Podcasts about villers bretonneux

Have you ever explored Amiens? In this episode of the podcast, Annie Sargent and Elyse Rivin dive into all the reasons why this northern French city is worth visiting. Titled Explore Amiens: From Gothic Cathedrals to Jules Verne, the episode highlights the best things to see, taste, and experience in this often-overlooked destination. The centerpiece of Amiens is its magnificent Notre-Dame Cathedral, the largest Gothic cathedral in France. Elyse explains its incredible history and architecture, including how it was built in record time. Annie shares her amazement at the cathedral's size—you could fit Notre Dame de Paris inside it twice! Next, the hosts discuss the enchanting Hortillonnages, or floating gardens. These Roman-era canals are now a serene escape filled with flowers and greenery. They also delve into the life and legacy of Jules Verne, Amiens' most famous resident. Annie, a lifelong fan, talks about visiting the Maison Jules Verne Museum and why his works still captivate readers today. For history buffs, the episode explores the nearby Battle of the Somme sites, including Villers-Bretonneux and the Lochnagar Crater. And for foodies, Annie and Elyse rave about local specialties like Ficelle Picarde and gâteau battu. Whether you're drawn by history, architecture, or food, this episode will inspire you to add Amiens to your travel list. Listen now to hear Annie and Elyse share stories, tips, and practical advice to make your visit unforgettable!

In today's podcast, we journey through Amiens and its surrounding areas, uncovering the deep connections to the Great War.We start in the village of Naours, exploring caves that hold a remarkable record of soldiers from the conflict. Next, we delve into the history of Amiens Cathedral and discover a moving poem, "The Song of Amiens," written by a lesser-known poet of the Great War. A British Chaplain shares a story of divine intervention after "borrowing" a standard lamp from the cathedral. Amiens was a place of rest and indulgence for officers and soldiers, and it offered abundant good food, wine, and other human pleasures. We visit the graves of the first airmen to die in World War I and hear the tale of one of the war's great eccentrics, RFC officer Lt. Harvey-Kelly, a man known for living life at full speed, always flying with potatoes in his pockets. We then visit the closest point the Germans reached to Amiens before exploring the site of the first tank-versus-tank battle near Villers-Bretonneux.Support the podcast:https://www.patreon.com/footstepsofthefallenhttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/footstepsblog

Author and historian Will Davis explores the pivotal role of Australian troops in the Second Battle of Villers-Bretonneux during World War I, a significant moment often hailed as one of the greatest feats of the war.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

durée : 00:02:36 - Villers-Bretonneux accueille la 14e Anzac Cup de foot australien

The French Ambassador to Australia, Jean-Pierre Thebault, has spoken about the lasting bond between Australia and France, highlighting the support of a Corryong in fundraising for Villers Bretonneux post-WW2 and how France is reciprocating that kindness years later. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

11-NOVEMBER-1993. To mark the 75th anniversary of the end of the First World War, the unidentified remains of an unknown Australian soldier, exhumed from the Adelaide Cemetery in Villers Bretonneux in France was interred within the Hall of Memory of the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, Australia. Today marks the 30th Anniversary of that interment. Lest We Forget. --- Buy the Podcast a Ko-Fi ⁠https://ko-fi.com/iwasonlydoingmyjobpodcast ⁠ Join our Patreon https://www.patreon.com/IWODMJ --- Linktree https://linktr.ee/iwodmj For Show Notes, transcripts and photos check out the I Was Only Doing My Job Website at www.thedocnetwork.net Access to the Discord Server ⁠https://discord.gg/v3Vpb9Fhsj⁠ Find the Podcast on Facebook ⁠https://www.facebook.com/IWODMJ⁠ Twitter ⁠https://twitter.com/iwodmj⁠ Instagram ⁠https://www.instagram.com/iwodmj⁠ Mastodon ⁠https://mastodonbooks.net/@IWODMJ/⁠ YouTube ⁠https://youtube.com/@iwasonlydoingmyjobpodcast --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/iwasonlydoingmyjob/message

This week Emily Rohr joins us to discuss the recent trip to Villers Bretonneux for the Anzac Cup!

