 The 1st Division entered the line on 23 July 1916 , taking part in the assault on Pozières . Initially they succeeded in carrying the German positions with relatively small losses , however , once the Germans had recovered they directed an intense artillery barrage upon the town which resulted in heavy losses . By the time that they were relieved by the 2nd Division on 27 July , they had suffered 5 @,@ 286 casualties . Two days after taking over the line , the 2nd Division was thrown into a hastily planned attack that resulted in further casualties when the Germans spotted the Australians forming up and once again subjected them to the weight of their artillery and machine guns . Another attack was launched on 4 August which , although it met with success , resulted again in such heavy casualties — almost 7 @,@ 000 — that the division was relieved the next day . 
