10th Battalion patch. Image courtesy Australian War Memorial
10th Battalion – May 1917
BANCOURT, MAY 1st
Fatigues – 3 Co’s on Fatigues in Bapaume; Cutting new Rly. track and handling munitions…. 50 rifles, 60 picks, 30 shovels and 4 tents salvaged …
2nd
As above, and 10 boxes horse-shoes, 15 rifles, 90 Lewis Gun magazines and 20 panniers salvaged. 300 yds. trench and 100 yds. wire completed on the Corps Line…
4th, 1400
Fatigues having been dispensed with, there was a Bn. parade in the morning, followed by sections and Platoon Drill. At the end of the parade ¼ hour was devoted to Ceremonial Drill…
RIENCOURT-BULLECOURT AREA IN THE HINDENBURG LINE, 5th
See attached “Details of Operations for Period 4th-9th May inclusive”, also sketches “A”, “B” and “C” and “Lessons Learnt During Operations of 4th-9th May” [The following are excerpts from the documents referred to:
INTENTION: On the 6th of May, at zero hour plus 3 minutes the 11th. Battalion will carry out a Bombing Attack on O.G.1. and O.G. 2 from U.29.B.80/U.30.A.44.48 with the intention of capturing and consolidating the communication trench U.30.A.16.29. Posts will be established at about U.30.A.4.8 – U.30.A.4.4 and U.30.A.R.QU with a Strong Post at about U.24.C.05.05. At zero hour a rolling barrage will be placed on the ground to be captured, remaining there for 3 minutes, and the lifting slowly to the East.
INTENTION During tonight “B” and “D” Companies in conjunction will extend the Right Flank to Sunken Road, from U.89.B.75.65 to U.29.B.80.90, each Company establishing a post on this road between the points referred to. This operation will commence at Midnight. The Companies concerned will get in touch with Engineers, who will be working in the area of operations tonight. While the posts are being constructed, a covering party will be pushed out to the East of the Working Parties, and will not be withdrawn until the work is completed. 11th Battalion will establish posts on road at U.29.A.85.95 and U.29.A.85.65. “A’ & “B” Companies will each establish a listening post to the North of O.G.2. …]
Bief Villers, 9 May
Arrived camp H.20A about 8.am. Day spent resting.
Bapaume 10 May
Moved to camp H.28 D3.4 near Bapaume in morning. Remainder of day resting.
11 May
Cleaning up and training. Received draft of 26 reinforcements…
13 May
Training & church parades.
14 May
Training, bathing Parades. 2 Coys on fatigue unloading trucks Bapaume, 51 Reinforcements arrived
19 May
Battalion sports.
22 May
Route marched. Left Bapaume 0900. Arrived Bazentine 1300. No stragglers.
Ribemont, 23 May
Route marched. Left Bazentine 0900. Arrived Ribemont 1600. No stragglers.
24 May
Cleaning up and resting.
Training 5% leave granted to Amiens.
