I Whose Name We Share History 2nd Edition Published 2024 Cover Art Photo of Pyramid During Day Time Alexander Azabache, Pexels This hard copy publishing of Whose Name We Share has been proudly supported by the Royal Australian Artillery Historical Company (RAAHC).
II The RAAHC is a volunteer not-for-profit organisation whose core purpose is to promote the significance of Australia’s Artillery, its history and heritage. To volunteer, donate or learn more, go to https://www.artilleryhistory.org
III Acknowledgements Royal Australian Artillery Historical Company Australian Artillery Association Major Jacob Beale Warrant Officer Class Two James Wilson Major Sam Watts Warrant Officer Class Two Mark Nipperess Major Joel Oates Warrant Officer Class Two Scott Fitzgibbon Lieutenant Colonel Wade Cooper, ex BC 103 Battery Major Damien Patterson, ex BC 103 Battery Captain Paul Winter, ex FO 103 Battery Col Graeme Finney, ex BC of 103 Battery Maj Andrew Haebich ex BC 103 Battery Mr. Kevin Browning Mr. Peter Manucci Mr. Graham Hampton Mr. John Redman Mr. Laurie Skinner Mrs Mykayla Rose Croft
IV Contents Acknowledgements .................................................................... III Contents ..................................................................................... IV Chapter 1: The Birth of the Sphinx ....................................... 1 Training in Egypt, 1916 6 HMT Manitou 7 Travelling Through France 8 Fleurbaix, France, 1916 10 Reserve Area 13 La Boiselle, France 14 Ypres 15 1917 19 1918 23 J.J.H. Goodwin 25 Chapter 2: The Inter War Years ........................................ 27 The Battery’s New Home 29 Chapter 3: Cloud Killers ...................................................... 33 The 103rd Anti Air Battery is Born 35 Chapter 4: This Time for Good........................................... 37 Camp Terendak, Malaya 1960 37
V 1961 38 1963 39 Vietnam 1966 40 Operation Wollongong / Renmark 1967 44 Holsworthy 47 A Snapshot of the 1990s 49 Ashley John Jordan “Jordo” 54 INTERFET - 1999 55 Chapter 5: The Modern Gunner ..........................................61 Operation Citadel 2002 61 Iraq 2005- Al Muthana Task Group - 2 64 Operation Anode 2006 68 Iraq Overwatch Battle Group (West) – 3 71 Afghanistan – Bull’s Troop 2007 73 2008 77 Afghanistan – Brumby Troop 2009 78 Today’s Gunline 80 2013 80 2014 82 2015 83 2016 85 Afghan National Army Officer Academy 86 2017 87 GNR Matthew James 90 2018 92 2019 95
VI 2020 97 Operation COVID Assist 99 2021 103 2022 111 Operation Flood Assist 112 103 Donates Bravo Gun to Ukraine 115 Exercise Thunder Run 116 Exercise Radar Trial 118 RMC Shaggy Ridge 120 The Death of Queen Elizabeth II 121 Chapter 6: 103 Forever .......................................................133 The Women of the 103rd Battery ...............................................134 Battery Sergeant Majors ...........................................................149 Battery Commanders ................................................................153 Those Who Paid the Ultimate Sacrifice .................................... 157 World War I 1914-1918 157 Vietnam 1966 – 1967 160 Honours and Awards ................................................................ 161 The Great War 161 Vietnam 165 Afghanistan 170 Bibliography 171
VII Foreword I applaud Gunner Hemi Croft for authoring Whose Name We Share, the story of the batteries that have carried the “103” title since the first battery – 103 Field (Howitzer) Battery – was raised on 6 March 1916 at Tel e Kebir in the shadow of the Sphinx, with the Sphinx remaining a proud feature of the Battery’s plaque to this day. This is a history worth telling with the Battery being involved in some of the most important artillery battles and developments over the last 107 years. These batteries have served with distinction from the Western Front in France where the battery participated all the major Australian actions, time as an anti-aircraft battery in the 1950s, to the Malayan Emergency and Vietnam where amongst many great deeds they were one of the batteries that provided lifesaving fire support at the Battel of Long Tan, to the 1980s and 1990s when it was Army’s only 155mm ‘Medium’ battery (19871999). The battery was dual equipped for decades until 1998 with combinations of the 5.5 inch then M198 Howitzer, and the M2A2 then Hamel Field Guns to fulfil both its operational role supporting the units of 1 Brigade, as well as provide support to the School of Artillery. At one stage the Battery was ‘triple equipped’ with the 4.2 inch mortar. In East Timor the Battery Commander, all Forward Observer parties, and many gunline and logistics personnel deployed with the 5/7 RAR Battalion Group becoming the first RAA force element to be assigned to the UN and wear the UN Blue Beret when the mission transferred from INTERFET to UNTAET. Since then, the Battery has deployed to the Solomon Islands and provided formed sub-elements and individuals to operations in Iraq and Afghanistan and elsewhere across the globe and within Australia. “Whose Name We Share” describes all this and more. Most importantly throughout its various incarnations the Battery has been served by dedicated, resourceful and professional men
VIII and women, who have achieved amazing things on operations and in peace, built a proud Battery identity and forged friendships that have endured well after ‘end of mission’. These Gunners to this day continue to build on the legacy of those that went before them and enhance the “103” reputation. On a personal level I have a deep affection for 103 Battery, having joined the battery as a newly commissioned Lieutenant Section Commander and then Gun Position Officer in my first artillery appointment. The two highlights of this time were months and months in the field, the Battery’s first deployment to Cultana (a great artillery range) and the Battery’s trip to New Zealand on Exercise Tasman Exchange. A terrific trip filled with gunnery in mountainous terrain, adventure training, recreation and team building. This foundational posting exposed me to some amazing experiences, leaders and mentors that were pivotal in my development as an officer and Gunner, and laid the foundation for my Army and Gunner journey, and was the birth of many enduring friendships. For all of this I am eternally grateful. Subsequent postings as Battery Commander and Commanding Officer of the then 8/12 Medium Regiment kept me connected to my roots. I was privileged to lead the Battery in East Timor and as the Commanding Officer to select members of 103 Battery to deploy to Helmand as part of the first gun line to deploy since Vietnam. As Commanding Officer, I was also proud to see females join the Regiment and Battery in non-RAA roles where they immediately made a great contribution. Since then, it has been wonderful to see females join the RAA and have an even bigger positive impact on the Battery’s story and identity. In the years before the RAA transition to 155mm, the Battery was cursed and blessed by a shortage of 155mm ammunition. While frustrating and at times morale sapping, this austerity drove innovation and made us all understand the importance of making the most from scarce resources to deliver great training.
