The Second Battle Of Villers-Bretonneux
On 24 April 1918 the Germans had taken Villers–Bretonneux, this small but highly advantageous town was a huge asset in wartimes, it was a vital point for supplies and general control, as it was situated on a major railway line. It was also a high advantage point with a clear view of the Amiens Cathedral, which is located near the river Somme. The river Somme is where the Battle of the Somme occurred. This cathedral served as a hospital, but it had huge cultural and sentimental value to the French. The allies knew that the town needed to be won back and the huge task was given to the 4th and 5th divisions of the Australian Imperial Forces (AIF), as well as a British battalion to be commanded by the AIF.
The situation was grim; the German forces had managed to get a very large amount of Ammunition, Machine guns and heavy artillery in to the town. As well as quite a significant number of soldiers. The plan was simple the two battalions would split into four and surround the small town, trapping the German forces. It would be a secret night attack; no artillery would be fired before the attack. The Australians began their advance.
The Australians on the east side of the town, encountered some issues, German machine gunners where everywhere and making an impact. A lot of men fell to those guns that night. Until Sergeant Charlie Stokes, and Lieutenant Clifford Sadlier, both of Subiaco, Western Australia, decided that they needed to do something about it. They began to grenade the German machine gunners until they were silenced. Lieutenant Clifford Sadlier was badly wounded. For his bravery Sergeant Charlie Stokes was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal and Lieutenant Clifford Sadlier the Victoria Cross.
They were magnificent. Nothing seemed to stop them. When our fire was heaviest, they just disappeared in shell holes and came up as soon as it slackened. When we used Verey lights they stood still and were hard to see.
Unnamed German officer, quoted in Neville Browning, Fix Bayonets: The Unit History of the 51st Battalion, Perth,
The Australians on the west side of the town began to advance an hour after the time that was appointed, as they found most of the Germans on the very outskirts of the town had left their posts, so they marched on, as they got closer to the town, they
two suffered tremendous casualties as a result of the German Machine Guns.
These three men the first German machine gun crew were either bayoneted or shot. Here and there a Fritz would leap out of the trench or shell hole only to fall riddled with bullets and then to be bayoneted by the boys as they came up.
Unnamed soldier, quoted in Charles Bean, The Australian Imperial Force in France during the Main German Offensive, 1918, Volume V, The Official History of Australia in the War of 1914–1918, Sydney, 1941, p.603
At dawn the fighting did not cease. Though the AIF had surrounded the town, it took them the rest of the day and some of the
26th of April 1918, to completely secure the town and establish a new front line to the east of the town.
Australia lost over 1200 men at the second battle of Villers-Bretonneux, the people of Villers-Bretonneux are more than grateful.
The town's mayor spoke of the Australian troops on 14 July 1919 when unveiling a memorial in their honour:
"The first inhabitants of Villers-Bretonneux to re-establish themselves in the ruins of what was once a flourishing little town have, by means of donations, shown a desire to thank the valorous Australian Armies, who with the spontaneous enthusiasm and characteristic dash of their race, in a few hours drove out an enemy ten times their number...They offer a memorial tablet, a gift which is but the least expression of their gratitude, compared with the brilliant feat which was accomplished by the sons of Australia...Soldiers of Australia, whose brothers lie here in French soil, be assured that your memory will always be kept alive, and that the burial places of your dead will always be respected and cared for..."
The situation was grim; the German forces had managed to get a very large amount of Ammunition, Machine guns and heavy artillery in to the town. As well as quite a significant number of soldiers. The plan was simple the two battalions would split into four and surround the small town, trapping the German forces. It would be a secret night attack; no artillery would be fired before the attack. The Australians began their advance.
The Australians on the east side of the town, encountered some issues, German machine gunners where everywhere and making an impact. A lot of men fell to those guns that night. Until Sergeant Charlie Stokes, and Lieutenant Clifford Sadlier, both of Subiaco, Western Australia, decided that they needed to do something about it. They began to grenade the German machine gunners until they were silenced. Lieutenant Clifford Sadlier was badly wounded. For his bravery Sergeant Charlie Stokes was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal and Lieutenant Clifford Sadlier the Victoria Cross.
They were magnificent. Nothing seemed to stop them. When our fire was heaviest, they just disappeared in shell holes and came up as soon as it slackened. When we used Verey lights they stood still and were hard to see.
Unnamed German officer, quoted in Neville Browning, Fix Bayonets: The Unit History of the 51st Battalion, Perth,
The Australians on the west side of the town began to advance an hour after the time that was appointed, as they found most of the Germans on the very outskirts of the town had left their posts, so they marched on, as they got closer to the town, they
two suffered tremendous casualties as a result of the German Machine Guns.
These three men the first German machine gun crew were either bayoneted or shot. Here and there a Fritz would leap out of the trench or shell hole only to fall riddled with bullets and then to be bayoneted by the boys as they came up.
Unnamed soldier, quoted in Charles Bean, The Australian Imperial Force in France during the Main German Offensive, 1918, Volume V, The Official History of Australia in the War of 1914–1918, Sydney, 1941, p.603
At dawn the fighting did not cease. Though the AIF had surrounded the town, it took them the rest of the day and some of the
26th of April 1918, to completely secure the town and establish a new front line to the east of the town.
Australia lost over 1200 men at the second battle of Villers-Bretonneux, the people of Villers-Bretonneux are more than grateful.
The town's mayor spoke of the Australian troops on 14 July 1919 when unveiling a memorial in their honour:
"The first inhabitants of Villers-Bretonneux to re-establish themselves in the ruins of what was once a flourishing little town have, by means of donations, shown a desire to thank the valorous Australian Armies, who with the spontaneous enthusiasm and characteristic dash of their race, in a few hours drove out an enemy ten times their number...They offer a memorial tablet, a gift which is but the least expression of their gratitude, compared with the brilliant feat which was accomplished by the sons of Australia...Soldiers of Australia, whose brothers lie here in French soil, be assured that your memory will always be kept alive, and that the burial places of your dead will always be respected and cared for..."
The Destruction that was caused by the 1st and 2nd battles of Villers-Bretonneux, on the right you can see locals starting the clean up.
Australian Soliders waiting for the moment to attack, on the train line outside Villers-Bretonneux.
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