Battle of Hamel
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The Battle of Hamel (4 July, 1918) was a planned attack launched by the Australian Corps of the Australian Imperial Force against German positions in the town of Hamel in western France during World War I.
The battle was planned and commanded by Lieutenant General John Monash (later knighted). It was significant not for its strategic value but rather because the tactics used drastically departed from the traditional tactics of massed frontal assaults being used at that time. The battle was a success taking only 92 minutes to complete, as compared to the many months of previous battles.
Monash's detailed planning of the battle as well as the briefing of all troops on their objectives were instrumental in the battle's success. It also marked the novel use of a number of tactics such as aerial resupply and advanced cooperation between infantry and armour. Two regiments of American troops (2,000 men) also participated in the battle under the supervision of the Australian veterans. This was the first time that American troops participated in an attack during the war.