During World War I, the German Army used the Mephisto tank in the Battle of Villers-Bretonneux. However, the tank became stuck in a shell hole and was abandoned by its crew. The Australian Army later found the tank and attempted to tow it back to their lines but had to abandon it due to heavy fire.After several attempts, the Australians successfully retrieved the Mephisto tank, and it became a source of controversy between Australia and Germany. The Germans demanded the return of the tank, but the Australians refused.Join Holly and Matthew as they recount the tale of recovery and adventure of the tank, and go on a mini-rant about British Army commanders.

A l'occasion de Anzac Day ce 25 avril, Retour sur une interview avec Dr Romain Fathi de Flinders University en Australie méridionale, spécialiste de l'histoire australienne. Il nous parle de son livre ‘Our Corner of the Somme, Australia at Villers-Bretonneux' publié par Cambridge University Press. Dr Fathi explique comment l'Australie se souvient des Anzacs en France.

Les commémorations de ANZAC Day en Australie, à Gallipoli et à Villers Bretonneux

In this episode we tell the story of this successful battle through the eyes of the Australian and German soldiers who fought against each other in April 1918. We visit the Sir John Monash Centre and also a school in Villers-Bretonneux that was rebuilt from funds raised by the veterans of Australia. 

This week on the Coodabeen Champions, the boys catch up with Charley Daniel, who is representing Australia in the annual Anzac Day football match at Villers Bretonneux.  Also football historian and author of "Harder than Football - Australian Rules Footballers at War", Barb Cullen drops by for a fascinating chat.  Plus there's some Anzac inspired songs from Champs, Covey's Quiz, What We Learned Today, Sam the Sub from Outside Football and of course, Coodabeens Footy Talkback!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rebecca Doyle is the Director of the Sir John Monash Centre, in Villers-Bretonneux, France. Rebecca is also the senior in-country representative for the Department of Veterans' Affairs, as Counsellor accredited to the Australian Embassy in Paris. Prior to her appointment as Director of the Sir John Monash Centre, Rebecca was the Director of the Overseas Memorials Section in the Office of Australian War Graves, overseeing 40 official Australian memorials in 16 Nations, Adam sat down With Rebecca live in France to understand Why Australians come to France and Belgium to go on a pilgrimage and honour the 46000 ANZACS that fell on the Western Front from 1916 to 1918.   Presenter: Adam Blum Guest: Rebecca Doyle Editor: Kyle Watkins Investigative Consultant: Adam Holloway

durée : 00:01:07 - Invité France Bleu Picardie 17h10

Dimanche 28 septembre 1873. 15H. La ville d'Amiens est en effervescence. En ce début d'après-midi c'est la foule des grands jours qui se presse sur la place Longueville pour apercevoir l'aéronef qui y est amarré. Tout le monde ne parle que de ça. Et personne ne veut rater le départ du « Météore » qui s'envolera silencieusement pour effectuer un vol au-dessus de la ville. Vers 17h, ils sont 3 à prendre place dans la nacelle en osier du ballon de 900 mètres cubes ; 1 aérostier et 2 voyageurs qui mesurent la chance qui est la leur. Car à cette époque, s'élever dans les airs, est une aventure. Les Amiénois ne quittent pas des yeux les 3 hommes... La météo est idéale. Le ciel, bleu azur. Le vent, modéré, souffle vers le sud-est. A 17h24 précisément les attaches sont libérées. Le ballon entame alors son ascension. En à peine 4 minutes le voilà déjà à 800m d'altitude, l'aérostier lâche quelques lests pour atteindre à 5h32...1200m ! L'altitude modeste mais néanmoins impressionnante pour l'époque permet aux passagers de regarder loin par-delà la campagne amiénoise. Et tous se régalent de cet horizon à 360 degrés. Quel fascinant spectacle que de découvrir depuis le ciel les méandres de la Somme, la Cathédrale et sa flèche, les Hortillonnages, les rues de la ville... de suivre les allers et venues des gens, grands comme des fourmis, qui tentent de suivre la course du ballon ... ou d'apercevoir les villages environnants qui apparaissent comme Camon, Longueau ou Villers-Bretonneux... Après 24 minutes de vol, à 5h48, le Météore se pose non loin du quartier de La Neuville avec la délicatesse d'un oiseau. En 20 minutes le ballon est dégonflé, roulé, empaqueté... les 3 hommes en route pour le centre d'Amiens en voiture. A son bord, Eugène Godard, un aérostier chevronné qui effectuait son 1055ème vol. Albert Deberly, membre de l'académie d'Amiens et un écrivain à qui Théodore Jeunet, le directeur du « Journal d'Amiens » a commandé le récit du voyage. Une mission dont il s'acquittera sous la forme d'une longue lettre intitulée « 24 minutes en ballon » et qu'il signera de son illustre nom : Jules Verne.Texte : Phillippe Husson & David GonnerVoix : François BerlandEncore plus de Podcast à écouter ici sur PODCAST STORY

