Memorial launches battle of Hamel virtual reality experience

The Australian War Memorial has launched a free state-of-the-art virtual reality experience to mark the 100th anniversary of the battle of Hamel.

At 3.10am on the morning of 4 July 1918, Australian troops attacked German positions at Le Hamel in one of Australia’s most successful engagements on the Western Front.

It was the first major action of the Australian Corps under the command of Lieutenant General Sir John Monash, who carefully coordinated infantry, artillery, tanks, and aircraft in order to achieve a textbook victory. Monash planned for the battle to last 90 minutes. It lasted 93, and marked a turning point in Australian combat experience on the Western Front.

Over the next month, members of the public can enter the Memorial’s theatre to view the Battle of Hamel virtual reality experience and learn more about the battle.

Memorial head of digital experience Amanda Dennett said the project demonstrated the Memorial’s ongoing commitment to telling the stories of those who had served during times of conflict.

“Telling stories is something the Memorial has always done,” she said. “But today, it is new technologies that enable us to place audiences at the centre of these stories. The use of [virtual reality] technology is an innovative way for us to communicate important messages about our history, particularly for younger audiences.”

Wearing an Oculus Go VR headset and headphones, audiences can hear how Lieutenant General Sir John Monash meticulously planned the battle before choosing to view a stylised recreation from the perspective of an airman, infantryman, or tank crewman.

Dennett said a team of historians, curators and VR experts had collaborated to deliver the unique insight into the events at Hamel 100 years ago using items from the Memorial’s collection in a combination of 3D and 360-degree video.

“The VR experience is deliberately stylised, like an artwork from the First World War,” Dennett said.

“Audiences who view the Battle of Hamel virtual reality experience will transition through a painting into a world created with virtual brushstrokes … inspired by the official war artists who painted the sad, brutal, and hopeful stories of Australians throughout 1914–18.

“By leveraging digital technologies the Australian War Memorial is increasing young people’s engagement with history. Through digital storytelling we improve their understanding of the impact of the First World War and its enduring legacy on our Australian society today.”

The Battle of Hamel virtual reality experience runs from 22 June 1018 to 22 July 2018.