Sir Joseph John Talbot Hobbs personal diaries, Vol. III. (3 February 1917 to 9 May 1918)
The BAULENCOURT Road from BAPAUME to LE TRANSLOY as our objective. At 11.15 am at 14th Infy Bde H.Qs with C.R.A. met G.Os.C. 14th & 15th Infy Bdes. & instructed them to persevere on the lines already adopted. this after full discussion of the situation. Artillery close co operation & support was also arranged At 6.40 pm message recd from 1st Anzac reporting enemy trenches empty on our front. I at once instructed Infy Bde comder to try & push in their patrols to clear up situation & each to have Battn ready to move (order issued immediately after) At 7 pm G.O.C. 8th Infy Bde rang up to say his most forward post was engaged with Bosche in front of BAPAUME. March,17th fine bright clear day. XXX At 7 a.m. this morning our Troops 30th Bn L'. Col Clarke after a fight at the OLD FACTORY entered BAPAUME the place we have looked forwards for so many trying weeks & months. We followed close on the heels of the Bosche. there was some street fighting in which we scuppered a Bosche rear party & captured a machine Gun. The 14th Bde was through CEMERTERY CIRCLE & on the outskirts of LE TRANSLOY at 5 a.m. they entered HEAVEN Trench after a stiff little fight & then made for FIRE & SUN TRENCHES. The 15th Bde [Page]16.