The Full Story of the Courageous Australian Victory – The Rev. DR Peter Swain
Reading about the victory at Pozieres is exciting, but I write about it with mixed emotions – great pride in the courage and achievement of the Australian troops, but also great sorrow at the enormous number of casualties. Australians went to war because well-equipped forces of German soldiers had invaded France and Belgium and we went to help the Allies drive them out. By 1916, some two million French troops were dead and their situation was perilous. The Australian soldiers were in the First Anzac Corps and many were veterans of the Gallipoli campaign. They were sent to help the British troops and served under British officers, as they had at Gallipoli.
The German forces were well established in Pozieres. This village was of strategic importance, situated up on a ridge, where the enemy troops were able to overlook the surrounding battlefield. Five times the British Fourth Army had tried to capture Pozieres but had failed at each attempt, with huge casualties. Now the Australians were to be given the task. General Sir Douglas Haig, the British Commander in Chief, said “This will be a chance for the Aussies of the 1st Anzac Corps to show what they can do.” The initial attack was to be made by the AIF’s First Division, with the Second and Fourth Divisions in reserve.
To attack and take Pozieres was extremely dangerous. It was defended by German artillery – huge cannons sending hundreds of exploding shells down on attackers. Some of the shells released poisonous gas. In front of the ridge there was barbed wire and rows of trenches containing armed infantry troops. There were deadly machine gun nests firing down across the battlefield. To get into Pozieres, the Aussies would have to advance across no-man’s land, no longer pleasant pastures but now extremely rough terrain, covered with shell holes, destroyed trenches, stubbles of scrub and unexploded bombs.
Here’s how they succeeded. On the night of the battle it was very dark. The plan was to attack and capture Pozieres village; defended by well-trained and determined German troops. Actually there was not much of the village left – it had been blown to bits by the Allies shelling.
A photograph shows that there was only one building standing – a large stone one called by the Germans “the Blockhouse” and by our side “Gibraltar”. German soldiers were able to shelter in cellars and bunkers beneath the rubble of houses and buildings, as well as in the rows of trenches on the ridge. Further across the ridge was its highest point, on which stood the remains of a windmill. Here, the Germans were able to look over the whole battlefield, and direct their artillery to make for very accurate shelling.
It was agreed that the attack on Pozieres would begin on the 23rd July just after midnight. The 1st Division, under Major General Harold Walker, took several days to thoroughly prepare. For protection the Aussies wore metal helmets, usually referred to as “tin hats”, though a few ignored the danger and preferred their felt slouch hats. They carried rifles fitted with bayonets for hand-to-hand fighting, ammunition belts, gas masks, grenades, Mills bombs, and shovels to dig trenches. Also empty sandbags to fill and provide cover. As they awaited the order to go over the top, some prayed, and some scrawled a letter to parents, wives or sweethearts. It would perhaps be for the last time, as they knew they were facing likely death.
Before the advance began, the German lines were subject to intense shelling and bombing by our artillery. The intensity of the barrage was frightening – said to be 70 shells a minute. At 10 minutes past midnight, as the barrage began to ease, waves of Australians begin to creep across no-man’s land towards the agreed starting line for attacking the enemy trenches. The defenders lit up no-man’s land with flares so their snipers could get better shots at their attackers, and hundreds were slaughtered, cut down by shells and shrapnel and the deadly German machine guns. But orders had to be obeyed and many reached the place to wait for the final charge.
Then, at 12.30 am – three blasts on whistles – and the main Pozieres trenches and machine gun nests were rushed by the Aussies. Many of them had been cricketers who were accurate at throwing and their aim with grenades was deadly. They were so ferocious that many enemy soldiers were killed and others ran away or surrendered. The noise of the battle was deafening. After about two hours of fighting, Pozieres village had been conquered by the Aussies. Before daylight they had captured other German positions along the ridge. Quickly they dug trenches as they knew that the enemy was certain to make counter attacks. And sure enough they did, extending the battle of Pozieres by another couple of weeks. Losing over half their men, the 1st Division troops were replaced by the 2nd Australian Division.
After more weeks of terrible conflict the Aussies captured the windmill lookout, the highest point on the ridge, which denied the Germans their commanding views of all the surrounding battlefields. There were huge losses again and the 4th Infantry Division was called up. The Germans tried many counter attacks but failed to recapture Pozieres. After many failures, it was the first and most significant Allied victory on the Western Front.
We mourn the huge numbers of dead and wounded. The total casualties were around 23,000. They must not be forgotten. The people of France have warm hearts towards Australia for coming to their aid, and they lovingly care for our war graves and memorials. The courage and daring of the Australian Anzacs at Pozieres was meritorious. Many received battle honours, and three were awarded the Victoria Cross.
In conclusion, here in our Village in Pozieres Avenue, with our new building called Pozieres House, we remember and commemorate the village of Pozieres, captured by brave Australians 105 years ago to help bring freedom and peace to the people of France.
