'On the night of the 10th Foch ordered all operations to cease at 11 o’clock next day. The 1st and 4th Australian Divisions were then arriving in the region about le Cateau. Neither there nor at the front was there any general demonstration - the sound of guns ceased; the gates of the future silently opened. Wonder, hope, grief, too deep and uncertain for speech, revolved for days in almost every man’s mind while, in the British zone at least, army life went on as usual pending the next decisions'. – Charles Bean, Official History of Australia in the War of 1914–1918.
Today we remember the signing of the Armistice at 5:15 am in the Compiègne Forest, 108 years ago. This document marked the defeat of the German Empire, the ultimate victory of the Entente Powers and the end of 4 years of bloody warfare. The Austro-Hungarian Empire had surrendered at Villa Giusti 8 days earlier, and the Ottomans on 30 October at Mudros. From Ypres to Istanbul, Europe was left ablaze figuratively and literally, with empires on the brink of revolution and collapse.
Australia had thankfully escaped devastation on the mainland, but the social upheaval was extensive. The conscription referendums had divided Australian society and caused political chaos. Industrial warfare in the Middle East and Western Front had left over 60,000 Australians dead, 10,000 of them Queenslanders. A further 159,000 were physically wounded or taken prisoner, with an unknown number of returned servicemen suffering shellshock.
Today we further remember those who have served, and continue to serve, at home and overseas; through World War II, Korea, Malaya, Borneo, Vietnam, Timor Leste, Iraq, Afghanistan, and other conflicts and peacekeeping. They have put themselves at risk in service of Australia and suffered the human cost.
Lest we forget.
Bean C (1942) ‘Volume VI – The Australian Imperial Force in France during the Allied Offensive, 1918’, Official History of Australia in the War of 1914–1918, Angus and Robertson LTD, Sydney.
‘Mounted troops leading servicemen in Armistice Day Peace Parade, Townsville, Queensland, 11 November, 1918,’ 1918, John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland.
‘Crowds gathered to watch Armistice Day Peace Parade, Townsville, Queensland, 11 November, 1918,’ 1918, John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland.
