World War I: Gallipoli

On 25 April 1915, Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) troops landed on the beaches of Gallipoli in Turkey.

On 25 April 1915, Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) troops landed on the beaches of Gallipoli in Turkey. It was their first major action in World War I. The Anzacs were part of the Allied force which aimed to support Russia and force Turkey out of the war.

Landing on the Gallipoli peninsula at dawn, the Anzacs faced steep cliffs and Turkish soldiers determined to defend their homeland.

The fighting dragged on for 8 months, with neither side able to make any significant gains. Finally, unable to achieve their objectives, the Allied troops were evacuated.

The contribution of these original Anzacs is commemorated each year on 25 April.

Curriculum areas

Year 9 History

Questions

How did the terrain on which the Anzacs landed affect the Gallipoli campaign?
What sorts of conditions did the Anzacs experience? How did they respond?
Why do you think the Gallipoli campaign is important to so many Australians today?

Records

Record

Private Simpson and his donkey at Gallipoli

This photograph shows Private John Simpson Kirkpatrick leading a donkey carrying a wounded soldier through Shrapnel Gully, Gallipoli in 1915.

Record

Letter informing mother of Private James Martin's death.

Letter informing Amelia Martin of her son Private James Martin's death

This is a typewritten letter sent to Mrs Amelia Martin giving details of the death of her only son, Private James Charles 'Jim' Martin at Gallipoli.

Record

Notification of Captain Hugo Throssell's Victoria Cross

A letter to the next of kin of Second Lieutenant Hugo Throssell of the 10th Light Horse Regiment, informing them he had been awarded the Victoria Cross.

Record

Photograph of an Anzac trench, Gallipoli

A photo of an Anzac trench, Gallipoli, during World War I. Australian and New Zealand Army Corps troops landed on the beaches of Gallipoli on 25 April 1915.

Record

This is a photograph of Anzac Cove, Gallipoli during World War I.

Photograph of soldiers landing at Anzac Cove, Gallipoli

This photograph shows Anzac Cove, Gallipoli, in 1915 during World War I. The shoreline is crowded with Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) troops.

Record

Map of Dardanelles campaign

A poster featuring a map of the Dardanelles Campaign. It was designed by Sydney architect Edward Kerr, who applied for copyright of the design on 2 July 1915.