Their heroism has long been overshadowed by Gallipoli, but the Australians who died on the Western Front in World War I were honoured with the first official Anzac Day dawn service in France.
The sound of bagpipes greeted the thousands of Australians who turned up for the service at the Australian National Memorial on the outskirts of the small rural town at Villers-Bretonneux.
The dawn service marked the 90th anniversary of the Australians' recapture of Villers-Bretonneux on Anzac day in 1918, halting the German advance towards Paris.
More than 1,500 diggers were killed during the battle and many now lie buried in the cemetery adjoining the towering memorial.
About 46,000 Australian soldiers died on the Western Front in France and Belgium during WWI.
The names and home towns of 10,771 Australian soldiers who went missing in action on the Western Front in France and who have no known grave are listed on the memorial's walls.
Up to 4,000 Australians were among the ranks of those gathered for today's service - some of them war veterans wearing slouch hats.
They were told that the service was a time to renew the friendship between Australia and France, and a time to say thankyou to the people of Villers-Bretonneux for keeping alive the memory of those who had died.
"In the trenches of France and Belgium, our small nation suffered horrific losses," Australia's Minister for Veterans' Affairs, Alan Griffin, told the service.
"By the end of the war, our forces on the Western Front lost more than 46,000 men....from a population of only five million."
Mr Griffin said the victory at Villers-Bretonneux was a key moment in the eventual victory over the Germans.
"It must be said that our strong connection with the Anzacs at Gallipoli has, over the years, overshadowed our commemoration of the Australians who gave so much on the Western Front," he said.
"So this morning, on this 90th anniversary, I am proud to see so many Australians present for this special Anzac Day dawn service."
Australians soldiers had given their lives not only for their own nation, but in the defence of France.
"Today is a time to renew the friendship between Australia and France that has grown from our shared history.
"And today is a time to say thankyou to the people of Villers-Bretonneux.
"Long ago, you promised that the memory of the Australians who fought and died here would be kept alive.
"You have kept your promise and today, on behalf of the government and people of Australia, we express our deepest gratitude for the care and respect that you continue to show to our fallen.
"Merci."
