Menin Road

The Aussies Fight Side by Side for the First Time

Wounded Australians awaiting evacuation on Menin Road.

In 1917, General Haig began what would become known as the Third Battle of Ypres, with the intention of capturing the village of Passchendaele. But getting to the village would require a series of bite-and-hold battles. In September, the 1st and 2nd Australian Divisions, along with British and South African Divisions, launched the third in the series of assaults, at Menin Road. For the first time in history, two Australian divisions would be fighting side-by-side. If they were to ever have this chance again, they would have to prove just how formidable they could be.

The 1st and 2nd Australian Division objectives.

The German Units

German Counter Attacks

Troops of the 1st Australian Division moving forward prior to the battle.

1st Division troops making their way forward. Note the white smoke from an exploding shell. This shell killed three men and wounded several others.

Australian troops moving forward to join phase two of the advance.

A German pillbox at Nonne Boschen

The Butte. A strong German defensive position which caused difficulties during the advance. The crosses mark Australian graves for the men who died taking the feature during subsequent battles.