battle dover battle dover occurred october naval battle world war great_britain german empire half german torpedo boats flanders flotilla launched raid dover attempt disrupt dover barrage destroy allied shipping found approaching barrage german torpedo boats challenged british destroyer hms engagement broke germans able destroy successfully assault barrage engaged flotilla british destroyers sent repel germans able fight additional british units successfully withdrawing end night british lost destroyer transport germans suffered minor damage single torpedo boat background october flanders flotilla finally reinforced german admiralty torpedo boat transfer 3rd 9th torpedo boat flanders immediate consequences balance power dover flanders flotilla equipped large torpedo boats smaller inferior class torpedo boats possessed large torpedo boats capable meeting british dover patrol combat lack large torpedo boats flanders flotilla sortied dover patrol months result british defences area newly acquired flanders flotilla commander von decided launch raid dover dover barrage allied shipping found channel british prohibited transports channel night anticipation german raid dover barrage prepared meet attack facing boats dover barrage guarded old destroyer hms yacht naval divisions manning barrage anti submarine nets armed single rifle defence addition forces guarding barrage tribal class destroyers dover called event raid units force dispersed downs battle german torpedo boats split groups attacking different section shipping channel german 5th half flotilla sailed dover barrage soon came contact 10th division tending anti submarine nets attacked hearing gunfire escort approached unidentified vessels challenged boats responded british signal similar signal confused commander decided approaching vessels allied destroyers attacked submarine open boat launched rescue survivors sinking german boats attacked destroyer surprising crew outnumbered tried ram german boats brief engagement sunk gunfire torpedoes sinking germans continued attack barrage sinking 8th 16th divisions sunk damaged fifth half flotilla withdrew bacon heard raid sent tribal class destroyers hms amazon viking engage germans orders british commander destroyer division commander henry viking deployed destroyers loose groups consisting viking amazon soon steamed far ahead group vessel reach scene sinking half flotilla german boats caught british transport queen sands returned french coast boarded removed crew sinking contact german 17th half flotilla error german boats allied vessels surprised hail gunfire attempted ram boat german line battle struck torpedo blew bow reduced drifting hulk amazon soon arrived aid engaged german boats germans scored hits amazon knocking boilers withdrawing viking division boats clashed kaiserliche_marine torpedo boats german 18th half flotilla heading sailed group destroyers engaging passed viking escaped unscathed suffered hits germans able break away safety coast near end action bacon commander dover patrol dispatched division intercept german torpedo boats return flanders germans able successfully withdraw caught reinforcements aftermath british failed stop raiders destroying men killed wounded taken prisoner ships sunk addition transport queen destroyers naval damaged german torpedo boats sms suffered damage german vessel suffered casualties success raid encouraged germans plan sorties english channel raids continued 3rd 9th torpedo boat high_seas_fleet november


battle battle june offensive conducted british second army command general sir western near village west flanders belgium world war offensive april failed achieve ambitious aims led french troops anglo french strategy offensive forced germans reserves flanders fronts relieved pressure french tactical objective attack capture german defences ridge ran wood south german 4th army high ground south ridge commanded british defences areas north british intended conduct northern operation advance ridge capture belgian coast dutch frontier second army corps conducted attack remained northern flank engaged main operation corps available general headquarters reserve reserve 4th army divisions group held ridge later reinforced division battle began series mines beneath german lines created large devastated german line defences followed barrage yards deep covering british troops secured ridge support tanks cavalry patrols aircraft effectiveness british mines improved advances artillery survey flash spotting control artillery second army headquarters british attacks june advanced line german line battle prelude larger battle campaign preliminary bombardment began july background british plans british planned clear german_army belgian coast prevent coastal ports bases attack merchant ships troop transports north_sea english channel january general sir recommended field marshal sir douglas capture ridge southern arc operation capture plateau north flanders campaign postponed german offensive demands battle apparent offensive april failed achieve ambitious objectives instructed second army capture ridge soon possible intended force germans troops away french armies amid failure offensive led number british operations flanders relieve pressure french army battle capture ridge british control strategically important ground southern flank germans observation british positions north occupy ground british observe southern slope ridge west end plateau preparation larger offensive line changed relatively little end second battle april british held city germans held high ground ridge south lower ridges east flat ground north german lines overlooked german artillery observers higher ground british little ground observation german rear areas valleys east ridges ridges ran north east feet sea level highest point past junction west end plateau miles feet feet miles feet sea level declining plain north varied underneath soil london clay sand battle drainage area destroyed artillery fire repairs achieved army land drainage companies brought england area considered british drier wood south prelude british offensive preparations second army devised artillery plan great following practice established battle april use field survey gun weather data new highly accurate scale map gave british artillery improved accuracy target finding systematic use new sound ranging equipment better organisation flash spotting communication results army report centre second army counter battery artillery increased week ending april days attack survey captured ground battle found percent german artillery positions plotted 2nd field survey company assisted mining companies establishing positions objectives german lines intersection special series aerial photographs company surveyed advanced artillery positions guns moving forward battle begun begin firing soon arrived positions british begun mining offensive german held sic sub surface conditions especially complex separate ground water tables mining difficult overcome technical difficulties military assisted miners march including david planned system mines dug tunnels layer blue clay feet surface drifted galleries yards points deep underneath group lines despite german counter mining german came metres british chambers found farm wrecked chamber british diverted attention german miners deepest galleries making secondary attacks upper levels companies royal engineers canadian australian new_zealand british miners laid mines long tons explosive british knew importance germans placed holding captured corps order stating held costs received june week attack guns bombarded german trenches cut wire destroyed strong points conducted counter battery fire german artillery pieces shells 4th australian 11th 24th divisions moved north reserve divisions corps second army preparing attack ridge seventy new mark tanks arrived hidden south west british aircraft began north total rising operational aircraft brigade second army area mass artillery attack supported artillery observation photographic reconnaissance aircraft corps squadrons increased eighteen aircraft strict enforcement wireless procedures allowed reduction minimum distance observation aircraft yards april yards mutual wireless interference wire cutting began extra days added bombardment counter battery fire main bombardment began day poor weather attack flights observation squadron concentrated counter battery observation bombardment flight working particular artillery bombardment groups wire cutting trench destruction flights contact patrol flights intended observe positions british troops assault began attack barrage rehearsed june allow british air observers plot masked german batteries mainly remained hidden minor flaws british barrage reported repeat performance june induced larger number hidden german batteries reveal 25th division preparations road road facing yards german line tapered final objective yards wide near crest ridge yards distant german defensive lines advance begin short rise near edge valley steep rise valley floor hell sloping roof farms chest middle farms main ridge farm left flank objective artillery 25th divisional artillery army field brigade built guards division field artillery placed concealed forward positions road making construction dug outs communication trenches took place april june assembly trench dug yards german line hours night complete communication trenches barbed wire bridges delivered days attack yards telephone cable dug feet deep german artillery hits british attack large numbers posts machine guns fire overhead barrage built protective pits dug carry loads rounds ammunition advanced troops field companies engineers pioneer battalion kept reserve follow attacking infantry rebuild roads work defensive positions ground consolidated artillery support division devised standing barrage plan time table tailored estimated rates advance infantry units standing barrage lifts trenches yards infantry continuous fire targets fired inch inch inch change infantry got yards pounder field gun standing jump series objectives concealed guns guards division field artillery join barrage advance army field brigade advance old line ready anticipated german counter attack 47th division planned attack brigades reinforced battalion reserve brigade canal large numbers machine guns organised fire offensive defensive signal detachments organised advance infantry observation balloon reserved messages signal lamp line insurance failure telephone lines message runners divisional trench mortar batteries bombard german line opposite brigade close artillery shell british