Late last week, in the village of Villers-Bretonneux, hundreds of Australians gathered to commemorate the efforts of their countrymen in World War I on the French front (Sydney Morning-Herald). VB, as it was known, had been captured by the Germans, who viewed it as a gateway for a march on Paris. The Australians fought - and regained - the town, but at an enormous cost: 1,200 lives. Even so, this battle was not the bloodiest for the Aussies in France during the Great War. At Fromelles, in 1916, there were over 5,000 casualties, including nearly 2,000 deaths.
Villers-Bretonneau planned a week-long celebration of the Australians, in recognition of the 90th anniversary of the battle. Anzac Day, a national holiday in Australia, New Zealand, and elsewhere, takes place on April 25 and also honors the soldiers of World War I who fought at Gallipoli.
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