Snowy To The Somme: A Muddy and Bloody Campaign, 1916-1918 (2014) By Timothy J. Cook
 
After near 100 years the 55th Battalion is finally being remembered in this valuable addition to Australian military history, Snowy to the Somme A Muddy and Bloody Campaign, 1916-1918 by Tim Cook.

Due to the awareness of the Gallipoli Campaign, there was a vast increase in the amount of Australians volunteering for WW1 service. After the evacuation of Anzac, the AIF was doubled in size.

The 55th Battalion ranks were filled by taking half the Gallipoli veterans of the 3rd Battalion and making up the another half from fresh recruits. These recruits had arrived from Australia and had not yet seen active service. The Battalion was mostly composed of men from New South Wales.
The 55th Battalion was transferred to the Western Front, arriving into France on the 30th June 1916. Within two weeks the 55th Bn entered the frontlines at Fromelles. Eventually taking part in the Battle of Fromelles on the 19th July 1916. Fromelles was the worst disaster in Australian history when in a 24 hour period, 1917 men were killed in action with some 5000 casualties.

In 1917, they took part in the defence of the Hindenburg Lines at 2nd Battle of Bullecourt. The 55th Battalion had a major role during the Battle of Polygon Wood in September 1917. During the German Offensives, the Battalion valiantly defended to the north of Villers-Bretonneux and held these even after the German capture of the village.

On the 2nd September 1918 the Battalion fought to capture Péronne. The Battalion’s last major battle of WW1 was at St Quentin Canal. The Battalion was Honoured when Private John Ryan was awarded the Victoria Cross.

Researchers will be happy that included are Nominal, Honour, Honours and Awards, and extensive end notes are shown with a great index
 
Soft Cover
397 pages
In Fair to Good Condition