Pozieres was an ongoing battle which occurred as part of the great British Somme offensive of 1916. During the period of 1915-1916 the Germans turned the high ground around Pozieres in to an extremely strong defensive area.  From their vantage points they could see any possible allied advancement.

At dawn on the 23^rd of July, 1916, the 1^st Division attacked Pozieres village.  After 3 days of intense fighting, the village was taken.  However, the real struggle had only just begun.  In this battle the 1^st Division lost 5282 officers and men.

The 2^nd division took over from the 1^st Division.  On the 26^th of July they fought to consolidate the ground taken and to extend toward further objectives beyond the Pozieres.  It was during this phase of the battle that the Australians faced the heaviest and most prolonged series of artillery barrages ever experienced by the AIF.  During this action the 2^nd Division lost 6848 officers and men.

The 4th Division was brought into the line and fought to secure the areas around the Windmill and Moquet Farm.  The conditions were horrendous, though, and although some objectives were taken, little ground was captured.

The 1st and 2nd Divisions were once more thrown into the battle and, although their numbers were severly depleted, they managed to hold the ground taken around the Windmill.   Moquet Farm, though, was a different matter.  After 7 sustained attacks, the area remained in German hands.

Exhausted, the Australians were brought out of the line in early September.   Pozieres had been the AIF's stiffest test and it became the benchmark for future battles in terms of shellfire, conditions and casualties.

In all, there were over 23 000 casualties in the 7 weeks of fighting - almost the same number as the whole Gallipoli campaign.