The Hindenberg Line - France - 1918
The Australian War Memorial, Honours and Awards section, records that on the 29th and 30th of September, 1918, elements of the 1st and 2nd Australian Tunnelling Companies supporting the Infantry attack on the Hindenberg Line at Bellicourt and Bony, were awarded 10 Military Crosses, 2 Distinguished Conduct Medals and 12 Military Medals.
The Sappers had been charged with the usual Engineer tasks of clearing enemy mines and booby traps from roads and dugouts following the attacking Infantry, clearing and maintaining the tactical roads and clearing wells and setting up water points. When the attack stalled and became disorganized, the Sappers continued with their assigned tasks, assisted to re-organise the line, captured prisoners, carried messages for their own and other units, organized a party of American Infantry, helped feed a battery with ammunition, assisted and carried wounded, all being achieved under heavy shell and machine gun fire and while their own sections suffered 50 and 75% casualties.
In his book, Captain Oliver Holmes Woodward MC+2 bars, records the day with the following entry:
'With reference to the stunts of the 29th September, and following days, London Gazette No. 31480 contained the following:--
Awarded Bar to Military Cross:- Captain O.H. Woodward M.C. Australian Engineers
"On 29th September, at Bony, he was in charge of 3 Sections working on forward roads under heavy enemy shelling and machine gun fire. Owing to the Infantry attack being checked, the position on the forward roads became very involved. By his courage and resourcefulness in patrolling the roads and organising the work he succeeded in carrying the work forward, thus enabling the subsequent attacks to be carried through. He set a fine example to his men at a time when casualties were heavy, and rendered throughout the day very valuable and accurate reports."
Or to put it in simple language "With about 100,000 other men on September 29th, 1918 he merely did his duty".'
1st Australian Tunnelling Company:
WOODWARD, Oliver Holmes Capt 1st Bar to Military Cross
BONAR, David Welbourn Lt Military Cross
CORFE, Duncan Bertram Lt Military Cross
182 MANTON, Willoughby Lt Military Cross
3292 FEATHERSTONE, Harold Sgt Military Medal
5092 HAZLETT, Edward James Cpl Military Medal
245 PRINGLE, Alexander Spr Military Medal
2nd Australian Tunnelling Company:
De JERSEY GRUT, Leslie Capt Military Cross
PURVES, Allan Melrose Capt A.A.M.C. Military Cross
BOWLING, Thomas Bela Usher Lt Military Cross
4744 BURNS, Felix Gregory Lt Military Cross
COOK, George Alfred Lt Military Cross
PETHEBRIDGE, Harry Vernon Lt Military Cross
527 D'ALTON, William James Sgt Distinguished Conduct Medal
580 HAMILTON, John Alexander Sgt Distinguished Conduct Medal
4020 LE MESSURIER, Frederick Sgt Military Medal
852 McNAUGHTON, William Alexander Sgt Military Medal
2711 0'HALLORAN,Thomas Patrick Cpl Military Medal
548 EGGLESTON, Herbert Ernest 2nd Cpl Military Medal
67 BETHUNE, Angus William Spr Military Medal
540 DUNBAR, Arthur Findon Spr Military Medal
781 GLENDINNING, Robert Spr Military Medal
5765 KENNEDY, Robert Alexander Spr Military Medal
711 STRATFORD, Donald Rueben Spr Military Medal