Battle of Fromelles - Aftermath

Aftermath

The attack completely failed as a diversion, when its limited nature became obvious to the German defenders. A communiqué released to the press by British GHQ was not favourably received by the Australians. It read: "Yesterday evening, south of Armentières, we carried out some important raids on a front of two miles in which Australian troops took part. About 140 German prisoners were captured."

The battle was responsible for one of the greatest losses of Australian lives in one 24-hour period, surpassed only by later World War I actions like the Battle of Bullecourt. The 5,533 casualties were equivalent to the combined total Australian losses in the Boer War, Korean War and Vietnam War. The 5th Division was effectively incapacitated for many months afterwards. Two battalions were effectively destroyed in the battle and had to be rebuilt: out of 887 personnel from the 60th Battalion, only one officer and 106 other ranks survived; the 32nd Battalion sustained 718 casualties. The Australian losses and conduct of the high command also significantly damaged relations between the AIF and the British, although Australian historian Jeffrey Grey has argued that both Haking and McCay made errors in judgement that contributed to the result, citing McCay's order not to consolidate the initial gains as well as poor planning and artillery support, and the inexperience of the Australian troops in the conditions of the Western Front as factors. The British 61st Division suffered 1,547 casualties.

It is believed that Adolf Hitler, then a 27-year-old corporal and a message runner in the 16th Bavarian Reserve Infantry Regiment, took part in the battle. Hitler served on the Aubers-Fromelles sector from March 1915 until September 1916. German losses during the battle were just over 1,000.