The Project Gutenberg eBook ofFrom the Australian FrontThis ebook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this ebook or online atwww.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this eBook.Title: From the Australian FrontAuthor: AnonymousRelease date: December 22, 2014 [eBook #47737]Most recently updated: October 24, 2024Language: EnglishCredits: E-text prepared by Brian Coe, Christian Boissonnas, and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team (http://www.pgdp.net) from page images generously made available by Internet Archive/American Libraries (https://archive.org/details/americana)*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FROM THE AUSTRALIAN FRONT ***
This ebook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this ebook or online atwww.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this eBook.
Title: From the Australian FrontAuthor: AnonymousRelease date: December 22, 2014 [eBook #47737]Most recently updated: October 24, 2024Language: EnglishCredits: E-text prepared by Brian Coe, Christian Boissonnas, and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team (http://www.pgdp.net) from page images generously made available by Internet Archive/American Libraries (https://archive.org/details/americana)
Title: From the Australian Front
Author: Anonymous
Author: Anonymous
Release date: December 22, 2014 [eBook #47737]Most recently updated: October 24, 2024
Language: English
Credits: E-text prepared by Brian Coe, Christian Boissonnas, and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team (http://www.pgdp.net) from page images generously made available by Internet Archive/American Libraries (https://archive.org/details/americana)
*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FROM THE AUSTRALIAN FRONT ***
The Project Gutenberg eBook, From the Australian Front, by Anonymous
FROM THE AUSTRALIAN FRONT
"Cook."Drawn by Will Dyson.
"Cook."Drawn by Will Dyson.
The Net Profits from Sales will be devotedto Australian Soldiers' Patriotic Fund
CASSELL AND COMPANY, LTDLondon, New York, Toronto and Melbourne1917
The Photographs in this book are reproduced from Australian and British official negatives taken by the following official photographers—Capt. F. Hurley, Lieut. E. Brooks, Lieut. H. F. Baldwin, and Lieut. G. H. Wilkins, A.F.C.
Header
At Christmas, two years ago, as a result of the hard work of its Editors and other members of the A.I.F., we were presented with an excellent production in the form of the "Anzac Book." That was our second Christmas at war. We are now approaching our fourth, and let us hope it may be the last one during which we shall find ourselves fighting. Our kind friends have again come forward and presented us with a book, not quite so ambitious as the "Anzac Book" was, but one which we hope will convey to those whom we left behind in Australia, and who we know are thinking of us, some idea of our surroundings on the battle fronts of the Australians; and which carries with it our whole-hearted hopes and good wishes for those at home.
With it, I feel I have the privilege of sending my most grateful thanks to all for their past work, and my best of good wishes to every member of the A.I.F. for the future.
Signature
France,28th September, 1917.
Footer
"What! Last another five years?"
"What! Last another five years?"
The Leader: A Winter Snapshot of General Birdwood and his Chief of Staff.
The Leader: A Winter Snapshot of General Birdwood and his Chief of Staff.
The Abbey de Bertin, St. Omer.
The Abbey de Bertin, St. Omer.
Winter in France.The Jock: "Weel, Anzac, and what are ye going to do when the war's ower?"Frozen Bill: "Me? I'm goin' to the centre of Australia for two bloomin' years to thaw out."
Winter in France.The Jock: "Weel, Anzac, and what are ye going to do when the war's ower?"Frozen Bill: "Me? I'm goin' to the centre of Australia for two bloomin' years to thaw out."
The Arrival in Flanders.
The Arrival in Flanders.
One of the Earliest Battalions to enter the Trenches in France.
One of the Earliest Battalions to enter the Trenches in France.
One of the Early Billets: A Bomb School in Flanders.
One of the Early Billets: A Bomb School in Flanders.
Snapped in a Farm in Flanders.
Snapped in a Farm in Flanders.
The Headquarters Cook-house in the Peaceful Line.
The Headquarters Cook-house in the Peaceful Line.
In the Early Days: An Estaminet reached by jumping out of the Communication Trench within 800 yards of the Front Line.
In the Early Days: An Estaminet reached by jumping out of the Communication Trench within 800 yards of the Front Line.
The Dug-outs which we used to build.
The Dug-outs which we used to build.
The Trenches amongst the Summer Flowers.
