Digging For Victory For Floriade

16 August 2011 by Dennis Stockman. No comments
News, 'Australian War Memorial' Floriade 'Digging for victory'

Floriade (17 September – 16 October) is Australia’s celebration of Spring and Australia’s biggest flower show. This year the Australian War Memorial is creating a Second World War Victory Garden, reminiscent of those grown by Australian families in the Second World War.

In 1942 Prime Minister John Curtin launched the “Dig for Victory” campaign, which encouraged Australian householders to grow their own vegetables. Families across the country enthusiastically adopted the idea, making this campaign and other efforts part of the most ambitious home gardening program Australia has ever seen.

The Floriade Victory Garden will contain over 30 varieties of fruits and vegetables alongside a special commemorative planting of Lone Pine, poppies, and rosemary. The Garden is based around research by staff in the Memorial’s Research Centre.

Over 4000 plants are being grown from seed generously donated by the Australian garden supplier, Yates. A team of eight final year horticultural students from the Canberra Institute of Technology have been busy growing the Victory Garden which moves to the 2011 Floriade site next month.

Throughout the Festival Memorial Research Centre staff will share stories of wartime gardens, kitchens and food production in a series of free public talks and tours both at Floriade, and at the Australian War Memorial. The Hyatt Hotel will also be at Floriade doing cooking demonstrations of wartime recipes with a contemporary twist.

The Victory Garden is a timely reminder of the gardening efforts of wartime families as a new generation of Australians is looking to be self-sufficient and environmentally sustainable.

Tobruk Diaries: Going to the Chapel…

15 August 2011 by Carlie Walker. No comments
1941, Tobruk,Tobruk diaries, Bryant, Cosgriff, Tobruk

Cosgriff’s Diary:  Friday 15^th August 1941

Raids lasted 90 mins and bombs near ward 12.  Missa assumpta [Mass of the Assumption] – big crowd here.  Eyetie chaplain gone but only one turned up for Mass today out of seventeen.  Steele in today and offered me leave for a fortnight.  Went and retrieved altar-stores from the Church.   Good radio description of Tobruk by reporter for “Times”… Peter Gleeson’s holiday consisting of looking after 40 patients.  Creed out from H.Q. explaining our Communistic and Free French alliances… Britain’s 8 points had a bad reception in Germany…

 

Cosgriff’s Diary: Saturday 16^th August 1941

Raiders over twice during night and not much trouble.  Missa T. B.  Dive bombing last evening on town but parachute bombs seen to discourage them now… Going to use ward 11 for late Mass tomorrow.  Fewer day attacks now but they still come.  Back to glasses again as it was a losing battle… Some of our planes over this morning.  No mail – and ships in every night…  Rumour of decorations – names out of the hat…

Bryant’s Diary:  Sunday 17^th August 1941

Like a good boy I went to church today.

 

Cosgriff’s Diary: Sunday 17^th August 1941

Two raids during the night.  Two Masses only and not many at either – not like the early days of the Church.  Crouch and Collins stayed for tea – denounced document on Russia and Free French.  Mail in – fags from peg and a sea-letter from Jas O’Rourke.  Dive bombers over at 12 after the parachute gun.  Gardy in today – 43^rd now in safer position.  Another diving attack this evening.  Seems that Jerry still has plenty of planes to spare.  Horan and Ley to 7A.G.H., Renou to 9.  Cooper to 2  – all jittery…

 

Bryant’s Diary:  Monday 18^th August 1941

I left the Convalescent Depot to join the I.T.B.[Infantry Training Battalion] at Mughazi and what a lousy joint it is.  It is situated a few miles south of Gaza and is just on the edge of the Sinai Desert.  Facilities are not so good.

 

Cosgriff’s Diary: Monday 18^th August 1941

Only planes over were before midnight.  Mass for Karitoff  R.I.P… Denis Ryan brought in dead from bombing – then his brother arrived and had to show him the corpse – not a nice spectacle…  Crazy ride to cemetery.  Truck broke down, transferred corpses to utes – no burial party and the dustiest day ever.  Cake and letter from Peg today – also one from Mona Caspyrs enquiring if I have met her German cousin.  Little bombing today – too much dust.  Horan and Eric up for dinner celebration of jittery exodus.  Harry Furnell dive-bombed for 2 and a half hours on way down…

 

Bryant’s Diary:  Tuesday 19^th August 1941

Shorty Dunbar and I were soon put into harness and had to do instruction on grenades.

