In March 1918, in response to America’s entry to World War I, the Germans strategised a huge tactical move: one million soldiers freed from the battlelines in Russia, launching themselves at the Allies on the Western Front.
They intended to split British and French forces, and take over the small village of Villers-Bretonneux on their way to capturing Amiens, effectively cutting the Allied supply lines and crippling Great Britain’s Channel ports and starving her forces.
With his usual flair, Peter FitzSimons highlights an extraordinary feat in Australian defence history: when the British forces fell back, the Australians were there with their typical spirit, courage and determination to hold the Allied lines.
They were attacked 12 times in five positions over five weeks, including two major battles at Villers-Bretonneux - the second and final commencing on April 24, 1918; the significance of the date was not lost on the troops. About 10,000 German soldiers took Villers-Bretonneux early in the day, only to be overcome by an Australian attacking force almost half the number.
Also of note, Villers-Bretonneux was the setting for the first tank battle in the history of the world. Such was the belief and confidence in the Australians – whose reputation long preceeded them from their courageous actions at Gallipoli, Fromelles, Pozieres and Passchendaele, among other battles, that French villagers would stop packing their belongings and remain in their homes when they had originally planned to flee.
Even the Germans recognised the Australians as the best on the battlefield. Had the Australians not held the line and saved Villers-Bretonneux from falling to the German forces, the war could have taken a very different direction.
To this day, this little French village has not forgotten the Australians who saved their town. The local primary school has above every blackboard N’oublions jamais l’Australie – Never forget Australia.
The incredible, largely unknown story of Australian triumph in World War I: Villers-Bretonneux. is available for $49.99 through Penguin Random House Books. It is the third and final instalment of Peter FitzSimons’ Great War trilogy – comprising Gallipoli and Fromelles and Pozieres.
Peter FitzSimons comes to the Victoria Point Library at 2.30pm on Thursday, November 3. Book on 3884 4000.
