By 1914 there was tense rivalry between the major great powers namely Britain, France, Germany, Russia, Italy and Austria-Hungary. Many of these countries had colonies elsewhere in the world so these powers fought between themselves to upkeep and expand their influence in Europe. This situation was an example of European Nationalism.
The extensive rivalry and tension between France and Germany leads back to 1871 when Germany defeated France in the Franco-Prussian War and had captured the French territory of Alsace-Lorraine. France long sought revenge against Germany.
There was also great tension between Britain and Germany. The ruler of Germany at the time Kaiser Wilhelm II wanted Germany to increase in power and influence in the world, this meant challenging the main colonial power of the world, Britain. Britain had the largest overseas empire and an extensive industrial system which came with a large Navy to protect the empire and it's industrial trade links. For Germany to match Britain they had to begin by building a Navy and expanding their overseas empire.
In addition the tension in Eastern Europe between Russia and Austro-Hungary was due to the competeting nationalistic movements in the region including Serbia. Serbia was opposed to the dominance of Austro-Hungarian Empire as they expanded their influence into the Balkans where the Turkish Empire once dominated. To complicate this issue further Serbia had a powerful friend in Russia who was also interested in the Balkans.
By 1907 the European powers have now split up into two major rival alliances:
This meant that if a war was to start it could very easily become a World War. This was proven to be true.
On the 28th June 1914 in the town of Sarajevo the capital of Bosnia (apart of the Austro-Hungary Empire) the heir to the Austro-Hungarian Empire throne, Archduke Franz Ferdinand, and his wife were assassinated by a Serbian nationalist student. Austria-Hungary blamed Serbia and retaliated by eliminating Serbia's influence on the Balkans. This aggravated Serbia's ally Russia. This made it critical for Austria-Hungary to gain support from their ally Germany and on 6th July 1914 Germany encouraged Austria-Hungary to take action on Serbia. This caused Germany to back Austria-Hungary on 28th July 1914 in declaring War on Serbia.
On the 1st August 1914 Germany declared War on Russia as Russia had previously threatened Germany by ordering a mobilisation of their army. This caused France to mobilise its support of its ally Russia. This leads to Germany's military plans requiring the defeat of Russia's ally France. The best plan of attack for this strategy was to enter France through its neighbouring country Belgium - this was known as the Schlieffen Plan (please see next section). On the 3rd August 1914 after Belgium had rejected Germany's demand of access to their country. Germany declared War on France and proceeded to cross the Belgium boarder. Due to Germany invading Belgium, Britain a long term ally of Belgiums, declared war on Germany on the 4th August 1914.
The events in distant Europe seem to have had very little to do with the isolated 13 year old country of Australia. However, Australia remained loyal to the British Empire and, when war was declared, Australia was swept by a rush of emotional support for the mother country. Whilst the origins of the war remained unclear to the Australians there was an almost complete agreement on what Australia's role would be. 'Whatever happens,' said Prime Minister Joseph Cook, 'Australia is part of the Empire right to the full. When the Empire is at war, so is Australia at war. All our resources are in the Empire and for the preservation and security of the Empire.'
In 1914 Australia, still bound by its deep bonds of sentiment, newspapers started publishing headlines such as 'The British Empire is our family' and 'We can not live out side it.' The nation was almost totally united in its determination to assist the British and their allies. Due to this emotional support the causes and justification for the war became unimportant and instead was replaced with emotional concepts of honour, duty and obligation. The attitude towards war was expressed by Labor Party leader Andrew Fisher when he said that Australia 'will stand by our own to help and defend her to the last man and the last shilling.'
This lead for Australia's loyalty to its Mother Country Britain to be displayed in what was believed by both sides to be an honourable war and at which Australia immediately supplied Britain with 20, 000 men. Recruitment in 1914 wasn't an issue as by the end of 1914 the enlistment for service in the war was understood to be 52 000. There were many reasons behind this such as finance (the pay was much better then British soldiers), the glory and enthusiasm towards an adventure, to defeat Germany, to serve the Mother Country and many men believed that they would never be able to look a descent girl in the eye again as many Australians believed in the duty of serving their Mother Country.
The Western Front is one of three main theatres of war where Australian soldiers were involved in during World War One; along with Gallipoli and the Middle East. The Western Front (actually a title given by the German's as it is their Western Front) stretched from Belgium in the north, to Italy in the south. It was originally opened up by the German troops in early August in 1914. The Schlieffen Plan was to enter France and have them surrender, before Russia and Britain had mobilized. However on the attack troops were met with the unexpected Belgium army, along with the quick British army and the Schlieffen plan was a failure. This event began fighting in the Western Front, with France declaring war on Germany.