 

 

Cosgriff’s Diary: Tuesday 19^th August 1941

Quiet night… Mass for Denis Ryan R.I.P.  Easy…today and offered 5 accas by a grateful penitent.  Brown, Wood, Moss and Kyle arrived to relieve Horan, Renou, Cooper and Ley.  The newcomers are glad to be here and the others are glad that they will not be here after tonight… Papers probably from Garveys.  Russian business going badly now.  At farewell dinner C.O. announced decorations…  Colin sketched Marsh without the flattery touch and the subject was a bit sad to see how others see him.  Rumour that two barges and a tug were sunk here this morning.  Some shells this morning…

 

Bryant’s Diary:  Wednesday 20^th August 1941

Spent all day wiring and digging.  This place is getting me down.

Cosgriff’s Diary: Wednesday 20^th August 1941

One awakening only… Mass for Rev. R. Denny R.I.P.  Very easy morning as so many have been evacuated.  Jack and Hayward just caught the Alex boat after recovery from a rum celebration… Len very sad today over departures.  McQuillan to go tonight and his unit will be replaced by Poles.  More papers…in the mail today.  Gin arrived in the mess again.  Few casualties today and I have one pretty sick.  Tyrer is acting registrar now and it appears Matheson will stay at the beach…

 

Bryant’s Diary:  Thursday 21^st August 1941

We went for an 18 mile route march over sand.  I was just about done when we got back to camp.

 

Cosgriff’s Diary: Thursday 21^st August 1941

Fairly quiet night…  Mass pro pace [Mass for Peace].  Big round but many had gone to the beach.  Played three games of chess with Berlin last night best I could get was a stalemate.  He is separated from his wife.  Message from Steele to see him at the beach tomorrow.  Crouch and Geddes picked up for dinner…fair feed then poker.  Geddes and Len swapped yarns until 1:30.  Slept in open again.  They have a car now and it is much better than the p.u.  Still no air mail papers arriving but NSW air mail must be late…

Tobruk Diaries: ‘we are targets day and night’

08 August 2011 by Carlie Walker. No comments
1941, Tobruk,Tobruk diaries, crete, Rats of Tobruk, Tobruk

Bryant’s Diary:  Friday 8^th August 1941

The camp isn’t so bad.  The surf and beach are good and it is a lazy life.  We parade for an hour in the morning and once in the afternoon for a swim.  The canteen service is good and a fair picture theatre operates.  The place improves with time.

Cosgriff’s Diary:  Friday 8^th August 1941

Retired at 2 pm – up at 6:30 to drive in for Mass with two pretty dry comrades.  Mass for Dan Murphy.  All my patients are convalescent and I could find only two in bed.  Tom Gard in and we had a great swim at Anzac Cove… When Tom left, Reynolds came and talked and talked about Ellen – killed last night…  No more evacuation until the mess disappears…C.O. buying beer for patients with regimental funds…

Cosgriff’s Diary:  Saturday 9^th August 1941

Excellent night and only disturbed by shelling.  Missa – D. Murphy. Fair round today and reclaimed a couple.  Big conference of Padres and C.O.  I told him my duties and declined advice as to what I should do.  Mail to be put in mess for censoring.  Mail today – only one letter – from Bart.  Steele in this arvo with breads.  Base of meningitis in ward 9 – hope it does not spread.  Have to go and say Pearce’s prayers with him now – I hope he recovers…

Cosgriff’s Diary:  Sunday 10^th August 1941

Plenty of planes over during the night.  Two masses only today and I had to send the overflow to the Eyetie Mass – not nearly so good as when we had the Church.  Mail in – Elsa only and a Manly death.  Crouch and Collins stayed here for morning tea and argued re. Irish ports with McQuillan…Severe blitz this evening dive-bombers but they did not dive as they did when Jerry was in them.  Not much damage and rumour that three shot down but I disbelieve it…John Received Truths story re. Tommy Griffin and Lurlene…

 

Cosgriff’s Diary:  Monday 11^th August 1941

Plenty of planes again but Len and I slept through most of it – they were over by accounts continually from 1 to 4 am – we heard the first and last.  Mass for Jas Darley.  Too big a mob today for me to do in one day.  Beach and ward Z wanting me to visit them but too many here at present.  Mail – tribute from Jas McGlynn funeral today – victim of yesterday’s bombing – my first visit to the cemetery in weeks.  Eric Cooper – a son – they are all calling their kids Peter.  Wheeler to leave us for a Con. camp.  Shelling this evening but no bombs – yet.  Mail for censoring in mess again – but not many doing it…

 

Bryant’s Diary:  Tuesday 12^th August 1941

Clive Armstrong of the 2/3^rd Bn arrived at the depot in a very bad state of shell-shock.  He used to belong to our platoon.  He struck it bad in both Crete and Greece.

