2018 Battle of Villers-Bretonneux 1918 Foil Postmarked Limited Edition 50c PNC
2018 Battle of Villers-Bretonneux 1918 Foil Postmarked Limited Edition 50c PNC
On the third anniversary of the Anzac landing at Gallipoli, Australian troops played a critical role in wresting control of the French town of Villers-Bretonneux from German troops. The Germans had broken British defense of the town and taken it at dawn on 24 April 1918, in their pursuit of the nearby strategic center of Amiens.
The 13th Brigade of the 4th Australian Division and the 15th Brigade of the 5th Australian Division joined with British troops to take back the town. With a plan to encircle Villers-Bretonneux, they attacked an a dangerous manoeuvre during the night-time hours of 24 April. By dawn, the allies had broken through the German entrenchment.
They secured Villers-Bretonneux through the subsequent day, effectively Curtailing Germany s spring assault on the Somme. While the offensive was successful, it was costly for the Australians, who suffered 1,500 casualties in the daring attack.
Limited Mintage: 1,000