The Tragic Attack of the Australians at Bullecourt | History Traveler Episode 390

[@walkinshaw457ssv6]

Hey JD. As an ex Australian digger myself. I appreciate you sharing this battle of our diggers and keeping their memories alive.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

My pleasure. Feel free to share the video out with some of your fellow Aussies. 🙂 🇦🇺

[@walkinshaw457ssv6]

@ I sure will be sharing this video. Also I’m not sure if turkey and the wwi story of the battle of Gallipoli is something that you’re interested in but that would be an interesting video to get your thoughts on that battle.

[@1psychofan]

Why are they called diggers?

[@walkinshaw457ssv6]

@@1psychofan one of the reasons is because from what I was told growing up was that in wwi there were a lot of miners that became soldiers and they were good at digging trenches and dugouts so the word digger stuck and we still call our soldiers diggers today.

[@joansemenec1387]

Thank you for being a digger!! As an American, I appreciate the military service of any and all military veterans!! May the memories of your mates who passed away as the result of war be for a blessing to all their families and the Australian digger forces. Welcome home, digger!! I have several military veterans in my family (U.S. Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Army/Air Corps during WW2) and my current partner was in the military as well (U.S. Army, retired). Since my step - Dad (Vietnam Veteran, U.S. Navy) has already passed away from cancer in 2019 on the hospice unit at the Veterans Hospital here in Cleveland, Ohio, I know that he would say thank you for your service and welcome home as well. So, I extend that welcome home on his behalf. Much love, a lot of hugs, and I hope that you have a great holiday season coming up with your family and mates!! If you happen to have any contact with your digger friends, please tell them I say thank you!!

[@dunderclumpin]

Thanks mate, appreciate your respect shown to our Aussie Diggers… Lest We Forget . 🌺

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Absolutely

[@richarddyson4380]

I cannot, as a veteran myself, thank you enough for the detail, compassion and sensitivity with which you have presented this piece of history which is so important to us Australians. You have my respect. To the citizens of Bullecourt, thank you for your ongoing commitment and generosity in tending to the fallen and their memory. Lest we forget.

[@pauldowlan3285]

My grandfather was AIF WWI and I served 20 years myself Thank you 🇦🇺

[@robe461]

Thankyou JD....As an Australian with a son in the ADF, I am very grateful for your coverage of this tragic event.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thank you for watching.

[@kenlawton1531]

Beautifully filmed mate, very respectful to our Diggers, thank you🙏🇦🇺

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Many thanks

[@psychmike1717]

Thanks for presenting this JD. My grandfather was injured in Bullecourt by gas and returned home as an invalid. ♥ Australia was a very young nation in 1917 and this battle was a significant part of the formation of our identity as Australians. Lest We Forget.

[@cmondevils]

Thanks JD for having some Aussie content. For a small nation, we have actually had a big impact on WW1 and WW2, Korea and Vietnam. Would love to see a story on "The Rats of Tobruk" Aussies were first to stop Rommel

[@nedkelly9688]

Were first to stop Germans advancing in WW2. no other country did until, then we did same to Japanese in Milne Bay...

[@DwayneJoyce-q9i]

Apparently after a battle Rommel was quoted as saying . " If I was to take hell id use the Australians and the New Zealanders to hold it"

[@MK-kv8bm]

Thanks for spending time here and showing this. It means a lot to us as Australians. We are so proud of those who serve in our armed forces. Hope you get to see Villers-Bretonneux.

[@ozziecozzie274]

Thank you JD from a very grateful Australian ❤🇦🇺

[@OldFellaDave]

