Sir John Monash, Personal Files Book 14, 10 February - 30 March 1917, Part 9
THIRD AUSTRALIAN DIVISION
Divisional Headquarters,
28/2/17.
Headquarters,
2nd A. & N.Z. Army Corps.
I beg to furnish the following report upon a raiding
operation carried out by a composite Battalion drawn from the 10th
Australian Infantry Brigade, with the co-operation of the Third
divisional Artillery and a Brigade of the N.Z Artillery the 9th Brigade Machine Gun Company, and the
Stokes Mortar Batteries of this Division; also of "L" Company
Special Brigade, and of a subordinate small raiding team drawn
from the 11th Australian Infantry Brigade.
A detailed report of the Infantry portion of the action
by Lieut-Colonel DAVIS, the Commander of the Raid, is furnished
in extreme, as same contains as detailed and succint narrative of the
action of each of the four companies into which the assaulting
force was divided. - I have nothing to add to this portion of the
report. beyond saying that I consider that the raiding Force was
capably trained, organised, and led, and the credit is due to the
Commander and his subordinate officers. This is particularly so
in the case of "D" Company under Captain SYMONS. V.C. which met
frontal opposition, and succeeded in penetrating into the enemy's
position only after a stiff and determined fight.
The results of the operation may be briefly summed up
as follows. - A section of the enemy defences in Square C.23 and
C.29 for a length measured along his front trench of upwards of
800 yards, and for a depth extending to, and inclusive of, his
third line was completely demolished, together with the whole of
the defensive organisations met with, comprising a number of
Mortar and Machine Gun emplacements, stores, dugouts, and Headquarters. The whole garrison of this section was either killed
or captured, and a large quantity of material, some of which
was of special interest and importance, was brought back to our
lines. The total enemy losses in dead and prisoners which were
actually counted, amount to 106, but this makes no allowance for
numbers of the enemy who were undoubtedly blown to pieces and
buried during the preliminary bombardments, now of these who were
-2- 28/2/17
undoubtedly caught by our longer range fire in the rear and on the
flanks, nor of these who suffered from our artillery action in the
southern and northern diversions in other parts of the enemy line.
A most conservative estimate of the total casualties inflicted on
the enemy must exceed 200.
Valuable assistance was rendered to the operation by "L"
Company Special Brigade, who released smoke clouds at
various times and in various portions of the line. The enemy's
gas alarm was clearly heard, and numbers of those found dead in
his trenches were wearing their gas masks. The action of the
Artillery was all that could be desired; Their fire discipline and
accuracy being beyond praise. The preliminary wire-cutting had
been effectually and satisfactorily done.
Signalling Communications worked extremely well, and transmission
of information, even from the interior of the enemy's
defences, was promptly effected.
The identification obtained as the result of the raid was
normal.
Considering the extent of the operation, and the intend ty
of the enemy artillery retaliation during same, our casualties which
amounted to 14 killed, 18 so far unaccounted for, and 104 wounded
(mostly lightly).
I consider that the operation has been most beneficial to
the morale of this Division, as all ranks are now satisfied that
with proper artillery co-operation they are able to enter and
occupy the enemy's lines at any place and at any time.
J Monash
Major-General
Commanding Third Australian Division.
COPY -To accompany letter No. G 6/1 dated 28/2/17, addressed
to 2nd A. & N.Z. Army Corps.
------------------
To:- 10th AUSTRALIAN INFANTRY BRIGADE.
I forward herewith report of the raiding
operation which was carried out at 12.30 a.m. today by this
Battalion.
The Battalion marched to the locality of
No. 2 Hutments, ERQUINGHEM - STEENWERCK Road and were loaded
into Mechanical Transport Waggons, and proceeded through
ARMENTIERES to HOUPLINES as directed by your Order No. 20
I proceeded the waggons in a car with Captain LACY of the
M.M.T Company an at the HOUPLINES crossing I stopped the
car and listened for the motor waggons. I heard them coming while
they were a considerable distance away and they made such a noise
that I took the responsibility of departing from Para. 3 of
your Order No. 20 and directed all waggons to unload at the
Railway crossing. They made such a noise that if they had proceeded
to the TISSAGE and round by LITTLE MARY DUMP it would
have been heard miles away in the wind that was blowing.
