Charles E W Bean, Diaries, AWM38 3DRL 606/274/1 - 1918 - 1941 - Part 6

Material for Australian Press.
..................................................................
Gallant Action.
..................................
16th Battalion, War Diary.
..........................................................
August 23rd 1918.
........................................

[[?]] of Record
"The Battalion objectives was attained practically
without resistance, but in connecting with the
Battalions on the flanks particularly that on the
left, violent opposition was encountered, the
enemy fighting with machine guns and bombs.
The whole of this fighting dessolved upon
"D" Company which was commanded by Lieut. L.D.
McCarthy. This officer took one platoon of
about 10 men, and bombed COURT INETRENCH and FOCH
ALLEY - a communication trench leading into
COURT INETRENCH with the intention of connecting
up with the Lancashire Fusilers.
It soon became evident to this party that the
Lancashire Fusilers had not won all the ground alloted
to them. The enemy still had the trench strongly
garrisoned, and he indicated that he intended to put
up a fight. For about two hours the attack in this
quarter see-sawed between victory and defeat, a
particularly violent encounter raged at the junction
of FOCH ALLEY and COURTINETRENCH. Here the Boche
had a strongly occupied position supported by three
machine guns. When close enough to assault this
stronghold, Lieut. MeCarthy had only three men
including himself available; to carry on the fight.
Accompanied by a runner he rushed over the top and
sought shelter in a shell hole, from where he placed
the three hostile guns out of action in as many minutes.
The first enemy gun was only a few feet away, but its
gunner was shot dead with a revolver without beciming
aware of presence of Lieut. McCarthy.
The second gun was bombed into silence and
the crew of the third despatched by bombs and
revolver shots. By this time Lieut. McCarthy was
working alone, his runner having been wounded. He
continued to make progress along COURT INETRENCH
picking up German bombs as he went, and at S.7.a.7.3.
suddenly came on two German officers and a garrison.
One officer a Company Commander was shot dead and
the second, placed the second out of action seriously
wounded. Lieut. McCarthy then proceeded to bomb the rest
of the garrison, but directly they learned that their officers
had fallen they "KAMERADED".
The closing episode of this brilliant piece of
single handed fighting which owed its success to the
amazing audacity of Lieut. McCarthy was an amusing one.
The enemy closed in on Lieut. McCarthy from all
sides,wrenched from his hands the bombs with which he was
attacking them, and patted him on the back.
In 20 minutes Lieut. McCarthy had killed 20 Germans
taken 50 prisoners, and had captured a fair proportion of the
 

Gallant Action.......continued.
.................................................................
trench which was to have been wrested from the enemy
by the Lancashire Fusilers. But for his act it is
more than likely that the Brigade position would have
been seriously menaced if not rendered quite untenable.
The position was handed over to the Lancashire
Fusilers at about noon the same day.
.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0
 

Dear Bean.
I am forwarding to you herewith a report on
operations in connection with which you have not been able to
visit us.
There are many instances which would be of interest
to you which we have perforce been compelled to omit but, which
I am sure would give my General the greatest pleasure in
telling you about.
With kindest regards.
Yours sincerely,

[[?]]
8th September, 1918.

Mr. C.E.W. BEAN
Official War Correspondent
Australian Imperial Force.
 

