I am hoping to visit Fromelles in September before the weather breaks. Would like to take a book with me explaining the 1916 battle from the British and Australian perspectives. I've got 2/7th Warwickshire War Diaries and a few maps presently as a starter for ten. However I would like to read up more on the background. I was particularly incensed last night to find out that General CJ MacKenzie, the major general who was officer in charge of the 61st Division(and had a catalogue of mishaps before 1916) lived to the ripe old age of 95- am I right to apportion some of the blame for Fromelles on him?

Also are the old trenches/earthworks still clear or any signs indicating where things were if wanting to take a battle field tour?

Can any one recommend a good book for background?

thanks

Richard

Mackenzie did not come under too much criticism from those who ought to know. His superiors did (later), as did McCay who commanded (5th Australian) Division.

There are plenty of battlefield bits and pieces for you to get your bearings and do a really good tour. The road layout is very much the same, for example. A good start point is VC Corner and the nearby Australian memorial. Go there with a few maps, get a very good fix on where you are and very good views in all directions.

Paul Cobb's "Fromelles 1916" is a good starter in terms of reading. Have a look too at my own essay, at http://www.1914-1918.net/bat15E_Fromelles.html. It is not directly about the battle but will give you some context.

Be sure to contact Martial Delbarre and go to see the museum in Fromelles old town hall. It is excellent and worth a detour. It is a private museum so you need to arrange a visit in advance.

Hi Richard. I am not sure what you mean by background. There is a book in the Battleground Europe series devoted to Fromelles. There are also 2 others in the same series, Neuve Chapelle and Aubers Ridge. These cover the battles fought a year before over much the same ground. Excellent pocket sized books with maps and photographs.

I am with Truthergw in recommending Battleground Europe's "Fromelles - French Flanders" book. I have been studying the Australian sectors in detail for over two years and my fave source in that regard has been CW Bean's "Official History of Australia in the War of 1914-1918" I believe he saw the remains of the battlefield himself in 1919 so there is an immediacy and intensity evident in his writing. You can download any of his chapters for free from
http://www.awm.gov.au/histories/index.asp
If you have any difficulties with that let me know and I will email you the two relevant .pdf files. I would also recommend Mat McLachlan's "Walking with the ANZACS" Although it is obviously a walking guide to the Australian sectors only.

The lay of the land and roads (as mentioned already) is very similar today as it was in 1916. With a good situation map you can really imagine the scenes. There is virtually nothing left in terms of breastwork, trenches or other obvious evidence of what was there in the Aussie sectors. There are a couple of old concrete bunkers visible near Cordonneri Farm (probably built post Battle of Fromelles). The best relic I saw is a relatively recently discovered complete 'mini-werfer' (trench mortar) bunker from 1916. It is about 100 mtrs east of Cordonneri Farm. It is hidden away in a thick copse of trees just off the road...Its presence is ironically signaled by the French sign telling you to keep out of the private land. That being said it's not fenced off and isnt too far off the road. Amazing site.

I would second the idea of booking a visit to the museum in advance. It has curious opening hours and is easy to miss out on.

I'd like to hear how you get on there and what you think of the battleground(s) if you can find the time to email me.

Best of luck.

Paul Cobbs "Fromelles 1916" is available from Amazon for £12.59 and Fromelles(Background) by Peter Pederson for £9,95

Fromelles: French Flanders - Peter Pedersen (Battleground Europe series)
Fromelles - Patrick Lindsay
Walking With The Anzacs - Mat McLachlan (of which I own the very first copy ever sold - thanks Mat!!)

But I can't believe no one has mentioned every Australian's bible to the Battle of Fromelles
Don't Forget Me Cobber - Robin Corfield (the first edition is rare as hen's teeth but fortunately there's a new revised edition now available)

Cheers,
Tim L.

I have the Fromelles - French Flanders by Peter Pedersen, contains some good background information, maps & pictures

Just as a bit of a long shot here: Anyone planning on driving from the UK to Fromelles or nearby anytime between November the 20th and 30th??

And would be happy to have 1 or possibly 2 paying Aussie passengers?

Only really looking for a lift there and possibly back...but any socialisation that results would be a bonus.

Cheers,
Den

Can Do..PM me.

Many thanks to every one for their suggestions- taken the consensus view and ordered the Paul Cobb book and the Fromelles: French Flanders - Peter Pedersen book. Should know which way to point the map after reading those two. Any info on the web on how to contact the museum if it has funny opening hours?

Also any suggestions on accommodation locally?

Richard

I will be going over at the times you specify,if you want a lift over please pm me

For the museum, email martial.delebarre @ wanadoo.fr (remove spaces either side of the @). Martial is most helpful.

Thank you for the contact details
Richard

Richard,

Glad to hear that you’ve ordered both books. Paul Cobb’s book is very thorough and will give you a good insight into the British side of things. Peter Pedersen’s book is more of a guide, as you would expect, and concentrates more on the Australian involvement. Ignore the photograph of Captain Paul Kennedy on page 24 (where Pedersen refers to the Kennedy Memorial). It’s actually a photo of Paul’s younger brother, John Kennedy, a lieutenant when the photo was taken.

I can’t say that there is much remaining to identify the sector held by the 61st Division, but it would be worth you wandering down that way, if only to get a feel for the place.

With regard to the Museum in Fromelles, let me know when you plan to visit and I will make the necessary arrangements for you. It can be opened up outside of the usual hours if arranged in advance of your visit. Last December I was told by Martial Delebarre that he no longer wished to have any contact with the British families or visitors, only the Australian, but I can arrange for an English-speaking representative to meet you and guide you around the Museum.

As to accommodation, we tend to stay at the Novotel in Englos, mainly because it caters for those with young children. It’s comfortable enough and is only about ten minutes’ drive from Fromelles.

V.