John Monash, the Australian Corps and WWI
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 24 ก.ค. 2024
- The First World War profoundly affected Australia. John Monash, commander of the Australian Corps, is considered by some historians to be one of the best Allied generals of that conflict. His life is history that deserves to be remembered.
This is original content based on research by The History Guy. Images in the Public Domain are carefully selected and provide illustration. As images of actual events are sometimes not available, images of similar objects and events are used for illustration.
This episode covers a period of conflict. All events are portrayed in historical context and for educational purposes. No images or content are primarily intended to shock and disgust. Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it. Non censuram.
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Script by THG
#militaryhistory #thehistoryguy #wwi #australiancorps
As an Australian Army serviceman, I truly appreciate the time you take to produce content of our history
Thank You for your service. One serviceman to another; across the Atlantic.
@@TSM393
Shouldn't that be the pacific 🤔
Outstanding, and I am greatfull that the Aussies are on our side !
Monash was one of the best leaders of all time..
That blitzkrieg stuff that the Germans later used was based on his tactical doctrine..
... the true role of infantry was not to expend itself upon heroic physical effort, not to wither away under merciless machine-gun fire, not to impale itself on hostile bayonets, nor to tear itself to pieces in hostile entanglements-(I am thinking of Pozières and Stormy Trench and Bullecourt, and other bloody fields)-but on the contrary, to advance under the maximum possible protection of the maximum possible array of mechanical resources, in the form of guns, machine-guns, tanks, mortars and aeroplanes; to advance with as little impediment as possible; to be relieved as far as possible of the obligation to fight their way forward; to march, resolutely, regardless of the din and tumult of battle, to the appointed goal; and there to hold and defend the territory gained; and to gather in the form of prisoners, guns and stores, the fruits of victory.
He would be much more famous if it wasn't for Charles Beans anti semitism..
www.abc.net.au/news/2018-05-10/war-of-words-over-new-act-electorate-of-bean/9746696
Terribly sorry. Old Age. Thanks for the correction.@@davidwatson8118
Lest we forget.
They shall not grow old,
As we who are left grow old,
Age shall not weary them,
Nor the years condemn,
At the going down of the sun,
And in the morning,
We shall remember them.
Lest we forget.
@Jim lastname terribly sad...
@Jim lastname My RSL still stands and plays the Ode every night at 7pm.
@Jim lastname My local club is Ingleburn and last year I was in Stanthorpe QLD on Anzac Day and of course they stopped for the Ode there.
I hope you don’t mind, I want to share this on our Alaska Veterans of Foreign Wars Prince of Wales Island Post 12151 Facebook page this Memorial Day, May 27, 2019.
Who should I credit?
@@lbovee The Ode comes from For the Fallen, a poem by the English poet and writer Laurence Binyon www.army.gov.au/our-history/traditions/the-ode
Australian related history is always much appreciated, thanks. Great episode.
Agreed!
The more from down under, the better!
I am from the USA, and I have to say, any time Australian history pops up anywhere, I am glued to it!! And howdy there EEVblog, also a big fan of your channel here!!
Yes indeed. So many stories to tell. Thanks History Guy. :)
This is a reminder that often the smartest and and most forward -thinking field commanders are given short credit when measured against the bureaucratic upper commanders...
@Keith Au Mate are you Ok, I am being serious! to look at what you have written (rambled) I am worried about your mental health mate. Please talk to someone! a friend, relative or a professional, this type of mindset can often lead into serious cases of depression.
As an American, I was humbled when I attended ANZAC day memorial in Christchurch, NZ a few years ago. The city park was FULL of standing attendees, at before dawn on a Saturday...
I am so grateful that you were able to attend this NZ service. Thank you for sharing this experience.
@edschermer the last two ANZAC Dawn Services were not able to go ahead due to the pandemic but that never stopped us Aussies, we got up before dawn, stood in our driveways holding our candle with our mobiles in hand tuned into the broadcasting of the service. It was the most emotional experience to look up and down our street, candles glowing in the dark while the Ode and bugle could be heard everywhere.
❤️🇦🇺We will remember them🇦🇺❤️
@@cbisme6414 we did the same here in Kiwiland. We stood to attention in our driveways and played the Last Post through our phones. Kei warewaretia. Lest we forget.
King George V knighted Monash in the field - the first time that had happened in over 200 years.
A true knight.
@Jim lastname Well, usually after a war, or back at Buck Palace, not in the field.
Normally you go to the monarch, not the other way around. It’s a singular honour.
The last time this has occurred as well.
@@philbox4566 Well, that's not right. Miles Dempsey was knighted in the field by King George VI in 1944.
When I was training for my Commission in the Australian Army I had to study Monash. You did him justice. Monash studied for his Bachelor of Engineering, Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws simultaneously. He also gained a Doctorate of Engineering in 1921. He was a bit sharper than the average knife in the draw.
Post WW1 Monash was the Civil Engineer responsible for the Snowy Mountain Scheme initative.
@@ardshielcomplex8917 I doubt it Kim. Monash died in the 1930's and the Snowy Mountain Scheme was not started until after WWII.
@@daviddixon9458 More correctly Monash was the engineer in charge of the State Electricity Commission of Victoria until his death and was responsible for the establishment of coal fired power stations in the Latrobe Valley and the standardisation of electrical connections used in Australia to this day (you can plug a 2021 plug into a 1930 socket (the only place in the world this is true)…).
@@rajivmurkejee7498 No he didn't. This was designed by the father of the composer Percy Grainger.
