Battle of the Yser
Harbonnières, Heath Cemetery 8 August 1918
Archival Movie
The Australians' final campaign in 1918 [AWM F00018] silent, 31.6 MB
Cinematographers: Herbert F Baldwin, George Hubert Wilkins.
This silent film covers the experiences of the AIF from the period immediately after the Third Battle of Ypres in Belgium in November 1917 until near the end of the war in France in September 1918. Below is the Australian War Memorial’s original film synopsis:
After the third battle of Ypres in September 1917 the Australians were put in to hold the Messines-Wytschaete sector and to prepare defences against the expected German spring offensive [March 1918]. The German offensive was launched opposite Amiens and the Australians were sent to meet it. The heaviest fighting was around Villers-Bretonneux which was retaken by the Australians. In May General Monash took command of the Australian Corps from General Birdwood. On 4th July the Battle of Hamel was fought by Australians and Americans under Australian command. On 8 August the Allied offensive took place with tanks and cavalry used on a large scale. [After the Battle of Amiens] General Monash [was] knighted by King George V at Corps Headquarters at Bertangles [Chateau]. [Also shown is the] capture of Mont St Quentin by the 2nd Division and Peronne … At Chuignes the 3rd Battalion captured their largest trophy ever, a 15 inch naval gun weighing over 500 tons. Prime Minister [William Morris] Hughes visited the front and met the AIF at Peronne. [In September] The AIF broke through the Hindenburg Line after the Americans were checked at Gillemont Farm. On 21 September 1918 the 53rd Battalion held a memorial parade at Quinconce.
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© 2008 Department of Veterans' Affairs and Board of Studies NSW :: Last update - November 2008