 

 

Cosgriff’s Diary:  Tuesday 12^th August 1941

Two sticks of bombs very close to us last night.  Missa T. Belli… Plenty of casualties from last night’s bombs – 2/43^rd hit by 4-positons from petrol dump.  Barge sunk by mine.  Injuries all severe but none for me… Censoring done in mess now.  Tearing up old letters and there were plenty of them.  B.B.C. commemoration last night mentioned Tobruk troops on leave in Cairo.  Also Jerry’s air-raids are laughed at – oh yeah! That probably accounts for last night’s blitz.  Two Hurricanes over today – the Air Force has doubled itself in a week.  No shelling of any account today.  Johnston said reading this was like trying to milk the bull…

 

Bryant’s Diary:  Wednesday 13^th August 1941

Left early today for two day’s leave to Tel Aviv.  This place is very modern in appearance and every convenience is available, we had a celebration to honour our birthdays.

 

 Cosgriff’s Diary:  Wednesday 13^th August 1941

Blitz as usual between two and four.  Mass for Davis R.I.P.  Hospital bombed this morning – 5 hit when I was in 9.  One killed, several injured including Hore (ear and leg) and Hayward.  Lucky they were not killed.  All feel now that we are targets day and night.  Buried victim of bombing and another…raid killed one and wounded a couple.  Only reply to the Hurricane but we have to get out after a dive under the bed.  Queen’s cousin exhumed at cemetery and found to lie on Eyetie dead.  I think Fr. Borsorelli returned to Alex tonight…Mail in – home, letter dated 27/7/41 – not bad… 

 

Bryant’s Diary:  Thursday 14^th August 1941

Spent a very quiet day swimming, eating, etc. We returned to the depot in good time to go to the pictures.  We heard rumours of America entering the war.

 

Cosgriff’s Diary:  Thursday14th August 1941

About five raids and each plane dropped 12 bombs each.  Mass for fellows and Leo Lechy.  Easy round today.  News from Russia no good.  Only small mail and none for me.  Went to Leo’s burial today and Len erected his cross over Lewin.  Listened to Atlee’s statement re. Churchill’s and Roosevelt’s meeting – hoping they are peace fellers.  Four of our officers to be relieved soon and slight prospects for all of us – except me I suppose.  Plenty of troops bomb-happy after yesterday’s raid.  Steele says it is a reprisal for bombing of Derna hospital…Letter from Alec and he is still sick – but enjoying peace.  Eyetie chaplain leaving tonight for Alex.  New medico – O’Connor a R.C…

The bomb: what it meant to Australians

05 August 2011 by Emma Campbell. No comments
News, 57/60 Battalion, 8 Battalion, atomic bomb, Bougainville, Hiroshima, Nagasaki

The announcement of the dropping of an atomic bomb on Japan brought an uplift of spirit among personnel. The end of the war, hitherto a nebulous source of conjecture, suddenly became a definite possibility within a matter of days, even hours. Crowds imbued with eager anticipation mustered round the unit’s radio sets for each news session and gasped with amazement as statistical information about the potentialities of the bomb were unfolded. [57th/60th Australian Infantry Battalion war diary, 8 August 1945]

Whether fighting in the jungles of Bougainville or working in a factory at home, Australians were rocked by the news that an atomic bomb had been dropped on the Japanese city of Hiroshima on 6 August 1945.

The action – one of the most divisive and debated in military history – came as a surprise to the Australian government, who as minor allies with Britain and the United States had not been privy to such top secret developments. But it was not an unwelcome decision: after almost six years of fighting on fronts in Europe, North Africa, Asia and the Pacific, the war-weary troops were itching to return home, and their loved ones were desperate to have them back. The bomb, it was anticipated, would bring the war swiftly to an end.

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Outside the Wire – Photographs from Afghanistan

01 August 2011 by Lauren Hewitt. No comments
New acquisitions, Afghanistan, Collection, Frontline troops, Landscape, Photographs

The AWM has recently acquired a significant set of photographs taken by photographer Gary Ramage in Afghanistan in 2010. Photographs such as these, of Australian Defence Force personnel on patrol ‘outside the wire’ in Afghanistan, are a first for the AWM. 

For visiting media, commissioned artists and photographers, the ADF generally permit only a few days on the ground, usually in the relative safety of established bases, and they are escorted at all times by an officer from Defence Public Affairs. These measures help protect the safety of the visiting journalist and our ADF troops, but limit access to the work the ADF is doing in the more remote areas of Uruzgan Province.