The Trenches amongst the Summer Flowers.
In the Peaceful Line.
In the Peaceful Line.
No-Man's-Land in the Peaceful Line.It was across exactly such a spot, but wider, that the Australians charged when first they entered heavy fighting in France before Fromelles, on July 19, 1916.
No-Man's-Land in the Peaceful Line.It was across exactly such a spot, but wider, that the Australians charged when first they entered heavy fighting in France before Fromelles, on July 19, 1916.
Pozières.Just after midnight on July 23, 1916, those Australians who had been brought South and put into the Great Battle of the Somme, attacked and took this village. A few walls and rafters were then remaining.
Pozières.Just after midnight on July 23, 1916, those Australians who had been brought South and put into the Great Battle of the Somme, attacked and took this village. A few walls and rafters were then remaining.
The Chalk-pit past which they approached.
The Chalk-pit past which they approached.
"Gibraltar."A reinforced concrete entrance to a cellar and German dug-out. The surrounding house had long been blown away.
"Gibraltar."A reinforced concrete entrance to a cellar and German dug-out. The surrounding house had long been blown away.
One of the old 5·9 Howitzers taken in the First Assault.
One of the old 5·9 Howitzers taken in the First Assault.
Sausage Valley: The Busiest Thoroughfare in the Australian World in those Days.
Sausage Valley: The Busiest Thoroughfare in the Australian World in those Days.
A Famous Staff at Breakfast in Sausage Valley.
A Famous Staff at Breakfast in Sausage Valley.
Fatigue Parties in the Moonlight.
Fatigue Parties in the Moonlight.
Ammunition Wagons galloping past the Long Guns in Sausage Valley.
Ammunition Wagons galloping past the Long Guns in Sausage Valley.
A Gun of the R.A.G.A. near Fricourt.
A Gun of the R.A.G.A. near Fricourt.
The Bombardment of Pozières by the Germans in the First Days of August, 1916.
The Bombardment of Pozières by the Germans in the First Days of August, 1916.
Pozières Windmill: The Summit of the Somme.Captured on August 4 after two heavy fights.
Pozières Windmill: The Summit of the Somme.Captured on August 4 after two heavy fights.
Centre Way, near Pozières Church.
Centre Way, near Pozières Church.
One of the "O.G." Lines near Pozières Windmill.They were blotted out here by bombardment.
One of the "O.G." Lines near Pozières Windmill.They were blotted out here by bombardment.
The Main Street of Pozières from Centreway Trench.
The Main Street of Pozières from Centreway Trench.
The Church at Pozières.
The Church at Pozières.
The Cemetery at Pozières.
The Cemetery at Pozières.
Machine-gunners coming out past Casualty Corner: Contalmaison in the distance.
Machine-gunners coming out past Casualty Corner: Contalmaison in the distance.
A Victorian Brigade straight out of Pozières passing another Victorian Brigade on its way in.
A Victorian Brigade straight out of Pozières passing another Victorian Brigade on its way in.
Mouquet Farm: The Next Stage in the Pozières Fight.Looking towards Pozières, which is about a mile away beyond the crest.>
Mouquet Farm: The Next Stage in the Pozières Fight.Looking towards Pozières, which is about a mile away beyond the crest.>
Australians in the Dressing-station at Becourt Château during the early days of Pozières.
Australians in the Dressing-station at Becourt Château during the early days of Pozières.
The Shell-holes of Pozières Village during the following Winter.
The Shell-holes of Pozières Village during the following Winter.
Unveiling the Memorial put up to one of the Australian Divisions which fought at Pozières.
Unveiling the Memorial put up to one of the Australian Divisions which fought at Pozières.
BROTHER DOST THOU SEE THEM A SOLDIER Of THE CROSS (IRON) COME LET US JOIN OUR CHEERFUL SONGS HE LIVETH LONG WHO LIVETH WELL (the Battalion Q.M.S.) THROW OUT THE LIFE-LINE ONE THERE IS WHO LOVES THEE KNOCKING KNOCKING WHO IS THERE WHERE IS MY BOY TONIGHT. WHAT MEANS THIS EAGER ANXIOUS THRONG (The Rum Ration) W L KING 60th BATT A I FHymn Titles Adapted.
Hymn Titles Adapted.
