Mont St Quentin: the Australian Imperial Force’s finest achievement | The Strategist

"Nothing about this was familiar. The Australian infantry was well experienced in the art of trench warfare and the comforting wrap of firepower protecting their every move. And yet they understood their craft, and even with little warning were able to pull together an effective attack. Three badly depleted battalions launched their attack at 5 am on 31 August 1918, and captured the heights in less than two hours.

With only light artillery bombardments to help, the men substituted firepower of their own, using rifle grenades to fire a kind of ad hoc creeping barrage in front of them as they advanced. Company commanders kept tight control on the battle, with at least one breaking the plan to provide flank support after recognising the right was in danger. Others organised parties to deal with German strongpoints with rifle grenades, bombs and machine guns to keep the line moving forward as seamlessly as possible."