The main reason why the 1st battle of Bullecourt was so horrific was, see that picture you have displayed at: 3:58 in the video? Do you see those hazy thicker lines on the left of the image? Those are massive belts of barbed wire over 10-20m deep and 3 or 4m high in places. Rolls and rolls of barbed wire stacked on top of each other, all positioned about 100 - 150m from the German Lines on the Right side of the image. The 'cunning plan' cooked up for the battles was to NOT have a customary artillery barrage to break up the wire, but instead rely on the new secret weapon - Tanks. These new tanks were going to roll out in front of the Infantry, crush the wire, and keep rolling onto the main German Line/Defences ... but as we know now, most of the tanks never arrived or broke down on the starting line (or very near to it). Despite this, the attack was ordered to continue and - NO ARTILLERY was fired. The Australian Infantry had to go, by themselves into and through that wire, unsupported. And they bloody did it!! They actually smashed into the Hindenburg Line and forced the Germans out. Probably the first time a pure infantry assault with no other support, breached the Hindenburg Line and it's interlocked defences. The Germans who had held on to the left and right of the Australian penetration, counter-attacked down each trench line and cut off a huge number of Australians who had penetrated beyond the Hindenburg Line. 1st Bullecourt represents one of the biggest tragedies for the Australian Army in the 1st world war in terms of casualties and prisoners. It was also the day the famous Major Percy Black DSO, MC, DCM was killed in action. Harry Murray VC was his best mate and the most highly decorated Australian soldier of the war, and he said that Percy Black 'was the bravest soldier he ever saw in the war'. Both men had started the war in 1914 as Privates and risen through the ranks, awarded commissions during the Gallipoli Campaign, and further awards for bravery along the way. Major Black was killed during the retreat back to the Australian lines when he was shot coming through the last of the wire encouraging his men to retire. When the 1st and 2nd Division advanced in May during the 2nd Battle of Bullecourt, they did so by going right past and over the bodies of those who fell during the first battle and still lay out there a month later. Lest We Forget

[@robertheuston8378]

What a tragedy, but it is wonderful that people on the other side of the world hold their memory in honour.

[@zippymctarget2770]

My great-grandfather and his brother both fought in the 1st Battle of Bullecourt with the 47th Infantry Battalion. My great-grandfather survived but he was a witness to his brother being struck by a shell, nothing was ever found of his body. Thanks for covering the first battle, it is often overlooked.

[@Kili121416]

Thank you for keeping the stories of our brave Diggers alive. Such a tragic loss of life. We will remember them.

[@brendanleach4735]

Thanks for posting this very interesting. My maternal grandfather , Sgt Frank DEAN took part in this action, he was hit by machine gun fire and hung in the wire for three days until he was captured by the Germans. They fixed him up and rehabilitated him back to Australia. 🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺

[@stubstoo6331]

WW 1 was such a tragedy. My grandfather was American, and came home disabled, and only talked to the family about his good time's with his friends making wine instead of what he saw, and went through. Miss you Charlie.

[@GlasgowCeltic88]

My mom said the same of HER granddad, a Sgt in the Seaforth Highlanders. He came back in a back brace and a shell of a man. Only really found out what he did and where he was because of his Army Records.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Have to wonder what those guys saw.

[@seanlander9321]

The Australians were expected to advance across 800 yards which contained two lines of barbed wire each 50 yards deep and 15 yards high against ranged machine guns. How in Hell’s name is a human supposed to get through that?!

[@DominikQuesnel]

Same my great grandfather was an American came home and was quoted as saying "That damned gas. I still feel the effects to this day. I don't know why the germans kept firing when they knew it'd be over soon" Rip Wesley lamonda 26th field artillery 2nd division 1897-1986

[@seanlander9321]

@ So few Americans fought though, and for so little time, and they didn’t achieve any victories, so it’s not like the Germans were bothered by them at all.

[@coreybrindle2763]

Thank you so much JD for keeping this history alive. My Great Uncle from the 46th Battalion was wounded here on the 11th April and thankfully survived his injuries to be returned home. This record is something to be shown to my kids and then hopefully their kids. This means a lot to have a visual, dynamic record to go along with his war records. Sending my gratitude.

[@raymccumstie1439]

As an Aussie all these historic battles and our fallen are the reason we are here today. Thank you for a tour of that sacred ground. Lest We Forget.

[@TrooperWags]

Thank you for taking the time to make this video! Less we forget

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Wow! Thank you!

[@thepeskytraveller3870]

May all those who perished in this war (and others) RIP. Lest we forget. Thank you for uploading.

[@tonyk1584]

I am a Vietnam Vet. Although I did not have a combat MOS and I am in awe of those who did, there were a number of occasions when shooting was going on around me but to the best of my knowledge, not directly at me. So I feel that I have a little skin in the game to pose the following rhetorical unanswerable questions. How could the planners of this attack after the carnage of the previous three years with or without artillery or tanks think this was a good idea? How could these poor soldiers after the losses in April, contemplate going out on another attack in May without going insane? I mourn their loss, may they rest in peace.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Awful.

