Australian and New Zealand troops were organised into a single force during training in Egypt, before being landed on the Gallipoli peninsula on 25 April 1915. Part of a broader allied effort, they landed north of British and French troops at what became known as Anzac Cove; the men consequently became known as Anzacs.

After Gallipoli, ANZAC was disbanded. The men, along with three additional Australian divisions, were reorganised into I Anzac Corps and II Anzac Corps, and sent to France where they fought on the Western Front. An Anzac Mounted Division was also formed in 1916, serving in Sinai and Palestine.