Historical information

This diorama is the introductory feature in the World War 1 Gallery - 1918 experience. The figure shows details of the Lewis gun and webbing including the documented but irregular positioning of the entrenching tool.

Significance

The diorama text discusses the transition from manpower to firepower with the restructure of infantry battalions to incorporate more light machine guns and to give the platoon an all round versus specialist capability. The increase in firepower and the reduction to three from four battalions in an infantry regiment in part offset the decline in voluntary recruitment. The offensive capabilities of an infantry battalion was therefore generally maintained but with 700 men instead of 1100 when fully manned .

Physical description

1:1 scale diorama showing a Lewis gunner of 44th Battalion, 11th Brigade, 3rd Division, Australian Imperial Force in May 1918