5th April 1918-Nine Military Medals Awarded to Australian Gunners

A German offensive was launched in March 1918 through the British line at Cambrai. Amiemns was the target of the offensive. The Australian 3rd and 4th Divisions were ordered into the line in front of Amiens. The Australians were supported by Australian and British Artillery which came under intense attack by both German artillery and infantry.

“In the fierce German assault on the forward positions some of the infantry withdrew and these streamed past the guns. Horse teams arrived to withdraw the guns but the gunners ordered them away. The effort to maintain the (artillery) fire could be gauged by the award of nine Military Medals to the members of the 43rd Battery alone during tis action. Sometimes only two men were on each gun, including officers. The ‘Enemy’s bombardment was as heavy as had ever been experienced’ No batteries were silenced, even though the gun shields were the only protection for the gun crews;…”

David Horner  “The Gunners’ A History of Australian Artillery”,