First World War – Battles of Bullecourt, 1917

Background

Australians, organised into infantry corps I and II Anzac Corps, first arrived at France during July 1916. Upon their arrival, I and II Anzac Corps were organised into the larger British Expeditionary Force and were deployed across the Western Front. Through 1916, Australians participated in the Somme campaign, including the battles of Fromelles, Pozieres, Mouquet Farm and Le Transloy. The cycle on trench warfare continued into 1917. This included two large offensives: the first and second Battle of Bullecourt.

First Battle of Bullecourt

The First Battle of Bullecourt began on 11 April 1917 when allied advanced on Bullecourt. The attack was launched at 4.30am when 4th Australian and 62nd British Divisions advanced on the small town of Bullecourt which had become a German stronghold of the Hindenburg Line. Both brigades successfully infiltrated the front line of German trenches, and seized a portion of the second line. However, by 7am only one of the organised tanks had arrived. Without armoured support, the Australian infantry achieved what was, until then, considered an impossible feat; breaking into the German trenches without a protective artillery barrage.  Australian personnel were left with reinforcements after they crossed the Hindenburg Line. Communication too had broken down, meaning that they were without assistance Exposed on both flanks, cut off from reinforcements by German artillery fire and at risk of being trapped by Germans working their way to the Australians’ rear, the survivors made a break for their own lines. Less than ten hours after it began, the assault had ended in failure. Some 3700 Australians died during the first battle of Bullecourt.  A further 1,100 Australians were taken prisoner. 

Second Battle of Bullecourt

The Second Battle of Bullecourt occurred between 3 and 17 May 1917. Senior British officers were determined to make another attempt to take the German-held town. At 3.45am, units 5th and 6th brigades of the 2nd Australian Division were attacked Bullecourt from the right while the British 62nd Division attacked from the left. The divisions were supported by an artillery barrage. Expecting a second assault, the Germans had strengthened their already imposing defences. Once again Allied infantry made it into the German line and began bombing their way through the maze of trenches. 

Across the following fortnight, Bullecourt saw some of the most deadly trench fighting of the entire war. Across the two weeks, Australians gained some 600 metres of trenches and were slowly closing on Bullecourt. Australian and British efforts to consolidate their hold was interrupted by a counterattack on 15 May. Despite further violence and bloodshed, Australian and British troops held their position. Early on the morning of 17 May, British patrols reported that ‘everything was very quiet’. The following day Australians reported a similar lack of activity on their front. The Germans had withdrawn.

While Australians had won the second battle, some 7,480 Australians were killed or wounded. One observer described the Second Battle of Bullecourt as the most intense trench fighting across the entire war. It continued even as the Arras offensive, in whose support the attacks on Bullecourt were launched, lost momentum and wound down. For a time, the Bullecourt fighting assumed an importance out of all proportion to its value as an objective. 

Facts and Figures

  • The First battle of Bullecourt was the AIF’s first major battles since the Somme fighting of 1916
  • First battle was on 11 April 1917
  • Second battle went from 3–17 May 1917
  • Approximately 10,000 Australians were listed as killed, missing or wounded in the fighting at Bullecourt
  • More than 1,100 Australians became prisoners of war in the first battle of Bullecourt, the highest number of any action during the First World War
  • Two Australians earned the Victoria Cross at Second Battle of Bullecourt: Corporal George ‘Snowy’ Howell VC MM, and Lieutenant Rupert Vance ‘Mick’ Moon VC.

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