15th May 1940
We got off the train in Sydney this afternoon and went straight to the recruiting office in George Street.
The uniformed bloke behind the counter says “What can I do for you boys?”
We told him we wanted to join the new battalion.
“Where are you blokes from then?”
“Up Casino way in the northern rivers.”
“The 2/13th?” He said, “News travels fast up there in the country eh?”
Davo kept quiet about his Uncle giving us the heads up on the new battalion being raised.
The recruiting sergeant said we’d be some of the first ones in.
He checked our letters from our parents because we’re under 21. We all had them because we knew that was coming.
We signed up on the spot and were told to report to Victoria Barracks the next morning for physicals.
We’re all gung ho and eager. He can see that. “Do you even know where you’re staying tonight?”
“Yeah we’ve got a place our brothers stayed in when they joined up.”
“Alright boys off you go. Report to Victoria barracks at 8am tomorrow eh?”
We walked to the hostel and told the lady our brothers had been there. She remembered them. “Nice boys, not rowdy. I hope you’re the same?”
“Yes Mrs Bugner” I said.
Mrs Bugner showed us to 3 single rooms and the small lounge area for houseguests.
“You can have breakfast for a shilling but you have to tell me the night before. Dinner is 2 shillings but I need to know before lunch so I can shop” She told us.
“Thanks Mrs Bugner, we’ll have breakfast thanks” we all agreed.
16th May 1940
Did our physicals and we all passed of course.
We have to report for duty next Monday morning at Victoria Barracks and we’ll be shipped out to Ingleburn Army training camp. So we’ve got tomorrow and the weekend to ourselves.
I called Dad from the post office to let him know we were accepted and we’re going to Ingleburn camp where Tommo was. I kept it brief because the calls are expensive and Dad gets flustered on the phone. He’s still not used to answering it, only having had it for a few months.
I hung up and thought about home. I guess I missed the family, and it was emotional at my send off. The whole family was there with all the Aunts and Uncles. Vicki and Mum were crying of course. But I’m so excited to join the army and see the world, to see different countries. I’ve always had a fascination with other countries and maps and geography. I loved Biggles books when I was younger and read all I could get my hands on. Biggles Flies East, Biggles flies West, South, North, Biggles goes to War, Biggles and Co. They were exotic and adventurous and he was always flying to different parts of the world and I wanted to do that too. Now was my chance.
Davo Parkins and Richie McDermott got word that there was a new division being formed up in Liverpool because Davo’s uncle works in the Sydney office of the Ministry of War and he heard about it 3 weeks ago. I’m not 20 till July, but Dad convinced Mum to relax the rule about not joining till we’re 20 when he heard I could get into this new division. So 10 days later here we are, in the big smoke and we just got accepted. So I’ve started my diary like Dad wants, the family tradition of keeping a diary when we’re in the army. And I’ve got a tenner in my pocket he gave me too so I can explore Sydney with some dough in my pocket.
19th May 1940
We spent the weekend seeing Bondi beach where we had a swim, and the harbour and the Rocks. I shouted the boys lunch at a fish and chip shop with some of the money from Dad.
We went for a walk through Kings Cross but didn’t go in because we’re not 21. I think they’d have let us in, but we didn’t want to risk getting caught and not getting into the army.
Mostly we played cards at Mrs Bugners and listened to Richie’s radio and she baked us pikelets and scones and we hoed into them with fresh cream and jam. She’s a lovely old duck.
20th May 1940
Reported to Victoria Barracks, hung around waiting.
We were loaded on buses and taken out to Ingleburn camp. We got talking to a few of the blokes seated near us.
Brett Middleton is a mechanic from Western Sydney, they call him Alfie after his grandfather. He says he loves footy, and seems like a nice bloke.
Geoff Anstee is English, “Call me ‘Fingers’” he says.
“Why Fingers?” Davo asks him.
“Just Fingers, that’s all mate” and his tone and demeanour said don’t ask anymore. His parents came out here when he was little. He’s unshaven and looks a bit rough, says he’s a cook.
Horace Portman or Horrie, is from a beach suburb called Maroubra, he’s a labourer and bored with his job doing the same stuff every day.
They took us off for haircuts and gave us uniforms and sports gear.
“Hang your clothes near your bed, get your sports clothes on and be back here in 10 minutes” he says.
We get back out and there’s the tough bloke in his running gear too.
“Right you lot, line up here” and he points “15 to a line. Then start the next line 5 paces back from there. Go.”
We got into lines as best as we could while he watched us. We eventually settled and looked at him expectantly.
