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Victory at Villers-Bretonneux
It's early 1918, and after four brutal years, the fate of the Great War hangs in the balance.
On the one hand, the fact that Vladimir Lenin and the Bolsheviks have seized power in Russia - immediately suing for peace with Germany - means that no fewer than one million of the Kaiser's soldiers can now be transferred from there to the Western Front.
On the other, now that America has entered the war, it means that two million American soldiers are also on their way, to tip the scales of war to the Allies.
The Germans, realising that their only hope is striking at the Allied lines first, do exactly that, and on the morning of 21 March 1918, the Kaiserschlacht, the Kaiser's battle, is launched - the biggest set-piece battle the world has ever seen.
Across a 45-mile front, no fewer than two million German soldiers hurl themselves at the Allied lines, with the specific intention of splitting the British and French forces, and driving all the way through to the town of Villers-Bretonneux, at which point their artillery will be able to rain down shells on the key train-hub town of Amiens, thus throttling the Allied supply lines.
For nigh on two weeks, the plan works brilliantly, and the Germans are able to advance without check, as the exhausted British troops flee before them, together with tens of thousands of French refugees.
In desperation, the British commander, General Douglas Haig, calls upon the Australian soldiers to stop the German advance, and save Villers-Bretonneux. If the Australians can hold this, the very gate to Amiens, then the Germans will not win the war.
'It's up to us, then,' one of the Diggers writes in his diary. Arriving at Villers-Bretonneux just in time, the Australians are indeed able to hold off the Germans, launching a vicious counterattack that hurls the Germans back the first time. And then, on Anzac Day 1918, when the town falls after all to the British defenders, it is again the Australians who are called on to save the day, the town, and the entire battle.
Not for nothing does the primary school at Villers-Bretonneux have above every blackboard, to this day, 'N'oublions jamais, l'Australie.' Never forget Australia.
And they never have
On the one hand, the fact that Vladimir Lenin and the Bolsheviks have seized power in Russia - immediately suing for peace with Germany - means that no fewer than one million of the Kaiser's soldiers can now be transferred from there to the Western Front.
On the other, now that America has entered the war, it means that two million American soldiers are also on their way, to tip the scales of war to the Allies.
The Germans, realising that their only hope is striking at the Allied lines first, do exactly that, and on the morning of 21 March 1918, the Kaiserschlacht, the Kaiser's battle, is launched - the biggest set-piece battle the world has ever seen.
Across a 45-mile front, no fewer than two million German soldiers hurl themselves at the Allied lines, with the specific intention of splitting the British and French forces, and driving all the way through to the town of Villers-Bretonneux, at which point their artillery will be able to rain down shells on the key train-hub town of Amiens, thus throttling the Allied supply lines.
For nigh on two weeks, the plan works brilliantly, and the Germans are able to advance without check, as the exhausted British troops flee before them, together with tens of thousands of French refugees.
In desperation, the British commander, General Douglas Haig, calls upon the Australian soldiers to stop the German advance, and save Villers-Bretonneux. If the Australians can hold this, the very gate to Amiens, then the Germans will not win the war.
'It's up to us, then,' one of the Diggers writes in his diary. Arriving at Villers-Bretonneux just in time, the Australians are indeed able to hold off the Germans, launching a vicious counterattack that hurls the Germans back the first time. And then, on Anzac Day 1918, when the town falls after all to the British defenders, it is again the Australians who are called on to save the day, the town, and the entire battle.
Not for nothing does the primary school at Villers-Bretonneux have above every blackboard, to this day, 'N'oublions jamais, l'Australie.' Never forget Australia.
