 In early 1916 , the decision was made to transfer part of the AIF to Europe to take part in the fighting in the trenches along the Western Front in France and Belgium . Still attached to the 7th Brigade , the 27th Battalion entered the front @-@ line for the first time on 7 April 1916 as the Australians took over a quiet sector near Armentières . On 8 July 1916 , the 7th Brigade was ordered to march to the Somme to support the Australian 1st Division which was taking part in the fighting around Pozières . On 28 July , the 7th Brigade undertook an attack on the German line , however , during this time the 27th Battalion was held back in reserve . The attack proved unsuccessful and as a result it was ordered to launch a second attack on 4 August , centred upon German positions around Bapaume . 
