101 Years on

Thursday, June 7th, 2018

	We remember all those who took part in the Battle of Messines and their families and friends whose lives were affected.

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Anzac Day

Wednesday, April 25th, 2018

	Today we remember all of the Anzacs who served, with a special place in our thoughts for the men of 3rd Division A.I.F. and the New Zealanders who served in the areas we are investigating.

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In Defence

Tuesday, April 10th, 2018

	The breakthrough west of Fleurbaix allowed the German Army to turn their attack eastwards towards Armentieres, against the rear of existing allied defences, as 34th Division dug in and 40th Division held the defence line along the banks of the River Lys, reinforcements were sent up. 4th and 6th Battalions, Duke of Wellington’s West Riding Regiment arrived during the night, the former being sent to assist 34th Division, the later to 40th Division. Their timely arrival held the enemy for several hours allowing a withdrawal across the river to be carried out, after which the bridges were blown. Near Erquinghem Lys, stretcher bearer Private Arthur Poulter of the 4th Dukes rescued at least 10 wounded of his battalion, carrying them on his back to a place of safety, he also dressed the wounds of 40 men. For his actions he was awarded the Victoria Cross. Meanwhile in the Plugstreet area the infantry attack began at 6am, the German troops surging across the river at Basse Ville near Warneton with the aim of taking back the ground captured by 3rd Australian Division in June 1917 and the long held Allied sector of Houplines. The two Brigades of 25th Division and their machine gun companies fought a desperate battle, their reserve brigade having been sent to meet the onslaught on the other side of Armentieres the previous day, they were assisted by their Pioneer Battalion and men of the Royal Engineers. Having been caught up in the German Offensive on the Somme in late March, the Division was still recovering and the battalions included large numbers of 19 year olds, very few of whom had full completed training in England and had only arrived in France over the last few days, by all accounts they handled the situation exceptionally well. In the Plugstreet area, the 1st Wiltshires fell back onto the defensive positions prepared by the Australians before they had been sent south. The war diary of the 1st Wiltshires notes that one of their lewis gun teams used the machine gun post in the defences on the lip of Ultimo Crater, a position our Team excavated in 2008. This line was held until the order to withdraw was given. In the Houplines Sector the 8th Borders were also pushed back, holding a defensive line in the communication trench Nicholson’s Avenue and along the edge of Ploegsteert Wood. But the enemy found a way through behind them, moving through the gas soaked streets of Armentieres into Le Bizet and then into Plogsteert Village. The Borders found themselves surrounded, some managed to escape through Plugstreet Wood, but many were killed or taken prisoner. North of the Douve, 19th Division were ordered to hold the defensive line on the eastern slopes of Messines and Whitesheets at all costs. The task was impossible due to overwhelming numbers of enemy and the thinly stretched defensive Battalions. A counter attack was organised with the remaining troops of 25th Division making an attack through Plugstreet Wood and the South Africans counter-attacking at Messines. This too was unsuccessful and by 8pm the German forces had crossed the Lys west of Armentieres and the British troops were defending along the line of the Armentieres to Ballieul railway line to prevent the troops in Plugstreet and Neukirke being surrounded. By the end of the day they were forced to withdraw north and west.

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Attack Begins

Monday, April 9th, 2018

	At 4.30am on the 9th of April 1918, two hours before dawn on a cold foggy morning, the German artillery began a fierce bombardment of the Allied Lines along the sectors bounded by the River Lys. The Plugstreet area was held by 25th Division with 19th Division on their left in front of Messines and 34th Division to the right with 40th Division beyond, and then the 2nd Portuguese Division with 55th Division to their right near Givenchy. The area held by the Portuguese was the main focus of the attack and around 7am the infantry attack began through the shattered defences, forcing the relatively inexperienced Portuguese, many of whom were wounded, to fall back. The reserve troops were quickly ordered to stem the attack, including the 12th Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment the Teesside Pioneers, whose training base at Marton Hall the team have been investigating. At 11am The Battalion was send forward from their billets by the River Lys at Bac St Mur and Sailly-sur-la-Lys to Fleurbaix. Enroute the encountered the enemy and fought a rear guard action back to the River Banks where the enemy advance was checked and held until 6pm when the reserve Brigade of 25th Division, arrived from Le Bizet. A counter attack was organised with the Teesside Pioneers taking part on the right flank, but they were unable to push the enemy back. In the Plugstreet area the trenches were shelled but no attack developed.

