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Bullecourt

Looking east towards Riencourt les Cagnicourt
Designed as a diversionary attack whilst the British attacked Srras on 9th April 1917, it was intended to catch assumed German retreat eastwards from Arras.
62/Div W. Riding to attack west of Bullecourt and 4/Aus. Div to attack to east with tanks supporting both attacks. Maj.Gen White of 1/Anzac Corps wanted Queant to the east attacked as well as was concerned about enfilading German artillery fire: was assured that this artillery would be destroyed though attack delayed until 12th to enable this process.
Initial success at Arras encouraged Gough to bring attack forward to 0430 on 10th. PLan was for 12 tanks to advance without artillery barrage with troops behind. In event tanks got lost and attack postponed for 24 hrs. On 11th only three tanks arrived and none reached the objectives being attacked: however Australians advanced nonetheless and by 0700 had taken all their assigned positions.
1000 Germans counter-attacked and thrua

© A

Fields of Battle - Vimy

Vimy Ridge Canadian National Memorial
On the opening day of the Battle of Arras, 9 April 1917, the four divisions of the Canadian Corps, fighting side by side for the first time, scored a huge tactical victory in the capture of the 60 metre high Vimy Ridge. After the war, the highest point of the ridge was chosen as the site of the great memorial to all Canadians who served their country in battle during the First World War, and particularly to the 60, 000 who gave their lives in France. It also bears the names of 11, 285 Canadian servicemen who died in France - many of them in the fight for Vimy Ridge - who have no known grave. The memorial was designed by W S Allward.
No. of Identified Casualties: 11169

© Mike St. Maur Sheil / westernfrontphotography.com

Sgt. Alvin C York, Medal of Honour - Argonne

Sgt. Alvin York: Medal of Honour
On Oct 8th 1918 2/Batt 328/Infantry was ordered to attack west from Ch-Ch towards a railway which was suppling the German forces encircling elements of 308/Infantry of 77/Division - the 'Lost Battalion' - near Binarville.
Cpl. Alvin York managed to penetrate the German lines to the south of his units line of advance where he came under fire from a machine gun: York returned fire with his rifle and when charged by a group of Germans proceeded to shoot them with his.45 Colt automatic. In all he killed 21 men and then with the remnants of his squad took 132 Germans as prisoner and it was for this feat he received the Medal of Honour.
Today the location of his exploit is hotly contested but this shot is taken in the woods near Chaetl Chehery and is typical of the terrain where York performed his amazing feat of arms.

© Mike St. Maur Sheil / westernfrontphotography.com