All raiding companies however proceeded to their respective
stations in the Subsidiary Line, waiting the close of preliminary
bombardment. At ZERO MINUS 2 HOURS 50 MINUTES Our preliminary
bombardment opened; at ZERO MINUS 2 HOURS 47 MINUTES enemy
retaliated, and his retaliation did not cease till about ZERO
MINUS 2 HOURS 10 MINUTES. Raiding Companies then proceeded to
their respective stations in the front line. The communication
trenches by which they moved had been much damaged by the enemy's
retaliation and to some considerable extent retarded their progress.
They were however all formed up and ready to jump of
from their positions in our front line and adjacent communications
at ZERO MINUS 30 MINUTES.
Leading Platoons of each Company moved out into
NO MAN"S LAND followed by No. 2 Platoons of A, B, and C Coys. and
Nos. 2 and 3 Platoons of D Company and formed up opposite their
objectives without loss and apparently unobserved by enemy.
At ZERO HOUR our barrage opened, and all companies advanced to
attack.
RIGHT ("A") ASSAULTING COMPANY.
While this Company was for a while held up in
SPAIN AVENUE owing to damage caused to the Avenue by enemy's shell
fire a bomb carried by Pte. Kettle S.P. exploded accidentally
killing 2 men and wounding 1.
Pte Bolton J. while moving up this Avenue
slipped and fell, thereby fracturing his leg.
The enemy's wire was well out and no mats were
required to bridge same.
Immediately barrage lifted the first line
parties entered enemy's trench. The Southern Blocking Party moved
past PONT BALLOT to within 40 yards of our barrage. The other
parties followed quickly after them. No dugouts that had not been
previously destroyed were seen in this part of the line. Four
were seen to have been destroyed, one just on PONT BALLOT which
had telephone wires leading to it, and 2 steel doors, apparently
an Artillery O.P. A destroyed trench mortar emplacement was
found 50 or 60 yards South of the point of entry. The Northern
Blocking and Storming Party gained touch with "B" Company. In
this part of 1st line one dugout was found with 3 men in it. 2 of
whom were made prisoners and the 3rd shot as he would not surrender;
the dugout was also demolished. This line of enemy's
trench was almost completely destroyed by our Artillery fire, as
was also the communication trench leading to 2nd line in which
nothing was found.
-2-
The 2nd Platoon followed immediately behind the
1st Platoon and reached 2nd line almost as soon as barrage
lifted therefrom. This line they found almost obliterated,
the trench being hardly observable except for pieces of broken
revetments.
There was no sign of dugouts or of the enemy
in this line but a prisoner was taken in a shell hole near it.
The 3rd Platoon also reached the 3rd line when
the barrage lifted therefrom and found this line in the
same state as the 3rd line, 10 dead Germans were observed and
it may be assumed that many were buried in the debris.
All parties began to withdraw at 1-10 a.m. and
at 1.40 a.m. the evacuation of enemy's line was complete.
During retirement 7 or 6 Germans appeared in
NO MAN'S LAND on the South but were dispersed by a Lewis Gun with,
it is believed, several casualties.
The casualties suffered by this Company were 38,
all except 4 being caused by shell fire, viz. -
Officers O.R.
KILLED - 3.
MISSING - 3.
WOUNDED 1 31
____ _____
TOTAL 1 37
____ _____
RIGHT CENTRE ("B") ASSAULTING COMPANY
The leading Platoon also found the wire well
out and entered the 1st line almost immediately after the barrage
lifted viz.- At ZERO PLUS 50 MINUTES. Very little opposition was
encountered. * Germans, 5 dead and 3 wounded, were found in a
dugout, the wounded were made prisoners. They had bandages on
and appeared to have been wounded by the preliminary bombardment
At ZERO 2 HOURS 50 MINUTES
The dugout was demolished and communication was
established with both flanking Companies.
The bodies of 8 other dead Germans, which were
cold, were found in this line. These were probably killed by
first bombardment. No other dugouts were found here, but this
line was in a fairly good condition, being well revetted and with
good parades.
The 2nd Platoon follows immediately after the
first and entered 2nd line at about ZERO PLUS 10 MINUTES. These
trenches were badly knocked about. There were no decent dugouts,
only a few 1 man bivouacs which were destroyed by bombs. 2
Minenwerfer emplacements were found, together with 14 shells
(approx. length 3 feet 9 inches) and a number of smaller shells
(approx. 4 inches by 2 inches in diameter.)
Both emplacements and shells were blown up by
demolition charges. One German found here was taken prisoner
and from 1 to 15 German corpses were also seen in this line.
