The Australians' final campaign in 1918

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. 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. General Monash knighted by King George V at Corps HQ Bertangles. The capture of Mont St Quentin by the 2nd Division; Peronne captured at the same time. At Chuignes the 3rd Battalion captured their largest trophy ever, a 15 inch naval gun weighing over 500 tons. Prime Minister Hughes visited the front and met the AIF at Peronne. [Official historian Charles Bean appears very briefly in the background when AIF staff showed newspaper editors prisoners of war captured by Australians]. 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.