we join now our mark of respect. we join now our collea g u es mark of respect. we join now our colleagues on bbc one for full coverage of the commemorations. beginning of the end, of the german army but it came at a great cost to both sides. good afternoon. welcome to amiens cathedral, in north east france, the heart of the somme region, 100 years

ago today, british, french, commonwealth and american forces had just launched a surprise attack on the germans. the battle of amiens lasted just four days but it was a battle that would change the course of world war i as the allies attacked and defeated the exhausted and overstretched everman troops here. it became known as the black day of the german army. this afternoon here, a commemorative event is about to get under way, it is being led by the uk government, the prime minister theresa may has just arrived, and she has taken her place, on the steps of this great cathedral, as part of the welcoming party, among them the bishop of amiens, the mayor of amiens, the french minister to the armed forces, florence pa rly french minister to the armed forces, florence parly and the newly appointed secretary of state for digital, culture, media and sport jeremy wright. over the next ten or

isa minute, jeremy wright. over the next ten or is a minute, they are going to welcome government representatives from germany, canada, australia, ireland and the us, the event itself sta rts ireland and the us, the event itself starts at 2.00, and it will tell the story of the battle of amiens. and of course, remember the tens of thousands of people who lost their lives, in just four days. the historian dan snow is with me, he has been looking at why the battle proved to be so important, and such a turning point of the war. one of the largest military conflicts was dragging on, millions had died on both sides, and neither had died on both sides, and neither had the upper hand. nearly four years the fighting on the western front had been mired in a bloody stalemate. in the autumn of 1914 german forces crashed into france and belgium. but the allies

had just managed to fight them to a stand—still. the allies launched a series of mighty offence, up and down the western front. like the one that took place here, on the banks of the river somme in the summer of 1916. that one and others such as passchendaele were bloody fail yours, passchendaele were bloody fail youi’s, as passchendaele were bloody fail yours, as the british, french were unable to penetrate german lines. but everything changed in the new year of 1918. germany managed to defeat the russians over in the east and moved one million hardened vetera ns to and moved one million hardened veterans to the western frontal system. these veterans attacked in spring 1918. the allies retreated but just held on. by but just held on. by summer the allies were ready to counter attack and the place they chose was the strategically important city of amiens. at amiens the british would unleash a new kind of warfare, revolutionary tactics that still shape the

battlefield today. the infantry would move forward with protection, it was like a curtain of fire that kept the enemy from manning machine guns, and then there were these. tanks. cutting—edge technology only beenin tanks. cutting—edge technology only been in existence on the battlefield for less than two years, these steel monsters were able to rumble across the shattered moon scape of the battlefield, crushing barbed wire. plus they were armour plated so machine gun bullets bounced off and infa ntry machine gun bullets bounced off and infantry could advance behind them. the skies bo were filled with aircraft. they could fire on the enemy, bomb them, drop supplies and deliver accurate progress reports to hq. deliver accurate progress reports to h0. h0. all together this men the attack was a decisive blow to germany an one that would ultimately point europe towards an armistice and eventually, peace. well, we will be talking to dan in a

moment, but let me first show you the scene outside amiens cathedral this afternoon. we are waiting now for the last of the guest, the vvips to arrive. among the guard of honour are personnel from the anglian ran regiment. some of those who were fighting a century ago, regiments like 10th battalion, the essex regiment and the northamptonshire regiment and the northamptonshire regiment were all later merged into this battalion. and facing them, outside the cathedral, a unique french regiment. the 132nd battalion, which translates as the dog loving battalion and it is made up dog loving battalion and it is made up of round 600 men and 600 dog, 24 of whom are here today. this battalion has taken on the tradition of regiments that served in world wari, of regiments that served in world war i, dogs were used as attack dog, and used to transport messages,

between the trench, the music you are hearing as well, this afternoon, is from the central band of the raf who are playing a leading role in events. who are playing a leading role in eve nts. da n who are playing a leading role in events. dan snow is with me. dan, the battle of amiens was very cleverly executed not only because of the surprise element but the new tactics that were involved. yes, we have been coming to these for years and today we have, we are still a talking about an event in which tens of thousands were killed and wounded but it is one with a slightly more optimistic tale. this was a battle where the british troops put together new arms, technology, new ways of doing things and punched through the german line as never before. the first thing they got right was surprise. you had to protect the infantry men every where, the poor fragile protect the infantry men every where, the poorfragile young men, made of skin and bone, you have to protect them from the steel and the bullets and the gas of your enemy, you do that by amazing them in secret. and you amass a huge number

