Albert Jacka Victoria Cross
Australia's greatest front line soldier of WWI
The story of Bert Jacka whose bravery at Gallipoli and the Western Front was seldom equalled but why was he not promoted to a more befitting rank?
Enlistment in 1914
Albert Jacka was justifiably regarded as Australia’s greatest frontline soldier of World War 1. He was born in January 1893 at Winchelsea in Victoria and was remembered as a quiet, almost shy youngster but always prepared to defend his highest principles. Jacka was an early enlistment in the A.I.F. (Australian Imperial Force) at the outbreak of war in August 1914.In October 1914 the First Convoy assembled at King George’s Sound in Western Australia prior to sailing for Europe.. The expectation was to serve on the Western Front but with Turkey’s decision to enter the war as an ally to the Central Powers the convoy proceeded to Egypt where the troops were disembarked. There they began intensive training for the proposed landing on the Gallipoli Peninsula.
The landing
Following the drama and confusion of that first day the Anzac force clung to a tenuous foothold in a maze of trenches and outposts. For the following eight months and despite incredible sacrifice the force was unable to break out of its shallow perimeter to any significant degree.On 19 May the Turkish forces made a concentrated assault to drive the invaders into the sea. In pre-dawn darkness 40,000 troops moved across no-man’s- land and attacked the entrenched positions in the Lone Pine sector where a combined Anzac force held the line. .
Victoria Cross
Some managed to seize portions of the defence system at Courteney’s Post. It was there that Lance Corporal Albert Jacka leapt into a captured trench, single-handedly killed seven enemy and forced the remainder to abandon the position. For his actions Jacka was awarded the Victoria Cross, the first to an Australian in World War 1. Following the action Jacka was promoted to sergeant major.
Western Front
In December 1915 the decision was made to evacuate the Peninsula. The entire operation was conducted in a skilful manner and without incurring the loss of a single life. It represented the one success in a generally bungled campaign. On their return to Egypt the veterans were merged with vast numbers of recently arrived Australian reinforcements in camp there.This resulted in the creation of two new divisions; the Fourth, of which Jacka's 14th battalion became a component and the Fifth, which absorbed units of the original First Division. In March 1916 First Anzac Corps, comprising the First and Second Divisions sailed for France, followed later by Second Corps, the Fourth and Fifth Divisions.
Bloody Pozieres
One of their first battles was at Pozieres; the site of the most concentrated bombardment experienced by troops in World War 1. For 3 bloody weeks attack and counter attack swayed back and forth with the Australians refusing to concede any hard-won ground.On 8 August Lieutenant Jacka performed a series of deeds considered to be the most outstanding of the war. A massive barrage had virtually wiped out frontline elements of the Fourth Brigade. In the ensuing enemy assault the survivors were forced to surrender and march to the rear as P.O.W.s. Jacka and eight men were sheltering from the barrage in a dugout as the assault passed over them. Jacka led the unwounded survivors from their shelter, and without hesitation they flung themselves at the enemy infantry.
Seriously wounded
In the melee that involved savage hand-to-hand combat, Jacka was reported to have killed twenty of the enemy. So effective was the diversion that the Australian prisoners turned on their captors and overwhelmed them; turning a reverse into a victory. Jacka’s team was reduced to just himself as he attacked four enemy firing at him from a shell hole. Three times he was hit and each time he regained his feet and continued towards them. At that point they attempted to surrender.Jacka was forced to kill all four as they would have certainly killed him once his back was turned. He lay there seriously wounded for some time before he was retrieved by stretcher-bearers and carried to an aid post. It was a tribute to his fortitude that he recovered from his wounds, such was their severity.
While he was convalescing in an English hospital Jacka was awarded the Military Cross.General consensus was that his actions at the very least merited the Victoria Cross. Jacka’s bravery was never an issue but his impatience and criticism of Staff officers were factors that held back any promotion from captain and other awards. During his spell in hospital Jacka considered a transfer to the Royal Flying Corps. On reflection he chose to return to his old battalion.In June 1917 the Fourth Division was involved alongside the Third Division at the successful Battle of Messines. Captain Jacka carried out vital patrol work and laid the jumping-off tapes prior to the infantry assault. His efforts were recognized with the award of the DSO. In May 1918 he was gassed and again suffered further wounding, which incapacitated him until the armistice.
This remarkable soldier survived the war, and in partnership with a comrade from the 14th battalion he set up an electrical import business. It was located at St. Kilda in suburban Melbourne where he had settled and eventually became its mayor. Their business prospered until the Great Depression of 1929 forced its closure. Jacka suffered badly as most and was urged to take a seat in parliament. The offer was refused. His fierce pride did not permit him to shelter behind the security of a political career.Finally the career of Australia’s greatest front lone soldier was reduced to that of a traveling soap salesman. He died in Caulfield Military Hospital in January 1932; aged 39 years. Even Jacka’s indomitable spirit was not sufficient to withstand the ravages of his wounds and the effects of poison gas.