HEADQUARTERS

NINTH INFANTRY BRIGADE

8 SEP. 1918

B.M. NO........33/259/1
Headquarters

3rd Australian Division

IW= C.E.W. Bean
Reference your G.401/1/58 of 2nd instant.
I have to report on operations for 26th to 31st
August 1918 as follows:
FIRST PHASE, 26th August  On the 26th August the Brigado was in
to 2. 0  25 a.m. 29th August. Divisional Reserve with Brigade H.Q. in
                                                         valley K.32.b.5.2. and Battalions as
follows (vicinity GRESSAIRE WOOD):-
33rd Battalion       K.22.
34th Battalion       K.17.
35th Battalion        K.23.
Units continued to rest and reorganize.
At 6.45 a.m. 27th August the Brigade was ordered
to be prepared to send forward one Battalion to take over the line
from 10th and 11th Aust. Inf. Bdes. that night; the line then ran
from approximately A.29. central, through VAUX, along the Western
bank of the River SOMME to G.23.b. Shortly afterwards confirming
orders were received. Later in the day, owing to the English
(174th Inf. Bds., 58th Division) on our left flank intending to
carry out an attack on the morning of. the,28th instant, the Brigade
was ordered to take over the line from the A.I between the East and West grid line

 running through C.4.central and the Enat and West grkd lino
running through A.22.d.0.0. 35th Battalion took over the front
line; 34th Battalion moved up to support on the line C.4.a.5.2.
(North of VAUK WOOD) to Copse K in A.27.c.3.6., whilst 33rd Bn.
moved to bivouac in C.2. and C.3. At 1.p.m. 27th August Brigade
H.Q. closed at K.32.b.5.2. and reopened at the same hour at
L.4.d.2.7. North of BRAY.
The Brigade was ordered to clear the FARENY WOOL
area of the enemy and advance through CURLU to line approximately
North and South through A.30.b. central. The operation was to be
carried out in co-operation with the 8th Londons (174th Inf. Bde.
58th Division) on our left and 10th Aust. Inf. Bde. on our right.
Our plan wus as follows:- Northern Brigade
boundary -A.22.d.0.0.- A.23.d.0.0.- A.24.c.0.0.- CURLU CHAPEL to
B. 26,central. Southern Brigade boundary - A.30.c.50.- B.25.d.0.0.
1Oth Aust. Inf. Bde. (38th Bn.) was ordered to co-operate on our
right by moving through CURLU after the village had been cleared of
the enemy, then to prolong the lino of this Brigado to the South as
far as the River SOMME. The artillery start line ran North and
 south through A. 29.central. The 35th Battalion (Lieut. Colonel
 H. F. WHITE).) was entrusted with the operation. After zero
the 34th Bn. moved up to the position held by the 35th Bn. prior
to zero, and the 33rd Bn. to the position vacated, by, the 34th Bn.
Tho objectives chosen wore:
(a) Green Line: Trench system running Northward from the 29 ,b.9.4.
Eastern end of CHAPEAU de GENDARME to A.29.d.99.50. to A.30.a.
central to A.24.c.2.0. - to be captured under a creeping
artillery barrage.
(b) Rod Line: Approximately North and South through A.30.b. cent.-
to be captured by exploitation after capture of Green Line.
Forming-up was complete at 4 a.n., the formation
adopted being 2 Companies in front line, each on a frontage of 2
Platoons: 1 Company in close support in line of Section columns;
and 1 Company in reserve with each of its Platoons in a diamond-
shaped formation (each Section forming a. point of the diamond).
At zero hour (4.35 a.m.) our artillery, opened
and remained on the artillery start line for 30 minutes before
commencing to creep Eastward at the rate of 100 yards per 6 minutes
Upon reaching the Green Line, the artillery protective barrage
remained 300 yards Past of it per 30 minutes before ordering.
 

2.
The advance commenced well, although two company
Commanders wore wourdod shortly aftor our barrage opened. Mossagos
were reccivod at 35th Battalion H.9. at 6.10 a.m. and 6.15 a.m.
reporting tho capturo of the Green Line at 5:50 a.m., in the face of
dotermined resistance put up by enomy machine gung nosts. We suffered
a fow casualtios through our men being over-eagor, advance and thus
The 8th London Regiment did
going into our own artillery barrago.
not start. However, at 7.50 a.m., at the instigation of Lt.-Col.
White, the C.O. 8th Londens succecded in moving his men on to the
This was reported by 174th. Inf. Bde. on our loft at
Creen Line.
8.25 a.m.
By this timeour patrols had reached the Red Linc
TheLondons then pushed out patrols which procceded
by exploitation.

