Australia in France

British official film taken at the request of Australian authorities shows the Prime Minister the Right Honourable William Morris (Billy) Hughes and High Commissioner of Australia visit to the Western Front from where they were met by General William Riddell Birdwood after the arrival of the AIF from Egypt. These troops were billeted in villages behind the lines where they underwent further training. As summer came the Germans bombarded and raided their trenches causing casualties which were treated at the casualty clearing and dressing station for transport later to hospital behind the lines where they were cared for by Australian nurses. Australian New Zealand and Canadian forest units stage wood cutting contests. The Australian troops near the Somme forest in July where they fight for several weeks around Pozieres. British heavy artillery plaster Pozieres which is taken on 23 July 1916. Two days later the Germans launch a furious bombardment. British artillery reply the bombardment continues day and night and was watched by the king on his visit to the battle fields. Australian troops assemble around Pozieres on 8 July 1917 for the unveiling by General Birdwood of the memorial to the fallen members of the 1st Division.