A number of Rotary Melbourne members attended the 0808@0800 service held in the Sanctuary at the Shrine of Remembrance on Thursday 8 August 24. The service commemorated the 106th Anniversary of the Australian Victory at the Battle of Amiens, 8 August 1918 by the Australian Army Corps led by Sir John Monash, Lieutenant-General, Commander. Australian Corps.
The service included representatives from Rotary Melbourne, the Shrine of Remembrance, the Spirit of Australia Foundation, the Monash Foundation and Engineers Australia, who all laid wreaths in honour of those that lost their lives.
Background
On the 8th of August, 1918, 104 years ago the Battle of Amiens was fought. It was the first time that all five Australian Divisions fought together under the Australian Commander General Sir John Monash GCMG, KCB, VD. It was preceded by meticulous planning and preparations to enable the co-ordinated use of all the resources available including aircraft, tanks, artillery and infantry.
After four years of war both the allies and the German’s were battle weary and depleted. Late in July the allies set a cunning trap pretending to weaken the front line and sending out false radio communications whist sneaking troops and artillery to the front lines at night. At 4:20am on 8 August they attacked. Unlike previous offences, there was no shelling until the attack commenced. The battle ground was shrouded in mist which assisted the element of surprise. The German’s were completely unprepared, so much so, it is said that many were killed or captured while eating their breakfast.
The allies were bolstered by more than 500 hundred tanks and two thousand aircraft in the battle which saw a shift away from the traditional trench warfare to mobile above ground fighting, which the Australian’s preferred and to which they excelled. By mid-afternoon the offensive had advanced nearly 12 kilometres.
The German forces never recovered with general Erich Ludendorff describing it as “the black day of the German army in the history of the war” German commanders were quick to concede that victory on the western front was not long possible. It heralded the start of the One Hundred Days Offensive which lead to the signing of the armistice on November 11, 1918.
After the war Monash returned to civilian life and was instrumental in the establishment of the Rotary Club of Melbourne becoming its second President.
Rotary Melbourne was represented by Past President Chris Sotiroploulos, PP Adrian Nelson, PP Kevin Sheehan, PP Quin Scalzo, Stephen Lake, Jo Mavros, Tony Battaini, Peter Davis, Bernie McIntosh, Jim Barry and District Governor Michael Lapina. The Rotary Melbourne Monash Medalist for 2024, The Hon Josh Frydenberg spoke briefly following the service over morning tea in the downstairs visitors centre.
The 0808 Service was followed by the Monash Commemorative Service at the Victorian Legislative Assembly Chamber on 8 August 2024.
Later in the week, the wreaths were moved to the base of Monash's statue near Government House.
The 2024 Monash Medal was presented to the Hon Josh Frydenberg for Leadership, Integrity and Service - Values of Sir John Monash and of Rotary. Josh spoke briefly following the service over morning tea in the downstairs visitors centre.
To see more of our Monash Medal Luncheon click here.
