The British-led assault went ahead on the morning of September 18th 1918, with a creeping
artillery barrage from approximately 1,500 guns as well as 300 machine guns. The attack would be
in a fortified zone approximately 20 miles long and 3 miles deep. There were not enough tanks to
support the attack, so artillery units in their masses were required.
At 05.20am the offensive started with the promised support from French First Army missing. The
British Army met with strong resistance. The Australians 1st and 4th Divisions in the centre of the
advance took their objectives and captured over 4,000 prisoners of War, 300 machine guns and 30
trench mortars. Advances were made over a four mile wide front with a maximum penetration of
three miles.
This action also sparked a mutiny by 119 Australian soldiers who refused to provide help for a
neighbouring British unit; rather than make them face the death penalty, the mutineers were charged
with desertion. The charges were dropped at the end of the War. The 58th (2/1st London) Division
is on the left of the Three Corps moving north to capture the village of POzieres, along with
Vaucellete Farm. The 2/2nd London Regiment Royal Fusiliers – Bertram’s Division - captured the
village itself.
(The desparation of War.)
Although the Germans held steady on both flanks, they were soundly defeated in the centre by the
Allied advance. By the end of the day the Allies had advanced some three miles, a modest result
that, nonethless, encouraged Haig and his fellow commanders to proceed with further attacks to
capitalize on the emerging German weaknesses. The village of Epehy was captured on 18th
September by the 12 (Eastern) Division. By the end of the month, pressing advantage and pushing
ahead with their so-called “Hundred Day Offensive,” the Allies had done the seemingly impossible:
broken the formidable Hindenburg Line.
It signalled an unmistakable message that the Germans were weakening. Bertram died just seven
weeks before the end of the war. Bertram would have been entitled to the Victory Medal together
with the British War Medal.