On the eve of battle I: Documents introducing the AIF to the Western Front - Offensive operations
1 min read
In June and early July nearly 100 years ago, the newly arrived Australian Imperial Force moved into their allocated positions for the coming British offensives on the Western Front. On The Eve of Battle presents a select group of documents highlighting the grim and the curious as the Australian and New Zealanders readied themselves.
The images taken from the collection are designed highlight the documentary record behind the Australian efforts on the Western Front, prior to baptisms of fire at Fromelles and Pozieres. The evidence for these is to be found in AWM26, an official records series of operational extracts created by Charles Bean for use in writing the official histories.