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ALLIES – defeat
This battle was an unsuccessful Allied attempt to control the sea route from Europe to Russia. The battle campaign began with a failed naval attack by the British and French. They attempted to control the Dardanelles Straits, Northwestern Turkey. If this attempt was successful, the Allies would be able to link up with the Russians in the Black Sea to defeat Turkey and knock them out of the war completely. The Turkish responded with heavy fire and mines which eventually stopped them advancing. Meanwhile, the plans to invade Gallipoli began. The plan was to assemble all Australian, New Zealand, French and British Soldiers on the Greek island of Lemnos. However, when this was put to action, the leaders of the Turkish and German armies began placing troops along the shore where they suspected the invasion was going to take place. On the 25th of April, 1915, the Allies attacked. They suffered many casualties but managed to take 2 beachheads. However, the Allies were unable to make much more progress from their beachheads as the Turkish gathered many more soldiers and troops to stand guard. Another surprise attack from the Allies was planned but at all the beachheads. The Allied indecision and delay stalled all kind of progress. The remaining Allied soldiers were instructed to evacuate. In all of this, the Turkish and the Allied forces had approximately 250,000 casualties each.
This battle was an unsuccessful Allied attempt to control the sea route from Europe to Russia. The battle campaign began with a failed naval attack by the British and French. They attempted to control the Dardanelles Straits, Northwestern Turkey. If this attempt was successful, the Allies would be able to link up with the Russians in the Black Sea to defeat Turkey and knock them out of the war completely. The Turkish responded with heavy fire and mines which eventually stopped them advancing. Meanwhile, the plans to invade Gallipoli began. The plan was to assemble all Australian, New Zealand, French and British Soldiers on the Greek island of Lemnos. However, when this was put to action, the leaders of the Turkish and German armies began placing troops along the shore where they suspected the invasion was going to take place. On the 25th of April, 1915, the Allies attacked. They suffered many casualties but managed to take 2 beachheads. However, the Allies were unable to make much more progress from their beachheads as the Turkish gathered many more soldiers and troops to stand guard. Another surprise attack from the Allies was planned but at all the beachheads. The Allied indecision and delay stalled all kind of progress. The remaining Allied soldiers were instructed to evacuate. In all of this, the Turkish and the Allied forces had approximately 250,000 casualties each.
FOCUS QUESTION RESPONSE: The Allies failure in this battle taught everyone how passionate and eager the Axis powers were to defend their land and soil. The Allied defeat has also given all Australians and New Zealanders today an even bigger reason to remember all the brave men who offered up their lives to fight for their countries. It has enabled people today to understand and appreciate the atrocities in war for both the Allies and Axis powers. It also enabled Australia and New Zealand to create their own identity, not only in war, but as countries separate to the Mother Land, Great Britain. Ultimately, these countries was enlisted in war because the British were. However, in the Battle of Gallipoli, they ended up fighting on their own against the Axis powers, which helped them prove their worth. This battle showed how tough, loyal and dedicated the Australian and New Zealand forces were to overcome the error of landing on the wrong beach and fighting so hard and long in a hopeless situation. Their actions became legendary and they have inspired the Australian Defence Forces ever since.