The Second Battle of Bullecourt

62nd (West Riding) Division

Whilst the Australians were attacking on their right flank the Yorkshiremen were attempting to take the village of Bullecourt and its left flank.

Nearest to the Australians the 2/6th West Yorkshires were met by the same hail of fire that had brought the 22nd and 21st battalions to a halt. The Australians assisted with their 25th Battalion but this was cut down as had all the other units facing this well manned and machine gunned position.

On the left and taking on the village itself the 2/5th West Yorkshires forced their way through well cut wire and on to the far side of the village.

On the left side of the village units became confused as battalions attempting to move around uncut wire became mixed with other units. Reserves were sent forward but to no avail. By midday what progress had been made had been lost. The 2/5th West Yorkshires had been forced out of the village. Only a hundred men from 2/6th West Yorkshires returned to the trenches, the rest had been killed wounded or captured.

As the day began to close with the Australians fighting grimly to hang on to what they could their 1st Division began to take over their section of the line.

In front of the village the 7th Division replaced the 62nd Division.

4 May 1917

7th Division

The first attacks by the 7th Division on the village were as unsuccessful as those that had gone before.

They went in late at night on the 3rd but by late afternoon on the 4th the attacking Brigade had made little progress and losses had been heavy. Every attempt to push into the village was met with heavy Machine Gun fire.

The Germans were fighting for every metre of territory.

Out in the fields where the Australian 1st Division was fighting a little progress was made, but again the Germans were counter-attacking in strength and determination. Small gains were made along the German front line, only to have them wrenched back.

The two sides were beginning to wear themselves out and over the next couple of days the British and Australians consolidated their positions rather than trying to push on and make further gains.

7 May 1917

Having withdrawn a badly mauled 22 Brigade the Division now put 20 Brigade into the firing line with another attempt to take the village. This was the same Brigade that had been badly cut up in front of Mametz Village in July 1916.

Now the 2nd Gordons and 9th Devons found themselves once again attacking a well held village from the south east.

Mametz: 1st July 1916

At 03:45 hours the Gordons led the way with the Devons consolidating and mopping up behind them. Their success was considerable and in the teeth of a German counter bombardment pushed on through the morning to the point where they had taken most of the village.

Once again the Germans counter-attacked and throughout the night and following morning possession of the ruined village swung from one side to the other.

By 10 May to maintain their tenuous hold on the south-eastern corner of Bullecourt 20 Brigade had suffered almost 800 casualties.

As they were relieved plans were being made for further assaults on the ruined village.

At 03:45 hrs on 12 May two battalions from 91st Brigade launched their attack and in a familiar pattern of events made some ground whilst coming under heavy machine gun fire. The German defenders were showing no signs of weakening their resolve to fight for and retake lost ground.

The Australians from 58th Battalion of the 5th Division AIF lent great support attacking three major points in and near the Diagonal Road. One of these positions was a machine gun position which was causing havoc between the two German lines.

One man's efforts stood out enough to earn him the Victoria Cross.

Lieutenant Rupert Moon's own immediate objective was a position in advance of the hostile trench, and thence against the hostile trench itself, after the capture of which it was intended that his men should co-operate in a further assault on a strong point further in the rear.

Although wounded in the initial advance, he reached the first objective. Leading his men against the trench itself, he was again badly wounded and incapacitated for the moment. He nevertheless inspired and encouraged his men and captured the trench.

Lieutenant Moon continued to lead his much diminished command in the general attack with the utmost valour, being again wounded, and the attack was successfully pressed home. During the consolidation of the position, this officer was again badly wounded, and it was only after this fourth and severe wound through the face that he consented to retire from the fight.

His bravery was magnificent and was largely instrumental in the successful issue against superior numbers, the safeguarding of the flank of the attack, and the capture of many prisoners and machine guns.

The many prisoners amounted to 188.

Further assaults were made and finally the Australians managed to join with the British in the village. For their work the 7th now held all but a small corner of the village.

Victory in sight