troops wire cutting began mid considerable local retaliation german artillery end attacking brigades began training practice courses built resemble german positions attacked air reconnaissance photographs mark positions machine gun posts hidden barbed wire divisional intelligence plan capture german company battalion headquarters brigade tanks attached occupy white adjacent brigade attacked canal bank left june british artillery began intense stage preparatory bombardment trench destruction wire cutting attacking brigades assembled attack june british fighter aircraft tried prevent german aircraft observing artillery dominating air british line german balloon line yards better aircraft like bristol fighter naval entered service matched performance german fighters barrage line patrolled day week attack fighters feet feet centre attack british corps aircraft shot german aircraft june corps aircraft able direct artillery fire simultaneously attacking corps barrage line lay second line defence wireless interception german artillery observation aircraft guide british aircraft areas german flights frequent june british_army control post compass stations station linked telephone army wing headquarters fighter squadrons anti aircraft commander corps heavy artillery headquarters new anti aircraft communication links allowed areas threatened german bombardment warned german artillery spotting aircraft attacked german artillery batteries fired revealed june brigade calls wireless interception shot german aircraft damaged seven stopped german artillery normal offensive patrols continued barrage line line large formations british german aircraft clashed long german air reinforcements began operating area longer range bombing reconnaissance flights concentrated german occupied airfields railway stations night bombing specialists squadron attacked trains squadrons reserved close air support battlefield low attacks german airfields plan attack british planned advance yard east line maximum depth yards intermediate objectives reached day time fresh infantry leap frog gain ridge day afternoon advance ridge attack conducted corps second army general sir corps south east advance yards corps centre attack yards yards summit corps north attack yards corps planned attacks supervision army commander guides analyses operations successful features attack april great care taken planning counter battery fire artillery barrage time table machine gun german artillery positions second line visible british ground observers observation rear slopes ridge aircraft concentrated brigade balloons balloon wing placed feet british line second army artillery commander major general george corps artillery plans particularly heavy artillery arrangements suppress german artillery devised corps divisional artillery commanders second army report centre linked buried cable corps report centre corps heavy artillery headquarters divisional artillery headquarters squadrons balloon headquarters survey stations wireless stations responsibility counter battery fire given counter battery staff officer small staff concentrated exclusively defeat german artillery conference held evening counter battery divisions corps day reports observation aircraft balloons field survey companies sound ranging sections forward observation officers corps counter battery area divided zones allotted heavy artillery groups heavy artillery group headquarters divided zones map squares allotted artillery batteries required ready swiftly open fire attacking corps organised heavy artillery army plan according local conditions corps created counter battery groups heavy artillery group corps arranged similar groups bombardment groups corps divisions making initial attack heaviest reserve control corps heavy artillery commander heavy artillery group commander attached divisional artillery headquarters command heavy artillery infantry attack began field artillery arrangements corps varied corps groups sub groups formed infantry brigades artillery liaison officer sub groups pounder batteries inch batteries surplus field artillery brigade headquarters planned forward moves guns kept ready replace casualties expected artillery need switch rapidly bombardment plan engage counter attacking german infantry planned forward observation officers divisions attack ridge control artillery remained place reserve divisions advancing far slope line control artillery hidden close line artillery advanced man land planned german guns yards attack flanks british attack yards german guns located british guns percent german total set aside german guns path attack engaged british gun formula required british guns reserved counter battery fire yards medium heavy bombardment required guns super heavy guns percent deployed field artillery fire standing devised bombardment added arrangements machine gun barrage medium heavy guns organised groups field guns field artillery brigades attacking divisions thirty army field artillery brigades divided attacking corps ammunition weighing long tons delivered shells pounder shells inch rounds medium heavy piece gas smoke shells pounder field guns thirds pounders fire barrage immediately ahead advance remainder field guns inch fire standing barrage yards ahead german positions lift target infantry came yards barrage division given extra batteries field artillery withdrawn barrage divisional commander discretion engage local targets field batteries reserve divisions placed positions close british line objective taken infantry barrage pause yards ahead standing barrage infantry consolidated time pace fire round gun minute allowing gun crews respite resuming intensity barrage moved heavy super heavy artillery fire german artillery positions rear areas machine guns fire barrage heads advancing troops mines detonated followed attack divisions ridge blue line objective occupied zero hours followed hour pause zero hours advance black line second objective begin consolidation start zero hours fresh troops brigades attacking divisions reserve divisions pass attack line zero hours soon black line captured guns bombard line conduct counter battery fire place standing barrage black line operational tanks join held reserve support infantry advance line german defensive preparations defences forward slope overlooked hill hill south valley hill yards west arrangement experience showed obsolete new line incorporating revised principles defence derived experience battle known begun february section began miles ridge running north nearest areas giving good artillery observation west found april field marshal crown prince chief staff lieutenant general von favoured withdrawal line british attack local divisional commanders objected belief counter mining british underground threat line convex eastern slope limited artillery observation canal river restricted space ridge infantry manoeuvre counter attacks british observation ridge ground east far miles withdrawal far uncover southern slopes ridge vital position examined line extra line line british line second line dropped withdrawal proposal divisions command headquarters corps general von held ridge 4th army general friedrich von ridge garrison reinforced 24th division early 35th 3rd divisions brought divisions substantially reinforced artillery ammunition aircraft vulnerability northern end ridge met ridge led german command limiting frontage division yards 24th division south held yards 2nd division held yards south east yards line river defended 40th division line lightly held fortifications distributed mile line end british artillery fire damaging 24th 40th divisions relieved 35th 3rd divisions replaced 7th 1st guard reserve divisions early june relief 2nd division promised june german line regiments held areas yards wide battalion forward battalion support reserve miles battalion usually companies system lines called intermediate line company support battalion available immediate counter attack system second line ridge crest companies support battalion sheltered second line machine gun posts regimental sector dispersed defensive zone german defence intended mobile conduct immediate counter attacks recapture fall support battalions advance restore system hill importance held costs british preliminary bombardment began heavier defences demolished concrete shelters sides ridge systematically destroyed air superiority allowed british artillery observation aircraft cruise german defences despite defensive efforts circus german garrisons ordered forward yards shell holes man land dawn return shelters night shelters destroyed shell hole positions permanent companies troops second line withdrawn ridge end battalions changed days instead effect british bombardment german troops ridge convinced danger morale depressed statement prisoner taken june attack explosions june british bombardment intense nearly german defensive position forward slope effort reached maximum june german aircraft observed counter battery shoots wireless interception british showed german aircraft escorted seven fighters directing artillery fire second army british air observation reverse slope effective foreground villages demolished lines boxes survived long range fire villages road junctions railways bridges caused damage number ammunition destroyed battle second army fine weather forecast june morning june weather fair fine bad zero day fixed june zero hour expected man seen west yards thunderstorm evening june midnight sky cleared british aircraft cruised german lines camouflage sound tanks drove starting points attacking troops reached jumping positions unnoticed corps area routine british artillery night firing stopped half hour dawn heard mines began detonate explosions british artillery began fire maximum rate barrage belts yards deep began counter battery groups bombarded known german artillery positions gas shell attacking divisions reserve began advance german artillery reply came scattered late falling british assembly trenches vacated objective blue line corps objective southern ridge village 3rd australian division right german gas bombardment wood midnight caused casualties approach march attack river began time 9th 10th brigades explosions trenches seven seconds early left feet wide feet deep disrupted australian attack formation infantry lines merging wave reforming advanced new_zealand division approached hill avoided german gas bombardment attacking brigades crossed dry river bed took german line despite abandonment farm advanced village left corps 25th division began advance yards new_zealand division quickly caught helped ontario