in secret. the canadians were brought in only a few hours before the attack, they were filtering through to the front line. the tank, they were brought, every one had been assembled. only one or twoel where to pretend they were elsewhere. the canadians were meant to be up in flander, they left radio operators and were sending signals. they marched at night. build up a huge force, surprise, protect them from german prying eyes and when they went into battle used everything we could, to protect them from the german enemy. you mentioned the tanks they were effective weren't they? they worked so brilliantly. they had gone into battle two years before, but this time they were working together, the infa ntry time they were working together, the infantry could go along in loose group, at the somme they were standing next to each other, now they are infiltrating, going forward

in loose group, using the tanks to hide behind. they were able to ring a bell on the back if they were in trouble. you have planes in the sky above. operating with the tanks and infa ntry above. operating with the tanks and infantry on the ground. we will talk to you more, but let us take you inside, because the event will be getting under way shortly, almost two thousand guests have been invited. most of sell them are from france and britain but there are 60 01’ france and britain but there are 60 or 70 who have come from australia, more than 100 from canada and the usa. among them are 600 descendants of men who fought at the battle of amiens and at subsequent battles round here. i have been speaking to one of them. alistair mackie whose great uncle fought and died here at the age of 25. i have only received this recently, and that is migrate uncle on the right there. he does look like you. there is something about him. there really is. his name was william

george robinson, he was born in fife. he signed up straightaway. he enlisted in the medical services. then, he was moved to the artillery, in december 1917, his unit the second brigade were involved in the battle of amiens. so do you know what he was doing today, the 8th august 100 years ago? he started the day behind the line, i picture this being an18 inch day behind the line, i picture this being an 18 inch gun and migrate uncle there, the unit would have to lea pfrog uncle there, the unit would have to leapfrog each other just uncle there, the unit would have to leapfrog each otherjust to keep up with the advancing troops. that was the thing, they took so much ground so the thing, they took so much ground so quickly. he survived the battle of amiens, it was a short battle but it wasn't very long before he died. so he was in a bivouac, 20th august. hadn‘t got up and he was killed insta ntly hadn‘t got up and he was killed instantly by a german shell coming in. his last let her wrote home on

11th august, after the main battle started and just o ever a week before he was killed. guess i'll dropa before he was killed. guess i'll drop a note now to let you know that i'm feeling real good. he goes on to say it was awful busy for a got up and he was killed instantly by a german shell coming in. his last let her wrote home on 11th august, after the main battle started and just o ever a week before he was killed. guess i'll drop a note now to let you know that i'm feeling real good. he goes on to say it was awful busy for a few days before, but "i'll need to wait to tell you when i next get back." it need to wait to tell you when i next get back. " it was written virtually 100 years ago to day. in the heat of battle. what is it makes you so interested in him and makes you want to be here today? i come from a very small family. there aren't many of us small family. there aren't many of us to think about him. there is only really me that is left that has not a memory of him, because i didn't know him but just a memory of him, because i didn't know him butjust that connection with him and that time, because when i started toing the research i was younger than he was when he was killed and now i am much older than he was and that connection is always there. it is very personal.

alistair mackie talking to me earlier about his great uncle william george robertson, and dan snow, i have met a lot of people in the last day or two who are walking round, clutching photograph, last letters from the front. it is a personal, very emotional moment for them to be here. it is an amazing moment to be there, these people are from all over the world. it was a huge allied action. i have read accou nts huge allied action. i have read accounts from people who were from the prairies of canada, they are serving in the trenches and this is the first time this battle many feel they are part of something very special. they realise at the time hang on, we are advancing further, taking less casualty, taking prisoners and you see this in letter, there is a sense of the people at the front line that something is changing and the plates, the first world war might be shifting. the difference for those who were involved in the fighting, they had had four years of trench wa rfa re they had had four years of trench warfare of stalemate, of moving very

small amounts of, taking small amounts of ground, in one day they take, what, seven miles? perhaps up to eight. it is the largest advance by the british and the commonwealth allies to this point. it, because what they managed to do is marry, there have been, they have been learning, but this was the time it was all put together. one australian commander compared it to an orchestra all playing together and the conductor saying we will bring in the strings and the wind instrument, the plane, the tank, they are all working together to provide this sort of unstoppable movement through german lines. and the national anthem now as duke of so prince william, the last of the dignitary, the vvips to arrive here,

