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Endurance
Third Battle of Ypres-Broodseinde-Passchendaele
Poperinghe
Our rest came to end on September 25th, when we set out on our march to Blairingham. We proceeded next day to Eeke, and continued our march to Poperinghe, which place we eventually reached on September 27th. This last day was very trying, for the weather was hot and very dusty. It was a bad day for marching, so that we were very glad when we at last made our camp, near the Railway Depot, one-mile east of the town. Unfortunately, our rest was broken through the enemy bombing us, which resulted in casualties to men and horses.
Next day, the 28th, we were again bombed, and again, on the 29th, hostile aircraft dropped bombs throughout the night, which inflicted heavy casualties, especially on the 11th Brigade Machine Gun Company, among whom were many former 42nd Battalion men.
Our strength at the end of September was 43 officers, 978 other ranks. We were bombed again on October 1st, causing us further casualties. On October 2nd we entrained at Poperinghe for Ypres. Reaching there, we bivouacked at a location near a cemetery a little after midday.
THIRD BATTLE OF YPRES.
BROODSEINDE
At 10 p.m. on the night of October 3rd the approach march began. We found marching a very difficult performance owing to the several sharp showers which had rendered the ground sodden and sticky and made visibility very poor. Fortunately the route was marked by tapes, white posts, and red lights, and these were more or less discernible in the dark.
The assembly point (that is, the place where those about to engage in the offensive had to congregate), was near Zonnebeke Railway Station. The time-for the hopover was drawing near. At 5.15 a.m. the first definite information of the nearness of zero hour was given by our artillery putting down a heavy barrage, which moved forward about 300 yards.
Naturally, the enemy retaliated with heavy artillery fire, which caused many losses among the men who were in the rear sections. These sections of the rear were hastily brought forward from the danger zone and moved up Hill 40.
This meant that the entire Brigade was in massed formation, all troops having been crowded into a depth of at the most 100 yards. Emergency knows no law, and though at that time anything in the nature of a mass was almost suicidal, it had to be done. During the assembly one or two bridges over the Zonnebeke were smashed. All troops had to cross over one bridge, and this was responsible for some little delay and a few casualties.
An examination of the ground between Zonnebeke and the Front Line proved how difficult was the assembly of the 11th Brigade, and for the satisfactory manner in which it took place, credit was given to the 11th Field Company Engineers for the laying of the tapes and to the Pioneers for the marking of tracks.
At last the great moment came. Punctually at 6 a.m. our artillery came down on the enemy lines with ferocity and accuracy. Our barrage fell like a wall of flame. Simultaneously, the whole Brigade rose as one man and went forward to the attack.
Enemy troops in the front line offered stout resistance for several minutes, but our advancing troops were not to be denied. A great number of enemy dead were found shortly after, making it evident this line had been very heavily held. The 43rd Battalion reached its objective without difficulty. The 42nd advanced behind the 43rd Two officers were killed and one officer wounded before Hill 40 was crossed.
The first objective was reached at 6.20 a.m. and consolidation was commenced immediately.
At forty-one minutes after zero hour, the 42nd Battalion leap-frogged through the 43rd, and continued the attack.
Owing to the swampy ground and heavy travelling, the company of the Battalion operating on our left failed to keep up with the barrage, and this drew our left company about 500 yards over to the left. This was remedied by the Commander of our A Company, which was in reserve, who acted promptly and threw his men into the gap. Then all went well and our left company resumed its position.
The enemy kept firing Verey light signals as our troops advanced, and his artillery kept shortening the range. Thames Wood was shelled heavily, and that was where, at this stage, most of our casualties were sustained.
During the advance from first to second objective (the red line), large numbers of enemy troops were observed running towards our advancing troops. As their positions were not known, they were fired on causing casualties, but when it was found that they wished to surrender, they were allowed to drift through our troops. Escorts were provided at the rate of one man to twenty prisoners.