“Right you pitiful excuse for men. I am going to toughen you up, run you ragged and try, I say try, to turn you into soldiers worthy of that proud uniform you just got. My name is Sergeant Harris and you will address me as Sergeant do you understand that?
“Yes” a few of us said.
“I said do you understand that?”
“Yes” we replied.
“I can’t fucken hear you shitheads, louder.”
“Yes Sergeant” we almost yelled.
“Hmm better, we’ll work on that. When I say turn right you will turn right and follow me around the field keeping to the lines you are in is that understood?”
“Yes sergeant” we all yelled.
“Good, turn right and follow me.”
And off we went. We did a lap around a very large circuit. It was bigger than a footy field. We stopped and a few blokes were puffing.
“Right you bunch of pansies I can see I’ve got some work to do. Drop and give me 10 push ups.”
Someone groaned at the back of the pack.
“No worries 20 pushups it is.”
We got to the ground and did them. There was a few blokes struggling.
“Ok 10 situps then on your feet for 10 star jumps. Go.”
We did them and there was more of us puffing.
“I can see I’ve got some work to do. I’ll make men out of you yet. Back in your lines and follow me.” And we went around the field again, in the opposite direction.
After that he let us go and the bloke with the clipboard came back. “Right you lot. So you’ve met Sergeant Harris you know what you’re in for. That’s just the start of it” and he grinned. We didn’t.
“I’m Corporal Walsh and I’m going to show you around. Follow me.”
He led us around and showed us the mess halls, the showers and ablution block, he pointed out the admin block where he works and the officers quarters and offices. “Each platoon will have its own mess. And it will be inspected every day at 11 am. The rifle range is over the back there but you won’t be seeing that for a while” and he grinned again.
“Right get yourselves cleaned up and into uniform back out onto parade in front of the huts by 1700.”
“What’s that mean corporal?” someone from the back asked.
“That means army time son. 24 hour clock. 5 pm. Get going now.”
He met us back out on parade and we came in dribs and drabs. He walked up and down the line correcting a collar here a button there.
“It’s your first day so I’m going to cut you some slack. But don’t be late again. Ever. Especially not with Sergeant Harris or you’re all in for it. Now follow me and we’ll get some tucker.”
And that was our first day in the army.
*********
5th March 1941
We had brekky at 0800 and after that we went to see the Sarge again about going in to Tobruk to find my older brother Tom and Richies brother Johnny.
“Yer fucken keen I’ll give you that Anderson. Yeah come on, I just heard we move out tomorrow so you’ve got one day. The Lieutenants going to let you go in so long as I come. Let’s go find a truck.
It took us a while to get hold of a truck but we eventually drove into town with Bob driving and us boys in the back with the cover flaps open to look out. There’s debris everywhere after the battle, burnt out trucks and mangled artillery pieces. We sure stuck it to the Eyties taking this town. We went through a few checkpoints and they waved us vaguely into town when we asked for the 2/1st battalion. We kept asking soldiers as we got into town and they waved us on.
Bob stopped and we heard him say “I’m looking for A company, 7 platoon, 1st section.”
“You found it” says some bloke. “What’s up mate?” I jumped out of the back of the truck first and saw Tommo right there.
“Oi Johnny get out here” he yelled and came towards me. I put my hand out and he shook it and picked me up in a bear hug “Peter how the hell are ya mate? Don’t you look all dandy in your nice neat khakis” he says to me.
“Davo, Richie” he says shaking their hands, “Welcome to Tobruk.” Johnny and Freddy walked out of the house. “RICHIE” shouts Johnny seeing his brother.
Tommo’s been promoted again to full corporal. It was bloody good to see him.
Freddy Ignoli took Davo aside and they sat talking quietly. I guessed Freddy was telling him how his brother died. I wanted to know too but it’ll come out later.
One of Tommos mad mates offered us red wine at 10 o’clock in the morning. I had some but it was bloody rough. We sat catching up on the news over a cuppa.
We agree that young Bill is crazy to follow his girl Nancy to Victoria and he must be really smitten. Then again she’s a good catch because not only is she a good sort, but she stands to inherit a bloody lot of land from the McLeans because they are big landholders and there’s only the two girls.
Sounds like Tommo took an MG nest on his own and that’s what he got his medal for. He made light of it but his best friend Mac said he took it on his own really.
They showed us around Tobruk town and the harbour and we saw all the sunken ships in the water. They showed us the prisoner cage and told us there was an Italian bloke from Sydney who got caught up in the war when his parents went home to Italy a few years back. Now he’s fighting on the wrong side the silly bugger.
The day went quickly before we had to go. As we hugged goodbye he whispered to me to control my fear and use it to focus on the job. Calm myself before battle. I hadn’t thought of that. Use the fear to focus on what you’ve got to do. I must remember.
