The Top Ender Magazine June July 2023 Edition

FROMELLES
AND POZIÈRES
On 19 July 1916 the Australians
attacked at Fromelles, with disastrous
results. The Australians suffered a
shocking 5,500 casualties – their
greatest losses in a single day. It was a
harsh lesson about the scale and
intensity of warfare on the Western
Front.
Four days later, Australians went into action on
the Somme, attacking and capturing Pozières.
Under heavy bombardment, casualties grew over
the next few weeks, eventually totalling 23,000.
Fighting continued on the Somme through the
autumn mud and a bitterly cold winter. Australian
casualties continued to mount, and the men’s
health deteriorated in the conditions.
"Today I lead my battalion in an assault on the
German lines and I pray God that I may come
through alright and bring honour to our name. If
not, I will at least have laid down my life for you
and my country, which is the greatest privilege
one can ask for. Farewell dear people, the hour
approacheth.!." - Major Geoffrey McCrae, 60th
Battalion, 19 July 1916
Extracted from the Australian War Memorial
https://www.awm.gov.au/visit/exhibitions/anzac-voices/fromelles-pozieres
COMMEMORATING
THE KOREAN WAR
Only five years after the end of the
Second World War, Australia became
involved in the Korean War. Personnel
from the Royal Australian Navy (RAN),
Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), and
the Australian Regular Army (ARA)
were committed soon after the war
began and would serve for the next
three years in the defence of South
Korea.
In the pre-dawn hours of 25 June 1950 the
Korean People’s Army (KPA) launched a massive
offensive across the 38th Parallel into South
Korea. They drove the Republic of South Korea’s
(ROK) forces down the peninsula, capturing the
capital, Seoul, within a week. South Korean and
hastily deployed United States Army units fought
delaying actions as they were forced further
down the Korean peninsula, which allowed
defensive positions to be set up around the port
city of Pusan.
In all, 21 nations committed troops, ships, aircraft,
and medical units to the defence of South Korea.
Australia became the second nation, behind the
United States, to commit personnel from all
three armed services to the war.
On 28 June Prime Minister Robert Menzies
committed Australia’s RAN assets to the
Korean War, followed several days later by No.
77 Squadron. It wasn’t until 26 July that 3RAR
was committed to ground operations in Korea.
Thank you for your service
~ Lest We Forget
Extracted from the Australian War Memorial
https://www.awm.gov.au/articles/atwar/korea
10 The Top Ender | Tri-Services Magazine Incorporated