The newly formed Mentoring Team Delta (MT-D), as part of the ADF 1st Mentoring Task Force (MTF-1), began operations in the Deh Rawood Valley Region (otherwise known as the Deh Rawood Green Zone), approximately 60km west of Tarin Kowt in July 2010. Key to these operations was the mentoring of the Afghan National Army 4th Brigade, 205 Corps.

The Company was based at Patrol Base Razaq, its first priority being the movement of stores, equipment and supplies, and the establishment of security points. Ramage accompanied MT-D on several patrols in the Deh Rawood region focussing on the crucial task of clearing Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) from the area.

 

Previously a member of 6RAR, and a long serving military photographer with the ADF’s 1st Joint Public Affairs Unit, Ramage is afforded the freedom that many other photographers aren’t when in Afghanistan. As such, we are given a rare insight into the harsh and primitive living conditions experienced by Australian personnel at remote base locations.

Mentoring Team Delta made their way from Tarin Kowt, to Patrol Base Razaq via an overnight stop at Forward Operating Base Hadrian. You can see in this small series, the rough sleeping conditions endured by the unit; wedging themselves between the fortified HESCO wall and the solid bulk of their bushmaster patrol vehicles.

 

These photographs also show us the dangers that landscape and environment pose on Australian and Afghan troops. A single patrol route can cover ground that takes them from the sweeping, exposed landscape of the desert mountain ranges, to the dense, vegetation of the green zone in the lower valleys, each terrain posing differing threats and security risks. Patrols often pass through small villages and inhabited areas in the green zone, which is a rich agricultural area. The inherent vulnerability of the patrol group is emphasized by the backdrop of the towering mountain expanses.

 

 

Between June and August 2010, whilst Ramage was in Afghanistan, MTF-1 was to suffer the deaths of 6 of its members, several from IED explosions and one in the Battle of Derapet. This collection of images puts into perspective the conditions faced by ADF troops in Afghanistan every day and we get an insight into how troops on the ground cope with and commemorate the loss of their comrades.

Gary Ramage served 20 years with the Australian Army and was the chief photographer when he left. He is now Chief Photographer for News Limited at the National Press Gallery in Canberra. He travelled to Afghanistan independently.

This acquisition will greatly enhance the Memorial’s growing collection of material related to current conflicts. You can view the photographs online at: http://www.awm.gov.au/search/collections/?q=P09971*&conflict=all

Tobruk Diaries: Treating the wounded

01 August 2011 by Carlie Walker. No comments
1941, Tobruk,Tobruk diaries, AGH, Tobruk, wounded

Bryant’s Diary:  Friday 1^st August 1941

There was an air raid last night and there was a hell of a racket, too.

Cosgriff’s Diary:  Friday 1^st August 1941

Good night… Fair round today… Read Don Juan – “world’s greatest lover”.  Steele in and decided against using Church – only Communions there on next Sunday.  Angel and crucifix from the church are in my room now and everybody thinks it is a woman in the room.  Alec Sinclair going to Alex with P.M.O. – pretty sick… 

 

Cosgriff’s Diary: Saturday 2^nd August 1941

One plane over before we retired last night…Good round today. Mail in – 9 letters…took an hour to read them.  Severe blitz at lunch time – parachute bombs.  Gardy in today – push on tonight by 43^rd and after that we hope he will be finished with the war… Len arranging a cross for Lewin’s grave.  Still persevering without glasses but the eyes are a bit weary and concentration hard.  Roast beef frequently now…

 

Bryant’s Diary:  Sunday 3^rd August 1941

Another convoy came in and I had to sleep on a stretcher outside.  The hospital is full… 

 

Cosgriff’s Diary: Sunday 3^rd August 1941

Only bombers were over before we went to sleep…Only one Mass – here.  Had breakfast – and casualties began to come from 43^rd and 28^th.  Confessions and Communion at Church – driven home by Crouch.  Then to casualties – 93 before lunch but not too many Catholics and only one serious.  Surgeons going all day.  Disastrous show – 28 of 43^rd returned out of 140 – McCarter and Quinn wounded and finished up in Jerry port.  Gardy in and verified story all 43^rd upset over heavy losses and no success.  28^th took their post.  Had a busy day among the wounded – none died…

 

Bryant’s Diary:  Monday 4^th August 1941

I left with a convoy this morning to go to the convalescent depot… We eventually reached the staging camp, Kantara, at about 7.30 in the night.  There were a number of air raids in the Canal area during the night and bombs and A/A fire could be heard very plainly.

