To Win the Battle

The 1st Australian Division in the Great War 1914–1918

Robert Stevenson (University of New South Wales, Sydney)

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English

Cambridge University Press
05 October 2012

History; Military history; First World War

Series: Australian Army History Series

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 Pozieres. It was still serving with distinction in the battles that led to the defeat of the German army in 1918. This book 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. 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.

By: Robert Stevenson (University of New South Wales Sydney)
Imprint: Cambridge University Press
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 228mm, Width: 152mm, Spine: 23mm
Weight: 550g
ISBN: 9781107028685
ISBN 10: 110702868X
Series: Australian Army History Series
Pages: 312
Publication Date: 05 October 2012
Audience: General/trade , Professional and scholarly , ELT Advanced , Undergraduate
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active

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.

Reviews for To Win the Battle: The 1st Australian Division in the Great War 1914–1918

'... an impressive piece of scholarship and, in the Australian context, a brave book that attacks some of the pillars of the Anzac myth. It is among the finest modern studies of a British Empire division in the Great War, and deserves the widest possible readership.' Gary Sheffield, War in History ... an impressive piece of scholarship and, in the Australian context, a brave book that attacks some of the pillars of the Anzac myth. It is among the finest modern studies of a British Empire division in the Great War, and deserves the widest possible readership. Gary Sheffield, War in History