at the cathedral of amiens. and he will, himself, be taking part in this event, because he will be doing one of the very first readings at the start. so he is accompanied by lord llewellyn of steep. he is being greeted by the defence services secretary, air vice marshall garry tunnicliffe. hisjob secretary, air vice marshall garry tunnicliffe. his job is secretary, air vice marshall garry tunnicliffe. hisjob is to liaise between the royal family and the british armed forces. a big round of applause from the public gathered outside. there are 2,000 people inside the cathedral but there are 1,000 who have been allowed to stand here in front of it, to watch the proceedings. and prince william is no stranger to these world war i remembrance event, he has attended a large number over

the last four year, he was at the first in 2014 as well as events as the somme, at passchendaele. greeted by florence pa rly. and he has been to a number of these events as i say, all of them marking huge losses of british life. this has a different feel to it. it does. it is interesting to hear the french clapping there. the people talk about antagonism but this was french and british forces working perfect harmony. huge successful stop the french further south and the british working together. and the affection in this part of northern france for the british, bad memory of 100 years ago is not that far gone. more applause from the crowd as the

duke of cambridge meets the bishop of amiens. and so today's event will begin as they enter the spectacular cathedral on the banks of the river somme. and you get a real sense now of the scale of these cathedrals. it towers a bove of the scale of these cathedrals. it towers above everything here in amiens and for miles around, it's the biggest gothic cathedral of its kind in france. built in the 13th century, took 16 years to complete. and, incredibly, despite the fierce fighting around amiens during world wari fighting around amiens during world war i and world war ii, it escaped major damage. and there you see the flag bearers. they are now entering the cathedral, the flag bearing party made up of six flags, france, uk, australia, canada and the united

states and germany, all those who thought in the battle of amiens. —— fought. and those flags now being taken through the cathedral and they will be placed upon the altar before the event begins. today's event is going to tell the story of the battle of amiens. they will use readings, letters, poems from world war i and music. we will begin this afternoon with

the bishop of amiens, olivier leborgne, who will read it in english and then repeated in french. peace be with you. it is with the first words that the resurrected jesus spoke to his disciples that the catholic liturgy usually begins when it is presided over by a bishop. peace be with you! it seems to me that these words are appropriate while we come together in this cathedral to remember the battle of amiens, which in 1918 was decisive in leading to victory. i am happy to welcome you to this cathedral,

a sign of hope in the somme for almost 800 years. i particularly wanted to pay tribute to the representatives of our allies, who, some coming from the other side of the world, were essential in putting an end to the great war. soldiers from great britain and ireland, australia, canada, new zealand, south africa and the united states of america came to fight alongside the french army. they sacrificed their lives to allow us to come out of this disastrous conflict. it is important that we are able to honour them together. i also pay tribute to the representatives

of germany who have joined us. it is together that we wish to build the future. for we have not only gathered together in this cathedral to remember. our presence here, remembering the senselessness that penetrated the first world war, is also a resolute commitment to peace. we know that it can only be built within justice and truth. the sense of remembrance is always turned towards the future, which calls on our responsibility. i wish you an excellent commemoration. he speaks in french.

la paix soit avec vous. c'est par ces premiers mots dejesus ressuscite a ses disciples que commence habituellement la liturgie catholique quand elle est studio: as he repeats his message in french, let me tell you about some of the people who are here in the cathedral today. hundreds of them have been invited because their a ncestors, have been invited because their ancestors, grandfathers, great uncles, great—grandfathers, all took pa rt uncles, great—grandfathers, all took part in the battle of amiens. and they have come here to this city clutching photographs of their relatives, last letters, relatives, some of whom were almost children, 15 or 16 years old, when they signed up 15 or 16 years old, when they signed up to fight having lied about their rage. and they have come here to retrace their steps to find out whether relatives where, what were they doing, century ago. for many of them, it is proving to be a very moving experience. the bishop is

speaking now but this is not a religious event. today is about raising awareness and telling the story of a crucial battle, a turning point in world war i, a story which many feel has not been told enough. tens of thousands of lives were lost during the short battle. and they are going to be remembered here this afternoon when floral tributes are laid. some at the end of the event in the chapel of the allies. and, after that, some of those descendants who are here this afternoon will meet the prime minister theresa may and the duke of cambridge. and, no doubt, they will be retelling their stories. he speaks french.

