Villers Bretonneux Tours

Villers Bretonneux is situated in the Somme, a region of northern France. During the First World War, on 24 April 1918, the town of Villers-Bretonneux was the site of the world's first battle between two tank forces: three British Mark IVs against three German A7Vs. The Germans took the town, but that night it was recaptured by ANZAC troops in what is now known as the Battle of Amiens. The village is thus a central luxury tour destination for the many Australians who wish to honour the contribution made by previous generations - during the world's darkest hour.

The mayor spoke of the Australian troops on 14 July 1919 when unveiling a memorial in their honour: "Soldiers of Australia, whose brothers lie here in French soil, be assured that your memory will always be kept alive, and that the burial places of your dead will always be respected and cared for..."

This was a promise well-kept. To this day, the people of Villers-Bretonneux make it known they will be forever indebted to the brave soldiers who saved their town. Memorials and dedications to the fallen are inescapable.

The Australian War Memorial in France is located in Villers-Bretonneux and serves as the central memorial for the countless Australians who lost their lives. A 32-metre Memorial Tower with the names of more than 11,000 soldiers - whose bodies were never found - etched into the walls, the tower is situated behind the graves of 770 Australian soldiers.

The school in Villers-Bretonneux was rebuilt using donations from Victorian schoolchildren, and above every blackboard is the inscription "N'oublions jamais l'Australie" (Let us never forget Australia).

The vital relationship between the two countries is further depicted in the museum situated above the school - the Musee Franco-Australien. Dedicated to telling the story of the Australian diggers in France, the museum houses photographs, documents, uniforms, and much Australian memorabilia - letters, battlefield souvenirs and a toy kangaroo.

The Villers Bretonneux Military Cemetery is another important place for Australian history, for it is the final resting place of many Australian soldiers. The Cemetery was constructed after the Armistice was signed, when graves were brought in from other burial grounds in the area and from the battlefields.

There are now 2,141 Commonwealth servicemen of the First World War buried or commemorated in this cemetery. Approximately 608 of the burials are unidentified but there are special memorials to five casualties believed to be buried among them.

Ceremony is another means by which the ANZAC troops are remembered. The annual ANZAC Day ceremony is held in Villers-Bretonneux on the Saturday nearest the 25th April. In the past, Australian commemorations have focussed on Gallipoli. However, the 2008 ANZAC Day celebration focussed on the Western Front, and a special dawn service marking the 90th anniversary of the battle of 24/25 April 1918 was held on Anzac Day itself at Villers-Bretonneux.

For Australians who lost family or friends during the First World War, or simply wish to witness the huge contribution Australia made during this dark period, Villers-Bretonneux is the town most dedicated to honouring the memory of our fallen soldiers. All historical tours include a day at Villers Bretonneux, and the town invites Australians to be proud of what our ancestors achieved.

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