Our objective was reached on time and consolidation at once started. The barrage halted 200 yards beyond the Red Line for forty-seven minutes. Large numbers of prisoners were coming in, altogether one hundred of them were taken by the 42nd alone, in this area.
A dugout used by the enemy as an aid post was captured by us together with the whole medical staff. This dugout also contained a machine-gun. Nine enemy machine-guns were captured by us, four of which were entirely new, having never been used.
The ground was very wet and shell-torn, which rendered the work of consolidation very arduous, but in two hours our men were well under cover.
The work of evacuating the wounded was rendered extremely difficult due to the long and heavy carry and intense enemy barrages.
During the afternoon of October 4th the enemy made repeated counter attacks on our front which was then held by the 41st Battalion. These were all repulsed. He made further counter-attacks the following day and was again beaten off.
On the morning of October 6th, we were relieved, after having been in the line continuously for sixty hours. Our casualties were: Officers, 4 killed, 7 wounded; other ranks, 220 killed and wounded.
On Sunday, October 7th, we rested at St. Lawrence Camp, Brandhoek. The roads and ground were in a deplorable condition. Our strength was 32 officers, 773 other ranks.
THIRD BATTLE OF YPRES.
PASSCHENDAELE
On October 8th, we started preparations for another move to the Ypres front, to take over from the 66th (British) Division. On October 9th a party of our men consisting of 16 officers and 400 other ranks moved via Ypres and encamped in tents on the eastern slopes of the Friezenberg Ridge. This party was called "A" Echelon.
Another section called "B" Echelon, consisting of 12 officers and 240 other ranks (transport and Quartermaster's personnel), proceeded from Brandhoek and camped in tents east of Ypres, whilst two officers and 80 other ranks were despatched for duty with the 11th Brigade Engineers.
The weather was bad and the ground boggy, which rendered transport very difficult. Heavy rain fell at intervals throughout the day and night.
The 66th (British) Division attacked on October 11th, but the result was only a partial success, owing to the abnormal weather, the exhausted condition of the men, and the awful state of the ground. On the night of 10/11th the 11th Brigade relieved British troops and the 42nd and 44th Battalions held the front line. The 41st and 43rd Battalions were in reserve, 400 yards in rear. Our Battalion took over from an exhausted British regiment that had suffered severely. They occupied the left front from Ravenbeke to Augustus Wood.
The men whom we relieved had suffered so badly that we found many of them in a state of complete exhaustion, which rendered them targets for enemy snipers. In one small section alone fifty-seven of them had been sniped in one day. Their dead and dying lay around in heaps, whilst their numerous wounded were groaning and unattended. Those who formed the survivors had very little food.
The relief had to be carried out in daylight and the enemy observed the movement. His artillery immediately put down a barrage, which inflicted many casualties upon us and disorganised the relief. Prior to our taking over the line, no attempt at consolidation had been attempted, so we had to occupy shell holes and carry out the work of consolidation as well as circumstances would permit. The weather was atrocious. The ground was so saturated that every trench as it was dug immediately filled with water, and had to be abandoned for a fresh position.
During the first twelve hours of our occupation of this position enemy snipers were very active. Mention is made in Brigade records of the wonderful activity of our patrols, one party on the left, penetrating as far as 1000 yards towards Passchendaele without getting in touch with the enemy. The 9th and 10th Brigades attacked on the morning of October 13th.The 11th Brigade became Divisional Reserve. The 42nd Battalion occupied shell holes.
At this stage no less than thirty-three per cent of our men had to be evacuated. As the men of the "A" Echelon were gradually sent back to the transport lines their places were taken by men of the "B" Echelon. These were cooks, brakesmen, batmen, bandsmen, and other Quartermaster's details. Foot trouble was the main cause of the disablement of our men, combined with the effects of mustard gas.
The damage by this kind of gas was caused through men sitting or lying on ground upon which gas shells had burst. The parts of the body which came in contact with the ground became blistered and very painful.
The attack of the 9th and 10th Brigades resulted in the 9th reaching its objective, whilst the 10th was held up west of Passchendaele.
