In 1916 Anzac veterans from the Gallipoli campaign and fresh troops from Australia went with confidence and enthusiasm to fight the Germans during World War I. Most were sent to a sector of the Western Front called the Somme - now known as one of the most terrible battlefields in history.
Before the end of the war, in November 1916, tens of thousands of these young men were killed and maimed - many more Australian soldiers died on this distant patch of France than in any other place in any other war. While most of the fighting on the Somme achieved very little for great cost, by the end of the campaign Australian soldiers came under the command of one of their own - the brilliant tactician General John Monash. His revolutionary approach to battle allowed the Australians to make real advances and lay the groundwork for victory and peace.
This book details the two battles of the Somme, July-November 1916 and March-August 1918. It is a story of great tragedy, but also one of heroism and humanity. 'The Somme' includes faithful illustrations, original photographs of the campaign, eyewitness accounts and describes what life was like for the average Digger in the trenches.