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33rd Battalion in Action

Friday, March 30th, 2018

	As the German Operation Michael continued, the Allies fought to bring the advance to a halt. The role played by the men of 33rd Battalion, AIF is described by their commanding officer in the following report. Counter Attack Operation Afternoon and Evening 30th of March 1918 by 33rd Battalion AIF. Position of Readiness. 1. At 10.30am the 33rd Battalion moved from billets in Oachy to a position of readiness on the South Western edge of the Bois D’Aquenne. The enemy shelled Oachy from 10am but we suffered no casualties. Instructions 2. At 2.15pm I reported to you at the Brigade Report Centre at 62D.U.33.o.35.40 and received your orders to capture and establish a line from the Copse immediately South of the first O in Marcelcave to Aubercourt and to capture Aubercourt which was in possession of the enemy. The 33rd Battalion would work in conjunction with the 12th Lancers who were 400 strong, and would have the 34th Battalion in support. Dispositions 3. The following orders were issued by me verbally to Company commanders at 2.45pm. B Coy under Lt J G A Pockley will establish a line from the Copse just south of the first C in Marcelcave to a point 100 yards east of the cross roads in V.14.b A Coy under Captain J W Sereeve will capture Aubercourt and establish a line on the Eastern and Southern sides of this village. As Demuin is held by the enemy, particular attention is to be paid to the roads leading over the do Luce from Beuin and Courcelles. C Coy under Captain W J C Duncan MC. will be in reserve in the valley South East of the Bois de Hangard and to be ready to capture Demuin. Battalion Headquarters will be with the Rserve Coy B Teans, according to SS.138, will not be taken into action but will be sent to Blangy Tronville. Approach March 4. At 3.10pm the Battalion marched under the command of Major F G Grant from Bois D’Aquenne and moved across country in a column of route to the assembly position 200 yards to the West of the Villers-Bretonnox to Aubercourt Road in U.18.a. This position was reached at 4.325pm. At 5pm I sent forward two patrols from the Platoon of the 9th Corps Cyclists to reconnoitre North and South of the wood East of Bois de Hangard and then as far forward towards Aubercourt and Marcelcave as possible. I regret to report that the Platoon Commander Lt. Gratwicke was killed. The 12th Lancers preceded the 33rd Battalion and reached the wood East of Bois de Hangard at about 4.15pm. (This wood will in future be referred to as Lancer Wood) Together with my Adjutant, Scout Officer and Cavalry Liaison Officer I rode ahead with the cavalry and reconnoitred the position. Stragglers and Withdrawals 5. On our way to Lancer Wood we passed several bodies of troops peculiarly and unclosley entrenched in queer places and large parties of stragglers. On reaching the wood we found the whole front line garrison east of Lancer Wood withdrawing although there was no hostile fire of any kind and no signs of attack. I met two Brigadiers and a Battalion Commander in the wood and informed them that was happening and asked them — that they got their men back to the line at once. This they promised to do. The Cavalry Commander also helped in the matter by sending a Squadron dismounted to re-establish the line, The infantry went forward with the cavalry but in a reluctant manner. During the whole time we were forward men were constantly leaving the line. There seemed to be no effort to check this straggling. Action of the Cavalry. 6. It was a proud privilege to be allowed to work with such a fine Regiment as the 12th Lancers. The approach march instilled in the men the utmost confidence and enthusiasm and I am glad to say greatly reduced the effect of so much straggling. They lost no time in effectively clearing Lancer Wood and got there just in time as the enemy had obtained a footing on the Southern and South Eastern edges. The Lancers protected the edges and allowed us to move forward to the attack. On seeing the cavalry there, the enemy shelled Lancer Wood very heavily, chiefly with 5.0s paying particular attention to the outer fringes. Fairly heavy casualties to horses were inflicted there. The horses were soon led from the wood to a position west of the Villers-Bretinneux to Aubercourt Road. The discipline during the heavy shelling was an object lesson. During the attack the cavalry protected both our flanks, the left with two Hotchkiss guns. They withdrew at about 7pm. All ranks were eager to give every possible help to us, throughout there was whole hearted cooperation. The experience gained in this our first operation with cavalry was invaluable. One was able too to judge of the splendid work they were doing for the Army at this present time and they cannot be too highly praised. Infantry Action The 33rd Battalion moved forward from the position of assembly at 3pm. The formation adapted by Companies was as follows: One Platoon in extended order, followed by two Platoons in line in artillery formation, the fourth Platoon in reserve also in artillery formation. B Company moved along the northern edge of Lancer Wood and widened its front in clearing the wood. A company moved through the wood. Owing to enemy shelling while moving through, the whole company was extended into three lines and resumed the normal formation on clearing the wood. No casualties were sustained in the wood. D Company worked in single file along the bridle track near the southern edge of