Information Questions & Answers Practice Extended Response By M. Hurd.

Gallipoli Revision

InformationQuestions & Answers

Practice Extended ResponseBy M. Hurd

In 1914 Australia still had close ties to Great Britain and it was regarded as the ‘Mother Country’. When Great Britain declared war on Germany and its allies on the 4th of August 1914, Australia followed a few days later. The soon-to-be Australian Prime Minister, Andrew Fisher, declared that Australia would defend Great Britain ‘to the last man and last shilling’. The Prime Minister at the time, Joseph Cook, said ‘When the Empire is at war so is Australia at war’.

Australia was enthusiastic about fighting the war and thousands flocked to enlist. While many countries had to use conscription or already had compulsory military service, all Australian soldiers were volunteers. Over the four years of war almost 417 000, of a population of 4 875 000, Australian enlisted. These volunteers made up the Australian Imperial Force or AIF.

In November 1914 the 1st Division of the AIF and the first group of New Zealand soldiers embarked for England. Their orders changed however, and they disembarked at Egypt and were formed into a single corps known as the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps or ANZAC.

In 1914, Turkey entered the war on the German side. The ANZAC’s remained in Egypt throughout the rest of 1914 and trained until they sailed for Gallipoli in April 1915. The plan was to land on the Gallipoli Peninsula, in Turkey, on the shoreline of either side of the Dardanelles then advance up to Constantinople. This plan however, did not occur and the ANZAC’s ended up landing too far north.

Australia Goes to War

When did Great Britain declare war on Germany?

4th of August 1914

Who was the Australian Prime Minister at the time?

Joseph Cook

TRUE or FALSE?TRUE or FALSE?

Andrew Fisher said that Australia would defend Great Britain ‘to the last man and last shilling’.

TRUE or FALSE?TRUE or FALSE?

Australia had to conscript most of our troops that fought in World War 1.

A.

B.

C.

D.

E.

The AIF was the

Australian Island Force

Australian Indian Force

Australian Indigenous Force

Australian Infantry Force

Australian Imperial Force

TRUE or FALSE?TRUE or FALSE?

The AIF were supposed to go to England but orders changed and they were sent to Egypt instead.

What force was created from the AIF and the New Zealand troops?

The ANZAC’s

A.

B.

C.

D.

E.

Gallipoli is located in

Egypt

USA

Africa

France

Turkey

Where were the ANZAC’s supposed to land?

On the Gallipoli Peninsula, on the shoreline of either side of the Dardanelles.

Answer this question:

• Explain why Australia took part in World War 1.

In your books:

The ANZAC’s landed too far north on Ari Burnu Point, a narrow strip of beach behind which were steep cliffs of scrub, at dawn. No Turks could be seen in any direction so the ANZAC’s couldn’t fire as they landed making them sitting ducks. Those who made it off the boats made their way up the steep cliffs and headed inland. Many Australians were killed as soon as they landed on the beach as the Turks had the strategical advantage of high ground and superior weaponry such as machine guns and grenades.

In the confusion of what was going on, what they were supposed to do and in shock from the slaughter they had witnessed the ANZAC’s were able to advance up the slopes. While inexperienced and with scattered and mixed units the ANZAC’s were able to successfully seize Turkish positions. However, after this first day they reached a stalemate and had no choice but to burrow into the hills until they were protected.

The ANZAC’s were being led by mostly British military commanders, with the leader being General Sir Ian Hamilton. Due to the many errors made in the campaigns on all fronts, there was great hostility towards the British. These commanders were trained in traditional warfare and so were unprepared for new tactics and advanced weapons.

The Turks were being led by a Turkish officer, Mustafa Kemel. On the first day of the ANZAC landings he made his way quickly to the battlefield to find his men retreating. He ordered his men to return to the heights and to die in defence of their homeland and they did. As a result of his shrewd understanding of the advantage of the high ground the ANZAC’s were trapped on the edges of cliffs and gullies below ensuring the ultimate defeat of the ANZAC’s.

Gallipoli

Where did the ANZAC’s land?

Ari Burnu Point, now referred to as Anzac Cove.

What strategic advantages did the Turks have?