only as far as the road running through tho CRUCIFIX (A.30.b. 6.8.) to
Meanwhile, since zero plus 3 minutes, tho onemy hod
A.24.d.0.0.
heguns and howitzere of all calibres
i e
maintained
J.arsa shootawit
(Rate of enemy
over th Ror
o ara or vande or tho Groon Linc.
fire: about 150 rounds per minuto scatterod over the attacking Batt-
dlion's aroa).
During the morning (after 8.30 a.m.) our urtillory
bombarded SUIIT COPSE OBSERVATION NOOD, and QJARRY in H.2.a.8c.
as being likely onemy centres of resistance, and observation posts.
anged to bombard BATTERY COPSE in
174th Inf. Bde. concurrently arr
D. 20.a.2 c.
Our artillery barrage, in conformity with tho
barrage of the English troops, was far too slow, holding up our
advance, giving the enomy a chance of escaping or organizing to meet
au attack, and allowing his artillery observors to uppreciato the
It is roalizod, howover, that our barrage had to conform
situation.
The protective barrage, was too shallow,
to that of the English.
allowing the enemy to organizo behind it.
Consoquently, our patrols
mot vory stubborn resistance from machine gun nests and strong points
which wero overcome by the utmost dash and dotormination.
Our loft
flank was unfortunatoly nover socure.
At 11.30 a.m. 1 Company 3rd Aust. Pioncer Battalion
was attached to the Brigade for work on the repair of bridgos across
the SOMME River in 1.29. and O. 4. 5, and.6..
By mid-day dispositions woro: 34th und 33rd Bns.
35th Bn. in line, with 3 Compani:
in Support and Reserve respoctivoly:
(Rod) Line, and 1 Company in Reaorvo in the Green Lino.
in the outpost
established by tho 35th Bn. at the following points:
Posts had boen
Outpost lins:
G 6.b.50.15.
A.30.d.60.30.
B.25.0.20.10.
A.30.b.50.10.
A.30.d.60.50.
t
A.30.b. 60.30.
A.30.b. 30.80.
Support line:
A.30.d:55.70.
A.27.b.90.30.
A.30.8.69.35
A.29.d.70.90.
A.29.b.90.70.
Siz encmy machine guns woro used in the consolidation of the support
linc.
35th Battalion H. 9 was established at A.20.a.6.5.
A.28.a.8.3.
R.A.P.
A.28.2.6.3
Bn. O.P.
At 2.15 p.m. 174thInf. Bde. informed me that thay
would be relieved by tho 175th Inf. Ddo, during tho night and had no
intention of advanoing any furthor.
During the attack communication was mnintained from
Brigad. H.0. to Battalions )y message-oarrying rocket, pigeon, runner,
and av 1.10 p.m. by tolcpheno. Visual was tried but without succoss
ewing te the mist and dust causod by the opposing artilleries.
Fromi
Dattalion N. J. Cmmponies s vieual chain was established to the Green
m., telenkone to the Support Cespany by 7.45 a.m., and to
Line by 4.46
twe of the front-line Companies at z p.m. and S.20 v.m. rocpectively.
........ 0f tlephone linen wes particular)y 1i........t0
 

