Battle of Broodseinde Ridge

At 10pm on the 3rd October 1917, the battalion commenced its approach to the battlefield. They had to cross the Zonnebeke, normally a small creek, shellfire had so chopped and churned it up that it formed an impassable liquid morass about 150 yards across. The bridge had been destroyed and this delayed the battalion’s crossing until 2am when another bridge was located. During this time there were some casualties to artillery fire.

The Australian offensive was time for 6am but as fate would have it the Germans were preparing to launch their own offensive at 6.10am. This meant that both sides were ready for action. The Germans in the sector were part of the “Iron Division” which had not yet lost a trench in the war. Constant shelling was bombarded on the Australian positions from 3am to 6am. D Company suffered 50% casualties with the other companies also suffering badly.

“In addition, the usual Flanders drizzle drenches everyone to the skin. Although under such circumstances the wetting was of minor importance, it was still another of those proverbial straws which, however, never broke the Diggers’ backs. Only those who endured it can now imagine what the suspense was like.

Suddenly a flash of fire behind and a thunderous deafening roar in front gave notice that the Australian guns were hitting back. Then as the barrage went forward, the infantry, eager for action, followed it closely, and dead, wounded and dazed Germans met the view everywhere. The enemy attack was completely dislocated, and five minutes from the opening of the barrage his attacking troops were either casualties or on their way back as prisoners of war. However, isolated concrete dug-outs, protected from shell fire and manned by staunch machine gunners, held out, and each of these caused many casualties before they were wiped out.” – Captain Longmore

By 10am Broodseinde Ridge was taken and German counter-battery fire was all but destroyed. The first day of fighting had been tough, 34 soldiers of the battalion had been killed. This made the 4th October 1917 the deadliest day in the history of the 44th Battalion.

The Germans attempted two counter-attacks on the 5th October but these failed from artillery fire before even reaching the infantry. Nevertheless, eight more 44th soldiers died on this day.

The battalion was relieved from the battlefield on the evening of the 6th October 1917. Another four 44th soldiers died during the day.

46 members of the battalion died during the battle, the vast majority in the initial German bombardment. 200-250 more men were wounded.

Acts of Bravery  

Major A’Beckett received the Distinguished Service Order for his leadership during the battle.

Corporal F.S. Lushey worked unceasingly in the open, dressing and tending casualties under constant heavy enemy fire over a period of three days. He was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal. 

Lieutenant W.R. Maddeford (A Company) assumed command of A Company after the OC was killed. Despite the concentrated German bombardment he took his Lewis guns forward and personally supervised the consolidation of his platoon posts. He continued to lead the company until the end of the battle and was awarded the Military Cross.

Lieutenant Bremner repeatedly led his company in acts of bravery. He charged several Germans in a fortified shell hole, shooting one, bayoneting another which caused the others to surrender. He then led his company to a pillbox known as “Seine”. He worked around to the rear of the pillbox with a party of his men and attacked the garrison with mills bombs. Several Germans were killed including a senior officer. One officer and 31 men were captured. Many of the prisoners were noted to have been teenaged Bavarians, not long out of school and often terrified of their veteran Australian captors.

Lieutenant W.J. Hunt (Transport Officer) personally went forward with his pack transport, which carried ammunition and rations from the rear areas to the companies in the support line, through heavy artillery fire. He was recommended for the Military Cross.

Private S Blaize repeatedly carried messages between companies, despite the intensity of the enemy bombardment and the broken terrain.

Lieutenant E.C. Rogers was detailed to remain at headquarters during the battle, however he bought himself a job as the command of some AA guns and went over the trenches with the rest of his comrades. He was wounded in 13 places yet remained on duty for two whole days. He assisted in the evacuation of all the casualties in his section. Despite being bandaged from head to toe he never reported himself a casualty.

Corporal L.W Walker worked in the open administering aid to casualties, in total disregard of enemy fire, until he himself was wounded.

Corporal H Baynes travelled up and down the 44th’s trench line through the heavy hostile bombardment, attending to casualties with total disregard to his own safety. 

Driver R Graham (Driver) volunteered to take forward hot meals to the battalion’s positions with a team of pack mules during a heavy bombardment. He declined to take a safer alternative and longer route and proceeded directly through the concentrated barrage to deliver the food, whilst still warm, in the shortest time possible. His unwavering approach, wading through mud up to his thighs leading his unwilling mules, ostensibly impervious to the erupting enemy shells, was a remarkable sight to the spent troops.