Australian soldiers became involved in the battles on the Western Front after the Gallipoli campaign failed and troops were evacuated on the 10th December, 1915. The same troops, along with reinforcements from Australia, were then deployed to join the trench warefare in France and Belgium. By July of 1916 there were 90,000 Australian troops in the Western Front, facing horrific conditions, trench warfare and a high casualty rate. Trench warfare was the main tactic used on the Western Front. Trenches were dug by both sides and this is where the troops were positioned. Conditions for the troops in the trenches were appalling, ranging from the deathly cold of winter and spring rains which created trenches of mud. Disease was a major problem. Incessant dangers of artillery shells, trench-raids and snipers also faced the troops, at many famous, yet costly battles on the Western Front.
ANZAC troops were first sent to the fields of Flanders. But it was not here that they first met action, but in the Bois Grenier-Armentières-Fromelles area. The 5th Division, on the 19th of July 1916, was ordered to attack the German troops at Fromelles, in an attempt to prevent the enemy from recreating their lines on the Somme. The Battle at Fromelles was the first major battle of the Western Front. With great courage and stamina, the 5th Division fought its way into German lines. However, due to incessant fighting, withdrawal became inevitable and the troops pulled back. At the end of the 24hours of battle, the 5th division had lost 5,533 men to captivity, wounding or fatality.
The 1st, 2nd and 4th divisions during this time had been sent to the centre of the Somme, to reinforce the British army. The objective was enemy trenches in Pozières, a ruined village. When the 1st divisions were withdrawn on the 27th of July, 5,285 men had been lost.
The winter of 1916-1917 led to muddy fighting at Flers and Guedecourt, close to Pozières in rain and bitter cold. The German withdrawal ended the bleak period on the 17th of March 1917. As a result of this battle the Anzacs captured many villages and regions, and followed up with actions to recapture other French towns. Meanwhile, in Flanders, mines were being built by Australian tunnellers under Hill 60 in Ypres. On June 7th, nineteen of the mines exploded, sending many of the troops, including the AIF 3rd Division to fight the Battle of Messines. The 4th Division soon joined and together with the New Zealand Division, the Australians completed one of the most successful operations so far in the war; the capturing of Messines Ridge. Between July and December the AIF were involved in a series of battles known as the Third Battle of Ypres, or the Battle of Passchendaele. The most significant victories were that of Menin Road and Polygon Wood. Conditions here were appalling - much alike that of the trenches; some drowned in deep mud. But it was here that all AIF Divisions fought side-by-side, and together their reputation of bravery and skill grew. The cost? 38,000 casualties over eight weeks.
The AIF went on to hold the front line at the Somme River where they fought the first Battle of Villers-Bretonneux. The 2nd division fought to liberate the town in a second battle on the 24th and 25th of April. The town of Amiens was also saved by the diggers from capture. On the 8th of August the beginning of the end was had, as all five divisions advanced east along the Somme. The 'finest single feat of the war' was on the 31st of August to the 2nd of September as the AIF captured Mont St. Quentin, together with nearby Peronne. With it came the final Australian battle on the Western Front, with the capture of Montbrehain on the 5th of October.
Of the 313,814 soldiers who enlisted to protect the mother country, 53,000 of those died in France and Belgium. 18,000 have no known grave. Even with the highest casualty rate, the Western Front is seen as the most successful theatre of war for the Australians.
As children of the French town Villers-Bretonneux skip into their classroom, plop down their books and whip out their pencils, they are reminded: Never forget Australia. These words are posted above every blackboard in every classroom in this school, because of the events of the 24th and 25th April, 1918.
The Battle of Villers-Bretonneux was fought over these two days between the Allies and the Germans, in this small French town in the Somme region. Villers-Bretonneux was considered the ideal gateway to the much wanted city of Amiens, so after the German's captured it on the 23rd April, the Allies immediately planned a counter-attack. Chosen to carry out this legendary battle was the 13th Australian Infantry Brigade, lead by Brigadier-General William Glasgow, and the 15th Australian Infantry Brigade, lead by Brigadier General Harold 'Pompey' Elliott.
The Battle for Villers-Bretonneux is seen as one of the greatest liberations by Australian troops of World War One. It began on the 21st of March in 1918; a reaction to a breakthrough by the German soldiers. Their intention was to separate the British Empire's forces and the French forces on the Western Front to capture key ports.