In this episode, we look at the fighting around Villers-Bretonneux on the Somme in April 1918, seeing where Australian and British soldiers stopped the German advance on the key city of Amiens. We visit the cemeteries and memorials, and see where Tanks fought Tanks for the first time in history. Support the show

durée : 00:02:57 - Picardie Sport FB Picardie

Welcome to a very special episode with today's guest, Dr Aaron Pegram as we talk about one of the Australians' most significant military actions during the Great War In early April 1918, the Australians and British had successfully defended the French village of Villers Bretonneux, only to have it lost later that month on 24 April. With the German Spring Offensive still threatening to break through towards the crucial transport and communications centre of Amiens, two exhausted Australian Brigades rushed towards Villers Bretonneux that afternoon to not only stop the German advance, but to retake the town. The significance of the pending anniversary was not lost on these Aussie troops as they fixed bayonets and waited in the darkness for the order to attack...   Presenter: Adam Blum Guest: Dr Aaron Pegram Editor: Kyle Watkins Investigative Consultant: Adam Holloway Academic Adviser: Margaret Strike

Welcome back to the AFL Europe Podcast. In a special edition of the show, we sat down with Chris Carson and Brett Osler - two men set to represent the Australian Spirit footy side at this weekend's ANZAC Cup in Villers-Bretonneux, France. Both gentlemen have significant familial, military connections to the region and were kind enough to speak candidly about those connections and share their thoughts and feelings towards the ANZAC weekend as a whole.

In this episode Horatio Herbert Kitchener, the secretary of state for war, declares, Your Country Needs You!The First World War meant that Britain had to raise a new army from volunteers, so the call was raised. Five strong, stout brothers from the Souls family, who lived in the Gloucestershire village of Great Rissington, signed up to join the army and become soldiers. After training they shipped out for France.Albert, the youngest brother, was the first to be killed. Fred was the second brother to die, he was killed at the battle of the Somme. Walter was killed next, soon followed by Alfred.The last of the five brothers alive was Arthur, he was Alfred's identical twin, and won the Military Medal for valour at the fight to hold Villers-Bretonneux. But during the battle he was fatally wounded.Five brothers from the Souls family, all lost. A snapshot of a war like no other - tragedy writ large.To help support the making of this podcast sign up to Neil Oliver on Patreonhttps://www.patreon.com/neiloliverHistory & CommentNew Videos Every Week Instagram account – Neil Oliver Love Letter https://www.instagram.com/neiloliverloveletter/?hl=en Neil Oliver YouTube Channelhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnVR-SdKxQeTvXtUSPFCL7g See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

After playing a large role in halting the German Spring Offensive outside of Villers Bretonneux in April 1918, Australian troops saw an opportunity to hit back and recapture large sections of the German front line. But rather than launch a full scale battle, the unofficial operation 'Peaceful Penetration' managed to push the German line back an average of three miles with very little fighting. Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information.