And they never have
764 pages, Hardcover
Published November 1, 2016
51 people are currently reading
319 people want to read
About the author
Peter FitzSimons
85 books481 followersPeter FitzSimons is one of Australia’s most prominent and successful media and publishing identities. His busy professional life involves co-hosting the breakfast program on Sydney's Radio 2UE, writing weekly columns for the Sydney Morning Herald and Sun Herald newspapers, appearing on Foxtel's Back Page television show and, when time permits, authoring best-selling books. A correspondent for London's Daily Telegraph as well, he is also in high demand as a guest speaker and presenter
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
June 17, 2018
This book is a disgrace. To save anyone the bother of reading it can be summed up in one sentence on page 301, “The ultimate aim is…to go from reeling backwards (as the British have been doing) to going forwards (as the Australians do) and, ideally getting right among the Squareheads with the bayonets.” And that sums up the style of the book and the premise which is basically that the British were cowardly and disorganised and always retreated and the Australians had to win the war singlehandedly. Or perhaps I should say the British are cowardly and the Australians are winning the war singlehandedly because, curiously, the whole book is written in the present tense. Even more curious is Fitzsimmons use of the first-person personal pronoun. When he says “there is a good chance we’re going to be called on” (166) it is hard to know if it is an unattributed quote or if he was actually a member of the Australian forces on the western front in 1918.
The British are portrayed as invariably retreating (unless they had the cover of Australians to protect them) and the Australians only ever retreat if the British had issued a muddled order or if it is unavoidable under compelling circumstances. Similarly the Germans (or Huns/Bosch/Fritz – Fitzsimmons uses the terms interchangeably) commit atrocious acts such as using gas, whereas when the Australians shoot surrendering soldiers or unarmed prisoners their actions are completely justified.
It is telling that whenever Fitzsimmons quotes German communiques that mention the formidability of the Australians it is always in connection with the Canadians. Yet the quotes of “Australians and Canadians” are the only mentions of Canada or Canadians in the whole book. And an inordinate amount of the book is devoted to the Red Baron for some inexplicable reasons. It gives the impression that it was too hard to maintain the 700 pages of jingoism and the Red Baron was included as filler.
It is well known that returned servicemen never wanted to talk about the war and it was attributed to the horrible things they had seen, but reading this book left me with the impression that they remained silent because of the horrible things they had done. The whole commemoration of ANZAC Day is to honour the effort that went into a failed campaign which acknowledges the futility of war and carries with it an amount of humility. This book seeks to smash that spirit of ANZAC by portraying the Australian forces as maverick heroes in the style of a Hollywood blockbuster. The soldiers who fought so well to do what had to done deserve better than this travesty.
Perhaps I just read this wrong. It is written in a fictional style and perhaps it should be approached as a work of fiction with clearly defined villains and heroes which is obviously needed for the market for which this is intended. The redeeming feature is the bibliography which listed many of the sources which would be worth rooting out and getting the story straight from the horse’s mouth. Otherwise I’d recommend giving this book a wide berth and seeking out Les Carlyon’s version of the same events for a far more considered rendering.
The British are portrayed as invariably retreating (unless they had the cover of Australians to protect them) and the Australians only ever retreat if the British had issued a muddled order or if it is unavoidable under compelling circumstances. Similarly the Germans (or Huns/Bosch/Fritz – Fitzsimmons uses the terms interchangeably) commit atrocious acts such as using gas, whereas when the Australians shoot surrendering soldiers or unarmed prisoners their actions are completely justified.
It is telling that whenever Fitzsimmons quotes German communiques that mention the formidability of the Australians it is always in connection with the Canadians. Yet the quotes of “Australians and Canadians” are the only mentions of Canada or Canadians in the whole book. And an inordinate amount of the book is devoted to the Red Baron for some inexplicable reasons. It gives the impression that it was too hard to maintain the 700 pages of jingoism and the Red Baron was included as filler.
It is well known that returned servicemen never wanted to talk about the war and it was attributed to the horrible things they had seen, but reading this book left me with the impression that they remained silent because of the horrible things they had done. The whole commemoration of ANZAC Day is to honour the effort that went into a failed campaign which acknowledges the futility of war and carries with it an amount of humility. This book seeks to smash that spirit of ANZAC by portraying the Australian forces as maverick heroes in the style of a Hollywood blockbuster. The soldiers who fought so well to do what had to done deserve better than this travesty.
