Blog category - Exhibitions
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.
Tobruk Diaries: Illness, Moans and Mutiny
28 February 2011 by Carlie Walker.
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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 28th 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 28th 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 1st 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 2nd 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 2nd 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 3rd 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 3rd 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 4th 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 2/4th Bn. They were all well and had passed through the actions unscathed.
Cosgriff’s Diary: Tuesday 4th 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 5th 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 5th 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 6th 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 2/13th (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 2/17th 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.
Tobruk Diaries: They’re off: Moving on
21 February 2011 by Carlie Walker.
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1941, Tobruk,Tobruk diaries, Battles, Commemoration, Exhibition, Second World War
Bryant’s Diary: Friday 21st February 1941
Retired back to Wadi Chariar and took up positions in old Turkish trenches.
Cosgriff’s Diary: Friday 21st 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 22nd 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 23rd 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 24th 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 26th 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 27th 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 27th 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…
Tobruk Diaries: Preparing to move – Reprimands, Promotions and Confessions
14 February 2011 by Carlie Walker.
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1941, Tobruk,Tobruk diaries, Battles, Exhibition, Research material, Second World War
Cosgriff’s Diary: Friday 14th 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 15th February 1941
Finished the instruction at the 2/15th Bn.
Cosgriff’s Diary: Saturday 15th 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 16th 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 16th 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 17th 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 18th February 1941
Spent most of the day preparing for the four-day bivouac which commences tomorrow.
Cosgriff’s Diary: Tuesday 18th 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 19th 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 19th 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. 8th Div landed in Malaya – probably 7 A.G.H too. Bish. Riley here today.
Bryant’s Diary: Thursday 20th 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.
Tobruk Diaries: Doing our jobs…
07 February 2011 by Carlie Walker.
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1941, Tobruk,Tobruk diaries, Battles, Second World War
Cosgriff’s Diary: Friday 7th 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 8th February 1941
Appointed a Bren instructor for a fortnight to 2/15th Bn. The squad members are keen and should do all right.
Cosgriff’s Diary: Saturday 8th February 1941
Alarm hopeless. Mass at 7:30. Steele here and with him all adj at 2/9th. 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 9th 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 2/4th 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 10th February 1941
Kept instructing Bren all day at the 2/15th Bn. It was as cold as hell.
Cosgriff’s Diary: Monday 10th 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 11th February 1941
Tom Dinnen sent to hospital yesterday. Nothing else happened.
Cosgriff’s Diary: Tuesday 11th 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 12th February 1941
Nothing happened today.
Cosgriff’s Diary: Wednesday 12th 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 13th 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 13th 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.
Tobruk Diaries: The ‘Adventure’ Begins
31 January 2011 by Carlie Walker.
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1941, Tobruk,Tobruk diaries, Battles, Rats of Tobruk, Second World War, soldier, Tobruk
For the Introduction and Glossary for this blog go to:
http://www.awm.gov.au/education/tobruk_diaries/index.asp
Owen Thomas Cosgriff
Owen Thomas Cosgriff was born 21 December 1907 in Korumburra, Victoria. In his adult years he moved to Brunswick, Victoria, where he lived until his enlistment with the 2/4th Australian General Hospital (A.G.H), AIF, (Australian General Hospital) in Caulfield. In December 1940, Cosgriff left Melbourne aboard the Maurentania bound for North Africa. After a brief visit to Perth, the ship moved into the Indian Ocean and after a week of travelling, Cosgriff disembarked in Colombo where he remained until 15 January 1941. By 24 January Cosgriff’s ship had entered the mouth of the dangerous Red Sea and after spending some time at Sugo arrived at Anastasia on 31 January. It is here that Cosgriff’s diary entries begin:
Arthur Francis Bryant
Arthur Francis Bryant was born on 27 August 1916 in Mudgee, NSW. Bryant enlisted in 2/17th Battalion, A.I.F on 29 May 1940 in Paddington NSW. He completed his basic training at Ingleburn, then moved to Bathurst army camp for subunit field training. In October 1940, Bryant left Sydney Harbour bound for the Middle East. He disembarked at Bombay and entrained for Deolali Rest Camp on 7 November. He sailed on to Kantara on 12 November, arriving almost two weeks later. He entrained for Ryrie Lines Camp, Kilo 89, at Gaza Ridge, Palestine, then, on 17 December Bryant left for Port Said on Garrison duty. For the first fortnight his section guarded an ammunition dump in Raswa Area and on 10 January 1941 he returned to the same lines in Kilo 89 for further training and re-equipping. It is here that Bryant’s diary begins:
Edmund Crawford Lecky
Edmund Crawford Lecky was born on 1 October 1920 in Coolah, New South Wales. After spending his teenage years as a signalman in the pre-war Militia and working as a Public Servant, Lecky enlisted in 8th Division Signals A.I.F in 1940 in Paddington, NSW. On 3 November, he was transferred to 9th Division Signals, where he was commissioned as a lieutenant. Lecky embarked upon HMT Queen Mary on 26 December 1940 for the Middle East where he was to attend No 2 course 1 Australian Corps Signals School. It is here that Lecky’s letters begin:
Every effort has been made to transcribe the following diaries and letters as accurately as possible in order to preserve the original language of Chaplain Owen Thomas Cosgriff, Warrant Officer Arthur Francis Bryant and Captain Edmund Crawford Lecky. Please note however, the task of accurate transcription is a difficult one involving a number of challenges including the age of the sources, illegible handwriting or incorrect spelling and grammar. Dr Charles Bean, war correspondent and historian, communicated these challenges in the introduction to his First World War Official History: [http://www.awm.gov.au/cms_images/AWM38/3DRL606/AWM38-3DRL606-90-1.pdf]. Please keep these difficulties in mind as you read the text below.
