Pozieres – The ANZAC Story

Reviewed By  Janet Mawdesley       November 26, 2014

 

Author  Scott Bennett

Distributor:     
ISBN:                 978-1-921640-35-2
Publisher:         Scribe Publications Pty Ltd
Release Date:    

Website:     

FaceBook:   

YouTube:   

Instagram:   

X formally Twitter:   

The ANZAC tradition is famous throughout the world and stands for patriotism, fortitude. It symbolizes the spirit of men who gave their utmost or all, to become part of a fighting force which legends have been forged from and today, underlines the spirit of modern day Australia and New Zealand. It stands for courage, bravery and an indomitable spirit. But where did the tradition start, who was responsible for the foundation of the definition of the spirit of a nation and just what bought about amazing feats of heroism?

 Pozieres was perhaps one of the bloodiest battles of the Great War. Largely unheralded in today world, as Gallipoli has become synonymous with the ANZAC tradition, in some cases almost to the detriment of the men who fought, died and survived in other battle zones equally as bloody as Gallipoli ever was.

 The small village of Pozieres was a crucial staging place in the German attempts to conquer all of Europe. Five bloody onslaughts on the village by German troops had the war weary British troops calling for the ANZAC’s to assistance.

 At the end of the battle and at the cost of 23,000 lives the town was finally taken. Nothing remains today of that battle except ploughed fields and countryside.

 In this in-depth look back at history and the creating of the Anzac legend, Bennet painstakingly uncovers and re- creates one of the most important strategic battles to take place in the Great War.

 Excruciatingly researched, the detail of the battles, the philosophes of the Generals, the destruction of men’s lives, the impact on the families and the emerging young nation of Australia have been dutifully and systematically recorded to deliver a story; not only of the men who fought and died, and their families, but also the story of the war correspondent who crafted the legend of the ANZAC.

 Challenging, confrontational, humbling and  in many respects deeply enriching this work places Pozieres firmly into its rightful place in history and acknowledges the gallantry and patriotism of all who served in a small country town in France called Pozieres.