Battle of Hamel

The battles of Hamel (July 4th 1918) is an attack planned by the Australian Corps of the Australian Imperial Forces against the German positions close to the town of Hamel in the North of the France, during the First World War.

The operations were planned and directed by the Lieutenant-general John Monash (anobli thereafter). It is important not because of its strategic value but because of the tactic used, radically different from the traditional tactics used until there, namely the frontal attacks in mass, very expensive in human lives. The battle was a complete success, in 92 minutes all the objectives had been reached, which is compared very little with the battles of the first years which could last several months. as for the Germans, they lost 2000 men, and of between-them prisoners 1.600 were made, with a big number of pieces of artillery.

The meticulous planning of the course of the battle, on behalf of Monash, as well as the preparation of the troops and information which was transmitted to them concerning their objectives, contributed largely to the success of the battle. Among the new tactics used, one can quote the air supply in troops (jumps in parachute) and a co-operation increased between the units of Infanterie and the units armor-plated. For example, the tanks were also used like creeping stopping , the stopping of artillery moving slowly in front of advanced troops (making it possible those to take the German trenches whereas their occupants had not had time to leave their shelters. The tanks were also used for the supply in food, ammunition and drugs with the advanced troops. Monash refused to sacrifice troops of infantry at the time of not protected attacks, from where its concern of bringing the maximum of protection to them.

Although it is a minor battle, it had important consequences on the Trench warfare bringing a practical demonstration that the fatal status quo could cease. This victorious strategy was applied thereafter, on a scale much larger, at the time of the Bataille of Amiens, which was one of the moment-key in the final victory of the Allies.

Two regiments, the 131e and the 132e of the 66e brigade of infantry, as well as the 33e division of infantry of the American army (2 000 men) also took part in the battle, under Australian command.

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