Perhaps I just read this wrong. It is written in a fictional style and perhaps it should be approached as a work of fiction with clearly defined villains and heroes which is obviously needed for the market for which this is intended. The redeeming feature is the bibliography which listed many of the sources which would be worth rooting out and getting the story straight from the horse’s mouth. Otherwise I’d recommend giving this book a wide berth and seeking out Les Carlyon’s version of the same events for a far more considered rendering.
January 22, 2024
As an Australian, I enjoyed reading this, but I can understand why you would not like this book if you are of English decent. But don't blame the author for telling it how it was, if you don't believe it then take the time to read the officail WW1 history accounts of the English performance at VB.
A hard read as it is a deep story, but for a largely unknown part of WW1 history, it is well worth the effort it takes to read it.
Only 3 stars, but not because of the history or the writing style, but simply because it is not an easy or relaxing read.
A hard read as it is a deep story, but for a largely unknown part of WW1 history, it is well worth the effort it takes to read it.
Only 3 stars, but not because of the history or the writing style, but simply because it is not an easy or relaxing read.
April 11, 2017
A powerful story, depicting the human face of the war, the brutality, the conditions and the on-going spirit. At times, perhaps a bit one-sided, clearly appealing to the Australian audience. However you will lose yourself in the personal stories and feel a strong attachment to the many, many people involved.
A book that packs a punch with detailed dialogues and descriptors of bloody bayonet battles. You will walk away with a strong sense of what this awful period in our history was like and the sheer loss of human life.
A book that packs a punch with detailed dialogues and descriptors of bloody bayonet battles. You will walk away with a strong sense of what this awful period in our history was like and the sheer loss of human life.
August 28, 2018
Really Peter... stop the relentless bravado talk of the Australian diggers... it’s sickening. ( from an Aussie! )
April 3, 2017
This book is a good read about a significant WWI battle. You will particularly enjoy it if you are an Australian.
While the history of WWI remains dogged with conflicting views on the events that occurred 100 years ago, there is no doubt that the Australian counter attack at the Villers-Bretonneux was a significant event. My grandfather, a WWI veteran, with whom I was very close, spoke about it as the most brutal battle he experienced. (Hand to hand bayonet fighting in the middle of the night.) I didn't realise until I started reading about the battles of the 100 days war in 1918 what an important action this was. It ended the 1918 German offensive and laid the platform for the subsequent battles that resulted in the allies victory.
While a number of academic historians has criticized the liberties Peter FitzSimons has taken in this book, I feel it is a reasonable account of the battle and its background. He uses all the techniques of good rhetoric such as interweaving the personal stories of ordinary solders and leaders from both sides produce a very readable book. That said, it clear that he is writing for an Australian audience and does come down a little hard on inexperience British units and their commands that allowed the town to be captured by the Germans in the first place.
While the history of WWI remains dogged with conflicting views on the events that occurred 100 years ago, there is no doubt that the Australian counter attack at the Villers-Bretonneux was a significant event. My grandfather, a WWI veteran, with whom I was very close, spoke about it as the most brutal battle he experienced. (Hand to hand bayonet fighting in the middle of the night.) I didn't realise until I started reading about the battles of the 100 days war in 1918 what an important action this was. It ended the 1918 German offensive and laid the platform for the subsequent battles that resulted in the allies victory.
While a number of academic historians has criticized the liberties Peter FitzSimons has taken in this book, I feel it is a reasonable account of the battle and its background. He uses all the techniques of good rhetoric such as interweaving the personal stories of ordinary solders and leaders from both sides produce a very readable book. That said, it clear that he is writing for an Australian audience and does come down a little hard on inexperience British units and their commands that allowed the town to be captured by the Germans in the first place.