High ground and advanced weaponry.

TRUE or FALSE?TRUE or FALSE?

The ANZAC’s were able to make their way up the steep slopes and seize Turkish positions.

What is a stalemate?

When neither side can make a move or progress without compromising their own

position or advantage

Who was the British leader of the Gallipoli campaign?

General Sir Ian Hamilton

Who led the Turks against the ANZAC’s at Gallipoli?

A Turkish officer, Mustafa Kemel.

What did Mustafa Kemel order his men to do?

To return to the heights and to die in defence of their homeland.

Answer this question:

• Outline the ANZAC landing at Gallipoli.

In your books:

The campaign lasted eight months with the ANZAC’s being involved in two notable battles which included the Nek and the Battle of Lone Pine. Lone Pine occurred on the 6th of August 1915 and was a win for the ANZAC’s and the Nek occurred on the 7th of August 1915 by the Light Horse troops which was a disaster causing many losses. The Nek however was considered a success as British troops arriving were able to disembark unopposed. This attitude towards acceptable loss of life of ANZAC troops and many failures led to fuelled tensions between Australians and British commanders resulting in the dismissal of General Hamilton.

Regardless of training and commanders the ANZAC’s could never be prepared for the hardships they faced at Gallipoli. The troops were constantly under Turkish fire who had the higher ground. Activity had to be completed at night to avoid detection. In the first few weeks there was no equipment available to construct trenches or shelter and all water had to be especially brought up steep hills making it very scarce. There was also a lot of disease, lice and flies. Constant bombardment with gunfire and explosions meant the troops got little sleep. The summers were extremely hot and dusty, while the winters were extremely cold. While there was a limited amount of military equipment and ammunition and the food supply was erratic and monotonous. These conditions against an enemy on their home soil, with strategic advantage, more advanced weaponry, and superior commanders made it difficult to keep troop morale up.

ANZAC’s had to become creative with their resources with some fairly ingenious inventions. These inventions included tin grenades made from the bully beef or jam tins provided for their food which they loaded with shrapnel and gunpowder and adding a fuse. Another invention the periscope rifle provided the ANZAC’s with a way to shoot the enemy without having to put their head over the trench wall making themselves invisible to the enemy. These inventions helped the ANZAC’s to last as long as they did at Gallipoli with another invention, pop off rifle, helping them to evacuate without the enemy finding out.

Fighting & Living Conditions at Gallipoli

How long did the Gallipoli campaign last?

8 months.

What two notable battles were the ANZAC’s involved in?

The Nek and Lone Pine

TRUE or FALSE?TRUE or FALSE?

There was no equipment to construct trenches or shelters for the first few weeks of the Gallipoli campaign.

TRUE or FALSE?TRUE or FALSE?

The ANZAC’s had easy access to water which helped them to wash off the dirt and dust.

TRUE or FALSE?TRUE or FALSE?

Winters at Gallipoli were extremely cold.

TRUE or FALSE?TRUE or FALSE?

The ANZAC troops were able to sleep through the night as the enemy did the same.

What was the problem with the food supply?

It was erratic and monotonous.

What is a periscope rifle?

A modified rifle that has a scope for soldiers to see through and kill the enemy without lifting

their head above the trenches.

A.

B.

C.

D.

E.

A pop-off rifle is

A rifle that uses blank bullets to scare the enemy.

A rifle that backfires and injures or kills its user.

A rifle that has a detachable knife.

A rifle that will go off by accident.

A rifle that uses water to allow for erratic firing.

Answer this question:

• Describe the fighting and living conditions of the ANZAC’s at Gallipoli.

In your books:

November 23rd 1915 Kitchener advised the government to withdraw all troops from ANZAC and Sulva and warned them the casualties could be high. He then began preparations for the evacuation by removing surplus stores before the government had approved the evacuation. The forces at Anzac Cove were reduced to 36000 men and those at Sulva Bay to 41 000 men. Once the evacuation was approved it was broken into three stages and throughout all stages the men were required to remain silent at night. This ‘Silent Stunt’, concocted by General Brudenell White, was so that the Turks got used to the quiet at night and would not suspect anything. When the troops heard about the withdrawal many demanded to be the last to leave. The eventual selection was carefully carried out.