Thank you for your service
As an Australian, and someone who served for twenty years in our Army, I really enjoyed this episode. I of course knew all of this about Sir John Monash, but it is good to see you put the effort into researching something that, although important in Australian history, means little to the rest of the world. Thank you very much.
His name is little known outside Australia.
@@TheHistoryGuyChannel But definitely deserves to be remembered.
As an American I knew a little of the contribution your proud Country did in the first WW but not how much it paid and gave to the world.
Although Sir John Monash may not be well known in the United States, rest assured that among those who respect military prowess, the ANZAC reputation for kicking ass and taking names is well known indeed.
It means everything and should be remembered no matter who you are or where you come from.
As a history postgraduate I really admire your historiography in this series. As an Australian who had 2 grandfathers at Gallipoli, I'm really impressed by your even handed story telling. Monash was an under appreciated hero. Good show mate / we ought to make you an honorary Aussie......
If someone throws a hat into the pot I think he'd take the deal. :)
@@jefffoutz4024 He has one /see to the left of the screen at bottom next to TH-cam silver trophy
Do so, please. This Yank endorses that.
Bought me to litoral tears to hear THG articulate the true cost to the young Australia.
@@rolanddunk1950 So many other historical hats other than the Puggaree... just sayin.
Thanks for covering Aussie war history mate. We don't get the global recognition we deserve as a military country.
We've always punched above-our-weight....!
@uncletigger Imagine the logistics, and practicality of that... Really!??? Have you ever been to Tasmania? It's mountainous rough terrain.
@uncletigger British colony, same thing happened here as in the rest of the world in Colonial rule.
uncletigger good for you pointing this out. One of the most basic facts of Aus history. I've known this from childhood.
Should be talked about more often, along with the stories of the many other massacres that took place.
I served with a RAAF exchange officer in my USAF squadron and one of the best memories I have being called one of his “mates”
As a German I had many hours about WWI and WWII in my history classes but was never told about the Australian forces, at least not in such great detail.
Thank you for this video :)
We mainly came for your beer mate. Salute from Australia.
For years after the war ,Monash would receive letters from German Mothers,thanking him for his efficient battle planning which had a profound effect on the numbers of lives that were saved and the harm minimisation he incorporated into the exploitation phases.Thank You John Monash....
Try to find the tele series anzacs ,
This is the only channel that gives unbiased accounts of the wars, telling it as it was and not how Hollywood depicted it.
Seconded
colin Paterson - Hollywood is a SEWER!
I recall in one of his previous videos he said nobody really wanted WW1, so I would advise wary caution about his videos.
Not the only one, Mark Felton Productions is also very good
THG always does a great job with his videos and you're right that he always delivers an unbiased,accurate account of battles and wars and really on all other topics.
I was in Canberra (Australia's National Capital City) recently and went to the Australian War Memorial which, I believe, Monash helped to establish post WW1. From the front door of the War Memorial you look straight out across the Lake & on the other side is our Federal Parliament House. When the new Parliament House was built, it was designed so that the Prime Minister can open his office door from the Cabinet Meeting Room and look straight across the Lake to the War Memorial to poignantly remind them what sacrifices had been made to get Australia where it is today.... I saw Monash's medals & honours in the War Memorial, quite impressive.....
It is a pity that Australian PMs of today look out that window and only see themselves.
The pollies of today wouldnt give a rats for that vista let alone acknowledge the ANZACs sacrifice unless it helped get them back in office. The POS.
It is true that the site of the AWM was chosen for the reason that you state: so that the politicians could see the cost of Democracy. The site was actually chosen by the former Official A.I.F. War Correspondent and Historian, Dr C.E.W Bean OBE. He had sailed with the first ANZAC Contingent in November 1914 and remained with them 'til the end. He then compiled and wrote the Official History of The Australians in The Great War. Sir john Monash and Dr Bean were both men of great vision. (though Bean didn't like Monash for quite some time)
@@Seagullias12 Bean & Keith Murdoch waged a campaign against Monash whilst he was in France on duty. It got so bad that then PM Billy Hughes went over there and talked to Monash IN the field. Once Hughes could see that Monash had the support of the troops and the troops were happy with his command, that was the end of the issue. Monash came from German immigrants & had a Jewish background. read into Bean's & Murdoch's hyperbole against him as you will. Bean also greatly polished up the true ANZAC campaign in Gallipoli & their prior training posting in Cairo. Other historians in later times found some real worrying morale problems whilst they were stuck in Cairo & even when in Gallipoli the constant losses wore troops down. Bean was very 'careful' about what he wrote. I have also spoken to Veterans Affairs staff back in 1990s when the last of the ANZACs were still around. One DVA guy commented that if some of the granddaughters actually knew what Grandpa came home with as a chronic illness, they'd be mortified. Those guys lived hard and died hard.
As a proud Australian, living in the Melbourne suburb named after him, it also worth noting that General Sir John Monash was an outstanding civil engineer, public servant and administrator. His likeness appears on the Aussie $100 note. He was truly a brilliant man, an amazing strategist and a great Australian...
"Would the plan involve us climbing out of trenches and walkinf very slowly towards the enemy sir?"
"How could you possibly know that thats classified information"
"Its the same plan we used last time, and the 17 times before that"
-Blackadder Goes Forth
A lot of young men were put through the meat grinder this way. Horrible waste of life
@@skarloy4114 yes, a absolutely pointless and avoidable waste of life at that. Even worse if you consider World War 1 was the catalyst to World War 2. It really makes me think of what my own fate would have been if I was born at that time. If a large scale war breaks out again i will be the first to get drafted being a 19 year old man.
