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Victory at Villers-Bretonneux

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Victory at Villers-Bretonneux

By: Peter FitzSimons
Narrated by: Robert Meldrum
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About this listen

On Anzac Day 1918, when the town of Villers-Bretonneux falls to the British defenders, it is the Australians who are called on to save the day, the town and the entire battle.

It's early 1918, and after four brutal years the fate of the Great War hangs in the balance. On the one hand, the fact that Vladimir Lenin and the Bolsheviks have seized power in Russia - immediately suing for peace with Germany - means that no fewer than one million of the Kaiser's soldiers can now be transferred from there to the Western Front. On the other, now that America has entered the war, it means that two million American soldiers are also on their way, to tip the scales of war in favor of the Allies.

The Germans, realising that their only hope is striking at the Allied lines first, do exactly that, and on the morning of 21 March 1918, the Kaiserschlacht, the Kaiser's battle, is launched - the biggest set-piece battle the world has ever seen.

©2016 Peter FitzSimons. Produced by arrangement with Penguin Random House Australia Pty Ltd (P)2016 Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd Military World War Russia Solider
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This book is an amazing insight into the actual battles fought by our countrymen. I strongly recommend it to anyone who seeks deeper insight into Australian actions.

In glory they lay

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I found this book to be well written well read,very interesting ,great first hand accounts help bring you into the feel of the hell all those man on both sides went through.great book for all people interested in a story of hero's.wish he would write one about what the kiwis did over there.

Victory at villers bretonneux

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great book loved it if you are into war amd especially Australian war history youll love this book

awesome

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An incredible account of some of Australia's critical contribution to the victory of the First World War.

outstanding

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What did you like most about Victory at Villers-Bretonneux?

Good balance provided by including the perspective of all participants - French, English, German, Canadian, Russian and Australian. Although parochial, it was perhaps needed to right the wrongs inflicted by an embarrassed British Military, who gave little mention of the involvement of the Australian soldiers in the 2nd battle of Villers-Bretonneux. I loved the insight provided by letters and diary entries.

How could the performance have been better?

The narrator used a plummy British accent which grated and lost the impact of the FitzSimons narration style, which is very much Australian. Place names in Australia were mispronounced (Walcha, Murwillumbah as examples), which is unforgivable. And don't get me started on the narrator's Scottish accent. I would have loved to have heard FitzSimons narrate this himself.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Both. There was a spontaneous poem written by a private soldier about his recently deceased battalion commander - raw and beautiful and very emotional. The demise of the "Red Baron" was also beautifully re-told.

Well structured story but new narrator needed

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I've listened to a few of these historical recounts and sometimes they are hard to get through. but this one was great, easy to follow and overall just a great story.

what a great story, and told so well

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Another amazing book by Peter F, thank you I have learnt so much of our history from your extensive investigation and I am so looking forward to visiting VB in the near future. I live fairly close to Strathewen PS and didn’t know that final story about the connection to VB, it brought tears to my eyes and will visit there also. Thank you Peter for rounding off your books with what happened post event to the main figures, it ties off the book well.
So looking forward to reading another of your wonderful books .

Victory at VB

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Diary entries and personal accounts along with the German perspective give body to what could simply be a documentary. A vivid illustration of why a non-conscription, volunteer fighting force is a powerful entity.

Personal accounts add life

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Such an important part of Australian history that we all should be aware of. Without the heroics of the Australians who knows how different the outcome may have been. They deserve the recognition today that they did not receive 100 years ago.

Australian heroics

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was amazing i cried a a a a a a a a a as ad

cried at the end

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