[@wolfdog7265]

So many communication failures. Certainty and experience of staff working against them as we know now. Pigheaded stubbornness, chauvinism, being idle….. Seems that doubt was only present amongst the men.

[@scottsevers6194]

My Great Grandfather landed at gallipoli on the 25th of April 1915, was sent home wounded in October ( he was in the 14th battalion, under Monash. ) 3 of his children served in WWII, my Grandfather was in the mighty 9th division. My Great grandfather re enlisted and was a sergeant at Concord RE patriation hospital. I've served 25yrs as a fireman. I'm proud of my families devotion to our country ❤

[@user-bf8ud9vt5b]

I'm genuinely moved to see France still remembering the Aussie soldiers who died so far away from their home here in Australia. If anyone from France happens to reads this, thank you for remembering their sacrifice. 🇫🇷 🇦🇺

[@AnthonyOMulligan-yv9cg]

The same in Belgium and Holland

[@artykeithpierre09]

The spikes for horses are called calthrops. Australian veteran. thank you for your coverage.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

👍🏻🇦🇺

[@tonyegan4651]

Thank you for your wonderful presentation especially on 11/11 the day I'm watching this. My grandfather was on the western front that year in a other battles. Fortunately he returned to my grandma and his oldest two children James my father and my uncle Jack who later died in Changi in 1942 after fighting in Malaya and the fall of Singapore. Thanks, Tony Brisbane 🇦🇺🦘

[@markswansborough9426]

I'm glad to see how well the grave sites are kept thank you

[@wattlebough]

Thank you, sir. Sadly very few Australians today have heard of the Battle of Bullecourt. Small detail: the infantry of the AIF weren’t arranged in regiments. The Australian Corps, originally divided in to I ANZAC and II ANZAC were 60 Battalions of about 1,000 men each at full strength, which by mid 1917 was becoming unsustainable. The 60 Battalions were divided in to 15 Brigades of 4 Battalions each. The 15 Brigades in turn were 5 Divisions of 3 Brigades each. This doesn’t include the substantial Australian artillery brigades and squadrons of the Australian Flying Corps (Precursor to the Royal Australian Air Force formed later, in 1921). In Palestine the Australian Light Horse comprised 15 Regiment of mounted infantry with 600 troops to a Regiment. There were 5 Brigades of ALH that served from Suez to Sinai to Gaza, Jericho, Amman, Megiddo to Damascus and Hims in Syria between 1916 to 1918. Their story is also fascinating.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks for that extra info! Feel free to share the video out with a few others!

[@adriang6259]

As an Aussie I'm grateful for this. I've been to many places in Europe where battles have been fought. But I'm amazed by that museum. One of the Men on the wall was Harry Murray who was Australia's most decorated soldier. You probably already know this but: 'Digger' was derived from Gallipoli when Hamilton was supposed to have said, on the night of the first Anzac day, "They are through the worst of it, nothing left to do now but dig, dig, dig." All Anzac troops thereafter carry the name. The term 'sneaker' for soft soled shoes, also came from Gallipoli when the Anzacs evacuated they wrapped their boots in canvas so they could sneak away.

[@brodiekorman4999]

9:00 thank you for this. George Henry Childs is my great great grandfather. The names on the poppies are the names of his descendants we wrote. My aunt and Nanna (his granddaughter) laid that wreath recently while visiting.

[@sugarnads]

❤🇦🇺

[@xgford94]

24:16 Oh that’s my Family name, that hit harder than I would have thought

[@15chiefstar]

Thanks for covering this part of our Aussie history. We remain in awe of what our boys did not only in this battle but across all they endured. Great video that I have shared amongst the descendants of my Pops battalion 2/31st AIF WW2. Lest we forget

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

🇦🇺

[@andrewwebb-trezzi2422]

Everyone should make it to the Sir John Monash Centre in France at some point in their life. Truly a humbling experience that will move one to tears.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks for the heads up!