@@skarloy4114 Truly wasteful, I had always wondered who was the first to adapt tactics to the machines then available. John Monash was his name.
@@Legitpenguins99 When you put your name on the line, you put your life on the line.
My deep thanks for honouring our troops and General Monash with this story
You did miss his post war service in the State Electricity Commission of Victoria where he was responsible for the statewide electrification and the choice of what still remains the Australian Standard electricity plug - the first nationally standardized electrical connection for appliances. He remained an engineer to the end.
Spent 12 years in the U.S. Marine Corps, worked and fought beside our Aussie brothers....let me say with pleasure, that they are true Warriors!....
thank you sir, what an honor
With his engineering background John Monash was an excellent planner and general. He has my vote as the best general of WW1. His use of combined arms saved many lives and helped to shorten that terrible war. A great man and Australia should be proud of him.
Very proud Australian and ex-serviceman here. Thankyou.
From another ex-serviceman, thank you for your service
@@kerrymcdonagh1327 Same to you Digger, same to you.
Ditto.
Thank you for your service
I am reminded of "And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda", by Eric Bogle.
The first stanza:
When I was a young man I carried my pack
And I lived the free life of a rover
From the Murrays green basin to the dusty outback
I waltzed my Matilda all over
Then in nineteen fifteen my country said Son
It's time to stop rambling 'cause there's work to be done
So they gave me a tin hat and they gave me a gun
And they sent me away to the war
And the band played Waltzing Matilda
As we sailed away from the quay
And amidst all the tears and the shouts and the cheers
We sailed off to Gallipoli
It's dark, of course, but so is the history. This Yank knows that history, and is thankful to the Australians who served.
Which was supportive of anti-ANZAC drive at the time Bogle released it..
Never heard of him, but now, I will never forget his name...thanks, History Guy
Many thanks from Melbourne, Australia HG.
Monash is a figure whose name is ubiquitous in this town, but I wonder how many people actually know why. Great video!
I'm tipping not many, Frank.
If he had been a great sportsman it would be a different story.
Many of us do, but of course it depends on what generation you're from.
He actually shook hands with Ned Kelly as a kid.
I’m I’m in my 30s and we had classes on Monash in primary school and we all had to write reports on him.... you also learn about him because his on the 100 dollar note.....
Great story and well told as usual. Shortly before the attack at Le Hamel commenced General ‘Blackjack’ Pershing ordered that the US troops were to be withdrawn but Monash and some US commanders ignored this as they wanted to be in the fight. This was the first time US troops had been led by a non US Commander and Monash chose 4 July as the date of the attack in part as a tribute to the participation of the US troops.
Six of the original ten companies were withdrawn from the attack, and Pershing ensured that sending US troops in under foreign command would not happen again. Monash spoke very highly of the Americans who fought at Hamel.
@@TheHistoryGuyChannel When Rawlinson, commander of the Fourth Army and Monash's superior commander told Monash of Pershing's instruction that Americans were not to participate, Monash told Rawlinson, no Americans no battle. As I recall the American companies which were left out were the reserve companies.
I have stood on the ridge above the town where the remnants of German trenches are and a large monument stands with the stars and stripes and southern cross flying side by side.
Have viewed your video on Villers Bretonneux and have had a beer at a pub on the Rue Melbourne.
Had relatives at Gallipoli and the Western front. I also worked at Monash University.
Congrats on another excellent presentation.
Monash understood that Australian interests would have to pivot to the Pacific and the US at some stage....
Short sighted of Pershing. Pershing did not want them to participate because they were inexperienced. Monash's plan involved giving them experience, from a position of maximum protection. He would have done better to shut up and let it happen, and have more experienced troops to take into the next fight.
Of course it was Sir Douglas Haig who had to intervene at the last minute to ensure the participation of the American companies, taking full responsibility- true leadership.
Between you and Mark Felton I can get a history fix almost every day and sometimes twice a day.
Bravo! Little is taught in U.S. public schools about other countries in any war. Thank you.
The schools are too busy pushing “woke” ideas.
Love it. Just watched this from Brisbane, Australia. Thanks heaps History Guy
Same
Me too
@@willbeasley4543
Grafton
hodaka1000 Woolloongabba
Will Beasley Fairfield
I had known, as an American, of Australia's contribution and high casualties, but until this segment had not grasped the enormity.
Met an Australian unit in Vietnam, told I was drinking horse water, there was a fight and then endless rounds of Foster's, "a real beer Yank."
I saw them once on patrol, company size. They were walking silently on the shoulder of the roadway, their equipment taped and muffled. And then they stepped off of the road into the tall grass and bush, gone, no trace of movement to be seen.
I find it interesting that the diggers have a compulsion to beat up their allies and then buy them all the beer they can drink and tell them what fine fellows they are. Strange.
@@paulmyers1466 I think they like to get the measure of their allies. The Americans rarely fail to measure up. We're the same really, outcasts, outlaws, the people England didn't want, or who didn't want England, were the ancestors of both the Aussies and the Anglo-Saxon Americans.
@@hagamapama You have to be worthy to be a mate...
Monash is also on the $100 note. Great video, thanks so much.
@Fred Flintstone Just ignore Fred. He has a very sad obsession with white people. It's a bit unfortunate that the history guy hasn't blocked him.
