The Battle of Messines
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The Night Operation on the Passchendaele Ridge, 2Nd December 1917
Centre for First World War Studies A Moonlight Massacre: The Night Operation on the Passchendaele Ridge, 2nd December 1917 by Michael Stephen LoCicero Thesis submitted to The University of Birmingham for the Degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY School of History and Cultures College of Arts & Law June 2011 University of Birmingham Research Archive e-theses repository This unpublished thesis/dissertation is copyright of the author and/or third parties. The intellectual property rights of the author or third parties in respect of this work are as defined by The Copyright Designs and Patents Act 1988 or as modified by any successor legislation. Any use made of information contained in this thesis/dissertation must be in accordance with that legislation and must be properly acknowledged. Further distribution or reproduction in any format is prohibited without the permission of the copyright holder. Abstract The Third Battle of Ypres was officially terminated by Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig with the opening of the Battle of Cambrai on 20 November 1917. Nevertheless, a comparatively unknown set-piece attack – the only large-scale night operation carried out on the Flanders front during the campaign – was launched twelve days later on 2 December. This thesis, a necessary corrective to published campaign narratives of what has become popularly known as „Passchendaele‟, examines the course of events from the mid-November decision to sanction further offensive activity in the vicinity of Passchendaele village to the barren operational outcome that forced British GHQ to halt the attack within ten hours of Zero. A litany of unfortunate decisions and circumstances contributed to the profitless result. -
RUSI of NSW Article
Jump TO Article The article on the pages below is reprinted by permission from United Service (the journal of the Royal United Services Institute of New South Wales), which seeks to inform the defence and security debate in Australia and to bring an Australian perspective to that debate internationally. The Royal United Services Institute of New South Wales (RUSI NSW) has been promoting informed debate on defence and security issues since 1888. To receive quarterly copies of United Service and to obtain other significant benefits of RUSI NSW membership, please see our online Membership page: www.rusinsw.org.au/Membership Jump TO Article USI Vol61 No2 Jun10:USI Vol55 No4/2005 21/05/10 1:31 PM Page 24 CONTRIBUTED ESSAY Conflict in command during the Kokoda campaign of 1942: did General Blamey deserve the blame? Rowan Tracey General Sir Thomas Blamey was commander-in-chief of the Australian Military Forces during World War II. Tough and decisive, he did not resile from sacking ineffective senior commanders when the situation demanded. He has been widely criticised by more recent historians for his role in the sackings of Lieutenant-General S. F. Rowell, Major-General A. S. Allen and Brigadier A. W. Potts during the Kokoda Campaign of 1942. Rowan Tracey examines each sacking and concludes that Blameyʼs actions in each case were justified. On 16 September 1950, a small crowd assembled in High Command in Australia in 1942 the sunroom of the west wing of the Repatriation In September 1938, Blamey was appointed General Hospital at Heidelberg in Melbourne. The chairman of the Commonwealth’s Manpower group consisted of official military representatives, Committee and controller-general of recruiting on the wartime associates and personal guests of the central recommendation of Frederick Shedden, secretary of figure, who was wheelchair bound – Thomas Albert the Department of Defence, and with the assent of Blamey. -
American Armies and Battlefields in Europe