Got back to find 2 blokes were injured by kicking Italian grenades around, because they were everywhere and the boys were kicking them at each other. And one bloke injured himself when he tried to fire a captured Iti rifle and it exploded. It turns out that we are moving in the morning, so it was lucky the Sarge got us into town today.
Tommo looked different today and I think I’ve worked it out. He looked older. It wasn’t just the stubble on his chin. He’s got wrinkles around his eyes. And I may have spotted a white hair near his temple but I didn’t want to say anything. He also had a faraway look in his eyes a few times when we were talking. I guess it’s the war. He’s been in a few battles already and they said they’d lost a few mates and seen lots of dead bodies. Maybe it’s the rough and ready way they live in the desert too. He looked harder and older.
*********
4th April 1941
Well we Stood To most of last night on guard against a German attack.
0500 Stand To again after not much sleep. We heard motor transport in huge numbers passing at the foot of the pass and got ready. Daylight showed it to be the last of our divisions coming back. We had to send our trucks off to help others and hope they get back here for us.
By 0700 we’d not had orders to withdraw because trucks were still going back up the pass. At 1100 the last convoy passed, going back up the pass. “Good luck 2/13th” they yelled out to us from the back of the trucks as they passed by. Some threw out ammo and some threw out smokes. Both of which we were grateful for.
Then it was eerily quiet for a while. Black smoke hung over Benghazi. Our stores were packed ready to go. The engineers were standing by to blow the road if the enemy threatened. Or when. It seemed inevitable they were coming our way.
Then at 1200 we heard the transport to move us is not available till 7pm tonight so we have to deny the enemy the use of the pass till at least then.
5th April 1941
Well that was our first battle and I came through it. We lost a few blokes though. I’ll write it up now as weary as I am. Richie and Bob were near me with the radio so I heard some of what was going on in other areas before we were into it ourselves.
I think I might have got a bit of sleep in our trench with Davo and Bruiser yesterday afternoon before it started,
After lunch we got given some Italian stuff they had picked up somewhere, mortars and some heavy weapons and signals equipment. HQ took it and got the engineers onto working out how to use it. It certainly beefed up our firepower. John Gardner was around from platoon HQ giving out grenades. “Seen any Nasties yet boys?”
“Not yet Gardner but I hope when we do they’re dead already” said Bruiser.
“Leave some for me eh boys” and he was off again.
At 15.30 D coy reported enemy moving along the Benina Er-Regima road. Our Anti-tank guns withdrew behind the anti-tank ditch. At 1540 the pass was blown but unfortunately it blew up some of the mines in the minefield, must have triggered them off. Also some of D company’s sangars fell down from the explosion. Our guns fired on transport below us to good effect, we saw some in flames and some blew up. We hoped they were full of infantry and that’s less to attack us. Then at the airfield they fanned out and there was 30 or 40 more troop carrying trucks.
At 1545 the enemy launched an attack with 3000 troops, 13 tanks and 4 armoured cars. We found out much later how many soldiers there were but we saw the tanks and armoured cars for ourselves.
Our arty fired when they were 400 yards from the foot of the escarpment.
The German armoured cars were guided around the minefield by a native into the far right wadi. We wished Roo had been around with his eagle eye to shoot the bastard.
The tanks came straight up the escarpment and cruised up and down the other side of the AT ditch engaging our troops and Arty. That was D Company copping it.
I reminded myself what Tommo told me, to calm myself and use my fear to focus. I took some deep breaths and closed my eyes. It did settle my nerves and I peered into the growing gloom.
1600 A coy in reserve got ready to reinforce D coy and 10 minutes later D coy reported infantry infiltrating on both flanks.
1630 1 platoon of A copy was ordered to take up position at the head of the wadi to prevent further infiltration and the rest of A Coy went forward to help D coy, some of whose forward elements were forced to withdraw. Four 18 pounders arrived to engage the tanks.
At 1715 our platoon was ordered to take up positions on the forward slopes of Fort Regima to cover the road. We got out of our trenches and moved forward slowly.
We went down the hill a bit till the Lieutenant told us to stop and dig in or build sangars. We were in the middle with 4 section left and 6 section right. We dug like madmen while the Lt was forward keeping an eye out. We dug and built sangars to give us some protection but bloody Bruiser is so big he can barely fit in.
The Lt came back and told us they were coming. We lay in our holes, rifles over the sangars waiting. My head was pounding I could hear the blood thumping in my ears and the sweat was dripping out of my helmet down my face and down my back. I took deep breaths to calm my nerves.
