The AIF (Australian Imperial Force)
The AIF, standing for Australian Imperial Force, began as a small Australian volunteer force at the beginning of the war. It was first commanded by General William Bridges and consisted of five infantry divisions. While great European powers were involved in the early stages of WWI in the Western Front, AIF soldiers were preparing to take part in the conflict to assist Australia’s ally, Britain, who were fighting Germany alongside France. These Aussie troops were joined with New Zealanders to form the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZACs). Before joining the British in Europe, the ANZACs were sent to Egypt for an invasion of the Turkish Gallipoli Peninsula on 25th of April 1915, where they began their initiation into battle.
In March 1916, the first of the AIF divisions joined Britain on the Western Front to fight Germany. Australia had four AIF divisions on the Western Front (the 1st 2nd 4th & 5th Divisions). It was there, within the Western Front in France and Belgium that Australian troops became exposed to the new form of trench warfare and experienced the ugly, grim realities behind the front. Of the more than 295,000 Australians who served in the front with the AIF, 46,000 lost their lives and 132,000 were wounded throughout the duration of the war.
In March 1916, the first of the AIF divisions joined Britain on the Western Front to fight Germany. Australia had four AIF divisions on the Western Front (the 1st 2nd 4th & 5th Divisions). It was there, within the Western Front in France and Belgium that Australian troops became exposed to the new form of trench warfare and experienced the ugly, grim realities behind the front. Of the more than 295,000 Australians who served in the front with the AIF, 46,000 lost their lives and 132,000 were wounded throughout the duration of the war.
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