je vous souhaite une belle comm moration. prince william will now deliver the introductory reading. i am delighted to join you all today to mark this important centenary in the historic cathedral of amiens. from the very start of the first world war,

amiens found itself at the heart of the conflict. for most of the war, it was just behind the allied front lines, and military personnel soon became a familiar sight on its streets, around its shops, cafes and hotels. for thousands of servicemen, it became a home away from home. above all, amiens was a city of connections. its railway line was a vital link between paris and the north. here, the armies of france and the british empire came together. it connected the allies. during the defence of the city against the great german

offensive in april 1918, shelling and bombing destroyed many of the buildings here. thankfully, this great cathedral was spared significant damage. in the summer of 1918, this was the springboard for the allies' offensive which would eventually lead to victory on the western front. after french, american and british forces had turned the tide against the germans in the second battle of the marne, the scene was set for a truly co—ordinated allied effort to strike back. what began here on 8th august was truly a coalition operation under the strategic command

of a great frenchman, marshal foch — a battle in which the forces of many nations came together to fight, in which aerial, mechanical and human courage and ingenuity combined with devastating results. amiens was symbolic of the entente cordiale, the co—operation without which victory was impossible. it is entirely fitting therefore, that today, that same international coalition has returned to amiens with ourformer enemy, in peace and partnership. it is fitting too that we come together here, in this magnificent cathedral, which has such a profound connection to all those that served.

after the war, a commemorative tablet was installed here by the imperial war graves commission, "in sacred memory of 600,000 men of the armies of great britain and ireland who fell in france and belgium during the great war." memorial tablets were subsequently installed by other nations to honour theirfallen. and the chapel of the allies, where today we will renew the bonds forged during the war, is a lasting testament to the continuing relationship between those who served here 100 years ago and the people of amiens. today we return to learn more about the experience of those involved during the historic summer of 1918, to honour the fallen

of all nations, to commemorate all those who participated in this great endeavour, and to celebrate the bonds of friendship which unite our nations. studio: and so the story of the battle begins. the next account was written by red cross nurse and a journalist five months before the battle of amiens began. she speaks in french. translated from french:.

account of marguerite comte, red cross nurse, on the atmosphere in amiens as 11,000 refugees pass through between 22nd and 27th march 1918. on saturday the 23rd of march, the anxiety became generalised. reading the communiqu s, announcing the progressive withdrawal of the british army, and there were more and more refugees in a lamentable state, making their way through the town and they were frightening number of the inhabitants of amiens, who were already preparing to depart. monday the 25th of march was a day of fear, military equipment from the regions surrounding flooded into amiens either by train or on

lorries which were being driven at top speed and increased the terror of the inhabitants of amiens were literally besieging the police stations to get safe passes. the city ‘s banks were feverishly preparing for possible evacuation. there was panic everywhere. on the morning of the 26th of march, the news on the streets was more and more alarming. she speaks in french. (translated from french) an account by a havas correspondent on 22nd april 1918. when i returned to amiens, which i had seen a fortnight before, i immediately experienced the same fear as i had felt, not long before, when entering arras and armentieres.

i immediately had a premonition of the disaster that i was going to witness. the electric cables for the trams and the telegraph wires were hanging pathetically across the streets, a shell had broken a water main which a few valiant men were trying hard to plug here and there. dogs killed by explosions or simply struck down were bathed in their own blood. the beautiful promenade de la hotoie was riddled with shell holes. every street, every district had one, two or three houses indiscriminately ruined by a bomb dropped from an aeroplane or a shell. app

app was a surprise attack, the jer maps were not expecting it. this is a letter from a translated from german. a letter from wolfgang panzer to his parents and siblings on third august 1918. the situation here is more peculiar than anywhere on the front line. in artois and in french flanders, villages even kilometres behind the first position were nothing but piles of rubble, and it still occasionally fills me with dread when i look at the map and retrace our steps this spring through the scenes of carnage from the battle of the somme. everyone in our fatherland should have been there, and then they'd perhaps be better able to judge whether it was a wise move to retreat at the marne. we look upon the events without surprise and without the slightest fears, and i thank my creator for giving us leaders who have the courage

and the sense of responsibility to confidently surrender what could only be retained through senseless bloodshed and for no purpose at all. so, we're remarkably untarnished, while the enemy, in a blind fury, drives one division after another to their destruction. everything will turn out for the best. that's all for today. your loving wolf. german the first piece of music this afternoon subpoena led by the band of the raf. music: "advance and retreat from gallimaufry" by guy woolfenden.

