The mechanism by which load is transferred from a discontinuous fibre to surrounding unbroken fibres has been examined in some detail using two dimensional photoelastic models in which the applied load is aligned with the fibre axes. The gap in the broken fibre is assumed to have occurred during fabrication and is thus filled with the matrix material. Three different end gap configurations have been analysed and it is concluded that, for all practical purposes, the disturbance due to the broken fibre does not extend beyond the immediately adjacent fibres. Substantial shear stresses are developed in the matrix for some distance along the fibre from the discontinuity with a consequent early transfer of load. Paradoxically, this effect is not accompanied by the development of reduced maximum stresses at the broken fibre tip for any of the configurations included in these tests.