“Goin Well!”

The great counter-offensive of the Allied Forces which opened on 8th August, 1918, not only put an end to the enemy’s prospects of reaching Amiens and all that would go with it, but shook his morale to such an extent that Ludendorff described it as Germany’s Black Day. Thereafter, his tactics were suddenly changed, from those of a bold offensive to urgent and, to a great extent, panic defence.

In the spectacular break-through on the Australian front, troops of the Corps advanced far beyond their allotted task, pushing the enemy back in disorder.

To ensure that the utmost advantage of these gains was taken, it was necessary to keep up the pressure, allowing no time for the enemy to consolidate his position.

Because of this, all units of the Australian Corps had a particularly strenuous time, and were given little opportunity to rest.

Our own 59th Battalion, after two weeks of successful partici- pation in this great forward thrust, finally halted in the neighbour- hood of Mericourt.

From here we were withdrawn to billets in the village of Vaire- sur-Somme, supposedly for a rest, but we guessed at the outset that this would be of very short duration.

Only two days after our arrival we were visited by our Brigadier “Pompey” Elliott – who addressed us in characteristic fashion at a battalion parade, telling us that we were to participate “in important operations at an early date.” In the meantime, the men spent the time resting and swimming in the Somme.

Nor did we have long to wait for confirmation.

Two days later, General Hobbs, Commander of the 5th Division, supported our Brigadier in an address along similar lines, leaving no doubt in our minds that there were stern days ahead.

On the following day – just five days after taking over our wallets _ we marched out to the stirring music of the Battalion band

We left Vaire-sur-Somme immediately after the midday meal, changing over to “artillery formation” as soon as we were clear of the village.

This formation involves advancing in small staggered groups, sth no more than two men abreast in each, and having a liberal stance between groups, thus providing for a minimum of casualties in the event of enemy shell-fire.

Our dress was “fighting order”. This meant discarding our packs in favour of haversacks, the latter being worn on the shoulder straps in the position occupied by the pack in “marching order”.

The direction of our advance followed an easterly line, approximately through Hamel, Morcourt and Proyart, and, after an exhausting march of over twenty miles, we arrived at Fay around mid- night.

At this point the men were in such a state of fatigue that they pleaded with their officers not to halt again until we had reached our destination, fearing that, after the ten minutes’ rest, their feet would be so numbed as to make further movement impossible.

Even at that stage, any movement of our feet could be seen but not felt, a condition of the limbs which can only be understood and believed through experience.

However, it was decided to halt at Fay for the night, and to occupy old trench shelters there for whatever rest we were able to get.

Then something happened which added quite a dramatic touch to our exhaustion.

While we were still resting on the side of the road at Fay, suddenly we heard the tramp of marching feet, and we knew from experience that the feet were Australian.

The night was “pitch black”, and, as the marching feet drew hearer, a strange silence fell over our unit, suggesting that every member was listening intently.

But the silence was abruptly broken as the approaching column drew alongside.

“What mob are you?” came from several men in our unit.

Then the reply, “29th – who are you?”

Quite a chorus responded, “59th”. Immediately a voice from the 29th shouted, “Oh, is Bill Williams there?”

To which Bill Williams replied, “Yes! Is that you, Smithy?” Back came the reply. “Yes! How are you, Bill?”

“Aw – goin’ well! How are you?”

Cheerfully Bill replied,

“Aw- goin’ well!

Smithy’s reply was even more cheerful. Hooray, Bill!”