hostilo artillery activity.
At 3 p.m. 35th Battalion H. 9. moved to A.20.b.6.0.
Later on in the day several unsuccessful attempts
wore made to push out a post to the OLD QuiRRY in G.6.b., but hostiio
muchine sun fire was too hoavy.
At 6 p.m. the 38th Bn. (10th Aust. Inf. Dde.) pushod
through Zouth of the 35th Bn., linking up ut QUARRY in B.25.0. and
at outpost at G.6.b.5.1.
30th Bn. thon rushod the onemy post at OLD
UUARRY G.6.b.9.6.
At 0.p.m. Brigade H.4 ciosed at L.4.d.2.7: and
rsopaned at the same
hour at COPSE VALLEY, A.26.b. 5.3.
Dhrly in the afternoon the idea of pushing tho
34th Bn. through the 35th Bn. had been entertained but was dismissed
owing to the splendid facilities for ebsorvation offered to tho cnemy.
4-7.
any movauent, howover, small, provoked immediato and aotive, onomy
artillery fire.
It vus thereforo decided to await nightfall and
then to rolieve the 35th Bn. with the 34th Bn., the 33rd Bn. moving
up into support in A.29.a. The relief was delayed by an artillery
shoot on trenches in A.24.d. for the English infantry; this necoss¬
tated the withdrawal of our posts in A.30.b. from 10 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Relief was comploto by 1.50 a.m. 29th August, whon 35th Bn. moved to
G.1.b., arriving at 4 1.H.
35th Battalion caqualties for this phaso of the
operation wore
Total.
Other ranks
Offioors
Killed
16
16.
Wounded
30
38
Missing
Total captures:
Machine guns (Heavy and Light)
11
risoners:
About 160 a1l ranks.
25
Sccond Phase, 2 a.m. 29th
During reliof of 35th Battalion by

gust 34th Battalion (Mljor W. A. LeR. FRY)
August to7.50..2t
strong patrols were pushod out by the
latter to gain contact with the enemy who was extremoly active with
machine guns from tho vicinity of ChNTEARIDEB TRECH, CURLU CHIPEL
in B.25.a.& d.
At 5 a.m. patrols waro pushod out in conjunction
with 38th En. on the right.
Slight opposition was met, the enomy
apparently having taken advantage of tho hours of darkness to effect
a purtial withdrawal. Our line was therefore advanced to SAUVE ALLEY
TEET COP
through Sunmil.
E to RolG.B.25.d.9.3 by about 7 a.m. The 10th
London Regt. (175th Inf. Bde., 58th Division) did not conform, so a
defensive flank facing N.E. had to be formed on our left approximatoly
along road B.25.d.9.3. through B.25.a. to CURLU CHAPEL and the CRUCIFIX
iin A.30.b.
C.0. lOth London Regt, was roquested at 8 a.m. to bring
forward his right flänk but did not do so until afternoon.
Eurly in the aftornoon Light Horse patrols were
sent forward to reconnoîtro HILL 110, returning about 1.30 p.m. with
the information that they had boen fired on by machine guns from
HIEL 110 and vicinity.
34th Bn. was ordered at 2 p.m. to move at once
on to a lino approximatoly North and South through HILL 110.
At 3.50 p.m. a strong point was ostablished at
B.26.b.95.00. to ensuro tho safoty of the left flank, and at 4.5 p.m.
tho line advanced together with 1Oth Aust. Inf. Bdo. (38th Bn.) on
right and 175th Inf. Bde. (10th Londons) on left.
Our dispositions at this timo wore as follows.
Sith En.- 2 Coys. in firing line, 1 Coy. left flank defenco, 1 Coy.
Zupport, one Coy. (33rd Bn.) in Battalion Rsserve; 33rd Bn. (loss 1
Coy.; was in support to 34th Bn., whilst 35th Bn. remninod in Brigade
Rüservo. At 3 nm. 29th Aug. Bde. H. glosod at ViLLEY COPSE A.26.b.5.3 8 -
orened at samo hour uee sovor enomy sholling was
enceunterad principally from 5.9s. and 4.2s. Hostile machine gun fird
P.T. O.
 

