World War 1
The Nek
When did the event occur? The battle of Nek was fought between the Turkish forces and the Australian forces. It was a small battle that began on the 7th of August, 1915 and was completed that day. 316 Australians were killed and more than 50 injured in the blood bath. Why/How was Australia involved? The battle of The Nek involved Australians as part of their effort in the Gallipoli campaign. More than half the Australian’s involved in the battle of Nek were either killed or wounded. What is the significance to Australia? · There was a high level of Australian casualties. · Fighting the Turks in the terrain was like suicide as the Turkish positions were easy to defend. · The reason so many Australians died was because they had to line up in four waves that were 150 soldiers wide and charged at the enemy lines that were only 27 meters away. Fromelles When did the event occur? The battle of Fromelles took place in Fromelles, France between the Germans and the British. It began on the 19th of July, 1916 and continued till the 20th of the same month. The British were outnumber 2 to 1. The British troops were trying to draw the German troops away from the Somme offensive. Why/How was Australia involved? The battle of Fromelles involved Australia because Australian troops were part of the British forces fighting against the Germans in France. The Australian's were outnumbered 2 to 1 but they showed great fighting spirit and battled until the end. 5,500 Australians died in the battle of Fromelles. What is the significance to Australia? · On the first night of the battle of Fromelles there were over 5,500 Australian casualties of which 2,000 of them deaths. · It was the first major battle that Australian troops had fought on the Western Front. · The Australians that went to fight the Germans faced an army that outnumbered them 2 to 1. · This is one of the largest loses of live of a division in the First World War. |
Gallipoli Landing/Evacuation
When did the event occur? The landing at Anzac Cove, Gallipoli took place on the 25th of April 1915. The ANZAC's objective was to seize the Gallipoli Peninsula and then the Dardanelles. Some units got mixed up and lost when they went rushing inland. They were separated from the main force and fell under heavy gunfire from the Turks. By the end of the day the death toll was massive, over 2,000 Australians were either injured or killed. The evacuation of Gallipoli began on the 7th of December, 1915 with the last troops leaving before dawn on the 20th of December, 1915. Why/How was Australia involved? Australia was involved in the landing of Gallipoli because they were part of the British Empire and Australia joined the war to show support for the British empire. There were 16,000 Australian’s who landed at Gallipoli in the first landing. It was a hard time for Australian’s back home because so many Australian’s died in the first few hours. The evacuation of Gallipoli involved Australia because the Australia troops that were still alive and had survived the blood bath had to evacuate the port of Gallipoli. What is the significance to Australia? · The 25th of April was named ANZAC day in remembrance of the thousands of Australian and New Zealand men that were killed fighting against the Ottoman Empire. · Over 8,500 Australians were killed fighting for their country and almost 20,000 more were wounded. As well, over 2,000 New Zealanders were killed in action and just under 5,000 more were injured. · It was the first major battle undertaken by the ANZACS (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps). · The Australians underestimated the situation and weren't prepared for the battle when they arrived. Lone Pine When did the event occur? The battle of Lone Pine was fought between the Ottomans (Turkey) and the Australian’s. It took place between the 6th and 10th of August, 1915. The attack was supposed to be a diversion to draw the Ottomans away from the main battles occurring at Chunuk Bair and Hill 971. The Lone Pine battle lasted for 4 days but in that short time 2,000 Australian’s lost their life. Why/How was Australia involved? Australia was involved in the battle of Lone Pine because they were part of the combined force that landed at Gallipoli. Out of 4,600 Australian men that took part in the battle of Lone Pine, around 3,000 of them lost their lives. What is the significance to Australia? · Just under 3,000 Australians were killed in action during the battle. This is a huge number of lives lost especially since the battle only lasted for 4 days. · Some Australians brought pine cones with them when they returned home. · They were fighting to help establish a second front against the Turks and Germans. |
Messines
When did the event occur? The battle of Messines took place between the 7th and 14th of June, 1917. The battle was fought between the British, (including Australian) troops and the Germans. Over 24,000 people from the British side lost their lives. The operation was to force the Germans further north so the British could conduct the “northern operation” which was to progress to Passchendaele Ridge, then capture the Belgian coast. Why/How was Australia involved? Australia was involved in the battle of Messines because the Australian troops where supporting the British war effort in France. Almost 5,000 Australian men died in the battle of Messines which reflects the involvement Australia had in World War 1 What is the significance to Australia? · Over 6,000 Australians were either wounded, missing or killed. · Until then it was the most successful attack by the allies in the western front. · The allies won the battle which gave them good territory for for future battles. · It was one of the largest battles Australia was involved in on the Western Front. Beersheba When did the event occur? The battle of Beersheba was a short battle that only lasted one day. It took place on the 31st of October, 1917 between the British forces and the Turks in Palestine. Why/How was Australia involved? Australia’s involvement in the battle of Beersheba was the 7th mounted brigade and some infantry that were part of the Anzac corp. What is the significance to Australia? · The Australian horseman took part in the last ever mounted cavalry charge. · Over 50 Australians were killed in action fighting for their country during the battle of Beersheba. · The Australians only had simple rifles while the enemy had more modern guns (machine guns and field guns). · The desert landscape was like home for the Australians. · My great grandfather took part in the battle of Beersheba with the New Zealand mounted rifles. |