The diaries shown in this blog are held in the Memorial’s collection as: Cosgriff: AWM 3DRL/3367; Bryant: AWM PR03012 and Lecky: AWM 3DRL/7816. You can also find the records for these men at the National Archives of Australia website: http://www.naa.gov.au/.
Please note that the meanings of all underlined words within the text can be found in the glossary (which will be available later in February).
Bryant’s Diary: Friday – 31st January, 1941
We were to foster the 2/3rd Field Workshops tonight and early in the morning, but their arrival has been postponed indefinitely owing to casualties incurred in an air raid at Kantara. It is bad luck for them to cop it this way, but c’est la guerre.
Cosgriff’s Diary: Friday Jan 31st 1941
Anastasia hotter. Boys ashore last night and disgusted… Nobody wanted to take sisters and masseuses ashore today…no raids last night….Heavy uniform today but afternoon warm enough. Two masseuses from 2 A.G.H. here for lunch.
Bryant’s Diary: Saturday 1st February, 1941
Rained heavily last night and mud was everywhere today. We did extra work at Squires Lines in preparation for the fostering of 2/3rd Field Workshops, who are due in at 12:30 tonight. I have the job of messing N.C.O for the main workshops. Rumours are current that we may be moving from Palestine very soon. Ted and Jim Taylor were admitted to hospital for something or other. That makes 4 out of the section in hospital or under treatment.
Cosgriff’s Diary: Saturday Feb 1st 1941
Forgets ashore with Tyrer. Port Tewfik quite clean but Sugo filthy. Inspected Hospital – Good Shepherd – depressing place – terrible job for nuns – French – with filthy Arabs. Tried to find priest for confession but failed. Pilot on board to take us up canal but no word of departure. Gen party with Shannon and masseuses.
Radiologist, Major T.L. Tyrer (centre) in the x-ray room at the 2/4th Australian General Hospital, Tobruk, August 1941. 020331
Bryant’s Diary: Sunday 2nd February 1941
The story about the 2/3rd Field workshops being bombed is all bunk. The coy fixed them up and I was in bed by 3 o’clock. During that night we had 2 air raid alarms, but no air-raid. There was another alarm this morning, but no planes were seen. The 1st Corps Guards Bn marched out today, probably to guard Dago prisoners.
Cosgriff’s Diary: Sunday Feb 2nd 1941
Two masses. Masses cancelled after I had finished packing to go up by train. Another drink with Shannon then early lunch. Disembarked at 1:30. Scare about missing luggage then departure by train at 3:30. Cairo at 7pm. Woman feeding kid on station. Black-out, searchlights veiled women, crammed streets. Dinner at Continental 16/~. Drinks exorbitant. C.O. lit fly on masseuses who were out with Rudd and Marsh. Walk through city with Chambers and Horan. Entrained at 11:59 for Abu-el-Kadir.
Bryant’s Diary: Monday 3rd February 1941
Air raid warning was sounded a number of times last night and once so far this afternoon, but no planes seen. Had a thorough kit inspection this morning and I think new equipment and a move are on the way. The Bn had a rehearsal this afternoon in preparation for Mr Menzies’ visit tomorrow. Copped the guard for tonight.
Cosgriff’s Diary: Monday 3rd February 1941
Slept well in train. Daylight at Alexandria. Nurses left there. Arrived at Abu-el-Kandir desert, Gyppos, filth sand, cold, shacks and no transport…Set to with tents – Horan Ackland, Horan Devine and me. No water, no shave and no Mass. Day’s work making place habitable. To bed on air mattress tired and dirty – I think Tom was here in last show. Letters from Elsa and Tooze – none for newly-weds.
Bryant’s Diary: Tuesday 4th February 1941
Had an easy time of guard and missed big review at Pier…for Mr Menzies. The 2/15th Bn marched in from Australia last night. Pte Dalziel was knocked over and injured by a car while on guard duty.