IX I am honored and grateful to Hemi for affording me the privilege of writing the foreword to his book and allowing me to connect again and pay tribute to 103 Battery. The capturing of our history is critical. We draw lessons and inspiration from it. It is fundamental to what we do as Gunners and to our identity; it reminds us that we are part of something bigger than self and connects our past, present and future. As the RAA embarks on arguably the most significant period of change since World War 1, I encourage Hemi to update this book in the years to come and further encourage others throughout the RAA to consider similar projects to capture the history all Gunners serving in all batteries (including some on the verge of being raised) have made, are making and will make each and every day. Once a Gunner, Always a Gunner. Craig Furini Major General (Retd)
1 Chapter 1: The Birth of the Sphinx The 103rd Battery was raised in Tel El Kebir, Egypt on the 6th March 1916 after a trial of reorganisations. Originally, the 103rd Battery was raised on the 18th February 1916 as the 36th Battery, 12th Field Artillery Brigade and was made up of members who transferred from the 3rd Field Artillery Brigade. This new Brigade was intended for the 4th Australian Divisional Artillery and was inspected at 1st Australian Divisional Artillery HQ that same evening. On the 4th March 1916 another reorganisation occurred and the 12th Field Artillery Brigade was taken back to the 1st Australian Division before being converted to a Howitzer Brigade: specifically the 21st Howitzer Brigade. Then, finally, the battery was renamed on the 6th March to the 103rd Howitzer Battery. It must be stated for posterity that this battery and the 103rd Battery of today are two completely separate units. The 103rd Battery of today was raised in 1960 and perpetuates the memory of the battery that served in the First World War. This is a mistake that has almost been cemented into the history of the Royal Australian Artillery, but we as gunners of the 103rd Battery simply acknowledge the previous iterations of our battery because if we did not then their names, service and triumphs would fade into ambiguity.
2 Following their success in the Balkan wars of 1912 and 1913, Serbia felt their fierce reputation had been enhanced and as such felt ten feet tall and bullet-proof. After the Balkan Wars, the nationalists returned their attention to liberating Slavs in Austria-Hungary. Colonel Dimitrijevic (alias Apis), head of the ominously named Union or Death secret service organisation begun planning the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand – heir presumptive to the throne of Austria-Hungary - who was due to visit Bosnia for military inspections. Colonel Dimitrijevic ordered the assassination. The Serbian Prime Minister, Nikola Pasic, aware but unsupportive of the plan, gave instructions to arrest the would-be-assassins as they tried to cross the border. But his orders were not followed. In Sarajevo at 11.30 am 28 June 1914 Gavrilo Princip, operating as one of six assassins, mortally shot Franz Ferdinand and his wife Sophie. AustriaHungary blamed Serbia for the assassination and having gained German support sent an unacceptable ultimatum to Serbia and giving only 48 hours to comply. Russia advised Serbia not to accept the ultimatum and on 28 July Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia. There then followed a slew of European countries declaring war against one another. 29 July Russia mobilised against AustriaHungary and Germany; 31 July Austria-Hungary mobilises; 1 August Germany declares war on Russia, France mobilises; 3 August Germany declares war on France; 4 August Britain declares war on Germany. The Ottoman Empire entered the war on 29 October 1914. Surprisingly enough, the war was welcomed by the citizens of Europe. Intense nationalism and blind patriotism lead the way in the attitudes of the people at the time. Its unlikely that any person could have imagined what the war would bring, thinking that it would be won in a matter of months. Some enlisted with national pride, patriotism, a fervour for getting even against the violation of treaties and intense emotions of national necessity. The call for help would eventually reach Australia, where volunteers would enlist from all over the country.
