General Sir John Monash, Personal Files Book 18, 28 March - 20 April 1918, Part 9

10^th Brigade

Your _∧left flank Brigade will probably be
7^th commanded by Lt Col Martin after relief

of 13^th Brigade, probably tonight. —

N^o C.H.J. 133.
12.20PM
7/4/18

Conversations with Brigadiers
by 'phone .-
7/4/18

McNicoll		Cannan
1.	His health.	1.	Attack on 5th Div .— √
2.	Left flank 4th Div. nov 2nd	2.	4th Div . to take River.— √
3.	Attack on 4th Div . their losses	3.	General situation attack on us improbable) √ Fr. nearly ready
4.	General situation Fr. nearly ready	4.	Corps Organization.
5.	Corps Organization	5.	Lines of Withdrawal.
6.	Lines of Withdrawal	6.	Prospects of Relief
7.	Prospects of Relief	7.	9th Bde done well.—
8.	9th Bde done well	7^	His H.Q.—
9.	Administrative	8.	Administrative.—
	M. G. relief		Wuick or Jess - up
	Restore 15th M. G.

NINTH AUSTRALIAN INFANTRY BRIGADE.

Credit 36  [[?]]  [[cram?]]
[[CRA?]]
Queens
Affective nature of
[[single?]]

Brigade Headquarters.
7th April, 1918.

Headquarters
18th Division.

I have to report as follows upon operations involving
the employment of my Brigade on 4th and 5th instant.

At the commencement of the operations on the 4th instant
the Brigade was disposed in depth for the defence of VILLERS-BRETONNEUX
as follows: 35th Battalion holding from V.2.d.7.3 to P.28.d.5.4 with
three Companies in the line and one in reserve;  33rd Battalion in
immediate support of 35th Battalion; 34th and 36th Battalions in Brigade
Reserve in BOIS l'ABBE.   Brigade Headquarters was located at GENTELLES.
The line held had been taken over from 61st Division on the night 30/31st
March.   

Eight Vickers machine guns had been placed at the disposal of
the C.O. 35th Battalion who elected to place four in the line whilst
holding four in reserve in VILLERS-BRETONNEUX. The remaining eight
machine guns of the 9th Aust. Machine Gun Coy. were held in Brigade Reserve
in BOIS l'ABBE. The line was held by a series of posts unwired.
The only communication, either laterally or from front to rear, was by
runner;  and this was impossible by day owing to the activity of enemy
snipers and the fact that runners had no routes unobserved by hostile
snipers.   The Reserve Company had dug in a support line approximately
1,000 yards in rear of the front line.

Information received from the front in the late evening
of the 3rd instant disclosed much movement in the neighbourhood of
MARCELCAVE and WARFUSEE-ABANCOURT, and enemy artillery and been particularly active with all calibres up to 5.9 on VILLERS-BRETONNEUX, CACHY,
GENTELLES and BOIS l'ABBE.

At 5.30 a.m. on 4th instant the enemy commenced to bombard
our forward system heavily as well as VILLERS-BRETONNEUX, CACHY
and GENTELLES and other portions of the back area.

At 6.30 a.m. the enemy appeared through the mist to be
massing in numerous small parties each about the size of a Platoon on
the Western outskirts of WARFUSEE-ABANCOURT and at several other points
opposite our front line.  These were immediately dealt with by machine
guns, Lewis Guns and rifles with deadly effect, very heavy casualties
being inflicted upon the enemy who immediately retired slightly without
persisting in the attack.  This action was repeated three times at
short intervals.

At 7 a.m. the enemy advanced opposite our whole front.
Our S.O.S. signal was sent up and immediately responded to by an accurate
barrage which was right on the dense masses of advancing enemy, cutting
gaps in his formations.   In addition to artillery fire the enemy was
subjected to the maximum fire power of all units in the line, causing
him enormous losses.

When the enemy had advanced to a distance of 300 yards
from our front line the 8th Battalion Rifle Brigade on our left fell
back exposing our left flank.   The enemy taking advantage attacked
our left by moving along the evacuated trench. This compelled the
35th Battalion's left flank to fall back fighting to the support line
covered by our machine guns which later established themselves in the
support line.   At this stage one of our machine guns was rushed and
captured by the enemy, whilst one was destroyed by shell-fire.  The
Buffs on our right swung back their left flank in conformity with our
slight change of front.  The enemy was now held up and heavy casualties
inflicted on him.

Two Companies of the 33rd Battalion were pushed up behind
our left as this appeared to be the threatened flank and eight more
Vickers guns were ordered into the line, making a total of 10.   The
line was then firmly established from V.1.d.0.7 to [[V.1.b.9.6, ?]] thence
North to P.26.c.0.0, thence West to P.25.d.0.3 and North to P.25.b.0.1,
where touch was gained with the 1st Dragoon Guards, which had come up
on our left and stayed the enemy's advance North of the WARFUSEE-ABAN-
[*ABANCOURT - VILLERS-BRETONNEUX Road.*]

2.

