Australians at the Great War 1914-1918: New book unveils never before seen photos and paintings

AUSTRALIA’S WWI story has been written many times over. But a new take, released on the eve of the centenary of the battle, shines a very different light.

MANY of the books by historians to mark the centenary of World War One are written for other historians, but a new work from Australian expert Peter Burness is aimed squarely at the general public.

‘Australians at the Great War 1914-1918’ is a 152-page paperback chronology designed to give everyone access to key facts, illustrations and images of the 360,000 Australians who fought in the conflict that both forged and deeply scarred the nation.

More than 60,000 young Australians perished in the ‘war to end all wars’ and the new book celebrates the sacrifice and mateship of the men who fought and died far from home.

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A lorry load of Australian Artillery reinforcements proceeding along the road in Belgium. Picture: Australian War Memorial

It includes never before published photographs and paintings featuring diggers in all theatres of the war from Gallipoli to Moquet Farm, Bullecourt and Passchendale. There is a stark contrast between the images of the fresh faced, healthy young men newly arrived at the front and the ‘thousand yard stares’ of war weary individuals struggling to survive the horrors of trench warfare.

Mr Burness, a WW1 historian, said the book was not written as a catalogue for the Memorial’s Great War exhibition, but it followed the scope and message of that seminal display.

Insightful read ... Australians At The Great War 1914 - 1918 by Peter Burness.

“It was an opportunity for the Memorial to present many images in an easily accessible and readable book,” he said.

Winter features prominently because Mr Burness said the Gallipoli and Western Front campaigns were dictated by the brutal European winter.

“Everything had to be done before winter. It [war] starts with winter and ends with winter and in between is the fighting season,” he said.

Unidentified members of the 7th Brigade, Australian Field Artillery hauling one of their guns into position near Gressaire Wood. Picture: Australian War Memorial.

Mr Burness said he hoped that the book would enlighten people about some of the huge but relatively unknown battles of the war.

“Everyone knows about Anzac Cove and Fromelles, but few people are aware of Pozieres that occurred four days after Fromelles and claimed 23,000 casualties,” he said.

Australians on the way to take up a front line position in the Ypres Sector, October 1917. Picture: Australian War Memorial

“Most Australians served and 46,000 died on the Western Front and yet Gallipoli dominates the story.

“In 1918 the Australian Corps achieved victory after victory and then final success after a terrible trail of losses.”

Australian soldiers walking along the duckboard track at Tokio, near Zonnebeke. Picture: Australian War Memorial

Mr Burness said he hoped that by 2018 Australians would have a far greater understanding of the nation’s role in the Great War and especially the Western Front.

“This is the big story in Australia’s history. It is a story of character, tragedy and courage.”

•‘Australians at the Great War 1914-1918’ published by Murdoch Books. Released April 1, rrp $29.99.

Originally published as Australians at the Great War 1914-1918: New book unveils never before seen photos and paintings