The Australian War Memorial Collection. Test site
A German stronghold, consisting of a number of concrete redoubts, at Nonne Bosschen, in the Ypres sector, captured by the 3rd and 7th Brigades, in the Australian attack on 20 September 1917, and photographed the next day. The method of construction of the average type of enemy shelter is seen here. Slabs of concrete cemented and built in a mould form the sides, with reinforcements of wood and iron in the roof, which is covered by a 6 inch layer of solid concrete. Although it was almost impossible to completely destroy this type of shelter by shellfire, the occupants were frequently killed by concussion from direct hits on the structure.
Unidentified soldiers of the 1st Division outside their shelter at Nonne Bosschen, in the Ypres sector. The only respect in which these structures are strong is in contrast to the concrete fortresses
View of a captured German stronghold in the artillery torn ground at Nonne Bosschen, in the Ypres sector, where the Germans made unsuccessful attempts to stem the Australian advance in that area twent
A line of concrete shelters (pillboxes) in the swamp of Nonne Bosschen, taken by the 1st Division, showing the condition of the depressions on the battlefield even after several weeks of dry weather.
View of dead Germans around a heavily concreted pill box, between Nonne Bosschen and Polygon Wood, in the Ypres sector, the day following the Australian attack on 20 September 1917. The fire from thes
A German concrete pillbox, between Nonne Bosschen and Polygon Wood, in the Ypres Sector, where fifteen German prisoners sheltered during the Australian attack. Identified, left to right: 550 Bombardie
An unidentified Australian soldier looking through the loophole of a captured machine gun emplacement at Kit and Kat, in the Ypres sector. Although solidly built of concrete slabs, supported by heavy