The Germans grouped and broke though the British lines in the St Quentin area near Peronne in France. As French forces retreated to the south, the Australian troops were called in as reinforcements and the British were forced back toward the Somme Battlefields of 1916. The Anzacs were sent south to help the Canadian and British forces; where over the next months the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th Australian Divisions fought many battles in the areas of the rivers Ancre and Somme. A key victory in the series of battles, was that of the 5th division at Villers-Bretonneux on the 24th and 25th of April 1918.On the 28th of April, the Germans refocused on Villers-Bretonneux and began to attack the township. The Germans attacked strongly and they eventually captured Villers-Bretonneux. The British however, needed to recapture the township before it was too late, and German defence had taken a hold.
The 13th and 14th Divisions were appointed the duty and were ordered to attack in daylight. However the brigade commanders refused and a new plan was sought. The 13th Brigade was in position late at night, but earlier than initially planned. The Australians came under heavy machine-gun fire by the Germans as they advanced. However, St Stokes urged his pontoon commander, Lt Sadlier to enter the woods and dismantle machines guns. This was done quickly and enabled the advance to continue.
The 15th Brigade approached Villers-Bretonneux from the north, aiming to meet eh 13th Brigade and surround the Germans and the village. After daylight the brigades pushed on, encircling the village and sending the Germans into confusion and fright. The village was liberated and Germany suffered a great blow to there offensive aims.
The village never again fell into enemy hands during World War One and the Australian troops were encouraged by the fact that they were fighting on their day: ANZAC Day. Sergeant Jimmy Downing described his fellow Australian's actions as: "They killed and killed. Bayonets passed with ease through grey-clad bodies and were withdrawn with a sucking noise." This brave approach continued all through the night of the 24th and into the day of the 25th.
The tremendous efforts of our troops, many Western Australian, forced the German line to retreat over a mile; resulting in a vital Allied victory. This victory came in exchange for 1200 lives; a number so large that the 52nd Battalion, of the 13th Brigade, was disbanded. However, as medical officer Captain Forsyth said, "The 52nd Battalion had ceased- but it was a great victory. War is like that."
In May 1918 the AIF was finally commanded by one of their own - General Sir John Monash. He was to lead some significant attacks by the Australian troops in the final stages of the war. In July 1918 Monash planned and commanded the battle of Hamel, a very successful battle that took only 92 minutes to complete. Other similar successful operations followed until October at Chuignes, Mont St Quentin, Peronne and Hargicourt and breaking the Hindenburg Line. The war was then nearly over. In early October the Australian divisions withdrew from the front for rest and refitting. They were preparing to return to the front when Germany surrendered on 11 November 1918.
56 Victoria Cross' were won by Australians on the Western Front from 1916-1918.
For Australia, like may other countries, World War I remains the most costly conflict in terms of casualties and deaths. From a population of less than 5 million people, 416,809 men enlisted, 313,814 served overseas, over 60,000 were killed and 156,000 wounded, gassed or taken prisoner. From March-October 1918, the AIF made up less than 10% of the British Forces but captured 23% of the prisoners, 23.5% of the enemy guns and 21.5% of the ground taken from the Germans.
The Australian flag is still flown today at Villers-Bretonneux. It is flown above the Australian National Memorial, on which is listed the names of the 10,982 Australians killed in France who have no known grave. The Victoria School in Villers-Bretonneux was built from donations by Victorian school children in the 1920's. Above every blackboard are the words "Never Forget Australia". The heroic feats of Sadlier and Stokes were later recognised when the Hawke Government gave a grant to establish the Sadlier-Stokes Memorial Scholarship. The scholarship is awarded annually to a French student from one of the Somme towns and villages.
SADLIER, - Victoria Cross
Lieutenant Clifford William King
51st Australian Infantry Battalion, A.I.F.
24-25 April 1918, at Villers Bretonneux, France
For conspicuous bravery during a counter-attack by his battalion on strong enemy positions. Lieutenant Sadlier's platoon, which was on the left of the battalion, had to advance through a wood where a strong enemy machine-gun post caused casualties and prevented the platoon from advancing. Although himself wounded, he at once collected his bombing section, led them against the machine-guns, and succeeded in killing the crews and capturing two of the guns. By this time Lieutenant Sadlier's party were all casualties, and he alone attacked a third enemy machine-gun with his revolver, killing the crew of four and taking the gun. In doing so he was again wounded. The very gallant conduct of this officer was the means of clearing the flank, and allowing the battalion to move forward, thereby saving a most critical situation. His coolness and utter disregard of danger inspired all.