[@martysultmann3998]

@@TheHistoryUnderground if you get to the Sir John Monash Centre, go up the bell tower at the Australian Memorial. The Australian Memorial is at the same site not far from the village of Villers-Bretonneux which was recaptured by the Australians in April 1918 in a crucial battle to help stop the last German offensive. It was opened in 1938 by King George and it has battle scars from fighting in 1940 when the Nazis invaded France. When you get there you will see why the fighting may have been hot in this area as it has commanding views of the surrounding country.

[@marklittle8805]

​@@martysultmann3998Monash and Canada's Currie with their armies were the shock troops of the Empire in that last year of the War. Monash was a genius and the Aussies were always tough to handle. Glad JD is showing you guys some attention

[@clarkemcclymont2879]

My dad was on the sir John Monash ship in Vietnam (32 small ship squadron)

[@martysultmann3998]

@@marklittle8805 agree. Both commanders knighted in the field and Monash really was a pioneer in combined armed tactics.

[@pmeridian5902]

My Grandfather was wounded in the leg at the 2nd Battle of Bullecourt 5th May 2017. He was evacuated to Guildford, Surrey military hospital for treatment in England and on 27th September he made it home to Sydney (never to leave the country again). Thank you for this episode, a visit to the museum for me will happen in 2025 especially after seeing this episode,

[@nicklythall]

Great vid. My Great-Grandfather served in the 19th Battalion and was shot through the neck at Bullecourt, but thankfully he survived the war. His war records indicate he must’ve enjoyed at least some of his time there; he was treated 3 times for Syphilis!

[@AnthonyOMulligan-yv9cg]

Toilet Seats.......they say

[@spirit1259]

In loving memory of my 2 great uncle's and their 2 cousins who are layed to rest at Ypres, Pozziers, Bullecourt, and Villars Bretinou 🇦🇺🫡

[@NickJohnCoop]

Any Aussie that knows their WW1 history knows Bullecourt. It's a bitter pill still, but the respect paid to our Diggers by France is keenly felt. The greatest tribute to Australia by France is in Villers Bretonneux . There are supposed to be classrooms in schools that have a single sentence on their blackboards, 'Never forget Australia '.

[@stephenanthony6508]

Never forget Australia is not on any blackboards, it is written in capital letters on the exterior of one of the schools buildings, facing the playground I believe, and it's " Do not forget Australia "

[@wattlebough]

To be specific, it’s written in French: “N’oublion jamais L’Australie.”

[@wattlebough]

Sadly, most Australians even of anglo-celtic generations have never heard of Bullecourt and know little of Australia’s significant involvement in France and Belgium between 1916-1918.

[@NickJohnCoop]

@wattlebough They do if they study any WW1 history and there are documentaries that point it out on ANZAC day.

[@brettcurtis5710]

Great to see the ANZAC troops getting some recognition, especially by a US enthusiast - I've followed your channel for a couple of years, primarily for your Civil War content but am now an avid fan - Kia Kaha and Arohanui from the NZ in Anzac, New Zealand.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks! Appreciate that! Feel free to share it out with a few others from your country. :)

[@bundybear666]

My great great William james Horne fought at Bullecourt and was later killed during the Battle of Villers-Bretonneux, his older brother had also been killed two days before meaning their mother would of received two letters within the same day. I Went and visited France in 2019 and saw Herberts Grave and Williams name on the war memorial at Villers-Bretonneux it was an absolute tragic and harrrowing experience.

[@GrantPhilpots]

The first wreath you show has Wattle flowers on it. As an Australian, that’s very moving.

[@brucewood1827]

JD, I'm glad that you're doing the WW1 series. There's so much to talk about concerning the war. It was pure unimaginable hell for all participants. Kudos, bro. Please continue on with the series. Great video!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Exceptionally fascinating era to study. Glad that you're enjoying it!

[@thedrinkkupz]

Its felt with a lot of pride and horror here in Australia from those that know, that our diggers stormed the hindenburg line, the most fortified line on the western front with no artillery, no tanks and no support on the flanks. I remember reading in a book, that the officers leading the attack that did eventually get into the hindenburg trenches were sending back pigeons and runners saying they had captured the first trench and needed reinforcements to continue the attack, but the senior officers overwatching the battle could tell the germans were shrinking the australian pocket with grenades and flamethrowers. Of an interesting note, the Australian corp would break the hindenburg line again in 1918 during the 100 days offensive with quite a bit more success. What a difference a year can make...

