The Anzacs of Gallipoli
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  • Background
    • Who were the Anzacs?
      • Why were they at Gallipoli?
        • What was their involvement?
          • Where did they serve at Gallipoli?
            • What did they experience at Gallipoli?
            • Images
              • The journey to and landing at Anzac Cove
                • The environment
                  • Daily life at Gallipoli
                    • Campaigns
                      • Casualties
                        • Trenches close up
                          • Evacuation
                            • The environment today
                              • Cemeteries and memorials
                                • Graves at Gallipoli
                                • Personal Accounts
                                  • Journey and landing
                                    • Campaigns
                                      • Daily life at Gallipoli
                                        • Food
                                          • The wounded and the dead
                                            • Evacuation
                                              • Thoughts on war
                                              • Learning Activities
                                                • Send a postcard home
                                                  • Eat like an Anzac
                                                    • A newsworthy story
                                                      • Send a Christmas billy
                                                        • 24 hours in a day
                                                          • Writing home
                                                            • Dear Diary
                                                              • A letter to a soldier
                                                                • The landscape of Gallipoli
                                                                  • Gravestones of the fallen
                                                                    • Remembering our Anzacs
                                                                      • Research a soldier
                                                                      • Extras
                                                                        • Spirit of Anzac Tour 2011 Video
                                                                          • Acknowledgements
                                                                            • Advice for teachers
                                                                              • Bibliography

                                                                              What did they experience at Gallipoli?

                                                                              Gallipoli was the first real war experience for Australia as a nation and the vast majority of the men. Excited for an adventure and to serve their country, they set off for a foreign land. By war's end they had experienced things they could not have, nor would have wanted to imagine. 

                                                                              At Gallipoli The Anzac's had to struggle with the environment, establishing their “homes” in rugged cliffs and on narrow unprotected beaches. They experienced extremes of weather. It was not uncommon for the summer heat to reach 40 degrees. Winds along the Gallipoli Peninsula were strong. As the weather turned the Anzacs had to endure rain and snow and the resulting mud and flooding of their trenches.

                                                                              Receiving supplies of all kinds was always a concern, as they had to be shipped in. Water was scarce and strictly rationed. 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. They built a reputation as honest and brave fighters. Bonds were formed between them as they built reliance on each other.