On 5 October 1918, Australian troops attacked the Hindenburg Line for the final time. Under Lieutenant General Sir John Monash’s command, troops had been involved in preliminary successful attacks on the heavily fortified German positions using tanks, artillery, and aircraft working in concert. Eventually, the Allies broke through the third and final stage of the Hindenburg Line, and the Germans were forced to fall back. The final action at Montbrehain was a short, fierce battle on 5 October. The village, full of machine guns, was stormed and captured, and with that, the Hindenburg Line was completely broken. The defence of this sector was then handed over to American troops, while the Australians, exhausted and depleted, were withdrawn for a rest. By this time, most Australian troops had been fighting for six months without a break, 11 out of 60 battalions were disbanded because there were so few men left in them, and 27,000 men had been killed or wounded since the Battle of Amiens. The immense human cost paid in the “Hundred Days” offensive deeply affected families across Australia. We will remember them. Lest we forget. 📷 Australian War Memorial - E03605 - View of the Church at Montbrehain days after the attack. (fb)

Today, we remember those who fought in the Battle for Maryang San in the Korean War. Twenty Australians were killed and around a hundred wounded during the battle. On 3 October 1951, 3RAR took part in a large UN offensive (Operation Commando) against a Chinese salient, attacking two strategically important hills near the Imjin River: Maryang San and Kowang San. It was strategically important for UN forces and was thought to be the last chance for forces to position troops before the ceasefire and armistice negotiations. Following five days of fierce fighting, the outnumbered Australians forced the Chinese to withdraw, securing one of the most impressive victories of the war. (Note: The ground was later lost after 3RAR was relieved, but the initial victory remains a celebrated feat.) The soldiers of 3RAR were mostly Second World War veterans, and all had volunteered for service in Korea. Today we remember their service and honour the lives lost in the Korean War. Lest We Forget. Photo: Australian Machine-gunners standing by ready to give supporting fire to mates of C Company, the 3rd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (3RAR), as they move up to attack a hill in the smoke of an earlier New Zealand artillery barrage. (fb)