  

Cosgriff’s Diary: Monday 4^th August 1941

Blitz began at bed time also shelling – are close but missed…28^th lost their post.  32^nd tried to take it – failed and we had their casualties, altogether a bad weekend.  No success and heavy casualties.  Issue of beer and cigarettes…Casualties dribbling in and today was a depressing day.  One British plane over today – the first seen in four months.  Manning in again with dysentery and I hope to get him to Alex.  John Horan on atrophy.  1918 in our methods of attack.  Today probably hottest day we have had yet…

 

 

Bryant’s Diary:  Tuesday 5^th August 1941

I spent all day at Kantara looking up patients at the hospital.  The heat was terrific and was hardly bearable.  We left at sometime after mid-night for the con depot.

 

 Cosgriff’s Diary: Tuesday 5^th August 1941

Blitz began at 12 am and lasted about an hour – five deaths from bombing and many injuries… Big lot of confessions and they took all day…  Met Lone Tough Bushman – out wounded all day, yesterday crawled on his back 1000 yards.  Yelled “Aussies”, realized the mistake, let out a tirade of abuse and was rescued.  Gillespie and Reynolds in today – 9^th relieving the 43^rd Batt.  Issue of beer and sweets… Weather hot every day and swims hard to get with shelling and bombs…

 

Bryant’s Diary:  Wednesday 6^th August 1941

We reached Hadera at about mid-day after a very tiresome journey.  From here we travelled by bus to Kfar Vitkin where is situated the con depot.  My first impressions are not very favourable.  The Sjt-Major started by laying down the law too much, but a fellow will soon settle down.  Weather is still hot.

 

Cosgriff’s Diary: Wednesday 6^th August 1941

Blitz around midnight and bombs appear to be about the mast.  No casualties and evacuation went all night despite shells.  Mass for 43^rd and 28^th dead.  Very dusty today.  Mail in 21/7/41 but there is some missing.  Met Cramsie – nephew of Sr. Joseph, Wagga.  Eames Carragher wrote re. reports of me – missing and wounded…There is going to be trouble about censoring mail – some of our officers think it is not their concern.  Roast beef lasting well.  John Horan getting Manning back to Base – not persona grata with G.O.C.

  

Bryant’s Diary:  Thursday 7^th August 1941

We could hear some bombing either at Haifa or Tel Aviv and the planes passed right over our camp.

 

 Cosgriff’s Diary: Thursday 7^th August 1941

Slept soundly after first blitz.  Missa T. B.  Not so many Communions today…Danny Murphy died R.I.P.  Macauly – …back in hospital – wounded and not so aggressive.  Cyril Parker from private to S/Sgt in 8^th Fd Ambulance…  Geddes a son of Ackland and his brother-in-law is an officer in the German army.  It is quite pleasant out in a wadi safe from bombs…

Tobruk Diaries: At work and play…

25 July 2011 by Carlie Walker. No comments
1941, Tobruk,Tobruk diaries, Barassi, Bryant, Cosgriff, hospital, Tobruk

Bryant’s Diary:  Friday 25^th July 1941

A patient arrived from the 64^th General Hospital (English) to share my room… Another convoy arrived from Tobruk in the afternoon.  There were a lot of walking cases.

Cosgriff’s Diary:  Friday 25^th July 1941

Arose at 6:30 and Crouch drove me in for Mass.  He thought this was like a hotel.  Missa pro Defunctis [Mass for the Dead].  Casualties from 32^nd who failed to get prisoners… But the Brigadier wanted prisoners for identification.  No mail… Gardy brought in some breads.  Shelling bad today and coming too close to the hospital in front and behind.  C.C.S. left last night but Clarke was left here.  Gordon Watson is R.S.M. now Jordon has gone back with bad eyes.  Plenty of cigarettes and chocolate in mess now…

Bryant’s Diary Saturday 26^th July 1941

There was an air raid early this morning… Went for a bit of a fling and decided to go A.W.L. from the hospital.  Five of us ended up in a cabaret and being in our pyjamas we received plenty of attention, especially from the girls.  I didn’t put Satan exactly behind – just a little to the side.

