Warrigal
SF VIP
- Location
- Sydney, Australia
April 25th is ANZAC Day when Aussies take the day off to commemorate our fallen and returned men and women who have served in conflicts from the Gallipoli campaign of WW I.
Stories are told and every year I learn something new.
Just now I heard the story of the battle of le Hamel in France that was a significant turning point in the war. It took place on 4 July 1918 and that date was significant. The Australian commander, Lt Gen Sir John Monash chose that date to honour the US troops that took part. It was the first time that American and Australian troops went into battle side by side. One of those Americans was Harry S. Truman, later to become President Truman.
This is an account of the battle that was unusually short and sharp. Monash calculated it would take just 90 minutes to achieve the objectives. It took about 95. This was a contrast to the pattern of trench warfare where troops were bogged down, unable to progress for days and months.
Since that time Australians and Americans have fought as allies in the same wars but I don't believe that US troops have since been under Australian leadership.
More information on this battle and the interactions of the Aussies and the Sammys (from Uncle Sam) can be read here: https://www.awm.gov.au/visit/exhibitions/1918/soldier/sammy
A photo from that time showing a wounded American and an Australian supporting him
Stories are told and every year I learn something new.
Just now I heard the story of the battle of le Hamel in France that was a significant turning point in the war. It took place on 4 July 1918 and that date was significant. The Australian commander, Lt Gen Sir John Monash chose that date to honour the US troops that took part. It was the first time that American and Australian troops went into battle side by side. One of those Americans was Harry S. Truman, later to become President Truman.
This is an account of the battle that was unusually short and sharp. Monash calculated it would take just 90 minutes to achieve the objectives. It took about 95. This was a contrast to the pattern of trench warfare where troops were bogged down, unable to progress for days and months.
Since that time Australians and Americans have fought as allies in the same wars but I don't believe that US troops have since been under Australian leadership.
More information on this battle and the interactions of the Aussies and the Sammys (from Uncle Sam) can be read here: https://www.awm.gov.au/visit/exhibitions/1918/soldier/sammy
A photo from that time showing a wounded American and an Australian supporting him