Just report fred for hate speech, his account will eventually get removed and he'll create another one.
Philip Salama juden
Great presentation on John Monash and the ANZACS, Well done mate 🇦🇺
As an Aussie I must say great video
I’m Canadian so I always put in a plug for Arthur Currie....but having said that I will say the best general of the war was John Monash. The guy was brilliant.
Thank you 👍😎
A Brilliant commander.
Great Video. There should be more videos about Monash. He was a military genius, humble man, devoted husband and typical Aussie bloke. When told George the second was coming to knight him on the battlefield, the first time an English monarch had done that to a British general in 350 years, his first comment was, well I think my wife will like to be called Lady. And then he sent an order out to all of the Australian units who participated in the Amiens campaign that one in every 5 men should be sent to Boagangles, his head quarters, to witness the ceremony. So that everyone who had risked their lives could hear a first hand account of the ceremony. Before his death he gave specific instructions there were to be no accolades on his tombstone. Which could have been very extensive. Instead he instructed that on his tomb stone it should say just " John Monash". He was the first amongst equals who considered himself a normal bloke.
Top marks for mentioning Australia at all. Monash university in Melbourne was named in his honour. A brilliant strategist who with unfortunately was lumbered with and suffered from a degree of anti Semitism on his return. An honourable man who did not receive the gratitude deserving of his deeds I'm afraid, certainly not in his lifetime. When will humans learn? And I was raised as a Catholic when rivalries existed between Christians. Appalling times.
Yes it was strange times when a "mixed Marriage" meant not just race but religion
anti semtism from whom?
It was Rupert Murdoch's dad who was the anti-Semitic who used his papers to do the white anting - doesn't that come as a surprise.
Please give examples....and sources, or I must conclude that you are just another leftist determined to 'do dirt' on his country for political reasons. I would have thought that 300,000 people attending his funeral procession would give the lie to your allegations of anti-semitism.
@@Baskerville22 anti Semitism was highly intrusive in European and English cultures till fairly recently. I am also virulently anti communist in my outlook. His troops and families trusted him and knew his genuine warmth. Being honoured upon death is normal, especially if one is an acknowledged historical hero.
Thank you for this incredibly important lesson in our history.
Another proud Aussie ex service man here and thankyou for this channel. I watch every episode.
I nearly fell off my chair at the point you mentioned about the troops getting hot food on the front.
It was one of my great uncles who created the "C.B. Taylor Hotbox" that allowed the delivery of hot food and drink to the front line as you mentioned.
On 20th. September 1917 Brig. Gen. Elliot drew up a unique recommendation for a DSO, for the then Capt. Charles Bowmont Taylor of the 57th. Bn. Hobbs turned it into a MC.
C.B. was wounded 6/5/1915 in the Dardenelles. He lost two brothers KIA. Robert James Taylor 3 May, Hagnicourt and Lawrence Craike Taylor 7 June, Messines in 1917.
I am sad that I never met these uncles. I am sad that one of their sisters remained a spinster because of the toll the war took on the eligible population.
I am sad that most of my knowledge of my ancestors has been learned relatively recently.
Bonus points for the Slouch Hat behind your shoulder, I had to smile.
The Important point is that you Have learnt about your family history and that is what matters the most.
We still use the descendants of Taylor's Hot Boxes today. I challenge you to find any member of the United States Military who hasn't appreciated a hot meal in the field, served out of "Mermites."
I am fortunate that I knew both my uncles who returned from WW1. I am doing a history on them now. His creation made a lot of men happy. Good for him mate.
Yet so many reasons to be happy just from what you wrote above. Great post
I thank,your family for their tremendous service to their country and to the empire.
As a Jewish Australian, I’m extremely proud of John Monash and appreciate that you took the time to make this video and research such a giant figure in Australian military history.
so glad that this included the information that Monash was Jewish! and that some of the photos included shots of aboriginal ANZACS. my great grandfather took a bullet in Gallipoli btw.
The impact of the AIF went further than their success on the Western Front. The state of Israel may not exist if not for the success of the Australian and NZ troop in the Levant. One of the key factors was that the Australian horses were mostly wild brumbies, well used to coping with hot and dry desert conditions. My uncle was killed at Fromelles on the Western front after surviving Gallipoli and my grandfather survived both (including Hamel and Amiens) and returned to Western Victoria in 1919.
By 'Jewish Australian' you mean 'Australian', right?
@@paulrobertson4058 And it's worth remembering Rupert Murdoch's father , Sir Keith, was an outspoken critic of Monash BECAUSE he was Jewish.
Your a jew...
The university that I am currently attending is named after him and it's considered to be one of the best in Australia
You'd have to be kidding!!
Gort Newton Why would he be kidding? Monash University is a highly regarded institution. He is lucky to be studying there. Monash is ranked 5th amongst Australian universities, and 60th in the world (QS).
@@artistjoh With a ranking of 85 in the world, hahahahaha. And you say 5th in Aust. you must be kidding. Who gave it that ranking? You?
Gort Newton No. The mark of an academic slug- failure to do your own research.
My cousin is a professor there, dr. Ken coghill
As an Australian, I have to say that it was great to see Australia's all too often forgotten contribution acknowledged. As usual the History Guys factual accuracy was spot on! Thanks History Guy!
Yes all what of what you wanted to hear. Nothing about appalling indiscipline which cost hundreds of lives, and not Just Australian lives but British. The non stop criticism of the British and the generals and the blaming of everyone for failure but never the Germans or their own failings.