Cosgriff’s Diary:  Saturday 26^th July 1941

Good night… Missa T. Belli [Mass in Time of War]. Good rounds today.  Met one Jeffrey… who remembered Fr. Mullins and Upoko Ariki.  Jim Ryan – Randwick trainer – refused Confession and left in tears on a stretcher.  Frank McGrath here in 17^th Battalion and satisfied.  Started chess ladder and I look like holding bottom place.  Hospital bombed after tea – ward 10 hit – more killed – 6 shocked and all had ruptured spleens.  Bombs landed so close that I found J. trying to climb up a wall.  Mail in and letter from Goulburn, answered it on the spot…

Bryant’s Diary Sunday 27^th July 1941

Spend plenty of time helping at the hospital and I find plenty to do.  It is a pleasure to help them.

Cosgriff’s Diary:  Sunday 27^th July 1941

Shells during night and bombs at 6:30.  Usual 3 Masses.  Found Church bombed when I went over.  Terrible mess but I cleaned it up and had two Masses with plenty of fresh air.  Mail in but none for me.  Always tired on Sundays now.  No air raids during Masses today…  John Devine left for 10^th Batt – probably for good as he will go into an Ambulance as Major.  Len McEwen (3^rd Ambulance) gone back – without D.S.C.  Have four sick patients in ward 1 but expect all to recover.  Dodge ’em and Duck ’em… Hope no bombing tonight…

Cosgriff’s Diary:  Monday 28^th July 1941

Raid at bed time last night and it lasted a long time.  New gun cuts out whistle of bomber.  Idea was to put mines in the harbour.  Missa T. B.  Big round today but missed a few.  No more chess with C.M.R.  Took his queen three times and each time he changed the move.  Mail today – letter from Pop which was due yesterday.  Heard news in Sergeants mess – with hat on smoking uninvited and sitting on the table – fined – 9 gals beer.  No shelling today and very little bombing.  43^rd Batt got a Jerry prisoner last night – lost many casualties.  Forestalled idea of moving Eyetie chaplain.  Rumour that we dropped leaflets for Eyetie surrender…

 

Cosgriff’s Diary:  Tuesday 29^th July 1941

Raidless night but very hot.  Missa T. B.  Another long list today.  Met Frank McBride who was at Springwood with us.  Mail in.  9 letters – mostly overdue – Elsa, Bongie, Carrolls, Garveys, J. Griffin, Borromeo and Bubbles.  Best mail for weeks.  Steele in with new English chaplain – Gillespie – Scotch Franciscan – seems to be all right.  Chas L back last night.  Out of soft stuff in mess.  Town being shelled tonight and church is in danger.  Tale of million gallons of petrol unearthed.  Ted, Dick, Ley on treasure hunt.  He found the sewer.  Saw direct hit (dint) on Cawthorne’s tin hat…

Bryant’s Diary Wednesday 30^th July 1941

Four patients, including me, were taken for a drive and to tea by a resident of Alex.  The drive and the time were not very long, but the break was very welcome.

Cosgriff’s Diary:  Wednesday 30^th July 1941

Good night but still hot.  Missa T. B.  Shell hit.  A.A.W. concert last night – 11 casualties – only one for me and he is still in the wood.  Mail in but I missed out – all my July stuff delayed.  Jack Clark leaving tonight to join his C.C.S. which left him behind last week.  C.C.S’s becoming mobile 2—bed hospitals without nurses.  Received a new issue of fags from Merrigan today.  C.W.B. Littlejohn very caustic in his learned discussions on the Holy Places – 5 min expert.  After last night’s shelling the use of the Church is a bit risky but I will keep going while it is there.  Eyeties being evacuated each night and their end is near.  J.B.D. in with a tale of 200 surrenders…

Bryant’s Diary Thursday 31^st July 1941

Went out again to Casino Bella Vista and had some very fine experiences.  Tut, tut, Pete.

Cosgriff’s Diary:  Thursday 31^st July 1941

Blitz about midnight.  Mines dropped – 2 killed and one was Ron Barassi.  Mass for Ross Lewin.  Doing without glasses today because having put them on the bed in the black out I laid on them and one piece became five – Leigh Norris trying to stick them together again.  Good round today.  Washed the altar linen but the water was not so good and the linen is not so white.  Two air raids during the afternoon – Radio bloke says we have had 937 raids on Tobruk.  B.D. in from 10^th but he has not returned Horan’s razor yet.  No mail today as the blitz and mines kept the destroyers out.  A letter a day now…

 

Don’t forget me, cobber: the battle of Fromelles

19 July 2011 by Emma Campbell. 2 Comments
News

 

It has become known as Australia’s blackest night.

On 19 July 1916, the troops of the 5th Australian and 61st British Divisions attacked a strong German position, at the centre of which stood the Sugar Loaf salient, near the small French village of Fromelles. The overnight assault – the first major battle fought by Australian troops on the Western Front – was mainly intended as a diversion to draw German troops away from the Somme offensive further south.

