Vol. 48 No 4 (New Series) SUMMER 2018 THE GALLIPOLI GAZETTE OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE GALLIPOLI MEMORIAL CLUB LTD Armistice Centenary On November 11, one hundred Years since the Armistice which ended the First World War, Australians observe a minute silence at 11am in memory of those who died or suffered in all wars and armed conflict. From the Australian War Memorial in Canberra to every capital city and hundreds of other cities, towns and suburbs Australians paid respect to those who fought and died in war, with special thoughts for those from World War One. The war memorial in Canberra was central to the commemoration with the service attended by leaders from parliament, the armed services and veteran groups. A display of 62,000 handcrafted poppies, representing Australian Donald Trump and Russian leader wreath at the graves of John Parr, lives lost in WW1, was exhibited in Vladimir Putin were among 70 believed to be the first UK soldier the Memorial’s grounds from world leaders at a ceremony at to be killed during the war, and October 5 to November 11. the foot of the Arc de Triomphe in the last, George Ellison, who died Images of the First World War Paris where an unknown soldier in battle 90 minutes before the were projected and on November who died in the war is buried. Armistice came into effect. 10 a beam of light was directed Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex She then travelled to Albert, from the Memorial towards opened the Field of Remembrance France, to meet President Parliament House, symbolising the at Westminster Abbey to honour Emmanuel Macron. The town, in link between political freedoms Britain’s war dead. The Duke of the heart of the Somme region, and the sacrifice of those who’ve Sussex attended a ceremony in suffered significant bombardment fought to defend them. the churchyard garden, where during the conflict. The pair laid Remembrance events took place 60,000 crosses have been laid in wreath at the Theipval Memorial, across the world to mark the tribute to those who died in also in the Somme area of France, centenary. conflict. which bears the names of more In Britain, Prince Charles led the British Prime Minister, Theresa than 72,000 members of the nation's tributes to the fallen, May commemorated the Armed Forces who died in battle, laying a wreath at the Cenotaph in Armistice centenary by joining “We remember the heroes who Whitehall on behalf of Queen Belgium leader, Charles Michel, in lost their lives in the horror of the Elizabeth who watched from the laying a wreath at the St trenches. As the sun sets on one balcony with other senior royals. Symphorien Military Cemetery in hundred years of remembrance, French President Emmanuel Mons, Belgium, where more than we will never forget their sacrifice. Macron, German Chancellor 500 soldiers are buried. Most Mrs May said”. Angela Merkel, US President were killed at the Battle of Mons Continued page 3. August 1914. Mrs May laid a 1 Editorial… THE GALLIPOLI MEMORIAL CLUB The last four years have been filled with LIMITED ongoing ceremonies commemorating the centenaries of the major evens of the First Patron: World War. Major General Arthur Fittock AO The build up to the centenary was immense. Those four years seem to pass so Board of Directors: quickly. Far quicker than the period 1914-18 did for those who survived its horrors. The President: John Robertson Gallipoli Gazette has been privileged to be a Senior Vice President: David Ford vehicle which would help its readers commemorate those events. Junior Vice President: Ted Codd The Australian War Memorial has led the Hon. Treasurer: John Brogan way in highlighting the end of the war. The Gazette carried stories about several events. Directors: I remember visiting the Halls to see displays and photograph the cumbersome German Stephen Ware, Glenn Tetley, Scott Tank Mephisto which was on loan from Heathwood, Marc Higgins Brisbane. Also memorable was the televised Editor: Bob Lawrence speech to the National Press Club by the Director of the War Memorial, Dr Brendan Secretary Manager: John Robertson Nelson on the centenary of the Battle of Fromelles. I was so moved by that speech and the way it portrayed the horror and futility of Club Ph: 02 9235 1533 Email: [email protected] war alongside the bravery of the Australian www.gallipoli.com.au soldiers. This edition features both the Armistice and its centenary. You will read of the events that led to the 1918 German surrender and how world leaders commemorated it’s centenary. We also remember the Australian Olympic swimmer, Cecil Healy, who died in that war. We also pay tribute to one of our own who died in October; club stalwart Major General Gordon Maitland. Up to his death he was the highest ranking