Hamel, the 93 minutes said to change everything. This victory on the Western Front was the result of combined-arms tactics and detailed planning on the part of Australian General, John Monash. But, how far can victory be credited to this capable ‘forgotten ANZAC’?
THE ‘OUTSIDER’ WHO WON THE WAR?
Sir John Monash is probably the best known and celebrated Australian figure of the Great War. He commanded the 4th Infantry Brigade at Gallipoli, the 3rd Australian Division in Flanders in 1917, and the Australian Corps just as the tide of the fighting in France turned in the Allies’ favour. He was a meticulous planner, charismatic leader and led the Australians during their most significant victories in 1918.
Under Monash, the Australians fought magnificently at Hamel and the Battle of Amiens on 8 August 1918 ― the so-called ‘black day’ of the German Army. They went on to achieve a string of successes at Mont St Quentin, Péronne and the Hindenburg Line near Bellicourt, before fighting their last infantry action of the war at Montbrehain in October 1918. As Corps Commander, Monash had infantry, armour, aircraft and artillery at his disposal, and had the good fortune of commanding a recognisably modern integrat…
