World War One. War heroes song.
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World War One. War heroes song.
World War One. 1914 to 1918 The First Australian Imperial Force (1st AIF) was the main expeditionary force of the Australian Army during World War One. It was formed from August 15, 1914, following Britain's declaration of war on Germany. Known at the time as the AIF, it is today referred to as the 1st AIF to distinguish from the 2nd AIF which was raised during World War II. The 1st AIF included the Australian Flying Corps, which was later renamed the Royal Australian Air Force. The 1st AIF was a purely volunteer force for the duration of the war. In Australia, two referendums on conscription were defeated, thereby preserving the volunteer status but stretching the AIF's reserves towards the end of the war. A total of 331,814 Australians were sent overseas to serve as part of the AIF, which represented 13% of the male population. Of these, 18% (61,859) were killed. The casualty rate (killed or wounded) was 64%. About 2,100 women served with the 1st AIF, mainly as nurses. Close to 20% of those who served in the 1st AIF had been born in the United Kingdom but all enlistments had to occur in Australia (there were a few exceptions). As a volunteer force, all units were demobilized at the end of the war. Originally the Australian government pledged to supply 20,000 men organised as one infantry division and one light horse brigade plus supporting units. By the end of the war, the 1st AIF comprised 5 infantry divisions and the most part of 2 mounted divisions. The 1st AIF was predominantly a fighting force — the proportion of combat troops to non-combatants (medical, logistical, etc.) was exceeded only by the New Zealand Expeditionary Force. When originally formed in 1914, the AIF was commanded by General William Bridges, who also assumed command of the infantry division. After Bridges' death at Gallipoli in May, 1915, command transferred by default to General William Birdwood, commander of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. Birdwood was officially confirmed as commander of the AIF on September 14, 1916, while also commanding the I Anzac Corps. After the war finished, all AIF units went into camp and began the process of demobilisation. The exceptions were No. 4 Squadron, Australian Flying Corps and 3rd Australian Casualty Clearing Station, which participated in the occupation of the Rhineland. The 7th Light Horse Regiment was sent to occupy the Gallipoli peninsula, along with a New Zealand regiment. In general, while the British appreciated the fighting qualities of the Australian soldiers, they were not considered docile enough to act as an occupying garrison, and so no Australian infantry were called upon. There were 92,000 soldiers in France and a further 60,000 in England, 17,000 in the Middle East plus nurses in Salonica and India, all to be transported home. By May 1919, the last troops were out of France, 70,000 now encamped on Salisbury Plain. By September, only 10,000 remained. General John Monash , the senior Australian commander, was repatriated on December 26, 1919. The last transport organized to repatriate the troops was the H.T Naldera, which departed London on April 13, 1920. The 1st AIF officially ceased to exist on April 21, 1921 and on July 1, 1921 the military hospitals in Australia passed into civilian hands. (Information from Wikipedia) 46,000 Australians died on the Western Front (about 18,000 with no known graves) during WW1. Over 8,000 Australian soldiers died in the Gallipoli campaign (against Turkey). WW1 is heavily identified with trench warfare and the heavy use of industrial age weapons, like heavy artillery, tanks and aircraft. Huge losses of life were encountered in the war in trying to take ground against an entrenched enemy. In 1916, Australians were at the main battle front of the war. In July, on the Somme, the Australians were engaged in one of the bloodiest, most destructive battles in military history. Over several weeks, in a series of determined attacks against strong defense, the Australians suffered a rate of casualties that was nearly unsustainable. The single worst day of the war was at the battle of Fromelles with 5,000 Australian casualties, and no ground was taken. For a country of fewer than five million people, the impact of losing so many in WW1 was enormous. The song on this video is timeless and honours the memory of those who have died in the service and defence of Australia in war. The song is inspiring and stirring. Want to know more about the song? Go to http://www.australianwarheroes.com Want to know what influenced the author to write and create the song? Go to http://www.australianwarheroes.com/peter_barnes.htm Film footage (video) remembrance tribute to Australians in WW1. 'Can you hear Australia's heroes marching? © Peter Barnes 2001 - 2007. All Rights Reserved. All content (including images and film) remains the property of the respective copyright holders.
YouTube | October 20, 2007