is ? the month, days, hours before the battle of amiens was going on, what was going through the minds of those in charge? the next readingses are she speaks in french. translated from french.

marshal foch to general debeney — 9 august 1918. it is well understood that the french first army must reach roye as early as possible, and reinforce the iiird. when the result has been obtained, the situation itself will indicate what is to be done — halt or move forward again. it is precisely because one cannot settle it today that no option must be ruled out. with this aim, never must any infantry division be sent to the rear. those which can no longer advance are to be bypassed, pass to the second line, and provide support until the result desired by higher command is obtained. therefore: move quickly, march hard,

manoeuvring as you advance: support from behind with everybody until the result is obtained. if these conditions are fulfilled, losses will be avoided in a few days. generaljoth pershing's declaration to prime minister georges clemenceau, marshal foch and marshal petain at marshal foch‘s headquarters in clermont on 28th march 1918. i have come to tell you that the american people would consider it a great honor for our troops to be engaged in the present battle. i ask you for this in their name and my own. at this moment there are no other questions, but of fighting. infantry, artillery, aviation, all that we have are yours — use them as you wish. more will come, in numbers

equal to requirements. i have come especially to tell you that the american people will be proud to take part in the greatest battle of history. general sirjohn monash‘s message to his troops the day before the start of the battle of amiens. for the first time in the history of our corps, all five australian divisions will to—morrow engage in the largest and most important battle operation ever undertaken by the corps. because of the completeness of our plans and dispositions, of the magnitude of the operations, of the number of troops employed, and of the depth to which we intend to over—run the enemy's positions, this battle will be one of the most memorable of the whole war. the work to be done tomorrow will perhaps make heavy demands

upon the endurance and the staying powers of many of you, but i am confident that, in spite of excitement, fatigue, and physical strain, every man will carry on to the utmost of his powers until his goal is won, for the sake of australia, the empire and our cause. lieutenant general sir arthur currie's special order to the canadian corps in march 1917, which was re—stated during the 1918 german spring offensives. under the orders of your devoted officers in the coming battle you will advance or fall where you stand facing the enemy. to those who will fall i say "you will not die,

but step into immortality. your mothers will not lament your fate, but will be proud to have borne such sons. your name will be revered forever and ever by your grateful country, and god will take you unto himself." an extract from field marshal haig's diary from 7th august 1918. at 2.45 pm i left for flexicourt, where i had a talk with general rawlinson. everything is going on without a hitch, and the enemy seems in ignorance of the impending blow! i then went on to h0 canadian corps at dury and saw general currie commanding the corps. the latter said it had been a hustle

to be ready in time, but everything had been got in except two long—range guns. the platforms were ready for them and they would be got in by tonight. last night was our most critical moment. if the germans had bombarded the canadian zone, we could not have retaliated last night. tonight the situation is quite different and we are ready! general sir nicholas cart e chief of the defence staff, reading the extra ct the defence staff, reading the extract from field marshal hague's diary. written on 7th the national youth choir of great britain is considered to be one of the best in the world and they are

about to perform over there. it's a song popular with the united states military and public, during both world wars, it was a patriotic song, designed to galvanise american young men to inest —— enlist in the army. it is thought it was written in 1917, the year the united # johnnie, get your gun get your gun, get your gun # take it on the run on the run, on the run # hear them calling, you and me, every son of liberty # hurry right away, no delay, go today # make your daddy glad to have had such a lad # tell your sweetheart not to pine # to be proud her boy's in line # over there, over there # send the word, send the word over there

# that the yanks are coming, the yanks are coming # the drums rum—tumming everywhere # so prepare, say a prayer # send the word, send the word to beware # we'll be over, we're coming over # and we won't come back till it's over, over there # johnnie, get your gun get your gun, get your gun # johnnie show the hun who's a son of a gun # hoist the flag and let her fly, yankee doodle do or die # pack your little kit show your grit, do your bit # yankee to the ranks, from the towns and the tanks # make your mother proud of you