3 With the declaration of war by Britain her empire was also at war although not duty bound to supply troops. But as the events in Europe were escalating the Australian Government had already advised the British Government they would ‘defend her to our last man and our last shilling’. Warships and a force of 20,000 were promised. Because the Australian Defence Act 1903 only allowed for home defence a volunteer force had to be raised. The Australian Imperial Force, or as we know them: the AIF. The Australian and New Zealand Forces moved to Egypt for training prior to deployment to Europe but the Ottoman Empire entry into the war saw them committed to a campaign in Gallipoli. With the withdrawal from Gallipoli the Australia troops congregated in Egypt. At this time the existing infantry comprised two Divisions (1st and 2nd) and two Brigades (4th and 8th) and some 40,000 reinforcements. It was decided to raise two new Australian Divisions (4th and 5th) and a New Zealand Division. To achieve this it was agreed to share the experienced troops of the 1st Division and 4th Brigade with the 4th and 5th Divisions. This worked well with the Infantry where 16 existing battalions were split to form 32 battalions but it proved a problem with the artillery, a service requiring numerous specialists and longer and more careful training. In addition the artillery establishment for the Division was to be raised to the higher scale which would require a quadrupling of the artillery. This was considered an impossible task in the time available and it was agreed the lower scale would remain. Thus it was necessary to expand the artillery from six Brigades (18 four gun 18 pounder batteries) to twelve Brigades. Although the reorganisation had only begun a fortnight previously on 29 February 1916 I Anzac Corps (1st and 2nd Australian Divisions and the New Zealand Division) was warned it would be required to move to Europe within two weeks. At the same time it was decided, in accordance with the desire of the War Office, the artillery must
4 be brought up to the scale adopted for all ‘New Army’ divisions. That is three Field Artillery Brigades of four batteries each equipped with four 18 pounders and a Howitzer Brigade of three batteries equipped with 4.5 inch howitzers. This meant the artillery which had increased from 18 to 36 batteries in the fortnight were now required to expand to 60. There was only one way this could be done. According to the Official History; ‘The 1st and 2nd Divisions absorbed the two artillery brigades which they were forming for the 4th and 5th Divisions, and also took back the two brigades which they had lent them. This gave the 1st and 2nd each their full quota of field-gun batteries. For their howitzer batteries men had to be obtained from the ammunition columns and elsewhere, and taken to France untrained.’ But this is not entirely accurate. In the 1st Division, on 18 February 1916, troops from the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Brigades had been taken to form the 34th, 35th and 36th Batteries, 12 Field Artillery Brigade, 4th Division. With the urgent need for ‘trained’ personnel the troops were brought back to 1st Division and redesignated 101st, 102nd and 103rd Howitzer batteries 21st Howitzer Brigade. “6 March 1916. The officers and other ranks of the 12th FA Brigade, 4 Aust Div, less 4 officers and 27 other ranks, are transferred to the 1st Aust Div to form 21st Howitzer Brigade allotted to that Division. The Brigade will consist of 3 Batteries numbered 101st, 102nd and 103rd Batteries and the 21st Brigade Ammunition Column. They will be composed of men transferred from the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Field Artillery Brigades respectively. Officers appointed to 103 Bty: Capt A H K Jopp commanding Lt A A Evans Lt A R Leschen” -21st Howitzer Brigade War Diary Entry 6 March 1916, Australian War Memorial
5
6 Training in Egypt, 1916 “A SPECIAL TYPE OF RECRUIT – and a very excellent type is always attracted to that arm of service.” –General Sir Ian Hamilton, Speaking of artillery on an inspection tour of the Australian Military Forces in 1914. Organised into their new Artillery Brigade, the 103rd Battery would conduct training in order to prepare their gunners for the times to come. A myriad of mundane tasks and training would occur, including foot drill, lectures, siting and constructing latrines, and according to war diaries they would even attend a marching exercise on the 18th of March. Following the marching exercise the Battery began to prepare to move away from Egypt. The training in Gun Drill was a heavy focus during the next week or so, but as were lectures on topics such as the customs of war. The comforts of camp life were about to be stripped away as the battery prepared to deploy and the constant reminders of discipline on board ships was met with mixed emotions
7 HMT Manitou The Brigade, including 103 Howitzer Battery, moved from Tel El Kebir on the night of 24 March 1916 entraining from No 2 Camp siding at 2230. It arrived at Alexandria at 0445 and embarked from Quay 75 on Board HMT MANITOU which sailed at 0600 26 March 1916. Strength 18 Officers, 469 Other Ranks, 13 horses, 5 absentees and 6 stowaways. The travel was extensively long and with nothing to listen to but lecture after lecture – mind numbingly boring. 3 NCO’s and 47 Men would be told off during the trip for “firing at submarines”. What’s a digger to do? The troops ‘enjoyed’ numerous lectures on the voyage, which included Battery tactics, lectures on billets and bivouacs and everything to do with France explained in precise detail. They would cover everything from the geography, government, and customs of the people.
