The Battle Messines 1917

The Battle of Messines, 7 June 1917, began with the detonating of nineteen giant mines beneath the German frontline positions and ended with one of the strongest positions on the Western Front falling and the greatest British victory in three years. Messines was not only the first major victory, but also the first test of senior command for Major General John Monash who commanded the newly formed 3rd Division. Described as 72 hours of hell, and after a string of defeats in 1915 and 1916, Messines was the ultimate test for the Australians.

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