A WAR STORY

Hokitika Guardian, 4 June 1929, Page 3

A WAR STORY

'THE 17TJT AND 18TH AUSTRALIAN BATTALIONS IN THE BATTLE OP AMIENS.

The' Battle of Amiens saw the 17th and 18th Australian Battalions side hv side in the second line o'f their brigade, which took part in the first advance. All went forward at 4.20 a.m. on August 8, 1918, into tin* fog, thickened by smoke-shell, which made it difficult to see ten yards ahead. It was a new experience for infantry, as our heavy bombardment had taken the enemy by surprise and his resistance during the early stages of the battle was ifecblo.

So with little loss the leading battalions reached and occupied the German trenches west of Warfusee-Aban-conrt, and there the 17th and 18th arrived, m time to assist in quelling the last efforts of certain obstinate Germnn machine-gunners and bombing parties. The 17th and 18th then passed- ahead to clear Warfusee and the adjoining village of Lamont-en-San-terre, on the main Amiens-St. Quentin rdjid, and to establish a line beyond. (Our heavy artillery had wrought great havoc among the buildings, although the road was little damaged. Sortie of the enemy fought stoutly, but the villages were rushed by a converging movement of the 17th on the right and' tne 18th on the ldft, assisted by tanks.

There was brisk fighting also in the ravine north of Lamont, where several batteries were taken by the 18th, the gunners resisting stoutly. They used their rifles until they were surrounded. The 17th also rushed two batteries which were still in action.

Prisoners were of many regiments, Westphaliarts of the 13th and 15tli, Hrandenburghers of the 52nd and Alsatians of the 132nd.

The position oast of the villages astride the St. Quentin road was reached and occupied by both battalions about 7 a.m. Other troops were mov-ing-forward to carry.on the attack and our batteries were hurrying on to occupy fresh positions. Along the road came cavalry, 21ight tanks, and armoured cars.

Between them the 17th and 18th had captured 14 guns, 10 mortars, and 10 machine guns. Their total losses in killed and wounded were fewer than a hundred of all ranks.