farm right corps 36th division attack brigade supported mines big yards north brigade left helped house devastated area crossed resistance german survivors stunned explosions 16th irish division attacked farm road mines devastated defence mines left seconds late knocked advancing british infantry left corps 19th division north road attacked brigades remains grand explosions allowed infantry dangerous nose german survivors surrendered retreated corps relatively short advance yards crest yards summit uncover german defences north southern slope plateau ground german defences strengthened double normal infantry garrison german artillery concentration british attack area highly vulnerable british counter battery effort suppressed german artillery replies late ragged night june gaps cut british wire allow troops assemble man land ready attack 41st division attacked brigades past finding main obstacle wreckage caused explosion 47th 23rd divisions formed left defensive flank attack advancing ridge canal railway past mines hill canal railway warren german dug outs 47th division advancing close barrage crossed yards german position minutes german infantry surrendering way soft ground valley south led infantry brigades 23rd division advance near crest ridge arriving ground shook mines hill areas explosions british infantry found dead wounded stunned german soldiers attackers swept gaps german defences germans withdrew british troops advanced slope helped bombardment threw lots smoke dust blocking view remaining german defenders barrage moved yards minutes allowed leading troops rush german strong points machine gun nests germans able resist engaged rifle grenades lewis guns trench mortars bombers worked fighting tactics great success battle ridge april training attack methods adopted emphasis captured ground ensure bypassed german troops engage advancing troops smoke dust direction kept compass german forward zone easily overrun minutes allotted line half way german second line ridge supporting battalions attacking brigades leap advance second objective near crest ridge yards accuracy british barrage maintained local german counter attack attempts infantry approached german second line resistance increased second objective black line corps area 3rd australian division consolidated southern defensive flank attack digging river right new trench defeating hasty german counter attacks left flank division anchored captured german strong point new_zealand division attacked village southern german defences ridge village fortified line trenches outskirts inner defence zone comprising house converted shell proof dug outs machine gun posts edge village rushed fire farm yards north held advance tank drove caused german troops surrender new penetrated outer trenches barrage slowed yards minutes german garrison defended village great determination surrendering garrison commander captured 25th division took road ridge north new_zealand division little opposition hell farm eventually overrun corps area 36th division captured wreckage woods farm finding artillery fire cut masses barbed wire destroyed strong points north 16th irish 19th divisions advanced remains wood grand hit oil drum bombardment night june standing known german positions woods german force held despite passed objective reached german positions ran road white corps area fell 41st division long fight white attacked 47th division advanced objective covered smoke shells fired german positions north canal german garrison fought hard repulsed attacks surrendering trench mortar bombardment northern defensive flank maintained 23rd division advance yards minutes german force head south attacking brigades met held forced surrender rifle grenades british second intermediate objective trench german second line near crest ridge taken german documents battlefield showed expected forward crest ridge held divisions arrived counter attack effect mines artillery british infantry tactics german command objective rear trench german second line rear crest ridge yards away pause hours fresh battalions forward captured ground consolidated yards forward positions protective bombardment pounders swept forth heavier artillery stood ready respond pack animals men carrying packs brought supplies captured ground engineers supervised digging strong points protective bombardment increased intensity began forward moving yards minutes divisions battalions brigade divisions attacked earlier tanks operational caught infantry fresh battalions new_zealand division leap attacked earlier advanced german posts held german artillery headquarters blue yards captured tank broke strong point farm causing germans surrender reserve brigade 25th division continued advance north farm eventually taken assistance right flank troops 36th division helped tanks rest 36th division advanced right village captured german battalion headquarters fortified like special fired june demolished village battalions 16th irish division overran german survivors left reserve brigade 19th division took area village wood little resistance corps greater difficulty reaching final objectives loss white german defenders adjacent south 41st division easily crossed summit reached rear slope ridge yards away overlooked eastern slope valley taking prisoners woods north canal 47th division capture yards long german machine gun nests dug british attacks established great cost machine gun fire battle wood north infantry withdrew allow area bombarded attack reserve battalion 23rd division casualties caused flanking machine gun fire clearing battle wood took evening centre attack company battalion advanced barrage observation line yards east slope ridge assisted tanks patrols cavalry german troops encountered surrendered quickly leg wood offered slight resistance british aircraft added german difficulties low level machine gun attacks second objective observation line farm south farm wood reached casualties ground markers divisions attack afternoon area consolidated defensive british units ridge based assumption casualties advance intermediate objective blue line percent advance ridge black line percent far fewer british casualties anticipated caused congestion ridge attacking troops suffered considerable casualties german long range machine gun artillery fire british planners expected german divisions ridge begin organised counter attacks arranged long pause advance eastern slope enable defeated consolidated defensive positions encountered open british advancing masked batteries reserve divisions add protective barrage infantry germans seen final objective line pause hours considered necessary defeat german divisions resuming advance line pause extended hours received reports state ground artillery joined masked batteries close line moved far man land terrain allowed ridge machine guns prepared fire overhead barrage division placed sixteen guns observation line eastern slope tanks reserve began advance join corps corps flanks surviving tanks morning attack corps join woods 4th australian division continued attack corps right hand brigade reaching assembly areas learning brigade lie open ground german artillery machine gun fire caused considerable loss left brigade informed time hold bombardment began slope rate yards minutes right brigade advanced yard line river north blue gate brook german machine gunners line caused casualties support tanks australians reached north road australians germans tried retreat british barrage stopped moving yards rear trench line left brigade stopped right flank fire german north road yards short line casualties left battalion unaware 33rd brigade 11th division north delayed north east try contact near farm took battalion spur instead straight objective easily reached yards north intended position australians extended line north trying meet 33rd brigade arrived tanks brigade took van farms objective machine guns fired corps 33rd brigade 11th division ordered advance farm message delayed troops reach assembly area farm half hour late cover delay corps commander ordered 57th brigade 19th division reserve line van farm village bug wood southern yards left 33rd brigade orders delayed 19th division commander asked ordered 57th brigade advance waiting 33rd brigade troops knew advance downhill barrage able occupy objective minutes light opposition meeting australians brigades 24th division corps reserve advanced corps sector reached time brigades easily reached objectives bug wood rose wood farm taking unopposed german brigades captured germans field guns loss casualties advancing yards valley took wood unopposed left flank left battalion drawn meet 47th division held machine gun fire bank final objectives british offensive taken area canal near bank yards line junction corps corps despite heavy bombardment germans bank repulsed infantry attack reserve battalion moved second attack bank caught german artillery bombardment assembling attack companies attacked met machine gun fire advance advanced half way bank survivors original infantry withdrawn german reinforcements seen arriving canal cutting attempts situation near worsened german troops seen assembling near farm close road british barrage fell 12th australian brigade inadvertently digging yards objective australians stopped german counter attack small arms fire survivors began withdraw spontaneously stopped relative safety ridge darkness fell impression australians retired new_zealand artillery observers called barrage brought closer observation line feared german counter attack bombardment fell rest australians withdrew casualties leaving southern line gap barrage corps stopped german counter attack valley shells fell short informal withdrawal led barrage moved closer observation line added british casualties infantry managed artillery stopped able occupy positions operations line corps area started june air operations infantry moved attack contact patrol aircraft flew low overhead maintained corps day observers easily able plot positions experienced troops lit attract attention troops poorly trained inexperienced failed operate fearing exposure germans aircraft flew dangerously low identify shot consequence air observation vital german operations control commanding ground speed reports air observation delivered valuable form liaison line higher commanders german infantry proved reluctant reveal british german visual reports maps dropped divisional headquarters corps report centres allowing progress infantry followed pause ridge crest observer reported line barely occupied balloon observer reported heavy german barrage corps counter