Matt Walsh BATTLE OF POLYGON WOOD

Matt Walsh BATTLE OF POLYGON WOOD

Table of Content Topic Introduction Setting the Scene The Year 1917 The Australians Quote by Sir Douglas Haig- re the Australians The Flammenwerfer (German Flamethrower) Casualties Memorials Awards received during Battle - Victoria Crosses - Military Medal Page 1 1 2 3 3 3 4 4 5 This booklet is an initiative of the Defence Reserves Association (NSW) Inc. and the Military Police Association of Australia Inc. as part of their Schools Military History Program. Written and compiled by Matt Walsh JP. MLO ALGA (MCAE) Dip Bus & Corp Law (CPS) 2008 Published by Matt Walsh 115 Leacocks Lane Casula 2170

Battle of Polygon Wood 3 rd Battle of Ypres 31 st July 1917 30 September 1917 Introduction Polygon Wood was named for its unusual shape. It was the site of the Ypres Rifle Range the most prominent feature being the Buttes which was the area at the back of the Rifle Range. There was also a small airfield in the general area. Setting the Scene 1914. The Battle for Polygon Wood first commenced in 1914 when the Germans advanced towards Polygon Wood which at this time was defended by the British and the French. Polygon wood at this time in the war was covered with thick undergrowth which made it difficult to see your own troops, so when the British were advancing they were ordered to only use their bayonets as rifle fire might endanger other allied troops. This situation was to change considerably during later battles for Polygon Wood when the area was flattened of all its trees and undergrowth by artillery fire. During this early battle casualties were high with the British loosing about 1/3 rd of their effective strength. Like most areas in this war Polygon Wood was to change hands on a number of occasions. - 1 -

The year 1917 The final attack by the allies in September 1917 was to become known As the Battle of Polygon Wood, it had as its chief objective the capture of the high ground on either side of the Menin Road between Clapham Junction and Gheluvelt Village. The attack was to be from the South near Tower Hamlet to the North East of St. Julian a distance of (6) six miles. The attack was scheduled to begin at 5.50 am. The enemy commander had packed his troops in the area with the view of either a victory or to break any counter attack again his Division Stiff opposition was encountered by the Allies and the area was not taken until 27 th September 1917. The allied troops whilst on level ground were up to their knees in mud and when they were in shell holes they sank up to their waists in the mud. - 2 -

The Australians Units of the 4 th and 5 th Divisions ( 1 st Anzac Corps) were given the task of attacking and capturing the areas of Glencorse Wood Nuns Wood (Noone Bosschen), Polygon Wood and the former German third line to the north. This offensive was to be the first time (2) two Australian Divisions had attacked together side by side. The 4 th and 5 th Divisions attacked Polygon Wood on the 26 th September 1917 on a 2000 metre front. Quote by Sir Douglas Haig about the Australians This advance constituted a fine performance in which the capture of a piece of ground that had much delayed us was successful The Australians at Polygon Wood Two (2) attempts were made by the Germans on the 30 th September and a further five (5) on the 1 st October to advance along the Menin Road they were unsuccessful being held back by the Australians with the support of the British. It is of interest to note that that during the Battle of Polygon Wood that the Germans introduced the use of the Flame Thrower- (Flammenwerfer) against the British. The Flammenwerfer - 3 -

Casualties The Australians suffered heavy casualties in total 5,748. 4 th Division 1718 5 th Division - 3725 Supporting Troops - 307 Polygon Wood Cemetery Memorials The 5 th Division Memorial on the Butte at Polygon Wood is the only Australian Memorial in Belgium and it records the Battle Honours won in both France and Belgium by the Australians. 5 th Division Memorial Polygon Wood Cemetery In more recent times (5) bodies of Australians have been located who were killed during the Battle for Polygon Wood. They were located in 2006 at Westhoek Hamlet and two were identified by use of DNA:- They were Private John Hunter 49 th Battalion Sergeant George Calder 51 st Battalion The other (3) remain unidentified and were Laid to Rest nearby. - 4

Awards received during the Battle Victoria Crosses 2 nd Lieutenant Frederick Birks VC MM 6 th Infantry Battalion (Victoria) Sergeant John Dwyer VC 4 th Machine Gun Company. Private Reginald Inwood VC 10 th Infantry Battalion Private Paddy Bugden VC 31 st Battalion - 5 -