An Anzac in France - Battle of the Somme 1916

"Hurcombes Hungry Half Hundred"

The 50th AIF Battalion In France

The story of John Henry Bannan Continues

After John's Gallipoli service, the 10th Battalion returned to Egypt where the 50th Battalion was formed as part of the "doubling of the AIF". Again, the soldiers were sourced primarily from South Australia.

The Battalion was raised on the 26th February 1916 at Serapeum, Egypt. John was transferred that day, and was Taken on Strength the next day. March saw them move to Tel El Kabir. As the Battalion was part of the 13th Brigade, 4th Division, some units had to be raised from scratch, delays raising artillery units led to an extended stay in Egypt.

On the 5th June, John was transported to Alexandria where the 50th Battalion became part of the British Expeditionary Force, setting sail on the "Arcadian" for Marseilles, France.

The Arcadian was subsequently sunk in 1917 by a German U boat, with in excess of 200 lives lost. http://www.firstworldwar.com/diaries/torpedoed.htm

Unit diaries commence 10th July 1916 as follows:

"Intermittent shelling throughout the day and up to 12 midnight on 9/7/16. A large percentage of enemy shells failed to explode. Several enemy aeroplanes were observed overhead but were all driven back to their lines by heavy shrapnel fire.Damage done by enemy shells insignificant. Weather clear, wind faint SW."

Australians Marching August 1916

Much of July was spent marching to the Front line, arriving on the 12th August 1916. The "front line" would later be called the "Battle of the Somme". "The battle was one of the largest of World War I, in which more than 1,000,000 British, German and French men were wounded or killed, making it one of humanity's bloodiest slaughters" (Wiki). 

12th August:(Mouquet Farm) "The Battalion moved to the wire trench at 6am arriving at 8.30am without mishap. Heavy fog favorable for move. Orders received from 4th Brigade HQ to proceed to front line as quickly as possible. "A" company moved out at 10.30am followed an hour later by "B"," C" and "D" companies. Enemy heavily bombarded trench heading up and extra heavy barrage immediately on arrival."

Later that same day: 

"Enemy shell fire violent and continuous at 6pm, impossible for "D" company to take over from 16th Battalion while barrage lasted. Casualties fairly heavy and work of same removing to Dressing Station very difficult. Our aeroplanes active observing enemy fire. One brought down by our planes but seemingly fell in front of our lines. 7pm enemy fire easing slightly, our artillery very active. Battalion to attack at 10.30pm tonight."

"Terrific barrage from our artillery from 10.30pm to 11pm. Battalion very successful in gaining its objective. Casualties to 9am approx 100 - 20 killed, 80 wounded. Heavy enemy bombardment all next day especially around head trenches and saps leading up to front line. Very difficult to take food and water up. Numerous doing their utmost to provide these necessities."

During these 6 weeks, the Australians sustained more casualties than in the entire 8 months at Gallipoli.

"German artillery bombardments were intense during these attacks. Moreover, as the Australians were advancing into an ever-narrowing salient into the enemy line, the Germans were able to shell them from three directions. All movement towards the front was observed by the enemy as the whole area was torn up by artillery shells, leaving a sea of craters that turned into a bog when rain fell. The shelling had destroyed all the landmarks and the attackers became disoriented and lost. There was no undamaged surface there. It was as if the circumstances in which the Aussies found themselves stranded were a surreal scene from hell."http://historywarsweapons.com/the-battle-of-mouquet-farm/

The average person in the 21st century would have difficulty believing the following, as it seems so remote from today's world, but it happened...

4th August: Very heavy bombardment all day. Enemy guns blowing trenches and sapo to pieces. Stretcher bearers and runners have very difficult task and have been augmented. Very fine individual efforts being performed. Casualties to 12 noon around 45 killed and 105 wounded. Lieutenant Haynes wounded and shell shock. 

The moonscape that was the battlefield of the Somme

Diaries of Johns Battalion continues to count the toll over the month of August, by the 19th, 55 were dead, 284 were wounded and 67 were missing. Some slightly wounded returned to ranks and 45 reinforcements joined. Still a massive 406 out of the Battalion of 1000 were either killed or injured in a week. In a letter to 4th Division Command, Major R B Jacob expressed immense dissatisfaction with medical provisions for the Battalion as well as the shortage of water and inadequate communication channels (although Pigeons were deemed to be successful). In a week the Battalion expended 120,000 rounds of ammunition and 3,800 bombs.

