Why was Australia in the gallipoli campaign?

Answer 1

I will contribute a two part answer to this question.

The tactical reason that troops were sent to this area was a foolish plan designed by Churchill, a mid level English military leader in 1915.

The plan was to occupy the area, force the Turkish army to abandon their largest city, Istanbul/Constantinople. This would cut off all supply from Europe, including Germany, to Central Power armies in Asia minor, Syria, Arabia, etc. Thus, these areas could quickly be overrun by Allied armies and a great victory achieved. Of course, even a cursory review of a map reveals that the logistical support for such a campaign would be daunting. Distances were huge. German/Turkish support was readily available via rail. The invasion beaches were poorly selected. The weather was awful. The Turks proved excellent fighters and quickly contained the British positions. German submarines in the Mediterranean shot up many Allied warships in the close quarters. Ultimately the entire fiasco was cancelled by the Allies and the survivors withdrawn. The area remained under Central Power control for the wars duration. Churchill, rightfully, lost much prestige over this campaign. However, he learned nothing from the disaster. In 1941 he began planning again for a campaign of a similar fashion. This new plan was to invade.....Italy. Again, the troops got bogged down in rough terrain and terrible weather. Again, the effort in this peripheral arena drained resources that were critically needed on other fronts, thus extending WWII as it had WWI.

My second answer is in regards specifically to the use of Australian troops in this battle. It is well known by most history buffs that the English love to use 'colonials' for their heaviest fighting. The English may take the credit for victory later, but they prefer that most casualties be in the column of others. Thus they used Australians to fight in Turkey in 1915, Canadians to 'test' invade France in 1942, Canadians and Americans in 1944 to do almost all the heavy fighting in Normandy, and Americans to invade Italy in 1943 (even when the American leadership opposed the Italian campaign as a waste and irrelevant to the main issue). Thus as you read details on various 'English' engagements in WWI and WWII, you will note that very often the troops involved are Scottish, Indian, South African, Australian, New Zealanders, etc.

To support to the British Empire during World War One.

However the colonial British ( Australians ) were not committed to the fighting in Europe at the time the British government decided to attempt to knock Turkey out of the war as Turkey had sided with Germany and was a threat to British interests in the Middle East . It was also considered to a way of supporting Russia as Russia was fighting against the Germans .

The plan was to attack the capital of Turkey by using the British and French navies to sail through the Dardanelles ( a narrow waterway leading to the Turkish capital ) and shell Istanbul thereby forcing the Turks to surrender .

That plan failed because of the fierce resistance of the Turks on each side of the Dardenelles and mines which sank many of the ships .

A new plan was devised to land troops and capture the forts blocking the way .

French , British and ' Australian' troops landed on the Turkish peninsular near Gelibolu ( Galipoli ) but were held and finaly repulsed by the Turks .

Which meant that the British attempt to knock Turkey out of the war had completely failed . The British and allied forces retreated and the survivors were sent to fight in Europe .

Answer 2

they were pressured in to go by the community.

there were posters everywhere saying how good the war was and that it would be a fun adventure

they had no idea what war was really like. they never saw someone die and knew they would lose arms and legs and there 3rd leg

And they thought it would be awesome.

and there was one hero who saved all the Australian soldiers his name was Anthony kruger, but josh garwood is tougher. it is beleived he risked his life to save a good mate named Owen hardwicke which they both ran out in the middle of the battle field and saved alot of Australian soldiers by getting camels to T-BAG them. Anthony got shot but laughed because it did not hurt him . the nurse Hannah razay saved Anthony krugers life. Owen hardwicke was on his way into ther hospital to see Anthony when suddenly he tripped over and sprained his ankle. then kell gibbons came running along and saved Owens life because he is alergic to sprained ankles.

dan gibbons was bestriends with Hannah and sisters with kell and they all hanged out after the war every day for the rest of there lives :P

but there has been no greater hero in any war then Anthony kruger he had a sword fight with achillies and owned him in every single way he then cut him up and ate him last night he cooked him in the oven for 3 hours on 200 degres. the herbes he used was chilli powder pepper cat urine dog spray and frog sprog he said it was so tastey he would go back for seconds

apparently camels walked on the field erected

Answer 3

They were waiting in Egypt for on-shipping to the war in Europe, when Winston Churchill in one of his more hare-brained spasms avoided the opportunity to bring Turkey onto the Allied side and decided to invade Turkey instead, using the Anzac Corps to augment the invasion.

Answer 4

britans wanted to weaken germany.. they were looking for additonal advantage.