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Dear colleague,Anzac Day has particular significance as once again we acknowledge the centenary of World War One. Last year we remembered the Gallipoli campaign. This year we consider the Western Front, where Gallipoli veterans were joined by recruits in the battlefields of France and Belgium. H Septimus Power, artist, 1920. (Australian War Memorial number ART03333.) FromellesIn the battle of Fromelles (19-20 July, 1916) in northern France, the Australian 5th and British 61st Infantry Divisions sought to capture German trenches, preventing the enemy from reinforcing troops at the Somme. Parts of the trenches were occupied for up to eleven hours before the German counterattack drove the Allies back. Five and a half thousand Australians were killed or injured in brutal combat, making the 24 hours following the commencement of the battle the worst in Australian military history. PozièresLess than 100km south of Fromelles, the village of Pozières was the site of another attack on German lines. Following British advances on 13-15 July, 1916, Pozières was in ruins, 12 thousand British soldiers were dead or wounded, and only small advances had been made against the German trenches. On 23 July, members of Australia's 1st Infantry Division began a successful campaign to take ground from German forces. The 2nd and 4th Divisions succeeded the 1st, which had suffered heavy casualties, and continued the slow advance over ground held previously by German forces. The three Divisions continued to relieve each other until 3 September, when extreme losses halted their advance. Nearly 23 thousand Australians were killed or wounded in the campaign. |
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Early YearsDifficult memories: reflecting in war |
Middle YearsEulogy for the Unknown Australian Soldier |
Upper YearsABC News Special: Fromelles |
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Learning PathWhat's New in Scootle? |
Watch ThisThe changing roles of women on Anzac Day |
Mobile AppsSpirit of ANZAC Centenary 360 |
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