A COMPETITION FOR YEAR 9 AND 10 STUDENTS

SimpsonPRIZE

THE

Charlotte Matthias

2017 WinnerSouth Australia

Loreto College

“The experience of Australian soldiers on the Western Front in 1916 has been largely

overlooked in accounts of World War One.”

To what extent would you argue that battles such as Fromelles and Pozières should

feature more prominently in accounts of World War One?

The Australian soldiers entered the bloody battlefields of the Western Front with a sense of

hope and optimism after the frustrations of the Gallipoli Campaign. Their sense of adventure

led them to a place much more dangerous than Gallipoli as Fromelles and Pozieres would be

much worse than the celebrated landing at Gallipoli.1 This is evident in casualty comparisons

between Gallipoli and the battles of Fromelles and Pozieres. The whole Gallipoli Campaign

encountered 8159 deaths, however, during the time of the two battles taking place, 36917

casualties occurred. This number, quadruple the Gallipoli figure deserves to capture the

attention of Australia.2 Wider consideration of the experiences of the Australian soldiers on the

Western Front like the ghastly conditions, personal stories of tragedy in accounts to the front-

line and loved-ones, conscription and technological advancements are essential for a more

complete view of World War One. The Western Front must also be granted greater prominence

and greater value, among the media, society and education.

The battle of Fromelles on 19th July 1916 was a bloody initiation for Australian soldiers to

warfare on the Western Front. Soldiers of the newly arrived 5th Australian Division, were

ordered to attack strongly fortified German front line positions near the French Flanders.3 The

attack was intended as a feint to hold German reserves from moving south to the Somme where

a large Allied offensive had begun. The feint was a disastrous failure.4 Australian soldiers

assaulted over open ground in broad daylight and under direct observation and heavy fire from

the German lines. 5533 Australians became casualties. 1917 of them were killed and 400 were

captured. This is the greatest loss by a single division in 24 hours and historians argue that “this

is the most tragic event in Australian History.” Lieutenant R. H. Knyvett recalls the battle:

“If you gathered the stock of a thousand butcher shops it would give you a faint

conception of the shambles those trenches were in”.3

The battle of Pozieres allied objective was to capture the village as it housed a formidable

German garrison. In the assault which lasted 13 days, the Australian Imperial Forces suffered

the most outrageous overall toll from one ongoing battle in the nation’s history.5 Here, 6741

Australians were killed, as apart of the 23000 casualties over the seven weeks of associated

skirmishes. Bean reflected:

"The Pozieres ridge was more densely sown with Australian sacrifice than any other

place on Earth."6

The conditions and trench-life of the soldiers’ brought much destruction. Upon suffering

wounds, many felt relief. It destined security, a hospital bed, clean clothes and appealing food;

luxuries that were lacking in the harsh trenches of the Western Front.7 Due to the lack of

hygiene, many were struck down by typhoid and “rashes that come and go”. Rats were infested

throughout the tunnels; most men were on the brink of mental instability as Private George

Mitchell penned:

“Great, sleek, corpse-fed rats ran in squads between our legs and over our feet as we

stood. Their obscene squeaking could be heard at all times.”8

Due to the harshness of conditions on the Western Front, troops not only had to fight the

Germans, but had to do so while fighting the environment for survival. The impact of the

mass land destruction at Fromelles and Pozieres reflects the true tragedy of these battles and

why the Australian’s ordeals demand attention for their sheer persistence in grappling with

such conditions.7 The concentrated German artillery bombardments in July and August 1916

completely razed the village, and, when the battle had passed, Pozieres became merely a

name. “…a noticeboard marked “Pozieres” was the only trace that a village had ever been

there.”2

The stories of Edward “Jack” Curtis and Alice Ross-King, reflect the personal impact death

had on the frontline and on their loved-ones. An aspect deserving more prominence. Curtis a

20-year-old soldier was another of the 6741 killed in action during the battle of Pozieres. His

last diary entry read:

“Still on fatigue, no sleep. The great horror of many of us is the fear of being lost with

troops at night on the battlefield.”1

On the 2nd August 1916, a comrade reported, “the blast from a high explosive shell” while he

and other troops were digging to approach German trenches for a surprise attack. Bean added,

“Germans mistook them for troops assembling for an attack. The area was furiously shelled”.9

Lieutenant Wally Jones who had possession of the diary under Curtis’ request for safe keeping

wrote in hopes to give to his mother:

“Poor Jack, killed on the 2nd August 1916. He died an Australian and a hero… your

brave son won the admiration and love of all who saw him on the firing line.”1

Ross-King was among 3,000 Australian civilian nurses who volunteered for active service

during the First World War. This role provided hope of being closer to loved ones serving

overseas10 which is the reason for her enlistment.11 Her and fiancé Lieutenant Harry Moffat

met in Egypt and in her dairy she wrote:

“In that time a wonderful thing has happened. I am really and truly in love. I am very

very happy because I believe Moffat loves me just as much.”12

On the 19th July Harry had been killed. According to Sargent Patrick Lonergan who witnessed

the attack described it as, “Two machinegun bullets struck him down.” Learning of Moffat’s

death, Alice wrote simply:

