100 Years Ago: Mont St Quentin Secured by Australian 2nd Division

2 September 1918

The Assault on Mont St Quentin

The tiny village of Mont-Saint-Quentin sits on a hillside overlooking the town of Péronne. During their occupation of the town from 1914, the Germans turned the mount into an exceptional observation point and strategic position. Incorporated into the strong lines of German defense it became a well defended, impregnable fortress, which was not taken in battle until September 1918. Between 29 August and 2 September 1918, several thousand men of the 2nd Australian Division attacked this position, which formed the key to the liberation of Péronne. They were well aware of the importance of the attack; Corporal Philip Starr of the 21st Battalion wrote "It would certainly have meant the withdrawal of the force threatening Péronne...had we failed." Mont St Quentin was finally captured and held securely in Australian hands by 2 September 1918. This feat is often regarded as one of the finest achievements of the Australian Imperial Force during the Great War.

Second Division Monument, Mont St Quentin

Source: Historial de la Grande Guerre