Letters and Stories
Read the stories of the brave men and women who went to war
and their connection to the region.
A glimpse of the sea
‘… a glimpse of the sea – we knew perfectly well that this hill was the key to victory or defeat.’
The British at Cape Helles
French troops engaged in a diversionary landing on the Asiatic side of the Dardanelles.
Monash - A fit leader for the wild men he commanded
In May 1918, Australia’s five divisions were united into a single corps on the Western Front.
The Turkish Offensive
Turkish May offensive: The Man with the Donkey dies and another legend is born.
Suvla Bay
Despite facing only light opposition, the landing at Suvla as part of the August offensive was hopelessly mismanaged.
Disease, heat and flies
As the summer swelter set in, the Anzacs cursed billions of flies drawn by unsanitary conditions.
The Nek
Below to the right lay the Australian trenches at The Nek, the narrow strip of flat land about the size of a football field.
A few minutes creeping
The lads from Wide Bay District in the 15th Battalion made a brilliant bayonet charge on May 9.
Sooner to be back at old Pialba
‘ … would sooner be … at old Pialba with the tent and fishing line … catching whiting.’
Hamel
Hamel was a small town but its capture by the Australians inspired the Allies on the Western Front.
These continual frontal attacks
Two brigades of Australians and New Zealanders were taken from Anzac Cove to Helles for the Second Battle.