Item 36: Narrative of the offensive operations south of the Somme, 8-13 August 1918 - Page 9

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around the North edge of the Wood.   The Battalions moving South of the Wood came under harassing artillery fire and suffered slight casualties, otherwise the move was completed without mishap.

Throughout the remainder of the day, troops remained disposed as shown on Map "F", re-equipping and resting and 10th. Inf.Brigade was not called on for any service by Fourth Australian Division.

9-8-18.
 €‹10.   Divisional Headquarters moved forward on 9th. August and opened at Quarry (P.7.a.0.3) at 5.0  p.m.   - Units rested throughout the day.

11.   During the afternoon, the III Corps, plus American troops, attacked again North of the SOMME and captured the CHIPILLY Spur, thus freeing the North flank of the Fourth Australian Division and enabling their left flank to push forward.

10-8-18.
                                                      VI.   OPERATIONS DURING THE NIGHT 10th/11th. August,1918.

1. A conference was held at Fourth Australian Divisional Headquarters, CORBIE, at 11.0 a.m. to enable the Corps Commander to explain his policy and give verbal instructions as to the action expected.
2. Instructions were issued for the Third Australian Division and the Fourth Australian Division to carry out an encircling operation on night 10th/11th. August; so as to cut off the ETINEHEM Spur North of the SOMME and the Ridge East of PROYART South of the SOMME.   The 13th. Inf. Brigade was to carry out the Northern operation and the 10th Inf. Brigade the Southern.      
3. The 10th. Inf.Brigade (plus 2 sections 10th. A.M.G. Coy. 2 sections 10th Field Coy. A.E. 6 Light Horsemen and 6 Tanks) was instructed to move East along the general line of the main VILLERS BRETONNEUX Road to AVENUE CROSS (i.e. cross-roads at R.28.c.5.3) thence turning North to occupy a general line from AVENUE CROSS to cross-roads at R.9.a.9.2. and to link up with the 13th. Inf. Brigade at L.33.c.1.9.   The line taken up was to be organised defensively facing both East and West.
4. The Second Australian Division was to conform on the Right and link up at AVENUE CROSS.
5. To enable same to be carried out, the Division was ordered to relieve the Fourth Australian Division as early as possible on night   10th. August on front from VILLERS-BRETONNEUX Road to the Somme.   I therefore ordered the 9th. Inf. Brigade to relieve the 12th. Inf. Brigade on the right and 11th. Inf. Brigade to relieve the 4th. Inf. Brigade on the left.
6. It was intended that, if the operation of the 10th. Inf. Brigade was successful, the 9th. Inf. Brigade should mop up the country forward to the 10th. Inf. Brigade line, and would take over from the battalion holding the Southern portion of the line.   This would have released two battalions of 10th. Inf. Brigade (including the battalion held in Reserve at LA FLAQUE) which would then have moved North to mop up, one battalion working North through R.13. and R.7. and the other working North through 14. and 8., leaving the 11th. Inf. Brigade to mop up any enemy West of the grid line running North and South between Q.12. and R.7.
7. On completion of the operation, dispositions woul;d then have been 9th. Inf. Brigade in line right - 10th. Inf. Brigade in line left and 11th. Inf. Brigade in Reserve.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               P.T.O.