Australians at War
WWI
Countries Involved- Australia, Austria-Hungary, Brazil, New Zealand, Canada, Bulgaria, China, Japan, USA, France, German Empire, Greece, Italy, Liberia, Montenegro, Russia, Romania, Portugal, Serbia, Haiti, San Marino, Siam, Panama, Honduras, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Turkey
What was it over- The War was first sparked but Austria-Hungary and Serbia. Serbia assassinated the Emperor of Austria and from there allied forces combined and caused WWI.
When- 1914 - 1918
The Enviromental Features- The European features were cold and around the shores of Gallipoli provided limited cover from evviromental features. The German's used chemical bombs which effected the eviroment. But conditions were always tough in the battles.
Why- The war first started in 1914 between Austria-Hungary and Serbia. The countries were backed up by larger allies and then the wars started as the countries wanted to enlarge their empires.
Gallipoli-
In 1915, The Gallipoli campaign was created by the British Cabinet to take out Turkish (German Allies) Bases along the coast to allow the Allied forces to move through and control the strait. The ANZAC’s and the other allied forces were under the command of British General Sir Ian Hamilton. The Campaign was a costly failure and in early December plans were created to evacuate the forces deployed. There was more than 100,000 casualties after the evacuation and around 7,000 dead. There was 26 111 Australians injured as there was at least 1000 men dead already when they landed on the shores of Gallipoli. The last British Troops were evacuated early 1916. While the campaign was considered failure, Gallipoli became a known name in Australia and with it the ANZAC tradition was created.
The Battle of Messines-
On the 7th June 1917, the Messine in Southern Belgium was designed to force the German enemy to withdraw from the main battlefront of Vimy – Arras. The Battle exemplified tactical success through strategic planning and heavy firepower on the Germans.
For two years Australian, British and Canadian miners had engaged in subterranean warfare digging tunnel systems under the enemy’s front line. The Allies used these tunnels to their advantage, packing massive piles of exposives in the tunnels to destroy the enermies defences.
The Nek-
The Battle of The Nek was a small battle fought in Gallipoli as a part of the Gallipoli Campain in 1915. The Nek was a small stretch of ridge in the ANZAC battlefield in Gallipoli. It wasn't easy to defend against attacks and the Australians and its allies were sent there to surprise the enemy but the Turkish new they were coming. The onslaught was massive as the Turkish fired upon them. The Battle of The Nek was a waste of Australian lives
Refernce-
http://www.firstworldwar.com/features/chemical_warfare.htm
http://www.army.gov.au/Our-history/History-in-Focus/The-Battle-of-Messines-1917
http://www.awm.gov.au/blog/2007/04/11/battle-of-messines/
http://www.awm.gov.au/blog/2011/09/27/revisiting-the-charge-at-the-nek/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gallipoli
http://www.gallipoli.net.au/thenek.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Lone_Pine
http://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2010/12/what-started-world-war-i/
The Battle of Fromelles-
The Battle of Fromelles was a major battle fought by Australian troops on the Western Front. Leading up to the battle there was a seven-hour bombardment which destroyed the Australians hope of causing a surprise attack. Very few German's died because of the quality of their trenches. On the 19th of July 1916 the Australians attacked. They managed to attack and capture some of the trenches but were being counter-attacked by the Germans. The Australians were forced to withdraw on the 20th of July 1916. The battle was costly for the Australians with 5,500 casualties and the Germans with less than 1000. The attack was a failure.
The Battle of Lone Pine-
The Battle of Lone Pine was fought as a part of the Gallipoli Campaign against the Turkish on August 6-10 1915. The Battle of Lone pine was a battle that mainly consisted of Trench warfare. The battle was one of the most heroic battles Australia and its allies fought in as the battle was made as a decoy battle to draw the enemy away from where the allies were planning to attack. True mateship was shown as thousands of men were sent to be a decoy so that the allies could push on through. Around 900 men died and thousands injured as the trenches were less than 100 metres away from each other. This showed true spirit of the ANZAC’s and their fellow allies as they were sent as a decoy so that the main battalions could push through and have a chance of winning the war.