November 21, 2018
Facts are facts, you can't get around them. And in that view it's a good book. What I did miss in this book, compared with other FitzSimons books, was his personal input. In the other books of his, he added more his interpretation of how the soldiers would feel, or what they might have said, which made the characters more life like. I missed this in this book, and it turned out more as a fact book, like a lot of other history books. Nothing wrong with that but not what I expect in a FitzSimons book. Just my personal view.
If you're interested in WW1 I can recommend this book.
If you're interested in WW1 I can recommend this book.
January 18, 2017
Another wonderful chapter in Australian history. If it was not for Fitzsimons, I'd have stayed ignorant about how important Australian troops were in WW1. It's a wonder these events are often left untold in our classrooms.
I particularly loved the Red Baron legend, and the summation of the Australian and French relationship.
Again, highly recommended.
I particularly loved the Red Baron legend, and the summation of the Australian and French relationship.
Again, highly recommended.
February 10, 2018
An almost cartoonish semi-fictionalised pseudo history of an important battle in the last year of the war. Australians are all heroes whereas the British are incompetent cowards, the French no better and the Germans square head brutes. Bigoted, xenophobic and not worth your time.
October 17, 2024
Just finished Peter Fitzsimons' ‘Victory at Villers-Bretonneux’. No matter what you might think of Fitzsimons’ work, this is a cracker of a read; you are forced to explore Fitzsimons' earlier works on the subject of WWI; the other two books in his trilogy are ‘Fromelles and Pozières’ and ‘Gallipoli’.
Peter Fitzsimons' ‘Victory at Villers-Bretonneux’, or VB, commonly used by the Aussies, is a vivid and meticulously detailed recounting of the Australian victory at Villers-Bretonneux in early 1918, a pivotal moment in World War I. This book of over 700 pages, is a comprehensive and engaging narrative that ensures the valor and strategic significance of the Australian troops are fully recognised.
Set against the backdrop of the ‘Kaiserschlacht’, the largest set-piece battle of the war launched by the Germans, Fitzsimons brings whole story alive, capturing the tense atmosphere of early 1918. The fate of the Great War hung in the balance as the German forces aimed to split the British and French armies, pushing through ‘VB’ towards the critical town of Amiens. The Australian troops' victory at Villers-Bretonneux was crucial in thwarting this plan and saving Amiens, a vital supply junction for the British Army.
Fitzsimons’ employs a meticulous approach to historical writing, assembling all the complex details, into the completed jigsaw puzzle that is his book. His process includes extensive research, through his team of researchers, delving into primary sources, archives, diaries, official records, and eyewitness accounts. This thoroughness ensures the book's accuracy and authenticity. He skillfully compiles facts, anecdotes, and narratives from various sources, weaving them together to form a cohesive and engaging story.
One of the standout themes in Fitzsimons' work is the underrecognition of Australian contributions during World War I. Despite their significant involvement and sacrifices, Australian soldiers often struggled to gain recognition due to the British dominance in official records and reports. The book relays heavily on the efforts of C. E. W. Bean, Australia's official war correspondent at the time, who worked tirelessly to document the Anzacs' stories. Fitzsimons continues this legacy, ensuring that the bravery and strategic importance of the Australian troops are rightfully acknowledged.
‘Victory at Villers-Bretonneux’ is not just a historical account but a tribute to the courage and sacrifice of the Australian soldiers. Fitzsimons engaging storytelling, combined with his thorough research, makes this book a compelling read. For those interested in World War I, Anzacs, or want an insight to the character of the Australian and the Aussie soldier at the time, this book is an essential. Like C. E. W. Bean, before him, this is a significant contribution to ensuring that the Anzacs' sacrifices are remembered and celebrated.
Peter Fitzsimons' ‘Victory at Villers-Bretonneux’, or VB, commonly used by the Aussies, is a vivid and meticulously detailed recounting of the Australian victory at Villers-Bretonneux in early 1918, a pivotal moment in World War I. This book of over 700 pages, is a comprehensive and engaging narrative that ensures the valor and strategic significance of the Australian troops are fully recognised.
Set against the backdrop of the ‘Kaiserschlacht’, the largest set-piece battle of the war launched by the Germans, Fitzsimons brings whole story alive, capturing the tense atmosphere of early 1918. The fate of the Great War hung in the balance as the German forces aimed to split the British and French armies, pushing through ‘VB’ towards the critical town of Amiens. The Australian troops' victory at Villers-Bretonneux was crucial in thwarting this plan and saving Amiens, a vital supply junction for the British Army.
Fitzsimons’ employs a meticulous approach to historical writing, assembling all the complex details, into the completed jigsaw puzzle that is his book. His process includes extensive research, through his team of researchers, delving into primary sources, archives, diaries, official records, and eyewitness accounts. This thoroughness ensures the book's accuracy and authenticity. He skillfully compiles facts, anecdotes, and narratives from various sources, weaving them together to form a cohesive and engaging story.
One of the standout themes in Fitzsimons' work is the underrecognition of Australian contributions during World War I. Despite their significant involvement and sacrifices, Australian soldiers often struggled to gain recognition due to the British dominance in official records and reports. The book relays heavily on the efforts of C. E. W. Bean, Australia's official war correspondent at the time, who worked tirelessly to document the Anzacs' stories. Fitzsimons continues this legacy, ensuring that the bravery and strategic importance of the Australian troops are rightfully acknowledged.
‘Victory at Villers-Bretonneux’ is not just a historical account but a tribute to the courage and sacrifice of the Australian soldiers. Fitzsimons engaging storytelling, combined with his thorough research, makes this book a compelling read. For those interested in World War I, Anzacs, or want an insight to the character of the Australian and the Aussie soldier at the time, this book is an essential. Like C. E. W. Bean, before him, this is a significant contribution to ensuring that the Anzacs' sacrifices are remembered and celebrated.
October 22, 2018
What an excellent read. FitzSimon's writing style keeps me coming back for more, but this book is his best yet. I'm a big fan of military history, but like FitzSimon's points out, like many Aussies I was only dimly aware of the momentous events that occurred around the town of Villers-Bretonneaux (VB) and the significance they had on the outcome of the first world war. In particular the role played by the AIF played in essentially stopping the Germans capturing Amien - the key rail junction and nerve centre for the British end of the Western Front, whose loss would have likely resulted in a German victory in World War One. Only by plugging the line where the British Eight Army had collapsed under the onslaught of the last resort "Kaiserschlacht" offensive (needed before the United States army arrived in numbers to decisively swing the balance to the Allies favour) and by refusing the Germans the high ground around Villers-Bretonneaux were the Germans prevented from using their heavy artillery to destroy and disrupt rail traffic into and out of Amien. Told with first hand accounts, FitzSimons vividly creates in the readers mind a picture of the events of April 1918. It is little wonder the French school at VB has the slogan "N’oublions jamais l’Australie“ (Never forget Australia). Lest We Forget.
March 3, 2023
There are three main problems with this book.
Firstly, when any comparative analysis is being made about the effectiveness of Australian troops there is no examination of other effective units. A proper comparison would have looked at how effective British guards units, Canadian units, Scottish units, and others were in comparison to Australians.
Secondly, the description of Australian warcrimes is disturbing. When Australians kill prisoners, the descriptions are out of some sort of Boys’ own novel. These are warcrimes and should have been called as such. When Germans use gas, the language is very different and it shows a level of bias.
Thirdly, almost completely missing from the book is any sense that Australians suffered post-traumatic stress, disorder, aka shellshock. This is a disturbing omission. The only soldiers that appear to have suffered shellshock during the war were British soldiers. Clearly, Australians also suffered and this should be in the book. It is a great disservice to veterans who suffered this fate that they are not remembered.