was also extremely troublesome from the trench system in D.28.d.,
GLANDS ALLEY, TERLINE TENCH, HILL 110, FRLART AVENUE, COPSE5
and WOOD 22 (in B.22.b.).
At 5.40 n.m. the objective was reached
Posia wore
and a line established from H.5.b.0.9. to B.23.d.0.3
ostablished at B.26.b.9.0., H.3.a.3.8., H.4.a.O.1., B.28.a.4.2.
B.23.d.0.3. and H.5.b.0.9.
At 6.15 p.m. our new front line was shelled
with 77's whilst guns and Howitzers of large calibre sholled the
arca West of HILL 110 to FIRGNY MILL.
34th Battalion H. 3 now established at
B.28.d.6.4.
The rosult of this operation was 75
prisoners and 6 machine guns cuptured and 30 or 40 cnemy killed.
Our casualties - 1 Officer and 6 other ranks wounded.
The advance for the day was on a front
of 1,000 t0 1,500 yards to a depth of about 4,500 yards.
In the moantime the English troops on
our left werc hold up in the vicinity of B.22.a.& c. and at 7.50 pm.
pplaced two Companies on our left flank
the 40th Battalion A.I.F.
to cover the gap botweon the Londons and ourselvos.
At 9 p.m. 29th August G.O.C.
THIRD PHASE, 7.50 9.m. 29th
10th Aust. Iuf. Bde. oxplained
Angust to1a.n. 31st Aurmst.
details of an advance to be
curried out by 9th and 10th Aust. Inf. Ddes. in conjunction that
G. 0. C. 10th iust. Inf. Dde, was responsible for co-ordin-
night.
ating the advance. Tho acheme was as follows: 34th Dn. to con-
tinue the advance silently in conjunction with l0th Aust. Luf. Bde.
Objectives: First objoctive (RED Line) running
on our right.
Socond objective
from B.24.c.7.3. to B.30.d.99.20. to H.12.b.5.7.
(GREEN Line) running from S.W. corner MARRIERES, C.19.c.1.5. to
junction of WARY ALLEY and BERLINGOATS TREDCH. North of ROAD WOOD
C.25.a.6.8., thence South along trench through ROAD WOOD, through
VAN TRENCH I.1.c. to I.7.a.99.60.
Northern Divisional boundary - straight
line through B.28.central, C.19. central; Southern Divisional
Inter-brigade boundary - trench running
boundary - River SOMmIE.
East and West through B.29.d., B.30.c.2 d. and C.25.0. (ACARII
Socond Australian Division to conform by passing troops
ALLEY).
across the River SOMME to OMMIECOURT-les-CLERY and CLERY-sur-SOMME,
thence South-Eastward to the right of the 10th Aust. Inf. Dde.
Zero hour, at which the infantry advance would commence, 2.30 a.m.
Orders to this effect were issued verbally to 34th
30th August.
Battalion at 10.30 p.m.
Tho advance began at 2.30 a.m. 30th August
according to plan, the first objective (RED Line) being reached
The onemy was discovered, how-
at 4 a.m. with little opposition.
ever, strongly posted on a North and South line I.1.a.4.0.
amall nests of enemy machine guns and snipers werc
C.19.c.2.7:
distributed along the whelc of our front in readiness to oppone
any further advance. The South-Western edge of ROAD WOOD in."
C.25.a. also contained many machixe guns. 34th Battalion con¬
The
tinued the advance against stitl opposition by the enomy.
 