The preliminary stage reduced the troops to the levels required for water, reducing the numbers to 20 000 men on each front. This was done by withdrawing 10 000 men each night, on the 18/19 and 19/20 of December. The evacuation had been successful as it had not alerted the Turks. The intermediate stage withdrew all men and materials not required for holding the position for the last two days. The final stage withdrew the remainder of troops in two nights as the lives of men was considered more important than saving equipment. The front line posts needed to remain until the last possible moment at about 1:30am in order to deceive the Turks. Those from the back were the first to be evacuated and after 1:30am the front were gradually removed from their posts. The last party left at 4:10am from Anzac Cove and 5:10am at Sulva Bay. During the entire campaign 7600 Australians and 2500 New Zealanders were killed and 19000 Australians and 5000 New Zealanders wounded.

Gallipoli Evacuation

How many stages to the evacuation plan were there?

Three

A.

B.

C.

D.

E.

The Silent Stunt was

A plan where the Allies threw gas bombs that were silent but deadly to kill the Turks.

A plan where the Allies crept in behind Turks to attack from two fronts.

A plan where the Turks would creep silently at night up to the Ally lines to get info.

A plan where Allies remained silent so the Turks would let them sleep at night.

A plan where Allies remained silent at night to get the Turks used to the silence.

When was the Silent Stunt implemented?

Before the first phase of the evacuation.

TRUE or FALSE?TRUE or FALSE?

When the men found out about the evacuation, many of them asked to be the last to leave.

In the preliminary stage what were the numbers reduced to?

20 000 men on each front.

What nights did the intermediate stage of the evacuation take place?

19th and 20th of December.

TRUE or FALSE?TRUE or FALSE?

The front lines were the first to withdraw.

What time did the last party leave Anzac Cove and Sulva Bay.

4:10am from Anzac Cove and 5:10am from Sulva Bay.

How many Australians were killed in the entire Gallipoli campaign?

7 600 men.

19 000 men Australians were wounded.

Answer this question:

• Describe the Gallipoli evacuation in detail.

In your books:

Australians commemorate ANZAC day to honour the bravery of Australian and New Zealand soldiers. One example of a soldier who helps define the ANZAC Legend was John Simpson Kirkpatrick a British soldier who joined in Western Australia. Simpson was stretcher bearer posted to the Third Australian Ambulance Brigade who used a donkey to transport the wounded soldiers to the boats.

While the Gallipoli campaign was a disaster, it inspired the ANZAC Legend because of the amazing character and courage these men portrayed in battle. Qualities such as mateship, fearlessness, sense of humour, initiative, resourcefulness, leadership and a dislike for authority are all qualities the Anzacs displayed and we still take pride in today. These qualities are still displayed strongly in our sportsmanship which is why sport plays a key role in our society today.

The ANZAC Legend

Why do Australians commemorate ANZAC Day?

To honour the bravery of Australian and New Zealand soldiers.

A.

B.

C.

D.

E.

John Simpson Kirkpatrick was

A soldier who helps define and inspire the ANZAC Legend.

A British soldier who joined the AIF in Western Australia.

A stretcher bearer who used a donkey to move the wounded onto boats.

Posted to the Third Australian Ambulance Brigade as a stretcher bearer.

All of the Above

TRUE or FALSE?TRUE or FALSE?

The Gallipoli campaign was a disaster for the Anzacs.

What qualities did the Anzacs demonstrate?

Mateship, fearlessness, sense of humour, initiative, resourcefulness, leadership and a

dislike for authority.

TRUE or FALSE?TRUE or FALSE?

The Australian people no long display the qualities the Anzacs became known for.

What aspect of our society still demonstrates most of the Anzac qualities?

Sport.

Mateship

Fearlessness

Humour

Initiative

Resourcefulness

Ability to use what is at hand for new purpose.

Quick to joke and laugh.

Loyalty to mates.

Face fear to the point of recklessness with their lives.

Takes upon themselves jobs they know need done.

Match the word with the definition.

Answer this question:

• Explain the importance of the Anzac Legend on the Australian national identity.

In your books: