5th Field Artillery Brigade AIF

[marmi01]

Hi everyone,

I'm trying to track the movements of the 5th FAB (2nd Australian Division) from when they arrived in France in March 1916 to to their involvement at Pozieres.

Was Pozieres their first major action in France? Their war diaries are not yet online so I can't easily examine those.

Any assistance appreciated.

Mick

[Andrew P]

Hi Mick

Like the infantry battalions, the Australian artillery units which came from Egypt were first used in the Armentieres sector. Here they would have first tested their firing practices and such.

Some Australian artillery units took part in the 5th Division's Fromelles action of July 19, but I think these artillery units were affiliated to the 4th Division AIF, so Pozieres might have been the 5th FAB's first major action.

Some Australian artillery were involved on the Somme from July 1st, but these were mainly the heavy artillery.

Hopefully when the artillery unit diaries become available over the net you will be able to check exact dates.

Cheers

Andrew