#AFLEuropePodcast | Welcome to episode twenty-seven of the AFL Europe Podcast for another instalment of our One Kick Later series. Bérengère Portal joined us last month to talk about the the rise of Australian Football in France and in particular, the growth of the women's game. During an internship in Australia in 2008, Bérengère discovered Australian Football and was fascinated by it. Upon her return to France, Bérengère tried the sport with her university and has since played a significant role in the growth of the sport across the country. Bérengère has represented France in international tournaments and events on numerous occasions, including travelling to Australia for the AFL International Cup and to Villers-Bretonneux for the AFL Europe ANZAC Cup.

In this episode, I look at the continuing Battle of the Lys in April 1918. We see how the Allies shored up the line while the Germans tried to reach Hazebrouck. We see how they captured Mont Kemmel before the battle ended. Finally, I talk about the battle of Villers Bretonneux on 24 and 25 April 1918.

www.loulabellesfrancofiles.com My conversation with gorgeous Carole Handel, writer of  blog French Views and her wonderfully enthusiastic cycling husband Chris definitely got our Frenchy vibes going! As Carole said to me afterwards, we were ready to pack our bags and jump on a plane after our chat… if only we could. We will get there eventually though.We chatted about Chris and Carole's cycling adventures in various regions like the Loire, Provence and in places suitable for beginners as well as more advanced riders. We also spoke about visits both of us have made to Villers-Bretonneux and other shared experiences such as visits to historic markets, fabulous French food and music.A beautiful warm chat between 3 French obsessed Francophiles!

www.loulabellesfrancofiles.comFrance through the eyes of a teenager is a multi-layered and amazing experience! The food, the sights, the shopping... all with a different perspective.I have travelled with my children in France a number of times. Each visit has been so wonderfully rewarding and the ability to look back together on our experiences has bonded us closer together as they grow older.I chatted to my youngest son Fraser in this podcast episode about his recollections of our travels. He is such a keen traveler. He and I are always planning our next trip somewhere!We first travelled to France as part of a big European tour for our family back when he was still in primary school! We met up with 20 of our family in Paris and spent a week together there. We saw all the big touristy things but even though he was only in Grade 5, Fras remembers many more intricate details of our time there. Interestingly other children from our family who attended with us on this trip who were a little younger don't have the same clarity of memory. They also didn't have the stamina to power through the day as Fraser did at about age 10 or 11. That is an important consideration if FrancoFilers are planning to travel with younger children.After a week together, we left Paris by train and travelled with the huge family group to Chinon in the Loire Valley where the little kids all had much more freedom than in Paris.We attended the Motocross of Nations which would never have been considered without a young boy pulling his "one choice of the holiday" card. A brilliant and unforgettable day!We then drove across to Villers-Bretonneux which is a very special place for Australians visiting France.My Fraser had another very unique and significant experience in Paris as a young teenager with the opportunity to explore Paris for a day with some other teens sans parents! How many kids get to hang out in Paris with their mates for the day!?!? Hear some French rap music and get the lowdown on the best food for teens in Paris!

Erica Packer says she wants to share her story in the hope of helping other women who have been through a miscarriage. Working families with two or more children will see big cuts to their childcare bills from July. The Australian National Memorial at Villers-­Bretonneux will soon have a giant wind farm as a backdrop. South Sydney owner Russell Crowe defends withdrawing $1 million in cash from the Rabbitohs. For updates and breaking news throughout the day take out a subscription atdailytelegraph.com.au See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this special Anzac Day episode, Mat and Pete explore the Australian National Memorial at Villers-Bretonneux on the Somme, the main memorial to Australia's missing in France from the First World War.  Presenters: Mat McLachlan and Peter Smith Producer: Jess Stebnicki Don't forget to subscribe, and visit www.LivingHistoryTV.com for more great history content! BattleWalks is a Living History production.

As it's impossible for Australians to travel to the Western Front to celebrate Anzac Day celebrations, so instead locals at Villers-Bretonneux in France are hoisting the Australian flags outside their homes in commemoration.