At 10.15 a.m. the cavalry (1st Dragoon Guards, 3rd Cavalry Division)
came forward, dismounted, and took up a position on our left North of
the WARFUSEE-ABANCOURT - VILLERS-BRETONNEUX Road.   This filled the
gap caused by the retirement of the 8th Battalion Rifle Brigade.
The cavalry at once opened fire on the enemy with one Hotchkiss and
three Vickers guns, causing the enemy to fall back towards WARFUSEE-
ABANCOURT.

The 33rd Battalion was ordered at 10.27 a.m. to move forward
to establish a position East of the Aerodrome at P.25.d.80.25.
This advance was immediately carried out improving our line considerably.

At 11.10 a.m. the 34th Battalion was ordered to move from
BOIS l'ABBE to a position of readiness at 0.29.a. and b. North of 

VILLERS-BRETONNEUX;  whilst the 36th Battalion was ordered to move to 0.35.c.
and d. to the South.  Both of these Battalions were placed at the disposal
of C.O. 35th Battalion for counter-attack purposes.

By 3.30 p.m. our line was firmly established, the enemy
holding ground 300 yards to our front.  The rain during the day had
made the ground very muddy.  The clean Lewis Guns of the 6th London
Regiment were sent forward to our men.
At 3.50 p.m. the 36th Battalion, which had moved to U.5.b.,
noticed troops of the units on our right retiring in disorder through
our lines reporting that the enemy were advancing in thousands.
Attempts were made to rally them were unsuccessful.   The situation appeared
critical.   By 5 p.m. the enemy had advanced to the road in U.6.a. and
were firing at our artillery in U.5.a. and c.  C.O. 36th Battalion,
having then received orders, launched the whole of his Battalion, less
one Company in Battalion Reserve, into a counter-attack South of the
VILLERS-BRETONNEUX - MARCELCAVE railway line.at 5.15 p.m.   The Reserve
Company of 35th Battalion was just at this moment counter-attacking
just North of the railway line and thus protected the left flank of
the 36th Battalion.  A party of the "Queens" which was reforming in
U.5.d. decided to co-operate and assisted very materially.  A party
of the "Buffs" digging in in U.5.b. declined to co-operate.

The counter-attacking troops were greeted by heavy machine
gun fire from CHATEAU in U.6.a. and later from haystacks at about V.12.b.6.8. 
but managed to establish a line from V.1.b.3.6 to U.6.c.central.
The Reserve Company was then thrown in and succeeded in filling a gap
between two of the assaulting Companies.

Three Companies of the 6th London Regiment arrived at this
time.   Two were pushed forward to further strengthen the line between
the two assaulting Companies, whilst the third Company was moved forward
into line on the right flank.  Shortly after the line had been thus
reorganised considerable bodies of the enemy commenced to form up at
distances of from 500 to 700 yards in front of our line.   These parties
suffered very heavy casualties from our Lewis Guns and rifles.

During the advance four enemy machine guns were captured
and were utilized in consolidation.

At 6 p.m. the situation on the left flank became obscure
and at 6.20 p.m. the 34th Battalion was ordered to establish a line
getting into touch with 33rd Battalion on the right and cavalry on the
left.  This was carried out successfully by the 34th Battalion moving
across the Eastern outskirts of VILLERS-BRETONNEUX in a South-Easterly
direction in order to take up a line running from railway line at
V.1.b.2.8 to P.31.a.8.2.  The 33rd Battalion then held from P.31.a.8.2
to P.25.c.6.5, whilst the 36th Battalion together with the Queens and
6th London Regiment held from the railway line to the South as far as
U.6.c.central.   The cavalry were then holding the line North of 33rd
Battalion.   About this time the 17th Lancers arranged to advance to
restore our line on the left in conjunction with 33rd Battalion, this
action being carried our successfully.   At 6.40 p.m. a line running
from P.25.d.2.3 to the cross roads in P.31.c. had been established.

In the meantime three armoured cars had come forward along
the AMIENS Road as soon as it was seen that the town was endangered.
They patrolled the streets of VILLERS-BRETONNEUX and then moved to our
left flank, heavily engaging the enemy.  These cars did magnificent
work particularly in engaging enemy machine guns.

On surveying the situation at about 10 p.m. it was found
that our line lay in low ground in the vicinity of the railway line.
In order to gain a position giving a good field of fire it was decided

3.

it was decided to move forward during the night and re-establish
support line occupied by the 35th Battalion at
11 a.m. that day.
34th Battalion was therefore ordered to attack and capture the
railway bridge at V.1.b.6.7, whilst the other units of the Brigade
were to co-operate and advance their portions of the line accordingly.
In preparation for this attack the 35th and 36th Battalions
closed to the South and 34th Battalion occupied the line from
V.1.a.0.6 to P.31.c.8.6.   During the advance strong opposition wa
encountered along the Northern side of the railway, but our casualties
were not severe.  Our Lewis Guns, fired from the hip, had
considerable moral effect on the enemy.   From this time onward
the fighting died down and our troops proceeded with the work of
consolidation.