of
a


8


Ba
58
 

Th Englich infantry on tho loft wors held up, resulting in cur loft
and more oxposed as tho advanoo continued.
flank bocoming more
"A" Squadron 13th A.L.H. was ordered at daybreak
to reconnoîtro HILL 150 in D-10.b. to establish an obsorvation poat
on movement of both onemy and our troops including
there and to roport
Thi: work was carriod out vory succossfully and
tho 10th Londons.
the requirod information was passed back to Brigade H. 3 promptly.
At 6.30 a.m. 34th Bn. reachod the line C.25.c.
60.25. to C.25.a.40.70. and commenced consolidation slightly short of
the second objectivo (Groon Line). A strong point was consoliduted
at the intersoction of tronches in D.30.d. 9.3; another strong point
was constructed at B.24.d.6.7. played havoo with tho enemy ont the
Western edgo of MiRRIER WOOD, and B. 18.d. where many Cerman doad
wore found the following day.
During the rest of the day (30th August) repeatod
attompts woro made to gain the final objoctivo and tho trench running
North and South through ROID WOOD in C.25.c. Thoy woro not success-
It was not possible to reach tho front line by daylight and
ful.
any movement of our most advanced troops attractod enomy machine gun
For this
and rifle fire from tho higher slopes of the spur in C.25
reason it was not feasible to curry out a bombardment of the nearost
onemy points of rosistänce in ROAD Woor our artillery had been
activo against enomy machine guns in vieinity of LERRIERES WOOD and on
A Ferward Observing Officer of
any target which presonted itsolf.
the 8th A.N.A. Brigade in E.30.d. was particularly useful in this
manner as numorous targets presented themsolvos during tho day.
Throughout the oporations described in this
roport, tho obsorvationg of Artillery Observing Officors wore
roported promptly to Group Artillery H. 0 (Licut.-Colonol W.G. ALZSOP
D.S.O..V.D.) who kopt me well informed.
Tho day was marked by enomy artillery conducting
The xnglish
systematic arca shoots in rear of our front line.
troops on our loft flank were constantly engaged by machine gun fire,
indirect furom tho ground: East of
much of which was possibly
Their advanco was thus holdap. Earlier in the day
NARRIERES WOOD.
the Light Horso patrols, furnishod by 2 Troops, had roported enemy
machino guns firing from B. 17. contral Southwards causing casualtios
Tho activity
West of HILL 110 ulthough our line ran through C.25.a.
of those patrols woll out on our loft flank undoubtedly provented
the enomy from using closo rango enfilade fire against our flank.
By mid-day an observation post has boon establishod on HILL 150 and
Squared B.23.,2.24. and 3.17. ere reportod cloar of tho enemy.
The net rosult of this operation was an advance
on a frontage from 1,000 t0 1,500 yards to a depth of 1,500 yards.
Four machine guns wors captured and 20 prisonors takon.
Our cosualties - 2 officers and 12 other renks
killed, 1 officer and 37 other ranks wounded, and 12 other ranks
missing.
It was now decidod to await the hours of darknoss
before attempting a further advanco. During tho progress of this
attack 35th Battalion had beon brought up to A.29.a., and 33rd Bn.
4and Battalion (11th Aust. Inf. Bdo.), which had boon
to B.26.d.
attached to this Brigade, moved to B.25.c. Ou0 Company 33rd Bn.
still remained at the tactical disposal of C.O. 34th Battalion.
Tne bituation at the commeneemont of
FOURTH PHAST, 1 a.m. 31st
this shaso was as follows
August to 4 a.m. Ist 30pt
34th Br. An the linc C.23.0.60.35 to C.25.a.40.70.
One Com any
with strong points at B.30.d.90.30. nd B.24.d.60.70.
33rd Bn. (attached 34th Bn.) in clone su, ort at B.30.d.1.1. approx.
33rd Bn. (1sa 1 Coy. ttachod 34h Bn had two
(along road).
Companies in trench systom B.26.d. and ono Com ung in TEALINE TRENCH
in B.29.b.
During tho afternoone of 31st August the Brigato wus
allotted objactivos by Divisional E. 9 involving the capture of the
 

