1941
The evacuation of Bengasi began today and the explosions of ammunition and food dump demolition could be heard all day. Some big fires could be seen even from our position. Early in the night an artillery barrage could be heard. Just on dark Lt Trebeck came up with information that Bengasi was evacuated and Germans were expected to occupy the town tonight. It was also expected that the escarpment may be attacked at dawn. The section had to supply two patrols; one at midnight and one at 6am. Jack Wilson and Wimmo went with me on the first patrol, but we saw nothing. Monty took the second but he saw nothing. We all thought we were certainties for action.
Cosgriff’s Diary: Thursday 3rd April 1941
Two Masses. Owen has flu. Wrote to Mrs. Tooze. Went to Engineers to have car fired and found broken spring. Watched engineers blowing up country. Got car all OK for trip tomorrow. Packed after tea. Started solo. First score 10pm, second 11pm, third midnight – Be ready to flit with kitbags only. C.C.S. evacuating patients. Benghasi evacuated and Germans through flank. Packed Mass-kit in Len’s kit bag and mine. Left suit case full and mass case and crammed into utility. Departed 2 am. Crowd of refugees on Barce escarpment. Fear of air attack. Lack of comfort. Remorse at leaving Steele but gave him my car. Horrible night trip – with more losses. Barce deserted except for combatant units.
The Bicycle in Warfare
23 March 2011 by Ally Roche.
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Collection,From the collection,News, First World War, Frontline troops, Technology, Western Front
The bicycle is a machine that we can all relate to, it’s a common denominator. Be that early childhood memories of the first ride down that steep hill, the freedom to go distances that would be problematic on foot or that flat tyre at the most inconvenient time.
Today, bike technology has changed dramatically from the bikes that were being used in the First World War. No carbon fibre frames or dual suspension shock absorbers, gears – what were they? And the AIF Uniform was the standard Cycling Corps apparel, no Italian lycra for our boys as the photograph below demonstrates. This photograph was taken in c1915 at Broadmeadows, Victoria of six members of the Australian Cycling Corps with their bicycles prior to deployment overseas.
Sarbi visits the Australian War Memorial
23 March 2011 by Carlie Walker.
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News
Date: Tuesday 5 April 2011 at 1:00 pm
Location: Animals in War
Sculpture Garden
Australian War Memorial
Sarbi will be receiving a Purple Cross from the RSPCA
Please do not bring animals to the event
EDD (Explosive Detection Dog) Sarbi is an Australian Army working dog, please do not pat or crowd her
Tobruk Diaries: Just ‘ordinary’ days
21 March 2011 by Carlie Walker.
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1941, Tobruk,Tobruk diaries, Battles, Commemoration, Exhibition, Northern Africa, Rats of Tobruk, Research material, Siege, Tobruk
Bryant’s Diary: Friday 21st March 1941
Today was one of the lousiest days I’ve put in anywhere. The weather was terrible. The old Sahara Desert can be very nasty when it likes. Sand is everywhere. A warning order has arrived ready to move by night. It might be tomorrow night. Information has been received that some Wogs* are signalling to aircraft by placing their camels near objectives. We’ll have to watch them.
Bryant’s Diary: Saturday 22nd March 1941
I was told last night to go on the advance party to our new destination. We left about 6:30 in the morning back towards Bengasi. The convoy stopped at El Magrum when three bombers came over. We thought they were certain to drop bombs on the convoy, but three bombs were dropped at El Magrum. We arrived at our destination about 15 miles inland from Bengasi. The country here is a great improvement on the desert. Except for the lack of trees the place looks very fertile. The soil is very red and a thin layer of grass covers most of the ground. We can get plenty of eggs and they are some of the best eggs I’ve ever eaten.
Cosgriff’s Diary: Saturday 22nd March 1941
Mass in our perfect chapel under ship’s crucifix. Fr. O. Steele arrived here today – Senior to 9th Div. Went with Steele and Tom to Momma’s to buy eggs and arrange for washing. Steele not bad on Italian. To Barce Presbytery in afternoon. Met two Friars who speak Latin well. Church beautiful. Harry Furnell here A.L.M.S. to 9th Div. Word to start packing – too bad as we all like Barce. Steele missed transport and had to stay the night.
Bryant’s Diary: Sunday 23rd March 1941
This place is called Regima and is a few miles from Benina where there is an R.A.A.F. station. Some Wogs* came around this morning with some eggs and Jack Deering fired a shot over their heads and they went for their lives, leaving their eggs behind. We now found out that this place is only a bivouac area and that the battalion was due in the morning. As far as food is concerned, we have been living like lords. The 2/13th Battalion arrived today 8 hours late, having been lost.
Cosgriff’s Diary: Monday 24th March 1941
Two Masses today. Steele and Tyrer and Zac to Benghazi yesterday in my car – used my petrol and punctured a tyre. Worried about ability to retain flat. Chas and Eric left for Tobruk. Buried Eyetie – in a blanket. Wrote to Marie. Met Cliff Howell – live wire and hard worker. Trying to get car for Owen. Great friends with Eyetie family now. Nurses – 8 coming to Tobruk on hospital ship. Decided to change from A.G.H. with Daly but met too much opposition. Steele fell into solo school and lost. Still reading letters.
Bryant’s Diary: Tuesday 25th March 1941
We spent all day straightening up our gear and cleaning our precious bodies. Someone hit on the brilliant idea of making a bath out of a groundsheet and everybody had a first-class bath. The meals today were fit to serve in Hotel Australia. There are rumours that we may go to Greece, but who knows? I bought a ton of supplies at the canteen and we should never starve now.
Cosgriff’s Diary: Wednesday 26th March 1941
Two Masses. Poor J. McCusher R.I.P. Tim Hartnett R.I.P. Advance party loaded and left. Spring saved me and I do not want to leave here. Worked new spring through Eyetie. Maurice Hudson and Frank McDermott here in hospital. Mail again and all up to date now. One from A.J. no telling of approaching marriage – too bad. Meet Fr. Lynch and had good dinner – 4 priests. Equi gale started today and plenty of dust. Reading letters to all hours. Elsa’s and Sheila’s. Sheila finished with Month and signing for Val.
Bryant’s Diary: Thursday 27th March 1941
We marched farther today and the section leaders made a reconnaissance of our new position. My section is to occupy a position between Wadi el-Avoinat and Wadi Dabaa…The sections are scattered and now each one is responsible for cooking. It appears that we are just being kept out of the way. I don’t think anyone could find us and we certainly won’t be bothered.
Cosgriff’s Diary: Thursday 27th March 1941
Two Masses as Steele waits here for H.Q. of Div. Dusty day. Had Hudson returned to Base for knee operation. Wrote home Elsa and Bert Tooze. Plenty of censoring to do now. Trying to get some way to learn Italian. Momma returned washing, setting some remedy for their few. Small mess left but a good one… Marsh and nurses at Tobruk. Hospital on new site so there will be plenty of tent pitching. Won 17 accas at solo, Steele lost 47.
* A slang term used during the Second World War to describe any person of European descent.
Tobruk Diaries: Sand Storms and Air Raids
14 March 2011 by Carlie Walker.
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1941, Tobruk,Tobruk diaries, Battles, Rats of Tobruk, Second World War
Bryant’s Diary: Friday 14th March 1941
I had a cow of a night last night. The wind became very strong and my eyes, ears, mouth and nose became choked with sand. I spent all day making a dug out for myself. It can do anything now. As a matter of fact we had a shower of rain today, but it was only slight. Still no more air raids.
Bryant’s Diary: Saturday 15th March 1941
Another dive-bomber came over this morning. I let him have a full magazine from the Bren, but he kept on going. We spent all day rigging up a Breda aircraft gun for anti-aircraft. We couldn’t get to fire, but we’ll work on it tomorrow. She’s a cold desert tonight.
Cosgriff’s Diary: Saturday 15th March 1941
Mass at Casey’s. Rain during night settled dust. Took car into McCutcheon for tuning up. Tried to get cigarette issue for troops. Visited Italian hospital in afternoon. Eyetie very hospitable – 700 wounded and 102 doctors. Freezing cold this evening and feeling lousy for some reason or other. Lost 8 accas to Tom and could not get interested. To bed feeling frozen and lousy.
Cosgriff’s Diary: Sunday 16th March 1941
Two masses in Tobruk Church. Met bombastic Eyetie capellanus who wanted everything. Boys good at sacraments. Troubles in starting car – push round Tobruk square. All to move on Tuesday. McCutcheon says I will not be able to take car. Peters and Lawney here this afternoon. All liquor rationed. Everything pointing to advance to Tripoli. McNally gave me single breviary [liturgical book]. Bath this morning, first for nearly fortnight.