surviving Australian soldier from World War Two. We also hear about the how the people of the Loire Valley in France suffered in World War Two, but never relented in opposing their oppressors. Bruce McEwan tells of the role of snipers in war and outstanding marksmanship. It’s not all about men. We also hear of artist Evelyn Chapman who painted scenes relating to the conflict. She visited sites of World War One battles with her father in 1919 when he was attached to the New Zealand War Graves Commission On bahalf of our Patron and Directors, I extend our sincere best wishes to all our Members for a Happy and Merry Christmas and good luck and good health for the coming year. John Robertson President 2 Prime Minister Scott Morrison takes the salute from the guard of honour during Remembrance Day at the Australian War Memorial. Image: AAP Soldiers stand inside the Hall of Memory which contains the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra 3 The Armistice of 1918 After several months of hard on land, sea and air between of Allied prisoners of war and fighting on the Western Front, the Allies and their opponent, interned civilians, and eventual the Allies finally broke through Germany. Previous armistices reparations. No release of the Hindenburg Line on had eliminated Bulgaria, German prisoners and no September 29, 1918. The the Ottoman Empire and relaxation of the naval German army was beaten and the Austro-Hungarian blockade of German was within weeks came the Empire from the war. agreed to. Armistice. The actual terms, largely Although the armistice ended The Armistice of Compiègne, written by the Allied Supreme the fighting, it needed to be signed in the Forest of Commander, Marshal prolonged three times until Compiègne (60 kilometres) Ferdinand Foch, included the the Treaty of Versailles, which north of Paris, came into effect cessation of hostilities, the was signed in the Hall of at 11am on November 11, withdrawal of German forces Mirrors at the Palace of 1918. The guns fell silent on to behind the Rhine, Allied Versailles on June 28, 1919, the Western Front and after occupation of the and took effect on January 10, more than four years of Rhineland and bridgeheads 1920. unimaginable bloodshed and further east, the preservation The Australian Prime Minister destruction, the war was finally of infrastructure, the surrender Billy Hughes and Deputy Prime over. of aircraft, warships, and Minister Joseph Cook adding This armistice ended fighting military materiel, the release their signatures on Australia’s behalf. The Lead Up On September 29,1918 enabled him to save the face of declared "Fourteen Points". In the German Supreme Army the Imperial German Army the subsequent two Command informed Kaiser and put the responsibility for exchanges, Wilson's allusions Wilhelm II and the the capitulation and its failed to convey the idea that Imperial Chancellor, Count consequences squarely into the Kaiser's abdication was an Georg von Hertling at Imperial the hands of the democratic essential condition for peace. Army Headquarters in Spa parties and the parliament. He The leading statesmen of the of occupied Belgium, that the expressed his view to officers Reich were not yet ready to military situation facing of his staff on October 1: "They contemplate this. As a Germany was hopeless. now must lie on the bed that precondition for negotiations, Quartermaster General Erich they've made for us." Wilson demanded the retreat Ludendorff, probably fearing a On 3 October, the of Germany from all occupied breakthrough, claimed that he liberal Prince Maximilian of territories, the cessation of could not guarantee that the Baden was appointed submarine activities and the front would hold for another Chancellor of Kaiser's abdication, writing on two hours and demanded a Germany replacing Georg von 23 October: "If the request be given to the Hertling in order to negotiate Government of the United Entente for an immediate an armistice. States must deal with the ceasefire. In addition, he After long conversations with military masters and the recommended the acceptance the Kaiser and evaluations of monarchical autocrats of of the main demands of US the political and military Germany now, or if it is likely President Woodrow Wilson situations in the Reich, by to have to deal with them later (the Fourteen Points) including October 5,1918, the German in regard to the international putting the Imperial government sent a message to obligations of the German Government on a democratic President Wilson to negotiate Empire, it must demand not footing, hoping for more terms on the basis of a recent peace negotiations but favourable peace terms. This speech of his and the earlier surrender." 4 In late October, Ludendorff, in by Wilhelm Groener.