Why were Australian troops at Gallipoli?

Answer 1

To support to the British Empire during World War One. During the "Great War" (WW I) the British lost many men in the war. To keep up their strength they got soldiers from their various colonies. Australia was one such colony. The same was true in World War II. The French also used troops from their colonies. Hope this helps. John Becase the were expendable to the British without sacraficing actual British soldier's!! All ' Australians' were british soldiers at the time . 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 .