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[Page 50]
MAY 1918
1-5-18
During the night the Left Brigade advanced their line 200 yds on a 400 yd front.
2 pm G.O.C. and A/B.M. moved to advanced H.Q. at HEILLY
Location of H.Q. at nightfall - HEILLY
2-5-18
1-15 am Relief of 11th A.I.Bde by 9th A.I.Bde completed. G.O.C. 9th A.I.Bde assumed command of the Right Bde area. Situation quiet.
3-5-18
Situation quiet. Arrangements made to advance Picquet Line of 34th Bn to a depth of 800 yards on the night 5/6th.
4-5-18
10-30 am After a quiet night a Conference was held at Bde H.Q. to arrange for the 34th Advance.
6-30 pm Brig-Gen. ROSENTHAL inspected the ground over which the 34th Bn was to advance. During this inspection he came across an enemy party of six, all of whom he captured and brought back to Bn Headqrs. 34th Bn ordered to advance and establish a line of 7 posts between J.24.b.9.9. - J.29.b.8.0. - J.30.a.8.5. The two right posts being in front of the Bde on our right.
9 pm Strong Battle Patrols moved out well East of the proposed line of posts and was then reinforced by the Picquet Line Coy. The 33rd Bn then commenced wiring on a line taped out by 9th Field Coy A.E.
12 mn When wiring was well in hand one Coy 3rd Aust. Pioneer Bn moved out to dig line of posts. Operations completely successful, only 2 casualties suffered. Party of 6 enemy captured at J.30.b.7.8.from the 114th Regt,199th Divn. Patrols Left Bn meanwhile reconnoitred the enemy system finding enemy building strong line of posts.
It was then decided to advance the Left Battn to the Grid Line K.13 Central. The Right Bn to conform to the Line by advancing to K.19.a.9.1. to K.19.a.9.9. with the right flank refused and linking up with new Picquet Line.
The 34th and 35th Bns were relieved from garrison duty and the 33rd Bn detailed 2 Coys for this garrison duty - one in each of "A" and "B" Battalion Areas, and 2 Coys 33rd Bn detailed for carrying duties in these areas. The attack was entrusted to Lieut-Col H.A. GODDARD D.S.O. with one and a half Coys 34th Bn attached. The 9th A.L.T.M.Battery prepared to co-operate. One Btn Divsl Reserve placed under orders G.O.C. 9th A.I. Bde and one Coy 3rd Aust Pioneer Bn attached for trench construction.
5-5-18
Detail orders for the attack were issued in the afternoon. The Div, Artillery worked out a barrage for the operation.
11 pm 33rd Bde took over garrison duties with 2 Coys.
11-45 pm Zero hour. [2nd Battle of Morlancourt]
The Infantry advanced under artillery and T.M. barrage. The enemy front line was found strongly held and by 1 am the right Coy had established itself on its second objective. The Centre Coy had also gained the Second objective, but a gap of 300 yards occurred between between the Centre and Right Coy. By 3 am, however, this gap was filled. The Left Coy was delayed for a time by our barrage which caused a few casualties, the second