8 Travelling Through France The Battery finally arrived at Marseilles on the morning of the 1st of April 1916. Later on that afternoon they would march 13 kilometres to La Valentine Rest Camp, arriving at 1830. On the 2nd April Lt AA Evans arrived with 60 other ranks and 149 horses on board HMT Maryland. The Battery then marched back to Marseilles in order to embark on a train journey to Havre on the 5th April. The train journey was another long stint, going 3 days through the French countryside. The Battery’s route would take them through many popular towns in France such as Valence, Lyons, Chalon, Dijon, Versailles and Rouen. It would have been a beautiful journey had it not been so packed inside the cars. For instance, Valence is known for its St Apollinaire Cathedral, which dates back to the 11th Century and Dijon is one of France’s principal wine-making areas (traditional mustard aside), the picturesque scenery would have been a welcome sight compared to the dry and arid conditions of Egypt. The Battery would travel from the South East to the Northern end of France near the English Channel. The Battery would eventually arrive in Havre at 0230hrs on the 8th April where they would yet again march by foot to Sanvic Rest Camp from 0430hrs to 0600hrs. Sanvic is a suburb of Le Havre, which had several rest camps within it, meaning there were multiple camps by the same name and its difficult to determine which one exactly the battery would have attended. In any case, four days would be spent here stretching legs and recuperating from the train journey. On the 10th April, Guns and Vehicles would be drawn out and oddly enough, bicycles would also be given to orderlies as there simply weren’t enough horses. First, not enough batteries to a division and now bicycles instead of horses. Everything would be loaded onto yet another train which would then depart on the 12th and headed straight for Borre, further along the English Channel,
9 taking another two days of travel. The Battery arrived in the dead of the night at approximately 0030hrs to be met with wet weather with slight snow, a cold and miserable night. The Battery would move from Borre on the 12th April and head to Trou Bayard before they then finally moved onto their position near Fleurbaix. After weeks of travelling, the Battery had finally deployed to their gun position.
10 Fleurbaix, France, 1916 Initially, the gunners found a pleasant land in France, a welcome sight from constant sea voyages or arid landscapes like Egypt, but now for the first time the AIF was in the main theatre of war. Four divisions of around 20,000 men arrived in France and this Battery was amongst them. This area had been fought over by the British in 1915, but Australian Divisions were called in to help ease the pressure the Germans had on the region. The brand new Howitzer Brigades would have a short existence, because when the A.I.F. arrived in France they were disbanded once more. The newly organised brigades would be absorbed into the pre-existing Field Brigades during the Battery’s time in France for “tactical purposes”. The 103rd Battery would join the 3rd Field Brigade on the 15th May 1916, replacing 24 Battery (who moved to 21 Field Brigade) and they would then become a part of the line at Feurbaix, a quaint village 4 miles from the Belgian Border. Within its first week the 103rd battery would engage targets with mixed results, totalling 833 rounds being fired, however the fuzes were reportedly erratic and non-effective at times. One mission conducted on the 9th of May was a total of 57 rounds on a group of houses where they had done considerable damage and this was following a report of engine noises being heard in the area. The following day, however, only one in every eight rounds would detonate. The tempo at Fleurbaix would put any modern gunner to the test. The battery had fired countless missions day in and out- as well as moving constantly through awful conditions. All missions were tests of endurance, firing as many as 60 rounds in one mission before moving again and firing another 22. According to the battery’s war diaries, however, they had a reputation for a spirit that could not be killed, despite all the horrid conditions and the demanding tempo the battery continued to display high morale in all facets of their deployment.
11 The ammo states throughout the period the battery were present in Fleurbaix are a stark confirmation of the intense effort and tempo of the missions fired. Within the first week the battery hard fired 89 rounds of shrapnel as well as 350 rounds of HE and that number was set to rise as they outperformed themselves again and again. The following week they’d fired 120 Shrapnel and 758 HE. Throughout the entire time the battery’s total would be 164 Shrapnel and 20,342 HE. This puts an average of 124 rounds fired per day, 31 rounds per gun between April and August. The Battery’s invincible spirit would be put to the test on the 11th June, as they faced their first deaths. No.1 Gun received incoming counter battery fire, killing four members of the detachment instantly with a 4.2in Shell. GNR J.F. Berry, BDR H. Mille, CPL A.D. Fletcher and DVR H.S. Arthur would all perish. The Battery would then move to a new gun position between Fleurbaix and Laventie. Another death would follow later that month on the 28th June, where Sergeant D. Fraser would be killed by rifle fire. In the beginning weeks of July, the Battery would move on to a new area of operations to the south. They marched by foot on the 11th July to Balleul, a 48km journey which would put them just 3km from the Belgian border. On the 19th of July, after a gruelling march they would finally arrive at a place called Becourt. Within this same day they engaged what they suspected to be enemy trenches near Pozieres. The tempo was only rising, after spending a week marching they immediately picked up again and began firing missions. According to their ammo state from the 20th – 31st July they’d fire 4093 rounds of HE, in support of the British and Australian Infantry for the Battle of Pozieres. The operations conducted around the Somme and Pozieres lasted until September. It was once said by historian Charles Bean that there was no other place on earth that is more densely sown with Australian sacrifice. The Battery would continue to support the various elements amongst the area of operations, firing a further 2213 HE into the muddy, dreadful terrain. From the 19th of July to August the 12th
12 they would remain in position to support the operations in which the British were conducting in the area.
13 Reserve Area The 103rd Battery, for all its incredible efforts, would eventually gain some respite on the 12th August. The 3rd Field Artillery Brigade would be pulled back into the reserve area at St Leger where they would take the opportunity to rest for a few brief days. During their time in the reserve area, however, the members of the battery would be subjected to an intense course of training. This included Gun Drill, Manoeuvres, Battery Drill and finally cleaning saddlery and equipment. On the 15th, however, a mere three days later the Brigade would move out once again. Departing St. Leger by foot they would march onwards to Vandencourt – a 68km journey. Vadencourt was reportedly good for the night as they established a bivouac in the vicinity of the town. Yet, they still hadn’t reached their destination. The Brigade were headed straight for the front line at La Boisselle, another 72km away, which they would complete the next day Figure 1. A typical Gun Detachment 1917. Courtesy of the 103rd Battery private collection.