Bryant’s Diary: Wednesday 5th February 1941
Marched about 18 miles today and did a stunt. Longest so far. N.C.O.’s Officers of Bn were addressed by Brigadier Murray on leadership. Nothing important. One air raid alarm during the day.
Cosgriff’s Diary: Wednesday 5th February 1941
Slept in today. Wanted to get to Alex to see Tim but could not get ride. Rang Alex but Tim away. Wrote home Elsa and Tooze. Said full service for nurses out today… Air raid alarm tonight but no bombs. Censoring mail this day. Trunks not here yet. Sergeant Burston to Cairo today to see whether here or Derna – hope it is Derna.
Bryant’s Diary: Thursday 6th February 1941
Nothing of importance, with the exception of pay, occurred today.
Cosgriff’s Diary: Thursday 6th February 1941
Alarm bung – no Mass. Desert storm today and we do not want another. Zac unbearable today – ennui. No mail yet. John’s alert scene became a dust-storm. Alex leave roster worked out. No pay as Corps cleared out to Tobruk. Marsh and Alec missed out on Masses today. Issued with head-camp against dust.
A group of the nursing staff and physiotherapists (masseuses) of 2/4th AGH (Australian General Hospital) aboard the ship, the Maurentania before its departure from Melbourne bound for Tobruk. Victoria, 20 December, 1940. 004498
English sculptor Gladys Blaiberg (1882-1969)
30 August 2010 by Cherie Prosser.
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Of love and war, Gladys Blaiberg, Of Love and War
English sculptor Gladys Blaiberg (1882-1969) created paper sculptures of Australian troops in London during the First World War. In 1917, Blaiberg volunteered to work in the Australian Forces canteen in London where her interest in the Australian presence became a source of inspiration for her paper figures. Largely caricaturing the Australian troops, she became fascinated with their spirited sense of humour and irreverence for authority. In 1917-18, Blaiberg even exhibited the sculptures in her studio for the entertainment of the Australian troops.
In 1971, Gladys Blaiberg’s family presented to the Memorial thirty four paper sculptures depicting Australian soldiers during the First World War. They provide a rich source of historical material relating the experience of Australian troops based in London on leave and undergoing rehabilitation. This work continues in its relevance today.
Gladys Blaiberg’s sculptures will be included in the Memorial’s touring exhibition, Of love and war, which will open to the public at the State Library of Queensland on 4 November 2010.
Should you have any information regarding the copyright holder for Gladys Blaiberg, please contact the Memorial by emailing; art@awm.gov.au.
The War on Malaria
27 August 2010 by Cherie Prosser.
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Exhibitions, Malaria, Nora Heysen
There were grave fears for the strength of Australians fighting in the malaria prone regions of the Pacific during the Second World War. By June 1943, it was estimated 25,000 Australians in Papua and New Guinea had contracted malaria. Supplies of quinine, used to treat malaria since the First World War, and the synthetic drug atebrin were inadequate to meet demand. The Land Headquarters Medical Research Unit was quickly established in Cairns, Queensland where a specialist team of researchers trialled synthetic anti-malarial drugs. This exhibition of works on paper, paintings, sculpture and posters records the vital role played by the volunteers who took part in the experiments and the top secret research which assisted in combating malaria on the frontline.
See this exhibition which is currently on display in the Link Gallery at the Australian War Memorial.
1941 anniversary exhibition
18 June 2010 by Karl James.
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1941, Tobruk,Exhibitions, 1941, North Africa, Tobruk
1941 was a year of battle. It was a time of victories and defeat. Australian soldiers, sailors, and airmen fought their first major battles of the Second World War in North Africa and in the Mediterranean. Australian and British troops won a series of early successes in Libya and later in Syria. But they also suffered greatly on mainland Greece and on Crete. When a rapid German offensive swept the British from Libya, all that stopped the Germans from continuing into Egypt was the defiant garrison at Tobruk.
For the eight months from April until December 1941, Australian and British soldiers – with Indian, Polish, and Czech troops – held Tobruk against besieging German and Italian forces. British and Australian warships helped keep the defenders supplied, bringing in food, ammunition, and reinforcements, and evacuating the wounded. Australian airmen, meanwhile, made an important contribution to the air war fought above the desert battlefields.
2011 marks the 70th anniversary of the first Australian battles of the war. To commemorate these significant events, planning is now well under way for a special anniversary exhibition that will open at the Memorial in March 2011. Drawing on the Memorial’s rich collection of war relics, photographs, artworks, and documents, this exhibition will highlight Australia’s involvement in these early campaigns with a specific focus on the famous siege of Tobruk.
In the weeks and months to come, the Memorial’s historians and curators will be featuring some of the stories and experiences of different men and women who served in the Middle East during 1941 as we prepare for the exhibition’s opening next year.