The 50th was relieved from the front line, and spent September in reserve , training, "on Fatigue (doing chores), re-organising the ranks and receiving new recruits. A dose of Influenza circulated the camp, with 27 being hospitalised. Self inflicted wounds seems to have been a problem with the warning  of "the certainty of punishment for self inflicted wounds" by the commanding officer.

On the 23rd the Battalion moved into huts at Relinghelst.

November saw the Battalion return to the Front Line, this time at Fricourt.

Fricourt Allied Soldiers

The front line held by the 50th at Fricourt consisted of 300 yards, 180 of which was defended by troops, the balance covered by Lewis Machine Gun.

Support lines were bombed with gas. The use of gas would later affect John during the years to come.

Much of the time at Fricourt was spent improving trenches and dug-outs. Sickness sent many to hospital.

December came, building huts and constructing railways to improve the supply chain. The Battalion marched to Buire and on to St Vaast where Christmas was spent. "Christmas day, church parade, extra money spent on Christmas Dinner".

Some real 1916 Footage of the battle of the Somme is below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kpCUFw-EnNw

An Anzac Remembered Gallipoli 1914/1915

John Henry Bannan served Australia.

Born to James and Sarah Bannan on the 8th July 1894, John grew up in Georgetown near Port Pirie and became a Farm assistant.

When World War 1 broke out, and Australia declared war (4th August 1914), John decided early on (and at the age of 20 and 4 month) to enroll at Oaklands (now Warradale Army Barracks) . The oath taken was to “well and truly serve our Sovereign Lord the King in the Australian Imperial Force, from 1st December 1914, until the end of the war”. For John, this would be 4 years and 207 Days, with 4 years and 6 days served overseas – returning from Europe on the 18th April 1919 well after 11/11/18 when the Armistice was signed officially bringing hostilities to an end. John was finally discharged on the 25th June 1919.

John served Australia in the 10th Battalion and the 50th Battalion.

He was taken on strength into the 10th Battalion on the 8th July 1915.

First posting was a baptism of fire: Gallipoli as the 4th reinforcement to the 10th Battalion, a unit that would later become known as “The Fighting 10th”.

Colours and patch for the 10th Battalion

“The 10th Battalion was one of the first to be raised for the AIF during the First World War” and was recruited from South Australia.

Unit records show that John joined the Battalion whilst it was at the beginning of 3 days leave – where “ample fresh water, bathing in the sea without fear of shot or shell” and “fresh fruit, stationery and grooming” was being enjoyed by the troops.

Anzac Cove 1915

It would not be long before John experienced war. His Battalion took over from the 11th Battalion a section of Defence. First chore was digging new trenches.. a task which seemed to “go on and on”. The new trenches were completed on Sunday the 18th.

Unit diary entry for the 31st July read: “The weather during the month has been hot and dry. A large number of men have been sick, principally with diarrhea. The men have been obliged to work very hard improving our trenches, mapping new fire positions and bomb holes.  During the last week of July the enemy has been very busy bomb throwing, and we have replied.

The health of the men cannot be said to be good, indeed both officers and men are very run down and badly need a thorough rest before they are fit for any marching or attacking” (1)

As was the case with many, fatigue was a constant battle, causing John to fall asleep whilst on duty. As a result, he spent 6 days with “No 2 Field Punishment”. His sentence to commence on the 18th of August 1915.”  Field Punishment Number Two was a punishment where “the prisoner was placed in fetters and handcuffs”  but “was still able to march with his unit and submit to hard labour. This was a relatively tolerable punishment.”(2)

No further diaries exist for the Battalion until April 1916.

John was admitted by field ambulance to casualties with “Septic hands” on the 25th September and rejoined his unit on the 27th September, again sick with Diarrhea to the Light Horse hospital on the 8th October, rejoining his unit on the 11th. Diarrhea was such a problem, that at one stage, 45% of the 10th Battalion was away from the front line with Diarrhea.

Gallipoli

The 10th Battalion continued in Defence and Attack positions at Gallipoli. They were one of the last Battalions to evacuate, arriving in Alexandria (Egypt) 29th December.

After a period of 2 months, John was transferred to a new Battalion – the 50th – which was made half of Battle hardened soldiers, and half of new recruits.

References: (1)AWM records (2) Wikipedia