the wood and formed up under cover of the a terraced bank on the south east edge. Three casualties were sustained on entering the wood. C Company formed up on the sunken road in U.18a and not where first ordered, owing to the hostile shelling. The movement forward was splendidly carried out. On the right slight opposition was encountered but easily disposed of. No real opposition was not met with until we were about 200 yards clear of the wood when all three Companies came under heavy machine gun and rifle fire. They deployed at once and moved forward without flinching. All ranks displayed the greatest determination and eagerness to get to the Bosch with the bayonet, this eagerness was to some extent responsible for the heavy casualties as the principle of advancing under covering fire was not sufficiently observed. On the left most progress was made in spite of heavy losses and the enemy hurriedly retired but on discovering later — strength he reformed. The enemy was well entrenched and in strong force, as we had no artillery support, his fire was consequently extremely heavy and unfortunately very accurate. Owing to much strong opposition we were not able to reach our objectives. The attached map shows approximately the line we established. This line is well sited and is a very good defensive position. With determined troops the enemy could easily be held and any advance he attempted would be very expensive. Owing to casualties and to the wide front I sent the Reserve Company to reinforce the right flank at 7.5pm. This Company made good the gap between the right and centre Companies. At the same time I requested the 34th Battalion, which was in support in U.12.a & c. West of the Villers Bretonneux to Aubercourt Road, to send forward a a Company to reinforce the left flank. I instructed the Company Commander, Capt. T S Gilder MC. to reconnoitre the position first and then to moved forward at 8pm. This Company advanced in two lines of two platoons each and took the newly made enemy trenches about 250 yards east of the line then held by us, capturing two light machine guns one of which was damaged and four prisoners belonging to 91st Oldernberg Regiment. Captain Gilder then withdrew and made good good the gap between the left and centre Coys. At 10pm I requested the OC 34th Battalion to send two coys forward, one to the sunken road in U.18.a the other to a position 300 yards North East of Lancer Wood. At 11pm the enemy attempted a local counter attack against my left company, but was repelled. Heavy rain fell from early in the afternoon till late at night. Working over the ploughed field under such conditions affected the Lewis Guns and rifles. Every man was drenched to the skin and very cold, but this did not dampen his ardour. All maps were soon rendered useless and the writing of messages was extremely difficult. Our flanks were somewhat in air. On our left the Warwicks were about 600 yards behind. The 66th Division were on our right, but touch with them was not obtained. In order to secure my right flank the right Supporting Company of the 34th Battalion supplied a platoon for patrolling and also to establish a post South of Lancer Wood on the Villers Bretonneux to Aubercourt Road. Our front was well protected by Vickers and Lewis Guns. We had five Vickers gusn from the 9th Australian Machine Gun Coy, two covered either flank and one the centre and we had 25 Lewis Guns. We were relieved by the 10th Essex and the Royal West Surrey Regiment of the 18th Division in the morning, this relief was completed by 6.15am. After several attempts to choose a reasonably safe position Battalion Headquarters were established at V.7.d.30.95. The prearranged position was untenable. Own Artillery Nil Hostile Artillery The enemy made the use of every gun he had and shelled Lancer Wood and the Villers Bretonneux to Aubercourt Road very heavily with 9.0’s , -.2’s and 7.7’s also employed 10 pounders. He used only —– against our line and caused very few casualties. Casualties 33rd Battalion: Killed Officers 3, OR 28. Wounded officers 6, OR 130, Missing OR 5. 34th Battalion: Killed Officers 1. Wounded OR 24. Missing OR 6 9th MG Coy: Wounded OR 2. 9th Corps Cyclists: Killed officers 1. Wounded OR 1. The strength of the 33rd Battalion was 20 officers and 537 Other Ranks. Although our casualties were high, I consider the end gained well worth this cost. It is interesting to note that the Reserve Coy had only one casualty and that one occurred on completion of relief. Medical 11. The RAP was established on the Villers Bretonneux to Aubercourt Road 200 yards north of the Bois de Hangard, and was in touch with the 9th Australian Field Ambulance at the outset. Between 7pm and 10pm there was a delay in the evacuation owing to the large number of stretcher cases, but this was rectified as soon as possible. Additional stretcher bearers were sent forward by the 33rd and 34th Battalions. From 10pm the horse ambulances came with 400 yards of the RAP and cases were sent from the RAP to this point by wheeled stretchers. It is estimated that 95% of the casualties were caused by bullets. I especially wish to express my deepest appreciation of the splendid work of the 9th Field Ambulance. this unit worked exceedingly hard and is to be highly commended for their efforts. Special mention 12. I have to bring to your notice the names of certain officers, NCOs and men whose action deserve special mention. Recommendations will be submitted later. Signed L J Morshead. Lt Col. Commanding 33rd Battalion, AIF.