14 La Boiselle, France The 3rd Field Artillery Brigade would arrive to relieve the 4th Field Artillery Brigade – a brigade from the 2nd Australian Division. The 103rd Battery replaced the 104th Battery in their slow barrage operations in the front line. After the insane workload the gunners of 103rd Battery had already put in so far, a slow barrage must have been a welcome sight. 12 Rounds would be fired per Battery, per hour during the day and the pace would double to 24 rounds per Battery during the night time. These kinds of missions are for harassment and disruption, as well as maintaining a dominating presence on the sometimes stale battlefields of the Great War. The 4th Field Artillery Brigade would return to the area one week later, relieving the 3rd Field Artillery Brigade – 104 Battery replacing 103. Every battery of the 3rd Field Artillery Brigade were clear of the area by 1430. Under their own steam, the batteries of the 3rd Field Artillery Brigade would move to the Brickfields to stay for the night. The following day the Brigade would then move once again by foot to Orville, spending yet another hard day marching. They would not gain any respite until catching a train into Auteuil. The Brigade did not make this move so that they could rest, however, they were preparing to reinforce the front line in Ypres. Upon arriving in Auteuil, the Brigade would conduct routine stable duties and cleaning equipment. The BC, a few FO officers and linesmen would leave on the 29th August to make preparations to relieving the 4th Imperial Division.
15 Ypres On the first day of September 1916 the recon party would move forward to select Battery positions for the preparations of moving further into the front line. They selected a spot in the vicinity of Ouderdom, Belgium. All Batteries of the Brigade would do this independently and make their own preparations to ready themselves to move into the frontline. Once the batteries were firm it was time to register. Registration firing began on the 3rd September, continuing through until the 8th. The details were then passed onto the wider brigade, but there was the constant threat of counter battery fire. The 103rd Battery fired back at an enemy gun position on the 11th of September, silencing them in the process. With small victories littered throughout, the battery would be relieved by the 105th Battery before falling back to Ouderdom on the 14th of September. During their short stay on the front lines they would end up firing 446 HE rounds. The arrival of October saw the Germans step up their retaliations. The war so far had been brutal and unforgiving, constant shelling happening on both sides as well as the constant charges made by the British and Australians. It was a war of attrition littered with barrages and often pyrrhic victories, which had little to show in terms of ground gained. On the 8th of October the Germans fired a heavy mission consisting of 36 4.2” shells and the 103rd Battery retaliated with 21 rounds. There was a constant back and forth like this as the once beautiful greenery of France turned to fields of mud and debris. The following day the Brigade itself would retaliate with several missions. This was to suppress the intermittent and erratic firing coming from the German lines. The German’s didn’t seem to target any one area in particular as their missions fell onto scattered areas of the Brigade’s lines. On each and every occasion the Brigade
16 retaliated it suppressed the firing, almost as if it were a reminder of who was in charge. The Germans were clearly feeling out the area, but every mission they fired seemed to be received with quick and effective reactions from the Brigade. Once satisfied that the German’s were suppressed, the Brigade ordered all Batteries to fire at pre-determined locations so they could stir the Germans into life. They attempted to create movement in the enemy lines so that they could be more easily observed, opening the way to more effective fire. Once the ground work was laid, the 103rd Battery would once again rotate with the 105th Battery back into the wagon lines at Ouderdom on the 16th October. This constant shift was required to keep the Batteries effective and fresh, so to speak. They would return to the frontline in a new position in Eles, the Somme, on the 26th where they’d fire 151 HE rounds as a part of a normal barrage, if you could even consider it normal. This was a Brigade wide effort as they continued to sap the German line, but they would face heavy counter-battery fire late that afternoon. The constant shelling continuously shifted the landscape around the soldiers of the 103rd Battery. Throughout the remainder of the month they’d continue firing registration of barrage lines, now only receiving light intermittent fire in return. One has to consider what this war diary now considers as light. The absolute barrages the Brigade had seen over the course of their stay in the area must make one desensitised to the sights and sounds of counter battery fire. Had these men not shown such grit and determination during each of their rotations to the front line, then perhaps one may have considered any kind of counter battery fire to be rather disastrous. And, of course, the question answers itself: If this is what the writer considered light, then what on earth did they consider to be heavy? During November the Battery would remain at Eles, firing registration at pre-determined targets, only deviating from this plan if operational orders were given. On the 14th Brigade would
17 order all Batteries to fire in support of an attack lead by the 5th Australian Infantry Brigade. It is written that the left objective was achieved whilst the right only celebrated small successes. Following this, the Brigade decided that whilst the German lines were recovering from the attack they would take the opportunity to improve their own. Re-registration was in order, so the 103rd Battery would fire to confirm zones and ranges. They would also utilise this lapse in battle to improve gun emplacements, bolster the ammunition dumps and construct new gun platforms. At the conclusion of the Battle of the Somme in November, everyone prepared to dig in for winter. According to Voices of The First World War, the winter was unbelievably cold. The absolute depths of misery were felt by all who were caught in the snow, wind and frost. The cold made the days long and the temperature drop at night was unbearable. It wasn’t just the cold that the gunners had to endure, however, it was the flooded trenches and the miles of destruction all around them. The soil, stirred up by continuous gunfire, became waterlogged and extremely muddy. Its reported that for weeks the conditions on the Somme meant its inhabitants were often up to the waist in mud and shell holes filled with the soft mud meant anyone stepping into them would drown – and there was nothing you could do about it. There would be some reprieve in the later months of the winter, however, as the ground would eventually freeze solid. At last the prayers of solid ground to walk on would be answered, but at the cost of progressively colder and colder days. December saw the firing of zoning and sweeping missions, as well as normal barrage fire. Verifying corrections made was essential as it ensured the accuracy of the guns. This would continue throughout the whole month of December, firing a high number of rounds and not receiving anything in return. For the most part it was quiet on the German lines. The Battery would fire between 151 to as much as 253 rounds in the space of one day and only on the
