Great Scot September 2018 Gt Scot_154_September_online | Page 11

JOHN MONASH:
THE AUSTRALIAN
VICTORIES IN
FRANCE IN 1918
Monash wrote, The Australian Victories in Serle (’40) and Roland Perry (’64). Serle wrote France in 1918, with extraordinary speed in that ‘it was propaganda, but not far off the truth’, about a month from August 1919. He intended, which was perhaps typical of the immediate while everything was fresh in his memory, to critical reaction. Perry’s insightful analysis looked set out the facts as he viewed them, aided by at its future impact – in particular, as a blueprint the documents he used in creating them. At a for the critical planning by Germany of its time when authors’ differing political agendas entrance into World War II: ensured that a spin was put on their own ‘This commendable volume explains how the accounts of what had happened during the war, 1st AIF, the biggest of 20 Allied Corps on the Monash – as the one who was there and knew Western Front, had a huge say in the outcome it best – no doubt wanted to get his version out of World War I. Its detailed battle plans also had quickly, and to have it viewed as the definitive a big influence on World War II. In 1937 General have endeavoured faithfully to portray. Let it not
account. It was published in 1920. Heinz Guderian copied Monash’s battle plan for be assumed on that account that the humble
Among the many reactions to this book, it is Amiens into his own book, Achtung — Panzer! part it fell to my lot to perform afforded me any
interesting to note those of the two Old Boys He then demonstrated to Hitler Monash’s satisfaction or prompted any enthusiasm for war.
who have written Monash’s biography: Geoffrey successful blitzkrieg methods, which were Quite the contrary.
adopted for the German attacks in Europe.’ ‘From the far-off days of 1914, when the first call
The following three paragraphs, selected by came, until the last shot was fired, every day
Dr Mark Johnston, contain Monash’s eloquent was filled with loathing, horror, and distress. I
tribute to the officers under his command, many deplored all the time the loss of precious life and
of them Old Scotch Collegians, and his reflection the waste of human effort. Nothing could have
on war itself as being a wasteful horror, and not been more repugnant to me than the realisation
something to be glorified for what it was: of the dreadful inefficiency and the misspent
‘None but men of character and self-devotion energy of war. Yet it had to be, and the thought
could have carried the burden which they had always uppermost was the earnest prayer that
to bear during the last six months of the war. In Australia might for ever be spared such a horror
spite of stress and difficulty, unremitting toil and on her own soil.’
wasted effort, weary days and sleepless nights, Scotch boys and staff who received the
fresh task piling upon the task but just begun, reprinted book on 10 August 2018 have the
labouring even harder during periods of so- opportunity to understand what Monash, other
called rest than when their troops were actually Old Boys, and fellow Australians achieved in
in the line, this gallant band of leaders remained helping hasten the conclusion of World War I.
steadfast of purpose, never faltered, never lost
their faith in final victory, never failed to impress
ABOVE: COVER OF SIR JOHN MONASH’S BOOK,
PRESENTED TO ALL SCHOOL STUDENTS AND STAFF ON
THE DAY OF THE SPECIAL ASSEMBLY.
PAUL MISHURA — SCOTCH COLLEGE
ARCHIVIST
their optimism and their unflinching fighting spirit
upon the men whom they commanded.
‘It may be appropriate to end this memoir on a
personal note. I have permitted myself a tone
of eulogy for the triumphant achievements of
ABOVE: PORTRAIT OF SIR JOHN MONASH
the Australian Army Corps in 1918, which I
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