Email from Jamie. Enjoy.

Dear Secretary 1RAR Association,

Here’s some pics of my great uncle John Charles Ottiwell Hayes (Jack) 1^st AIF taken sometime in Egypt 1915 and in Paris to coincide with the story below. 

Jamie McCue, LEUT RAN

SALUTE TO THE FIRST BATTALION

Extract from an article by Ross McMullin, Courtesy Adelaide Advertiser 11/8/98

Eighty years ago, during the climax of World War I, two Australian Soldiers – 23 year old Jack Hayes, a  railwayman from the Sydney suburb of Newtown and 21 year old Harold Andrews, a farmer from Wauchope made a spur of the moment decision to look for souvenirs.  They didn’t know they were about to make history.

It was early on August 5 when the enterprising Australian Sergeants embarked on their souvenir hunt.  They made for a bridge over the Somme River.  As they walked across this bridge into the British sector, the enemy’s defensive presence seemed minimal.  With Chipilly itself the best bet for souvenirs in the vicinity, they felt emboldened to head towards the village.  German resistance, from what they could discern, still seemed surprisingly un­formidable.  They collected a rifle each and an enemy machine gun, before returning to their battalion with a recommendation that formal reconnaissance in that direction was warranted.

Later that day, they were authorised to lead a patrol themselves towards Chipilly.

They set off about 6pm, accompanied by four privates.  All belonged to the 1^st Battalion, a New South Wales unit.

They called initially at the most advanced British company in front of Chipilly.  Its commander advised them not to go any further forward.  Ignoring this advice, they spread themselves out and rushed the village.  Enemy fire was heavy, but they managed to reach it safely.  They split up and cleared it methodically.  Leaving two privates to guard the village entrance, the other four proceeded farther into German occupied territory.

Ahead of them were a number of German positions.  With dash and dexterity, the small AIF patrol overwhelmed each one in turn, even though outnumbered.  In one encounter, Hayes had a lucky escape. Maneuvering round to rush a strong point from the flank while Andrews and a private provided covering fire from the front, Hayes came across another enemy post; in a sharp exchange with the occupants, he shot one and the others fled – only to be immediately captured by Andrews and the private as they raced forward to rescue him.

This brought them within sight of a more substantial stronghold.  The four charged it, and the Germans dived into their dugouts.  When the attackers threatened to bomb the dugouts, an officer and 31 men surrendered.  The privates handed these prisoners to the British coming up behind, and pressed on.  Another batch of prisoners was soon captured, together with machine guns.

When the Australians saw Germans farther ahead retiring in response to their activities, Sergeant Andrews set up an enemy machine gun and blazed away to good effect.  His resourcefulness enabled the privates to capture 30 more Germans.  At one stage, the intrepid half dozen had penetrated so far ahead in their remarkable exploit that Americans sent forward to consolidate in their wake assumed they were Germans and fired at them.

The astonishing upshot was that these six Australians managed to do what the British III Corps could not.  They drove the Germans out of Chipilly heights, capturing weaponry and hundreds of prisoners in the process and enabled the AIF advance to proceed without harassment from that quarter.

What happened 80 years ago was immensely significant.  As Ludendorff himself admitted, it was the beginning of the end.  The meticulous planning of General Monash, the commander of the Australian Corps, and his masterly co-ordination of infantry, tanks artillery and aircraft paid handsome dividends.  And, as the astounding feat of the 1^st Battalion patrol at Chipilly showed, he had superbly proficient soldiers at his disposal.

For their distinguished gallantry, Sergeants Andrews and Hayes were each awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal. The privates all received the Military Medal. All six managed to survive until the Armistice.

Captions:

Photo 1. Jack Hayes on right of the three in Egypt. 

Photo 2. Jack Hayes seated on the left. Picture taken in Paris.