[@greghutchison6690]

The ineptitude in managing communications at the divisional level is astounding, yet relatively common until 1918 it seems. Despite this, the Diggers achieved their objective. A remarkable effort.

[@kevinriseborough1521]

As an Aussie thank you for showing this. Makes it hard not to believe the “Lions led by donkeys” trope

[@anthonyeaton5153]

That is what it is a trope trotted out ad nauseam. The Australian staff work at Bullecourt was found to be wanting. Why after a defeat or if things have gone wrong do you immediately start the blame game. Sometime looking at your own performance is worth a try. In war you cannot win every time.

[@glennmorrissey2529]

I have visited this region many many times, and as an Australian the place draws me back. Every Australian should visit these locations in western France, and there are many, we owe it to them to never forget their sacrifice giving up their young lives for whatever their beliefs at the time. Rest in peace mates forever. Thanks JD for this one, I have visited many places in Europe following your videos trail.

[@robynw6307]

So nice to see Aussie Diggers memorialised as a separate entity. The diggers are often just considered part of the British forces and not mentioned.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

🇦🇺

[@Brendanvio]

The background leading up to this battle angers me. A superhuman effort by the Australian troops taking a heavily fortified position in a reentrant without proper artillery support and a tank gamble that failed. That no one in higher commands was punished for this waste of life is still to this day infuriating.

[@PaulHumphrey-qo5qn]

JD your video brought back memories of several trips I've made to the Bullecourt area over the years. How well I remember the quietness of the country, the unexpected monuments and shrines to the fallen that you come across. Unfortunately it is the battlefield, especially 2nd Bullecourt were my cousin Ernest James Stockdale, 53rd Btn, was killed on 20/5/17, only a week after joininghis unit. He is one of the many who have no known grave.

[@Cw27-c3e]

Awesome job! I went there over ten years ago, to visit by grandfathers brothers grave. Not much has changed as it shouldn’t. The French are always appreciative and the memorials are top notch. As an ex history teacher. Seeing these battle fields are always a good way to show students.

[@grahamcarver6836]

Thankyou J.D. for highlighting our diggers who fort so bravely in France. So many young Australian & allied soldiers lost & forever changed . " LEST WE FORGET "...

[@jamespeters920]

The cruelty is just unimaginable. Those spiky things that you could step on just amazes me. As if there wasn't enough to worry about.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Awful.

[@Giveme1goodreason]

My great grandfather got a shrapnel piece to the brain at this battle. Disfigured his skull permanently. Returned to action 3 months later and got wounded in the finger and then returned 2 weeks later. The man was at every single major battle Australia fought at in ww1 on the western front. His whole battalion got disbanded in the end to many casualties and not enough reinforcements.

[@jonathanbiggar4973]

Was he part of the 47 Battalion?

[@Giveme1goodreason]

@@jonathanbiggar4973 he was in the 24th and later moved to the 25th in October 1918. So I don’t believe he actually saw action with the 25th.

[@bradmiller3367]

JD, I find I must give thanks to you once again for the in depth series you do on single battles, giving us to recall that there there are SO many things that happen even in short battles that even a good hour cannot encompass the event(s).

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Much appreciated!

[@paulcapell6667]

Hey JD are you going to go to Villers-Bretonneux

[@paulcapell6667]

I look forward to seeing each video that you put up

[@la_old_salt2241]

Good morning JD. Thanks for sharing these men's story. God bless, Rob

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

My pleasure. Thank you.

[@PatrickWilson-v3d]

My Great Uncle ArthurHecker is Buried in a Commonwealth Cemetery their. He was from the 7th Battalion. He was 15 years old when he joined. Lying about his age.He was wounded 7 times returning to the front lines every time. He was Killed in action in 1918 he was 18 years old he died approximately 5 weeks before the end of the war. 🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺❤️❤️❤️🙏🙏🙏 A Australian legend in my heart.

[@jeffsmith2022]

Balls of brass had he Patrick...God Bless...

[@jesse8737]

brave uncle. i appreciate his service

[@bradbalderson8172]

I went back and rewatched the other videos again and as I've said before JD the stories from WWI deserve to be told and you are doing it right. On to the next story!

