Mont Saint-Quentin overlooks the Somme River in the region of Picardie approximately 1.5 km north of the town of Péronne, Somme, France. The hill is about 100 metres high but as it is situated in a bend of the river it dominates the whole position and is of strategic significance. During World War I, it was a key to the German defence of the Somme line and was the last German stronghold. Its location made it an ideal observation point, and strategically, the hill's defences guarded the north and western approaches to the town of Péronne. It was the site of the Battle of Mont Saint-Quentin from 31 August to 2 September 1918.[1]
Australian war memorial
editThe Australian Second Division has a war memorial on the road from Bapaume to Péronne. It is the only one of the five Australian division memorials initiated by members of the division. It was unveiled by Marshal Ferdinand Foch on the 30th of August 1925. The statue was demolished by German soldiers in 1940 and a more somber replacement by Stanley James Hammond unveiled in 1971.[2]
References
edit- ^ "The Battle for Mont St Quentin: 31 August 1918 - 3 September 1918". Penrith City Council Library Service, Penrith City Council. 2005. Archived from the original on 8 September 2007. Retrieved 2007-08-31.
- ^ "Mont St Quentin, 2nd Australian Division Memorial". Australians on the Western Front 1914-1918. Australian Department of Veterans' Affairs. 2007. Retrieved 2007-09-03.