# and the old red, white and blue # over there, over there # send the word, send the word over there # that the yanks are coming, the yanks are coming # the drums rum—tumming everywhere # so prepare, say a prayer # send the word, send the word to beware # we'll be over, we're coming over # and we won't come back till it's over, over there #. # the drums rum—tumming everywhere # so prepare, say a prayer # send the word, send the word to beware # we'll be over, we're coming over # and we won't come back till it's over, over there the national youth choir of great

britain. and so to the battle itself. the 8th of august 1918. it began at 4:20am, a foggy morning in the fields around amiens. these are some of the soldiers stories. he speaks in french. translated from french:. testimony from alphonse thuillier, extract from his memoirs. a veteran of the 94th infantry regiment. the attack on 8th august, at first light, was launched

on an 80 kilometre front. we had british forces in the form of canadian troops on our left. when the artillery barrage started, the sky became completely red in a moment. we started the attack as day was breaking. a german machine gun positioned on top of the ravine on our side, that is to say opposite us, began spraying us with bursts of fire. we had to go to ground and crawl to shell holes to take cover, and try to get round it. the machine gunner with me fired a burst at the german machine gunner, while i was aiming at the officer who was there. he immediately put his hands up, and remembering the slaughter from the previous year at verdun, i changed the aim of the muzzle of my rifle and shot him in the head. as the machine gun was no longer

firing, all the riflemen in the flat open country could approach safely to take the ravine where a battery of german heavy artillery was located. the german gunners, who had gone into dugouts during the shelling by our artillery, were taken prisoner. special grenades were placed in the muzzles of the guns to damage them severely and prevent them being used again in case of an enemy counterattack and us being forced to withdraw. we had advanced about ten kilometres. during our daytime advance we saw the bodies of french soldiers who had been killed during the german advance in march and who had remained on the ground where they had fallen. the death toll for the attack on eight august 1918 was one dead, one too many alas, the section's

machine gunner, but there were a lot of wounded. extract from the story of the fourth army in the battles of the hundred days by a a montgomery. it describes the american forces on the 9th of august attack. the americans swept everything before them, and the german resistance collapsed. so precipitate was the retreat of the enemy that a german battalion commander fled from his dug—out, abandoning his orders, maps, and telephone switchboard. the americans were so impetuous that they outstripped the british on the left, and it was due to them that the objective was so quickly

and rapidly gained on the front of the 58th division. private southey, australian corps, from "forgotten voices of the great war" by max arthur. the morning of 8th august started very foggy indeed, and as our barrage opened, a tremendous barrage, we were wondering how we were going to get on. but, forward we pushed, and met comparatively slight opposition. some germans surrendered quickly, others fought to the end. as we pushed on wondering where we were, the sun broke

through and we began to see the countryside that we hadn't seen for quite a time. it was unscarred, all sorts of cultivated land, and we began to feel, "byjove, the war‘s coming to an end. we're getting through. " and we had a feeling of great uplift about the whole job. he speaks in french. translated from french: extract from the canadian expeditionary force. last night was quiet. the enemy did

not seem to have any doubt that a terrible attack was imminent. thousands and thousands of men concentrated at first lines and the formidable number of equipment was going to give rise to an appalling bombardment. at 420 in the morning it began, unbelievable violence, and under this steel curtain that made everything burst in the enemy trenches, a la infantry advanced supported. during the day, we got a considerable amount of equipment, cannons, and hundreds of gunners and thousands of prisoners, the french attack was also a great success. finally, it's the most beautiful day

that the allies had since the beginning of the war. the enemy was really beaten today and our confidence with regard to final success confidence with regard to final success has been increased. our losses, 14 men. tank commander wilfred bion on 8th august 1918 from the day we won the war by charles messenger. at 9.50pm handley page bombers were due to start flying along the front. the noise of their engines was supposed to cloak the roar of the tank engines so the enemy would not become suspicious. soon we heard the characteristic pulsating tone. just then, from two miles away, we heard the roar of the first tank engine starting up. the tanks, after the first one, helped to screen each other.

as each engine started, the driver throttled down to slow speed so that the roar became a diffuse murmur, and the murmur became and undifferentiated noise like traffic on the roads; it was just possible to believe that the enemy would be deceived. extracts from the post—war memoirs of paul von hindenburg, german army chief of staff on the battle of amiens, 8 august 1918. on the morning of august

8th our comparative peace was abruptly interrupted. in the southwest the noise of battle could clearly be heard. the first reports, which came from army headquarters in the neighbourhood of peronne, were serious. the enemy, employing large squadrons of tanks, had broken into our lines on both sides of the amiens—st quentin road. further details could not be given. the veil of uncertainty was lifted during the next few hours, though our telephone lines had been broken in many places. there was no doubt that the enemy had penetrated deeply into our positions and that batteries had been lost. on this august eighth we had to act as we had so often acted in equally menacing situations.