The 3rd line was entered at about ZERO PLUS 15
MINUTES. It was found to be very badly demolished by our shell
fire, being hardly recognisable as a trench. Numerous portions
of dead bodies were seen here but no dugout located. 3 Germans
were encountered here, 2 of whom were bayonetted and one taken
prisoner. While in this line the 3rd Platoon came under fire
of machine guns and rifle grenades from somewhere in rear of
trench. A Very light disclosed the presence of aparty of about
10 of the enemy in ground about 90 yards in rear of 3rd line.
These were fired on by Lewis Gun and dispersed.
This company began to withdraw at 1.10 a.m. and at
1.25 a.m. the last party had left enemy's lines and all were over
our parapet at 1.40 a.m.
When first line was entered by let party a number
of the enemy were observed running around towards second line.
3-
The casualties suffered by this Company, which
were as far as is known, all caused by shell fire, were as
follows, -
Officers O.R.
* KILLED - 5
MISSING - 5
WOUNDED 3 26
______ _______
TOTAL 3 37
______ _______
LEFT CENTRE ("C") COMPANY.
The 1st Platoon of this Company entered 1st line
without aid of mats through excellent gaps made by our artillery
and with little resistance from enemy, at ZERO PLUS 6½ MINUTES.
This line was badly knocked about by our artillery. It contained
5 dugouts, 2 of which had been destroyed by our artillery,
the other 3 destroyed by demolition party. In 1 dugout 8
Germans were found in this line and were made prisoners, 7
others were destroyed by our men and 12 were found dead,
apparently killed by our artillery. The dugouts were of concrete
with sealed doors. In one, which was evidently a dressing
station was found a very heavy Medical Chest from which samples
of contents were taken; another contained a quantity of tinned
food and black bread. A small grenade and ammunition dump was demolished.
A machine gun which had fired a few rounds when
the 1st platoon had entered the trenches was found in a concrete
emplacement at about 25 yards north of the point of entry.
It was brought in and the emplacement was demolished a search-light
was also found and brought in. Along this line was a
wire with bells attached at every bay, apparently used as an
alarm wire, this was/destroyed. A trench mortar (pineapple)
was found in this line and brought to NO MAN'S LAND and dropped
there.
The 2nd Platoon entered 2nd line at about
ZERO PLUS 10 MINUTES. On entering this line a number of enemy,
estimated at 25 yards, was seen running away towards 3rd line. 6
were shot and a Lewis Gun brought further fire to bear on them
with unknown results. A German red-cross orderly was made
prisoner here. This line had been so badly battered by our
artillery as to be almost unrecognisable.
A few field dressing kits were discovered here
in a small wooden dugout which was demolished.
The 3rd Platoon entered 3rd line at about ZERO
PLUS 18 MINUTES. 2 dead Germans were discovered in a dugout
that had been destroyed by our artillery. This line had also
been very much battered by our Artillery. 4 dugouts, one evidently
used as a timber dump, were demolished. A number of telephone
lines were out in this sector, also wires apparently used for
searchlights. A circular construction of steel,¼", embedded in
concrete about 6 feet in diameter in which was found a M.G
ammunition belt was also demolished.
This company started to leave enemy's trenches
at zero plus 50 minutes and all were over our parapet at zero
plus 70 minutes. The casualties in this company, in which all
but one, was caused by M.G. bullet, were caused by shell fire
were as follows.
Officers. O.R.
KILLED - 4
MISSING - 1
WOUNDED - 13
_______ _______
TOTAL - 18
_______ ________
-4-
At ZERO PLUS 2 MINUTES the leading platoon was through the
enemy's front line. The enemy at this time covered the gap in
his wire, which was small, but sufficiently made, with a very
heavy M.G. and artillery fire.
One machine gun fired on it from the direction of the
CENSOR'S NOSE SALIENT, and the other apparently from the 3rd
line in front.
The wire and bridging party were practically decimated.
The O.C. No 1. assaulting platoon then withdrew and moved to
the north, again endeavouring to effect and entry.
The O.C. "D" Company also came up and endeavoured to
get through but was wounded in the head.
The O.C. No 1 assaulting platoon at about ZERO PLUS 15
MINUTES at least effected an entrance, and was followed in various
places by one officer and 15 other ranks, but the remainder of
this company was prevented by the heavy enemy fire from entering
and subsequently withdrew to our parapet.
O.C. No.1 Assaulting Platoon with others who had
entered moved along front line to the south until he linked up
with "C" Company.
On his way he demolished a heavy water pump.
3 small wooden dugouts, and a steel and concrete emplacement with
a painted iron rod protruding therefrom; 5 dead Germans were seen
half buried amongst the debris in trench, which was considerably
damaged by our artillery fire.