On the night of October 13th, the 9th and 10th Brigade troops were withdrawn and the 11th Brigade once more held the line. Most of our men were by this time completely done up. Many dropped down by the wayside as they doggedly toiled along to their assigned positions. When they got there, the line was found to be, instead of advanced, some thirty yards behind where we had originally left it. The ground was all shell stricken and sodden.
Some of the wounded Tommies were there yet. They were in an appalling state. Our fellows gave them all their food and water, but were obliged to get on with the job that was before them. Our casualties were again numerous, so we availed ourselves of the shelter of shell holes and abandoned "pill-boxes," which gave some protection from the incessant shelling.
The shell holes were half full of water and the "pillboxes" contained a full complement of dead and dying of both sides.
"Pill-box" was the name given to that particular form of concrete dugout which the enemy constructed in the form of an enlarged box, of the type in which Beechams Pills are usually contained.
In one of the "pill-boxes" no less than twenty-four wounded men were assembled, all of whom were eventually evacuated. Others, however, were not so fortunate, for regrettable as it may be, it has to be admitted that many of our own, as well as the enemy's wounded, found graves in that awful sea of mud.
The stench from the dead was fearful. They were lying in all directions in various stages of decomposition.
The 42nd Battalion was left support behind the 41st Battalion, occupying positions in the vicinity of Abraham's Heights. Here the troops had to hold on for forty-eight hours. No offensive action could be taken on account of the exhausted condition of the men and the state of the weather.
On the night of October 16th, we were relieved and remained in reserve until the night of October 21st when Canadians took over from us and we moved to a camp west of Ypres.
OUR DEPLETED RANKS
The total of the casualties that occurred during the period October 4th to October 21st, was 438. We had five officers killed and ten wounded. Other ranks suffered to the extent of 62 killed and 361 wounded, sick and missing. Our fighting strength was reduced to but 11 officers and 180 other ranks.
During this period both men and animals suffered severely, and the resources of the Battalion were strained to the utmost. The difficulties of transport were enormous. All material and rations had to be carried by pack mules along bog-like tracks and over shell torn ground whilst added to these tremendous handicaps was the ceaseless attention of the enemy, who shelled our approaches continuously. Yet despite all these obstacles rations, water, dry socks and ammunition were taken up daily, and after the first two days, hot tea and soup were conveyed to us in improvised containers, such as kerosene tins which were wrapped in blankets.
The work of the Battalion's transport was outstanding throughout these operations. The men showed the utmost grit and kept the Battalion going under the worst conditions imaginable.
Never since its formation had the men of the Battalion faced such abnormal weather, never had men been called upon to face greater hardships, or to display greater fortitude, and endurance, and it may safely be recorded that never have troops, officers and men alike responded more splendidly to such inexorable demands.
REORGANISATION
Quite naturally, it was impossible for any unit to continue its work with such depleted strength, and it was welcome news to the tired and exhausted remnant of our indomitable Battalion when the word was given round: "We're going back to Remilly-Werquin to re-organise.
Accordingly, "all that was left of us" moved back on October 22nd. Some travelled by motor buses and the rest by railway train from Ypres to Wizernes, marching thence to Remilly-Werquin where the same billets were occupied as before.
The weather this time was not so pleasant. We experienced many miserable days, accompanied by frost and much rain. A good deal of sickness broke out in the way of colds, influenza, and chest troubles. And this was scarcely to be wondered at, seeing the ordeal the men had recently undergone.
Continuous training, with frequent route marches gradually brought fitness to the ranks and continued to do so until November 12th, when we set out again for the forward area. Fine weather prevailed and the troops marched 12.5 miles the first day, performing the job in good style.
We billeted in farmhouses at Bolseghem. Next day we did an 18-mile march to Le Becque, near Steenwerke, during which much endurance was exhibited. The Battalion came right through without a man falling out. On November 15th, we marched another seven miles, which brought us to
KORTEPYI
This name was derived from the estaminet in the locality called in French Corte-Pipe, in English, short pipe, and in Flemish it is Korte-Pyp.