Bryant’s Diary: Monday 17th March 1941
About 2:45 this morning the Huns raided some place near us and the bombs woke me up. Anyway they didn’t touch us so I soon dozed off. Had a quiet day all day.
Bryant’s Diary: Tuesday 18th March 1941
Victory! At last we got the Breda to work. With the combined efforts of Monty, Bob, Bibs and I we got it to work. If a plane comes over now it will receive a hot reception with the Bren and the Breda from us and the two guns of the Platoon over the other side of the flat. A plane did come over early in the day, but it was a bit high up.
Cosgriff’s Diary: Tuesday 18th March 1941
No Mass as gear all packed yesterday. Mob all up early and left by 7am. Felt better on rising. Ran Chas into Tobruk tried to get Mac’s fly-spray. Ship of Eyetie prisoners mined in Tobruk harbour. It’s not to leave before Thursday. Hauled Flat in for Chas. Obtained fly-spray. Fanny [car] boiled – walk home. Fanny [car] pinched – - Orme Smith, Stevens and officers in mess. Got another car same as Fanny from Orme Smith. Owen still here tomorrow. To bed feeling better.
Bryant’s Diary: Wednesday 19th March 1941
We received our full issue of Bren guns today and now each section has a machine gun. We were all praying for an aeroplane to come over, but none came. The day was pretty hot and melted a point of one of the Breda bullets. It must have been an incendiary because when I touched it some substance burned a thumb and two fingers of my right hand. It sure hurt. In the night it started to rain – not heavily though.
Cosgriff’s Diary: Wednesday 19th March 1941
Still no Mass. Back to normal health now. Ran Chas to Tobruk. Tried car out and is better than Fanny. Trucks arrived and loaded our stuff. Obtained sedan from McCutcheon for Chas. Gave Mac bottle of ’sky [whisky] and bottle of gin. Steele – senior Chaplain to 9th Div here for tea. Talked with him and Daly until late. Visited canteen today and tried 70% OP Rum – pretty strong. Dejections to Smithie remark re. brothel and Cunningham.
Bryant’s Diary: Thursday 20th March 1941
The wind blew consistently all day and it certainly makes conditions unpleasant in the desert. About 6 o’clock, just before sundown, a plane came over. It did some machine gunning back behind our lines, when the Bophas opened up. One appeared to register a direct hit and the plane then wheeled and flew low over our position. Every gun in the area opened up. I got three magazines away at him and the second mag seemed to go fairly into the body. The plane looked very sick and my bet is that it doesn’t reach home.
NEW: For Introduction and Glossary for this blog go to: http://www.awm.gov.au/education/tobruk_diaries/index.asp
Tobruk Diaries: Planes, ships and automobiles
07 March 2011 by Carlie Walker.
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1941, Tobruk,Tobruk diaries, Battles, Commemoration, Exhibition, Rats of Tobruk, Second World War, Tobruk
Bryant’s Diary: Friday 7th March 1941
The convoy spread out more today and there were only six trucks to the mile. As a result our truck didn’t leave until about 1 o’clock. We had a bit of a shock when a large plane flew towards the convoy. The truck pulled up and we dived out and took cover. The plane turned out to be British and I bet the pilot laughed. We passed through Barce, the ex-Italian aerodome and finally camped at Tocra. During the night we heard an air raid on Bengasi. We could hear the roar of the exploding bombs and then could see the tracers and the anti-aircraft shells in the sky. We learnt later that 18 bombs were dropped. I was sung to sleep by a million mosquitoes.
Bryant’s Diary: Saturday 8th March 1941
We left today at the head of the convoy and travelled through Bengasi to a point somewhere 60 miles along the main road. We had to change trucks just before our destination and 16 Platoon had to go further ahead to relieve a Platoon from the 2/5th Bn. Bengasi is one of the most beautiful towns I’ve seen. It is situated on the sea shore and there are dozens of avenues of Australian gum trees. The country around this district seems to be the best in Libya, but even this is very poor.
