Today Australia
remembers the sacrifice made by Australian servicemen on
the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Pozières.
The Battle of
Pozières (23 July, 1916 to 3 September, 1916) saw three
Australian Divisions capture and hold the village of
Pozières and from there launch 19 attacks.
When the
Australians were relieved on 3 September, 1st ANZAC
Corps had suffered 24,139 casualties, including 6,731
dead.
Australia’s
official war historian Charles Bean wrote that the site
of the old windmill marked a “ridge more densely sown
with Australian sacrifice than any other place on
earth”.
A commemorative
service will be conducted today at the site of the 1st
Australian Division Memorial at Pozières at 4pm (12
midnight AEST).
Three unknown
Australian soldiers whose remains were located nearby
will be reinterred with full military honours.
The Minister for
Veterans’ Affairs, the Hon Dan Tehan MP, said the Battle
of Pozières was an integral chapter in Australia’s
history and one that would never be forgotten.
“The Battle of
Pozières was a military success — our soldiers captured
the village and held it, but success came at a terrible
cost,” Mr Tehan said.
“More Australians
were lost in eight weeks of fighting in France than
during eight months on Gallipoli the previous year.
“It was a bloody
and brutal battle and it is difficult to think about
what those Australians endured, as we reflect on the
price they paid defending the freedoms we enjoy today.
The 100th anniversary is an opportunity to reflect on
the sacrifice of those who served in the First World War
and also the one million plus Australians who have
served, and continue to serve, in defence of our
country.”