The attack failed, and losses were great: the 5th Australian Division suffered 5,533 killed and wounded; the 61st British Division suffered 1,547.

A Victorian farmer, Sergeant Simon Fraser, was a member of the 57th Battalion AIF – one of the 5th Division not in the initial “hop over” that night, but who were present throughout the battle of Fromelles. In a letter home dated 31 July 1916, Fraser tells of the battle, its preparations and its aftermath.

“I have been through the mill and came out without a mark,” Fraser wrote, “except for scratched hands through cutting and putting up wire entanglements. “I have been in the trenches since the 10th … for the first ten days, we were in Hell, bombardments of high explosives and shrapnel from both sides every day, but two nights in particular were ‘horries’.”

Fraser was sent out over several nights before the main attack “to get the barb wire ready for the charge over”. He had become something of an expert in cutting through the enemy entanglements, and was told he would be Mentioned in Despatches for his work – “though why I don’t know, but it is satisfactory to know that you have been appreciated.”

The 57th Battalion were “supporting” when the charge was made, he wrote, “and had to hold our old line; the battalions who went over, met with too hot a reception and suffered severely; the distance was too far: when we came up the artillery was mixing things up a bit; high explosives and shrapnel were flying everywhere. The bombardment kept up all night and a good few of my mates passed out that night; so far, three of my section have been killed and two wounded badly out of twelve.”

When the battle was over, Fraser and others began the dangerous and difficult task of retrieving the wounded from no man’s land. “I must say Fritz treated us very fairly, though a few were shot at the work,” he wrote. “Some of these wounded were game as lions and got rather roughly handled, but haste was more necessary than gentle handling and we must have brought in over 250 men by our company alone…It was no light work getting in with a heavy weight on your back especially if he had a broken leg or arm and no stretcher bearer was handy. You had to lie down and get him on your back then rise and duck for your life with the chance of getting a bullet in you before you were safe.”

 

Over three days the men made these missions to no man’s land, looking and listening for those still alive. “One foggy morning in particular I remember, we could hear someone, over towards the German entanglements calling for a stretcher bearer; it was an appeal no man could stand against so some of us rushed out and had a hunt,” Fraser wrote.

“We found a fine haul of wounded and brought them in, but it was not where I heard this fellow calling so I had another shot for it and came across a splendid specimen of humanity trying to wiggle into a trench with a big wound in his thigh: he was about 14 stone weight [90 kilograms] and I could not lift him on my back, but I managed to get him into an old trench and told him to lie quiet while I got a stretcher. Then another man about 30 yards [27 metres] out sang out ‘Don’t forget me cobber’. I went in and got four volunteers with stretchers and we got both men in safely.”

Fraser was not decorated for his great courage in retrieving the wounded from the battlefield; his efforts were just part of what had to be done. However, his heroism has since been recognised in a sculpture of him by artist Peter Corlett that stands in the Australian Memorial Park at Fromelles. More recently a copy of the sculpture was unveiled on Melbourne’s St Kilda Road.

The Victorian farmer never returned home: he was killed at the second battle of Bullecourt on 12 May 1917, aged 40. His body was not found.

Tobruk Diaries: Mass in the Time of War

18 July 2011 by Carlie Walker. 1 Comment
1941, Tobruk,Tobruk diaries, Church Tobruk, Rats of Tobruk, Tobruk

Bryant’s Diary: Friday 18^th July 1941

Another convoy from Tobruk came in.

Cosgriff’s Diary:  Friday 18^th July 1941

Usual 4 am raids but no harm to anyone.  Missa Tempore Belli [Mass in Time of War].  Quietest morning ever in this hospital.  Five casualties from last night’s raiding – 1 eyetie bayoneted.  No report on success or otherwise.  Beach hospital being moved because shells land a bit too close – patients here for term…  Played chess in M.J room today.  Planes over frequently this arvo and the shelling as usual.  We expected them to get that gun last night…

Bryant’s Diary:  Saturday 19^th July 1941

There was an air raid last night and there was a hell of a row.  We had a free talkie show through the good graces of the South Africans.  Letters arrived today earlier than I expected.

