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[Page 63]
26.9.18
27.9.18
Conference held at B.H.Q. attended by all Unit commanders. Operations issued for the attack on the HINDENBERG Line. Units Nucleii reported to Div. Reinf. Wing at LA CHAPELLETTE.
6.30 pm Bde moved by road to area N. of VILLERS FAUCON via BUSSU - TEMPLEUX LA FORSE - VILLERS FAUCON.
28.9.18
1 am All Units in bivouac No. 9 and at following location E 12 c
11 am Conference at B.H.Q. Modifications in plans for operation issued and final instructions issued. Approach routes taped out. Routes reconnoitred by Battalion Officers. Battle stores issued to all Units. Order of battle was as follows :- Staff G.O.C., Brig-General H.A. GODDARD, DSO; Bde Major, MAJOR J.H.F. PAIN, MC; Staff Captain, Capt. J.G. PATERSON MC; Int. Off. Lieut. G. HALFORD; Sig. Off., LIEUT. A.S.H.GIFFORD, DCM.
Composition of Group. 33rd Bn. (Lt-Col. L.J. MORSHEAD, DSO), 34th Bn (Major W.A. LE ROY FRY); 35th Bn. (Lt-Col. H.F. WHITE DSO); 9th A.L.T.M.Bty (Capt. R.C.NOWLAND); 11th A.M.G.Co. (Capt. S.R. CLEEVE MC); 23rd A.M.G.COY (Capt. A.L.CHAMBERS); (9th Field Co. A.E. (Major G. DRAKE BROCKMAN MC); 3rd Army Bde A.F.A. (Lt-Col. G.L STEVENSON CMG); Bearer Div., 9th Field Ambulance (Major S.C. FITZPATRICK MC); 24th Co. A.A.S.C. (Capt. P.J. FISHBOURNE); Composite Co. Tanks (Capt. HALL). Prior to Zero the Bde was disposed in the area (No. 9) bounded roughly by EPEHY, VILLERS FAUCON and SAULCOURT.
The General plan of action involved an attack on the HINDENBERG Line between BELLICOURT and VENDHUILLE by the II American Corps in conjunction with flank Corps, and an exploitation by the 5th Aust. Div. on the right and 3rd Aust. Div. subsequently. The objective of the II American Corps was the Green line whilst that of the Australian Corps was the Red line. The bivouac area (No.9) from which the approach march was to be made and the roads to be used were as shown on map "B". The operation of the 3rd Australian Div. was to be carried out by the 11th A.I.Bde Group on the right, 10th A.I.Bde group on the left, and the 9th A.I.Bde in reserve.
6 am First phase. The Bde commenced to move forward from Area 9 to the Brown line, The heads of columns crossing the Lempire Road in F.10 a & c at 9 am. It was soon obvious that operations of the 27th American Div. had not been successful as in Squares F.16 & 17 the columns came under heavy Field Gun and M.G. fire from portions of the Brown line. An enemy aeroplane attacked column with M.G.fire but was brought down fortunately by L.G. fire. The Bde pushed forward. B.H.Q. was established at F.17 a 3.1. at 9.30 am
Location of H.Q. at nightfall - KEN LANE F.17 a 3.1.
9.30 am Information from 107th American Inf. Regt. was received that the attack of the 27th American Div. had not succeeded and the enemy was still holding