The Australian War Memorial Collection. Test site
Corroded British pattern 08 cast iron entrenching tool head. The spade-like tool is intact, but the helve (wooden handle) is missing.
An entrenching tool was issued to each Australian infantryman along with a complete set of pattern 1908 webbing and equipment. The entrenching tool was an important piece of equipment carried by infantrymen when marching and fighting, attached to the webbing for easy access. It was a versatile tool, used to dig defensive and fighting trenches, and was used as a weapon in the close confines of trenches for hand to hand fighting.
This pattern 08 entrenching tool head was found near the French village of Bullecourt. In April and May 1917, Bullecourt was the scene of fierce fighting as Australian troops attacked the German Hindenburg Line. Consisting of deep trenches, dugouts and pillboxes, protected by wide belts of barbed-wire and cleverly sited machine-guns, the Hindenburg Line was a formidable defensive system. By the end of the Second Battle of Bullecourt in mid-May, the Australians had lost 10,000 men killed, wounded, missing or taken prisoner. These were losses from which the AIF never fully recovered.
Rusted cast iron 1908 pattern entrenching tool head. The spade end has been damaged by shrapnel, as has the hole where the helve (handle) would be placed. The spade is impressed with a partially legib
Rusted cast iron 1908 pattern entrenching tool head. Both the spade and pick ends have been damaged by shrapnel. The ferrule, also damaged and distorted by shrapnel damage, is wedged into the entrench
1908 Pattern entrenching tool helve carrier. It consists of a pair of horizontal double looped webbing straps attached to a short vertical strap with brass buckle at the top. The strap forming the upp
Generally intact, but heavily corroded Pattern 07 bayonet with a straight cross guard and clearance hole in the pommel. Only a small fragment of wood from the grips remains on the left side. Standar
Cast iron 1908 pattern entrenching tool head with a battle damaged spade head. Stamped on the spade is a [broad arrow symbol] and what appears to be '18' below it. Opposite is stamped possibly 'V O' a
Pattern 1908 webbing entrenching tool head carrier. On the reverse are two tabs with buckles for attachment to the shoulder straps (RELAWM07759.001). On the front right is a fastening tab secured with