In the Field Dressing-station.The Padre: "Are you an R.C., my lad?"The Hard Case: "No, I'm a machine-gunner.
In the Field Dressing-station.The Padre: "Are you an R.C., my lad?"The Hard Case: "No, I'm a machine-gunner.
Officer: "Why do you not salute?"Anzac: "Well, to tell you the truth, digger, we've cut it right out."
Officer: "Why do you not salute?"Anzac: "Well, to tell you the truth, digger, we've cut it right out."
Remembrances?"What does that noise remind you of?""'Ome on a Saturday night."
Remembrances?"What does that noise remind you of?""'Ome on a Saturday night."
Shell- and Mine-torn Ground at Hill 60, Ypres.
Shell- and Mine-torn Ground at Hill 60, Ypres.
The same: Very Extensive Defensive Works were undertaken by the Australian Troops at Ypres in 1916 during the short time within which they stayed there.
The same: Very Extensive Defensive Works were undertaken by the Australian Troops at Ypres in 1916 during the short time within which they stayed there.
Australians Re-entering the Somme in the Autumn, 1916. Mud-splashed Gun-teams along the road to Montauban.
Australians Re-entering the Somme in the Autumn, 1916. Mud-splashed Gun-teams along the road to Montauban.
A Cook-house in Montauban.
A Cook-house in Montauban.
The Field Cooker in a Winter Billet behind the Somme.
The Field Cooker in a Winter Billet behind the Somme.
Fritz's Folly: Scene of a Winter Fight on the Somme.
Fritz's Folly: Scene of a Winter Fight on the Somme.
The Somme Mud: In the Trenches.
The Somme Mud: In the Trenches.
Where the Mud was a Tragedy: The Carriage of the Wounded.
Where the Mud was a Tragedy: The Carriage of the Wounded.
The First Immense Alleviation: Tramways.
The First Immense Alleviation: Tramways.
A Second Alleviation: The Duckboards.
A Second Alleviation: The Duckboards.
The Somme Mud: At the Water Point, Montauban.
The Somme Mud: At the Water Point, Montauban.
A First Improvement in Trenches: A Dry Trench in the Front Line.
A First Improvement in Trenches: A Dry Trench in the Front Line.
Flers: Held by the Australians all the Winter.
Flers: Held by the Australians all the Winter.
Factory Corner near Flers: A Notable Point during the Winter.
Factory Corner near Flers: A Notable Point during the Winter.
A Precious Consolation: Hot Coffee in Jam Tins at the Comfort Fund's Stall, Longueval.The two splendid men who are serving in this picture were both killed when the Town Hall at Bapaume was blown down by a delayed German mine.
A Precious Consolation: Hot Coffee in Jam Tins at the Comfort Fund's Stall, Longueval.The two splendid men who are serving in this picture were both killed when the Town Hall at Bapaume was blown down by a delayed German mine.
The Winter Hospital: In the Chapel at Millencourt.
The Winter Hospital: In the Chapel at Millencourt.
The Canteen: Behind the Somme.
The Canteen: Behind the Somme.
All that is Left of Gueudecourt—the Pond and the Church.
All that is Left of Gueudecourt—the Pond and the Church.
Machine Gun Firing at an Aeroplane.
Machine Gun Firing at an Aeroplane.
Martinpuich.
Martinpuich.
Optimism."Well, thank God, at least there are no flies!"
Optimism."Well, thank God, at least there are no flies!"
Stiffness.1st Anzac: "Blime, digger, we're stiff. Beer's all froze."2nd Ditto: "Wonder if they'll sell it by the block."
Stiffness.1st Anzac: "Blime, digger, we're stiff. Beer's all froze."2nd Ditto: "Wonder if they'll sell it by the block."
A "Rum" Fellow But "Somme" Boy.John P. DavisA.I.F(53rdBn.)
A "Rum" Fellow But "Somme" Boy.John P. DavisA.I.F(53rdBn.)
ACROSS THE SNOW, NEAR FLERS, JAN. 1917.The Duckboards.
ACROSS THE SNOW, NEAR FLERS, JAN. 1917.The Duckboards.
THE BUTTE DE WARLENCOURT, MARCH 23RD1917.The Butte; When we were able to look back on it.
THE BUTTE DE WARLENCOURT, MARCH 23RD1917.The Butte; When we were able to look back on it.
