| Accession Number | E00647 |
|---|---|
| Collection type | Photograph |
| Object type | Black & white - Glass original negative other |
| Maker |
Unknown Australian Official Photographer |
| Place made | France: Picardie, Somme, Bapaume Cambrai Area, Vaulx |
| Date made | 20 May 1917 |
| Conflict |
First World War, 1914-1918 |
| Copyright |
Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain
|
The Signal Office and Headquarters of the 4th Australian Divisional Signalling Company situated ...
Description
The Signal Office and Headquarters of the 4th Australian Divisional Signalling Company situated on the outskirts of Vaulx on the Vaulx-Beugny Road. A motor cyclist despatch rider is seen leaving for the forward units with a basket containing carrier pigeons for distribution among the fighting troops. These dugouts were built by Colonel Elliott, Commander, Royal Engineers, as advanced Divisional Headquarters by the 4th Australian Division for the attack on the Hindenburg Line at Bullecourt. The importance of these buried cables was that though the Germans broke through and took over the ground the cables were buried in, the Brigade Commander in Noreuil, was able to inform Divisional Headquarters who dealt promptly with the Germans who had broken through. This photograph was evidently taken after the 4th Australian Division were relieved.