Don’t Forget Me, Cobber: The Battle of Fromelles, 19/20 July 1916 : An Inquiry

The extraordinary story of the lead up to the battle of Fromelles, the battle itself, as well and the successful search for the ‘missing of Fromelles’. On the evening of 19 July 1916 on a strip of farmland north of Fromelles, the AIF fought its first battle in France. Outnumbered two to one, a well-organised German division faced two divisions, one Australian and the other British, and yet inflicted a costly defeat. By dusk the following day there were 2436 Allies dead and 4123 wounded, no territory gained and only 501 Germans killed and 943 injured.As far as the Australians were concerned, at the disastrous battle of Fromelles, their commander, Major General McCay, was obsessed with ambition and glory on the battlefield. At dawn on 20 July, McCay went to survey the aftermath and was heard to remark that ‘they’ll get used to it’. After the war McCay’s powerful friends ensured that Fromelles was never examined in any depth, and when it was, all blame was put on the British.Don’t forget me, cobber is the extraordinary story of the lead up to the battle, the battle itself, as well as the successful search for the ‘missing of Fromelles’. Lost in mass grave pits since 1916, some 190 Australians and 328 British soldiers have been discovered after seven years of campaigning by Lambis Englezos, who also writes of his experience here. Signed by the Author. First Edition. pp. 480 Maps, illusts, tipped in colour frontispiece.(Please note: Over standard weight. Orders may incur additional postage charges. We will contact you prior to processing order to request your approval or contact us to confirm postage cost.)