Modern warfare: Inside the Battle of Hamel
Mark Donaldson
April 19, 2015, 6:00 pm
It took only 93 minutes, but it hastened the end of World War One and saved thousands of lives. The Battle of Hamel revolutionised warfare and forged everlasting bonds between Australia and France.
Australian Lieutenant General John Monash [centre] is regarded as the man responsible for what's believed to be the first modern battle. Photo: 7News
Thousands of Australians will fill our national memorial at Villers Bretonneux to mark the ANZAC Centenary in France.
For many, the pilgrimage will also include the village of Le Hamel, only three kilometres away, and a special memorial park gifted to our country by a grateful France.
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A walkway honours the diggers' role in the Battle of Hamel. It was 1918, Americans also fought under our command.
Hamel is regarded as the turning point of World War One, not for the size of the battle or territory won, but the way it was won.
The objective was the German position, known as Wolfsburg, at the current site of the Australian memorial park.
Mark Donaldson VC at the Australian memorial at Villers Bretonneux. Photo: 7News
What followed is hailed as one of the great textbook victories of modern warfare.
In fact it's regarded as the first modern battle. The man responsible was Australian Lieutenant General John Monash.
It was the first coordinated use - in history - of infantry, tanks, artillery and aircraft.
"It was significant in that it was so successful, over such a short time. It took it's objective it was like it was a text book battle... that worked!" Historian Will Davies said.
Before dawn, Monash used what's known as 'creeping' barrage by artillery, then unleashed 60 tanks followed by his infantry.
"Monash organised lanes.. big, wide 100-metre lanes... these were just tank lanes," Mr Davies said.
"Not only were they fighting tanks, but they were also supply tanks and they were able to deliver ammunition, wire, water, grenades… a whole lot of supplies which would have taken 1200 men to lug in under fire."
Fourteen planes from the Australian Flying Corps were involved.
Apart from bombing, they reported back on frontline progress and dropped ammunition to troops in yet another Monash innovation.
"Something like 90 boxes of ammunition were parachuted into the troops on the front line, never done before, ever," Mr Davies said.
Soldiers during the Battle of Hamel. Photo: 7News
Two Victoria Crosses were earned in the first 10 minutes on the battle by Lance Corporal Tomas Axford and Private Henry Dalziel.
French president George Clemenceau visited our troops at Hamel and gave this famous speech his address, now immortalised on the memorial:
We knew that you would fight a real fight but we didn't know that from the very beginning you would astonish the whole continent.
I shall go back tomorrow and say to my countryman, I have seen the Australians.
I have looked in their faces. I know that these men will fight alongside of us again and the cause for which we are all fighting is safe for us and for our children.
Monash's new way of warfare helped shorten - and win - the war.
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VIDEO: https://au.news.yahoo.com/a/27207306/modern-warfare-inside-the-battle-of-hamel/
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