initial successes of the enemy were no new experience for us. we had seen them in 1916 and 1917, at verdun, arras, wytschaete and cambrai. we had only quite recently experienced and mastered another at soissons. but in the present case the situation was particularly serious. the great tank attack of the enemy had penetrated to a surprising depth. the tanks, which were faster than hitherto, had surprised divisional staffs in their headquarters and torn up the telephone lines which communicated with the battle front. i had no illusions about the political effects of our defeat on august eighth. our battles from july 15th to august fourth could be regarded,

both abroad and at home, as the consequence of an unsuccessful but bold stroke, such as may happen in any war. on the other hand, the failure of august eighth was revealed to all eyes as the consequences of an open weakness. to fail in an attack was a very different matter from being vanquished on the defence. the amount of booty which our enemy could publish to the world spoke a clear language. both the public at home and our allies could only listen in great anxiety. all the more urgent was it that we should keep our presence of mind and face the situation without illusions, but also without exaggerated pessimism. the soldiers stories. sexy young

cadets from the allied nations will 110w cadets from the allied nations will now lay wreath at the dedication plaques for their countries in the cathedral. as the choir and the raf band perform the evening hymn, last post and sunset. it will be followed bya post and sunset. it will be followed by a minutes silence. music: "evening hymn, last post and sunset". they were young, as we are young, they served, giving

freely of themselves. to them, we pledge, amid the winds of time, to carry their torch and never forget. we will remember them. she speaks in french. ils etaientjeunes, jeunes comme nous, ils ont servi, donnant genereusement d'eux—memes. nous leur promettons, en depit du temps qui passe, de porter le flambeau et de ne jamais oublier. nous nous souviendrons d'eux. it is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. rather we should thank god such men lived.

they are not dead, not even broken. only their dust has gone back home to the earth. for they — the essential they — shall have re—birth whenever a word of them is spoken. those who have died from the home land, the crowd comes and prays. among the most beautiful name, their

name is the most beautiful. all glory near them passes. and falls, ephemeral, and as a mother would do, the voice of an entire people rocks them in their graves. they shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old. age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. at the going down of the sun and in the morning we will remember them. music: "evening hymn, last post and sunset". music: hymn to the fallen.

hymn to the fallen. per—portsmouthed by the national youth choir of great britain. now to the story about what happened after the battle of amiens. the former president of the federal

republic of germany will read a poem. we begin with captain maxime fournier. from the canon frederick george scott cmg dso, senior chaplain, first canadian division, cef. here and there i met wounded men walking back, and many german prisoners. in the fields in different directions i could see rifles stuck, bayonet downwards, in the ground, which showed that there lay wounded men. i found that these were chiefly germans, and all of them had received hideous wounds and were clamouring for water. poor men, i was sorry for them, for i knew it would be long before they could be carried out or receive medical attention, owing to the rapidity of our advance. i made my way to each in turn

and gave him a drink from some of the water bottles which i carried round my belt. i think all the germans i saw that morning were dying, having been wounded in the stomach. after attending, as far as it was possible, to their bodily needs, i endeavoured to minister to their spiritual. as they happened to be roman catholics, i took off the crucifix which i wore round my neck and gave it to them. they would put up their trembling hands and clasp it lovingly, and kiss it, while i began the lord's prayer in german. this happened many times that day. one man who had a hideous wound in the abdomen was most grateful, and when he handed me back the crucifix he took translated from german

after a bad dream, aftera bad dream, iam after a bad dream, i am a soldier and stand in the field and no one in the world, i cannot celebrate this rainy day, so tenderly concerned, damp and leaden, since, at night, your image broke my sleep and brought me near to you. i am a

soldier and stand in the field, gun on my arm and farfrom the soldier and stand in the field, gun on my arm and far from the world. where i at home, i would close door and windows and remain alone for a long time. sink into the sofa's corner with closed eyes, thinking of you. iam corner with closed eyes, thinking of you. i am a soldier in the bleak field. here, the old human world ends. the rain sings. de wet stains flow. i can do nothing only shoot lead. don't know why. i still do it. as if! lead. don't know why. i still do it. as if i must. into the grey weather, a shot cracks. quote from lt harold williams,

fifth division aif, wounded in the battle of peronne and evacuated to a casualty clearing station at daours. that these women worked their long hours among such surroundings without collapsing spoke volumes for their will—power and sense of duty. the place reeked with the odours of blood, anti—septic dressings, and unwashed bodies. the nurses saw the war stripped of even the excitement of an attack. they saw soldiers in their most pitiful state —

