What were the main problems faced by Australian soldiers?

The constant noise, cramped unsanitary conditions, disease, stenches, daily death of comrades, terrible food, lack of rest and thirst all contributed to the most gruelling conditions. The Anzacs were literally clinging onto the edge of a cliff with the sea at their backs and the Turks occupying the higher ground.

What problems did soldiers face on the Western Front?

On the Western Front, the war was fought by soldiers in trenches. Trenches were long, narrow ditches dug into the ground where soldiers lived. They were very muddy, uncomfortable and the toilets overflowed. These conditions caused some soldiers to develop medical problems such as trench foot.

What were some of the largest problems faced by soldiers on the Western Front?

Disease and ‘shell shock’ were rampant in the trenches. As they were often effectively trapped in the trenches for long periods of time, under nearly constant bombardment, many soldiers suffered from “shell shock,” the debilitating mental illness known today as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

What happened to Australians on the Western Front?

Over 295,000 Australians served on the Western Front between March 1916 and November 1918. Of those service men and women, 46,000 lost their lives and over 130,000 were wounded. Battle conditions were so dire that more than 18,000 of the fallen had no known grave.

What went wrong at Gallipoli?

The Gallipoli campaign was intended to force Germany’s ally, Turkey, out of the war. It began as a naval campaign, with British battleships sent to attack Constantinople (now Istanbul). This failed when the warships were unable to force a way through the straits known as the Dardanelles.

What were the experiences of Australian soldiers in Gallipoli?

A soldier’s diet consisted mostly of bully beef, hard biscuits, jam and tea. Lack of sanitation in the heat caused a prolific outbreak of disease. Men suffered from dysentery, gastroenteritis, typhoid fever, pneumonia and cholera and faced plagues of fleas, flies and rats. Amongst this, many Anzacs kept their spirits.

What was the war like on the Western Front quizlet?

What was war like on the Western Front? Bloody and brutal. Trench warfare began outside the trenches, soldiers faced powerful weapons like machine guns, poison gas and tanks.

Why were rats an issue in the trenches?

Many men killed in the trenches were buried almost where they fell. If a trench subsided, or new trenches or dugouts were needed, large numbers of decomposing bodies would be found just below the surface. These corpses, as well as the food scraps that littered the trenches, attracted rats.

How many Anzacs died at Fromelles?

Over 5,500 Australians became casualties. Almost 2,000 of them were killed in action or died of wounds and some 400 were captured. This is believed to be the greatest loss by a single division in 24 hours during the entire First World War.

What was the bloodiest battle in World War 1?

The Battle of the Somme
The Battle of the Somme was one of the largest battles of World War I, and among the bloodiest in all of human history. A combination of a compact battlefield, destructive modern weaponry and several failures by British military leaders led to the unprecedented slaughter of wave after wave of young men.

When did Australia fight on the Western Front?

Between March 1916 and November 1918 more than 295,000 Australians served on the Western Front. The fighting had begun when Germany invaded Belgium in August 1914. The British Empire sent an expeditionary force to France and Belgium to help repel the Germans.

How did soldiers get to the Western Front?

How did soldiers get to the Western Front? During the First World War, the Australian Government requisitioned dozens of merchant ships from commercial companies to use them as troopships. As well as carrying troops, horses and military stores, the vessels transported wool, metals, meat, flour and other food, mainly for Britain and France.

How many Australian soldiers died on the Western Front?

By the end of 1918, 46,000 Australians had lost their lives and 132,000 were wounded. Our history records no greater example of Australian sacrifice and for this reason, the bravery of our soldiers on the Western Front deserves to be remembered. . Learn more about the battle for Mouquet Farm.

Where did Queensland soldiers serve on the Western Front?

Nine Queensland Battalions served on the Western Front over 33 months. There’s a town in Queensland called Pozieres. Originally a soldier settlement village, it took the name Pozieres after the First World War to commemorate the selfless contributions made by the men and women who served in France.