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Bolstering the Defence

Monday, March 26th, 2018

	The units of 9th Infantry Brigade, 3rd Australian Division began their train journey south, leaving behind the familiar mud of Flanders and the ground they had taken in the Messines Offensive in June 1917. The rest of their Division and the men of 2nd Australian Division were also making a similar journey, heading for the ever retreating front lines as the German Spring offensive continued to drive the Allies back. The trenches and defences in front of Plugstreet Wood and Houplines would soon be occupied by the exhausted and much depleted 25th Division. 100 years ago today 25th Division were relieved from the Old British front line on the Somme, the point from which the big push of July 1916 had been launched. They had been in action for four days, fighting desperately as the German Army has driven them back from the Hindenburg Line across the old battlefields, a distance of more than twenty miles. On the training grounds of Britain, huge numbers of 18 and 19 year olds, some of whom had not fully completed their courses, were hurriedly equipped and sent on their way to the channel ports. Meanwhile the casualty lists began to be published, list upon list of names of those, killed, captured or missing.

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The Spring Offensive

Wednesday, March 21st, 2018

	On the morning of the 21st of March 1918 Operation Michael, the Spring Offensive was launched with a huge barrage of artillery on a front which ran from Arras in the north to a distance south of the River Somme. Over the winter the German Army had been building up both men and resources, although the attack was expected, the magnitude was not. Over the next few weeks the Allied forces would be pushed back over hard fought ground. Whilst the area we have been researching remained quiet, the storm was on the horizon. As the battle raged to the south, in our area around Plogsteert and Houplines, the men of 3rd Australian Division worked hard to complete new defence works and strengthen the existing. In front of Messines and Whitesheets their fellow countrymen took on similar tasks, to the south and west of Armentieres where the ground was flat and wet, British troops filled sandbags to patch the breastwork and dug into sodden earth. Behind them others, assisted by the Australians fortified the 2nd GHQ Line and the forts and posts beyond. This winter our team have been researching the defensive works and the change of tactics on the Western Front as well as continuing to look at the training of troops. We will be sharing our findings over the 2018 season along with the next phase of our fieldwork. We hope you will follow our progress.

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The 3rd Battle of Ypres

Monday, July 31st, 2017

	100 Years ago today the 3rd Battle of Ypres was launched. Today we remember all those affected by the long desolate fight to the east of the city of Ypres. The successful outcome of the Battle of Messines had straightened the line south of the city in preparation for the major attack. Many of those who had fought on Messines Ridge would again see action in this next long hard phase of the conflict in Flanders, including the men of the 3rd Australian Division who had attacked the area around Ultimo Crater in June and would see action during October.

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Messines Model and Bulford Kiwi Protected

Tuesday, June 13th, 2017

	We are very happy to have received news that the Terrain Model of Messines on Cannock Chase and the Bulford Kiwi in Wiltshire have both been given protected status by Historic England. Our team members contributed a huge amount of hard work in recording and preserving these important reminders of the New Zealand Troops training in Britain. Read More

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