Lecky’s Letters: Sunday 9 March
…Well, I landed back [from Palestine], chez-moi [my home] and found I had half an hour in which to pack and come down here – to the 1 Aust Corps School of Signals for a refresher course…Equipment from Aust is very short at the school but they manage splendidly on captured Italian stuff – in fact Dame Rumour has it that big Australian advances are held up pending fresh supplies of material from Italy! I rejoin my unit next week, where Cliff’s brother (Ron) is now adjutant … Fear a drought in the near future as this is too good to last. Cliff wrote several times – last from Bathurst, poor kid, also Nan and the sweet young things of my acquaintance…I had a stroll through Gaza War cemetery with a cobber the other day, and was very impressed with the order and dignity of the place…Close by is the famous Gaza Ridge, still deeply pock marked by the 16” shells of the Queen Elizabeth in the last war… I have twice fallen into smaller ones in the dark but luckily landed on sand…
Bryant’s Diary: Monday 10th March 1941
We spent most of the day digging in and camouflaging our position. At 9:30 this morning there was an air raid and the plane flew fair over our trenches. The bombs fairly shook the ground and shrapnel could be heard whistling over our head. Nobody was hurt around our area, but I think Brigade HQ copped the bulk of the attack. This afternoon a flaming sand flea bit me fair on the penis. I caught the blighter, but he gave me a hot half hour. Just before sundown we could hear a bombing attack going on close to our position, but they didn’t come near us. It is as cold as hell tonight.
Cosgriff’s Diary: Monday 10th March 1941
No news yet of departing. Spent day scrounging for water – bottles and haversacks. Boys got rifles to work and we exploded plenty of land mines. C.C.S. full of importance of their going. No electric light in tent tonight. To bed early with everybody disgusted with lack of hospitality. At 10:30 news that we are to go tomorrow.
Bryant’s Diary: Tuesday 11th March 1941
We spent all day erecting an anti-aircraft gun pit and it wasn’t too soon. Late this afternoon two German bombers dropped their eggs on the hill feature behind us. You could see them go into a dive and then would follow the roar of the exploding bomb and the subsequent column of smoke. The Bophas opened up and both planes hedge-hopped right over our position. One plane machine-gunned an ambulance without success. We opened up with the Bren, but without success.
Cosgriff’s Diary: Tuesday 11th March 1941
Last Mass at Bardia. Everybody packed early and ready to go. Clark and Polson of Petrol Park arrived with bottles of ’sky which disappeared quickly. Loaded on trucks – in back with men. Meal on road – hard ration. Arrived at Tobruk at 4:30 and driven to C.C.S. Dormitory to sleep in. Meet Chas Daly in his dugout with car sword and revolver. Party in Casey and comfortable quarters. John left gastroscope with me.
Bryant’s Diary: Wednesday 12th March 1941
I tested the Bren gun this morning and the bloody thing wouldn’t fire. It took nearly two hours to fix it up. It was quiet nearly all day until just before dusk when three German bombers came across. Two followed the road fairly high up and the Bophas kept them busy, but the third came low over our right and machine-gunned our position. I got a good bead on his with the Bren, but the gun didn’t fire. However, I fixed up the stoppage and let him have a full magazine as he was going away. Nobody was hit.
Cosgriff’s Diary: Thursday 13th March 1941
Mass in Casey’s room. Terrible air-raid at 2:40 am and every hour after. Took car in and had it registered in my name. Runs very well but plugs and battery faulty. O’Callaghan took Chas back and gave him his car. Dust started in earnest this evening. Row most interesting bloke in this show – genuine at anything. No raids tonight in this dust. Last night’s raid on El Adam ’drome – ruined two bombers. Crowd starting to hitch-hike to Barce.
‘Our Hero We’re Proud of Him’ : Patriotic Crochet in the First World War
04 March 2011 by Dianne Rutherford.
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Collection,From the collection, First World War, Handicrafts, Heraldry, Home Front, Textile
Filet crochet was a popular craft before and during the First World War. Women would make decorative or functional items for the home such as tray cloths, milk jug covers, tea cosies, tablecloths and cushion covers. They also made decorative items for clothing, such as crochet lace collars or cuffs. During the First World War patriotic military themes were popular. Images such as ships, flags, soldiers and medals, along with slogans such as: ‘Success to the Allies’, ‘God bless our brave boys’, ‘God bless our khaki boys’ and ‘Our hero we’re proud of him’ were available.
Close Shaves
03 March 2011 by Andrew Currey.
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Collection,Collection Highlights,Family history,From the collection,Personal Stories
“I had a very close shave…”
(Pte C H Lester, 1 October 1917)
As many soldiers will testify, war can be as much about luck as it is about training and equipment. Luck can take many forms, such as being in the right place at the right time, and the closely related not being in the wrong place at the wrong time. The men listed below are a few examples of these places and the sometimes very short distance between them. read on
