Why were trenches used in Gallipoli?

Why were trenches used in Gallipoli?

By 1914 trench warfare had spread to the west. The aim of the attack was to knock Turkey out of the war by threatening their capital, Constantinople (now called Istanbul). Gallipoli is the name given to the Gelibolu peninsular lying between the Aegean Sea and Sea of Marmara.

Why did they use trenches in the war?

Long, narrow trenches dug into the ground at the front, usually by the infantry soldiers who would occupy them for weeks at a time, were designed to protect World War I troops from machine-gun fire and artillery attack from the air.

Did the ANZACs fight in the trenches?

In March 1916, after Gallipoli, the ANZACs (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps) were sent to France to the conflict on the Western Front, where the war was bogged down in trenches and mud. During the course of the First World War, almost 60,000 Australians (nearly all men) died after sustaining injuries or illness.

How did the ANZACs use trench warfare at Gallipoli?

The Anzacs were literally clinging onto the edge of a cliff with the sea at their backs and the Turks occupying the higher ground. They were forced to dig extensive trench and tunnels systems and to endure a semi-subterranean existence of cramped and filthy living and working conditions under constant shellfire.

Why were we fighting Turkey at Gallipoli?

The British and French agreed to attack Turkey. Their objective was to wrest control of the Dardanelles and re-establish sea communications with Russia through the Black Sea and end the Ottoman Empire’s role in the war.

Was trench warfare used in the Battle of Gallipoli?

Trench warfare quickly took hold at Gallipoli, mirroring the fighting of the Western Front. At Anzac Cove it was particularly intensive. Casualties in both locations mounted heavily, and in the summer heat conditions rapidly deteriorated.

Are the trenches still at Gallipoli?

Unlike the trenches of the Western Front, plowed under by farmers soon after the war, Gallipoli’s trench system remained largely intact after the battle. “It’s so barren and bleak, nobody ever wanted to occupy it,” says Richard Reid, an Australian Department of Veterans Affairs historian working on the project.

Why was the fighting so difficult in Gallipoli?

Getting water supplies to the troops was an arduous process. It was brought from abroad by sea and kept in tanks on the coast, then taken up to the trenches by troops or animal transport. The water shortage soon took its toll on men who were already weakened by the harsh climate and living conditions.

What challenges did the Anzacs face during WW2?

As the weather turned the Anzacs had to endure rain and snow and the resulting mud and flooding of their trenches. Receiving supplies of all kinds was always a concern, as they had to be shipped in. Water was scarce and strictly rationed.

Why are Anzacs called Anzac?

The Anzacs on Gallipoli helped shape the Australian story. Once used to refer to those who fought in World War I, ‘Anzac’ now represents all men and women who serve Australia. The term also expresses the characteristics that are seen as Australian, including:

What was life like in the trenches in early 1916?

In early 1916, life in the trenches was considered more comfortable by many Australian troops. For those who had served on Gallipoli, the conditions on the Western Front seemed very different. Billets were within 2 kilometres of the front. There were army canteens selling groceries, tobacco and clothing,…

What was the weather like for the Anzacs?

They experienced extremes of weather. It was not uncommon for the summer heat to reach 40 degrees. Winds along the Gallipoli Peninsula were strong. As the weather turned the Anzacs had to endure rain and snow and the resulting mud and flooding of their trenches.