As the sun went down behind the Er Regima fort the field grey uniforms of the Germans crawled forward. We started to line them up and then Bob yelled “DOWN” and mortars rained down on us. Dirt and sand and rocks flew everywhere but none were too close to us. Bloody loud and scary though not knowing if one was going to drop right on you.
I think that’s when Splinter, Jo Wood, from 4 section copped it. He took a big chunk of shrapnel through his chest.
The shelling went on for 5 minutes and the Lt yelled out to stand fast. Well the dust cleared a bit and the German infantry was a lot closer. The Bren opened up and we all started firing. I lined up on one bloke and saw him go down. I saw others fall before they went to ground. Bob threw a grenade down the hill and we heard screaming after it went off so he must have got some. From then on it got hectic.
They charged twice and we held them off. I was trying to breathe slowly but that went out the window when they charged. At one stage Horrie Portman on the Bren in 4 section stood up and poured it into a group that was getting close and he cut them all down. He just got back down before a hail of bullets came his way.
Not long after that a few of their MG’s opened up on us and we hugged the ground, but we knew the infantry was going to be not far behind. The Lt called in Arty 100 yards in front of us and that stopped their advance for a while. We could hear tanks rumbling over near D company.
Davo and Bruiser and I were firing wildly to start with but then we picked our targets and made them count. “Fucken Nazis. Fucken Germans. Take that you bastards” Davo was saying every time he fired. I guess he was thinking of his brother Jimmy but I didn’t say anything.
While I was ducked down reloading I saw Richard Thompson in 6 section near us stand up to throw a grenade but as he did he was shot twice. Later we found out he died straight away.
About 1900 the Lieutenant told us to withdraw back to Fort Regima. That was easier said than done because they were close. 4 and 6 section pulled out while we covered them. Jacko on the Bren was blazing away and Alfie was reloading mags as fast as he could. Bob told us to throw our grenades and go, which we did then took off, he stayed back with the Bren to give us time to go.
We ran back through the gloom, hearing firing away to our left and 3 blokes appeared in front of us. They had square helmets so they had to be German. Davo shot one and without thinking I just kept charging at them. I was out of bullets and there was no time to put my bayonet on so I just ran at the bloke in front of me and jabbed at him with my rifle. I missed and carried on past him. I turned to go back but Davo shot him. Bruiser was pummelling the bloke under him.
“Thanks Davo I owe you one” was all I had time to say before we started running again.
We got back to the rest of the company lines where we started out 2 hours ago to find that Cpt Simpton & Lt Ross from A coy were surrounded and captured with some of their men.
We went back to our positions and Bob, Jacko and Alfie were not too far behind us.
“Jesus that was fucken close” I said.
“You’re not wrong there, that was hairy” said Davo re loading his magazines.
“Hairier than my whole family put together” says Bruiser, and his joke kind of eased the tension for me. We re-loaded and settled in again.
The Germans sent up flares at night that made weird shadows in the desert and when they went out we heard MG fire back and forth to our left.
Then the battalion withdrew to a position behind the anti-tank ditch east of Regima, and HQ was further back along the Regima-El Abriar road. We stayed back to cover their withdrawal again and Captain Kelty stayed with us to direct the defence. He’s the officer everyone seems to like and he was certainly very quick and decisive with what he needed us to do. It gave us a lot of confidence because it had been a fucken long 24 hours.
At 2015 we withdrew across country to behind the AT ditch and relieved the forward troops there, and they went further back.
At 2100 we were told to withdraw back through the other companies that were in extended line and took up a position behind them. We got a quick breather and a smoke.
Anti-tank platoons and units of the Northumberland Fusiliers arrived at 2200, but without 25 pounders and they reckon their MG’s are useless in the dark without a daylight recce and fixed lines. Then one Coy of theirs was sent back 5000 yards in case the enemy overruns the withdrawal.
“Jesus they only just fucken got here and they’re pulling back” says Mark B, “They’re not much fucken help.”
“Not without the bloody anti-tank guns they’re not” Fingers adds.
At 2215 our company held our positions and the others passed through. So we were back on the front line again covering the withdrawal.
Then about 30 minutes later we got the call on the radio that the trucks had arrived 1 mile from the Anti-tank ditch and we were to get back there quick smart and go. We got back without incident and by 2300 the convoy moved off and we withdrew through el Abriar and Barce.
I’m weary and bone tired but happy with how I came through. I kept my nerve and did my job, I reckon I killed a few Germans. And Tommo is right. When I got that adrenaline surge pumping through me, I could use it. My vision sharpened, my hearing did too. I took deep breaths and steadied my hands and cleared my brain. It worked. I must let him know that when I get a chance to write a letter.
