Sailly-le-Sec: The Australian Stand

Sailly symbolises the Australians’ first heroic battles to defend Amiens and the Somme Valley. These victories marked the beginning of the Australian Army’s emergence as an independent force, contributing to its global recognition. This path towards military independence would culminate in the famous Battle of Villers-Bretonneux on 24 and 25 April 1918, which would, in fact, become the central venue for the annual Anzac Day ceremonies.

The village of Sailly-Le-Sec remained the scene of repeated clashes in 1918. Several battles took place between March and August 1918. The final German offensive against the village was repelled by the Allies on 6 August, just two days before the major counter-offensive.