18 15th they would receive light fire in return – a good indicator of low morale on the German side. All members of the Brigade suffered during this winter however, despite the high tempo they maintained. Australians, far from home, living in hell on earth as well as experiencing the full might of a European winter. Once the ground had frozen solid the shells became less accurate, as they would skirt or bounce off the rock hard soil. This also meant they couldn’t dig further during this time, everything was hard as bedrock. On the 29th and 30th of December, however, the Germans surprisingly stepped up their responses to the barrages – firing several 8” rounds this time. 8” shells were the epitome of destruction. One such shell landed near the 103rd Battery’s position, striking with a very bad detonation that resulted in craters 15 feet wide and 11 feet deep. This sort of pattern of constant barraging would continue throughout January, with the 103rd Battery firing around 100 to 200 rounds a day. A year of blood, sweat and tears to be sure. From the raising of the battery in the searing heat of Egypt, training and gallivanting – to the restless travel on ships, trains and gruelling marches, those who made it to the end of the year had experienced a myriad of emotions, tribulations and triumphs. Moving to the other side of the world from their various homes in search of adventure and glory, it’s no small secret the Anzacs as a whole suffered horrible conditions and the harsh realities of war. In spite of all the terrifying trials the battery faced, they still held a reputation for an unbreakable spirit, one that was infectious enough to be written about in various war diaries.
19 1917 An eventual reprieve would arrive on the 11th of January, the 24th Field Artillery Brigade relieving the 3rd Field Artillery Brigade, allowing them to push back into the reserve. 112 Battery would replace the 103rd on the front lines. Upon returning to the wagon lines in the reserve, the 103rd would march out on the 12th January, headed to Buire to camp for the night. They would move on to Naours via villes Bocage and Flesselles. Here at Naours, they would begin their routine maintenance on their equipment beginning from the 14th January. The Battery would continue to rest and recuperate in the Naours until the 19th where another reorganisation of the 1st Divisional Artillery. 103 Battery was not required to reorganise as the arrival of equipment ensured their security in remaining together, as opposed to being absorbed into other batteries. The reorganisation preluded the grim arrival of another move to the front lines again, once more into the fray. On the 26th Battery were back in business as they marched back to Buire on the same route they took earlier that month before resting in the reserve wagon lines. The BC would move out with telephonists and Brigade commanders into the line so they could become ready to relieve the 14th Field Artillery Brigade. The day after on 27 January the 18 pounder batteries belonging to the 3rd Field Brigade were increased to six guns per battery. The 3rd Field Brigade would now be redesignated as the 3rd (Army) Brigade. On the 30th of January the 14th and 3rd Brigades would rotate, however the 103rd Battery would remain in reserve this time. Unfortunately for 115 Battery, they would not be relieved by the 103rd Instead, the 103rd Battery was then attached to the 2nd Field Artillery Brigade, where they would remain until March.
20 Unfortunately there are little writings available to determine why exactly the 103rd was detached from the 3rd Brigade or what tasks they performed during February. The next closest entry in war diaries picks up again in March, which saw the withdrawal of the German forces, however the entry is actually after the date the 103rd returned to the 3rd Field Artillery Brigade’s position. On the 16th March the AIF had occupied Bapaume and, of course, the guns had to move up in order to cover the advance. It wouldn’t be until the 23rd where the Germans would attempt a counterattack in order to regain lost ground, but this move was too little too late. On the 2 April, 103 battery absorbed a section of 15 howitzer battery, meaning they now possessed six 4.5 inch guns. Mid-April saw the destruction of the Regiment’s kite balloon – a kind of aero dynamic hot air balloon – taken out by German planes, setting it ablaze and destroying it. Kite balloons were designed to be able to fly in higher winds than ordinary round balloons and they were used primarily for observation. The loss of such an important piece of equipment – especially one so advanced for the era, was a hard hit to handle. Despite this, the infantry used the momentum created by thwarting the German counter attacks to advance through Doignes and Louveral. Amazingly enough, the snow was still heavy – even in April. The momentum generated by the German withdrawal, meant the Battery would also move once more to Halpincourt, with the BC moving ahead to recon the battery position. The Infantry continuously attacked, moving through Hemies and the battery consistently supporting through registration missions before establishing supreme firepower in the area. Finally, after such a large push, the 103rd would eventually be relieved on the 12th May, moving to Velu Wood where they could enjoy some brief respite from the tempo. Its from here in Velu Wood where they would eventually embark on a train journey at Albert, arriving at Bailleul on the 19th. Its from this position that they would then continue to fight around Messines. It would be a