[@timmcdonald5335]

About 1 year after this battle Australian general John Monash took command of all of the Australian divisions and became Corp commander. His creative tactics ensured no more defeats and helped win the war by November 1918.

[@Kenneth-p1b]

Monash was spoken of warmly by my late father, who served with 17Bn, AIF..ditto for the diggers Monash commanded and led so well.

[@franceshendry5656]

Thank you for another great video. Thank you to all who served and are serving.

[@Wreckdiver59]

Another interesting video 👍 That was a great museum. I have one of those wicker shell carriers that I picked up at a Goodwill. They had no idea what it was. Those pointy ended bottles are called torpedo bottles and they were meant to be stored on their sides to keep the cork wet so it wouldn't dry out and release the carbonation. Likely used for carbonated mineral water.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Cool! Thanks for that extra info!

[@muntjunk-plk3171]

Thanks for helping to memorialise our Aussie Diggers. Broader history tends to pass over the service of the smaller Commonwealth nations. But they were as brave and as effective as the other Allies. Lest We Forget.

[@markjohnston9017]

My great uncle served in the 54th battalion c company, 5th division, A.I.F, which held up to the German onslaught at the 2nd battle of Bullecourt, his company lost 3/4 of their men. 13:57

[@Lee-sti8wrx]

Thank you as an Aussie for this video. You should visit the Canberra war memorial. It is seriously the best war museum Iin the world. Hope you can make it there if you already haven't.

[@honestpat7789]

Digger means so much more than just a ‘nickname’. It’s a representation of courage, loyalty and bravery (and mischievousness) that stood out like Balls on a Wood Duck 😂 That’s why you see lots of monuments, a century later, in countries like France and Turkey.

[@chrismainwaring1497]

Thank you JD much love from Australia 🇦🇺🙌🏻

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

👍🏻

[@lincolnwindowtint5721]

I believe those bottles were ment to be stored laying down so the seals didn't dry out....

[@Corax19XIX]

Great Uncle fought with the 24th there.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

@@Corax19XIX 👍🏻

[@ritacowled3713]

My grandfather's brother died at Bullecourt. In 2016 my family went to his mother and father grave in Tenterfield NSW and the local RSL conducted a service for us as we placed a plaque on his mother's grave to mark one hundred years since he had passed away.

[@johnsutton3600]

My great grandfather Alexander McKissock was killed that day. He has no known grave. My grandmother never knew him as she was 2 when he left. My great grandmother whom I knew very well never mentioned him. Only after her death did I discover his war record and I have twice visited bullecourt and found a memorial on the sunken road and sat there and read descriptions of the battle. I must have been within a hundred metres of where he perished, judging by reports from his comrades who saw him tangled up in barbed wire on what was the front line and being hit by machine gun fire. First Bullecourt was the one and only battle on the western front where the Australians failed to take their objective. RIP all those blokes, and thanks mate for looking into this mostly unknown battle. And isn't Bullecourt such a small and sleepy place? Hard to believe so many would die there.

[@wimmeraparanormal6581]

The field anti-personnel spike devices are called Caltrops. Nicely presented video, very respectful and accurate. A very thankful Aussie here :-)

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks for that!

[@lliamparslow2563]

Thanks for the Australian Content. Another very special place for our Aussie lads was the town of Villers-Bretonneux. The largest Australian Memorial is located there.

[@joshh8245]

Very moving video. Thank you for posting this. I definitely appreciate all the WW1 content. Learning new things all the time from it.

[@DenaGraham-l5k]

My grandfather fought at Bullecourt with the 6th Brigade

[@damiandighton5199]

Thank you for doing a video on the Aussies. Im an ex-serviceman and I have 2 relatives that were killed at Pozieres. Pvt Hilary Dighton 10th Batt. AIF, KIA 23 July 1916, aged 19 years. Pvt Charles Dighton 28th Batt. AIF, DOW 30 July 1916, aged 36

[@sopwithpuppy]

One thing I was concerned about was the condition of some of the gravestones in your video. I visited Pernes and Wavans Commonwealth Graves Commission cemeteries in France (to pay my respects to two Australian fighter pilots) and the cemeteries were PRISTINE. Absolutely perfect in every way. Whilst the grounds and plants looked well looked after in this video, there was mould or dirt or moss on some headstones that needed the attention of a pressure washer. That was what moved me the most whilst visiting these cemeteries (some of which are MASSIVE given the number of warriors interred there) was the absolute perfection of the treatment given to the grounds and graves by the Commonwealth Graves Commission. If you visited and looked after your loved one's grave every single day, you could not do a better job of looking after their final resting place. "N'Oubliens jamais Les Australiens" NEVER forget the Australians. Painted on the walls of many French school rooms in towns and villages in this area of France. Great video Sir, and a fitting tribute to the courage and sacrifice of our brave soldiers.