Chapter v1 THE AMERICAN BATTLEFIELDS NORTH OF PARIS chapter gives brief accounts of areas and to all of the American ceme- all American fighting whi ch oc- teries and monuments. This route is Thiscurred on the battle front north of recommended for those who desire to Paris and complete information concern- make an extended automobile tour in the ing the American military cemeteries and region. Starting from Paris, it can be monuments in that general region. The completely covered in four days, allowing military operations which are treated are plenty of time to stop on the way. those of the American lst, 27th, 30th, The accounts of the different operations 33d, 37th, 80th and 91st Divisions and and the descriptions of the American the 6th and 11 th Engineer Regiments. cemeteries and monuments are given in Because of the great distances apart of the order they are reached when following So uthern Encr ance to cb e St. Quentin Can al Tunnel, Near Bellicourc, October 1, 1918 the areas where this fighting occurred no the suggested route. For tbis reason they itinerary is given. Every operation is do not appear in chronological order. described, however, by a brief account Many American units otber tban those illustrated by a sketch. The account and mentioned in this chapter, sucb as avia- sketch together give sufficient information tion, tank, medical, engineer and infantry, to enable the tourist to plan a trip through served behind this part of the front. Their any particular American combat area. services have not been recorded, however, The general map on the next page as the space limitations of tbis chapter indicates a route wbich takes the tourist required that it be limited to those Amer- either int o or cl ose to all of tbese combat ican organizations which actually engaged (371) 372 THE AMERICAN B ATTLEFIELD S NO R TH O F PARIS Suggested Tour of American Battlefields North of Paris __ Miles Ghent ( î 37th and 91st Divisions, Ypres-Lys '"offensive, October 30-November 11, 1918 \ ( N \ 1 80th Division, Somme 1918 Albert 33d Division. -
South-West Pacific: Amphibious Operations, 1942–45
Issue 30, 2021 South-West Pacific: amphibious operations, 1942–45 By Dr. Karl James Dr. James is the Head of Military History, Australian War Memorial. Issue 30, 2021 © Commonwealth of Australia 2021 This work is copyright. You may download, display, print, and reproduce this material in unaltered form only (retaining this notice and imagery metadata) for your personal, non- commercial use, or use within your organisation. This material cannot be used to imply an endorsement from, or an association with, the Department of Defence. Apart from any use as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, all other rights are reserved. Issue 30, 2021 On morning of 1 July 1945 hundreds of warships and vessels from the United States Navy, the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), and the Royal Netherlands Navy lay off the coast of Balikpapan, an oil refining centre on Borneo’s south-east coast. An Australian soldier described the scene: Landing craft are in formation and swing towards the shore. The naval gunfire is gaining momentum, the noise from the guns and bombs exploding is terrific … waves of Liberators [heavy bombers] are pounding the area.1 This offensive to land the veteran 7th Australian Infantry Division at Balikpapan was the last of a series amphibious operations conducted by the Allies to liberate areas of Dutch and British territory on Borneo. It was the largest amphibious operation conducted by Australian forces during the Second World War. Within an hour some 16,500 troops were ashore and pushing inland, along with nearly 1,000 vehicles.2 Ultimately more than 33,000 personnel from the 7th Division and Allied forces were landed in the amphibious assault.3 Balikpapan is often cited as an example of the expertise achieved by Australian forces in amphibious operations during the war.4 It was a remarkable development. -
The Final Campaigns: Bougainville 1944-1945
University of Wollongong Thesis Collections University of Wollongong Thesis Collection University of Wollongong Year The final campaigns: Bougainville 1944-1945 Karl James University of Wollongong James, Karl, The final campaigns: Bougainville 1944-1945, PhD thesis, School of History and Politics, University of Wollongong, 2005. http://ro.uow.edu.au/theses/467 This paper is posted at Research Online. http://ro.uow.edu.au/theses/467 The Final Campaigns: Bougainville 1944-1945 A thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the award of the degree Doctor of Philosophy from University of Wollongong by Karl James, BA (Hons) School of History and Politics 2005 i CERTIFICATION I, Karl James, declare that this thesis, submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of Doctor of Philosophy, in the School of History and Politics, University of Wollongong, is wholly my work unless otherwise referenced or acknowledged. The document has not been submitted for qualifications at any other academic institution. Karl James 20 July 2005 ii Table of Contents Maps, List of Illustrations iv Abbreviations vi Conversion viii Abstract ix Acknowledgments xi Introduction 1 1 ‘We have got to play our part in it’. Australia’s land war until 1944. 