Cosgriff’s Diary:  Saturday 19^th July 1941

More planes than usual last night and one bomb within hospital confines.  Mass for Thos Colgriff R.I.P.  Big mob of Communion today as all the beach patients are up.  Cigarettes arrived from Merrigan but no envelopes.  Well up for fags now…  All the news now is hope – easily out of date.  J. Horan has the general duty job of shifting the beach hospital while Ley and C.O. do nothing.  We enjoyed John’s start when the shells came over this arvo.  Losses in Syria – 297 dead.  Ambulance bloke played 7 games of chess last night – won the lot…

Cosgriff’s Diary:  Sunday 20^th July 1941

5am blitz as usual.  Regular occurrence now even with no moon but helped by shells.  Usual three Masses – with raids on the way to the church and during Mass.  Poor crowd and Church described as “death trap” by one lad.  Madonna of Tobruk off her pedestal which was shattered by a bomb.  Statue chipped and blackened and troops very indignant.  Mail – from home only.  John Horan returned and we are glad to have him back.  Did a poor round today.  Had envelopes and paper from Merrigan…attacked one pad but did not offer one of his five cakes in return.  Beach hospital in transit.  Eric wanted red crosses at the new site – playing ball with J.H…

 

 

Bryant’s Diary:  Monday 21^st July 1941

A batch of patients left for the con depot this morning.  I thought I was certain to go.

  Cosgriff’s Diary:  Monday 21^st July 1941

Usual morning blitz and more severe.  Missa Tempore Belli with en-core from Horan.  Good round but too many cases going to ward “Z” which should not visit.  Mail in but none for me.  Papers for Len.  Eating one of his plum puddings this arvo and J.B.D just arrived too late!  Rumour that Britain had invaded France cost me ten accas.  Shelling this arvo caused some casualties – 1 serious 1 dead.  C.O. of Air Force in M.E. is outrageous – incompetent and unconscientious – hope the new General outs him.  Had picture of Steele from Tim driving my car.  Heard German broadcast – weak especially on V for Victory…

Bryant’s Diary:  Tuesday 22^nd July 1941

A large batch in our ward left for El Kantara.  They were the badly wounded men and most of them will go home.

Cosgriff’s Diary:  Tuesday 22^nd July 1941

Thank God for a quiet night at last.  Missa T. B.  Good round today 100%.  C.C.S. have word that they are Alex bound.  16^th M.A.C. bombed on boat and machine gunned on way down 4 killed.  Red Cross bloke has presented a wireless to the mess – not so good when the news is on but perfect at other times.  Few raids today and no shelling D.G.  Eyetie prisoner buried today and buried by Fr. Borsorelli.  Papers from home are hopeless on war news – always wrong and the bulletin fails too…

Bryant’s Diary:  Wednesday 23^rd July 1941

Blow me down if it isn’t another quiet day.

Cosgriff’s Diary:  Wednesday 23^rd July 1941

Another good night… Missa T. B.  Good round today.  Jack Clark disappointed as he is not to go with the C.C.S. to Alex – after 24 months of daily work.  Cracked another of Len’s plum duffs today and J.B.D picked the right time.  Thos Gard in to have a tooth filled.  Gave him fags for Rice and himself.  Bayoneted Eyetie dead yesterday – first bayonet wound in here.  Thos Steele tossed the Ambulance chess crack.  Few raids today and no shelling yet… No mail today.  Accident to destroyer last night through hitting the wharf – no evacuation.  All patients contained in this hospital now – easily…

Bryant’s Diary:  Thursday 24^th July 1941

Further batch left for the con camp this morning.  The hospital is nearly empty.  I went for a bit of a walk and saw some of the bombing damage.  It can be very severe amongst closely packed buildings.  One bomb caved in the walls of four large buildings.

Cosgriff’s Diary:  Thursday 24^th July 1941

Good night again…. Missa T. B.  Casualties this morning from 24^th and 43^rd Batts.  Both had patrolled out to get machine guns but failed.  Two of mine very sick.  Steele in today and we cracked the beer bottle and Len’s cake.  He brought in wine and breads but not enough of either… Went out to the 1^st Tanks (Crouch and Calling) for dinner.  They are 2 miles past the eagle and in a wadi…  Two bottles of whisky went next and I won three quid at poker.  Slept in the open and felt quite safe…

An ancient Babylonian souvenir?

15 July 2011 by Dianne Rutherford. No comments
From the collection, Antiquities, First World War, Mesopotamia, Souvenirs

One of the more unusual items to be found in the Memorial’s collection is the item shown above. It was purchased by an Australian soldier, Eric Keast Burke, while he was serving with ‘D’ Troop, ANZAC Wireless Squadron in Baghdad, Mesopotamia in 1918-1919 and was originally identified  as a piece of an ancient Babylonian cuneiform tablet.

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