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Period: to
1915 Australian Military History
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Turkish forces attack the Suez canal
Turkish attempts to capture the Suez canal, vital to Allied shipping, were repulsed largely by Indian troops. Australians of the 7th and 8th Infantry Battalions temporarily garrisoned the trenches after the fight. -
Allied warships shell Dardanelles
This was the first allied attempt to force a passage through the Dardanelles and attack the heart of the Ottoman Empire. Its failure ultimately led to the ill-fated Gallipolli campaign. -
Allied fleet attempts to force the Dardanelles
This was the second allied attempt to force a naval breakthrough of the Turkish defences in the Dardanelles. -
First half-flight, Australian Flying Corps, sailed for the Baghdad expedition
This was the first use of Australian aircraft and aircrew in war. -
Landings at Gallipoli
British, French, Australian and New Zealand troops were involved in a series of coordinated landings. Although the Gallipoli campaign was a military failure, the anniversary of the landing has become a national day of commemoration in Australia. -
HMA Submarine AE2 sunk in the Sea of Marmara
AE2 was the first submarine to penetrate the Dardanelles. For five days the AE2 carried out orders to disrupt Turkish shipping. When her torpedoes were exhausted and she was attacked by Turkish gunboats the submarine was scuttled and her crew captured. -
Australian attack on Gaba Tepe, Gallipoli
The attack on Gaba Tepe by the 11th Battalion was an ill-conceived venture to deny the Turks a vantage point from which they could observe operations around Anzac Cove. It ended in failure. -
Australians and New Zealanders on Cape Helles
The 2nd Australian Brigade and the New Zealand Brigade were redeployed from Anzac Cove to Cape Helles to assist British and French troops in their attempts to capture the dominating heights known as Achi Baba. -
Second battle of Krithia
The Australian 2nd Brigade and New Zealand Brigade took part in this predominantly French and British battle against the Turks on Cape Helles. None of the objectives set for the allies during the battle were achieved. -
Major General W.T. Bridges wounded at Gallipoli
Bridges commander of the First Division, AIF, died on 18 May while being taken to Egypt for treatment. His body was returned to Australia and buried overlooking the Royal Military College, Duntroon. -
Turkish counter-attack on Gallipoli
The Turkish counter-attack sought to drive the Australians and New Zealanders from Anzac Cove. The attack failed and over 10,000 Turks were killed or wounded in their greatest disaster of the entire campaign. -
Lance Corporal A. Jacka, VC
Lance Corporal A. Jacka, 14th Battalion, originally of Winchelsea, Victoria, wins the Victoria Cross at Courtney's Post, Gallipoli. Jacka's was the first VC to be awarded to an Australian in the First World War. He also went on to win the Military Cross and Bar. -
Formal truce on Gallipoli
A formal truce was declared on Gallipoli during which the Turkish dead of the 19 May attacks were buried. -
Quinn's Post
Turkish attack on Quinn's Post, Gallipoli.