Gallipoli and the ANZACS
Australian New Zealand Army Corp
The British Plan and Initial Result:
* Weaken Germany by attacking its new ally (Turkey)
* Move British and French battleships Constantinople (Turkeys Capitol City)
* Force Turkey out of the war and open up a supply route for Britain through to Russia
* Use only infantry (ground troops) to fight against the Turks
* Naval assults began in February and March, 1915, and failed, with allied ships suffering major loss and damage
* Land invasions were the planned at various points along the Gallipoli Peninsula on the 25th April with British, Australian and French troops involved in the attack
Australian Experiences at Gallipoli:
16,000 ANZAC troops landed 2km north of the intended position at Gabe Tepe
Turkish troops were located at the tops od the cliffs above the tiny landing beach, later known as ANZAC cove
Turkish troops were ideally located to gun down the ANZAC invaders and trap them between virtually unscaleable cliffs
By nightfall on the first day, the ANZACS had suffered 2,000 casualties (621 dead) and only claimed 900 metres of land
Over the next week, 27,000 ANZAC troops landed at ANZAC cove where they tried to maintain control of the beach and build trenches all under the constant barrage of Turkish fire from distances as close as 30 metres
On May 19th 1915, 42,000 Turks advanced in an attempt to break through ANZAC lines. They were unsuccessful, and both sides paid a hugs toll in the number of dead and wounded. They both agreed to stop fighting for a few hours so they could bury their dead and collect the wounded from no-mans-land
Living Conditions:
Conditions at Gallipoli (Anzac Cove) tested everyone’s patience
Dugouts or trenches took a little more than a few weeks to complete, it was dangerous work, and soldiers were in constant threat of being shot. They would often have to lay flat wile they worked; any movement too far above the surface made them...