Australia's achievements are often overlooked, thankyou for not overlooking it and your effort to create this.
5:39- Love the shot of the fellow kneeling in a bit of the shade from his horse.
I own a Lithgow built .303 Enfield, all original,1941,& bayonet. It is a most comfortable bolt action to shoot. Can't imagine being in the other end of its 17" bayonet.
Great episode HG.
Dear HG may I add that New Zealand and Canada and India were equally important to Allied victory and were all equally treated with disdain and scorn by their “Empire”. Many thousands of ANZACs did not see their homes for up to Four Years. I remember in the fifties the one legged beggars around Sydney and the messages in chalk on the footpath “Eternity”.
Those American boys at Hamel were from Chicago and had begged Pershing to allow them to stay with the diggers, some actually donned our Aussie uniform to participate, they did very well but were so enthusiastic they often failed to mop up and then advanced beyond cleared areas only to be cut down from behind.
It is history that should be remembered!
The Australians etc were not treated with disdain in either wars, they were highly valued. Anzacs were considered to be British citizens also and as they were part of overall armies it was simply reported as ‘The British army’s attacked…’ Please get out of this mindset of bitterness. Australia and New Zealand and Canada willingly went to war to help prevent Germany overwhelming Europe and later the same against the Japanese in the Pacific and We all were fighting for the same cause.
I am old enough to have known a number of British ex servicemen who fought in both wars and they did not say anything bad about Dominion troops.
I am an Australian and also a member of the 18th Battalion, which is a First World War Reinactment group. I truly thank you for the excellent documentary that you have produced and for the very accurate information that you have provided. Please keep doing these superb videos.
Thank you for your accurate and compassionate discussion of Australian military history. May you produce many more. Greetings from Woomera, South Australia.👍👍🇦🇺
I wonder if The History Guy is aware of the history about Woomera and the British/Australian rocket program Blue Steel?
@@markfryer9880 There is far more than just Blue Steel. The range of weapons tested are the ancestors of todays modern weapons. The constant development and refinement, from the initial tests of the British, to the secret testing initiated by Australias DSTO, are astonishing. And there is much testing that has never, and will never be, exposed publically. And remember that, at one stage, Australias scientists were world leaders in nuclear weapons. To maybe ease The History Guy into Woomeras secretive history, a study of the semi active Nurrungar spy base , the predecessor to Pine Gap in Alice Springs, would be a great start. 👍👍
The Conscription debate also had a Sectarian aspect: the Australian Labor Party had Irish Catholic roots, and that’s why some of its members did not want to be pressed into service the defend the Empire. Among the more radical Australian opponents to WWI Conscription - John Curtin - became Australia’s stalwart leader during WWII.
WWI service affected the intersection of social class, religion and sports: Anglican, middle-class sportsmen played the amateur Rugby Union and died serving overseas, whilst many working-class Roman Catholics played that sport’s recent professional offshoot -Rugby League - at home.
"The only General of creative originality". Thanks for a clear and concise summary of this important figure in our war history who, as you correctly note, also had a huge impact back at home in Australia in civilian life.
One view when I started..680 at the finish..Truly amazing..You are loved..Just finished watching Dr Strangelove when this popped up..Nice evening for me..
Thankyou for this video. Anzac Day is considered by many to be our national day. More so than Australia Day which is currently locked up in controversy regarding it's appropriateness given that it marks the beginning of the British invasion of Australia. John Monash is truly one of my country's greatest.
There was no invasion. The only "controversy" is among socialists who like to call it invasion day. Read the history instead of watching telly (the ABC etc) for your information.
@@gortnewton4765
Here I'll give you an education in real history kid.
The Australians suffered high casualties because together with the Canadians they were the elite, they were the tip of the lance on the Western Front and were often used as the spearhead of the main attacks.
Australians halted the German advance at Villers Bretinneux in March 1918 and Australians and Canadians breach the Hindenburg Line giving Germany it's "Black Day" in August 1918.
If there were yanks involved, they fought under the supervision of experienced Australian troops.
Dump Dump the talking turd.
@@hodaka1000 Remember at least 25% of Australian, Canadian and New Zealand troops were born in the UK. There is a memorial near my home town where about a third of the dead were AIF or CEF. And Billy McKean (spelling) from my home town earned a VC and MM with the Canadians before coming home after the war.
@@hodaka1000 hahaha, some successes over casualties (who cares about casualties when the remaining men can come back with a 'success'). Yep, the survivors can boast of it for the rest of their broken lives. That's the fun bit for you personally. It wasn't the 'fun' bit for them. Our men, slaughtered because of an ambitious Monash.
@@gortnewton4765
Forget your ignorant shit you ignorant shit, are you Australian and how old are you?
Thank you for taking the time and effort to not only research, but to then put up this excellent video which does great work in accurately describing the service Monash did during the war.
Thank you for showing this to Us and the rest of the world. Letting people know what Our Aussie Diggers had done during the Great War. Lest We Forget.
I don't know about that. Most of us history buffs, or at least us military history buffs, have seen "The Light Horsemen" (GREAT) , "Gallipoli" (not as good), and the miniseries "ANZACS" (absolutely WONDERFUL). As an American amateur military historian, I am well aware of the Aussies battle record, from the Boer War to Vietnam. The only record that makes me smile is The Great Emu War.
HemlockRidge - Was that a War to control Blue Emu Arthritis pain relief supply so we could have a pain relief cream that “doesn’t stink”?
@@auagfinder6541 I'm sure that must be an advert tag line Down Under.
@@HemlockRidge Battle of Long Tan........... Hellofafight.
@@jefffoutz4024 Yes, late 1960s. An Aussie Company vs a Viet Cong Regiment. Aussies won big time.
Thank you mate, it was quite emotional to hear a foreigner speak of the Australians in such high regard and recognise the difference finally having an Australian commander had in the AIF.
Wow thanks for the fantastic story on General Monash and the ANZACs we live in Australia and it’s great to see your stories about our history. Your story about Cowra was also fantastic. Please keep them coming Regards Paul
I am Australian and I thank you for your time in making this.
It is practically impossible to visit an Australian town, village or ghost town without encountering a cenotaph with the WWI dead not commemorated. It is a great sadness indeed. Certainly for very small agricultural communities, as they were then.
It is the same throughout small towns in Canada. It truly was a World War.
It sure was.
Given many towns lost 10% of their male population during the war this had a major impact. In the town I live in of the 100 who volunteered, 30 died.
@@allangibson8494 very sad my friend. Where I grew up it was very rural, so of the sparse population, the losses were felt hard. My father fought for the other side, but always emphasised to me the tragedy and suffering endured by soldiers of all sides. He taught me a valuable lesson.
@@stevenhoman2253 One of the reasons Australia remembers April 25th. Not remembering a victory but a defeat.
Great episode and thank you for including a great Australian in your history program.
Only thing I believe you could have added was his leadership and dedication in the building of the Shrine of Remembrance and his generosity to the soldiers he lead during the war to which he would correspond with and give financial support.
He was also the person placed in charge of creating the State Electrical Commission in Victoria. Developing the open cut coal mines in the Latrobe Valley and the constructing the power stations to electrify the state.
It's nice to see him getting some recognition outside of Australia.
I am currently reading a John Monash’s biography, and throughout, I have paused and gone to Wikipedia to check on various details about World War I, only to be disheartened and disappointed to see that the take (as documented on Wikipedia), is vastly different to what I am reading about John Monash and his achievements. So naturally, my next step was to come to this channel and see whether The History Guy had covered this.
So call me delighted! Thanks!
That was a fantastic summary. No waffle, just the facts ❤
Your episode should be aired on TV during ANZAC day, really well done and thanks from an Aussie (Ex-serviceman)
Excellent idea. ABC or SBS would be ideal.
There are plenty more in-depth documentaries that have been on ABC.
Least we forget. Thank you history guy.
So enjoyable to hear about history from a non-American POV. Your historical repertoire is top notch!
Learned about Sir Monash from Indy Neidell on The Great War. Thank-you for this detailed piece on him.
Just another thankful Aussie. Like all your work this was an excellent production. Than you.
Excellent summary of General Sir John Monash's achievements during WW1.
Could you possibly do one on General Sir Harry Chauvel's role in the Middle East, during WW1 as well?
I deliberately gave slight coverage of the Palestine campaign in the expectation of covering it in a future episode.
First of all thankyou for the informative and honest review of General Sir John Monash an Australian hero. Secondly for acknowledging the Australian efforts during ww1. We shed enough blood for a country twice our size (population) and made an impact beyond our numbers. As a proud Australian I appreciate this video
Thank you for covering Sir John Monash, and other Australian topics
7:01 Amazing image. I believe it was taken by Frank Hurley, the Australian photo journalist responsible for the famous photographs of Shackleton's Antarctic expedition.
History Guy. Thank you for the wonderful episode. Your introduction is something that not even most Australians are aware of. The gun battery in Melbourne fired the first shots in WW2 as well. Same scenario as a German merchant ship tried to skip town. Our first casualties of WW1 was in the New Guinea take over of the German wireless stations. Navy was first into action.
Monash is very well known in Australia 🇦🇺 but forgotten in the wider world.
Thanks again - ex-Aussie Navy.
I thought it was Bootle
Thanks for even mentioning New Zealand!
General Sir John Monash, a truly great Australian of worldwide signifigance.
Ar the Treaty of Versailles Billy Hughs was asked why Australia was asking for their sluce if the pie and he replied with the casualty list.
He wanted German New Guinea, in contradiction to Wilson's Fourteen points. Hughes was willing to be a maverick.
@@TheHistoryGuyChannel well if you ask any PNG national, Australia should never have gives PNG independence in the 70s. Now reverting to stone age.
@@TheHistoryGuyChannel incorrect he wanted to give New Guinea to Japan , thank god Billy Hughes stood up to him , would have had dire consequences for Australia and the Allies in 1941 . Sorry for having to correct you .
"I speak for 60,000 dead."
@@grumpybastard5744 the total was closer to 69 000
That's exactly why we still celebrate the 25th of April! Excellent piece of history well told! I would love to hear your history of the Kakoda Trail! That was a real grunt for our boys!
Yes many of the Diggers who fought in PNG and the SW Pacific, never forgave the Japanese and mere mention of them would bring forth a surprisingly heated tirade from many an old man 50 or more years after the war.
A great subject done great justice. Excellent presentation all round.Thank you. Australia
this channel always gives me a reason to say "wow... I did not know that."