“Well, my world has ended. Harry is dead.”2

The unknown lingered as his resting place was unidentified and unfortunately still is to this

day. Alice was one of many loved-ones forced to carry the burden of the unknown. She

reflected:

“I cannot really believe the news yet and each day I long for a letter telling me he is

only wounded.”12

In Jack’s case, it brought out acts of mateship and determination, which stem from the ANZAC

spirit.1 Although this spirit started at the Gallipoli landing but evolved to recognise a wider

range of experiences reflecting a more diverse Australian role during the First World War,

which is why the Western Front is an attention-worthy aspect of the Great War.13

In 1916, Australia displayed a dramatic loss in enlistment numbers due the casualty rates

continuing to increase. Therefore, Australia was no longer able to exceed Britain’s expectations

for growing enlistment. Hence, conscription was occupying topics of debate at a government

and societal level.14 Labor Prime Minister William Hughes was a strong advocate for the idea,

therefore was keen to share his viewpoint with Australia. Conscriptionists chided the anti-

conscriptionists with gross inconsistency: “How can they be opposed to conscription for

military service?” Anti-conscriptionists depicted their battle for freedom as the latest in a long

life of struggle against tyranny.15

One political activist group were particularly prominent in accounts to their disapproval of

conscription. The Industrial Workers of the World’s (I.W.W) main objective was to destroy

the ideas of capitalism, where conscription had stemmed from.16 One memorable event was

where twelve men caused great damage to Sydney and were charged with arson. They were

believed to be under the influence of the I.W.W. One was alleged to have said:

“Far better to see Sydney melted to the ground then to see the men of Sydney taken

away to be butchered at war.”17

Therefore, prominence in regards to the Western Front is important to ensure there is never

again the euphoria of war which ultimately led to a divided Australia. This glorified war was

exhibited in 1914 at the outbreak and also conveyed in other forms of propaganda and

censorship run by the government.18 Soldiers were aware of censorship as Lieutenant John

Raws writes:

"My tunic is rotten with other men's blood, and partly splattered with a comrade's

brains. It is horrible, but why should you people at home not know?"19

The First World War accelerated the development of new technologies designed to improve

the ability to kill the enemy. This is especially evident on the Western Front and for the first

time in warfare; technology was beginning to change war from armed conflict to scientific

killing with unprecedented causalities.20 Chemicals were becoming weapons of war and “gave

humanity a new weapon of mass destruction.” Gas began to demanded the attention of the

Allies due to the horrors associated with it as Private Arthur Empey recalled:

“We had a new man at the periscope, he called out to me: 'There's a sort of greenish,

yellow cloud rolling along the ground out in front, it's coming…’”21

This new method of attack prominent on the Western Front changed warfare forever; therefore,

the technological advancements that took place here, especially throughout the battles of

Pozieres and Fromelles demands consideration to comprehend the development of war and

their devastating effects.20

The tolerant nature of the veterans upon homecoming is also worth commemorating. This was

a generation which returned to the workforce and suffered largely in silence.22 Men were

considered pathetic if they appeared to be distressed reflecting on the horrors they encountered.

Repatriation processes were very basic so due to the harshness of their condition, their

afflictions demand consideration for their absolute suffering in dealing with such conditions.23

The Western Front should be given equal prominence, not to glorify the monstrosities that took

place; but to commemorate and learn from them so the 369173 casualties during this short

period of time does not repeat.18 Eric Bogle wrote about the Australian soldiers on the Western

Front in his song ‘No Man’s Land’, the lyrics read: “Here in this graveyard there’s still No

Man’s Land. The countless white crosses in mute witness stand, to man’s blind indifference to

his fellow man. And a whole generation who were butchered and damned.”24 The Australian

Forces fought hard here, amongst the harsh conditions7 and mental hardship22. The personal

stories of tragedy reveal different layers of history, stories within stories.12 Back in Australia,

conscription was a strong topic of debate due to the ignorance of society14 in conjunction with

censorship.18 The qualities they all possessed reminded Australians that they were genuine

representations of the true ANZAC spirit. The contribution of every Australian soldier on the

Western Front assisted in establishing a fierce national character, which many Australians

today, feel proud to be associated with.13 The voices of the soldiers were not intended to be

loud, but they deserve to be heard.

Reference List:

1. King, Jonathan. Western Front Diaries. 2nd ed. Pymble, N.S.W.: Simon and Schuster

Australia, 2010. Print.

2. "Simpson Prize 2017 | Australian War Memorial". Australian War Memorial. N.p.,

2016. Web. 5 Oct. 2016. https://www.awm.gov.au/education/simpson-prize/

3. "Battle Of Fromelles | Australian War Memorial". Awm.gov.au. N.p., 2016. Web. 6

Oct. 2016. https://www.awm.gov.au/encyclopedia/fromelles/

4. "The Battles Of Fromelles And Pozières - Story Of The Days". ABC. N.p., 2016.

