Frank Hurley (1885-1962) – Three Photographs of Australian Soldiers in the WWI Palestine Campaign – Photograph of ...

Frank Hurley (1885-1962) – Three Photographs of Australian Soldiers in the WWI Palestine Campaign – Photograph of Australian Soldiers at the Temple Mount

Three impressive black and white large-format photographs, showing Australian forces in the WWI Palestine Campaign. Taken by the Australian war photographer, Frank Hurley. [1917/1918].
The Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) was formed in 1914 and fought alongside the Allied forces. Apart from taking part in combat throughout Europe, ANZAC is remembered for its major contribution to the British victory in the Sinai and Palestine campaign, and the many battles it took part in: the Battle of Romani over the Suez Canal, the Sinai campaign, the Battle of Gaza, the Battle of Beersheba, and others. In December 1917, the ANZAC mounted division was the first to enter the gates of Jerusalem.
The present lot comprises three large-format photographs, taken by Frank Hurley, Australian war photographer during WWI:
1. Photograph of Australian soldiers posing on a staircase at the foot of the Dome of the Rock. Approx. 38X29.5 cm.
2. Photograph of Australian infantry division in battle (in the Jerusalem area?), crouching behind rocks facing a smoking hill. Approx. 37X13 cm.
3. Photograph of the Australian mounted division crossing a wide plain. Approx. 37X28.5 cm.
Overall good condition. Minor blemishes (primarily to margins). Several minor stains.

James Francis "Frank" Hurley (1885-1962) was an Australian photographer and adventurer, of the first photographers to arrive in Antarctica and a renowned 20th century war photographer. He served as official photographer alongside the Australian forces during both world wars.
Hurley purchased his first camera at the age of 17, and earned a reputation of a fearless photographer, endangering himself in order to produce memorable pictures. Between 1911 and 1916, he participated in two expeditions to Antarctica (with Douglas Mawson and Ernest Schackleton), and produced some of the first color photographs of Antarctica. In 1917, he was made war photographer of the Australian forces, and in this position he created some of the most impressive photographs of battlefields and warfronts. In December 1917, Hurley was sent to Palestine where he carried out several important photographic projects (including aerial filming and color photography). Since most of the important battles were over before he arrived, he staged some of them (including the Battles of Jerusalem, Gaza and Beersheba).