15 2 ‘History written is history preserved’. History’s treatment of the Final Campaigns. 30 3 ‘Once the soldier had gone to war he looked for leadership’. The men of the II Australian Corps. 51 4 ‘Away to the north of Queensland, On the tropic shores of hell, Stand grimfaced men who watch and wait, For a future none can tell’. The campaign takes shape: Torokina and the Outer Islands. -
April 2008 VOL
Registered by AUSTRALIA POST NO. PP607128/00001 THE april 2008 VOL. 31 no.2 The official journal of The ReTuRned & SeRviceS League of austraLia POSTAGE PAID SURFACE ListeningListening Branch incorporated • Po Box 3023 adelaide Tce, Perth 6832 • established 1920 PostPostAUSTRALIA MAIL ANZAC Day In recognition of the great sacrifice made by the men and women of our armed forces. 2008ANZAC DAY 2008 Trinity Church SALUTING DAIS EX-SERVICE CONTINGENTS VIP PARKING DAIS 2 JEEPS/HOSPITAL CARS JEEPS/HOSPITAL ADF CONTINGENTS GUEST PARKING ANZAC Day March Forming Up Guide Page 14-15 The Victoria Cross (VC) Page 12, 13 & 16 A Gift from Turkey Page 27 ANZAC Parade details included in this Edition of Listening Post Rick Hart - Proudly supporting your local RSL Osborne Park 9445 5000 Midland 9267 9700 Belmont 9477 4444 O’Connor 9337 7822 Claremont 9284 3699 East Vic Park Superstore 9470 4949 Joondalup 9301 4833 Perth City Mega Store 9227 4100 Mandurah 9535 1246 RSL Members receive special pricing. “We won’t be beaten on price. Just show your membership card! I put my name on it.” 2 The Listening Post april 2008 www.northsidenissan.com.au ☎ 9409 0000 14 BERRIMAN DRIVE, WANGARA ALL NEW MICRA ALL NEW DUALIS 5 DOOR IS 2 CARS IN 1! • IN 10 VIBRANT COLOURS • HATCH AGILITY • MAKE SURE YOU WASH • SUV VERSATILITY SEPARATELY • SLEEK - STYLISH DUALIS FROM FROM $ * DRIVE $ * DRIVE 14,990 AWAY 25,990 AWAY * Metallic Paint Extra. Manual Transmission. $ * DRIVE $ * DRIVE 15576 AWAY 38909 AWAY Metallic paint (as depicted) $300 extra. TIIDA ST NAVARA ST-X SEDAN OR HATCH MANUAL TURBO DIESEL MANUAL • 6 speed manual transmission • Air conditioning • CD player • 126kW of power/403nm torque • 3000kg towing capacity • Remote keyless entry • Dual SRS airbags • ABS brakes • Alloy wheels • ABS brakes • Dual airbags $ * DRIVE $ * DRIVE 43888 AWAY 44265 AWAY NOW WITH ABS BRAKES FREE BULL BAR, TOW BAR FREE & SPOTTIES $ 1000 FUEL Metallic paint (as depicted) $300 extra. -
This Index Lists the Army Units for Which Records Are Available at the Eisenhower Library
DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER LIBRARY ABILENE, KANSAS U.S. ARMY: Unit Records, 1917-1950 Linear feet: 687 Approximate number of pages: 1,300,000 The U.S. Army Unit Records collection (formerly: U.S. Army, U.S. Forces, European Theater: Selected After Action Reports, 1941-45) primarily spans the period from 1917 to 1950, with the bulk of the material covering the World War II years (1942-45). The collection is comprised of organizational and operational records and miscellaneous historical material from the files of army units that served in World War II. The collection was originally in the custody of the World War II Records Division (now the Modern Military Records Branch), National Archives and Records Service. The material was withdrawn from their holdings in 1960 and sent to the Kansas City Federal Records Center for shipment to the Eisenhower Library. The records were received by the Library from the Kansas City Records Center on June 1, 1962. Most of the collection contained formerly classified material that was bulk-declassified on June 29, 1973, under declassification project number 735035. General restrictions on the use of records in the National Archives still apply. The collection consists primarily of material from infantry, airborne, cavalry, armor, artillery, engineer, and tank destroyer units; roughly half of the collection consists of material from infantry units, division through company levels. Although the collection contains material from over 2,000 units, with each unit forming a separate series, every army unit that served in World War II is not represented. Approximately seventy-five percent of the documents are from units in the European Theater of Operations, about twenty percent from the Pacific theater, and about five percent from units that served in the western hemisphere during World War II. -
