Several unidentified soldiers, some carrying jerrycans or picks, walk along a line of trenches ...

Place Europe: France, Picardie, Somme, Albert Bapaume Area, Pozieres Area, Pozieres
Accession Number EZ0084
Collection type Photograph
Object type Black & white - Glass original half plate negative
Maker British Official Photographer
Place made France: Picardie, Somme, Albert Bapaume Area, Pozieres Area, Pozieres
Date made 1 August 1916
Conflict First World War, 1914-1918
Copyright

Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain

Public Domain Mark This item is in the Public Domain

Description

Several unidentified soldiers, some carrying jerrycans or picks, walk along a line of trenches excavated during the German advance along the side of the road leading to Pozieres. In the centre two men are standing in the trench. In the distance the village of Contalmaison is being shelled by ther Germans; on the horizon on the far left is 'High Wood', then held by the Germans. Between 23 July and early September 1916, the 1st, 2nd and 4th Divisions between them launched 19 attacks on German positions in and around the ruins of Pozieres. The Australians suffered 23,000 casualties while advancing two kilometres; British and Australian artillery were no match for German artillery and machine guns.