Australia in the First World War

As we all know, in Melbourne, the second largest city in Australia, there is a famous comprehensive university-Monash University, which attracts many China students to study in this university. However, why is this school called monash?

Australia, located in the southern hemisphere, far away from hot spots in Europe and Asia, is a country that advocates democracy and yearns for peace. However, due to its close "blood relationship" with Britain, Australia has volunteered to send troops overseas many times to help Britain fight without treaty provisions. Before the Federation was founded, Australia intervened in some military actions such as Boer War and Maori War for the sake of Britain. However, Australia's role in these wars was insignificant and left no deep impression.

19 14 The outbreak of World War I made Australia truly experience the taste of war. On August 4, 2004, Britain declared war on Germany. As in the past, the Australian government immediately showed a high degree of enthusiasm and said that it would follow Britain in the war. Andrew, then Prime Minister of the Labour Government? Andrew fisher announced that he would support Britain at all costs until "the last man, the last shilling". In this way, Australia, a young country, was involved in a bloody war.

At that time, Australia was not ready for war, and the soldiers who participated in the expedition were temporary volunteers. For a time, young people of school age all over the country enthusiastically signed up to join the army, and the recruitment station was full almost every day, and the teams that signed up even lined up in the street. At that time, Australia had become an independent federation, but King George of England was still the head of state, and many Australians were immigrants from Britain. So many people think that they should be duty-bound to contribute to the king and the empire. In addition, you can also take the opportunity to go overseas to broaden your horizons. Of course, the army did not mistreat these young people who cried and shouted to go to war, and treated them fairly well. At that time, the daily salary of an ordinary soldier was six shillings. In this way, the first batch of 20,000 people who joined the army left home happily and joined the Australian Expeditionary Force. Soon, the recruits waved goodbye to their loved ones in the whistle and took 38 transport ships to the battlefield. What awaits them is the test of blood and fire.

19 14 12.3, the Australian army landed in Cairo, the capital of Egypt, and formed the ANZ Corps with the New Zealand army. Unlike other allied forces, ANZ officers and men all wore fancy wide-brimmed hats, so these soldiers from the southern hemisphere quickly attracted the attention of their brothers. The supreme military leader of the allied forces is most worried about the effectiveness of the young and inexperienced ANZ army and how much role it can play.

Among the many Australian officers and men who participated in the war, there was such an army colonel. He has a carefully trimmed moustache and a straight military uniform. He is always full of energy, and you can see at a glance that he is an experienced professional soldier. He is the commander of Australia's Fourth Infantry Brigade and one of Australia's most outstanding soldiers in the 20th century-John? Monash (John monash). Monash 1865 was born in Melbourne to Polish Jewish parents. After graduating from the famous Scottish aristocratic college in Melbourne, he was admitted to the University of Melbourne, and successively obtained degrees in engineering, art and law. Monash's interest in military affairs began in college, and he joined the reserve forces without graduation. 19 13 years, monash, who served in the army, was already a colonel.

The only major setback that monash suffered in this life occurred during the Battle of Garipoli in 19 15. At that time, he led the officers and men of the 4th Australian Infantry Brigade in a bloody battle with other ANZ troops in gallipoli for eight months. In this disastrous battle, monash tried his best to direct the battle, but his troops were dealt a heavy blow because of the stupidity of the senior British commander.

19 16, monash, who had been promoted to at least general, led the new 3rd Division of the Australian Army to France. Although there are problems with the offensive tactics of the senior British commanders, monash did have a research on infantry operations, and his battle plan was meticulous and accurate, and even senior British officers deeply admired him. At the same time, monash also won the support of all his officers and men, because the tactics he used always put how to protect the lives of officers and men in the first place.

1965438+On July 4th, 2008, Major General monash used his unique tactics to command his troops to win in the Battle of Mount Hamel, which became a major victory for the Allies at the end of World War I ... On August 2nd of this year, General monash was knighted by King George V of England on the battlefield. Later, the troops under the command of monash, as the vanguard of the allied forces, fought continuously and were invincible in France.

General monash is regarded as one of the greatest living Australians in the early 20th century. After World War I, monash retired and began to serve his hometown with the knowledge accumulated in college, and presided over the design of all the power systems in Victoria. 193 1 year, monash died. To this day, Australians still respect him. Monash University, founded in 196 1, was named after monash. In addition, the "hundred-dollar bill" we are using now also uses his head to commemorate this legendary figure in Australian history.

World War I in Garipoli was just the beginning of ANZ's nightmare. 1965438+In February 2006, Germany launched an offensive on the western front. After the Battle of Verdun, the British and French troops launched the Battle of the Somme. In this campaign, the Australian army once again became the main force of assault. Under the heavy artillery fire of the German army, the three divisions of the Australian army kept charging and were defeated and then charged again. After the battle, the three divisions suffered a total of 23,000 casualties. In addition, another division carried out a containment mission, with 5,500 casualties in just a few days.

The Australian army showed amazing courage and perseverance in the battle. While the officers and men fought bloody battles, there was also a "civil war" in Australia's domestic politics. The brutal war has caused the Australian army to continuously reduce its staff, so more young people are needed to go to the battlefield to replenish their troops. What shall we do 19 16, Labour Prime Minister Billy? Billy hughes called on Australia to remain loyal to the British Empire and provide at least16,500 troops to the battlefield every month. As fewer and fewer people volunteered to join the army at that time, he proposed a conscription system. However, because Hughes' Labor Party has always opposed the conscription system and does not want to run faithfully with Britain, there has been a division within the Labor Party. Finally, Australia held a referendum on whether to adopt conscription system, and as a result, most people opposed conscription.

19 18, the first world war finally ended, and the Australian army with heavy casualties also got a breathing space. During the First World War, ANZ participated in many famous battles on the Western Front, such as the Battle of the Somme, the Battle of ypres, the Battle of Pashdale and the Battle of Ver Boutonneau. ANZ Corps is considered as one of the best allied forces, and its tenacious fighting spirit and military quality have been appreciated by the highest allied military officials. During the war, more than 400,000 Australian youths volunteered to join the army, of which more than 330,000 were sent to Europe, Asia and Africa to fight, and 50% of them were either killed or injured. At that time, the population of Australia was less than 5 million! Of course, this country won more than sacrifice in the war. After the war, New Guinea, which originally belonged to Germany, became the territory of Australia and was officially recognized.

As an independent country, Australia was recognized and respected by the world in the smoke and war of the First World War, and the Australian national spirit was formally formed during this period. Australians used to say "I'm from Victoria" and "I'm from New South Wales" when introducing themselves to foreigners. After World War I, many people began to say proudly, "I am Australian!" " For Australia, a new era has begun.