Department of Veterans Affairs Media Backgrounder
Department of Veterans’ Affairs Media Backgrounder
Battles of Pozières
The battles fought at Pozières village, the Pozières heights and nearby Mouquet Farm between July and September 1916 were among the most costly for Australia of the First World War.
In less than seven weeks of fighting some 23,000 Australians were killed or wounded.
The 1st Australian Division at Pozières:
The 1st Australian Division’s first major action on the Western Front was an assault on German positions in the village of Pozières.
On 23 July 1916, the Division captured German positions in the village including a strongpoint which became known as the Gibraltar Blockhouse. The Division held their positions through three days of intense German bombardment and counterattacks.
By the time it was relieved on 27 July 1916, the Division had lost 5,285 men killed, wounded or missing.
The Division suffered its heaviest casualties of the war during the Battles of Pozières, leading its veterans to select the village as the site for their memorial. Inscribed with the division’s battle honours, it stands opposite the ruins of the Gibraltar Blockhouse.
Walking Trails and Interpretive Displays:
To assist visitors to interpret and appreciate Australia’s role in the Battles of Pozières, the Australian Government has contributed $A235,000 to the development of walking trails, interpretive displays and visitor facilities in the local area in partnership with local French authorities and Somme Tourism. These will include:
- A raised viewing area at the 1st Australian Division Memorial site featuring an orientation table highlighting significant battlefield points.
- Development of the memorial park around the Gibraltar Blockhouse including landscaping and new visitor facilities.
- New coach parking and toilet facilities in the village.
- New walking trails that highlight points of significance, supported by a new multimedia application that explains the history associated with each point. The application can be downloaded to Apple and Android devices.
Australian Remembrance Trail along the Western Front:
The walking trails and interpretive displays at Pozières form part of the Australian Remembrance Trail along the Western Front.
The Australian Remembrance Trail commemorates and interprets Australia’s wartime service in France and Belgium and helps new generations understand and appreciate the impact the First World War had on our young nation.
It includes sites at Ieper (Ypres), Zonnebeke and Ploegsteert in Belgium, and in France at Fromelles, Bullecourt, Bellenglise, Pèronne/ Mont St Quentin, Villers-Bretonneux, Le Hamel and Pozières.
Historical information, personal accounts, maps, on-the-spot guides, and audio commentary is available to download from the Australians on the Western Front 1914–1918 Virtual Visitors’ Centre at www.ww1westernfront.gov.au
The Australian Remembrance Trail is a joint initiative of the Australian, French and Belgian governments. The projects are being developed on independent timetables and will be completed in time for the centenary of the First World War.
Fast Facts
Location:
- Pozières is located in the north of France north-east of the town of Albert, on the Albert-Bapaume road (D929)
- The 1st Australian Division Memorial is at the south-western corner of Pozières village
- Vehicle and coach parking is available at the 1st Australian Division Memorial
Battles of Pozières:
- Australian involvement from 23 July 1916 – 5 September 1916
- 1st Anzac Corps, composed of 1st, 2nd and 4th Australian Divisions
- 19 attacks in 45 days, 16 at night
- Some 23,000 Australian casualties of whom 6,741 died
- Some 5,285 1st Australian Division casualties between 23–27 July 1916
Honours:
- Three Victoria Crosses awarded to men of the 1st Australian Division for actions at Pozières:
Private John Leak VC on 23 July 1916
Lieutenant Arthur Seaforth Blackburn VC, CMG, CBE on 23 July 1916
Private Thomas Cooke VC on 24–25 July 1916
Commemoration:
- 456 identified Australians are buried at the nearby Pozières British Cemetery, Ovillers-la Boisselle
- Names of Australian soldiers declared missing during battles at Pozières are inscribed on the Australian National Memorial at Villers-Bretonneux, France.
More Information:
- Australian Remembrance Trail along the Western Front:
www.ww1westernfront.gov.au
www.dva.gov.au/art.htm
For more information contact: Department of Veterans’ Affairs Media
Email:
Phone: +61 (0) 2 6289 6203
www.dva.gov.au
April 2014