As an Australian ex-serviceman ( Navy) I thankyou for your time and effort to make this show. Monash in my opinion was the greatest Australian of the 20th century. If politics hadn't got involved he would have been our first Australian born Governor General. Many of the Aust generals of WW2 learnt there trade under Monash. I remember being told 2 quotes. 1 by Montgomery about D Day he couldn't guarantee the out come the invasion but if he had an Aust Division on the beach he could. And Rommel (probably a miss quote) Quote: Upon being asked why he was being pushed back by a "Commonwealth" division at El Alamein, Rommel replied, "It is not a Commonwealth division, it is anAustralian Division, why, give me 2Australian Divisions and i will conquer the world for you!"
And also the " if I had to capture hell, I would use the Australian to take it, and the new Zealanders to hold it..
Something to note. The retreat from Gallipoli was one of the finest military operations ever done. Every single man was evacuated with zero casualties.
Considering many armies couldn't even maneuver in any direction without taking losses, the retreat from Gallipoli still stands as one of the greatest military ruses in history.
In the most important sense, it was a great victory.
No we lost one , hit by a stray bullet on the boats on the way out ..... But yeh hugely successful withdrawal
Yes, superb planning by Cecil Aspinall (later British Official Historian), Brudenell White and Guy Dawnay.
my theory is that the Turks knew they were leaving but didn't want to slow them down with pointless harassment...it is known that by this time the Anzac and Turks were doing a lot of trading and dealing...as you'd expect from these two nations...the Turks knew and good on them for thier common sense.
G'day History Guy, Thank you for bringing General Sir John Monash to international attention, which he so richly deserves. For the past ten years a colleague and I have been researching Monash's Chief of Staff and Intelligence officer, Major, later Brigadier Thomas Albert Blamey.
He can be seen in the photo of Monash seated on a wooden chair, standing directly behind Monash.
Blamey, then a Major was so valuable to him that, as Monash said many times publicly, without his planning assistance, his own victories on the Western Front would not have been possible. Blamey was a serious, utterly focused professional soldier and devoted to Monash. Blamey, while serving at Gallipoli, made night time raids with a pair of ANZAC NCOs to pinpoint Turkish gun positions and plan their destruction.
Later, in France, it was Blamey and Monash, working as a team, who refined and perfected the coordination of troops, tanks, mobile artillery and aircraft for the attacks at Hamel and Amiens. These were devastating to the Germans and never forgotten. In fact they were the very beginnings of what was to become German 'blitzkrieg' in WW2, as between the wars, German officers such as Manstein, Rommel and others witnessed and read about these further developments of the Monash/Blamey tactics as they had been documented in the UK. They also became the seed of military college combined tactics both in the UK and at the Australian Defence Force Academy in Canberra where they are taught to this day.
Before 1939 Blamey had returned to the Army and in 1939 was awarded General's rank and given command of the 2nd A.I.F. Blamey who had seen English officers break up Australian formations, lessening their fighting effectiveness, wrote a Charter, at the suggestion of the Prime Minister, which gave Blamey total command of all Australian land forces and as such was answerable only to the PM. Soon a full General, Blamey led the Army overseas until Pearl Harbor and he was made Commander-in-Chief of Australian land forces. When MacArthur arrived in Australia he assumed total command, yet technically Blamey was the senior Australian officer. He decided to let MacArthur have his way, publically.
When the Prime Minister astonishingly, gave MacArthur control over all Australian media, Blamey discreetly kept an eye on the US General by tapping all of his HQ's switchboard lines, hiding this by tapping hundreds of other phones in Brisbane as well. I apologise for the length of this comment. You can read much more about Monash and Blamey at: www.TheBlameyEnigma.com.au
Cheers, BH
Much of Monash's victories in France were due to Blamey's assistance. Both deserve to be remembered.
Your research is incomplete. Blamey "later" was a Field Marshal, the only one Australia has ever had.
@@optic140 Do you seriously think we could have done research on Tom Blamey for over 10 years and not discover he was Australia's first Australian Field Marshal? You saw the length of my post, for which I apologised. I couldn't mention every detail of Tom's life, give me a break. You'll find it all on our website: www.TheBlameyEnigma.com.au
You are, in fact, 'incomplete'. You obviously don't know that there were two Field Marshals in the Australian Army. We know that because our research is correct and complete. The professor who wrote the tome on Blamey is a friend and he says we know more about Blamey than he does! Save me from amateurs! Cheers, BH
As always, a great video. I have a special fondness for Australia, having spent a fair bit of time there. If you visit (and perhaps you already have) the War Memorial in Canberra is remarkably inspiring -- a sprawling museum with thousands of artifacts and stories from the many wars in which Australia participated. There are a few things that always come to mid for me when speaking of ANZACs. One is the song "And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda" by Eric Bogle--about a soldier in the Gallipoli campaign. The other is another remarkable engagement during WWI--Australian Lighthorse at Beersheeba. Here's a post I did about the Lighthorse -- with a clip at the end from the movie of the same name, which reenacts the incredible charge on the Turkish forces at Beersheeba. Again, this may all be familiar to you, but it's something not many folks in the U.S. know about. waltzingaustralia.wordpress.com/2008/12/21/light-horsemen/
Monash and the Canadian General Arthur Currie advancement was hindered as they were seen as coloinials and worse in Monash's case, anti semitism played a part. How many lives could have been saved if these men were further up the line of comand earlier.
Great output as usual. Cheers!
At least they had men like Rawlinson to advance their ideas and protect them from prejudice. Rawlinson knew what he had in those 2 men and used them well.