Mike Dumbleton is a writer and Literacy Consultant.  He has worked in South Australian high schools, New York City schools and as a Literacy Curriculum Officer for the South Australian Education Department. In addition to children’s books, he has written a range of educational texts.Part of his interest in writing stems from the fact that his grandfather was a local poet in an Oxfordshire village in England, who regularly recited his poems to the family, with or without requests!His first book, Dial-a-Croc, published in 1991, was a great success and since then he  has written many more titles.The book Mr Knuckles was adapted for the stage by the South Australian Children’s Theatre Company, and Pumped Up, a short story about basketball, ‘magic’ shoes and an adventurous grandfather, was adapted for television by the ABC.Mike’s picture book Passing On, was shortlisted for the Children’s Book Council of Australia 2002 awards.  Muddled-up Farm was selected as ‘Speech Pathology Australia Book of the Year 2003’ as well as the ‘National Simultaneous Storytime Book for 2004’.Mike’s work was recognised in 2001 with a grant to support the completion of his first teenage novel Watch Out For Jamie Joel. It was subsequently shortlisted in the 2004 Festival Awards for Children’s Literature. He was also the recipient of a 2005 Minister’s Award for Outstanding Contribution to Improving Literacy, which recognises his work both as an educator and a writer over an extended period of time. Mike’s picture book Cat was the winner of the ‘Picture Book to Performance Project’ for  2007 and was developed into a play by Windmill Performing Arts which had its premier in Adelaide before seasons in other Australian cities and Singapore. Cat was also selected as an Honour Book in the Early Childhood section of the 2008 Book of the Year Awards. Mike’s recent books picture books include  Jump and Shout (2018 CBCA Notable Book) and Digger a book which poignantly commemorates the second battle of Villers-Bretonneux on Anzac Day, 1918.  His latest releases are Once Upon My Legs and Anisa’s Alphabet.After many years of teaching in South Australia, Mike enjoyed the chance to work in New York City, supporting students, teachers and leaders with literacy development.In this discussion, Mike talks about better ways to use children's literature in the classroom, innovative writing, other ways to leverage literature as well as many other insights from his story and experiences.Mike's books featured in this episode:Dandy and Dazza https://www.booktopia.com.au/dandy-and-dazza-mike-dumbleton/book/9781913639150.html?source=pla&gclid=CjwKCAiAm-2BBhANEiwAe7eyFPmheUqcz18xrywq8vSkeoO0wiawVsEb_85diqxwSXSwD2FxZziOpBoCmvgQAvD_BwEAnisa’s Alphabet https://www.booktopia.com.au/anisa-s-alphabet-mike-dumbleton/book/9781925227574.htmlMeet Douglas Mawson https://www.booktopia.com.au/meet-douglas-mawson-mike-dumbleton/book/9780857981967.htmlJump and Shout https://www.booktopia.com.au/jump-and-shout-mike-dumbleton/book/9781912076413.htmlDigger https://www.booktopia.com.au/digger-mike-dumbleton/book/9781760296735.htmlCat https://www.amazon.com.au/Cat-Mike-Dumbleton/dp/1933605731Connect with us!Join our community on Facebook for exclusive resources, Q and A, discussions, insights and more: https://www.facebook.com/groups/teacherstoolkitforliteracyGot any questions? Feedback? Thoughts? Email Phil: phil@cuelearning.com.auThe Teacher’s Tool Kit For Literacy is the free podcast for motivated teachers and school leaders who want the latest tips, tricks and tools to inspire their students and school community in literacy learning. Hear from literacy experts and founders of Cue Learning, Sharon and Phil Callen, and special guests.At Cue Learning, our literacy specialists draw on over 30 years of teaching and international consulting experience to deliver world-class learning solutions. We equip, empower and support teachers to become their authentic selves. To find out about upcoming events, and about how Cue can help you and your school, visit the Cue Learning website http://www.cuelearning.com.au/ and sign up to our newsletter http://www.cuelearning.com.au/contact-us.htmlAnd you can get even more amazing teaching resources, right now, at Teachific https://www.teachific.com.au/.To make sure you don’t miss any literacy learning tips and insights, please subscribe to our show on your favourite podcast player.Produced by Apiro Media https://apiropodcasts.com