Firstly, when any comparative analysis is being made about the effectiveness of Australian troops there is no examination of other effective units. A proper comparison would have looked at how effective British guards units, Canadian units, Scottish units, and others were in comparison to Australians.
Secondly, the description of Australian warcrimes is disturbing. When Australians kill prisoners, the descriptions are out of some sort of Boys’ own novel. These are warcrimes and should have been called as such. When Germans use gas, the language is very different and it shows a level of bias.
Thirdly, almost completely missing from the book is any sense that Australians suffered post-traumatic stress, disorder, aka shellshock. This is a disturbing omission. The only soldiers that appear to have suffered shellshock during the war were British soldiers. Clearly, Australians also suffered and this should be in the book. It is a great disservice to veterans who suffered this fate that they are not remembered.
April 21, 2022
If you are Australian and you enjoy reading about Australian successes on the WW1 Battlefield, you are really going to enjoy this. We really get to learn of the personal stories of the diggers in the trenches along with German perspectives. Peter FitzSimons really makes a point throughout the book of the bravery of the Australians and he also makes a number of mentions regarding the retreat of the British at Villers-Bretonneux. I don't believe he was saying that this was the case for the whole Western Front campaign, but it can be wrongfully interpreted by the reader if not attentively read, so please keep this in mind.
Peter FitzSimons tries to regularly include German perspectives to events paralleled to those of the allies (Australian and British) which allows one to switch and interpret events effectively.
There is also a constant switch to events surrounding the life and death of the Red Baron (Manfred von Richthofen).
A well-researched b
Peter FitzSimons tries to regularly include German perspectives to events paralleled to those of the allies (Australian and British) which allows one to switch and interpret events effectively.
There is also a constant switch to events surrounding the life and death of the Red Baron (Manfred von Richthofen).
A well-researched b
July 27, 2021
War history is not a genre that I normally read, I am an Australian and when my mother passed on this book and said my relatives fought in this war - I wanted to know more and hence biased towards the Aussies. It did take me a while to read (for me a prolific reader), but I came away with a huge amount of knowledge of war history - remember I don't normally read this and am heartened by the sheer bravery of all soldiers on the war front and surviving....limited food, facilities, slopping in mud, crazy decisions from upper 'management' and the adversaries inventing new methods to exterminate the opposition. I applaud Peter FitzSimons on his book, I am not going to check facts and criticize technicalities because in the scene of war - survival is everything!
June 19, 2024
Another Peter FitzSimons book under my belt (this is number three) and it did not disappoint. I read this aloud to my middle son as part of his year long unit study on WWI with a focus on a particular Australian battle within the war. This story is particularly close to my heart because of the enduring connection between the town of Villers-Bretonneux, and the state of Victoria here in Australia. It was fascinating to learn more in depth information about the battle and the way in which the Australian soldiers played a role in protecting the area. There was also quite a bit of information about "The Red Baron" in this book which we both enjoyed as well. I highly recommend this book (and any non-fiction book written by Peter FitzSimons) to anyone who enjoys an in depth read.
October 26, 2025
Actually very interesting. As ever a little less bias from FitzSimons would be good.
He doesn't really condemn the French inaction while labouring on the British (or at least the
English as normal). Forgetting that the Germans were by then exhausted and at the end of their supply lines. Also glosses over war crimes which if done by the German's he's condemn.
Funny to think the French ended up fighting Australian'a in Africa in WW2..
Its true that this battle should be better known than Gallipoli.
He doesn't really condemn the French inaction while labouring on the British (or at least the
English as normal). Forgetting that the Germans were by then exhausted and at the end of their supply lines. Also glosses over war crimes which if done by the German's he's condemn.
Funny to think the French ended up fighting Australian'a in Africa in WW2..
Its true that this battle should be better known than Gallipoli.
May 8, 2017
This was a last chance for me with Fitzsimons, his more recent outings being bloated and the research being over indulged. They were volumes that needed severe editing.
