World War 1, Middle East Egypt, Heavy Artillery Group, 1918
1918Gunners of 16th Reinforcements on donkeys in Egypt
Raised from Permanent Force Coast Artillery gunners from around Australia, the Siege Artillery Brigade (Heavy) was formed in Victoria in April 1915 Western Australians joined from Albany and Fremantle.The troops embarked and departed Melbourne on the Orsova on 17 July 1915. Like many artillery units it underwent a bewildering sequence of renaming and re-designations; O Siege Brigade 28 September 1915, 36th Heavy Artillery Group 18 July 1916, 36th Heavy Artillery Brigade 5 February 1918.
The 36th Australian Heavy Artillery Group served in England, and on the Western FrontIt was organised in two batteries, equipped with 8 inch Howitzers and 9.2 inch howitzers respectively - the 54th and 55th. Each battery initially had four guns; this was later increased to six.
These were the heaviest guns operated on a continuous basis by Australian gunners in WW1. Heavy artillery was designed to pulverise enemy defensive positions. The Australian Heavy Batteries served on the Western Front largely detached from the rest of the AIF. They spent relatively little time on the Somme. Most of their service was rendered further north around Arras and Vimy in France and into Flanders, as part of British Corps Artillery. The Heavy Batteries were manned at the outset with soldiers from the permanent force Garrison Artillery, later augmented by reinforcements from the militia.
Details
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Australian Army Museum of Western Australia
Australian Army Museum of Western Australia
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