26 April 2023
At dawn on Anzac Day 1918, Australian soldiers played a vital role in retaking the town of Villers-Bretonneux from German forces for the second time.
Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Mark Hammond delivered the Call to Remembrance during the Dawn Service at the Australian National Memorial, which now stands on the site of the battle.
As Anzac Day dawned, it became clear that the decisive actions of the Australian 13th and 15th Brigades assisted the allies in retaking the township of Villers-Bretonneux.
The allies had feared the worst when, only the day before, the village had fallen to the German offensive.
The attack to retake Villers-Bretonneux was achieved through the fierce fighting of the Australians from the east, and from the British troops coming in from the north and west.
The counter-attack cost nearly 1500 Australian casualties, but the action restored stability the battlefield and added to the reputation of Australians on the Western Front.
Another 10,000 Australian lives would be lost between April 1918 and the Armistice in November that year.
Despite the devastating losses, those months of hardship and fighting were a source of great pride for the Australians who played an important role in the allied victory.
“The legacy of the Anzacs is one of bravery, selflessness and sacrifice,” Vice Admiral Hammond said.
“Commemorating Anzac Day is an opportunity for us to reflect on the scale of their selfless sacrifice and the debt of gratitude we owe to those who served, those who paid the ultimate sacrifice and the families they left behind.
“As we stand in quiet contemplation on Anzac Day, we honour the spirit of those who served and acknowledge the courage of those who continue to serve. Their sacrifices remind us that freedom is never free. Lest we forget.”
