Lt Col (Ret) Peter Sweeney “WW1 – The 1st AIF in the Last 100 Days”

The period from the Battle of Amiens on 8th August 1918 until the Armistice on 11th November 1918 is known as the ‘Last 100 Days’. Following the Battle of Amiens, the Australian 2nd Division captured Mont St Quentin in a stunning attack. Following that battle, Lt-Gen Monash, due to falling reinforcements from Australia and Gallipoli veterans returning home, was forced to order the disbandment of some AIF Battalions to reinforce other battalions. This resulted in a number of mutinies by diggers in protest. The Australian Corps of five divisions commanded by Lt-Gen Sir John Monash, subsequently broke through the last defensive system of the Hindenberg Line and in their final battle captured Montbrehain village. Withdrawn for rest and reinforcement, the Australian Corps was re-entering the front line when the Armistice was declared.