How is your road-trip going, Pinto? If you pass through the Hamel district, and its convenient, shoot us a photo or two. Probably the most important battle of WW1 from an Australian/American perspective. Without doubt the most successful battle in terms of exquisite battle strategy to both win the battle and to limit the loss of their soldiers lives. The British High Command so impressed with the Australian strategy of trench warfare that it became the book - literally, as the most successful formula for trench warfare of the time, and was instrumental in winning all subsequent battles on the Front during the final few months of WW1. It was also the first time the American's had entered the French trenches; albeit a small contingent of renegade Yanks (a few thousand) of whom went against orders from High Command to fight alongside the Ozzies. A situation where they (the experienced trench war Ozzies) had just spent the previous 3/4 weeks teaching untried Yanks the do's and don'ts of survival and on-ground combat in the trenches. A bond had been formed and well cemented after the battle was won.. A remarkable story in itself, and possibly the genesis of our close relation ship as trusted allies. The immortality of youth and 20 year old boys.