I wouldn't put too much down to antisemitism
Monash's chief obstacles to promotion were
- being of the militia rather than permanent Army
- being colonial
- being originally an Engineer rather than Infantry
Monash had to learn a lot before he came up with such brilliant solutions.
@@rajivmurkejee7498They are very good points indeed.
The Germans took note of the techniques developed by Monash and used them in WW2.
They called them " Blitzkrieg ".
Well, Prussian-born folks, so... kinda fit their usual spin on such "reclamations"
@@seand.g423 No he was Jewish so the NAZI's wanted nothing to do with him.
What an irony -- a Jew instrumental in defeating Germany. And the Nazis may have wanted nothing to do with him, but you can bet their generals learned their lessons from him well.
Exactly.
This is a great episode (as always), thankyou History Guy and Australia.
In 1916 King George V and General Monash we’re together on the Salisbury Plain in England reviewing Australian troops. The King was heard to say in their conversation “If we win this war............”. Monash, in a protocol breach, interrupted the King saying “If we win the war???” Confidence in his troops was one of Monash’s many strengths.
Monash was underrated.
New Zealand WW1 NZEF statistics could be worth a look.
Anzac is burnt into the psyche of Australians. My teenage son joined his local army cadets. He was excited to receive his uniform. "I feel like I'm at Gallipoli." Loved it. May the spirit of Anzac live on in this country. 🇦🇺
I am not so sure that aNZac is burnt into the Australian psychic. I worked at Auckland New Zealand international Airport in duty Free for 7 years. Every anzac weekend we would run an ANZAC promotion. The amount of Australians that arrived then and said things like " oh look i didn't know that they celebrated this here". Or" look they are doing specials just for Australia " really pissed a lot of us Kiwis off.
Absolutely THE BEST youtube channel - bar none. Bravo History Guy, Bravo!
Great episode again!!
Another outstanding story! Very uplifting and one I had never heard of. I always love it when you come up with something I had never heard a bit about.
Very concise yet thorough video. Thanks for all you do helping to make history interesting and fun.
Thank you so much, @HistoryGuy for sharing this Australian story with the world.
Great to see Monash getting the "History Guy" analysis. Would love some coverage of the "Battle of Beersheba" as well.
Monash's Masterpiece: The battle of Le Hamel and the 93 minutes that changed the world
.
a book by Peter FitzSimons well worth the read
Le Hamel - such an important battle and so little remembered..
So much I could write here about my Grandfather.
- the old man at 24 and from farming upbringing - tall, strong and a top shooter.
- was in a boat going to Anzac Cove.
- his 16 yo mate who was rowing was killed with one bullet from the Turkish. Grandad took over the oar.
- ended up in a hill dugout shooting at Turks and throwing grenades back up.
- Was with 4 others, 3 of them awarded V.C cross.
- Grenade got him and his shoulder injuries made him useless. Grabbed a worse wounded mate and got to the hospital ship.
- Given a mattress and told to carry to 5th tier bunk.
- Married the English nurse and brought her to Australia. She and their unborn child died.
- He burnt everything and nothing known for 10 years. Married my Grandmother and my father was born and here I am.
- Knew him for 20 years. Always gentle, supportive and challenged my mind and memory.
- Before Anzac Cove, he was in Egypt and slept by the pyramids. A couple of English soldiers caused him to belt them up. He was demoted back to private by the English. I doubt that ever concerned him.
I really enjoy watching your history stories. I learn something new each time. Thank you for new content so often.
One of your best videos.
Well done THG. Monash also set up the State Electricity of Victoria , a major undertaking. A truly practical man.
As an Aussie I have to say thank you, and to say that the other side of the great generals of WW1 coin is Canada’s Arthur Currie
Lloyd George, not an admirer of Douglas Haig, was thinking to replace him by canadian Arthur Currie with John Monash as chief of staff .
vincent Lefebvre yep Lloyd George was a good Welshman and knew the value of replacing the English “attire”
Not sure if this is the case with Australia, but it's sad that it took such a bloody war to finally give Canadians a sense of national identity.
CarEnthusiast it’s exactly the same in Australia ANZAC day is looked at like a Birthday...when in fact it’s one of the saddest days in our history
@@MrAnonymousRandom In Australia it's considered to be the start of our national consciousness in a way. Australia had only gained independence as a nation 13 years beforehand and we were still closely tied to Britain. The ANZACS fought and died with a rising sun badge on their collar, with their mates, who they also found to be better leaders in battle than some British officers. By 1917 the 5 Australian Divisions were being used as the shock troops of the British Army and were in constant combat, by the end of the war they were still at the tip of the now Allied advance towards Germany. They had fought well enough to command international attention and recognition of Australia as a nation. That's why Anzac Day has grown to be more than a remembrance of those who have fallen in war,; with the exception of perhaps the New Guinea campaign all the dying has been done on foreign soil. Wearing Australian uniforms. For good or for bad Anzac Day has become a celebration of national pride.
Thank your for undertaking this one, they do deserve remembering, as do all the others that you remember.
I love how you include the context of the time of the action, as well as the action that occurred.
I knew the crushing of an egg was a deep traditional attack for Australia, but wasnt sure its origins. So thanks for that (obviously its never a kind act, but seems especially significant, political blow). Its been used recently a few times against the far right, signifying utter contempt.
Also, Lest We Forget.
The price of war. The folly of war. Throwing men into the grinder. We've fought many wars since, but never with the gay abandon as with the great war. Its serious, solemn stuff. My great-grandfather left a jolly 22yo. Returned a bitter old man. Lest we forget them.