Second Battle of Villers-Bretonneux
Villers-Bretonneux, Somme, France, about 19 km east of Amiens
What happened
German forces with A7V tanks fought British, Australian and French troops; the Australian brigades were led by Harold Elliott and Thomas William Glasgow. In April 1918, German forces with tanks captured Villers-Bretonneux, threatening the important railway hub of Amiens. Nearby, a British tank commanded by Frank Mitchell fought a German tank, 'Nixe', in the first ever battle between tanks. That night, Australian brigades counter-attacked in the dark and retook the town on 25 April.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It stopped the Germans from capturing the town and threatening Amiens. It is remembered as the first tank-versus-tank battle in history.
What came next
The town stayed in Allied hands until the end of the war. The Australian National Memorial was opened there in 1938.
Did you know?
The village school was rebuilt with money from schoolchildren in Victoria, Australia, and its classrooms carry the words 'N'oublions jamais l'Australie' (Let us never forget Australia).
Timeline
- 24 April 1918German forces capture the town; the first tank battle takes place.
- 25 April 1918Australian troops retake the town.
- 27 April 1918The town is secured.
- 22 July 1938The Australian National Memorial is opened.
- 2018The Sir John Monash Centre opens.