On completion of this work O.C. No. 1 assaulting
platoon and party returned to our trenches.
The determined attempts at entry made by this
company under circumstances as stated were very commendable and
reflect credit on all concerned.
The casualties sustained by this Company were as
follows.
Officers O.R.
KILLED - 1
MISSING - 9
WOUNDED 1 (slightly) 29
_________ ________
TOTAL 1 39
__________ _______
OUR ARTILLERY The work of our artillery is praised by all ranks,
who give grateful accord to the valuable assistance
they received from this source. The punishment
it inflicted on enemy's trenches was very severe
and undoubtedly caused him to practically evacuate
the portion of his line attacked.
ENEMY ARTILLERY The enemy's retaliation which opened at ZERO
PLUS 2 MINUTES was fairly strong,but was not concentrated.
He shelled our subsidiary line lightly
but heavily shelled our front line, support line,
and communication trenches, damaging them considerably.
He also barraged his own wire and front line
(more thickly on the flank of attack than in the
cantre) and NO MAN'S LAND. He further threw shells
into area between his front and second lines which
caused some casualties to our troops.
ENEMY'S LIGHTS At ZERO PLUS 1 MINUTE enemy sent up first red
light, and lights of this description were afterwards
continuously sent up along his whole front line during
the operation. Several rockets breaking into three xx
green lights were also seen to go up from behind
enemy's 3rd line, but except for heavy bombardment
of his own wire on the left of our attack, no
appreciable result was noticed in any other portion
of his line. White lights were fired by enemy
continuously during the operation.
-5-
ENEMY WIRE Enemy wire was much knocked about by our
artillery fire. In front on his first line parapet
he has a trench or borrow ditch all filled with
wire. On "A" Assaulting Company's sector there was
no wire between his 1st and 2nd, and 2nd and 3rd lines.
On "B" Assaulting Company's sector there was wire
between 2nd and 3rd lines which was considerably
damaged and was able to be crossed in places.
ENEMY TRENCHES All enemy's trenches appeared to have been well duckboarded and revetted with hurdles of wood and
brushwood, but were damaged so much by our artillery
as to almost defaced.
STRETCHER BEARERS The work done by the stretcher-bearers was
excellent, and their devotion to duty cannot be too
highly commended.
GUIDING LINES The white tape lines used as guiding lines
between our own and the enemy wire were of the utmost value
in enabling members of all companies to both obtain
their objectives and reach our own line on the conclusion
of the operation most expeditiously and their
usefulness cannot be to highly commended. All future
operationsof this nature would be greatly helped by
the use of such tapes.
(sd) C.H.DAVIS.
Lieut-Colonel
Commanding "D" Battalion.
G.B
THIRD AUSTRALIAN DIVISION. CONFIDENTIAL
Divisional Headquarters,
1st, March, 1917.
G.O.C. 9th. Aust. Inf. Bde.
" 10th. do.
" 11th. do
The principles and object of the employment by me of a
Liaison Officer from Divisional Staff to be present at a Brigade
Headquarters during operations do not appear to be fully understood
in all cases. - The following notes are directed to securing more
satisfactory working in the future, particularly when more extensive
operations come to be undertaken.
The Liaison Officer sent forward by me is primarily to
be regarded as my personal representative, to carry out any instruction
with which he may have been charged beforehand, or which may
be passed to him during the operations. - Apart from this he is
intended to set as a personal link between myself and the Brigadier.
To enable him to do this he must, throughout, be in personal touch
with the Brigadier, and in his confidence at least to the same extent
as the Brigadier's own staff, and he must also be accessible to me by
telephone. - In this way he is always available to be questioned by
me as to the course of events, without my having to call the Brigadier
personally to the telephone; and, similarly, he can be employed by
the Brigadier to transmit information to me, whenever the Brigadier
or his Staff is too busy to do so. - He should be allowed access to
all information both inwards and outwards, and particularly, to all orders issued by the Brigadier during the operation. -He may have
to be recalled by me, at any moment, or sent to a neighbouring unit
of this or another Division, and he should therefore be in a position
to leave at a moment's notice with the fullest and latest information
as to the situation and as to the Brigadier's intentions. Similarly,
being possessed of the knowledge of my plane and intentions with
regard to other Units he may often be in a position to give valuable
information and assistance to the Brigadier. - It must, however, be
clearly understood that while the Liaison Officer must, in order to
discharge his functions properly, be in the Brigadier's confidence,
he cannot relieve the Brigadier of any responsibility. He is, for
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