5.
high ground in C.20. und C.21.a.& o. which was to form a pivot of
manoouvre for tho fur ther advance of the Division.
33r Batalion
(Lieut.-Colonel L.J.MORSHEAD, D.S.O.) s detailed to carry out the
attack. Ono Company 42nd Bn. was attachod to 33rd Bn. but this
Company was to be used only in omorgoncy. The objoctivo
of
S3rd Bn was as follows: Line C.14.0.7.6.- C.20.d.8.7.- C.25.b.7.6.
On the capture of this, a pivot of mancouvre wus to
C.25.b. 25.15.
be wormed to allow subsoquont exploitation by the loth Aust. Inf. 8de:
this was to be dono by ostublishing posts at C.20.b.4.5., C.21.d.0.3.
C.21.c.4.9., C.20.d.8.4., C.20.d.3.1. C.20.b.40.13., C.20.d.2.8.
C.20.0.8.5. - a saliont. Mowing to the. 58th Division on our loft
arranging a plan which would havo hold up our attack, the whole
scheme had to bo altored in 'detail, and arrangements woro not there-
foro completed and orders issued to. 33rd Br. until 2.45 a.m.
The
175th Inf. Bde. on the loft hud rofused to ultor thoir plans in order
to fit in with tho original arrangemonts which had beon given to
thom through our Liaison Officer.
The plan of attack addpted and carried out
wsasllows:
Northern Brig de boundary: East and West line through
D. 24. d.8.2.
Southorn Brigade boundary: East and West line through
B.30.contral.
Objective undor bhrrage: Load running N.W. and S.E.
through C.20.d., C.26.b.
Objectivo by exploitation: High ground in C.20., C.21.
and C.26.
Artillery start line: North and South line through
Räte of bärrage - 100 yards in 6
B.30.b.8.2.
minutes, resting in line North and South through
C.25.central for 15 minutes, thence at 100 yards
por 3 minutes.
Zuro hour: 5.42 a.m. (Zoro hour for tho 58th Livision
was 5.10 4.m, on a start line 300 yards in roir
of ours
Tho ipproach march and assombly wore carried
out under heavy enemy artillery and machino gun fire.
Prior to the oponing of the artillory barrag
34th Bn. was withdrawn to B.30.0. in rear of the infentry
forming-up line.
On the opening of our barrage at 5.42 a.m. 33r
Bn. moved forward under an accurate Warrago and closed up to about
A most detorminod resistance was offered by
100 yards from it.
enomy at the outset in ROAD WOOD which was vory strongly garrisons
and which was full of machine guns.
Although suffering hea
casualties; the line continued to advance until hold up at 6.20 a.
by machine gun fire from tho edgo of tho wood at C.25.a.4.3; this
was ginally overcome by one man who alone captured the gun und eig
risoners.
The advanco then continued against the most datermine
and bitter resistance from ROAD WOOD.
Two days lator 120 dead
The valley betwoen ROAD
Germans ware countod in the Wood alone.
and MARRIERES WOODS was only thinly garrisonod but wus woll coverod
by artillery and maching gun firo. ROAD OOD was clearod by 7a.m.
and then strong rosistance was met in C.25.b. and in C.26.4.
Our
bombs at this point proved most effective, causing the onemy numerous
casualties.
Deep dugouts again proved doath-traps to the enemy; tho
occupants wero either killed or wounded.
Whilst the trenches in
this vicinity were boing cleared a battery of six 77's wore placed
right in the open and without any concoalment was firing over open
sights from C.25.b. Wost of RANCOURT-FEUILLAUCOURT Road.
A few of the
enemy infantry rallied at tho battery which wus subsequontly charged
and cäptured though fighting to the last under hot fire from our
Lewis Guns. As our advanço continued both flauks booame exposed,
o
the Londons on tho leit remaining just Enst of MARRIEE
RANCOURT-FEUILLAUCOURT Road, was roached at 9 a.m.
Tho OLD QUARRY in
C.2db E d. was capturod and a Lowis Gun post established at C.20.b.
6.0.. Soventy-five mon of the Londons wore placod in the quarry and
vicinity as a garrison. The RANOOURT-FEUILLAUCQURT ROad in C.26.b.
was reached at 9.30 a.m. 10th Anst. Inf. Bde. was at this timo
fighting in the GASSIUD-LA FAYE system in I.1.h. and I. 2.a.
 