21 gruelling month of fighting until they would be withdrawn from action on the 26th of June. They would move to Wulverghem to take a well-earned rest. The 3rd of July saw the Battery come under heavy shell-fire from the German lines. The intense fire had caused an ammunition dump nearby to be set ablaze, threatening the lives of every man present. LT. Gordon Murray Wallace of the 103rd would leave the safety of the lines in order to ensure that no harm would come to his men. “Awarded for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in leaving cover with a sergeant under very heavy shell fire and extinguishing two large ammunition dumps which were burning and exploding close to his battery. This gallant and timely action furnished a most inspiring example to the men of the battery.” – Commonwealth of Australia Gazette, 20th December 1917, Page 3374, Position 12 The constant shifting of the battlespace meant that moving was a priority as well. The battery would continue to change positions throughout the year, either pulling into reserve or relieving the line. The 3rd Artillery Field Brigade eventually became a part of the XV Corps and were attached to the 32nd Divisional Artillery from the 14th July. Their movements included Dunkerque, Nieuport and Dickebusch areas, not seeing relief until the 23rd of August. Pulled back into reserve, the Brigade marched from the line to Amplier to rest for a period of 2 days. They would then entrain to Godewaersvelde to conduct their routine maintenance and rest. This of course included stable duties and the cleaning of saddlery and equipment. They wouldn’t face the call to the frontline again until the 2nd of September, a cruisey one and a half weeks. Marching back into Ypres line on the 2nd of September, the Battery’s rest proved to have been beneficial. Hitting the ground running,, the 103rd would fire 446 rounds of HE right off the bat in barrage-styled missions. Despite this incredible level of tempo, the
22 Battery would lose two more members, BDR Seeley and GNR Giddings. The threat they faced on the line never diminished, despite having suppressed counter battery fire before in the past. Heavy fighting would ensue in the closing months of 1917, constant shelling that was desperate to withdraw or destroy the enemy, brutal rifle fire and the constant threat of gas incoming from enemy lines. The gas is notorious even today as it blinds and chokes its victims. Forcing your enemy to don gas masks is an advantage unto itself, those who are not already blinded by the gas have now just impaired their vision with poorly made, restrictive masks.
23 1918 Once again, the troops prepared for another harsh winter. In the opening months of 1918 all was quiet. There was little to no fighting between both sides to be seen, all felt the depths of yet another winter. For this period, everyone just tried to survive. The relative silence on both sides, however, would eventually be broken in February, just when all on the line could look forward to Mother Nature easing her icy grip on the battlefield. The enemy opened up with constant shelling and non-stop gassing. Phasgenel, Mustard Oil and Sneezing Stuff. Both sides hadn’t made much progress for a few months and the opening move for the Germans was to snuff the Brigade with gasses. On one occasion they even used cyanide gas. The Allies as a whole, Britain, France, America and Australia, would begin the 100 days offensive on the Hindenburg Line on the 8th August 1918. A 56 hour bombardment involving 1,637 guns preluded the attack and the Allies would breach the Hindenburg Line on the 29th September. Lead by Australian troops, the Allies would push through to Bellicourt, supported by Artillery, tanks and aircraft. Due to the scale of the battle, the infantry didn’t require a lot of artillery and as such the 103rd Battery wouldn’t play a very big part in the battle. The war ended the following month, just a few weeks after the victory of breaching the Hindenburg line. After the armistice was signed the 103rd Battery would move to Dinant, Belgium, where they would prepare for all their guns and equipment to be handed back over to the Army Ordnance Department of the British Army. They wouldn’t leave until the 24th February 1919 and by this stage there were so few of them left they would be attached to the 101st Battery for the journey home. They would soon face the process of demobilisation. Whilst the honour roll may not reflect a number of deaths large enough to constitute a Battery being demobilised, one must appreciate the horrid conditions experienced throughout the
24 war in its entirety. Freezing cold winter months, disease, the threat of injury. The Battery lost most members through constant repatriation and although the war in Europe was over, there was one more battle to face for those who had been repatriated. Dealing with the Repatriation Department.
25 J.J.H. Goodwin According to the Westralian Worker - a Western Australian newspaper operating out of Perth from 1900-1951 - an ex-Driver of the 103rd Howtizer Battery J.J.H. Goodwin gained a brief moment in the spotlight for fighting against the Repatriation Department’s decision to refuse his application for benefits. Driver Goodwin was invalidated to Australia in December of 1917 following horrific injuries that sent his medical class to C3 – totally disabled. He received his discharge and was promised a full pension in February the following year. The Repatriation Act no 6. Stated that he would be entitled to a special pension of £4 per week and he of course had made a formal application to begin receiving these benefits. Four months after his application, however the Department had still been suspiciously absent in adhering to their promises. Goodwin would then write to the Federal Labor Member, Mr. McGrath, to push the Department into action. Shortly after, however, he would be told that his application was denied. Mr. Goodwin immediately appealed the decision after seeing a medical board on October 18th 1921. The board told him that he would be receiving the correct amount as soon as October the 20th – which is now 16 months after the date he should have received it. Goodwin argued that, because of his C3, he should be entitled to the pension over the entire period in which the Act covered it – and claimed for arrears of payment which totalled £129. Once again, the Repatriation Department turned him down, despite the fact they were clearly in the wrong with their lack of action and commitment. He sought the aid of the RSSILA in order to bring his claim before the Minister, where it would be refused – but this time by the political head. His next step would be to invoke the powers and help of the law and he would appear as a man demanding his full rights – instead of a soldier begging for a favour. Inside a week after appearing
26 before the courts the Department wrote a cheque for the full amount of arrears and handed it off to Goodwin’s solicitor and this would be the only prompt act by the Department in the whole duration of this year and a half long campaign. The article finishes with the writer expressing their disbelief that someone like Goodwin, a man completely disabled by his service in the Great War, with a case that was so obviously just, was stopped at every step of the way and only received his benefits after fighting for it. The writer also expresses their concern for the rest of the Australian Men who have been robbed or defrauded by the “Torryrun and Tory-ridden” Repatration Department because they didn’t show the same level of commitment as Goodwin. They then conclude the article urging for action against the Department and that Goodwin’s case is all the evidence the public needed to demand a complete overhaul of the department.
