Pozieres (ATOM Study Guide)

Between July and August, 1916, the small village of Pozieres in northern France became the centre of one of the bloodiest battles of the Great War and the key to the success of the Battle for the Somme. Pozieres was stormed by Australian soldiers and captured from the German forces who had invaded and taken over the French village. In a few short weeks, Australia suffered 23,000 casualties and 10,000 lives were lost to claim this tiny patch of earth. Sadly, by the end of August the village had been destroyed. The battles to reclaim the territory for the French nation were to become legendary.