The Australian Victories in France in 1918 (ePub)

Monash in his own words …



From the far-off days in 1914, when the call first came, until the last shot was fired, every day was filled with loathing, horror, and distress … Yet it had to be, and the thought always uppermost was the earnest prayer that Australia might forever be spared such a horror on her own soil.



First published in 1920, The Australian Victories in France in 1918 immediately garnered glowing praise as one of the most entertaining and informative accounts of war ever written. It is now recognised as one of the most important records of World War I, revealing the critical role Australians played on the Western Front.



General Sir John Monash, regarded as the best allied commander of World War I, records his experiences leading a series of victories that turned the tide of the war, from the defence of Amiens, to the battle of August 8th and the breaking of the Hindenburg Line. He reveals the challenges he faced in leading tens of thousands of troops, and the decision-making and innovations in the field that led to their success.



Republished in full, this edition features a new foreword by Bruce Haigh, colour reproductions of the original maps that were hand-drawn under Monash’s supervision, and new photos. It also includes a memo from General Rawlinson congratulating Monash on the performance of the Australian Corps: “I feel that no mere words of mine can adequately express the renown that they have won for themselves and the position they have established for the Australian nation not only in France but throughout the world.”



‘This commendable volume explains how the 1st AIF, the biggest of 20 Allied Corps on the Western Front, had a huge say in the outcome of WWI. Its detailed battle plans also had a big influence on World War II. In 1937 General Heinz Guderian copied all Monash’s battle-plan for Amiens into his own book, Achtung-Panzer. He then demonstrated to Hitler Monash’s successful blitzkrieg methods, which were adopted for the German attacks in Europe.’ —Roland Perry



‘The definitive eyewitness account of Australia’s greatest military achievement by Australia’s greatest military commander, it perhaps eclipses even Bean’s official history as the most important book ever written about Australia’s Great War.’ —Hugh White



General Sir John Monash is regarded as the best Allied commander of World War I and as Australia’s greatest general, whose brilliant leadership turned the tide of the war. Monash was also a born writer, and an intellectual as well as an engineer. His writing displays a delight in detail, mastery and grace.