The 56th Battalion was raised in Egypt on 14 February 1916 as part of the "doubling" of the AIF. Half of its recruits were Gallipoli veterans from the 4th Battalion, and the other half, fresh reinforcements from Australia. Reflecting the composition of the 4th, the 56th was predominantly composed of men from New South Wales. The battalion became part of the 14th Brigade of the 5th Australian Division.

Arriving in France on 30 June 1916, the battalion entered the frontline trenches for the first time on 12 July and fought its first major battle at Fromelles a week later. The battle was a disaster, resulting in heavy casualties across the division. Despite these losses the 5th Division continued to man the front in the Fromelles sector for a further two months.

Source: Australian War Memorial

The 56th Battalion at Fromelles

The 56th Battalion, part of the 14th Brigade, 5th Australian Division, took part in its first major action at Fromelles—a disastrous diversionary attack intended to draw German attention away from the Somme. Raised in February 1916 in Egypt, the battalion was largely composed of veterans from the 4th Battalion along with fresh recruits from New South Wales. By July, they had arrived in the trenches of northern France, facing the heavily fortified German positions at Aubers Ridge.

Prelude to Battle: 17–18 July 1916

In the days before the assault, the 56th Battalion moved into the support lines behind the front trenches near Fleurbaix. They were part of a two-brigade assault force (14th and 15th Brigades), with orders to attack the Sugar Loaf salient, a strongpoint in the German front line.

From 17 July, the men endured constant enemy shellfire, sporadic gas alarms, and poor weather. Supplies were ferried up at night under heavy fire, and the trenches—crude and waterlogged—offered little protection.

The Attack: 19 July 1916

Morning – Final Preparations

• Early morning: The 56th prepared for battle behind the front lines. Ammunition, grenades, and rations were distributed. Medical arrangements were finalised, and communication lines laid with field telephone cables—many of which were soon destroyed by artillery.
  
• Afternoon (approx. 4:00 pm): The battalion moved into its jump-off trenches, just behind the front line occupied by the 54th and 53rd Battalions. The 56th was to follow up after the initial wave and assist in consolidating captured trenches.
  

6:00 pm – Assault Begins

• The initial assault was launched by the 54th and 53rd Battalions. The 56th moved in support, advancing across No Man’s Land after the first wave.
  
• They were met with intense German machine-gun fire, especially from the undamaged Sugar Loaf Salient, which had not been neutralised by the preliminary bombardment.
  
• Despite this, some elements of the 56th Battalion succeeded in reaching the German front line trench, where they engaged in fierce close-quarters fighting.
  

Evening – Holding the Line

• Portions of the 56th Battalion, now in enemy trenches, attempted to establish a defensive perimeter, but communication with the rear was breaking down.
  
• German counterattacks began within hours. The Australians, isolated and low on ammunition, began to suffer heavy casualties.
  
• By nightfall, it was clear the position could not be held.
  

20 July 1916 – Withdrawal and Chaos

Pre-dawn – Orderly Withdrawal

• Orders were given to withdraw from the German trenches under cover of darkness.
  
• The retreat was hazardous. Many wounded men were left behind. Communication failures and the confusion of darkness led to disorganisation and further loss.
  

Morning to Afternoon

• Survivors trickled back to Australian lines throughout the morning.
  
• The battlefield, still under enemy observation and fire, became a scene of horror: hundreds of dead and wounded lay in No Man’s Land.
  
• A brief armistice was requested to recover the wounded, but the Germans refused. Only small, unofficial rescue efforts were mounted by individuals under great risk.
  

Aftermath and Casualties

The 56th Battalion suffered over 370 casualties, including the commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Cass, who was severely wounded. Many of the missing were later confirmed killed, their bodies never recovered.

The entire action was later described by General Elliott, commanding the 15th Brigade, as “a tactical abortion.”