Here we billeted in wooden huts and did some intense training daily. Every morning three and a-half hours were devoted to routine military drill and exercise, whilst every afternoon two hours were given to recreational training. Football was the main sport. Inter-platoon and inter-company matches were organised.
It was at this time that the 42nd football war cry was first heard. Although consisting of nothing more formidable than harmless words such as potato, tomato, banana, plum, tobacco, and a boast intimating that the 42nd Battalion was always on top, it sounded very menacing and defiant when yelled by our side to the rival team. Matches between units of the 11th Brigade and the Artillery took place every Wednesday and Saturday afternoon. These sports gatherings were sometimes disorganised by enemy airmen who came over in planes called "Gothas." The unmistakable drone of the Gothas which announced their arrival was the signal for both teams, as well as spectators, to hastily scatter.
The 11th Brigade was now in reserve. The strength of the Battalion was, on December 1st, 40 officers and 742 other ranks. The health of the Battalion steadily improved. The weather though intensely cold was nice and dry.
Adjacent to the camp was a large marquee, erected by the Y.M.C.A., and a very excellent canteen was also established.
ON THE MOVE AGAIN
We remained at Kortepyp until the middle of the month, when we set out for Waterlands Camp, billeting at Locre en route. On the 19th December we set out for the "old habitation" which we called Jesus Farm, and found it to be what we termed "a very cold joint,' owing to the scarcity of fuel which prevailed at that time Everything of a burnable nature was utilised by us in order to keep our fires and braziers going.
BOIS GRENIER
On the night of December 20th, we took over the Bois Grenier sector. Our Battalion occupied a full brigade front. The front line was held lightly by a system of infantry posts closely supported by Lewis gun posts which covered the gaps. The trenches were in good condition and damaged very little by shellfire. We found it a very quiet sector with good shelters and splendid facilities for getting hot food to the front line.
During our six days in this sector the temperature was below zero. We were fortunate in having no cases of trench feet despite the fact that the ground was white with snow and frost.
CHRISTMAS 1917
We spent the festive season in the trenches, under much the same conditions as last year, only on this occasion we were experienced and seasoned soldiers.
On Christmas Eve we heard the Fritzes singing away, but though the enemy appeared to have developed the "Goodwill to all Men" spirit, we made no attempt to reciprocate or fraternise.
To spite us for this, he next day savagely and severely shelled Bois Grenier and the adjacent town of Erquinhem, causing considerable damage, happily only to the roads.
On December 27th, we handed over to the 43rd Battalion and returned to Jesus Farm. The weather was severely cold. Frost rendered the roads so slippery that marching was a difficult operation.
CHRISTMAS DINNER
Owing to our occupancy of the front line on Christmas Day, it was not possible for us to hold our Christmas dinner on December 25th. We were, however, not to be denied an event like that for the sake of a mere date. We held our Christmas dinner on December 30th, and a real good dinner it was, while it lasted, which was not very long. That very same night we were employed on working parties in the Bois Grenier and Armentieres sectors. Six of our men received their medals on this day at the hands of our Corps Commander, General Sir William Birdwood.
On the last day of 1917 we marched away from Jesus Farm. The roads were like glass and the weather piercingly cold.
When at last we reached our destination at Locre, much difficulty was experienced in obtaining fuel for even cooking purposes, owing to the short issue.
NEW YEAR'S DAY 1918
New Year's Day found us at Birr Barracks, adjacent to Locre, a clean little village on the Belgian frontier. Here we received further reinforcements which brought up our strength to 26 officers and 1063 other ranks.
Drill competitions showed a marked improvement in training. January 27th found us on the move from Locre to Kortepyp, whence we next day shifted to Ingersoll Camp, Nieppe.
INGERSOLL CAMP
This was an encampment of wooden huts near to the town of Nieppe on the road to Romarin. Whilst here we were engaged on working parties, going out both day and night to the Le Bizet and Ploegsteert sectors.
