Major battles and events that impacted on Australian soldiers and society during World War 1
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Australia prepares to join the war
Andrew Fisher (Labor leader) declares Australians will defend Britain in the war -
The Allies stand together
Britain declares war on Germany and the Allies are created -
Volunteer recruiting begins
Australia pledged a force of 20,000 soldiers. By the end of 1914 more than 50,000 had joined up. -
The Central Powers combine
November 2, 1914 — November 14, 1914
The Ottoman Empire enters the war and joins with Austria-Hungary and Germany to start the Central Powers. -
Aussies and Kiwis become Anzacs
The ANZAC was created in Egypt. -
The Gallipoli campaign
Allied troops of Britain, Australia, New Zealand and France attempt to land on the Gallipoli Peninsula next to to the Dardanelles but are pushed back by the Ottomans. -
Australia's first Victoria Cross
Lance Corporal Albert Jacka, became the first Australian to win the Victoria Cross in WWI for his actions at Gallipoli. -
Battle of Lone Pine
The Battle of Lone Pine was the first Anzac Brigade that successfully captured Turkish trenches at Lone Pine. They spent the following three days defending it against repeated counter attacks. There were many losses on both sides with around 3,000 Australian and 7,000 Turkish casualties. Seven Victoria Crosses are awarded to Australian soliders . -
Charge at the Nek
On the morning of 7/8/1915 Australian Light Horse's launch an attack on the Turkish trenches at the Nek. After the first wave was cut down by Turkish machine-gun and rifle fire, three more waves were ordered to charge, all ending in tragedy. The attack failed with 234 killed and 140 wounded. -
Anzac troops evacuate
From December 18th to December 20th 1915, the ANZAC evacuation occurred.The evacuation was the most successful operation of the whole campaign. The eight-month campaign contained enormous loss. 8,700 Australians were killed and 18,000 injured. -
Battle of Verdun
February 21st to December 15th
This battle mainly involved the French defence forces and German attack forces. In the later battles (further north), Aussie troops played an important role in drawing German forces from Verdun -
Armentieres
Aussie soldier join the Western Front in Armentieres, France. -
Battle of Fromelles
The Australian 5th Division, with the British 61st Division activated an attack at Fromelles in an attempt of preventing the Germans from transferring reserves to the Somme. Within a timeframe of less than 24 hours more than 2,000 Australian soldiers were killed and 2,500 wounded. -
Battle of Romani
The Anzac Mounted Division fought in their first major battle in Romani, Egypt. Anzac and British mounted troops stopped the Turkish advance, forcing them to withdraw. By doing so, they stopped the Turk's damange to the Suez Canal. -
First Battle of Bullecourt
Australian and British troops attacked the German frontline near the village of Bullecourt in northern France. The attack was poorly planned causing it to be a disaster. Even though they initially managed to break through the German defences, the Australians were forced to retreat. The battle costed Australia more than 3000 casualties, which include more than 1100 taken as prisoners. This battle is the largest capture of Australian troops on the Western Front. -
Second Battle of Bullecourt
May 3 to May 17
Again, Australian troops attacked the German frontline at Bullecourt. They managed to capture enemy positions. With the British, Aussies fought off many counter attacks over the next 2 weeks. The Germans then withdrew from Bullecourt altogether. The victory was costly with around 7400 Australian casualties. -
Battle of Messines
June 7 to June 14
It was early morning when Australian and British troops did a surprise attack on Germans defences near Messines, Belgium.
For the 2 years prior, Allied tunnellers had worked on placing mines under the Germans positions. During the attack, the Pons and Aussies made 19 mines and hundreds of tons of explosives explode. Instantly, 10000 Germans were killed. -
Battle of Beersheba (the fall of Gaza and Jerusalem)
This battle caused a turning point in the Middle East theatre of war. The 4th Australian Light Horse Brigade charged the Turkish trenches at Beersheba. With only bayonets, the Aussies overran the Turks in less than an hour. Many Turkish officers are captured. The capturing of Beersheba enabled the British Empire forces to destroy the Ottoman line near Gaza on 7 November and move onto Palestine, taking Jerusalem on 9 December. -
The 2nd Battle of Villers-Bretonneux
In early April of 1918, the Aussies tried and failed in the capturing of Villers-Bretonneux against the Germans. On 24 April, the 13th and 15th Australian Brigade planned an immediate counter attack. At dawn of April 15th, they broke through the German position, re-taking the town of Villers-Bretonneux and pushing the German line back. -
Battle of Mont St Quentin
August 31 to September 2
The Australians attacked and captured Mont St Quentin and Péronne. This was completed during the Hundred Days Offensive. This event caused the Germans to withdraw from the Hindenburg Line. The battle is regarded as one of the most excellent Australian achievements on the Western Front. Eight Australians were awarded the Victoria Cross. -
Allies break through the Hindenburg line
September 18 to October 5
This battle was the Aussies last on the Western Front, marking the final breakthrough. Alongside the British and Americans, they attacked the Hindenburg Line. The line was Germany’s last hope of holding up the Allied advance on the Western Front. The attack on the Hindenburg trenches was a very important factor that influenced Germany’s surrender. -
Guns fall silent
On November 11, at 11am, Germany signed a cease-fire agreement bringing WW1 to an end. More than 60,000 Australian men were killed and 156,000 wounded, gassed or taken prisoner.