attack patrol aircraft reported german infantry advancing german counter attack crushed artillery fire corps squadron kept aircraft counter attack patrol day barrage fire german troops seen open speed british advance resulted german counter attacks artillery observers watched german gunfire zone calls managed german guns engaged observers regulated bombardment line artillery viii corps north attack able german artillery opposite corps fourteen fighters sent low altitude german ground targets ahead british infantry german lines attacking infantry transport gun teams machine gun nests attacks continued day british aircraft shot organised attacks german airfields near day bombing squadrons attacked airfields chin reconnaissance reports german troops concentrating led aircraft setting attack minutes german fighters considerable effort intercept corps observation aircraft battlefield frustrated patrols barrage line offensive patrols british corps aircraft shot german aircraft day dark night bombing specialists squadron bombed railway stations ignorance situation northern end corps resolved air reconnaissance dawn june german 4th army june british artillery bombardment ceased expecting immediate infantry assault german defenders returned forward positions mines detonated killing german soldiers destroying middle system survivors german battalions line swiftly overrun explosions occurred german line troops relieved catching groups british artillery fire resumed moment explosions able counter attack overwhelmed quickly british advanced line usually held half support battalions reduced men machine guns yards regimental zone smoke dust british barrage limited visibility yards defenders thought figures moving german soldiers retreating overrun pause british continued line held half support battalions company reserve battalion machine guns regimental sector despite daylight german defenders saw occasional shapes dust smoke artillery fire machine british aircraft german defence south collapsed uncovered left flank unit north turn forcing retire line german units held near waiting relieved counter attacks came garrison british held hours relieved expected divisions ridge reach second line british divisions reached assembly areas near 7th division ordered attack canal british northern flank 1st guard reserve division line east advance recapture original system divisions plagued delays new area counter attack operations 7th division shelled british artillery way canal division diverted reinforce remnants divisions holding positions rest division found british taken line time arrived 1st guard reserve division bombarded crossed line reached area east devastated resumption british barrage forced line british began advance objective contemplated withdrawal ordered existing line held british advance stopped losses inflicted british infantry german defence came german artillery fire days main attack german new british lines extremely accurate timed inflicting percent casualties suffered 25th division aftermath analysis military analysts historians disagree strategic significance battle describe british tactical operational success wrote british victory cost german_army dear drained german reserves wrote losses heavy regretted ground evacuated called worst german war dispatches described success british plan organisation results referring operation successful preliminary main offensive hart thought success inflated expectations battle circumstances operations different attempts apply similar tactics resulted failure lloyd george called battle judged brilliant success overshadowed subsequent tragedy battles official historian called great victory prior wilson called battle noteworthy success complained decision postpone exploitation success plateau referred battle great set piece victory costly particularly infantry corps christopher referring experience new_zealand division called great british success wrote loss ridge worse effect german morale number casualties jack called significant victory british disaster german_army forced lengthy period anxious waiting brown simpson concluded extending british supply routes ridge devastated mines millions shells consolidate line completion infrastructure north fifth army area necessary northern operation battle begin main reason operational pause june july casualties australian official historian recorded corps losses june casualties new_zealand division casualties 3rd australian division casualties 4th australian division figures recorded german casualties june including missing june june volume der german official historians recorded casualties period june including missing reported taken prisoner british losses british recorded casualties missing june initial explosion mines particular created lone tree crater accounts high number casualties missing june british official historian gave casualties corps corps corps corps viii corps total casualties june 25th division history gave casualties 47th division history notes casualties british official historian recorded german casualties including missing june strength returns groups german official history wrote added wounded likely return duty reasonable time omitted german official history reasoning severely criticised gave casualties german 4th army june subsequent operations june british attack regain line river road found german garrisons occupied german artillery south heavily bombarded southern slopes ridge caused considerable losses troops pinned ignorance situation north road continued reserve battalion sent reinforce 49th australian battalion near attack place 4th australian division commander major general william holmes went forward finally clarified situation new orders instructed 33rd brigade 11th division step right relieve 52nd australian battalion dusk south join 49th australian battalion attack gap went observers ridge saw 52nd australian battalion withdrawing german counter attack called bombardment german observers valley saw troops 33rd brigade moving area relieve australian battalion attacking force called bombardment area artillery fire sides hours causing casualties attack postponed june confusion caused original attacking divisions ridge having control artillery covered area occupied reserve divisions eastern slope arrangement intended protect ridge large german counter attacks force reserve divisions slope mistaken friendly troops ended late june new_zealand 16th irish 36th divisions withdrawn reserve normal corps organisation restored anticipated large german counter attacks occurred june attack began met strong resistance fresh german 11th division brought group 3rd australian division advanced yards river consolidating hold rise cottage secured right flank new position early june germans evacuated sector british observation line proved poor led order advance slope june corps push forward right wood farm hill yards spur corps farm hamlet come level australians farm corps capture bank areas adjacent attack german retirement night june june british advanced posts established resistance planned executed assault secured objectives fewer hours combination tactics devised use mines artillery survey tanks aircraft small unit fire movement tactics created measure surprise allowed attacking infantry advance confronted intact defences organised parties prevented passed german troops firing advanced troops british took prisoners guns machine guns trench mortars offensive secured southern end preparation british northern operation commander sacked days battle discussed possibility rapid exploitation victory attack arranging viii corps advance lake artillery considered days transfer june patrols viii corps fronts reported strong resistance urged attack immediately replied days arrange transferred corps fifth army evening gave instructions plan preliminary operation capture area castle june announced operation troops wanted area main offensive june german aircraft began daylight attacks london south east england leading diversion british aircraft concentration air forces northern operation victoria_cross private john 33rd battalion 3rd australian division lance corporal samuel 3rd battalion new_zealand rifles new_zealand division captain robert 37th battalion 3rd australian division private william 2nd south lancashire regiment 25th division


action november action november minor naval engagement fought british_royal_navy blockade french channel ports napoleonic wars british dominance sea enforced strategy close blockade difficult french_navy operate territorial waters autumn british squadron assigned patrol effectively french squadrons ports november squadron consisting frigates attempted reach night order united squadrons squadron spotted early hours november patrolling british frigates hms diana hms gave chase french ships took shelter heavily fortified saint sailing following morning anchorage saint days british frigates kept watch ships line blockade hms hms revenge arrived november british squadron attacked anchored french ships defended shore batteries attempts close french british squadron heavy fire withdrew night british commander captain sent ship boats close attack french ships rockets newly issued weapon recorded landing target morning frigates forced change position grounded shore french ships later refloated squadron maintained blockade november successfully escaped damaged remained anchor december attack british bomb vessel forced frigate grounded remained position december boats diana entered anchorage night set beached ship fire destroying french_navy fleet based atlantic ports prevented launching major operations years penned harbour british strategy close blockade failed attempt french fleet sail defeated battle roads main operations carried navy undertaken frigate squadrons operating commerce raiders operating smaller ports english channel november squadrons based ships line newly built frigate frigates commanded captains louis bernard louis respectively blockade squadrons royal_navy channel_fleet assigned ships line hms captain hms revenge captain charles patrol entrance frigates hms diana captain charles grant hms captain john kept watch blockade achieved minor successes october revenge captured november ran seized pursuit november sailed unite force hoping evade blockade darkness successfully passed patrolling diana spotted sailing northwest british ships gave chase turning attempt cut french line advance wind northeast french frigates unable pass cape pursuit instead turned squadron saint superior local knowledge bypass pursuing british ships heavily fortified islands british control french revolutionary wars reverted french peace diana attempted intercept french frigates came shelter guns able fire long distance trailing gave orders french frigates sail slipping away british ships drifted north safely batteries saint island observing strong position french frigates taken grant sent messages force requesting reinforcements brought revenge support frigates november maintaining position anchorage despite strong gale caused drag anchors captain forced throw ship stores overboard prevent frigate wrecked shore following day diana took advantage rising tide attack anchored captain withdrawing deeper sheltered anchorage protection batteries twice grant launched attacks french frigate time beaten heavy fire batteries joined remainder british force successive attacks launched driven cannon fire tide falling british squadron compelled retreat deeper water range french british ships suffered fire killed wounded revenge wounded wounded diana french losses single man killed evening november ordered ship boats squadron approach anchorage cover darkness commanded lieutenant joseph taylor boats equipped rockets recently invented artillery system widely use royal_navy rockets fired night appeared hit targets panicked french crews dawn following morning revealed frigates cut anchors drifted shore particular struck hard ships successfully refloated rising tide november situation reached forces blockading saint prevent french sailing destruction nearly weeks french frigates remained anchor grant drawing plans attack successfully slipped harbour november returning successfully dawn following day gone grant maintained closer watch calling bomb vessel attack anchorage december proved accurate rockets driven shallow waters avoid attack time grounded weeks remained grounded frigate gradually reduced state total wreck december grant sent boats commanded lieutenant thomas anchorage cover darkness set wreck fire ensure frigate stores salvaged destruction british squadrons returned blockade duties blockade remained place remainder napoleonic wars attempt join squadron march run destroyed squadron led ship line hms new survived little longer intercepted captured atlantic raiding mission january


battles battles series military engagements israel defense forces arab legion outskirts july arab israeli war takes monastery close junction major highways jerusalem british mandate palestine police base fort united_nations resolution placed area proposed arab state control arab legion commanded road linking controlled area jerusalem israel giving strategic importance battle jerusalem despite assaulting separate occasions israel ultimately unable capture remained control day war battles decisive decided construct bypass surrounding allow movement jerusalem avoiding main road regardless battle jerusalem jewish population jerusalem supplied new road named burma road bypassed suitable convoys battle left imprint israeli collective imagination constitutes founding myth jewish state attacks cost lives israeli soldiers accounts inflated number combat carries symbolic significance participation holocaust survivors today site israeli military museum dedicated israeli armored corps memorial israeli war independence background arab israeli war adoption united_nations partition plan palestine november civil war erupted british mandate palestine jews living jerusalem constituted weak points main cause concern leaders nearly inhabitants sixth total jewish population mandate city isolated heart territory arab control january context war roads holy war army besieged jewish city stopped convoys passing jerusalem end march tactic proved worth city cut launched operation april managed force number large convoys following death arab league military committee ordered arab force palestine arab liberation army forces northern today west bank road jerusalem areas middle situation arab inhabitants city outlying better massacre jewish offensive april triggered large scale exodus palestinian arabs mixed cities arab population jerusalem frightened feared fate departure british launched operations control city local arab leadership requested king jordan deploy army come aid situation newly declared state israel remnants palestine chaotic british leaving jewish forces gained advantage arab forces feared intervention arab armies announced day geography located crossroads jerusalem roads area allocated arab state united_nations partition plan point jerusalem road enters foothills fort dominated valley force occupied commanded road jerusalem comprised detention camp fortified police station occupied british monastery arab villages civil war death forces arab liberation army positioned police fort surrounding villages indifference british regularly attacked supply convoys heading jerusalem time israeli military prepared strategic importance place prelude operation launched operation arab liberation army palestinian occupied villages jerusalem road prevented jerusalem jewish community brigade west brigade east engaged fighting notably area battalion brigade attacked took village base control battalion brigade took position hills north south road withstand fire arab liberation army artillery unusual fire british armoured vehicles succeeded holding position entrenched west brigade troops took british detention camp road leading abandoned day 52nd battalion took villages north cutting zone main arab town area collins report platoon brigade fired penetrated fort encountering resistance morning east troops brigade took abandoned day time israeli officers field appreciated strategic importance report sent brigade concluded junction main point battle jerusalem exact words taken source appreciation shared staff week previously egyptian army advance brigade got order southern brigade remain jerusalem sector decision leave area fact planning strategic importance later source controversy chief operations commander brigade arab legion takes control confusion days british mandate entry war arab armies position changed hands combat firstly order given arab liberation army withdraw leave place arab legion according departure occurred arrival troops position held morris points platoon 11th company took fort auxiliary forces british mandatory palestine elements arab legion served palestine mandate british promised units withdrawn end april technical reasons companies didn leave country john commander arab legion formed division brigades infantry battalions addition independent infantry companies battalion given armored car company artillery separate battalion batteries dummy brigade formed believe reserve brigade arab states entered war syrian iraqi egyptian contingents deployed palestine expeditionary corps mainly constituted elite force british officers named arab legion comprised 1st brigade comprising 1st 3rd battalions areas lead 3rd brigade orders colonel comprising 2nd battalion orders major 4th battalion orders lieutenant colonel took position 5th 6th battalions acting independently realized conscience importance battle jerusalem objective wanted prevent strengthening jerusalem supplying city wanted diversion strengths far city arabs control east jerusalem addition 11th company sent 4th regiment night contingent number strengthened position remainder regiment reached area strength arab legion deployed sufficient road blocked israeli general staff needed days assess actual disposition forces jerusalem thought locations country situation jerusalem jerusalem successful enabled jewish forces control buildings strongholds abandoned british sent 3rd regiment arab legion strengthen arab fight jewish forces violent fighting jewish positions old city jerusalem threatened felt surrounded town second egyptian brigade composed mainly battalions units regular army reached southern outskirts jerusalem continued attack rachel knew israeli army sooner later stronger prevent strengthening brigades secure east jerusalem strength reinforce blockade iraqi army time tanks relieved legion units northern jerusalem sector 2nd regiment legion moved brigade placed area israeli leaders jewish city sent emergency david ben described situation desperate hold weeks fearing supply city collapse ben ordered taking decision strategically necessary politically delicate area allocated arab state according terms partition plan attack contrary non aggression agreements concluded king decision opposed chief operations considered military priorities moment particular southern egyptian army threatening fell ben set israeli military policy difference strategy influenced outcome battle debated israel years battles operation nun task lead operation nun lit nun son reference nun son according book given officer british_army force consisted men brigade men 7th brigade immigrants arrived israel nearly total heavy weaponry limited french millimetre mortars nicknamed millimetre mortar rounds ammunition inch mortars armored vehicles soldiers brigade area aware operation assisted finding radio transmission forces order lieutenant colonel disposed 4th regiment volunteers local volunteers 2nd regiment brigade commanded major left jerusalem arrived battle brigade totalled men disposal armoured vehicles armoured cars armed anti tank pounder gun artillery pounder field guns pounder anti tank guns pounder anti tank guns sixteen inch mortars zero hour start attack fixed midnight delayed hours possible gather troops weapons time reconnaissance patrol didn know exact composition enemy forces intelligence reports talked local irregular forces warned enemy force vehicles comprising armoured vehicles artillery probably moving urged attack attack postponed hours fixed attack planned axes battalion brigade town police fort order block new arab reinforcement protect passage supply convoys battalion circle position south join jerusalem road level cross road climb ridges ambush cover passage convoys supported armored cars half tracks battalion night unexpected happened road brigade dismantled zero hour modified set midnight troops fought battle benefit cover attackers rapidly discovered surprise effect battle started israeli forces submitted strong fire artillery tried intervene felt rapidly ammunition range provide counter battery fire total failure attack ordered retreat occurred open ground heavy sun soldiers water numerous men killed injured arab fire injured men reached transport left morning arab legion didn advantage victory according morris easily performed counter attack israeli headquarters located arab deaths injured counted deaths 32nd battalion battalion prisoners injured future prime minister israel lieutenant time headed platoon 32nd battalion suffered injury stomach battle reorganisation central end david ben convinced arab legion expected control jerusalem fighting situation deteriorated jewish community small reserves fuel bread sugar tea days water months opinion aim prevent reinforcing city taking control arab security council announced intention impose weeks prevent capture territory prevent besieged city military point view 10th brigade required reinforcements ben dispatched battalion 6th brigade considered 7th brigade join forces jerusalem contingent new recruits reinforce brigade weapons spare parts arrived israel air ready combat jerusalem commander 7th brigade wished negative effects morale troops prestige central reorganized command given american volunteer fighting israeli colonel david marcus subsequently appointed major general took command 7th brigades 10th brigade operation nun bet given command operation sent 7th brigade 52nd battalion brigade replaced 32nd previous battle battalion armored force light infantry flame throwers military cars locally sent numerous reconnaissance patrols clear idea adversary forces expected fight men legion arab liberation army force allocated hold fact brigade supported hundreds taking account mistakes previous attacks renewed assault organised precision area units launch attack cleared particular counter attacks launched arab battle hill attack axes 52nd infantry battalions counter attack foot south attack respectively head attack east infantry battalion battalion assault police fort monastery town south west midnight men 52nd passed separated respective targets company took discovered enemies nearby hill suffered joint fire legion artillery machines guns thirteen men killed injured company composed mainly immigrants retreated 52nd battalion preparing hill received order retreat forces divided parts infantry rapidly took monastery fought control town israeli artillery succeeded fort weapons volunteers crossed defence fence flame throwers took defenders surprise light coming fire created lost cover easy targets millimetre mortars quickly knocked destroyed succeeded door explode confusion followed chief operations ordered company battalion kept reserve intervene soldiers accidentally exploded killing men injuring attacked heavy fire artillery men retreated west panic battle lost wake coming considered men hold legion counter attack preferred order retreat time 4th regiment completely ammunition battalion suffered losses engaged forces counted deaths twice number injured according sources legion suffered deaths including lieutenant commanding fort contrast reported deaths david marcus later attributed responsibility defeat infantry stating artillery cover correct good infantry bad morris considers mistake disperse forces objectives instead concentrating brigade main objective fort burma road took controlled narrow corridor coastal plain jerusalem corridor crossed road let trucks supply city foot patrol discovered paths linked villages hills south main road controlled arab legion night sent hills confirmed path suitable vehicles decision taken build road zone given burma road referring supply road burma china built british world war engineers immediately started build road convoys organised carry millimetre mortars jerusalem knowing goals works realised game hills performed artillery bombings rapidly stopped orders british officer sent patrols stop works success mainly food inhabitants jerusalem needed starting june israeli engineers started fix road let civil transport trucks pass supply city workers working teams installed pipeline supply city water pipeline crossing cut jerusalem larry collins talked heroic action night june fear critical situation jerusalem improve morale population inhabitants carry backs kilometers ready trucks needed feed inhabitants jerusalem day phase works achieved june truce june convoy trucks carrying tons merchandise numerous weapons ammunition reached jerusalem siege city definitively israeli success punctuated incident marked memory death marcus accidentally killed israeli night june operation june june status israeli arabic armies stand fighting small violent battles taking heavy losses people arms united_nations renewed truce june context david ben took decision withdraw elite 11th brigade orders launch assault disposal artillery support composed millimetre mortars millimetres guns heavy weapons recently delivered israel operation time general staff decided attack concentrated centre legion disposal diversion attacks north disrupt battalion brigade performed attacks battalion brigade hill fourth second legion regiments battalion brigade pass hill village police fort east israeli operation started artillery barrage fort village positions hills occupied company legion targeted alert men brigade leave foot took wrong way mistakenly attacked hill located launch attack hill outnumbered violence going far requiring artillery bombing position suffered heavy losses arrived hill targeted firearms grenades artillery thinking men called radio headquarters laid arms refused believing account events soldiers stayed place confusion important attack hill diversion incoming morning unable evaluate properly situation israeli gave orders soldiers retreat bad losses significant strong battalion numbered dead injured handful dead injured legion numbered dozen victims following day jordan mounted counter attacks took israeli guard posts hours fighting took lives injuries israeli second diversion attacks launched force strength battalion supported dozen armoured vehicles attacked morning defended soldiers including women hour battle fell dozen defenders escaped surrendered executed protected prisoners day freed women toll dead israeli looted evacuated area fights evening brigade retook attacks organised operation month truce increased forces equipped weakest point israeli central corridor jerusalem high command decided launch operation objective taking relieving threat west jerusalem achieve objective entrusted brigades totalling battalions 8th brigade newly constituted battalions infantry battalions brigades pieces artillery 7th brigade sent northern phase july took area taking forces exhausted high command renounced objective taking attacks launched east positions july night july companies brigade laid assault east artillery ridge villages carried hills way villages transporting pack hours fighting counter attacks armoured vehicles arab legion finally pushed control hills total lost dead numerous injured frontal assault police fort july hour truce high command decided try frontal assault police fort intelligence indicated effect likely legion forces sector substantial morning reconnaissance patrols sized sector confirm deny information gathered intelligence tanks driven british battalion supported artillery launched attack police fort israeli forces arrived metres fort shelled artillery tanks hit shell sustained mechanical damage retreat repairs remaining forces waited return attack resumed abandoned counted victims time elements brigade took villages south secure area burma road majority inhabitants fled fights april remained systematically expelled final assault day campaign military superior enemies cabinet subsequently considered attack options offered attacking arabic held arab liberation army moving eastward far possible areas taken attacking southern taken september palestinian sector killing israeli soldiers precipitated debate september david ben argument cabinet attack conquer large west bank motion rejected votes discussions according morris arguments advanced launch attack negative international repercussions israel recent assassination count consequences attack agreement fact defeating arab legion provoke british military intervention britain jordan common defense pact lastly conquering area add hundreds thousands arab citizens israel ben judged decision cause generations considering israel renounce claim old jerusalem aftermath operational level assaults solved israeli defeats victories repelled assaults kept control road coastal plain jerusalem israel losing killed injured strategically outcome nuanced opening burma road enabled bypass supply jewish inhabitants west jerusalem food arms munitions equipment reinforce military position control west jerusalem israel hold arab forces arab legion control kilometres israeli forces pivot point legion deployment troops fall caused jerusalem probably discussions israeli armistice rhodes requested unsuccessfully removal legion subsequently remained control day war historiography israeli historiography collective memory according israeli historian gap times wide facts established historical research image battle retained collective memory certainly case battle israel founding myth clear commander chief version battle contrived david ben entourage initially governing power israel remained silent israeli daily printed coverage arab accounts spoke great victory arab legion involving israeli dead response israeli press stressed aim operation strike legion june published casualty figures deaths arab deaths badly wounded lightly wounded israeli june press shifted focus opening burma route context conflict military senior command ben called operation great replied view great costly victory official version entered historiography following work lieutenant colonel israel beer adviser support time events published battles study considered historian clever written topic puts battles military political context concludes given strategic symbolic importance jerusalem tactical defeats occurred permitted supply city manoeuvre consequence strategic clear commander chief able identify key points subordinate general sight tactical considerations limited military command responsibility tactical defeats failures intelligence services absence sur les fronts points badly trained immigrants equipment difficulty new army succeed operation targeting capture defended area organised advance gives estimates losses deaths 32nd battalion brigade deaths battalion 7th brigade composed mainly immigrants finally founded myth pictured events heroic saga ones occurs birth nation historical breakthrough movements national liberation criminal battle broke attack noon fewer thousand israeli deaths events war bloody like massacre deaths mount battle event war provoke rumours narratives controversies israel main reason road jerusalem day war keeping margins having round maintain town struggling bypass played day minds according primary reason people memories david ben