ser
 

7.
At 9.25 a.m. 33rd Bn. was ordored to carzy out
the plun of exploiting C.2i.d. and C.27., whorcupon the attached company
Patrols
of 42nd Bn. was orderod forward to tho right flank 33rd Bn.
precodod tho advaica and immodiatoly camo under heavy machine gun fire
from QUARRY FARM (C.21.0.) und the trench systems in C.21.c. and C.27.a.
also hoavy sholling from batteries in the yalley in O.28.b.& d.
One
patrol succeeded in reaching C.21.c.35.80. but was greatly outnumbered
Othor patrols roached the throo parallel
and compolled to withdraw.
trenches in C.27.a. but it was impossible to oontinue owing to heavy
trontal and enfilado machine gun fire. 33rd Bn. followed the patrols
und establishod the line C.21.b.75.00.- C.20.d.85.35- 0.20.d.98.10.-
Further advance bocame impossiblo owing to lack of
O.26.b.09.32.
Most of
humbers, hoavy machino gun fire and insecurity of flanks.
Our S.A.A. and bombs had been expended and tho supply of ammunition
was extremoly difficult. Fortunately 12,000 rounds S.A.A. were found
in a dugout ut C.25.d.2.8., obidontly stored there during tho retrout
By frocly using enomy machine guns and rifles our
in March 1918?
supply of ammunition was conserved considerably.
During tho fourth phase in tho period under
reviow "A" Squadron 13th A.L. H. Regiment renderod valuable assistanco
Thoy
in koeping me informed of the situation of my left flank.
were not ablo to operato, howovor, forward of the infantry on my
One Troop was attached to the 33rd Bn. and
own front as was hopod.
YVOES TOOD
one was allotted the special task of moving North of MaRr
"and that vicinity and
in ordor to gain information abduf BOUCHAUESD.
if possible to movo North of the village, then South through C.15.2.3
to join up with our infantry somewhare in the vicinity of QUARRY FARM
This latter task they were unablo to fully accomplish
in C.21.c.
as the Englich infantry had halted on the general line B.6.central
C.13.b.9.9. opposed by strong enomy foroes. At nightfall the Squadron
was withdrawn to Brigado Rosorvo in B.26.0.
On the afternoon of 31st instant 42nd Bn.
which had boen attached to the Brigade for purposes of this operation
for une in the caso of emergency, was ordcred to movo up in roar of
33rd Bn. to C.20.c. and if possible to push forward to the high ground
This was not, however, accomplished owing to tho 33rd Bn.
in C.21.
being held up, and 42nd Bn. was thoroforo hold in readinoss in C.20.c.
The 34th Bn. had meanwhile been ordered
forward to C.25. and 35th Bn. to B.30.b. when ordors oame for the reliof
of the Brigade by 11th Aust. Inf. Bdo, who carried out an attack tho
following morning.
Tho rolief was carried out in tho following
manner;
The 11th A.I.Bde. assambled on the infantry forming up line
Wetof theRANCOURT-FEJILLAUCOURT Road which was the start lino for
tho artillery creeping barrage for the attack on tho morning of the
atrols wero thon sent forward by 11th A.I.Bde. to
lst Soptomber.
keep contact with the front line and withdraw all infantry East of
The forming-up was therofore covered by a
tho forming-up line.
protective infantry screen which was fully withdrawn prior to zero.
Tho roliof was complete by 4 a.m. 1st Sept.
when the Brigade (less 35th Bn.) wus withdrawn to the area North of
42nd Bn. reverted to the command of G.O.C. 11th Aust. Inf.
SUZANNE-
Bde., whilst 35th Bn: came under his command in support in rear of his
right flank. Upon relief Brigade H. Q. moved to CURLU, H.1.a.2.2.
The fighting described in the foregoing
paragraphe was probably as fierce and bitter as any which the Brigade
tho casualties of the 33rd Battalion alono
has yet boen angaged in
during the fourth phase being as follows:
officers other ranks
2I
Killed in action
98
Woundo
Missing
-----
121.
TO?AL
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