How French battle helped turn the war

This week we mark 100 years since key World War I action, says Guy Barnett

THIS

year marks the final year in commemorations for the Centenary of Anzac. During this significant time, we remember all Australian service men and women who have served, fought and died on our behalf.

Today marks the 100th anniversary since Allied victory in the Battle of Hamel in France. The battle was considered a turning point for the Allies to go on and win the war.

Led by one of our most famous Australians, Lieutenant General John Monash, it was also his first battle assigned as commander of the Australian Corps, and marked the first time Australian, British and US troops fought alongside each other. Planning was meticulous, a co-ordination of infantry, artillery, tanks and aircraft, marking a turning point in the way battles were planned. In the weeks leading to the Battle of Hamel, German troops were bombarded daily with allied mortars and tear gas. On the day of the Allied attack no gas was used, however the German soldiers, now accustomed to the gassing, put on masks which limited their peripheral vision and put them at a disadvantage.

Success in Hamel was due to new tactics which saw the first air drop of supplies to Allied troops in action. Airborne units parachuted 100,000 rounds of ammunition to Australian machine gunners, and Mark V tanks carried extra ammunition and water for the infantry. Supplies were previously carried by supporting battalions. These initiatives assisted the Allies in gaining the upper hand and led to resounding success. The battle lasted 93 minutes, three minutes longer than Monash originally calculated.

This week is also the 100year anniversary of one of our own Victoria Cross recipients, Corporal Walter “Wally” Ernest Brown.

Tasmania punches above its weight in recognition for bravery. The Victoria Cross is the highest award in the Australian Honours Systems, and 14 Tasmanians have been awarded the VC out of Australia’s 100 recipients.

Wally was born in New Norfolk in 1885 and joined the 20th battalion in August 1917. In September and October 1917 he fought at Passchendaele, Belgium, a brutal and bloody battle where about 245,000 Commonwealth and 400,000 German forces were killed over five months.

Here Wally was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for aiding fellow wounded soldiers under heavy fire and taking charge after his sergeant was wounded.

In April 1918 Wally Brown was promoted to corporal and continued to engage in trench warfare for months on end.

Two days later on July 6, 1918, just 60km from the Battle of Hamel was the fierce battles at Villers-Bretonneux; it was here Wally Brown’s actions saw him awarded the Victoria Cross. The citation reads:

“Brown was with an advanced party which took over some newly captured trenches near Accroche Wood and, on being told that a sniper’s post was causing trouble he located the enemy strong point, picked up two Mills bombs (grenades) and ran towards it under fire. His first bomb fell short but on reaching the post he knocked one German down with his fist and threatened the others with the remaining Mills bomb. The whole party consisting of one officer and 12 men surrendered and Brown shepherded them back to the Australian lines.”

His medals and a machinegun he captured in France are displayed at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.

Today, more than 10,500 war veterans and ex-service personnel live in Tasmania. Our proud record of service continues. Last year more than 35 Tasmanians were deployed overseas and our defence personnel continue to risk their lives so we can live in peace and freedom.

This year draws to a close five years of commemorations marking 100 years of Australia’s involvement in WW1. I encourage all Tasmanians to attend a service so they can reflect on the sacrifice of our current and ex-serving personnel. They served their country so we can enjoy the freedoms our society affords today. Guy Barnett is Tasmanian Veterans’ Affairs Minister.