On the eve of the 90th anniversary of the Armistice, the sacrifice
of Australians in the First World War will be honoured at
the re-dedication of the Australian Corps Memorial Park at
Le Hamel, the Minister for Veterans' Affairs, Alan Griffin,
announced today. In France for the ceremony, Minister Griffin
said the memorial will be officially re-dedicated by Australia's
Governor-General, Her Excellency Ms Quentin Bryce AC, on Saturday
8 November (Sunday in Australia).
"The Australian Corps Memorial Park honours the Australian
efforts in the First World War, including the crucial Battle
of Le Hamel, which was fought on the site where the memorial
now stands," Mr Griffin said. "Mr Griffin said the
Battle at Le Hamel was a strong tactical battle combining
air, infantry and tanks planned by General Sir John Monash.
It was later described as "the perfect battle."
"On 4 July 1918, a combined force of Australians, four
full-strength American companies and British tanks set out
to achieve the task of straightening the line near Le Hamel
- a battle that lasted just 93 minutes. Carrier tanks were
used to bring fresh supplies directly behind advancing infantry
and achieved in minutes a task that previously had required
hundreds of soldiers," the Minister said. "Around
7500 Australians fought at Le Hamel, with 1400 Australian
and United States casualties."
"Since its original construction in 1998 the memorial
has suffered significant deterioration. In 2006 the Australian
Government committed $7.9m to rebuild the memorial and improve
the amenity of the Memorial Park. The memorial has been redeveloped
using material and construction methods to withstand the climatic
conditions of Northern France. The three curved walls of the
memorial are clad with green granite. The centre wall displays
a large bronze sculpture of the rising sun insignia and the
walls on either side feature a quote in bronze lettering from
the speech made by the Prime Minister of France, George Clémenceau,
to Australian troops after the Battle of Le Hamel - one wall
in English and one wall in French. Flying behind the memorial
are the national flags of America, Britain, Australia, France
and Canada. New interpretive panels have been installed to
give visitors an understanding of the significance of the
site and progress of the battle. Other facilities, such as
the new bench seats and picnic tables, will make the Memorial
Park a place to reflect upon the service and sacrifice of
those it commemorates."
More than 330,000 Australians served overseas during the First
World War in historic battles along the Western Front, on
the shores of Gallipoli and in the Middle East. Around 61,000
lost their lives. The Australian Government will also hold
a Remembrance Day service at the Australian National Memorial
in Villers-Bretonneux, France, on Tuesday 11 November. Australians
travelling in France are invited to attend.