WW1 100 years since Gallipoli
Commemorating our Australian soldiers
THE CAUSE OF WORLD WAR 1
How the building tensions broke
The role of women
Australia's involvement
Significant battles
The battle of Somme, from July to November 1916 was aimed at braking the stalemate. The plan was to launch a major attack on German lines in the Somme river valley. The aim was to cut the Germans off and demoralise them. Although on the first day the Germans killed over 20,000 allied soldiers.
Passchendaele in Belgium
From mid to late 1917 fighting took place around the Belgium town of Ypres known as the battle of passchendaele. The battle was aimed at breaking through German lines to the North Sea ports were German u-boats were docked. Germans had the advantage of higher ground. Over 14 weeks allied troops made 10 attempts to breakthrough to passchendaele.
Bullecourt
In April 1917 the Australians were sent against the German lines near Bullecourt. Tanks were supposed to spear ahead the attack, however they broke down. The Australian broke threw the barbed wire entanglements and captured the first two lines of Germany trenches. But they were struck by a misdirected British artillery barrage as well as German artillery and Germany counter attacks.
WW1 impact on Australia's at home
The war had a great effect on the Australian economy, and the impacts of these changes were mixed.One of the earliest impacts of the war was the government’s cancellation of existing trade agreements with Germany and Austria-Hungary. So Australian firms in industries such as steel-making and pharmaceuticals suddenly found themselves taking up contracts that had previously been filled by German rivals.The government was keen to make sure that Australian wheat, wool and meat reached Britain and helped the war effort there. So it passed a law giving it the power to compulsorily acquire the whole wheat and wool harvests - an impossible action under the Constitution, but able to be done under the War Precautions Act.
How Australians remember those who fought for us
ANZAC Day, the 25th of April each year, is the day Australia commemorates with services and marches in cities and towns and throughout the world where servicemen, servicewomen and peacekeepers are stationed, to remember all those who lost their lives in service to their country, in all wars.
Remembrance day
Remembrance Day falls on the 11th of November each year. On the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month, a minutes’ silence is observed and dedicated to those soldiers who died fighting to protect the nation.
In Australia and other allied countries, including New Zealand, Canada and the United States, 11 November became known as Armistice Day – a day to remember those who died in World War One. The day continues to be commemorated in Allied countries.