Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Arthur enlisted again for service in the Second World War on 19th December, 1940. He was a member of 10 Garrison Battalion and was discharged on 2 February, 1944.

After completing basic training, Private Arthur M. Haack embarked from Albany, Western Australia on the 24th July, 1917 on ‘H.M.A.T. Port Melbourne’. (A16). He was with 28 Infantry Battalion—19—22 Reinforcements, disembarking at Liverpool, England on the 16th September, 1917. Arthur originally joined 7th Training Battalion at Rollestone, U.K. on the 17th September, 1917. and on 8th September 1918 transferred to the Training Battalion. On the 12th March 1918 he proceeded overseas to France to reinforce 51st Battalion, landing at Harve on 13th March 1918 and marched to join unit on 14th March, 1918. Taken on strength 23rd March, 1918, 51st Battalion which was raised in Egypt. On 1st March, 1916. It contained veterans from the Gallipoli landings and Western Australian volunteers. It was allotted to the 13th Infantry Brigade, 4th Australian Division. The Battalion disembarked at Marseilles, France on 11th June, 1916 and moved into the front line three days later. During the period August—September 1916 the Battalion suffered in excess of 650 casualties. The Battalion was involved in the counter attack at Villers- Bretonneux on 24 /25th April, 1918 during which the Battalion lost 389 men in first two days. Other battles followed, Hamel, Amiens, Albert 1918, Hindenberg Line and Epehy. On 25th April, 1918 he was wounded in action when gassed. After a stay in hospital he re-joined his unit on 31st August. He was wounded in action a second time on the 11th September suffering a gunshot wound to the right arm. He was admitted to hospital and invalided back to the U.K. He was listed under the ’Wounded & Missing’ list in ‘The Kalgoorlie Miner’ which must have caused some fear for his family until they heard he was safe. Australians of the 4th Division in reserve near Bresle Wood, taking a short spell behind a bank in an open field. The troops found open warfare a congenial change from the monotonous confinement of trench systems. Pte. A.M. Haack third from left. Arthur Maurice Haack returned to Australia on the troopship ‘Orsova’ landing in Australia on 11th February, 1919. He was discharged from the A.I.F. on 14th March, 1919. Upon returning to Australia, it is believed he returned to farming life.  - ^{Courtesy of Julia Beaton}