On the Eve of Battle: Documents introducing the AIF to the Western Front - I: Offensive spirit
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 organised to be battle-ready.
Offensive spirit
The tremendous emphasis the Commander in Chief placed on "offensive spirit" informs the reader that the real war was at hand. Training to deal with the loss of officers suggests the British anticipated costly fighting ahead.
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 guiding efforts in writing the First World War official histories.
Useful links
Today's featured item may be used in conjunction with Memorial collections to gain a broader perspective on the eve of battle in 1916. These include the General Staff Headquarters diaries of the AIFs 1st, 2nd and 4th Divisions (all referred to in the document), the battle of Pozieres itself and Chapters III to VIII of Charles Beans First World War Official Histories.
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Lessons from Verdun