In this episode, I look at the closing week of the battle of the Lys, in April 1918. We see how the German attacks subsided before one last effort captured Kemmel Hill on 25 April. Then I talk about the Australian attack at Villers Bretonneux, east of Amiens on the Somme, on 25 and 26 April 1918.

Je vous emmène cette semaine à la rencontre de Benjamin Pedrak, haltérophilie français chez les -67kg membre de l'équipe nationale. ⠀ Ancien pensionnaire de l'INSEP, Benjamin poursuit de front ses études en Master Staps (EOPS) et sa carrière à haut niveau avec dans le viseur les Jeux de 2024 qui se dérouleront à Paris. J'ai été ravie d'échanger avec lui autour de son parcours depuis ses débuts à 12 ans dans le club de Villers Bretonneux, son rêve olympique et sur sa vision de l'après-carrière. ⠀⠀⠀⠀ On jase club de cœur, quotidien à haut niveau des adolescents et jeunes adultes, gestion de la blessure, et parcours olympique. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

Dr Romain Fathi de Flinders University en Australie méridionale, spécialiste de l'histoire australienne nous parle de son nouveau livre ‘Our Corner of the Somme, Australia at Villers-Bretonneux’ publié par Cambridge University Press.Dr Fathi explique comment l'Australie se souvient des Anzacs en France et décrit le niveau d'interactions du Ministère australien des Anciens Combattants avec les institutions françaises au cours des décennies.

Un vétéran de la Première Guerre Mondiale, Ted Smout nous raconte le Paris de 1918 au lendemain de l'Armistice. Depuis nos archives, une interview faite en 2001, juste après la sortie du film Moulin Rouge en Australie. Ted Smout avait alors 103 ans. Il a reçu la legion d’Honneur le 4 juillet 1998 lors d’une cérémonie à Villers-Bretonneux.

This presentation, part of the Royal Australian Artillery Historical Company's Firepower: Lessons from the Great War Seminar Series.  This session is presented by Dr William Westerman. Check out the show notes for the podcast for all of the information that we cover in this episode as well as the images and other details that didn't make it into the podcast. Join the conversation on Twitter or Facebook.

Mat gives an update on important developments in history and remembrance, including changes to the Anzac Day dawn service at Villers-Bretonneux, the search for unknown soldiers, the importance of Gallipoli, the last Dambuster, US soldiers awarded the Victoria Cross and more.

Mat recounts his experiences of commemorating the 100th anniversary of Remembrance Day at the Australian National Memorial at Villers-Bretonneux in France.

Sur les sentiers de la Grande Guerre du 20 août 2018

Recorded Thursday 8 March 2018 Sister Florence James-Wallace was stationed at Villers-Brettoneaux during the early stages of the 1918 German offensive. She described it as resembling 'Dante's Inferno'. The hospital overflowed with badly wounded men and hundreds more lay in the streets on stretchers needing her nursing skills. This is her story.   You can learn more about Sister Florence James-Wallace and other Australian Nurses in Susanna de Vries’s book Australian Heroines of the First World War.  