If I hear anyone say this is a strategic withdrawal I’ll nut them, we’re fucking running away.
I nodded off in the back of the truck but it was stop start all the way. I guess there was a heap of trucks and other transport in front of us clogging up the road and we passed a few broken down trucks on the way so that might explain it.
At 0700 this morning our convoy stopped at the head of Barce pass. We got out of the trucks and dug in before we got some tucker.
We stayed there most of the day, half sections on watch, half resting. Then in the afternoon we moved back and took up positions 11 kms on the Barce side of Slonta where we’re making a stand. Digging in and preparing positions with C coy on the right, us on the left, A in the middle, and D in reserve.
*********
7th August 1941 – Cairo, In Hospital
Well I’m in hospital, have been since August 2nd, well the 4th actually by the time I got out of Tobruk, the day I got the letter from Mum saying that Toms personal effects had arrived home. Lucky the boys put my personal stuff in a haversack to come with me so I can keep my diary up to date.
That afternoon our lines were being shelled. We got down in our trenches and hugged the earth for about 10 minutes as we do. It was loud and dusty and two fell really close to our part of the trench so sand and dust flew over us and filled the air. It was bloody loud and my ears were ringing as usual when they’re close. But we didn’t take any direct hits so we were all okay.
But then they started up again when Alfie and Davo and I went back to get our dinner at Company HQ. We were nearly back to our post, maybe 100 yards away from being safe, and we heard the whistling. Shit I thought we’ve got incoming Arty rounds.
“Run” says Alfie and he and Davo started going faster, already ahead of me. They were both carrying the food pale and I had the tea.
I realised I wasn’t going to make it and it was going to fall close so I threw myself to the ground and dropped the tea but on the way down it went BOOM in front of me and I felt a bit of something hit my left arm. Dust and sand flew over me and swirled in the air. I stayed down for a few seconds but no more seemed to be coming. I looked at my arm and my shirt was ripped and torn away and there was a big gash. Blood was pouring out. Damn it I thought.
Before I could do anything Alfie and Davo arrived and dragged me back to the post.
It all happened quickly from there. They bandaged me up and got me back to an aid station. It was hurting like hell and they gave me something for it and the pain floated away. I have memories of being in Tobruk town, then being put on a ship, then I woke up here, in Hospital in Cairo 2 days ago.
The Doctor told me that shrapnel had cut a big hole in the fleshy part of my left arm and it went close to the bone. I asked if my parents had been notified and he said he didn’t know. He said he could send me a pastor who could write a letter for me.
The pastor came around not long after that and asked if I wanted to dictate a letter for him to send. I said I’d rather send a telegram so they knew I was ok a lot quicker. I said I could pay for it. So I gave him the address and sent that ‘I have been hit in the arm but am alright. Will write soon love Peter.’
I’ve been sitting up since yesterday, my arm in a sling. It still hurts to move.
Yesterday afternoon we had a famous visitor, Lady Blamey, the wife of Lt Gen Sir Thomas Blamey who’s in charge of all the Australia troops in the Middle East. She brought me some chocolate and smokes, and I saw her giving out toothpaste and soap as well to some of the other blokes in the ward. She asked me where I was from and said Casino was a nice part of the world. She seemed really nice to come and visit and hand out gifts. Especially choccy and smokes!
And then late this afternoon I met an angel. She came around to check on me. It’s like she drifted over rather than walked.
“Hi there Peter how are you?
“Ah um I’m good thanks. How did you know my name?”
“It’s on your chart” she smiled, “I’ve been looking after you. I’m sister Mary. Mary Gane.”
What an idiot I thought. What a stupid thing to say. She probably thinks I’m simple. “Well thanks sister Mary, thank you. I’m Peter Anderson.”
She smiled “Well now we’ve been formally introduced, let’s have a look at your arm then. Its time to change your bandages.”
“Where are you from Peter?” she asked as she bent to her work.
I told her I was from Paddys Flat in northern NSW near Casino and we had a farm and cattle and wheat. I think I blabbered on a bit but she didn’t seem to mind.
“There you are, all done” she smiled at me. “Can I get you anything?” she smiled. I wondered if she had got me talking while she did the bandage work to distract me.
She had such a beautiful smile. “No thanks” was all I could manage.
“Alright then I’ll see you on my rounds later and she turned to leave.
“Where are you from then?” was all I could think of to say to keep her there longer.
“Sydney” she threw over her shoulder as she moved to the other end of the ward.
I was smitten. I can admit that here. I thought she was the most beautiful girl I had ever seen. I can’t wait till she comes around again.