Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

A special assignment for a raiding party was sanctioned by Major General HB Walker under the command of Col Gordon Bennett (CO, 6th Battalion). The participants selected were a group of up and coming junior officers in the 8th Battalion including Capt Hurrey, Lieut Evans, 2nd Lieut Joynt, Lieut Maquire and bombing Officer Lieut Goodwin. The aim was to find out how far the front of the German division opposite extended and its strenghth. The area for the raid selected was east of Ypres beyond the Glasgow post, North East of the Bluff which was held by the 73rd Landwehr Regiment. This area was characterised by very well developed trenches and almost impeniterable barb wire. The team practiced the raiding tactics for 10 days before the raid. During that time, Capt Hurrey unfortunately became sick once again and the command of the raiding party passed to Lieut Gerald Evans. A first hand summary of the raid can be drawn by refering to Lieut Joynt’s second of two war memoirs.[19]
The raid was organised in two parties, one under Lieut Joynt, the other under Lieut. John T. Maguire [3945, later MC, MID, KIA 4/10/1917] who crossed no mans land in different places. The experienced CSM George Harris (DCM, MID) was also with Joynt’s group. Each party carried with them a “canvas mat type of ladder that rolled up into a bundle … and was thrown over tall barbed wire, which was about ten feet high and ten feet wide.” First over was #1 bayonet, then #2 bayonet, #4 was a bomb thrower, #6 was Joynt, then #7, #8 reserved bomb throwers and #9, #10 were bayonet men. Enemy trench only 60 yards away. Another 20 men followed to take up position on enemy parapet to give cover on withdrawl. Raid had to be done very quitely or otherwise the raiding party was in a very vulnerable position, so blackened faces and balaclava helmets were used for complete camouflage. A hidden barb trip wire was unexpectedly found which slowed progress. So RSM Harris speed up party. The canvas ladder worked perfectly and at 10pm artillery opened fire with box barrages to isolate and protect the attacking sections. Once Joynt’s party got into German trench they almost immediately got a German prisoner who surrendered. Bombers rushed towards German HQ and a bomb fight ensued. Joynt was wounded in the shoulder by a German grenade which landed near him. A number of Germans were also reported killed or wounded. The Germans then retreated to their bunkers with a few grenades thrown after them for good measure.
Upon preparations for withdrawl, a wounded man was found (Pte Robert Smith who later died of wounds) who was quickly returned to Australian lines. Another OR also slightly wounded. Joynt was one of the last out and had difficulty getting out of the deep trenches and a trip wire was a problem that ended up triping him into some barb wire where he was hung up about half way in no mans land. Two men came out to get him off, Col. Bennett and his orderly, and they just got in before fire fight started.