The Western Offensives of Messines
CHAPTER CCXXIV. THE WESTERN OFFENSIVES OF MESSINES. THE GERMAN RIGHT IN JUNE, 1917-THE BRITISH OnJECTIVE-f'REPARATIONS FROM YPRES TO THE LYS-THE FRONT OF ATTACK-'i\~YTSCHAETE-MESSINER RIDGE- SIXT VON ARMIX-GENERAL PLUMER-MINING OPERATIONS AT THE RIDGE-EXPLOSION OF THE MINES ON JUNE 7- THE ADVANCE-MAJOR W. REDMOND-CAPTTJRE OF THE RIDGE-THE BRITISH VICTORY. N earlier chapters we have seen the bulk of his available. forces north of the Lys sncce~ses gained by the French from and fight a third Battle of Ypres. I eraonne-Reims to MoronviIliers, described Now undoubtedly, from a stra.tegical point of the capture of the Vimy "Ridge, and view, the most favourable direction for the Allie::; observed the reasons why the Messines ridge - to deliver their main stroke was against the was 'to be the next objective of the British extreme German right in Belgium. For this Forces. The more advanced positions which it was a necessary preliminary to improve the had been gained by the French were better British position at Ypres, pushing back the suited for defence than those they had held German trenches from the location they held before, but still wel'e not favourable, fol' a tin1.e which completely dominated our own. at any rate, for a further forward movement The aim of J offre and French in 1914 at the in that region. first Battle of Ypres and at the Battle of the In front of the Vimy Ridge, ' which had Yser had been to move on Ghent, so as to turn resisted the attempts of Foch to take it in the right flank of the German Army. -
An Interview with Bernie Goulet Part of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Veterans Remember Oral History Project Interview # VRK-A-L-2009-001
Title Page & Abstract An Interview with Bernie Goulet Part of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Veterans Remember Oral History project Interview # VRK-A-L-2009-001 Bernie Goulet, a Korean War veteran serving with the U.S. Army’s 7th Division during the Inchon landing, the Chosin Reservoir and the Chinese Spring Offensive, was interviewed on the dates listed below as part of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library’s Veteran’s Remember Oral History project. Interview dates & location: Date: January 6, 2009 Location: Goulet residence, Springfield, Illinois Date: January 22, 2009 Location: Goulet residence Date: June 11, 2009 Location: Goulet residence Interview Format: Digital audio Interviewer: Mark R. DePue, ALPLM Volunteer Transcription by: Tape Transcription Center, Boston, MA Edited by: Cheryl Wycoff and Rozanne Flatt, Volunteers, ALPL Total Pages: 113 Total Times: 2:20 + 3:05 + 19 min/2.33 + 3.08 + .32 = 5.73 hrs Session 1: Early life through action at the Chosin Reservoir during Korean War Session 2: Korean War action with 7th In Division in winter and spring of 1951 Session 3: Two stories from Korea Accessioned into the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Archives on 06/16/2009. The interviews are archived at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library in Springfield, Illinois. © 2009 Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Abstract Bernie Goulet, Veterans Remember , VRK-A-L-2009-001 Biographical Information Overview of Interview: Bernie Goulet was born on April 22nd, 1931 in Springfield, Illinois. Bernie grew up in Springfield during the Great Depression, and had many memories as a young boy during the Second World War, having two older brothers in the service. -
Artillery Ammunition from the 1781 Siege of Star Fort