As we transition to look at some vignettes of Leadership in Malaya, we pause to look at the composition of the 8th Division. The Commander, Bennett, was a CMF soldier, as were the 3 BDE COMDs.  In Malaya, only LT COL Boyes, CO of the 2/26th Bn was PMF.   The 8th had more regular officers than the 6th Division, which was the first 2 AIF Division to be raised. We look at Walter Brown VC.  He was awarded his VC at Villers-Bretonneux and rejoined the Army to serve in WW2. We discuss the 8 Bn COs to look at the differences between the COs and how that effected each of the Bns.  We ponder the difference between authority and leadership.  LT COL Black Jack Galleghan was given command of the 2/30th after 4 previous attempts to get a Bn to command.  Was it a case of 5th time lucky or was there a dearth of talent in the officer pool? Was he a martinet?  How did he deal with a mutiny across the entire Battalion? He expected unwavering loyalty from below, but was scant in offering to his superiors. The role of the 2IC, Gentleman George Ramsay and the role he played in managing Galleghan. We moved onto the conduct of the ambush at Gemas.  How were the Japanese shaped into playing into the ambush? B Coy was chosen by lot to conduct the ambush.  What actions did Galleghan take that minimised the impact of the ambush? Was Galleghan hamstrung by the lack of training in combined arms? We look at his moral courage in his inability to engage the Japanese with Artillery at Gemas.  Why was this and is it fair? Galleghan had abandoned his wireless equipment!  Why did he do this? He certainly was a colourful character.  When he 'requisitioned' telephone cable from a passing Indian Signals SGT, he told the SGT that it had been taken by 'Colonel Ned Kelly of Australia.' Galleghan came into his own as the Commander of Australian troops at Changi.  This is an interesting example of how a leadership styles effectiveness is set in the context of the situation of where it is exercised. Check out the show notes for the podcast for images and more details for this and other podcast episodes.  

Aaron Pegram from the Australian War Memorial is back on our show to talk about the Battle of Hamel, the Battle of Villers-Bretonneux and John Monash. Aaron's talk about the Battle of Hamel: Youtube Aaron's Twitter: Twitter Our episode about the A7V: Youtube See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Special centenary talk The immense German onslaught in March 1918 caused Britain’s gravest crisis of the war. The culmination of the Australians’ vital contribution in this climax of conflict was the stunning counter attack at Villers-Bretonneux. Historian Dr Ross McMullin illuminates what occurred.   Dr Ross McMullin is an award winning historian and has published many books on military history including Pompey Elliott At War: In His Own Words, Farewell, Dear People: Biographies of Australia’s Lost Generation and Will Dyson: Australia’s Radical Genius. More information on Ross’s books is available through his website.   Ross’s books are also available for purchase online through the Shrine shop.

In early 1918, Germany launched a huge offensive on the Western Front in a last great gamble to win the war. Following Russia's withdrawal from the war, Germany could move up to a million soldiers from the Eastern Front to the West to launch a decisive attack. Their plan was to break through British and French lines and force an end to the war, before American power could bolster the Allied cause. They came close to succeeding. Using recordings from the BBC Archive, we hear from German and British soldiers who faced each other in the spring of 1918. Photo: German troops advance in the sector near Villers-Bretonneux during Germany's Spring Offensive 1918. (Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

August 8th, 1918. Here is a some of what Percy saw, "Moving on from Villers Bretonneux, we passed the wrecked aerodrome that we could see from the Villers line at the time of the Hamel stunt, the former front line and the late No-man's-land, then the old German front line. A few dead Germans lay singly here and there along the way. A couple of supply tanks lumbered noisily across country returning from the fray. Overhead, the 'planes were very busy, many returning from the front and many others going forward. We passed a German brigadier and staff officer, escorted by a solitary digger unarmed save for a great waddy which he carried over his shoulder."

By July 1918 the Australian Imperial Force or "AIF" was hardened by four bloody years of war – from the beaches and ravines of Gallipoli, to Fromelles, the Somme, Bullecourt, Messines, Passchendaele and Villers–Bretonneux - of the more than 295,000 Australians who served on the Western Front in the AIF - 46,000 would lose their lives and a further 132,000 would be wounded. Dur: 38mins File: .mp3

1917 - 1918 ... Les années terribles où tout a basculé, où tout aurait pu tourner différemment ... De la révolution russe à l'entrée en guerre des Etats-Unis, en passant par les exploits des Canadiens et des Australiens, une lecture différente de celle que l'on a l'habitude d'entendre. N'oublions jamais Paschendaele, Vimy, Arras, Villers-Bretonneux !