The Snow: Near Bazentin.The latter part of the winter was very bitter, with six weeks' continuous frost, but immensely preferable to the mud of the earlier months.
The Snow: Near Bazentin.The latter part of the winter was very bitter, with six weeks' continuous frost, but immensely preferable to the mud of the earlier months.
Australian Transport in the Snow.
Australian Transport in the Snow.
A Game of Pitch-and-Toss amongst the Reserve Troops.
A Game of Pitch-and-Toss amongst the Reserve Troops.
Spoiling the German Coal-dump in the Winter's No-Man's-Land.On February 24, 1917, the Germans were found to be evacuating their lines on the Somme. This photograph shows men getting coal from the old German railway dump, which all the Winter had been in No-Man's-Land before Le Sars. The Butte of Warlencourt appears in the background.
Spoiling the German Coal-dump in the Winter's No-Man's-Land.On February 24, 1917, the Germans were found to be evacuating their lines on the Somme. This photograph shows men getting coal from the old German railway dump, which all the Winter had been in No-Man's-Land before Le Sars. The Butte of Warlencourt appears in the background.
Engineers beginning on the Track across "The Maze," part of the old German Front Line which had been held all the Winter.
Engineers beginning on the Track across "The Maze," part of the old German Front Line which had been held all the Winter.
German Heavy Shell searching for Australian Batteries which had been hurriedly pushed forward to Eaucourt l'Abbaye.
German Heavy Shell searching for Australian Batteries which had been hurriedly pushed forward to Eaucourt l'Abbaye.
Supports waiting in the Public Grounds at Bapaume— its old Fortress Moat—on the day on which they followed the Germans through the Town.
Supports waiting in the Public Grounds at Bapaume— its old Fortress Moat—on the day on which they followed the Germans through the Town.
The Streets of Bapaume on the Day of its Occupation.It had been blown up and burnt by the Germans.
The Streets of Bapaume on the Day of its Occupation.It had been blown up and burnt by the Germans.
A Band playing in Bapaume the Day after its Capture. The Town was still Burning.
A Band playing in Bapaume the Day after its Capture. The Town was still Burning.
Bapaume Town Hall.A mine with delayed fuse was under the building at the time this photograph was taken. It blew up a few days later.
Bapaume Town Hall.A mine with delayed fuse was under the building at the time this photograph was taken. It blew up a few days later.
Australian Transport halted in Bapaume when the Streets had just been cleared.
Australian Transport halted in Bapaume when the Streets had just been cleared.
One of the Villages which were taken after Sharp Fighting as the Advance began to approach Cambrai.
One of the Villages which were taken after Sharp Fighting as the Advance began to approach Cambrai.
An Australian Battery coming into Position beyond Bapaume.
An Australian Battery coming into Position beyond Bapaume.
An Impression.
An Impression.
Bringing up Rations.
Bringing up Rations.
One of the Villages in the open beyond Bapaume.Most of the trees throughout this country were cut down by the Germans before leaving.
One of the Villages in the open beyond Bapaume.Most of the trees throughout this country were cut down by the Germans before leaving.
The Hindenburg Line taken on April 11, 1917, and again on May 3.
The Hindenburg Line taken on April 11, 1917, and again on May 3.
Shrapnel-Burst over our Stretcher-Bearers.
Shrapnel-Burst over our Stretcher-Bearers.
A Trench Mortar in the Hindenburg Line.
A Trench Mortar in the Hindenburg Line.
The Advanced Ambulance Wagon during the Bullecourt Days.
The Advanced Ambulance Wagon during the Bullecourt Days.
The Winter in Northern Billets.Even in the best trenches the mud was a problem.
The Winter in Northern Billets.Even in the best trenches the mud was a problem.
The Division which broke through the Hindenburg Wire reviewed by Gen. Birdwood after the Fight.
The Division which broke through the Hindenburg Wire reviewed by Gen. Birdwood after the Fight.
An Australian Artillery Officer's Home on the Somme.
An Australian Artillery Officer's Home on the Somme.
Gen Birdwood presenting Captain H. Murray, V.C., with the Ribbon of the D.S.O. to which he Won a Bar at Bullecourt. (Gen. Holmes in the background.)
