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An Anzac on the Western Front (ePub)

The Personal Reflections of an Australian Infantryman from 1916 to 1918

Military WWI > By Year > 1914 WWI > By Year > 1915 WWI > By Year > 1916 WWI > By Year > 1917 WWI > By Year > 1918

By John Grehan, Martin Mace, H.R. Williams
Imprint: Pen & Sword Military
File Size: 2.3 MB (.epub)
Pages: 208
Illustrations: 30
ISBN: 9781783034017
Published: 2nd August 2012

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This is a graphic account of one soldiers service in the First World War an account that is based on a diary he maintained whilst on active service. It has been described by one senior officer as the best soldiers story I have yet read in Australia. H.R. Williams enlisted in 1915, joining A Company, 56th Battalion AIF. With this unit he would see service in Egypt and then the Western Front participating in some of the biggest battles of the First World War.

Arriving in France on 30 June 1916, the battalion entered the front line trenches for the first time on 12 July and fought its first major battle at Fromelles a week later. The battle was a disaster, resulting in heavy casualties across the division. Despite these losses the 5th Division continued to man the front in the Fromelles sector for a further two months.

After a freezing winter manning trenches in the Somme Valley, in early 1917 the 56th Battalion participated in the advance that followed the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line. It was spared the assault but did, however, defend gains made during the second battle of Bullecourt. Later in the year, the AIFs focus of operations switched to the Ypres sector in Belgium. The 56ths major battle here was at Polygon Wood on 26 September.

With the collapse of Russia in October 1917, a major German offensive on the Western Front was expected in early 1918. This came in late March and the 5th Division moved to defend the sector around Corbie.

Once the German offensive had been defeated, the Allies launched their own offensive in August 1918. he 56th fought its last major battle of the war, St Quentin Canal, between 29 September and 2 October 1918. It was resting out of the line when the Armistice was declared on 11 November.

More from the sword: Forthcoming WWI related titles from Pen and Sword

Cher Ami from the International Plastic Modellers Society

This is a personal reflection from an Australian soldier which shows beautiful description of the horrors of the trenches.

It is written in an engaging style which immediately pulls you into his life and what he witnessed in graphic detail but not to the point where it becomes difficult to read.

This is a book that must be read by anyone wanting to know what the trenches were like by a normal soldier.

See the full review here

Richard Domoney-Saunders

Williams first action was at Fromelles about which he provides a detailed account.

The Bulletin

I have no hesitation in placing H. R. Williams’ account of his wartime very near the top of the pile, Williams’ book is special. He was a highly perceptive, frequently wry, observer of war, its effects, of climate, of geography, of officers and men, and of the events which he and his comrades experienced and combated during the Great War. Very strongly recommended.

The western front association stand to! No. 97

A remarkably candid and graphic account of his wartime service, this book details Williams’ journey from the Somme through to the German offensive in 1918, his wounding at the Battle of Péronne, and his eventful turn home.

Britain at War Magazine

About John Grehan

JOHN GREHAN has written, edited or contributed to more than 300 books and magazine articles covering a wide span of military history from the Iron Age to the recent conflict in Afghanistan. John has also appeared on local and national radio and television to advise on military history topics. He was employed as the Assistant Editor of Britain at War Magazine from its inception until 2014. John now devotes his time to writing and editing books.


About Martin Mace

Martin Mace has been involved in writing and publishing military history for more than twenty years. He began his career with local history, writing a book on the Second World War anti-invasion defences in West Sussex. Following the success of this book, he established Historic Military Press, which has published a wide range of titles. Having launched Britain at War Magazine, he has been its editor since the first issue in May 2007.


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