Author: PAULINE GEORGELIN
The French Australian Review No 69 (Australian Summer 2020-2021): 27-51.
https://doi.org/10.62586/NSMQ2808
This article examines the experiences of French-Australians fighting with the French army in the First World War, via reports sent to Australia and published in the press. French-Australians sent back personal accounts of their experiences in iconic battles such as Verdun, and their letters performed multiple functions. In addition to informing and entertaining the Australian readership, the firsthand accounts provided a sense of immediacy and authenticity, and helped to strengthen feelings of connectedness between Australia and its French ally, therefore underpinning pro-war rhetoric.
Keywords: French-Australian relations, French army, Verdun, World War One.