The Australian War Memorial Collection. Test site
The main street of Pozieres after heavy bombardment by the British and the Germans, looking towards Bapaume. Note the shattered remains of trees. Between 23 July and early September 1916, the 1st, 2nd and 4th Divisions between them launched 19 attacks on German positions in and around the ruins of Pozieres. The Australians suffered 23,000 casualties while advancing two kilometres; British and Australian artillery were no match for German artillery and machine guns. The German bombardment was the heaviest and longest lasting experienced by the AIF during the First World War.
Australian infantry watching the artillery bombardment of Pozieres. Between 23 July and early September 1916, the 1st, 2nd and 4th Divisions between them launched 19 attacks on German positions in an
A German shell bursting on the battlefield. On the horizon are a few straggly trees, probably shattered by shellfire. Between 23 July and early September 1916, the 1st, 2nd and 4th Divisions between
The devastation on the site of the church in a village destroyed during the Somme Offensive. Between 23 July and early September 1916, the 1st, 2nd and 4th Divisions between them launched 19 attacks
Several unidentified soldiers, some carrying jerrycans or picks, walk along a line of trenches excavated during the German advance along the side of the road leading to Pozieres. In the centre two me
The shattered back gardens of the village of Pozieres, seen from the Pozieres-Bapaume road. In the distance on the far right is 'Gibraltar', the German fortified observation post. In the foreground
The remains of the French village of Pozieres as it appeared shortly after capture by the Australians. The 1st Division captured Pozieres on 25 July, but the Germans counter attacked strongly with su
