Battle of Hangard-en-Santerre
Summary
The battle of Hangard-en-Santerre was a Franco-Australian attempt to halt the German advance toward Amiens, a strategic junction. The French, supported by the Australian Corps, counter-attacked in the Villers-Bretonneux and Hangard sector. Fighting was violent, often hand-to-hand, in a landscape devastated by bombardment.
Historical context
Within the framework of Operation Michael, the Germans sought to sever the junction between the British and French armies. The region around Amiens became a priority objective. Coordination between the French army and Commonwealth forces intensified on this occasion, inaugurating a new dynamic.
Tactics
French units held the southern flank of the Allied dispositions, conducting night attacks and ambushes in the ruins of Hangard. French and Australian squadrons provided reconnaissance and harassment of enemy rear lines. Night attacks aimed to retake the surrounding woods.
Consequences
Despite heavy losses, the Franco-Australians succeeded in stopping the German advance in this sector. This tactical success preserved the link between Amiens and the front. It also symbolised the growing strength of inter-Allied cooperation, now reinforced under the unified command of General Foch.