Lieutenant: Richard Henry BLOMFIELD. MC. writes on the ROAD WOOD Offensive:

The 33rd Battalion had been in some stiff fights in France and Belgium, but for fierceness, the battle of Road Wood, Bouchavesnes, was not surpassed and as a brilliant victory is ranked second only to the Hangard Wood where the German offensive, five months before had received its first definite check. The British advance commenced on August 8th 1918, and in more or less open warefare ever since. With the initiative always in their hands, they continued to push back the German Army from France.

"A" Company of the 33rd Battalion, having been attached to the 34th for the attack on Road Wood on the mornning of August 31st, meant the 33rd was left with only eleven officers and 183 men. So 60 officers and men of "B" Company, 42nd Battalion under the command of Captain: C.S. TRUDGIAN, were attached to augment its strength.

The official report of the operation at Road Wood (Bois Madame) states that the allies' barrage was extremely accurate and the battalions moved up right under it. A most determined resistance was put up by the enemy at Road Wood, which was strongly garrisoned and swarming with machine-guns. There was a gap of 500 yards between 58th Division and "C" Company. "B" Company, in reserve had to move and fill the gap acting as an assault company.

At 6:20am the battalion was held up by exceedingly heavy fire, enfilading from the ridge of the wood. Private 726 George CARTWRIGHT. V.C. in the face of the most withering fire, stood up and advanced firing his rifle from the shoulder. He killed three of the machine-gun team, then rushed forward, threw a bomb and on the explosion, charged. He captured the gun and eight prisoners. Wildly cheering, the whole battalion got up and charged the Wood. For this deed. CARTWRIGHT was awarded the Victoria Cross. the second to be won by men of the battalion.

The fighting at Road Wood was very bitter, the battalion was greatly outnumbered and the enemy machine-gunners fought fiercely, sticking to their guns to the end. Indvidual men and small parties worked round and forward, getting to the rear of strong-posts. The enemy, not realising the shortage of attackers, thought they were cut off and surrounded. To have cleared such a stronghold as Road Wood, with so few men, seemed incredible, particularly with both flanks in the air.

In front of Road Wood, the enemy had the whole of the trench system covered with machine-guns. They counter-attacked with bombs, but the 33rd proved their superiority. They could not be stopped and their bombing and Lewis-Guns were too accurate. "D" Company had particularly heavy fighting along Devillers Alley and three other trench systmes. There bombing was deadly. The dugouts proved to be death traps for the enemy, all the occupants being killed or captured.

A German battery out in front, without any concealment, was firing over sights west of Rancourt Road, Lewis-Gunners pasted them unmercifully, and under fire the men charged and captured the battery, the battery commander remaining with his gun and fighting with his gunners to the last.

(White: Never a backward step)

Lieutenant. 559 Edward Allen TURNBULL was placed In Command of D Company at Road Wood after his commander had been shot. Placed on record for valuable service and devotion on August 31st 1918.

From the southward side Lieutenant: 559 Edward Allen TURNBULL. and Lieutenant: William Alexander McLEAN. M.C. of the 33rd the latter greartly helped by the leaders of the 10th Brigade Sergeant 1007 E E Walters. DCM, 39th Battalion and Corporal: 5024 A V Grinton. DCM, 38th Battalion, worked up and presently rushed the guns, the German Battery Commander fighting to the last with his revolver. He was shot by Lieutenant: 559 Edward Allen TURNBULL.

(BEAN; History of World War 1 Vol VI page 819)

Heavy resistance was offered at the old quarry, but the battalion pushed on and "C" Company worked north along the road and captured it and 40 prisoners. Captain: Walter John Clare DUNCAN. induced the Londoners to come and defend the quarry while the 33rd went on. "D" Company formed a strong position along Rancourt Road and "B" Company in Gathmorey Trench.

The men were now thoroughly exhausted, but the success had to be exploited. "A" Company, 42nd Battalion, was ordered to reinforce "D" Company; "C" and "D" were reorganised and Lieutenant: 559 Edward Allen TURNBULL was placed in command. Patrols went in advance and in spite of heavy machine-gun fire and shelling, routed the enemy. Ammunition supplies ran out , but 12,000 rounds were found in a dugout, evidently stored there before the big retreat in March. enemy machine-guns were freely used by the Australians, otherwise the shortage would have been serious.

As it was impossible to keep up with the barrage because of small numbers offering strong resistance, the men had to advance under cover of their own fire power, which the Lewis gunners supplied. The trench morters did not get forward in time, their loads being too heavy and no machine-gunners co-operated that afternoon.

The artillery barrage had gone ahead and the Lewis-Guns provided cover on their own and did it to perfection. the enemy machine-gunners were extraordinarily numerous and their gun teams fought stubbornly. The attackers had only 30 Lewis-Guns, yet they captured no less tann 101 enemy Machine-Guns and 600 prisoners, while 128 Germans were buried in the wood alone, where the fiercest fighting took place. The diggers' casulties numbered 7 Officers and 128 men.

As there were no men available to escort the Australian's prisioners, the Londoners eagerly accepted the job. The prisoners were well clothed with extra boots and clean underwear and put to work as stretcher bearers. The Australian Medical Corps performed splendid work, Padre: Walter Eaira BURKITT, an old A.M.C. man, doing his share.

Lance Corporal: 3286 Ernest COWELL. For conspricious gallantry and devotion to duty during the attack on ROAD WOOD near BOUCHAVESHES on 31st August 1918. Lance Corporal Cowell's Platoon, being held up by heavy Machine-Gun fire, he alone rushed forward a distance of 60 yards and attacked the post. He killed two of the enemy and captured the gun and 4 men; he thus allowed the advance to continue. He led his section forward to the objective with skill, determination and courage of the highest order. During the exploitation of success that afternoon he again distinguished himself by his splendid leadership and personal gallantry. He established a forward post and with his Lewis-gun accounted for many of the enemy. By his fearless and determined conduct throughout the battle he greatly inspired his men.

London Gazette 14th May 1919. Page 6056 Position 84.

Commonwealth of Australia Gazette 15th of September 1919. Page 1365 Position 13.

Ernest was a single 27 year old Labourer from The Peoples Palace, Pitt Street, Sydney, N.S.W. upon enlistment.

(Australian National Archives)