The enemy contented himself on the 5th instant with
desultory shelling of villages and back areas and was much more
inactive than usual.   There was no further infantry action worthy
of note during the 5th instant.    The Brigade was relieved on the
night 5th/6th instant by units of the 5th Aust. Infantry Brigade.

During the foregoing operations we captured 1 Officer
35 other ranks and 19 machine guns.

Our casualties were as follows:--

Unit.	KILLED.		WOUNDED.		MISSING.
	Off.	O/R.	Off.	O/R.	Off.	O/R.
33rd Battalion		7	3	75
34th Battalion		20	5	100
35th Battalion	3	47	6	191		44
36th Battalion	4	26	8	106		1
9th A.M.G.Coy.		1	1	13		4
TOTALS ..	7	101	23	495		49.

An incident worthy of note happened at about 6.30 p.m.
on the 4th instant.   A man dressed as a British Officer came to
the lines of the 36th Battalion in the vicinity of U.6.d.9.7 and
ordered the men to retire which they refused to do.   He was
wearing an Officer's tunic and a private's cap with the Queens
badge and the name "G.E. Martin" written inside. He carried a
pack containing some fancy-work instead of ordinary fighting order
which aroused suspicion.   He was closely questioned and asked to
produce his papers.   This he failed to do and in addition could
give no satisfactory explanation of his conduct and presence.  He
was shot.

Another incident which calls for mention is the
action of four of our machine guns which operated to the left
of our left flank.  These machine guns remained in position
although the covering infantry had withdrawn until cavalry came
up to them later on in the day.

All four Battalions and Machine Gun Company acted
splendidly.  The counter-attack of the 36th Battalion was a
particularly praiseworthy action being pushed home at an opportune
moment with the greatest rapidity and dash against an enemy who
was in great strength.   The stubborn resistance which the 35th
Battalion opposed to the enemy's initial onslaught in overwhelming
numbers is also worthy of the greatest praise.

I am anxious to place on record my appreciation of
the splendid work carried out by the cavalry (1st Dragoons and 17th
Lancers) in protecting my Northern flank by vigorous offensive action.
The timely co-operation of the Queens in the counter-attack of
36th Battalion was of the utmost assistance and was most helpful

P.T.O

at a very critical moment.   The 6^th London Rgt.
were particularly keen to stay the enemy advance & were
used to xxxx good effect.

GOC..
3 Aust Div

Report of 9^th Fld Aust will be
embodied as last page which will be
forwarded by D.R. with additional copies
for units

[[J W S Pain?]]
Major.
for GOC 9 A I Bde
7/4/18

HQ^rs 9^th Aus Inf Bde
April 7^th 1918.

My dear Sir John

I am very sorry that my report of our
recent operation and Casualty lists will not be
ready in time for the return journey today of your
D.R.   I will however send a Special leaving here
about 4 PM.   Report is now being typed and I think
you will find interesting.

All together we accounted for 5000 enemy, captured
1 officer and 35 other ranks and 18 machine guns
of which 5 (I think) are heavy the remainder light

Our Casualties total just on 700 —

In the event of a big engagement here I am ordered
to hold two battalions ready for Counter attack and also
be ready to take over part of the line after such an
engagement.   There is nothing else of interest to record.

Charles Rosenthal

Brg Gen
GOC 9 Aus Inf Bde

Copy

IV Corps No. 76/1/3 G.

4th Australian Brigade.
(Through 37th Divn).

The Corps Commander desires to thank all ranks
of the 4th Australian Brigade for their gallant behaviour in the defence
of HEBUTERNE against all attacks during the past 14 days.   Without
relief and without complaint they have held their positions and in
many cases have advanced and improved their line.

Heavy attacks on the Brigade on the 1st and 5th
April were repulseed with severe losses to the enemy.

Skilful enterprises carried out on the initiative
of local Commanders have resulted in the capture of several enemy
posts with a gain to us of 80 prisoners and 8 Machine Guns, besides
inflicting heavy losses on the enemy.

The Corps Commander considers this a very fine
performance which reflects great credit on all ranks of the Brigade.

H.Q., IV Corps.
7th April 1918.

(Sgd) R.G.PARKIN, Brig-General.
General Staff, IV Corps.

4^' Bde

8/4/18

Dear General

The enclosed

speaks for itself.

I have been

able to let two Bns

go out for a few days 

& have two British Bns

lent me.

This is our 15^th day

in the line.

Yours Sincerely

CH Brand

Aust. Corps

About 9 this morning enemy 30
strong attacked our post in J 24 b
and was driven off with loss without casualties
to us. —

Repeat 10^th
15^th
5^th Div
2^nd Div

————————
N^o C.H.J. 160.
11.55 am
————————
9/4/18