Gallipoli

Of all past conflicts Australian troops have been involved in, the battle at Gallipoli in World War One has long been acknowledged as the battle that defined the spirit of our nation. The story of the ANZACs who fought there, is considered one of perseverance, bravery and courage in the face of failure and despair (Kids Media, 2017). After initial training in Egypt for months, the ANZAC troops left for Gallipoli. At dawn on 25 April 1915 they landed at a beach now known as ANZAC Cove. The landing was made more difficult as the beach was at the bottom of a steep slope, meaning that the ANZACs had to tackle tough and dangerous terrain to climb up the beach. As they climbed the well-organised Turkish troops fired shells and gunfire down on them from the cliff-top (Kids Media,2017; Australian War Memorial, 2017).

 

It soon became clear that the ANZACs had landed in the wrong position. Instead of the flat beach where they had meant to land giving them a better chance of reaching the shore to attack enemy troops, they found themselves much further away. It was this mistake that cost them many lives and initially losing ground (Kids Media, 2017).  As the conflict dragged on the ANZACs and the Turkish troops reached a deadlock, with neitherable to claim any new ground for months. The ANZACs began finally began evacuating on 20th December 1915. They had spent only eight months in Gallipoli, but in that time suffered 25,000 casualties, including 8700 deaths *Kids Media, 2017). The bravery and courage of Australian troops in the face of death, turned this horrific event into a legend that has helped to shape our country.

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Reference List

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Mat McLachlan Battlefield Tours (2017) Gallipoli Landings 1915. Available at: http://battlefields.com.au/gallipoli-landings-1915/ (Accessed 5 December 2017).

Australia War Memorial (2017) Gallipoli. Available at: https://www.awm.gov.au/articles/encyclopedia/gallipoli (Accessed 5 December 2017).

Australian War Memorial (2017) First World War 1914-18. Available at: https://www.awm.gov.au/articles/atwar/first-world-war (Accessed 5 December 2017).

Kids Media (2017) ANZAC Centenary and ANZAC Day (primary/middle years) - Facts for Students. Available at: https://www.forteachersforstudents.com.au/site/themed-curriculum/anzac-day/facts/ (Accessed 5 December 2017).

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