To get to the trenches we used a light railway which the enemy had ranged to a nicety. Many a lucky escape was experienced on the journeys to and from. On more than one occasion we had to hurriedly leave our train and continue the journey as pedestrians instead of passengers.
Whilst at Ingersoll Camp we heard persistent rumours that a German offensive was expected with the arrival of spring, and that it was thought the attempt to break through would be on the Arminentieres Messines Front. Our labours to fortify and strengthen our defences became ceaseless and strenuous.
CONCERT PARTIES
Two Australian military concert parties entertained us in Nieppe. One was supplied by the 44th Battalion, and the other, a much more pretentious organisation, was provided by Divisional Headquarters. This latter party was recruited from every unit of the Third Division, and gave us some first-class shows. The singing, acting, choral work, and comedy, was of a high order, whilst an orchestra of twenty talented musicians provided us with many a musical treat. The "girl" of the company, who of course was an Australian soldier, was one of the leading features.
These military concert parties were greatly appreciated by us for they did much to keep our spirits high and helped us to forget, for the time being, the hardship, death and destruction surrounding us.
FEBRUARY 1918
We went back to the trenches on February 5th, this time at Pont Rouge, where we remained for a period of eight days. When we came out of the line, we played several football matches, having at one time for our opponents the Royal West Kent Regiment. We again spent much of our time making defence works, and many new dugouts of reinforced concrete were constructed within old buildings.
Enemy aircraft were very active, but our airmen having dominance kept hostile planes well away from our lines.
On February 21st, some of our planes went for an excursion over the German lines, leaving souvenirs of their visit in the form of bombs. The enemy provided a magnificent display of fireworks in order to direct his anti-aircraft guns.
On this date we returned to the trenches at Pont Rouge, and remained there until March 2nd. Our term in the line on this occasion was particularly quiet, our main activities being confined to intensive patrolling.
BACK TO THE REST AREA
And now began preparations for the long-promised, well-merited, and much needed "rest."
On March 4th the Battalion set out from Ingersoll Camp for Kortepyp. The following day, the transport started on its journey to the "rest area," and on March 6th, the 42nd Battalion marched out of Kortepyp Camp at 11.30 in the morning, reaching Steenwerke at 1 o'clock. In less than three hours we had entrained and were well on the way to Lottinghem, which village was reached at 11.30 that night.
The Y.M.C.A. was already established there and supplied us with hot coffee. We partook of a hurried meal, then off we marched in the highest spirits on the seven mile journey that was to bring us to our respective billets, namely, Harlettes for A and C Companies and Bulescamps for B Company. D Company and Headquarters were billeted at Fromenthal. It was not until 2.30 in the morning that we settled down to sleep. The transport arrived a few hours later.
When we woke up we realised that we were far from the roar of the guns. Free from the anxiety of raids with strict military discipline somewhat relaxed. We were filled with joyful anticipation of four weeks' serenity and relaxation.
But alas! Our month's holiday consisted of but thirteen days. The usual training was continued daily right up to March 20th, when our "visit to the country" came to abrupt termination.
THE STORM BREAKS
On March 21st the Battalion received warning to be prepared to move off at six hours' notice.
As some sort of solace to our feelings of disappointment we were paid that afternoon. Next day, the expected happened. Orders arrived at 4 a.m. for the Battalion to move immediately to Steenvorde. The transport got on its way at 10 a.m., and was followed half an hour later by Headquarters and D Company from Fromenthal. The other three companies were picked up at Bulescamps. Lottinghem was reached at 1 o'clock p.m. Two hours after, we were entrained and on our way to Ecke. We arrived there at 11 o'clock that night, detrained and marched to Steenvorde, and by midnight were all billeted.
The next day, March 23rd, all surplus equipment and extra blankets were discarded and dumped. The 42nd Battalion, all ready and prepared, awaited the issue of further commands.
So this was the "end of a perfect holiday." As events turned out there was to be no more rest for the 42nd nor any other Australian unit until the cessation of hostilities.