Not so this. This is a more discerning work, never forgetting to advance the narrative in spite of the wealth of knowledge waiting for a happy home. It did, in much the Sam way that others did not.
The battle scenes were moving, portraying as they did events that gave birth to a nation.
Not so this. This is a more discerning work, never forgetting to advance the narrative in spite of the wealth of knowledge waiting for a happy home. It did, in much the Sam way that others did not.
The battle scenes were moving, portraying as they did events that gave birth to a nation.
May 15, 2017
ANOTHER EXCELLENT BOOK
This is another excellent book by Peter FitzSimons. The research which has gone into the book gives one a clear picture into the heroics of the Australian forces in France. It also clearly shows the incompetence of and arogance of the British. One connot help but be very angry at the British military and politicians of the time and subsequent years who have never righted the wrongs done to our Aussie soldiers not only in France but at Gallipoli.
This is another excellent book by Peter FitzSimons. The research which has gone into the book gives one a clear picture into the heroics of the Australian forces in France. It also clearly shows the incompetence of and arogance of the British. One connot help but be very angry at the British military and politicians of the time and subsequent years who have never righted the wrongs done to our Aussie soldiers not only in France but at Gallipoli.
November 13, 2025
To be honest I love the style these are written and how it is told in an almost as is fashion. No candy coating just raw facts. I do return to them all the time.
Pivotal time of the War and how Australia is known and remembered by a little area still over 100 years later. Worth the read for the history buff and military buff. I honestly enjoyed every page. Reading in order does help to time line as well.
Pivotal time of the War and how Australia is known and remembered by a little area still over 100 years later. Worth the read for the history buff and military buff. I honestly enjoyed every page. Reading in order does help to time line as well.
September 10, 2017
Another wartime book by polarising author Peter FitzSimons. He's not my cup of tea, but his books are superlative. This is the story of the taking and defence of the small French town of Villers-Bretonneux by the Allies in World War I, a force made up of mostly Australian soldiers. A cracking read of the amazing bravery of the soldiers and the sheer futility of the total war that WWI brought.
October 30, 2018
Not really into patriotism or how we Australians continue to glorify this conflict, but still a great read. The use of the terms huns, gerry, and fritz was a bit off putting, and yet Fitzsimmons refers to the Germans as brave often enough that it kinda balanced it out. Loved all the stuff about the Red Baron.
March 18, 2021
Having previously read his book about the Gallipoli Campaign, I was looking forward to reading this one especially since I had visited the Australian Memorial at Villers-Bretonneux on ANZAC Day. In the end I was somewhat disappointed with this finding it rather choppy and all over the place.
January 24, 2022
I couldn’t get past the popular history, first person narrative, and the willingness to perpetuate folklore. It’s a good start for a newbie but it lacks substance. You can’t write a book per year and go deeply into history.
August 23, 2022
There is no doubt the author does a ton of research on the topic and he does a fantastic job at turning historical documents into a lively story. However his blokey-ness does tend to grate the nerves after 500 odd pages.
April 10, 2018
An excellent book, detailing an extrodinary part of Australias military history and the link that remains between the two countries until present day.
May 3, 2018
This is my fourth Peter Fitzsimons book and each time I reach the end I wonder why I go back.
Decent at a narrative style of history but with Fitzsimons’ annoying prose.
Decent at a narrative style of history but with Fitzsimons’ annoying prose.
June 29, 2018
An absolutely brilliant book which should be compulsory reading for all Australians.
January 11, 2019
Once again, a thoroughly engaging and fascinating read of the exploits of the brave ANZAC's of the First World War.
Impossible to put down. Great work Sir
Impossible to put down. Great work Sir
May 21, 2019
well researched and written history of two battles of the first world war,worth reading.
September 16, 2019
Once you get past the aussie bravado the details of the crucial battle is interesting. Too much jingoism although not surprising given the author.
January 30, 2024
Great sweeping overview of the defence of Villiers Brettenaux, with a focus on the key role played by the Australian forces.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews