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Remembered Today:

AUSTRALIANS AT BULLECOURT, 3 MAY 1917


Fred van Woerkom

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We, three Dutchmen were at Bullecourt on 2 May.

We visited M. Letaille's excellent little museum and then did a three-hour walk (well, actually it was supposed to be two hours) on the battlefield of April and May 1917 along or across Diagonal Road, Central Road, Six Cross Roads.

As 3 May 1917 was successful for the Australians, I wonder if this is a day which would be celebrated? Is that so?

We actually met a group of Australians at Rancourt German Cemetery, but we didn't get the impression that they were heading for Bullecourt.

What we did on 3 May can be seen , with photos , in the BATTLEFIELDS section under the heading 'French sector of the Somme'.

All the best,

Fred

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I think the events at Bullecourt were celebrated in the general (Vimy) weekend at Easter. Did you see the water tower at Bullecourt ?

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Guest tafski
I think the events at Bullecourt were celebrated in the general (Vimy) weekend at Easter. Did you see the water tower at Bullecourt ?

picture can be seen of the water tower in thhread somme tour 2007

tafski

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Thanks , Pals !

Now that you say it, we saw something on the watertower ('château d'eau' as the French say. 'water castle'). If my memory serves me well, I think, the watertower had a text like: 1917-2007.

Correct me if I am wrong.

The water tower was where we started our walk.

All the best,

Fred

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PICT3580-1.jpg
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Fred mentioned de kleine club did Bullecourt on 02-05

As this battle has my special interest I like to add some photgraphs

This one is in the museum of mr. Letaille

post-3829-1178901766.jpg

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A photo technically not perfect but with a remarkable story

Sergeant Jack White was killed on 03-05-1917. His body was recovered in 1994

On the right he is photographed with his family. The little girl in the arms of her mother was present

on his official funeral and is seen on the left part of the photo.

post-3829-1178902861.jpg

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The disused railway track from which the Australians attacked on 11-04-1917 and 03-05-1917

They attacked from the left side of the railway and as can be seen on completely flat country

post-3829-1178903403.jpg

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The site where the British tanks crossed the railway for their attack on 11-04-1917

post-3829-1178903728.jpg

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This may be of interest , "MO"

post-13272-1178906756.jpg

post-13272-1178906784.jpg

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Yes, Montbrehain, that was exactly the walk we did this year.

Last year, we covered a smaller distance and were unaware of this brochure.

All the best,

Fred

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Central road from which both sides the Australians attacked in April and May 1917

post-3829-1178960265.jpg

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Before Riencourt.

Between OG 1 and OG 2 taken from approx. cross trench C

Looking towards Central road and Bullecourt

post-3829-1178960440.jpg

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Site of OG 1 on the other side of Central road where Corporal Howell won his VC

post-3829-1178960908.jpg

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Thanks for posting these pictures, Sir Cliff, and thanks to Fred for letting me know about them.

How high is the the railway embankment, which the tank crossed on the way North?

Stephen

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Steve,

The height of the railway crossing is about 0,5 meters. But it varies to 1 meter elsewhere

Here a photo along the line. In front of it were the allied trenches.

Regards,

Sir Cliff

post-3829-1179333283.jpg

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Thanks for that - most useful

Stephen

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  • 6 months later...

Thanks for the pics my maternal grandfather was at 2nd Bullecourt with the 19th AIB and very interesting to see where he'd been as I'll never have the money to ever go there.

Rod

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