Web. 8 Oct. 2016. http://www.abc.net.au/fromelles-pozieres/story-of-the-days/

5. "Australian War Memorial | Battle Of Pozieres". Australian War Memorial. N.p.,

2016. Web. 9 Oct. 2016. https://www.awm.gov.au/military-event/E72/

6. "Australians At The Battle Of Pozieres WW1". ANZAC DAY - Lest We Forget. N.p.,

2016. Web. 9 Oct. 2016. http://www.pozieres-battle-somme.anzac-day.net/

7. "Life In The Trenches | Australian War Memorial". Australian War Memorial. N.p.,

2016. Web. 10 Oct. 2016. https://www.awm.gov.au/exhibitions/anzac-voices/life-

trenches/

8. "Life In The Trenches | Ergo". Ergo. N.p., 2016. Web. 10 Oct. 2016.

http://ergo.slv.vic.gov.au/explore-history/australia-wwi/abroad-wwi/life-trenches

9. "Private Edward Jack Curtis. Okewood Hill Soldier. WW1". Dorking Museum &

Heritage Centre. N.p., 2016. Web. 12 Oct. 2016.

http://www.dorkingmuseum.org.uk/private-edward-jack-curtis/

10. "Great War Nurses | Australian War Memorial". Australian War Memorial. N.p.,

2016. Web. 10 Oct. 2016. https://www.awm.gov.au/exhibitions/nurses/ww1/

11. "Major Alice Ross-King | Australian War Memorial". Australian War Memorial. N.p.,

2016. Web. 20 Oct. 2016. https://www.awm.gov.au/people/P10676633/

12. "Stories Of The Dead | Fromelles (Pheasant Wood) Military Cemetery | VC Corner,

Fromelles | Australians On The Western Front 1914-1918". Australians on the

Western Front 1914-1918. N.p., 2016. Web. 10 Oct. 2016.

http://www.ww1westernfront.gov.au/fromelles/pheasant-wood/stories-of-the-

dead.php

13. C.E.W. Bean, 'The AIF in France', Official History of Australia in the War of 1914-

18, vol III, Angus & Robertson, Sydney, 1935, p 599

14. Wales, State. "Recruitment And Conscription - World War I And Australia - Research

Guides At State Library Of New South Wales". Guides. N.p., 2016. Web. 15 Oct.

2016. http://guides.sl.nsw.gov.au/content.php?pid=489033&sid=4348340

15. Hirst, John. Sense And Nonsense In Australian History. Melbourne: Black Inc., 2009.

Print.

16. "Industrial Workers Of The World (IWW)". Wikipedia. N.p., 2016. Web. 17 Oct.

2016. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Industrial_Workers_of_the_World

17. Willis, Ray et al. Issues In Australian History. Melbourne: Longman Cheshire, 1982.

Print.

18. "War: Censorship And Propaganda - Entry - Emelbourne - The Encyclopedia Of

Melbourne Online". Melbourne. N.p., 2016. Web. 22 Oct. 2016.

http://www.emelbourne.net.au/biogs/EM01578b.htm

19. "The Battles Of Fromelles And Pozieres: 100 Years On". ABC News. N.p., 2016.

Web. 30 Oct. 2016. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-07-19/the-battles-of-fromelles-

and-pozieres-100-years-on/7627170

20. "12 Technological Advancements Of World War I". Mental Floss. N.p., 2016. Web.

27 Oct. 2016. http://mentalfloss.com/article/31882/12-technological-advancements-

world-war-i

21. "Gas Attack, 1916". Eye Witness History. N.p., 2016. Web. 29 Oct. 2016.

http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/gas.htm

22. "World War I". History of PTSD. N.p., 2016. Web. 30 Oct. 2016.

https://historyofptsd.wordpress.com/world-war-i/

23. "The History Of Forgetting, From Shell Shock To PTSD". Radio National. N.p.,

2016. Web. 6 Nov. 2016.

http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/hindsight/the-history-of-

forgetting/5744242

24. "No Man's Land | Eric Bogle". N.p., 2016. Web. 9 Nov. 2016.

http://www.ericbogle.net/lyrics/lyricspdf/nomansland.pdf

Bibliography:

1. C.E.W. Bean, 'The AIF in France', Official History of Australia in the War of 1914-

18, vol III, Angus & Robertson, Sydney, 1935, p 599

2. Hirst, John. Sense And Nonsense In Australian History. Melbourne: Black Inc., 2009.

Print.

3. Journal Crotty, M., “Teaching Anzac: Fraught Territory, Teachable Moments and

Professional Responsibility” Agora, 2009, Number 2, Volume 44. PP. 13-17. Editor,

Purnell, I., HTAV, Melbourne, Victoria. Newspaper

4. King, Jonathan. Western Front Diaries. 2nd ed. Pymble, N.S.W.: Simon and Schuster

Australia, 2010. Print.

5. McLachlan, M., “Walking with the ANZACS.” Hachette Australia, Sydney. 2007.

“The Oxford Companion to Australian Military History.”

6. Oxford University Press., South Melbourne., Second edition 2008. Travers, R.,

“Diggers in France.” ABC Books, Sydney. 2008.

7. Willis, Ray et al. Issues In Australian History. Melbourne: Longman Cheshire, 1982.

Print.