University of South Carolina Scholar Commons Archaeology and Anthropology, South Carolina Faculty & Staff Publications Institute of 9-2020 Artillery Ammunition from the 1781 Siege of Star Fort James B. Legg Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarcommons.sc.edu/sciaa_staffpub Part of the Archaeological Anthropology Commons, and the Military History Commons Research Artillery Ammunition from the 1781 Siege of Star Fort By James B. Legg th Regular readers of Legacy, will recall that daily feature of the siege. By June 18 , the The 6-pounder was the standard field in 2018 and 2019, SCIAA Director Steve Americans were entrenched immediately caliber used by both British and American Smith conducted USC “Maymester” north of the ditch of Star Fort, but a large artillery during the Revolution. Historical archaeological field schools in and around relief force of British regular troops was sources indicate that the Americans used Star Fort, a component of the 1781 British on its way to break the siege. Greene at least four, 6-pounder field guns in defenses of Ninety Six, South Carolina, at decided to risk a direct assault on Star Fort the siege of Star Fort, while the British Ninety Six National Historic Site (Figures before giving up the siege, but the attack had only two or three 3-pounders, and 1 and 2). The work included formal met with a bloody repulse. Greene broke possibly some very light-caliber swivel excavation units, and an array of metal off the siege and withdrew the following guns. Nevertheless, we found both detector sample areas. Among our findings day, but the British then decided that the American and British 6-pounder shot in was a significant assemblage related to the post of Ninety Six was too exposed to be Star Fort. -
Aussie Manual
Fighting for Oz Manual for New Troops in the Pacific Theater of Operations © John Comiskey & Dredgeboat Publications, 2003 The Australian Imperial Force (AIF) When World War II began, Australia answered the call. Many of the men volunteering to fight had fathers that fought in World War I with the five divisions of the First AIF in the Australia-New Zealand Army Corps (ANZACs). As a recognition of the achievements of the ANZACs in World War I, the Second AIF divisions began with the 6th Division and brigades started with the 16th Brigade. At the beginning of the war, only the 6th Division was formed. Two brigades of the 6th went to England, arriving in January 1940. The third brigade of the 6th was sent to the Middle East. The disaster in France that year drove more Australians to volunteer, with the 7th, 8th and 9th Divisions formed in short order. The 9th Division was unique in this process The Hat Badge of the AIF. The sunburst in th th the background was originally a hedge of because it was formed with elements of the 6 & 7 Divisions in bayonets. Palestine. The 2/13th Battalion The 2/13th Battalion was originally assigned to the 7th Division, but was transferred to the new 9th Division while in the Mediterranean. The 9th Division fought hard in the Siege of Tobruk (April-December 1941), earning the sobriquet “The Desert Rats.” The 2/13th Battalion was unique in that they were in Tobruk for the eight months of the siege, the other battalions of the 9th being replaced with other Commonwealth troops. -
156 Field Artillery Battalion, Unit History United States Army
Bangor Public Library Bangor Community: Digital Commons@bpl World War Regimental Histories World War Collections 1946 156 Field Artillery Battalion, unit history United States Army Follow this and additional works at: http://digicom.bpl.lib.me.us/ww_reg_his Recommended Citation United States Army, "156 Field Artillery Battalion, unit history" (1946). World War Regimental Histories. 17. http://digicom.bpl.lib.me.us/ww_reg_his/17 This Book is brought to you for free and open access by the World War Collections at Bangor Community: Digital Commons@bpl. It has been accepted for inclusion in World War Regimental Histories by an authorized administrator of Bangor Community: Digital Commons@bpl. For more information, please contact [email protected]. TO THE MEN OF THE 71ST INFANTRY REGIMENT 1945 COPYRIGHT, 1946, BY !56TH FIELD ARTILLERY BATTALI ON Typography, engraYings and printing by Army & NaYy Publishing Company 234 Main Street Baton Rouge, Louisiana 2 156 3 Page 4 [blank] The generous efforts of these men have made this book possible. Authors . CPL. CLINTON w. MEHRING CPL. EARL K. GuLLEN CAPT. MALCOLM P. McNAIR, JR. CAPT. JoHN B. BRICKHOUSE T / SGT. EDWARD w. STEELE, JR. S / SGT. RussELL P. HALL CPL. EARL TRIBOU CAPT. MENTER G. BAKER, JR. M / S GT . RoBERT E. WALKER Art . .. SGT. ARNOLD c. BLACK Photos . .. M / SGT. RoBERT E. WALKER T I 4 RoBERT L. HoLT T I 4 HAROLD G. FRIDDELL cw I 0 EDWARD c. ALLEN CAPT. EDwARD H. DEws PFc. FRED w. ELLIS CPL. RoBERT E. HowARD U.S. ARMY SIGNAL CoRPS U.S. CoAsT GuARD Edited by .