[@AnthonyOMulligan-yv9cg]

Sugar soap and a softer bristle scrubbing brush is best

[@evanevans1843]

Albert Jacka VC was here and got a few cracks. Sadly we also lost Major Percy Black who was 2 i C and great Cobber of Harry Murray VC

[@stephenrrose]

Thank you JD, always learning and you are correct, you always learn something from cemeteries! and what a unique museum!!! Thank you for keeping history alive and taking us along!

[@stephenmcnamara2450]

Hey JD. I noticed that the card on the second wreath, in memory of Herbert Thomas Thorne, said that he was wounded and captured rather than killed. A search of the Australian War Memorial website suggests that’s correct - there are several interesting documents on there showing that relatives from his home area wrote to ask after his whereabouts when he was reported missing following a charge. They were eventually told that he was interned in Germany. Another document suggests he made it back to Australia in 1919. Interesting what can be found after watching one of your excellent videos. Thanks for all your efforts.

[@kevinbradley4733]

George Henry Child’s is my wife’s Great Grandfather and my Mother in Law’s Grandfather. They both had the honour of laying the family wreath at the foot of the Bullecourt Digger in June this year. We travelled to Bullecourt from Australia. Before we left the descendants of George Henry Child’s wrote their names on poppies which filled the centre the wreath. Lest we Forget

[@koalaseatleaves1277]

There's an army reserve depot in Newcastle NSW named after this battle.

[@garyaugust1953]

Great short JD, the museum looked incredible. Always fascinating and insightful.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks!

[@PCPAyLOAD]

Amazing that any glass bottles survived from all the shelling and concussion effects. Imagine all of the hazards just from flying and fallen broken glass alone..

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

I have to wonder if these were recovered from some rear areas. I found those exceptionally fascinating.

[@adamw1555]

The amazing story of Bullecourt was the fact that the Australian troops managed to take and hold for a short period, one of the most heavily fortified parts of the newly occupied Hindenburg Line, without, like you said, artillery or tank support. This was a truly superhuman effort which showed the increasing effectiveness of the AIF by this time, accumulating in the war winning battles of 1918.

[@andrewbayada2475]

I really enjoyed this video! Is there one about Villiers Bretoneux?

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

No, sure isn't. I'd love to visit there at some point though.

[@Mizone505]

My great great uncle was in the 11th bn when they attacked in the second battle. He was shot in the knee and leg and was MIA for two days before he was found at an aid post. Many months back in England before returning as a Vickers Gunner with the 1 MG Bn.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Wow!

[@kevinkonig879]

Always, always enjoy and appreciate your videos! The videos pertaining to WWI are so appreciated and bring so much awareness to WWI! Thank you!

[@crosmas]

Those things you couldn't remember the name of at the museum are Caltrops.

[@Fletchers2024]

Deep thanks to you mate for sharing the stories of our Great Grandfathers. As an ex-Digger, I am still moved after 50 years seeing where my family fought & died... and like our contemporary Veterans (around the world), those who came back were broken physically, mentally, &/or spiritually. Amazing to see places in France flying the Aussie flag with reverence whilst traitors here want us to NOT fly the flag nor be proud of Australia.

[@tinbadge]

Caltrops were the sharp things they would throw on the battlefield. The miners here in WV used a similar device to flatten the tires of coal trucks when they were on strike and they were called jack rocks.

[@Chris-Nico]

I never knew the Australians fought in WWI. Your videos are so good and informative. The Aussies were assigned to my aviation unit in Vietnam. Great guys and TOUGH! 💪 and yes they wore they very cool slouch hats.. Thanks for remembering the Australian soldiers who fought so bravely 🇦🇺

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

👍🏻🇦🇺

[@nnoddy8161]

+60,000 dead in WWI, one of the highest casualty rates on a per head of population basis. In 1918, with the Canadians and NZ were the key divisions used to turn the Germans around after their Spring Offensive.

