COMMEMORATING THE BEGINNING OF THE END OF WORLD WAR 1: THE ADVANCE TO VICTORY Called the Great War because it was the biggest, bloodiest and most savage to date, the horrors of WWI were so great it was mistakenly thought such a disastrous conflict could never occur again. The casualties were unthinkable: estimated at some nine million combatants and nearly as many civilians. Not accurately countable. Would the enemy, led by Germany, ever be defeated? In the darkness a small glimmer of hope began to glow. Intimations of victory emerged as the Allies began to inflict continuing defeats, beginning at Amiens, followed by decisive battles for Perrone, Mont St Quentin, the Hindenburg Line, St Quentin Canal, Montbrehain — culminating in the signing of the Armistice at Compeigne Forest on 11 November 1918. Previous difficulties and bickering between British, Australian and American forces were curtailed as the need for close cooperation became more urgent than ever. It was clearly time to pull together in order to defeat a disciplined, able and up until then, successful enemy. As the Allies lifted their game, they employed new strategies and techniques: dropping supplies by parachute, deploying massed tanks and armoured transport more effectively, maximising communications effectiveness and above all, ensuring maximum coordination between the infantry, artillery and tanks of the various forces. The Germans, so accustomed to winning, were shocked by their defeat at the Battle of Amiens, declaring it a “black day”. It was the first of many, crushing German morale and leading to ultimate Allied victory. That victory is celebrated on this exclusive Bradford Mint 50mm Commemorative coin and its exquisitely etched depiction of the winged goddess of Victory with laurel wreath and raised sword. A truly inspiring figure flanked by combat aircraft, tanks, doves of peace and a lone soldier mourning a fallen comrade. The coin’s title, ADVANCE TO VICTORY Amiens to Armistice is prominent above and the battles that ended WWI are named along the circumference. It is a fine and fitting tribute to all who endured the conflict and its long aftermath.