In 1915 the 1st Australian Division led the way ashore at Gallipoli. In 1916 it achieved the first Australian victory on the Western Front at Pozières. It was still serving with distinction in the battles that led to the defeat of the German army in 1918. To Win the Battle explains how the division rose from obscurity to forge a reputation as one of the great fighting formations of the British Empire during the First World War, forming a central part of the Anzac legend. Drawing on primary sources as well as recent scholarship, this fresh approach suggests that the early reputation of Australia's premier division was probably higher than its performance warranted. Robert Stevenson shows that the division's later success was founded on the capacity of its commanders to administer, train and adapt to the changing conditions on the battlefield, rather than on the innate qualities of its soldiers.
• This is the first major study in ninety years of an Australian division that fought in the Great War • Provides a fresh approach to the subject by analysing both primary sources and more recent scholarship • Reflects upon the successes of the division and how it gave birth to the Anzac legend
Contents
Introduction; 1. In the beginning; 2. Organising for battle; 3. Sinews of war; 4. Already half a soldier; 5. Into battle; 6. Learning the hard war; 7. Hitting the peak; 8. The year of victory; Conclusion.
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