Lieutenant Sadlier or Clifford King William Sadlier was awarded the Victoria Cross medal, for "conspicuous bravery during a counter-attack, by his battalion on strong enemy positions", during the battle of Villers-Bretonneux. Sadlier's platoon, who were left of the battalion were required to advance through a wood in which a strong machine gun post had caused casualties, preventing the platoon from advancing.
He received this award for successfully bombing and capturing 2 machine guns, despite been injured. He single handedly attacked and captured a third machine gun, with only a revolver, receiving another wound for his efforts. The actions of Lieutenant Sadlier meant that the flanks were cleared, allowing the battalion to move forward from their position. Which saved a critical situation, his actions also inspired those around him, in a difficult and dangerous time during the battle.
STOKES, - Distinguished Conduct Medal
Sergeant Charles Albert
51st Australian Infantry Battalion, A.I.F.
24-25 April 1918, at Villers-Bretonneux, France
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty.
Sergeant Stokes led a section of bombers against some machine-gun positions which were holding up the advance of the flank of his company. All the section except himself became casualties, but two of the guns were put out of action and their detachments killed, and then Sergeant Stokes attacked the remaining gun single-handed, captured it, killing or wounding all the crew. During all this time he was under machine-gun fire of great severity. On returning to his platoon he found his Commander had become a casualty, and he at once took command and led the men forward. His very gallant behaviour and coolness under fire of the heaviest description were an example worthy of the highest praise.
Sergeant Charles Albert Stokes won the Distinguished Conduct Medal during the battle of Villers-Bretonneux. He received this award for, leading a section of bombers against machine gun positions, which had been holding up the advance of the flank of his company. All in the section bar Stokes, had become casualties by this stage, however the two machine guns had been put out of action. Stokes attacked the remaining gun, single-handed. He was able to capture it, and killed or wounded the machine gun crew.
During all of Stokes actions he was under intense machine gun fire. Upon returning to his platoon, he found that his Commander has become a casualty; he took up the leadership reins and led the men forward. His bravery and leadership under such intense pressure, earned him this award but also earn him the respect of those around him, both under and superior to him in ranks.
To make sure that their feats of bravery are not forgotten, their medals are displayed alongside the Villers-Bretonneux Cross in the Soldiers' Memorial Chapel in St Georges Cathedral in Perth in honour of the men they fought with. The Sadlier Stokes Scholarship and the Australian France Foundation has since 1989, supported the education of students from the five districts that share historic ties with Australia: Villers-Bretonneux, Bullecourt, Hendecourt, Fromelles and Le Hamel.
Bibliography
Internet Websites
"Australians on the Western Front." France in Australia, Embassy and Consulate-General. Embassy of France in Australia. 28 Feb. 2008 http://www.ambafrance-au.org/article.php3?id_article=474.
Duffy, Michael. "Feature Articles: the Causes of World War One." First World War.Com. 27 Mar. 2004. 25 Feb. 2008 http://www.firstworldwar.com/origins/causes.htm.
Fleeton, Colonel Graham. "About the Western Front." Military History Tours. 2007. Military History Tours. 26 Feb. 2008 http://www.militaryhistorytours.com.au/site/About_the_Western_Front.asp.
"Outbreak and Opening of WW1." German Notes. 2008. 24 Feb. 2008 http://www.germannotes.com/hist_ww1_opening.shtml.
Simkin, John. Spartacus Educational. 26 Feb. 2008 http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/FWWschlieffenP.htm.
"Trench Warfare." 26 Feb. 2008 http://www.oucs.ox.ac.uk/ltg/projects/jtap/rose/trenchw.html.
Trueman, Chris. "Causes of World War One." History Learning. 2000. 23 Feb. 2008 http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/causes.htm.
"World War One Theatres of War." History on the Net. 10 Mar. 2007. History on the Net Group. 26 Feb. 2008 http://www.historyonthenet.com/WW1/theatresofwar.htm.
Supplementary Websites
http://www.anzacday.org.au/history/ww1/overview/west.html
http://www.users.auslink.net/~jl conway/ww1/index.htm
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/wwone/origins_01.shtml
http://www.historyofwar.org/articles/battles_villers_bretonneuxI.html
http://www.cwgc.org/search/cemetery_details.aspx?cemetery=93000&mode=1
Pamphlets
Australian National Memorial, Villers-Bretonneux. Canberra, Australia: Department of Veterans' Affairs, Office of Australian War Graves, 2004.
A Guide to Australian Memorials on the Western Front, in France and Belgium. Canberra, Australia: Department of Veterans' Affairs, Office of Australian War Graves, 2005.