Pozieres

Dec 17

Written By Warwick O'Neill

Taking the Heights - Part 3

1st Division Memorial on the Western edge of the Village, near the site of Gibraltar.

Author’s Photo 2024

Having advanced beyond the village of Pozieres, the 1st and 3rd Brigades of the 1st Division now attempted to realign themselves with the Old German (OG) Lines. The fighting by now was chaotic with orders being issued for local attacks, often without neighbouring units being aware. Miscommunicated orders also didn't help things. But advances were made, lost and made again. The 25th and 26th July 1916 would see the Australians subjected to further bombardment during the days and launching attacks at night. But by the 26th, the men were at the end of their endurance and the process of relieving the 1st Division with the 2nd Division began. 

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The planned attack on the southern end of the OG lines. Courtesy Official History.

The planned attack on the southern end of the OG lines.

Courtesy Official History.

The attack on OG1 Courtesy Official History.

The attack on OG1

Courtesy Official History.

5th Battalion in OG2 and 10th Battalion in the communication trench. Courtesy Official History.

5th Battalion in OG2 and 10th Battalion in the communication trench.

Courtesy Official History.

German counter-attack down OG1. Captain Lillie of the 5th Battalion moved along the 10th Battalion trench to meet the attack. Courtesy Official History.

German counter-attack down OG1. Captain Lillie of the 5th Battalion moved along the 10th Battalion trench to meet the attack.

Courtesy Official History.

Final positions in the southern section 25th July. Courtesy Official History.

Final positions in the southern section 25th July.

Courtesy Official History.

8th Battalion advance which met up with the 11th Battalion advance. Neither battalion was aware that the other was attacking. Courtesy Official History.

8th Battalion advance which met up with the 11th Battalion advance. Neither battalion was aware that the other was attacking.

Courtesy Official History.

8th Battalion pushes north while the 4th Battalion advances up K Trench. British 48th Division attacking from the west. Courtesy Official History.

8th Battalion pushes north while the 4th Battalion advances up K Trench. British 48th Division attacking from the west.

Courtesy Official History.

The 7th Warwicks finally link up with the Australian 4th Battalion. Courtesy Official History.

The 7th Warwicks finally link up with the Australian 4th Battalion.

Courtesy Official History.

Final positions in the northern sector 25th July. Courtesy Official History.

Final positions in the northern sector 25th July.

Courtesy Official History.

The 20th Battalion’s plan to seize the OG Lines. This attack was defeated within two hours. Courtesy Official History.

The 20th Battalion’s plan to seize the OG Lines. This attack was defeated within two hours.

Courtesy Official History.

The planned attack on the southern end of the OG lines. Courtesy Official History.

The attack on OG1 Courtesy Official History.

5th Battalion in OG2 and 10th Battalion in the communication trench. Courtesy Official History.

German counter-attack down OG1. Captain Lillie of the 5th Battalion moved along the 10th Battalion trench to meet the attack. Courtesy Official History.

Final positions in the southern section 25th July. Courtesy Official History.

8th Battalion advance which met up with the 11th Battalion advance. Neither battalion was aware that the other was attacking. Courtesy Official History.

8th Battalion pushes north while the 4th Battalion advances up K Trench. British 48th Division attacking from the west. Courtesy Official History.

The 7th Warwicks finally link up with the Australian 4th Battalion. Courtesy Official History.

Final positions in the northern sector 25th July. Courtesy Official History.

The 20th Battalion’s plan to seize the OG Lines. This attack was defeated within two hours. Courtesy Official History.

German trench north of the Windmill.

German trench north of the Windmill.

The Pozieres Windmill site.

The Pozieres Windmill site.

Australian wounded being evacuated down Sausage Valley.

Australian wounded being evacuated down Sausage Valley.

1st Division troops after their relief, sporting some of the spoils. A Lewis gun is in front.

1st Division troops after their relief, sporting some of the spoils. A Lewis gun is in front.

The original 1st Division Memorial.

The original 1st Division Memorial.

German trench north of the Windmill.

The Pozieres Windmill site.

Australian wounded being evacuated down Sausage Valley.

1st Division troops after their relief, sporting some of the spoils. A Lewis gun is in front.

The original 1st Division Memorial.

Warwick O'Neill

Pozieres