Post by mac on Apr 30, 2018 4:05:22 GMT
We have just passed the anniversary of ANZAC Day and this important battle on the Western Front. It is an envelopment which may be interesting here.
The attack on Villers-Bretonneux was the last significant German attack of Operation Michael (known to the British as the First Battle of the Somme, 1918).
In March 1918, the Germans launched a major offensive attack.
As they moved westwards towards their goal, at dawn on April 24 they captured the tactically important town of Villers-Bretonneux, after a previous attempt on April 4-5.
The town, which lies just south of the River Somme, opened the way to Amiens.
An immediate counter-attack was planned by General Harold "Pompey" Elliot, with two Australian brigades and three British battalions. The manoeuvre involved the Australian brigades approaching the town from opposing directions in order to trap the Germans.
The 13th Brigade of the 4th Australian Division, commanded by General William Glasgow, would attack to the south of Villers-Bretonneux, while the 15th Brigade of the 5th Australian Division, commanded by General Harold "Pompey" Elliot, would attack to the north.
In all, about 3,900 men were part of the attack.
The surprise attack happened at night. The plan was to encircle and trap the Germans - in the dark and without support.
The 15th Brigade had already been stationed near Villers-Bretonneux by April 23.
Historian Ross McMullin, who wrote a biography on General Elliot, says he wanted to attack right away after the Germans captured the town. "Pompey Elliott wanted to counter-attack immediately, but did not receive the green light until hours later, when the Germans had consolidated their positions in the town," he said. "The fact that it was now night-time also made Elliot's plan, a complex envelopment manoeuvre, more difficult to implement."
"They were aware it was the third anniversary of the original Anzac Day and they had an opportunity to commemorate it with a special exploit," he said. "They overcame the Germans north of the town in a famously irresistible charge."
To the south things did not go so well and losses were heavy due to German machine guns. A DCM and a Victoria cross were earned in clearing the way.
By the dawn of April 25 (ANZAC Day), three years after the initial landing at Gallipoli, the Australians had broken through the German entrenchment. It took the rest of the day and into the next to secure Villers-Bretonneux and create a new front line to the east, ending the German offensive on the Somme. Those Germans who were not captured or killed were then pushed back towards the woods adjacent to Villers-Bretonneux.
The town did not fall into enemy hands for the rest of WWI.
While hundreds of lives were lost in the battle, the people of Villers-Bretonneux have not forgotten the Australian sacrifice. The Australian flag continues to fly over the town.
Recognition of the significance of the battle can be found at the Australian National Memorial, built just outside the town. It was approved by the Australian Government after WWI, to commemorate the sacrifice of the Australian Imperial Forces on the Western Front. Unveiled in July 1938 by Queen Elizabeth, the memorial contains the names of the 11,000 Australians missing in action in France.
After WWI money donated by school children in Victoria was used to build a new school in Villers-Bretonneux, named the Victoria school. A plaque at the school says it is "proof of their love and goodwill towards France". And in the Victoria School's playground and above the blackboards is written: "Do not forget Australia".
The attack on Villers-Bretonneux was the last significant German attack of Operation Michael (known to the British as the First Battle of the Somme, 1918).
In March 1918, the Germans launched a major offensive attack.
As they moved westwards towards their goal, at dawn on April 24 they captured the tactically important town of Villers-Bretonneux, after a previous attempt on April 4-5.
The town, which lies just south of the River Somme, opened the way to Amiens.
An immediate counter-attack was planned by General Harold "Pompey" Elliot, with two Australian brigades and three British battalions. The manoeuvre involved the Australian brigades approaching the town from opposing directions in order to trap the Germans.
The 13th Brigade of the 4th Australian Division, commanded by General William Glasgow, would attack to the south of Villers-Bretonneux, while the 15th Brigade of the 5th Australian Division, commanded by General Harold "Pompey" Elliot, would attack to the north.
In all, about 3,900 men were part of the attack.
The surprise attack happened at night. The plan was to encircle and trap the Germans - in the dark and without support.
The 15th Brigade had already been stationed near Villers-Bretonneux by April 23.
Historian Ross McMullin, who wrote a biography on General Elliot, says he wanted to attack right away after the Germans captured the town. "Pompey Elliott wanted to counter-attack immediately, but did not receive the green light until hours later, when the Germans had consolidated their positions in the town," he said. "The fact that it was now night-time also made Elliot's plan, a complex envelopment manoeuvre, more difficult to implement."
"They were aware it was the third anniversary of the original Anzac Day and they had an opportunity to commemorate it with a special exploit," he said. "They overcame the Germans north of the town in a famously irresistible charge."
To the south things did not go so well and losses were heavy due to German machine guns. A DCM and a Victoria cross were earned in clearing the way.
By the dawn of April 25 (ANZAC Day), three years after the initial landing at Gallipoli, the Australians had broken through the German entrenchment. It took the rest of the day and into the next to secure Villers-Bretonneux and create a new front line to the east, ending the German offensive on the Somme. Those Germans who were not captured or killed were then pushed back towards the woods adjacent to Villers-Bretonneux.
The town did not fall into enemy hands for the rest of WWI.
While hundreds of lives were lost in the battle, the people of Villers-Bretonneux have not forgotten the Australian sacrifice. The Australian flag continues to fly over the town.
Recognition of the significance of the battle can be found at the Australian National Memorial, built just outside the town. It was approved by the Australian Government after WWI, to commemorate the sacrifice of the Australian Imperial Forces on the Western Front. Unveiled in July 1938 by Queen Elizabeth, the memorial contains the names of the 11,000 Australians missing in action in France.
After WWI money donated by school children in Victoria was used to build a new school in Villers-Bretonneux, named the Victoria school. A plaque at the school says it is "proof of their love and goodwill towards France". And in the Victoria School's playground and above the blackboards is written: "Do not forget Australia".