3rd June 1915

Boats off the peninsula under fire from "Beachy Bill," similar to the incident

mentioned by Major Hughes below - a water spout fro ma shell burst can be seen

at centre, just right of two vessels.

[Courtesy of Australian War Memorial - G01047A]

3^RD 

Enemy still sapping forward over ridges in front + bringing their trenches closer to our lines.  At 4pm a trawler bringing stores was hit by a Turkish shell but she got clear.  About 7pm Brighton Gun was shelling enemy in their trenches when one of our shells burst in 9^th Infy Batt lines killing 2 men + wounding 12 (including 5 officers).

[Courtesy of Australian War Memorial - Official unit war diary, 7th Battery]    

One of the 9th Battery's field guns, taken in June 1915, & possibly responsible for

the fatal shell fired into the 9th Battalion's trenches.  The Australian War Memorial

notes, "On 3 June, the leadership of the 9th Battalion was hit hard when a shell

fired by 9 Battery, Australian Field Artillery, exploded prematurely over the 9th

Battalion positions. Among the wounded were Major Salisbury, Captain Plant and

Lieutenant Wilder-Neligan. Evacuated to Malta, he was impatient to return to

Gallipoli, and as he neared recovery, discharged himself from hospital and caught

a ship back to the peninsula, re-joining his battalion on 4 August. He was immediately

promoted to Lieutenant, and the following month to temporary Captain and
battalion adjutant."  Amazing, the incident is completely missing from the official
Unit Diary of the 9th Battery, as penned by Major Burgess, short of, "last shell
premature in vicinity of SAPPER'S POST" - Sapper's Post was located at the extreme
right flank of the 9th Infantry Battalion's position, & had only just been reinforced
by men of the 5th Light Horse Regiment on the 31st May 1915.

[Courtesy of Australian War Memorial - A00841]

June 3^rd 1915  ANZAC

Major Burgess, 9th Battery, 3rd Field Artillery Brigade

3.7pm OLIVE GROVE BATTERY opened on Fleet Sweeper touring ammunition barges.  Engaged it with N^o 1 + N^o 2 Guns, very effective, hostile detachments fled across plain in rear of OLIVE GROVE (Range 4400)(Map Square 212 V5).  18 rounds.

7.37pm Engaged enemy in BROWN TRENCH with BRIGHTON BATTERY, fired 6 rounds, effective, last shell premature in vicinity of SAPPER'S POST (Range 2600) Map Square 212 H6.

[Courtesy of Australian War Memorial - Official unit war diary, 9th Battery]

Thursday 3rd June

Interview with General Carruthers explaining result of yesterday’s shoot. He was very pleased. Interviewed Engineer officers and pointed out what is required for Artillery Road. With Major Hughes tabulated result of yesterday’s shoot and recorded same on D.A. map, forwarding same to Major Anderson at 10.30 AM. Heathorn and Brand returned to duty from D.A. H.Qrs. Visited Burgess’ guns this afternoon and had interview with Capt Trenchard re position of 6" Howrs. B.A.C. detachment preparing improved Roadway from our Head Qrs to beach and to Head Qrs of 3rd Infantry Brigade. Orders today record Honours and rewards conferred by the King on some of our officers and men. All richly deserved. This afternoon H.M.S. Doris put about 100 rounds of 6" stuff into Hill 971 and vicinity, her broadsides of 6 guns speaking at once.

A very unfortunate accident happened this afternoon. Major Burgess was shooting over our own Troops, when a premature occurred, due to a faulty fuze. As a result 2 men were killed and 11 wounded, among the latter being 5 officers. Enemy attacked about 9.30 PM but were driven off with loss. We also hear the Turks attacked our Southern troops yesterday but were also beaten off with heavy loss.

B.A.C. detachment at work on new track. With Major Brown selecting positions for gun emplacements, so that guns may be moved into them at any time, day or night.

Col Hobbs informed me more Howitzers were being landed for us.

 

[Courtesy of State Library of New South Wales - Sir Charles Rosenthal diary]

2nd June 1915

Looking out towards the Turkish position of Kirmizi Sirt in the distance,

known to the Australians as Johnston's Jolly, from the A.I.F. front line.

[Courtesy of Australian War Memorial - A00846]

June 2

The enemy are still busy entrenching themselves all round our position.  The roofs + houses have been removed + are evidently being used to make overhead cover [illegible].  About 4pm I fired set rounds from N^o 4 gun to register various objectives in the front of our left + in the vicinity of JOHNSTONE’S JOLLY by indirect fire to obtain enfilade on their trenches.

[Courtesy of Australian War Memorial - Official unit war diary, 7th Battery]   

Wednesday 2nd June

All Brigade telephone lines transferred to new Head Quarters station. Met Colonel Hobbs at 7th Battery. Inspected altered emplacement. Told me of a good deal of his difficulties in dealing with Headquarters. Sent in report concerning work of Capt Leslie and Lieut Ross with their detachments on May 5th and 6th recommending them to notice.

At 3.30 PM with Major Hughes met Colonel Johnstone and registered areas in front of 2nd and A&NZ Sections, notably "Johnstones Jolly" which could not be engaged by other Batteries. By actual experiment obtained necessary data to permit of engaging these localities by day or night. Major Burgess’ battery busy on "Olive Grove" guns about 6 PM. Saw Major Martin re road behind our position. Arranged to meet one of his officers tomorrow and point out what is required. Very quiet night.

[Courtesy of State Library of New South Wales - Sir Charles Rosenthal diary]

1st June 1915

The trajectory from the Turkish-held artillery positions on Gun Ridge, towards

Bolton's Ridge (centre) where the 7th Battery were dug in amongst the

Infantry firing line, & Anzac Cove (centre left).  This is one of a series of

photographs taken on the Gallipoli Peninsula under the direction of 

Captain C. E. W. Bean of the Australian Historical Mission, during the

months of February and March, 1919.

[Courtesy of Australian War Memorial - G01968]

June 1 ANZAC  Tuesday

Occasional shelling of beach by Olive Grove guns + also 2 guns on Gun Ridge shelled our lines in the vicinity of Brownes Battery.  The Navy shelled the vicinity of these guns 4 hours after guns had ceased firing.  In the afternoon about 7pm we shelled a convoy moving in the direction of Kapa Tepe.

[Courtesy of Australian War Memorial - Official unit war diary, 7th Battery]   

Tuesday 1st June

Enemy’s artillery fairly active, but little effect obtained. Our fellows are splendidly dug in. Conferred with Col Hobbs at Brown’s Battery re co-ordination of fire of 3rd F.A. Bde with Artillery of Second Section. Arranged to carry out an experimental shoot at 4 PM but had to postpone it because of necessary alterations to bring effective fire to bear over the area required. Gun emplacement altered during the night. Heavy rifle and bomb fusillade all the evening till about midnight. New Head Quarters so far completed as to admit of our occupying them, and slept there for the first time.

[Courtesy of State Library of New South Wales - Sir Charles Rosenthal diary]