In the Australian Corps Memorial Park along the 500 meter walking path. Plaque One of 18 information panels honors four companies of the American 33rd Division who fought with the Austrialians in this battle. The panel text is in English and French.

The Australian Battalions were short of manpower and it was agreed that some companies of the newly arrived 33rd American Division -- which was being trained by the Australians -- would assist in the attack.  Although the Americans lacked battle experience, they were welcome reinforcements and eager to prove themselves in battle.  Australian and American soldiers instantly became friends.  Monash recorded that he chose to mount the attack on 4 July especially to mark the first occaission where the Americans and Australians would fight together. 

Last minute hitch.

When the US Commander-in-Chief General Pershing heard of the scale of the attack, he ordered that the Americans be withdrawn because they were insufficiently trained.  For Monash, nothing was more important than to keep the confidence of the Americans and Australians in each other.  Those Americans already in the line with their Australian friends were so eager to fight that they spoke of disobeying orders and staying on.  Pershing partly relented, not willing to compromise the success of the attack, and four companies--some 1,000 men--already deployed with the Australians, to take part in the attack.