wounded, blood—stained, dirty, reeking of blood and filth. the strain was such that it was almost incredible that a woman could stand it and retain her sanity. letter from frank cousins, canadian soldier, to his mother on 12 november 1918 — looking back to amiens. my dear mother. the remarkable and long—looked for day has at last arrived and the happenings of the past week are beyond my power of description. how much has happened

since on the morning of august 8th we were awakened out of our doze in that motor lorry as the big guns belched forth the first rounds of the barrage for the amiens affairs. how little we thought that in less than four months the victory would be won. it is hard to realise that it is all over and for me over here the truth will be fully appreciated until we reach home. but war is no more — in our time at least and we can once more "move and live and have our being" — in short, be human. major general george bell to lt gen

rhk butler, 11 august 1918. the division is proud to have participated in this historic battle with the gallant british troops under your command. permit me to send you the most hearty congratulations on the brilliant work of your forces and to express the confident hope of further and combined victories for our combined arms. she speaks in french. translated from french:. extract from the diary of hermenegilde duchaussoy, mayor of amiens from may 1916. on the 8th of august, the 8th of

august will be known in history as the beginning of a battle which would last three months, first of all amiens wearing at the german armies and finally giving a victory. to communicate the 10th of august for all of the people amiens becomes the most beautiful communique to listen to. our troops took out their fond during the day after conquering to the south and then i had tears in my eyes by reading this, because it's a victory and it is the saving of amiens, we could live there again. we would no longer be refugees. for me, i have no more, my home, our house, it's inhabitable. i'm going to have to find a new

place for the family. 12th of august, the officer from the fire services and his interpreter are prepared to take me to amiens. i saw the commander from the paris fire man, and peer, who is no longer looking after evacuation. during the day, king george coming in the front, visited the cathedral, and decorated it. he offered tea. the town is very sad, despite the deja vu, i'm still really touched by our monuments and oui’ vu, i'm still really touched by our monuments and our houses which have been demolished and set fire to. amiens is empty. the shops of no goods and the factories can't work because they don't have raw materials. they don't have any of

course, the population will only be able to come back to amiens after there's been a complete and permanent organisation of food and material means for them to live in. extract from prime minister lloyd george's diary. 1918. the fact of the matter was that the british army itself did not realise the extent and effect of the triumph they had won that day. they were thinking in the terms of past offensives when a gain of a few kilometres in an attack was as much as they could hope

to accomplish, and experience had taught them the dangers of advancing too far because the germans invariably rallied, brought up their reserves and counterattacked with verve and skill. they had not yet understood that they were confronted to—day with an enemy who had lost much of his dash and combative strength. the reports of the battle received by the cabinet from the front showed how little even the victors understood the immense effect of the triumph they had won. the actual ground captured was not extensive. the effect of the victory was moral and not territorial. it revealed to friend and foe alike the breakdown of the german power of resistance. more finally even than by the french

counter—offensive of july 18th were the germans driven by the british stroke of august eighth to realise that all hope of victory had passed. after the july defeat, whilst they came to the conclusion that their offensive had finally failed they still hoped to reorganise their army effectively for an impenetrable defence. after the amiens battle even this seemed impossible. ludendorff admits — "the eighth august demonstrated the collapse of our fighting strength, and in the light of our recruiting situation it took from me any hope of discovering some strategic measure which would reestablish the position in ourfavour. an end must be put to the war." # god save our gracious queen

# long live our noble queen # god save the queen # send her victorious # happy and glorious # long to reign over us # god save the queen. # # allons enfants de la patrie le jour de gloire est arrive # contre nous de la tyrannie l'etendard sangla nt est leve # l'etendard sanglant est leve # entendez—vous dans les campagnes

mugir ces feroces soldats # ils viennentjusque dans vos bras egorger vos fils, vos compagnes # aux armes, citoyens formez vos bataillons # marchons, marchons # qu'un sang impur abreuve nos sillons # the british and french national

anthem is bringing this event to a close. it has been a very simple but very powerful commemoration of a battle which did so much to turn the tide of world war i. at its heart, the thoughts, the words, letters of those who were here at the time 100 yea rs those who were here at the time 100 years ago today. before they leave the cathedral, the dignitaries will lay floral tributes in the chapel behind the main altar. it's otherwise known as the chapel of the allies and it was opened in november 1920 and hanging inside there are national flags of the allied nations. the union flag was presented to the bishop of amiens in

1920 by general henry rawlinson and who command of the army during the battle of amiens. the original flag still hangs there.