Gen Birdwood presenting Captain H. Murray, V.C., with the Ribbon of the D.S.O. to which he Won a Bar at Bullecourt. (Gen. Holmes in the background.)
How Rations to Troopsshouldbe Served.
How Rations to Troopsshouldbe Served.
How they ServeThemselvesif Allowed to.
How they ServeThemselvesif Allowed to.
Overheard in a French Village.The Boy: "Hello, Bully Beef!"
Overheard in a French Village.The Boy: "Hello, Bully Beef!"
From a Christmas Letter."I was eatin' Christmas puddin' in the mud,When a whizzbang 'it me collar wiv a thud,An' I honestly expected that me bits 'ud be collected,But my luck was in—the beggar was a dud."
From a Christmas Letter.
"I was eatin' Christmas puddin' in the mud,When a whizzbang 'it me collar wiv a thud,An' I honestly expected that me bits 'ud be collected,But my luck was in—the beggar was a dud."
"I was eatin' Christmas puddin' in the mud,When a whizzbang 'it me collar wiv a thud,An' I honestly expected that me bits 'ud be collected,But my luck was in—the beggar was a dud."
"I was eatin' Christmas puddin' in the mud,
When a whizzbang 'it me collar wiv a thud,
An' I honestly expected that me bits 'ud be collected,
But my luck was in—the beggar was a dud."
"I say, cobber, got 'ny room in there for me an' another bloke?"
"I say, cobber, got 'ny room in there for me an' another bloke?"
"When we had to thaw our boots before we could put them on our remarks were not pleasant to hear."
"When we had to thaw our boots before we could put them on our remarks were not pleasant to hear."
1. My Home in Dixie.2. My Home with a Dixie.
1. My Home in Dixie.2. My Home with a Dixie.
Australians studying the large Contour Map which was made for the Troops to give them a good knowledge of the country around Messines over which they had to attack.
Australians studying the large Contour Map which was made for the Troops to give them a good knowledge of the country around Messines over which they had to attack.
A Wagon rushing a road during the German shelling of our Batteries before Messines.
A Wagon rushing a road during the German shelling of our Batteries before Messines.
A German Shell bursting during the Messines Battle.
A German Shell bursting during the Messines Battle.
All that is left of the German Front Line at Messines.
All that is left of the German Front Line at Messines.
A German Shell-burst during the Battle of Messines.
A German Shell-burst during the Battle of Messines.
Battle of Messines: A Lorry-load of Australians watching a Burning Dump which had been hit by the German Shelling.
Battle of Messines: A Lorry-load of Australians watching a Burning Dump which had been hit by the German Shelling.
The Ridge at Messines: Scene of the Attack on June 7, 1917.
The Ridge at Messines: Scene of the Attack on June 7, 1917.
All that is left of Messines.
All that is left of Messines.
A German Concrete and Steel Blockhouse of the type which Australians first met at Messines.
A German Concrete and Steel Blockhouse of the type which Australians first met at Messines.
A German Concrete Blockhouse at Messines.Showing bits of the old "camouflage" for screening it on top, and the sockets for machine-gun ammunition let into the rear face of it.
A German Concrete Blockhouse at Messines.Showing bits of the old "camouflage" for screening it on top, and the sockets for machine-gun ammunition let into the rear face of it.
A German "Pill-Box" Shelter at Messines.
A German "Pill-Box" Shelter at Messines.
Messines: Wounded Coming Back during the Fight.
Messines: Wounded Coming Back during the Fight.
Maj.-Gen. W. Holmes, C.M.G., D.S.O., Killed near Messines shortly after the Battle.
Maj.-Gen. W. Holmes, C.M.G., D.S.O., Killed near Messines shortly after the Battle.
An Australian Heavy Howitzer in Action.
An Australian Heavy Howitzer in Action.
Coming out of the Line for a Rest.]
Coming out of the Line for a Rest.]
Behind the Lines: H.M. The King, with Gen. Birdwood leaving an Australian Sports Ground.
Behind the Lines: H.M. The King, with Gen. Birdwood leaving an Australian Sports Ground.
Fatigue Work somewhere on the Somme Front.
Fatigue Work somewhere on the Somme Front.
Extract from Intelligence Report:"Yesterday two of our pigeons failed to return."
Extract from Intelligence Report:"Yesterday two of our pigeons failed to return."