Hopes excavations in northern France can shed light on diggers' sacrifice
But buried under the surface is evidence of a German gun battery and trench system from World War I.This is the first time it has ever been excavated. Each find is a clue that will help these experts piece together what happened on the battlefield."That's our job as archaeologists, it's not just about counting some artefacts and telling you 'well, there were 10 shovels here, or you know, 300 shrapnel balls'. Of those, 6,800 men were killed.The town was obliterated, but the Australians managed to regain ground under relentless German attack."It was a slaughter.
- ▪But buried under the surface is evidence of a German gun battery and trench system from World War I.This is the first time it has ever been excavated.
- ▪Each find is a clue that will help these experts piece together what happened on the battlefield."That's our job as archaeologists, it's not just about counting some artefacts and telling you 'well, there were 10 shovels here, or you know,
- ▪Of those, 6,800 men were killed.The town was obliterated, but the Australians managed to regain ground under relentless German attack."It was a slaughter.
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Archaeologists in northern France look to shed light on diggers' sacrificeBy Syan Vallance and Daniel Pannett in PozièresTopic:World War IPosted Sun 26 Jul 2026 at 5:27amSun 26 Jul 2026 at 5:27amSun 26 Jul 2026 at 5:27amExcavation work began this week on World War I trenches in Pozières, France. (ABC News: Daniel Pannett)abc.net.au/news/hopes-new-dig-in-poziers-could-shed-light-on-diggers/106956984Link copiedShareShare articleOn the edge of a tiny village in northern France, a team of archaeologists is digging through ground that was fought for, and won, by the sacrifice of Australian soldiers.Warning: This story contains details some readers may find distressing.To the untrained eye, this site might look like any other paddock.
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