Le Hamel
Location
Le Hamel is within easy reach of Villers-Bretonneux if you are already visiting that location.
From the main Amiens Road, the D 1029, continue eastwards following the green road signs for St Quentin (Do not take the Autoroute — blue signs).
You will see the Villers-Bretonneux demarcation stone as you leave the town and immediately afterwards there is a small roundabout. Turn left at the roundabout following the signs for Le Hamel. This point more or less marks the Australian right flank during the battle.
The road is not wide but takes you directly into the village. The road (as a very basic guide) brings you along the German front and in front of Vaire Wood.
Once into the village turn right at the major crossroads. There is a sign post for the memorial but it is not very evident, the next one at the village war memorial being much more so. Turn left and then, immediately after the barn, turn right. Follow the road up to the parking area.
| GPS | N | E | OSM |
|---|---|---|---|
| Decimal | 49.89865 | 2.58136 | Map |
The original 1998 monument was poorly constructed and suffered badly from both the weather and vandalism resulting in its degradation. The site had to be closed whilst a new memorial was built.
That was rededicated on 8th November 2008.
The Memorial Park
The monument itself sits on top of what was known as the Wolfsberg ; the highest point on the ridge and, as can be seen when visiting, offered the German artillery observers a splendid view.
As you walk out to it from the car park there are a number of informative panels explaining the background to the battle and the events of the day.
Le Hamel itself sits down below you and if you look out along the ridge to its left you should be able to see the tower of the Australian Memorial (the photo cuts slightly short).
On the skyline to the right of Le Hamel you will see a tall chimney. This is at the brick works where Manfred von Richthofen was shot down by Australian gunners. It can be accessed by taking the main road out of Corbie towards Bray sur Somme.
The Wolfsberg
The monument is a smaller version of the original, though similar in design with three curved walls. On the central wall is the Rising Sun badge worn by all Australians during the war and the same as you will find on their headstones in the CWGC cemeteries.
The two flanking panels contain a quotation from Georges Clemenceau’s post battle speech.
When the Australians came to France we expected a great deal of you…We knew that you would fight a real fight, but we did not know that from the beginning you would astonish the whole continent… I shall go back and say to my countrymen “I have seen the Australians, I have looked in their faces… I know that they will fight alongside of us again until the cause for which we are all fighting is safe for us and for our children.
Georges Clemenceau
The trenches are part of the Wolfsberg which was taken by the 44th Battalion on the morning of the battle. The direction of the attack was from the Australian memorial towards Le Hamel.