2016 50c The Battle of Pozières The Western Front Uncirculated Coin

Australia’s main contribution to the battle of the Somme in mid-1916 was the capture of Pozières, a small village that commanded the high ground towards Thiepval. After falling to the Australians on 23 July, Pozières was reduced to rubble by a concentrated German bombardment as the fighting continued throughout August at nearby Mouquet Farm. In just six weeks the Australians had suffered a staggering 26,000 casualties. Charles Bean, an Australian official war historian, described Pozières as being “more densely sown with Australian sacrifice than any other spot on earth”.