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[Page 32]
[11.10.17]
2.37 pm. Message was received from 3rd Aust. Div. H.Q. giving the jumping off Line and the rate of Barrage. This information was immediately communicated to all concerned.
6 pm. The approach march of the Bde commenced from Cavalry Farm, 34th Bn detailed for the first objective led the column followed by the 35th Bn,36th and 33rd Bns and attached specialists. Column heavily shelled.
8 pm. A/B.M. and Sapper officers went forward and pegged out the jumping off tape line. Its position on the ground was checked by Officers of the assaulting Bns.
Details of the operations were as follows :-
The 3rd Aust. Div was to attacck with the 9th A.I. Bde on the right and the 10th Bde on the left and the 11th A.I.Bde in reserve; the Div, having the N.Z. and 4th Aust Divs on the left and right flanks respectively. The 3rd Aust. Div was allotted the task of capturing PASSCHENDAELE and PASSCHENDAELE RIDGE. The 9th A.I.Bde had detailed the 34th Bn for the capture of the Red Line (First objective) , the 35th Bn for the capture of the Blue Line (Second objective), the 36th Bn for the capture of the Green Line (Final objective ) the 33rd Bn being in reserve.
Each of the assaulting Bns was to advance to its objectives, leapfrogging its preceding Bns.which remained to consolidate its own objective before sending forward all surplus troops to the final objective. Reserve Coy of the 34th Bn was given a special role in conjunction with the 10th A.I.Bde viz. that of pocketing the village of PASSCHENDAELE by a flanking attack which if successful would necessitate the N.Z. feeling Southwards and the 9th Bde Northwards and junctioning East of PASSCHENDAELE. Two M.G. of the 9th A.M.G. Coy and two Stokes Mortars of the 9th A.L.T.M. Bty and carrying parties were allotted to each Bn.
12.10.17 [First Battle of Passchendaele]
5.25 am. Zero hour. The attack commenced, the barrage being very weak and scrappy. Heavy rain had fallen during the night, making the shell torn ground very much water-logged and impassable in places. The Ravebeck proved an impassable obstacle to the N.Z and our left Bde. Early in the afternoon the Bde after having suffered very heavy casualties were on the Blue Line with the left flank thrown back against PASSCHENDAELE. All day the Blue was subjected to deadly M.G. fire from BELLVUE Spur,and M.G. nests at PASSCHENDAELE and also to heavy and accurate Artillery fire, suffering heavy casualties. An attempt was now made by the N.Z's and the 10th Bde to advance without success, and it was found necessary to withdraw from our isolated and exposed position. The situation generally was very critical.