27 Chapter 2: The Inter War Years After the Great War, the battery had disbanded but the 103rd Battery would make a comeback throughout the interwar years. It would be re-raised on the 31st March 1921 in Western Australia as a Citizen Militia Force unit. To make up the numbers for a new battery the Militia would post members from the 8th, 38th and 39th Batteries. Despite popular belief, the Battery was not raised in Sydney, NSW in 1919. The Army as a whole during this time called for a reorganisation. The new system would adopt a divisional structure, where individual units would be re-designated and segregated into new areas in 1921. Military Order 95, adopted in 1921, saw that the 103rd would be raised with the 3rd Field Brigade. To assist with the raising of the battery in terms of manpower, members from the 8th, 38th and 39th batteries would be drawn in to make up the numbers. Finding a new home in Guildford, Western Australia the Battery was back in full swing. For clarification, this Battery was not resurrected. This chapter explains the exploits of the entirely new CMF sub unit that bore the name 103 Howitzer Battery. Similarly, the post war 3rd Field Brigade was not the same Brigade that fought in the war. These were CMF units and sub units. This is about those who shared our name. Following the war, many members of the public still felt the swelling prides of nationalism and patriotism. As such, support for the Army was still very strong – despite the horrible “shell shock” most returned members experienced. The duty Australia performed in the Great War was seen as remarkable and for the most part many members of the public took pride in knowing that the Anzacs sacrificed so much for the young country Australia was. In light of the public attitudes towards the military, it made for a very welcoming community that made their towns open and
28 hospitable to the soldiers – and by extension the gunners of the 103rd Battery
29 The Battery’s New Home The 103rd Battery quickly made strong local-ties with the community and was often reported about in newspapers such as The West Australian, The Westralian Worker and Western Mail. Onlookers would often gather to witness various training exercises with the 18 Pounder Howitzers, which would be received with enthusiasm and genuine interest. Full details of the tactics in practice, types of ammunition used and even the identities of visiting dignitaries would be reported about in excruciating detail – something you would only find in official Army newspapers today. It seems that local readers were not only interested in that kind of material but so much so that they would explore the absolute minutia of details as to paint a picture – in issue after issue.
30 The training the 103rd Battery received during this time was varied and innovative. Standard gun drill practice was a staple, however learning to ride horses and the organisation of coastal defence made their way into the training programs. According to the West Australian on the 28th Oct 1937, the Battery experimented with various methods of communication – both radio telephone and field telephone to ensure uninterrupted flow of adjustments sent from the OP. Two members of the weather bureau also provided accurate information on occasions as well, reporting on wind speed and direction to increase the effectiveness of fire. The Battery also experimented with link firing – a method where one gun is used to range find, and once the range is established, would then extend the mission to the rest of the battery for the fire for effect. This method is still used today.
31 In light of the popularity of the Battery, their social lives were often written about. Members had been reported winning multiple trophies on every sports field imaginable, organising community events such as debutante balls and having the unique opportunity of attending quarterly reunions. The reunions themselves were for ex-103rd Battery members who fought in the Great War, to give them acknowledgement and a place to be amongst friends. The invitations for the quarterly reunions in the town hall however were extended to any ex serving personnel and the like. The events would attract visits from veterans and dignitaries – including Sir Joseph Hobbs, the leader of the 1st Divisional Artillery during the Great War. The Battery were reputed to draw large crowds to these events. Similarly, one article from The West Australian 22nd May 1934, describes the organisation of a debutante ball. Members of the 103rd Battery’s Sergeants Mess assisted the committee in the process of making preparations of the ball without charge. The article goes on to say that over 60 debutantes – a record for the state – wished to be a part of this specific ball and all of their partners were to be military men. Of the 60 girls, 8 would be nominated by the Lady Mayoress of Perth, a clear display of her interest in the community, the military and by extension the Battery. The committee, of which the 103rd Battery were invested in, organised an honour guard for the girl’s arrivals – complete with a bugle call as they walk a literal red carpet. It was this kind of engagement that made the Battery very well liked within the community. Across the seas in Europe, however, whilst the celebrations and enjoyments of this beautifully organised debutante ball went on in Australia, Nazi Germany would be in full swing. Founded on the 30th January 1933, Germany would be clawing its way out of The Great Depression on the foundations of the Nazi Party. The hatreds sown in the hearts of many during the Great War would come to a head and in September of 1939 the Germans would invade Poland, starting World War II.
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