WW1 Memorial Sites in France, Episode 211
On today’s episode, Annie reviews seven WW1 memorial sites in France where we remember soldiers from English-speaking countries. Soldiers from many countries fought and died in France during WW1. We remember them today on the occasion of the WW1 Armistice Centennial taking place in France on November 11, 2018.
Show Notes for Episode 211
WW1 Memorials Sites in France France was deeply scared by WW1 and it's impossible to understand France without a basic understanding of what happened during WW1. Visiting WW1 memorial sites in France is one of the best ways to realize the deep cuts the war brought about. It will also make it possible to bring history to life for you and your children.
“World War I was the most colossal, murderous, mismanaged butchery that has ever taken place on earth. Any writer who said otherwise lied, So the writers either wrote propaganda, shut up, or fought.” Ernest Hemingway
Off the Beaten Track in North-Eastern France It must be said that the part of France where WW1 memorial sites stand is not generally considered the most touristy part of the country. Some people visit France dozens of times and never make it there. That doesn't mean that they are not worthwhile, especially to those who enjoy off the beaten track parts of France and history, of course.
Seven WW1 Memorial Sites in France Dedicated to English-Speaking Soldiers #1 Pozières In today's episode, we start with the memorial in Pozières between Arras and Amiens. It is mostly a British cemetery and one of the most popular WW1 memorials in the area.
#2 Viller-Brettonneux Then we move on Viller-Brettonneux where you'll find the Australian National Memorial.
#3 Fromelles The only Australian-only war cemetery in France.
#4 Bullecourt When in Bullecourt you can visit 3 sites:
Musée Jean & Denise Letaille Bullecourt Digger Slouch Hat Memorial # 5 American WW1 Memorials in France There aren't as many WW1 memorials in France because America didn't send as many troops as other countries.
# 6 Somme American Cemetery This cemetery is in Bony and is part of the battle of the Somme.
#7 Montfaucon American Monument This monument is located near Verdun, not in the same area at all as the other ones mentioned here.
Mémorial australien à Bullcourt (62)
Le 11 avril 1917, en soutien à l’offensive lancée devant Arras et Vimy depuis deux jours, le Général Gough, à la tête de la 5ème armée britannique, déclenche une attaque entre Quéant et Bullecourt, puissant maillon dans l’organisation défensive allemande de la Ligne Hindenburg. Sans appui d’artillerie préalable, 12 tanks doivent ouvrir le passage à la 4ème division australienne et à la 62ème division britannique. Les tanks arrivent avec retard ; victimes de panne ou pris sous le feu allemand, ils sont rapidement mis hors de service. Les soldats se heurtent alors à des défenses allemandes quasi intactes et sont contraints au repli.Le 3 mai suivant, une seconde attaque est ordonnée. La 62ème division britannique repart au combat avec la 2ème division australienne qui refuse toute intervention des chars. Malgré un soutien de l’artillerie et le renfort des 1ère et 5ème divisions australiennes, la deuxième bataille de Bullecourt s’avère une tragique répétition de la première. Les Australiens prennent pied dans le village mais enregistrent 7 000 pertes supplémentaires.
Au total, près de 10 000 hommes de l’Australian Imperial Force (Force Impériale Australienne) seront tués ou blessés lors de ces deux batailles de Bullecourt. En 1993, dans le parc mémorial australien de Bullecourt, sera inaugurée pour leur rendre hommage la statue d’un soldat australien surnommé le « Digger », signifiant littéralement « celui qui creuse (pour se mettre à l’abri du feu ennemi)». Ce nom rappelle la précarité des abris que les soldats ont du se confectionner. Œuvre du sculpteur Peter Corlett qui a également réalisé le Cobber de Fromelles, ce soldat arbore les symboles des forces australiennes : un chapeau mou (slouch hat) sur lequel est accroché le badge du Rising Sun (soleil levant).Chaque année, à l’occasion des commémorations de l’ANZAC Day (autour du 25 avril), l’Ambassade d’Australie en France tient à Bullecourt une cérémonie particulière en mémoire de tous les soldats australiens disparus au cours de la Grande Guerre.
Battle of the Western Front Part 1 Fromelles
This footage is a great insight to one of the most largest forgotten Autralian battles that took place and shaped the country and made it the country that it is today. This is mine and jo's representation of this...
90eme Fromelles
90th anniversary of the Battle of Fromelles
Fromelles November 11 2013, We Will Remember Them
To the families of the fallen Diggers of Fromelles, your boys are not forgotten, they made the supreme sacrifice for my country and my liberty. Thank you guys. Lest We Forget.
Pierre Seillier, France.
SITE STUDY YPRES SALIENT COMMEMORATION
Site studies are an important part of historical inquiry. Historians look at places to understand how that place represents periods of time, or change over time. Often after significant events, governments will choose to preserve places or structures to commemorate that event.
The area of Ypres in Belgium is a rich site for historical study. It played an important role in the Western Front of World War I and is full of locations and remnants that provide historians with information about the war.
This is the fifth video in a five part series.