veterans british armies soldiers sphere influence 1970s controversies continued 1980s strategic necessity said criminal heavy toll bring immigrants battle new founding myth opponents ben attacked moral authority said intrusion earth immigrants died changed situation worse number victims proportion immigrants inflated narratives hundreds dead dead dead proportion immigrants making total victims opponents accused ben wanting myth invincible arab legion justify abandonment city david considers story origin theory brought forth considers myth ben supporting ben advance case historic sacrifice immigrants laying failure poor training contemporary books war published time john david sides hill reliable larry collins jerusalem best known internationally dan genesis got reviews israeli press political writing historical research tends concentrate 1980s work volumes gives exact number victims contrary israel beer caught ussr depicts battle hardest history puts responsibility defeat ben panicked jerusalem tactical errors brigade commanders immigrants received point view sufficient training drama years foundation israel met problem social integration new immigrants arrived war received trauma exodus arab lands death camps suffered years war integration difficult born palestinian mandate taking essential jobs israel built image strong courageous fearless heroes trouble phenomenon rose israeli victory day war war polished collective memory resurfaced looked reconcile history difficulties suffering sacrifices new elite arose jews begin context myth derived death new immigrants integration society survivor carried new collective memory immigrant refugees troubled confronted hostility threat took place blood taking war myth founded factual knowledge immigrants participation battles mythical knowledge differences number victims leaving injured fields battle battle hardest important war influence written history appeared primarily books commentary immigrants wanted sure contribution battle written collective memory plus sign didn bring new documents expressed memoirs involved events view seldom heard giving preceding versions events life given immigrants myth guilt 1980s arose post movement history battle came represent israeli state way pointing born context exodus palestinian population shouted false truths blood came find new life found death version poems celebrated provocative poet daniel pseudonym benjamin entitled peter great themes poem include ben got pocket work innocent young jews superior race vision found israel peter great paved city northern seas backs david ben paved burma road turned road road capital jerusalem backs young refugees considers new myth necessary reject identity past able renounce common memory israel 1980s criticism myths state founding reception idea version destined blow myth solely hands group middle israeli intellectual community battle fought zone tragic completely eclipsed collective memory july company 1st battalion brigade received order capture outpost protecting way legion located kilometres north place intelligence services informed responsible officer nearby outpost occupied reinforced company legion observe operations called reinforcements notably armoured vehicles mounted counter attack taken lightning strike movement troops available reinforce retreat plain daylight israeli soldiers nineteen aged lost lives despite battle didn remain israeli collective memory success numerous fathers defeat remains orphan deaths enter israeli national memory numerous soldiers perished question died arena proved given decide outcome campaign commemoration crisis day war army came arm important place technical reasons distance communication bases new places historical interest accessible brass debated transfer new recruits appropriate place finally chosen 1980s commemorative site museum built old police site complex wall listing names fallen soldiers war independence monument glory heroes reverence museum nearly tanks armoured vehicles kinds historiography according history war essentially officers took fighting nationalist historians states non critical works largely loyal regime quotes memoirs commander 4th regiment battles bad high command officers road jerusalem officer arab legion soldier soldier arabs john historiography declares great success arab legion defense jerusalem contingent men resisted assault israeli soldiers claiming israeli casualties killed claimed deaths assault quoted arab commander defeated restored little honour arabs version events caught course battle colonel british superior 3rd brigade forbidden use artillery burma road action prevented construction war appointed bodyguard chief staff army minister defence palestinian historiography collective memory palestinian account battle israeli based israeli gives weight symbolic character work remains palestinian villages occupied israel refers operation assault reports resistance offered arab legion volunteer army inspired killed month palestinian historiography collective memory point exodus palestinian arab population war forced happened seen ethnic zone affected villages thousand palestinian arabs inhabitants fled fights april fled attacked village following operations capturing village israeli soldiers systematically expelled non combatants intimidating leave houses massacre thirty seventy arabs took place days taken villages arab volunteers prevent inhabitants returning cases jewish settlements established village land


battle battle august fought vietnam war australian troops battle took place operation australian search destroy operation eastern hat area north west province following covert day caught number surprise company 7th battalion royal australian regiment patrolled forward unaware presence large main force unit nearby reinforced company 3rd battalion regiment classic encounter battle ensued forces roughly equal size fought close quarters dense jungle amid heavy monsoon rain sides suffered heavy casualties able gain advantage finally battle lasting hours australian artillery proved decisive forced withdraw dragging dead battlefield having suffered losses background military situation second half melted away province abandoning bunker systems avoiding main roads towns battle long tan operation weakened communist forces province operations restricted movement logistics prompted commander 1st australian task force brigadier stuart graham speculate fled border leaving province altogether graham reasoned succession operations south east province completion barrier minefield meant single sizable threat remained populated areas australians continued operate independently province war series big unit search destroy operations war attrition americans pursued counter campaign regardless differences opinion australian american methods produced friction increasingly australian approach early commander general william complained commander australian forces vietnam major general tim vincent demanding aggressive approach australians convinced deliberate patrolling techniques effective separating communist forces population villages working slowly extending government control went largely highway east reopened australians march april regiment believed severely weakened following long tan series operations aimed destroying regiment subsequently launched australian assessments regiment seemingly reinforced unsuccessful attempt ambush convoy 11th armoured cavalry regiment december pressed vincent saw limited results achieved australian tactics large joint australian operation mounted mountains moving communist bases area largest search destroy operation mounted australians point operation july carried operation american south vietnamese units based province targeted 5th division mounted large scale american command involving nearly troops failed result significant contact spite employment search techniques blocking forces large number camps storage areas uncovered destroyed resulting significant disruption communist system overall command major general george connor commander 9th infantry division allied forces operation included 1st brigade 9th infantry division 2nd battalion 47th infantry regiment 11th armoured cavalry regiment task force marine_corps 1st australian task force supporting arms including artillery batteries thousand armoured vehicles helicopters casualties included killed including loss australian killed wounded nonetheless results disappointing australians continued prelude opposing forces based iii corps tactical zone field force vietnam included infantry battalions plus armour aviation engineers artillery support total australian troop strength vietnam reaching men arrangements provided 1st australian support group based port 5th 6th battalions royal australian regiment subsequently returned australia june replaced 2nd 7th battalions royal australian regiment units operating province early included main forces 5th division consisted regiment regiment infantry battalions command senior colonel supporting force number artillery engineer medical units group artillery equipped rifles medium mortars heavy machine guns local forces included provincial mobile battalion provincial unit normally operating south province long guerrilla forces included companies district long platoon total men despite optimistic australian assessments capability having left communists likely reinforcing consolidating preparation future operations avoiding battle australians order preserve strength regardless battalion suffered heavy casualties posed diminished threat headquarters 5th division located near northern border west mountains fighting formations widely dispersed regiment reported moved north war zone regiment moved scattered locations north west hat replace north east province operating unfamiliar terrain casualties illness poor local recruitment meant largely reliant reinforcements north vietnam unsure 5th division adopted cautious posture 1st battalion regiment remaining mountains regiment dispersed east route remainder month planning preliminary operations province secure graham saw opportunity continue basis planning attack remaining vulnerable australians returned communist supply lines bases conducting search destroy operations east operation late july followed operation mid august resulted minor contact hat area quiet forces swept area operation june australian intelligence assessed free main force combat units late july communist rear services units supporting units believed begun moving area attempt base areas destroyed earlier fighting reality location communist forces largely unknown australians mid july regiment believed commanded forced hat north eastern base areas operation australian signals intelligence able effectively track regiment movement location intelligence officers lost track unit operation subsequently planned assess extent efforts establish supply lines repair camps eastern hat destroyed previous operations concept operations envisioned command lieutenant colonel smith creating series company patrol bases platoon fighting patrols gather intelligence activities ambush plan developed day battalion search destroy operation subsequently commenced august lion kilometres north west attempt achieve surprise rifle companies moved respective areas operation foot helicopter carrying days rations supplies reduce need resupply likelihood detection stealth considered key operation intended camps located patrol phase operation destroyed ambush phase regardless australians expected encounter rear guard elements fire support base subsequently established new millimetre field battery millimetre mortars mortar platoon providing indirect fire support elements australian reinforcement holding unit provided protection support provide millimetre self propelled medium guns 35th artillery regiment american inch millimetre heavy artillery available required elements 1st field squadron royal australian engineers tasked clearing route vegetation rubber north company attached operation providing security engineers additional protection fire support base conjunction troop armoured personnel carriers squadron 3rd cavalry regiment support infantry day battle patrolling august company patrolling hat august orders operation issued technique perfected special air service regiment subsequently supplied early evening august supplies successfully helicopters departing minutes covert infantry companies went morning august company began patrol intended site initial patrol base command major donnell mid morning australians approximately kilometres east moving north west platoon leading australians crossed creek shortly located fresh track recently donnell ordered lead platoon ambush positions track moved forward conduct reconnaissance minutes later walked ambush weapons killed instantly short burst machine gun likely surprised silent australians incident alerted remainder australians company prepared action considering unlikely dead men donnell assessed remainder squad located track subsequently requested artillery fire block escape platoon ordered sweep forward command second lieutenant graham ross platoon commenced advance coming automatic fire metres track squad went ground australians returned fire attempting initiative ross began manoeuvre quick attack moving sections high ground right flank section provided fire support force turned larger thought australians attempted flanking manoeuvre moving squad defensive position squads moved left flank deploying high ground time assault groups came face face fierce fire fight followed close range sides throwing grenades attempt gain initiative australians killed wounded initial clashes platoon trouble australians forced fight hard order survive numerous acts heroism sides repeatedly exposing fire throw grenades direct platoon fire ross dragged wounded men safety fighting despite wounded leg refused treated wounded received aid private dennis wounded right arm remained throwing grenades left arm withdrawing order drag wounded australian safety finally right arm went ross ordered hand machine gun evacuated rear private keith downward forward scouts forward metres single charged machine guns killing operator capturing weapon dragging wounded australian soldier danger despite wounded amid chaos wasp nest nearby tree disturbed number australians badly needed evacuated counter august donnell attempted probe flank locating high ground committed platoon second lieutenant rod smith conduct right flanking attack beginning australian assault soon ran platoon conducting similar manoeuvre involved intense battle close quarters blocking manoeuvre heavy monsoon rain began men faced range metres seven machine guns facing australian machine guns height battle clashed australian australians suffered heavily losing section commanders killed dozen men wounded minutes fighting continued hours forces traded shots australians able achieve decisive advantage company forward observer lieutenant clark citizens military force officer moved forward platoon proceeded direct artillery guns fire support base attempted use tactics remain close contact artillery barrage rockets grenades machine guns small arms inflict casualties australians finally communists attack clark adjusted artillery metres position safety order break attack firing metres away australian nearly metre maximum range proved highly accurate rounds caused heavy casualties assaulting troops stood charge australian positions australians slightly wounded rounds struck tree total field battery supporting american battery 35th artillery battalion fired rounds support company fighting american inch heavy artillery fired rounds number supported australians commander finally decision withdraw artillery deciding battle favour australians donnell commanded battle cool resolve constant fire setting standard men occasion run metres heavy fire drag wounded safety withdrawing barrage number called pursue proceeded drag dead battlefield having suffered casualties company subsequently inserted helicopter blocking positions north contact unable prevent withdrawal numerous blood trails later found australians attempted follow battle continued evacuation australian casualties begun number helicopters squadron royal_australian_air_force raaf squadron leader jim cox flying heavy ground fire complete dust hindered artillery fire dense foliage operation proved difficult cox aircraft hit heavy machine gun fire wounding orderly board safely landing damaged aircraft directed operation radio ground worst casualties sergeant alexander platoon losing eye suffering heavy blood loss multiple wounds rocket exploded metre evacuated field ambulance pulse left leg later wounds bad given general time changed making recovery personally recommended medal honor spirit later reduced lesser australian award casualties help battalion chaplain inserted helicopter administer rites basis documents captured australians battle identified company 3rd battalion regiment probably assisted battalion reconnaissance platoon number local force guides assessed second company helped recovery dead later operations following day recently occupied battalion sized camp subsequently located metres site battle considered likely company fought vigorous action order delay australians enable withdrawal remainder battalion base camp elements district company believed located area aftermath casualties australian casualties heavy killed died wounds wounded extent casualties difficult assess removed battlefield communists previous battles sweep area australians subsequently resulted recovery dead drag marks extensive blood trails indicated suffered heavily killed wounded contact casualties estimated occurred artillery mortar fire number terry controversial book vietnam australian dilemma lists casualties questioning australian reporting agenda research widely criticised official records clear bodies counted bodies observed recovered dead officer believed platoon commander non commissioned officers recovered light machine gun rifle assault rifles weapons quantity rice battalion sized bunker system subsequently captured assessment classic encounter battle action fought forces roughly equal size heavy monsoon rain close quarters companies deployed high ground time bid australian infantry supporting artillery attempted australian tactics remaining close contact ultimately artillery decided outcome favour australians forced withdraw heavy casualties way fighting bore similarities victory months earlier long tan remained largely australia australian soldiers received gallantry awards actions including military crosses donnell ross clark awarded distinguished conduct medal number awards raaf pilots including cox awarded distinguished flying cross bravery evident battle impression australians later acknowledged tight fire discipline battle drills tactics found similar australians month disappearing regiment emerged warning caught surprise unexpected presence main force regiment hat forcing australians change tactics remainder operation australians cautious result continued search destroy mission companies patrolled remained standby fire support bases nearby provide support required additional artillery support available field battery royal new_zealand artillery fire support base graham placed standby fly area needed forces positioned north manner continued august minor contact resulted killed wounded captured loss australians subsequent operations australian operations province continued remainder largely successful tactical level continued able enter villages province causing increasingly heavy allied casualties mines lifted controversial barrier minefield laid australians operation santa large scale joint australian operation took place october november ended limited success comparison resources committed despite allegations corruption ballot rigging ruling military south vietnam presidential elections september security concerns largely considered successful percent eligible voters turning nationwide number higher percent graham believed large public turnout long term effects australian operations province increased population sense security result turned attention expanding area operations war approaching stalemate strategically australians substantially reinforced following trend american troop increases infantry battalion arriving december squadron tanks additional helicopters added early total australian strength vietnam grew men highest level war effectively doubling combat power available task force commander likewise american military strength vietnam risen men south vietnamese forces expanded end year spite build north vietnamese strength south vietnam increased growing men communist strategy remained fundamentally protracted war preparations strategic offensive reached advanced stage culminating offensive early offensive aim provoke popular general uprising south vietnamese people government american supporters form massive simultaneous surprise attack population centres south vietnam heavily involved fighting deploying communist lines communication support american south vietnamese forces defending long complex north east operation repeated attacks long province