The Australian War Memorial Collection. Test site
Men and pack mules rounding Idiot Corner, on Westhoek Ridge, in Belgium, moving up to the front line. To follow the duckboard and corduroy track was to be seen silhouetted against the skyline, both from the Australian position and that of the enemy - before he was driven from Broodseinde Ridge. But passage over any part other than the top of the ridge was impossible owing to mud. At this point many transports and guns were wrecked by the constant shellfire, and others were lost in the morass. One vehicle actually sank out of sight in the ooze a little to the right of the picture.
This is a composite photograph created by Hurley in 1918. It combines the line of horses, seen on the horizon and captured in E01197, with another photograph of the corduroy track taken from the same position and held at E01222. Although not his most ambitious composite, it shows Hurley's eye for detail and lengths to which he would go to complete a scene.
A view of the road running up to Idiot Corner, on the Westhoek Ridge, in the Ypres sector. The photograph illustrates the difficulties of transportation on an exposed road. Note the debris on the side
Australian troops making their way to the trenches, along a track to Westhoek, which is strewn with wreckage.
Australian troops passing along the track leading to Idiot Corner, at Westhoek Ridge, in the Ypres sector. From left is Stirling Castle, a 6 inch gun out of action, duckboard track, Chateau Wood, Hoog
Australian reserves making their way to the front line, and pack mules returning along the track which lead from Idiot Corner to Westhoek Ridge, in the Ypres sector. Bellevarde Ridge can be seen in th
Hurley's assistant, Sergeant W. Joyce, with photographic equipment over his shoulders, making his way across the Westhoek Ridge near Zonnebeke in the Ypres sector. As the wreckage along either side of
The 26th Battalion returning from the line along the duckboard track between Zonnebeke and Westhoek Ridge, in the Ypres sector. The Butte de Polygon can be seen on the right. Identified is 1523 Corpor
The winding duckboard tracks from Molenaarelsthoek to Westhoek Ridge and Chateau Wood, in the Ypres sector. Remus Wood is in the valley to the right, Retaliation Farm in the middle distance, and Tokio
A general view of the battlefield at Hannebeek in the Ypres sector. In the foreground are the duckboard and corduroy tracks leading to Westhoek and Anzac Ridge, and beyond it several Australian artill
