Pozieres
Somme

Two enormous bunkers dominated the battlefields of Pozières – Gibraltar to the South (towards Albert) and the Windmill to the North (towards Bapaume)

On the 23^rd July 1916, Australian troops took Gibraltar but they had to wait until the 4th August to take over what remained of the Windmill. Right up until early September they continued their attack until they were relieved by Canadian troops infront of Mouquet Farm. In six weeks of fighting the three Australian divisions who took part in this attack, suffered around 23,000 losses (killed, wounded or missing).
A memorial next to Gibraltar commemorates men from the 1st Australian Division who captured this position at such heavy cost.
The ruins of the Windmill can still be seen sticking out of a mound of earth. This ridge was the scene of bloody fighting all through August 1916.
The site has been bought by the Australian War Memorial Board, and on the plaque infront of the Windmill can be read;
“The ruin of Pozières windmill which lies here was the centre of the struggle in this part of the Somme Battlefields in July and August 1916. It was captured on 4 August by the Australian troops who fell more thickly on this ridge than on any other battlefield of the war.”
Opposite the site of the Windmill is the Tank Memorial.
During the Battle of Flers-Courcelette tanks were used for the very first time. On the 15^th September 1916, 49 British Mark 1 tanks were deployed, although only 36 made it as far as the start line and out of those a further 14 were to break down or get stuck. Another 10 were hit by enemy fire and could take no further part in the battle, 7 others were lightly hit.
The Battle was successful, but the use of tanks slightly disappointing - although they were a sign of things to come.