[@margaretjohnston2271]

The Australians WW1 experience started in 1915. Australians taught the Americans how to fight in WW1. By the end of WW1, the Australian held nearly 25% of the front line.

[@stuartmcpherson1921]

@@margaretjohnston2271 The first battle the US forces went into were under the command of Australians. Pershing had a fit but too late to stop them.

[@OldFellaDave]

Green US troops in France were actually trained and mentored by Veteran Australian Troops. The first major action of Australian and US troops was the Battle of Le Hamel on July 4th 1918, a spectacular success.

[@nnoddy8161]

My great uncle fought at Bullecourt (and survived) 19th Battalion AIF. He was subsequently killed at Passchendale in Nov 1917. Bullecourt is a brilliant battlefield to visit as it has not changed a great deal.

[@johnguerra2172]

ANZAC spirit lives on. Some of us will always pass the history on so other's may never repeat it. For those who gave the ultimate sacrifice LEST WE FORGET.

[@sscinamon]

Thank you for the videos they keep getting better and better I'm learning so much

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks!

[@ryanaines6617]

Thx for telling the stories of the Commonwealth, that mound of WW1 field finds was impressive, I would have stood there for an hour looking.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Oh man, that place was something else.

[@cathyannedeleeuwen3269]

Amazing video, thank you J.D. My Great grandfather was in the 18th Battalion. He was mentioned in Haig's despatches April 1918. Luckily (miraculously?) he made it home.

[@OldFrontLine]

Another great video, the amount of stuff in Jean’s original museum was ten times what you see now. You’d have fainted to see it!!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Oh my gosh. I thought that was the whole collection!

[@frankmarullo228]

I had a uncle who was in WW1 he was hit by gas. And the rest of his life he would go into these type of breathing fits every so often . he lived into the 1960's. And as a kid My dad told me it was because of the war that he would breath like that . I guess it was my dads way to tell me never to ask questions. As to why . I was born in 1954 and as a kid he would scare me when he would have those breathing fits .THANK YOU FRANK FROM MONTANA......

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Wow! Have to wonder what his experiences were.

[@frankmarullo228]

@TheHistoryUnderground yea I was a little scared of him at my age to know someone who fought in the great war and was that old and wrinkled I was only Mabye 9 years old. It was scarey , a lot of my family was in the military. Thank you for your response.......PS did you ever read the letters I sent to your p.o. box about custer ?

[@navarrdadson7197]

Cheers JD your doing an amazing job mate. My great grandfather Private James Edward Dadson service number 3591 and his brother Private Harry Jack Dadson service number 7418 fought through nearly all the major battles of ww1 15th Battalion AIF. I nearly fell over seeing this episode as I’ve heard so much about pops service and he fought in the second battle of Bullecourt. Cheers again JD 🇦🇺

[@4nthr4x]

11:12 For this monument, I particularly like the fact that the English text has a solemn "in memory" for their fellow countrymen. But the French text has "honor and glory" to the combattants, which I take to really highlight their gratitude for the sacrifices made by their allies.

[@geoffreypyne5809]

Sympathetic coverage of this battle. Grandfather's younger brother 4077 L/Cpl Leo Joseph Cleary 1ST AIF 22ND Battalion aged 19 from Richmond, Victoria Australia died May 3 1917. Leo has no known grave.

[@baabaabaa-El]

Nicely done mate.. My Nanna's 2 brothers fought here..one L Cpl J.S. Brakenridge 50th batt from Pt Pirie.. his body was never found.. His brother Jack was awarded the MM at Villers-Brettoneaux later in the war. I was wondering if you'd mention Noreuil.. you don't hear it much. Oh, not having a dig, but our (AIF) uniforms were quite different to the British, ours being looser, once you see them side by side, you can tell straight off. Thanks again mate. LEST WE FORGET. Edit: The 3 corner Jack looking things are Caltrops.

[@John-d8v4b]

What you need to remember about the first WW and the land battles. Every single Australian soldier was regular army or a volunteer. There was no conscripts.